WGL March-April 2013 by Times-Georgian

West Georgia

Li V ing Life . Art . Music . People

March/April 2013

All about your Budget Find thrifty ways to shop, cook and decorate INSIDE: • Pine Mountain Gold Museum • WLBB reborn • Douglasville’s architectural gem

Plus:

Clark Howard’s advice on playing the Stock Market

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From the Editor

West Georgia

Li V ing Volume 3 . Issue 4 March/April 2013

Publisher Leonard Woolsey leonard@westgaliving.com

Editor Amy K. Lavender-Buice amy@westgaliving.com

Advertising David Bragg david@times-georgian.com Melissa Wilson melissa@times-georgian.com

Photographer Ricky Stilley ricky@westgaliving.com

Contributors Kathy Howell T.L. Gray Katie Allen Ross

Ken Denney Tommie Munro Amanda Kramer

Dear Readers: Spring is on its way, which means we’ll all be itching to get out and enjoy the outdoors soon and maybe even do a bit of spring cleaning. However, before you do, you might want to spruce up your finances. With that in mind, we decided to focus on ways to save money in this issue of West Georgia Living. So we whipped up some budget friendly recipes for you, got some tips on how to make a simple, inexpensive desktop garden, and garnered advice from financial expert Clark Howard on how to jump into the high-stakes (and sometimes confusing) world of stocks and bonds. Hopefully, some of the tips provided in these pages will help your family become smart spenders and smart savers. We’ve also started a new series we hope you will enjoy titled “Homes of Distinction.” The series will feature homes in the west Georgia region that have a lot of history or feature unique and outstanding architecture. Keep an eye on our pages as we bring you pictures of some of our area’s most beautiful homes – you might just see a house you recognize.

Of course, we’ve also got some interesting stories for you featuring the history of our area, specifically how Villa Rica was the site of the first gold rush in Georgia. We also highlight how the legendary WLBB radio station is making a comeback. As usual, we also have gardening advice from our Carroll County Master Gardeners in this edition. This issue, our experts tackle Tea Olive Trees (wonderfully fragrant) and everyone’s favorite tuber – sweet potatoes! And readers, just a reminder: We will once again be hosting a Blue Ribbon Contest at the 2nd Annual Old Time County Fair at Little Tallapoosa Park, located at 1930 Hwy. 113, Carrollton. We’ll be selecting winners in the categories of Best Pie and Best Cake. So start working on those recipes, and we’ll see you at the fair on April 20 and 21!

Sincerely,

Amy K. Lavender-Buice

To advertise in West Georgia Living, call 770-834-6631. Submissions, photography and ideas may be submitted to Amy K. Lavender-Buice c/o The Times-Georgian, 901 Hays Mill Rd., Carrollton, GA 30117.

Leonard Woolsey

Melissa Wilson

Ricky Stilley

David Bragg

West Georgia Living is a publication of the Times-Georgian. West Georgia Living is published bi-monthly. Direct mail subscriptions to West Georgia Living are available for $24 a year. Copyright 2013 by the Times-Georgian.

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

Submissions will not be returned unless requested and accompanied with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. West Georgia Living reserves the right to edit any submission.

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Contents

Features

Photos and Cover Art by Ricky Stilley.

32 Market Sense: Take advice from financial wiz 10 Gold!: Learn all about the first gold rush in

Clark Howard on how to break in to the Stock Market scene ... even if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re new to the game.

16 How to: Learn first hand from Shawn Phillips

how to turn your drab desk or end table into an oasis of plant life with just a few basic materials.

Georgia courtesy of the Pine Mountain Gold Museum in Villa Rica.

38 Radio Rebirth: Those who remember radio

station WLBB will be pleased to learn that the old favorite is back on the air.

Departments Life

Series: Homes of Distinction 26

People

Take 5: Marty Smith

Food 6

Budget Friendly Meals

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

43 44

Garden

Feature Flower: Tea Olives Sweet Potatoes

20 22

Art

Review by T.L. Gray Artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corner

50 56

How Does Your Garden Grow? Spring is upon us, and it’s never too early to start planning your garden.

Come by and visit our ever expanding Garden Center, and talk with our knowledgeable staff, Cathy, Lyle, Janet and David. They will be happy to help you with your gardening ideas, and questions. We carry a wide selection of your favorite plants along with gardening, lawn care, and pond care products from names you know and trust, Burpee, Scotts, Fertilome, High Yield, Miracle-Gro and many more. We invite you to come by, new plants and products arriving daily... it's just a good place to spend some time looking around enjoying the newness of spring! See you soon.

Southern Home & Ranch Garden Center 1110 NORTH PARK STREET • CARROLLTON, GEORGIA • 770-832-0114 HOURS: MONDAY-SATURDAY 8AM-7PM • SUNDAY 12PM-5PM

BREMEN LOCATION: 103 FERN STREET • BREMEN, GEORGIA • 770-537-3815 HOURS: MONDAY-FRIDAY 7:30AM-6PM • SATURDAY 8AM-3PM VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: WWW.SHRCENTER.COM

Pub Notes From Publisher Leonard Woolsey

Money Savvy: Learning the Hard Way

he other day, I asked my daughter about an idea for a money-related column for an upcoming West Georgia Living magazine. “How about how you owe me $140?” she said without missing a beat. I laughed, but then began to think about how what she said made sense. Owing someone else money is not a good feeling. Honestly, I do owe her the money. The reason we are not yet square is complicated, but the fact I owe her a sum is not in question. That said, I needed to look no further for a darn good money-related subject. My parents were children of the Great Depression. And, in most cases, they and their contemporaries will always be. My dad preached to my younger brother and me about the dangers of credit, saying there were very few things in life you should ever consider using credit to purchase. While he meant large, difficult-to-acquire items (like a house), my brother and I wrestled with fully understanding the difference between a “need” and a “want.” “I really need this new television,” we might’ve said when we were young consumers – all the time thinking we were following his advice. And like that, we’d whip out a credit card and end 8

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

up paying more for the item that we’d planned due to interest or charges. Learning the difference between a “need” and a “want” is always hard when you are young and eager to acquire items to show the world you are an adult. And like most people of my generation, after a while we learned credit – or paying over time – was not particularly our friend. One day, we woke up and discovered we were still paying for items long after we’d found they were no longer important. The bill, however, kept arriving all the same. Too often, money intelligence is learned the hard way. This issue of West Georgia features financial advice from one of America’s top financial voices, Clark Howard. Long popular for his common sense methods of saving money or getting the most for your purchases, Howard has helped countless individuals successfully surf through the murky and confusing world of money intelligence. The nice thing about life is if we pay attention, we can learn along the way. While changing your behavior is never easy, pain can be a pretty effective teacher. By the time you read this, I will have paid my daughter the money I owe her (there will be some negotiations involved to clarify the exact balance). But her reminding me of how I owed her money – and the uncomfortable feeling inside my gut – served to remind me of why developing your personal money intelligence is so important in life. q

Building better lives through education, employment and opportunity

Life Story by Amanda Kramer Photos by Ricky Stilley

Larry “Pop” Arnold volunteers at the The Pine Mountain Gold Museum in Villa Rica six days a week.

Villa Rica: City of Gold

illa Rica is a town rich with history from an era when many people came to west Georgia seeking their share of its fortune in gold. The city’s namesake, which means “the city of gold” in Spanish, stems from its prosperous past with the highly coveted mineral; however, it took more than a century for the thriving city to be recognized as the first gold rush location in Georgia. In 2005, local historian Doug Mabry changed the state’s history when he found proof on an official state map found in the Archives of the Library of Congress that had the phrase, “Gold Region” written across the northern portion of Carroll County from surveys taken between 1827 and 1830. The map lacked any reference to gold in Dahlonega, which was previously widely accepted as the first gold rush in the state. Mabry said gold was discovered in 1826 as Carroll County was forming, and it was not until three years later in 1829 that miners moved north along what is known as the “Gold Belt” to Dahlonega. He said the gold belt stretches from Alabama to North Carolina and was one of the richest formations in the country. 10

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March/April 2013

“There were clues that Villa Rica was the first gold rush in the state, and it took a lot of years of research from maps and old deeds to put the place on the National Registry that predated Dahlonega,” Mabry said. “This did upset them in Dahlonega, because they had been thriving on the gold rush. They have since changed it to ‘significant gold rush’ in Dahlonega.” Mabry said the discovery changed history books, and the city built a museum to share its story with visitors: Pine Mountain Gold Museum at Stockmar Park. “It was the forgotten gold rush that was found,” Mabry said.

eorgia’s first historian, Lucian Lamar Knight, also believed the northern part of Carroll County near Villa Rica was home to the first gold rush; however, he failed to mention any sources to support his claim. Carl Lewis, historic preservation coordinator at the museum in Villa Rica, said the Native Americans knew the gold was here, and once the settlers caught on, they started to come

to west Georgia in search of personal fortunes. The gold mines were largely kept secret due to a law that gave mineral rights to the state in the newly formed county. Once the law was repealed in 1829, the deed books filled with dozens of commercial mining companies.

here were more than 3,000 prospectors at one time in Villa Rica, but many of the miners packed up and moved east toward Dahlonega in 1829 as the gold became increasingly difficult to mine. Georgia continued to thrive with more than 500 active mining operations in the 1830s before the gold rush drove prospectors farther west to California. Lewis said the city officially changed its name from Hicks town to Villa Rica in the 1840s. The profits from the gold yield also shaped Georgia’s history, he said, as some of the funds from the mining operations were used by Alfred Austell and Edmund W. Holland to establish the first bank in Georgia and the first attempt at an Atlanta public school. Another mining family, the Candlers, mined gold on the property. Asa Candler later founded the Coca-Cola Company. The Villa Rica Electric Light and Power Company bottled Coca-Cola and other beverages in the city from 1903 until 1923. Lewis said some of the rare straight-sided bottles, valued at more than $3,000, were dug up in the area and are on display in the museum. He said when the property at Stockmar Park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 there could not be any more commercial mining on the property. However, interested prospectors can still recreationally pan for gold.

useum Manager Linda Shaw said there is still about 80 percent of the gold remaining on the Stockmar property. She said the gold is the form of flakes. Unlike the gold found in nug-

Riley Golden, 7, of Villa Rica, gets assistance learning how to pan for gold from David Smallwood.

get form, the gold flakes are not costeffective to mine. The quality of the gold, she said, is one of the purest in the world, with 98 percent purity. Lewis continues researching the vast history of the city’s gold prospecting days as he uncovers even more information from local residents and centuries old property deeds. Lewis has also lived the life he researches and displays daily to the public at the museum. He spent two and a half years commercially mining the area for gold using various prospecting tools before he realized he could never net a profit. He was the last man to commercially mine the Stockmar property. In 2001, the property was donated by Mirror Lake, LLC to the city, where it became the home of the gold museum. “I had everything from gold pans to bulldozers, and I still couldn’t make a profit,” he said. “You must move so

much material.”

ewis said he knew at that time Villa Rica had gold throughout the area, but he was unaware that gold prospecting had been a principal industry until he began working with the city and researching its history. The property at Stockmar Park was not only used for gold mining. Shaw said in the 1940s the family had a dude ranch on the property called the “Flying S. Ranch.” “They made the area into a site for recreation with swimming pools and dance halls,” she said. “It was very interesting that this area was used for decades as a dude ranch. One of the things I find so enjoyable is when local residents come and tell about their family history at the dude ranch. I have learned so much.” Shaw said that is one reason why the museum is so important to the people March/April 2013

West Georgia Living

A functioning grist mill is one of the many features found on the property of Pine Mountain Gold Museum.

of Villa Rica since it is a place to record and share local history. Since the museum opened its doors in 2008, she said the 4,800-square-foot facility has educated families, school children and other groups in the gold rush.

he museum is designed to make the visitor feel as though they are going on a gold prospecting adventure as they enter the building. Patrons can pan for gold or gemstones on the property, view an operational 1858 stamp mill, see gold mine ruins on the mountain, hike more than 3 miles of nature trails and see a live animal exhibit. The museum is also filled with treasures of that bustling time with cases displaying early prospector tools and personal artifacts. Although many people came to the town seeking gold, there were also several pyrite mines, more commonly known as “fool’s gold” in west Georgia, too. Shaw said the museum also relies on volunteers to assist in its operations, events and other projects, such as updating a visitor registry. “Volunteers are a big part of what we do here, and we are always looking for more volunteers.” Alton Brewer has volunteered for four years leading tours, 12

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March/April 2013

helping run the gift shop and assisting visitors as they pan for gold on the property. “Before I volunteered here, all I knew about gold was that you buy it at a jewelry store,” he said. “I have learned just about all you can learn about the gold mining process from working here. It is really interesting. I also enjoy the people who work here and the people who come to visit. I have been in the people business all my life, and I love people.” Larry Arnold volunteers his time six days a week at the museum. “I just enjoy being here and working on the mountain,” he said. “We are one big family, and I love teaching the kids and showing the adults how to pan for gold. I have learned so much about researching since I have been here. If you like to talk, we can tell you all we know about the history.” The museum is operated by the Villa Rica Parks and Recreation Department. For more information into the history of Georgia’s first gold rush or to try panning for your own bounty of gold in the museum exhibit, you can contact the Pine Mountain Gold Museum at Stockmar Park, located at 1881 Stockmar Road, at 770-459-1399. wgl

74 Kilgore Rd., Carrollton, GA 30116 (Across from Pugmire Ford, behind Waffle House)

40076092

BE OUR GUEST

r Breakfast, lunch or dinner at our on-site restaurant and café. r Participation in campus activities. (Call us to ﬁnd out what’s happening during your visit.) r Regularly scheduled local shuttle service to local shopping and Historic Downtown Newnan. r Access to the ﬁtness center.

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Easy as 1, 2, 3 ...

With Shawn Phillips of Classic Gardens

photos by Ricky Stilley

How to: Make a

Desktop Garden 16

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

1. Find a container you

find attractive. If you use a clear, tall container you can place gravel and soil in the container in such a way as to create a “sand art” effect. Place pea gravel in the bottom of the container, tipping it in one direction to make a sloped layer, then – tipping it slightly in the opposite direction – add potting soil (not garden soil). Then, add a layer of mini mulch for houseplants, tipping in the original direction. Leave enough room at the top of your container for the roots.

2. Place a succulent of your

choice in the top. Here, Shawn Phillips used a “Panda Plant,” Kalanchoe tomentosa. Break up the root ball so the roots can spread out, and position it in the top of the container.

Option #1: Low Maintenance March/April 2013

West Georgia Living

3. Place peat moss in the top and

around the sides to help hold the plant in place. Water your succulent no more than once a week â&#x20AC;&#x201C; any more and you will swamp your plant because your container has no drainage. Place your plant in a location with the correct amount of sunlight for your variety as noted on its label.

Option #2: Lowest Maintenance 1. Choose a container large enough for you to

fit your hand inside. Place a small layer of pea gravel in the bottom, top it with a layer of peat moss.

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

2. Place an “Air Plant,”

Tillandsia lonantha, inside the container. No soil is required because air plants get their nutrients from their leaves rather than their roots. You now have a terrarium!

For more information on these ideas or to order plants, call Shawn Phillips Creative Living at 770-834-0924.

3. You can add decorative items to your

terrarium if you wish. If not, you’re done! You don’t even have to water it because air plants get their nutrients and moisture from the air inside the container. If it is dry in the building where you have your air plant located, you may need to spray it with a mister (one spray) once a week or so. However, having an air plant in a terrarium environment should eliminate this need.

March/April 2013

West Georgia Living

Garden Story by Kathy Howell Photos by Ricky Stilley

The sweet smell of Tea Olives

friend and I stepped onto the front porch and were immediately struck by a delightfully fragrant perfume in the air. “What is that wonderful smell?” she asked. Then before I could answer she began searching for the source. In the back yard she found a 20 foot tall Tea Olive. She was amazed that its tiny flowers filled the whole yard with an unforgettable, intoxicating fragrance. Once you experience the tea olive you won’t forget it. Tea Olive or Sweet Olive (genus, Osmanthus) is a sweetly fragrant evergreen shrub, native to China where it is the traditional symbol for love and romance. It is revered as one of the top flowers of China and some cities celebrate holidays to recognize its importance. China harvests its flowers for their fragrance and infuses them into teas, jellies, jams, soaps and perfumes. It was introduced into Europe in the 1800’s by French botanist Jean Delavay and made its way to the west in the 1850’s. Tea olive is found in the Southeast United States from Virginia to Texas and south to Florida. It can be grown in hardiness zones 7-10. Tea Olive is held in high esteem by many gardeners in the South. The first hole at the Augusta National Golf course is known as Tea Olive, where plantings of the shrub are to the right of the fairway and behind the green. The Atlanta Botanical Garden planted an orange Fragrant Tea Olive at the entry way. Tea Olive was selected as the Georgia Gold Medal 20

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March/April 2013

Evergreen Shrub in 2009 because of its fragrance, low maintenance requirements, resistance to disease, pests and deer, and for its adaptability in many types of soils. Tea olive belongs to the olive family (Oleacea) and in Greek the word Osmanthus means fragrant flower. Flowers of all tea olive species are intensely fragrant, often being compared to the scent of peaches, apricots, orange blossoms or jasmine. The most common flower color is creamy-white, but depending on cultivar, can vary to include pure white, pale to deep yellow, orange and red. Most tea olives bloom in the fall. The foliage is dark, leathery, and usually toothed along the edges. The leaves are opposite one another on the stem. Some tea olives have dark blue to black drupes after flowering but they are ornamental, not edible. onsider planting a tea olive where their fragrance can be enjoyed - near a door, sidewalk or window. Their sweetness may be enjoyed from September to November when most other flowers are taking a break. They are a perfect plant for screens and hedges where they would form a wall of perfume in the fall. The mature height and spread of the tea olive is from 6 to 30 feet, varying significantly by cultivar, so if you plant one, be sure to choose the correct cultivar for your space. The growth rate is moderate, from 4 to 12 inches per year until maturity, and is strongly influenced by soil quality and organ-

ic matter content, available nutrients and water availability. The growth habit of most species is dense and upright, oval to round in form. The larger shrubs may be pruned into a tree form, but they rarely need pruning since they usually form a pleasing shape on their own. If you must prune them, do it before growth starts in spring, since they flower on current season’s growth. The two spring blooming species, Delavay and Devilwood, should be pruned immediately after flowering. Be aware that tea olives which are pruned back severely may take several years to come back into bloom. ost tea olives will grow in sun to medium shade, and grow best in fertile, moist, welldrained, acidic soil. They are moderately drought tolerant once established. Fertilize with azalea or camellia fertilizer in the spring according to package directions. Several tea olives that are suitable for growing in our hardiness zone are the Holly Tea Olive, Fragrant Tea Olive and Fortune’s Tea Olive. Holly Tea Olive sometimes called false holly is the smallest form, growing between 10–15 feet. The mounding growth habit of Delavay makes it perfect for a hedge. There is also a variegated holly form, Goshiki, meaning five colors, with pinkish to purple new growth and mottled gold, green and white leaves. Fragrant Tea Olive can grow between 20-30 feet, but usually between 12-15 feet and is the most fragrant of the group. It is the most common of the tea olives found in nurseries. There are over 20 types and cultivars: Apricot Gold, Butter Yellow, Orange Supreme, Four Seasons, to name a few, which may not as easy to find but would be worth the search. Fortune’s Tea Olive is a hybrid of the other two tea olives. It grows between 15-20 feet and is more cold resistant than the others, growing in colder hardiness zones of 6 or 7. The only native tea olive is com-

monly called Devilwood, but its flowers the butterflies and hummingbirds that still have the heavenly scent. It gets its are attracted to it. It will be a sweeter name because the fine-textured wood is world to enjoy with one in your yard. difficult to split, and grows along swamp Kathy Howell is a Carroll County Masmargins and along coastal plains. It may ter Gardener and Extension Volunteer. be purchased from native plant nurseries but should be planted in areas similar to its native habitat. If you plant a tea olive you will enjoy watching your friends try to 1110 NORTH PARK STREET locate the source CARROLLTON, GEORGIA • 770-832-0114 of the fragrance HOURS: MONDAY-SATURDAY 8AM-7PM • SUNDAY 12PM-5PM and you can enjoy Locally Owned and Operated

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Garden

Sweet Potatoes

Story by Tommie Munro Photos by Ricky Stilley

A Southern Favorite

have always loved to eat sweet potatoes. When I was growing up they were baked, candied, made into a casserole or, of course, baked into a pie. I gave little thought to their nutritional value. They just tasted good. Now, their nutritional value has been recognized, and in addition to the old favorites they are prepared in numerous other ways including: hash browns, scalloped, soups, dressings, fries and even chips. There are even purely ornamental sweet potatoes. These are grown for their beautiful foliage instead of their delicious flavor. Two of the most common ornamental sweet potatoes are “Blackie” and “Margarite.” “Margarite” has a beautiful chartreuse green color and the “Blackie” foliage is almost black. Both grow rapidly and need large growing areas, 22

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March/April 2013

because they may cover 30 square feet or more in a summer. Although ornamental sweet potatoes are the same species as the edible ones, they have been selected for their foliage instead of their flavor, so while they are edible they are not good to eat.

hen discussing sweet potatoes, one major question always comes up: What is the difference between a sweet potato and a yam? The United States Department of Agriculture says that while the terms are often used interchangeably, they are two different species. The University of California Extension Service says that although sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) and yams (Dioscorea Species) may look and taste very similar, they are not botanically related. The

sweet potato originated in the tropics but is not allowed to be imported into the United States because of concerns over exotic diseases and insects. Therefore, any sweet potatoes purchased in the United States are grown here. Yams, on the other hand, are grown mainly in Africa and Asia. So any yams you purchase are probably sweet potatoes. In summary, sweet potatoes are roots and members of the morning glory family and yams are tubers of a tropical vine found in Central and South Africa and Asia. The most significant difference to most of us is that sweet potatoes are high in Vitamin A (more than carrots) while yams contain very little. In addition to being high in Vitamin A, which helps to prevent night blindness and develop a healthy immune system,

sweet potatoes are high in calcium, potassium and vitamin C. They also contain small amounts of iron and are rich in dietary fiber. They are a healthier alternative than white potatoes, which have a high glycemic index. This means that the starch in white potatoes is metabolized quickly leading to a rapid increase in blood sugar, while the starch in sweet potatoes is metabolized more slowly resulting in a more level blood sugar. This is especially important for diabetics.

One Potato ...

eorgia is the perfect place to grow sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are a long-season crop and our long, hot summers give them time to grow and mature. Several varieties do well in Georgia. The University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Service recommends: Beauregard which is readily available, produces a high yield and shows some disease resistance; Centennial is disease resistant, matures in 90 days and tolerates clay soil; Jewel produces a high yield, bakes well and matures in 120 days; Porto Rico is a bunch variety, produces high yields, matures in 110 days and bakes well; and Yellow Jersey is an old fashioned variety with yellow skin and white flesh that matures in 100 days. Sweet potatoes are a warm-weather crop and, as such, they should not be planted until the soil has warmed to at least 70 degrees F, which usually occurs about the first part of May in our area. However, they take 90 to 120 days to mature depending on the variety, so they need to be planted after the soil warms in the spring but no later than the middle of June to give them time to mature before the first frost. Sweet potato seeds are difficult to obtain and start, so most sweet potatoes are started from slips. Slips are bare rooted plants that are grown from seed tubers or the sweet potato eyes. It is safer to buy certified slips from reputable dealers than to use last year’s potatoes or slips from an unknown source because certified slips are properly labeled and have been checked for disease and insects.

using a high phosphorus starter fertilizer according to package directions. Just before the vines cover the row, side dress with 4 pounds of 5-10-10 per 100-foot row. Sweet potatoes need uniform waterings of about l inch of water per week so that the soil is moisten to a depth of about 6 inches. Allowing the plants to dry out for too long between waterings may cause the sweet potatoes to crack. Good watering during transplanting and root development is especially important. Keep the leaves as dry as possible during watering to keep down disease. Morning is the best time to water to give the leaves time to dry before dark. Stop watering 3 to 4 weeks before harvest to keep the tubers from splitting. Keep the plants well weeded, especially until they cover the row, but cultivate shallowly to prevent root damage. Mulch and pre-emergent herbicides can also help.

ome common problems with sweet potatoes are too much nitrogen –which gives you more vines and less potatoes – too much water, and soil that is too heavy. The most common disease and insect problems are wireworm and root-knot nematodes. Buying resistant varieties and rotating your crops every two years are the best protection against these. Sweet potatoes will continue to grow until frost, but should be harvested before the first frost. Cool soil will reduce their quality and the storage life. They should be ready to harvest about 90-120 days after planting. The tops will begin to die back when it gets close to harvest time. After three months, dig a few plants and check the size of the tubers. Harvest them when 30 percent are larger than 3 ½ inches in diameter. Tubers that are too large are hard to harvest and store. When harvesting, it is best to cut and remove the vines before digging. Avoid damaging the new potatoes during digging and handle gently because the skins are thin.

Two Potato ...

weet potatoes need full sun (8 to 10 hours per day), slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-6.5) and good drainage. They don’t develop well when planted in heavy clay soils. They grow best in sandy or sandy-loam soils. In our clay soil they do best when aged-compost or other organic amendments are added to improve drainage. Planting on ridges will also help. This is not necessary in sandy soil. Be careful with fertilization. Over fertilized plants develop lots of foliage and few potatoes. Fertilization rates should be based on a soil test available from your local UGA Extension Office at a minimal cost. Without a soil test you can try using 30 pounds of 5-10-10 per 1,000 square feet of bed. Slips should be planted 4 inches deep, 10-18 inches apart and rows 36-48 inches apart. It is helpful to water the transplants

uring should start within 1 to 2 hours after harvesting. Cure the tubers by putting them in a shady location at 80-85 degrees for four to seven days with 90-95 percent humidity, or placing them in the warmest room in your house for 14 days. They must be above 70 degrees F for curing to take place. This helps heal any bruises and cuts and increases sweetness. Store at 50-55 degrees F, never below 50 degrees, and 80-85% humidity, or as close as possible. They can be stored at this location for up to 6 months. They should be checked often for decay. Any affected potatoes should be discarded immediately to prevent the decay from spreading. Sweet potatoes are easy to grow, nutritious and best of all delicious, so why not give them a try in your garden this summer. Tommie Munro is a Carroll County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer. March/April 2013

West Georgia Living

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Home of Distinction ... and history

evermind that the Hutcheson House in Douglasville is screened by lush magnolias, that it’s nearly 100 years old, or that its gardens have been featured in magazines and on cable TV. Forget all that, because we learned something else about the home: the place is a landmark from the Disco Era. Back in 1977, Susan Hutcheson – granddaughter of the builder, Judge James R. Hutcheson – got together with an Atlanta singer-songwriter named Alicia Bridges and wrote “I Love the Nightlife,” a.k.a. “Disco Round,” one of the iconic tunes of the age of mirrored balls and platform shoes. It is 26

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

Editor’s Note: This article is the first in a series on local homes known for their history and architecture. In this article, we highlight the Hutcheson House on Campbell Street in Douglasville. It is our first of many “Homes of Distinction.” an association few would make with this rambling, American Foursquare style building. The house today remains much as it was back in 1915, when the elder Hutcheson took what was originally a dogtrot style home built around 1870 and added on a much larger, two-story structure. The current owner, (Continued on page 29.)

Fun Fact: In the early 1900s, you could order houses like this by mail; their pre-cut parts were delivered in a boxcar. Talk about some assembly required!

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his small stone building apparently was built at the same time as the original 1870s dogtrot building. The remains of a chimney suggests it may have been a curing shed, also known as a smokehouse. Inside, Hudson has decorated it with antiques, such as a wood-burning stove and treadle-powered sewing machine. Man-powered sewing machines would have been an important accessory to this home in the days before electricity. 28

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

The foyer of the Hutcheson House in Douglasville has a distinctive double archway framing the stairs, both of which are original to the 1915 portion of the house. Such decorative features are typical of what is known as the “American Foursquare” type house, which was popular from the mid-1890s to the late 1930s. Less ornate than Victorian style homes, the house nevertheless shows a degree of elegance through such woodwork.

Susanne Hudson, only improved the mechanics of the building when she bought it from the Hutcheson family in 1995. Husdon is the chairperson of the Douglas County Tourism and History Commission.

Also outside is a small brick building that Hudson believes was a smokehouse or a curing shed for the original building. Inside, she has placed other items that were found in the main house, including a wood-burning cook stove.

While the showplace gardens of the house have received lots of attention in such magazines as Southern Living, and on programs aired by the HGTV network, the house itself is equally deserving of attention. Unlike many houses of the period, it stands largely unchanged; as solid as the stately trees which surround it, showing no signs of age. wgl

he building retains almost all the original architectural elements, from the unique double archway in the foyer, to the exposed beams in the parlors and the beveled glass windows in the dining room. The house still has the original wallpaper from 99 years ago, the same light fixtures, as well as the same doorknobs. Even the claw-foot bathtub is the one installed by the Hutcheson family. Judge Hutcheson served as Douglasville’s city attorney and mayor before he became a judge and later a state senator. He also built a two-story building downtown where the old Post Office was located. Hudson has kept an old desk from the P.O. that she found in the house, along with a sideboard buffet. The rest of the house has been decorated with her extensive collection of antiques.

utside, the house has a wide porch that wraps around one side. The porch and the house itself are heavily screened by huge Southern Magnolia trees, which affords the house complete privacy from busy Campbellton Street.

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ed urviv e s s a er h nsid llpap of use i se. a w This century son Hou ly a che near the Hut

his view from the front parlor into the living room shows how the original wallpaper has been preserved. The wood around the doors and mantle, as well as other trim details, are also original features of the 1915 part of the house. The most common floor plan of Foursquare homes was a formal entry with the stairs to the second floor, and a living room and dining room on the main floor. 30

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

AS SHA N NT T TÉ É HOL O T IS S A 177 YEAR OL LD SE S NI N OR R. A An nd that th hat a mea eans s som met e hi h ng ng a litttle ttlle di d ff ffe erren nt a att UW U WG’ G s Ad Adva v nced nc n ced d Aca ade demy my.. “I “ ’m m a hig gh sc scho ool o se en nio or an and nd a co colllllle eg ge se eni niorr at th he sa ame me tim me,”e e,”e e, ”exp xp pla ain ns Ash As ha ant nté é.. “Th Thatt’s s re ea a alllllly yc co oo oll. Itt’’s s bee een liife e-c -cha ch ha ang ging. in ng. g. “II was as in th he Inte Intte In ern nat a io ona nall Ba Bac cc cal alau a re ea atte prrog ogra ra am m,, but ut I wante ante an ted tto o see e wha hat at ot otthe h r op he ppo p rtun rttu un n nit iittie es th he erre we erre e to ge get ah ahea ead. d. A fri rien end ment menttio me i ne ed UW UWG. G. I viis sit ited ed cam ed ampus pu us an nd re eal ally lly ly fel e t at a home, ome, om e, and d th ha at w wa as iitt,”” says sa s th he e Viillla a Ric ca na attiiv ve e. “I lov “I ove ge gettting ing to in o liv ive ve on on cam mpu pus s wi w th h my ffrrie iend ds s.. I’m m our ur res esid dence ence en c hal a l co coun u ci cil ffu cil un nd drra ais sin ing gc ch hai ar– we w e’rre rais rais ra siin ng m mo one ney fo or ou our prom prrom m and nd fo orr ch ha a ari r ty ri ty.”” The an Th antth hro opo pollo ogy gy ma ajjor o an nd d soc ocio ology llo ogy gy min norr ha as s ma ad de th he most mos mo stt of re ese ear arch ch h opp ppor por ortu tuni tuni niti ties ti es e s th hrrou ough g the Ho th Hono nors rs Co ollle lle ege ge. L La ast s yea ear, r, sh he e pre rese es se entte ed d her pap a er er on ho h mo m se sexu xua allit ity y in n anc cie en ntt Grre ee ec ce at at co c onf nfe erre en nces. ce es. s. She h ’s s cu urrrre enttly y res sea earc rchi rc chi hing ng techn ec chn hno ollogy’ ogy og y’’s e efffe fectts on n te ee en p prreg egna gna nanc anc ncy. cy. y. “A Afftter ter er I gra radu ad du ua atte e,, I’m m goi oing g to ea earn earn rn my ma m stte err’s r’s s in p pu ub blllic ic hea ic ealltth ealt h.. Be effor ore I st star art g grrad ad sch choo ool, l, I wa an nt to to NL N L[ J JL LYY[[PÄ [PPÄ ÄLK LK HZ Z H H O OV VSPSPZ Z[[[PJ PJ OLH PJ LHS[[O WY WH HJ J[[PP[P [PVU VULY LY “M My p pa are rent entts ar are re real eal ally ly pro roud d of me me. II’’m p prrou ud o off me e,, too.” oo.”” oo

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Straight from the Source Looking to play the Stock Market? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play a losing game. Take some helpful advice as your ammo into the fray.

32 West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

Some advice from America’s favorite mastermind of money ... Editor’s Note - Clark Howard provides consumer and financial advice through his nationally syndicated radio program, The Clark Howard Show. In this exclusive article for West Georgia Living, he has three pieces of advice for people considering entering the stock market.

No. 1 – Don’t Stay on the Sidelines!

When there’s a bad day on Wall Street, some jittery investors sell out of their positions out of fear. But can you ever time it right at both ends – getting out at the right time and then getting back in at the right time? It’s almost mathematically impossible to do so.

Americans are sitting on $7 trillion in savings accounts and CDs at a time when the average investor is too afraid of stock market risk. That $7 trillion number is unbelievable, by far the highest since such records started being kept around the tail end of World War II.

Many investors got burned by dot coms, then the real estate bust and then the financial crisis. Yet, the stock market has recently had a phenomenal run-up. In fact, the stock market has more than doubled in the last three years. Sure, it’s possible that stocks could be poised for a correction, or a bear market. But risk is part of the human condition. Getting in and driving to work is one of most dangerous things we do. But it is a calculated risk. We know that lack of mobility is a worse punishment than the prospect of the risk of a possible accident. Yet with investing, we’ve lost that ability to overcome fear and drive that investment vehicle forward. When our appetite for risk recovers, the economy is in a position for growth for many years to come because of that $7 trillion figure. In the meantime, the risk to your own financial well being in the long term is very strong – if you stay on the sidelines. Life is not without risk. You just need risk that’s appropriate for your age, whether it’s real estate, stocks, commodities, or a little bit of all three. Do them all to have long term financial growth. Remember, we don’t just exist on this Earth. If you’re sitting still, you’re going backwards. You only progress when you take that step, take that risk, and move forward.

No. 2 – Don’t Try to Time the Market!

If you are approaching retirement or are in it, you’ve got to be able to pass the sleep test. Are you overexposed or are you reasonably exposed to stock market volatility? You don’t want to be 60 and have all your money in stocks. You need to gauge your risk based on where you are in life. If you’re in your working years, I want you to continue to contribute every pay period to a 401(k) or other retirement plan.

Sure, there are worries out there like Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, China, the European economy, Brazil, and Russia, to name a few. You can go on and on with the list. It never changes; there’s a crisis a day that could impact the stock market negatively. But you can only plan for what you can prepare for, using the most logical way to grow your money over time. The younger you are, the more you should include stocks in your investment mix in order for your money to grow for you – and outgrow inflation.

No. 3 – Stock Brokers Are Not Duty Bound to Put Your Interests First!

Do stockbrokers work for you or against you? The answer might surprise you. Under what’s informally called “the Merrill Lynch rule,” stockbrokers are allowed to work against the best interest of their customers. By contrast, an independent fee-only financial planner who does not work for a brokerage firm has what’s called “fiduciary duty.” That simply means they must do what’s best for you.

If you do business with a stockbroker, you do so at your own risk. If a broker wants to put you into a bond fund, that broker can legally look for the most expensive option to your great harm. But don’t take my word for it. TheReformedBroker.com is a blog written by a former full-commission guy who went out on his own. As he says, “I realized that most of what I did was bad for clients – so I quit.” His blog betrays the dirty secrets of full-commission stock brokerages. Of course, some individual stockbrokers rise above this corruption and conflict to defy their brokerage house by doing what’s in your best interest. However, I believe they’re few and far between. So be sure you know what most active investors don’t – that stockbrokers help themselves first and you second. Information and photo courtesy of www.clarkhoward.com.

Tammie Pero-Lyle (770) 832-0911 102 Trojan Drive, Suite A Carrollton tperolyle@allstate.com

Surprisingly, many investors are very misinformed on this point. A couple of years ago, The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Zweig cited a study that found roughly two-thirds of investors – we’re not talking about the general public here; we’re talking about dedicated investors – thought stockbrokers had to work for them. © 2011 Allstate Insurance Company

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West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

Money Saving Ideas for Any Budget:

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ow that you’ve made all that money on the Stock Market with Clark Howard’s help, here a few ways to shop smart to make sure you keep your surplus of cash. Always have a plan. If you go shopping without a plan, you’re more likely to spend way more than you intended on every little thing that catches your eye. So, make a list! Lists will help keep you on track. Have a budget. How much can you afford, and do you really want to pay off that credit card bill later? A budget helps to keep you from overspending.

When buying something big (like a car or a major appliance), make sure to do your research! The first one you find in a store or dealership might not be the best price. Take the time and look around! If you can exercise a little patience, you might save yourself a lot of money. The best time to buy is at the end of the year. Companies offer lower prices in order to get rid of inventory. However, there is always a small price to pay. The product you want might be in a less-desirable color or style. Still, the lower price might be enough to turn your head! If you have a smartphone, check for an app from your favorite store! Many stores have apps now, and with those apps usually comes coupons, sale-notifications, and special offers. This can help save a lot of money, especially if you frequent the store anyway. For example -art supplies are expensive at Hobby Lobby, but for smartphone users, every day they are given a 40% off coupon for any full-price item in the store. It’s pretty awesome.

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Music Story by Ken Denney Photos by Ricky Stilley

Doyle Akins, from left, and Michael Huey stand at the former WLBB station.

WLBB: Voice of an Era The sounds of yesteryear are gone, but a familiar name is back in business

t sunrise on Saturdays, you would click on the radio – and then wait, because it needed to warm up. Inside, a row of vacuum tubes would begin to glow; the single loudspeaker would hum until banjos and guitars could be faintly heard. As the sound got louder, there were voices, singing: Everybody’s tuned to the radio, the radio, the radio, Everybody’s tuned to the radio, WLBB We’ll play the banjo, the old guitar, too Play on the fiddle just for you So, everybody tune to the radio, the radio, the radio Everybody tune to the radio W-L-B-B

It was Uncle John Patterson’s Ozark Mountain Boys, playing live from a studio high atop the People’s Bank building in Carrollton. This was the 1940s, and WLBB was the local wonder. Sure, people could listen to WSB in Atlanta, or tune in to the big city sounds of New York or Chicago – hear Frank 38

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

Sinatra or Bing Crosby croon a tune – but this was west Georgia’s radio station, this was our sound. WLBB was the voice of the region for decades, catering to an audience whose musical tastes changed over the years from Uncle John’s brand of “hillbilly” folk to rock n’ roll. It served a community that got more diverse and less isolated, but in the process the station got lost in the noise of change. And then one day, WLBB disappeared from west Georgia altogether. But the 21st Century has brought a revival of sorts. Sixtysix years after it began, the station is again on the air in the community it helped – in no small part – to build.

The Beginning In November, 1946, Roy Richards Sr., an REA contractor before he founded Southwire; attorney Robert Tisinger, an

early supporter of the Carroll Electrical Membership Cooperative; and J. Ebb Duncan, a businessman and rising politician, all agreed that the community must move forward into the future or be left in the past. They knew that Carroll County could not remain a cotton-based economy; it needed commerce and industry, and they decided a radio station would be a way to attract both. The story of the early days of WLBB was researched by University of West Georgia student James Michael Buck for his master’s dissertation: “Everybody’s Tuned to the Radio:” Radio and Community in the Georgia Piedmont, 1947-1962.” Buck worked with UWG’s Center for Public History, which has produced an album of rare archival audio taken from some of the station’s first broadcasts.

four-story People’s Bank (now the twostory offices of West Georgia Technical College) on Adamson Square, a series of musicians would enter the studio and performed live, making up the bulk of the station’s first programs.

The station went on the air on Jan. 17, 1947, having been assigned the call letters WLBB by the Federal Communications Commission. The call letters don’t mean anything – but the listeners who tuned in to the station’s twangy, homespun music programs started the joke that the letters stood for “We Love Butter Beans.”

In addition to “Uncle” John Patterson, there were groups with such names as “Charles Cole and His Southern Kinfolks,” the “Radio Homefolks,” the “Georgia Playboys” and “Joe Tyson and His Farmhands.” All made regular appearances on the station, sometimes attracting a live audience who watched them from behind a plate glass window.

From high atop what was then the

There were no serials, or soap operas

or comedians; it was strictly a Carrollton station. And for the local musicians, it was strictly pay-to-play; they had to pay WLBB for blocks of air time, usually 15 minutes. Most musicians found sponsors or passed the hat among their neighbors; for some, that got easier over time as radio exposure made them local stars. One of them was John K. Patterson, whose fame as a banjo picker predated his appearances on WLBB. “Uncle John” could soon be heard six days a week, twice a day as he played with this family and friends, tapping out the rhythm with his bare feet. His radio fame paid off when he was elected to

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the Georgia Legislature. There were other types of music. The station usic played jazz records over the air, as well as light-classical music and Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” There was even a program of pop tunes for the bobbysoxers.

The station’s broad range of music and other programs proved that the airwaves were more open than some of the customs and laws of the time. Nellie and Rhoda Storey – the Storey Sisters – were so accomplished at the fiddle that some of the males in the audience refused to believe “a girl” could play so well. And in an age where many doors were shut against African-Americans, the voices of black gospel groups drifted into numerous homes across west Georgia. Gospel and preaching – some of it the old-time fire and brimstone kind – were staples at the station. On Saturdays, after the noon news until sundown on Sunday, a parade of preachers, black and white, would come into the station and put down their $15 for a 15-minute block of time. There is a story, possibly apocryphal, of a studio employee setting up one such preacher in the studio, then sitting down in the control room to read the paper with the sound turned off. Everything was fine until the station manager called the control room and demanded the employee turn up the sound. It turned out the preacher was screaming over the air about the young radio technician reading the paper instead of listening to the Word of God. For Richards, Tisinger and Duncan, the purpose of the station was to produce public service programs to address the needs of the community, and the cause these and other community leaders were most interested in was a hospital. From the beginning of the station, there was a series of on-air panel discussions by civic leaders, all focused on raising funds for what would become Tanner Memorial Hospital. The hospital was built a year after the station went on the air. By the late 1950s, the station was being run by Tom Vassy, a radio executive from South Carolina who had invested himself personally and emotionally into the station. He made it more profitable through advertisers attracted to the station’s broadcast footprint, which covered the whole of west Georgia.

A Change in Ownership The station had played no small role in transforming the area into a regional shopping center, but now it faced competition with other radio stations entering the market. The original owners of WLBB were now focused on their outside 40

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

interests and, so, in 1962 they sold it to Faulkner Radio, based in Mobile. Faulkner proved just as interested as the previous owners in making the station a focus of the community The station had by now moved out on the Bremen Highway. There were still preachers coming in each Sunday, but the era of live musical performances had given over to other types of programming. Doyle Akins was a one-time Bowdon school teacher who would go on to be a Carrollton banker. But in the early 1960s, his interests in promoting high school sports landed him a gig doing live play-by-play of games over the radio. “I remember that the first play-by-play of any type was around 1964,” he said. It was a tournament, played in Villa Rica. WLBB didn’t have a remote broadcasting van; instead the telephone company set up equipment at the stadium – in the bleachers, in fact, since there were no press facilities as such. “We were straddling the equipment, holding microphones and all, and we didn’t understand the equipment.” He and his crew also didn’t understand the phone company had hooked one too many amplifiers into the setup. “We were double-amplifying everything … no one could understand what we were saying.” Lowell White of Tallapoosa had started out in sports, but soon he was spinning records on the air as one of Carrollton’s first rock n’ roll deejays. His program, “Lonesome Lowell,” featured the standbys of Elvis, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis, but moved on with the 1960s to The Mamas & the Papas and the Fifth Dimension. While other stations in the country got regular visits from record label representatives pushing the latest songs, Akins says WLBB got promo albums from the labels – LPs with all the latest tunes. The station would play those tunes, and the audience would be surveyed about what they liked. In those days, each community might have local, or even regional, hit

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tunes that would not match the national Top 40. That ensured WLBB would be a unique destination for young folks tuning in. But that was not without limits. Michael Huey, a former Bowdon resident, is now a professional musician in Los Angeles, but he started out at age 16 with his own deejay show at WLBB. He recalls that while he could pick which songs to play, he still had to go by a list controlled by the station manager and program director. That list would ensure the songs would be short enough for a commercial enterprise like radio. “I got in trouble for playing things that I wanted to play,” he said. For example, he once played the uncut version of Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida,” a tour-de-force of rock that might have pleased Huey’s own musical taste, but putting it on air meant the station could not air a single commercial for its entire 17-minute length. “That’s when I found out that radio stations are not in the music business; they’re in the advertising business,” Huey laughed. When WBTR, the station’s FM sister station, went on the air in 1964, it was a sign that the business of radio had come to Carrollton in a major way. There was increased competition in the area, including the launching of another AM station – WPPI – in direct competition with WLBB. As the competition got sharper, lawsuits were filed, the FCC issued rulings, and for quite awhile the radio business in Carrollton was quite a mess. As the 21st Century approached, WLBB was under new management. Those owners, it seemed, were not as interested in the local market as previous owners had been. The station’s call letters and frequency of 1100 were moved to Atlanta. And that seemed to be the end of WLBB’s unique place in west Georgia history.

Back on the Air That’s where the station’s current owner, Graddick Communications, comes into the picture. The company is run by Steve Graddick, a Bowdon resident with a long pedigree in radio, especially radio in the this part of the state. In 2001, he “rescued” WLBB by getting the call letters back and assigning them to WBTR-AM (previously WPPI), which he already owned. Now WLBB is back on the air, this time on frequency 1330.

“We wanted to get the call letters back to Carrollton, because in radio we call that a ‘heritage station,’” he said. “They mean so much to the people of Carroll County.”

Music

Now WLBB is one of a family of five west Georgia radio stations that fit the community-oriented emphasis of the Graddick company. Its sister station, WKNG, is the closest in format to the old WLBB, but the latter station still produces local news and community programing, along with what Graddick calls “standard” conservative talk radio. “The one thing that we do that the Atlanta stations don’t do is have a real strong focus on the local community and the quality of life that we have out here in west Georgia and the Carroll County area,” Graddick said. It’s not the same radio station that went on the air in 1947, but at least it is still on the air. And that’s no mean feat, considering that its analog broadcasting format began in the early 20th Century, and still exists today alongside digital media and the Internet. It remains a strong voice in the community, offering instant news and vital information. What about the future? Well, for an answer to that question, you’ll just have to stay tuned. wgl

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1. My personal heroes are

my parents. They both have set examples that have helped to develop me into the person I am today.

Take

5ive with

2. My parents always taught

me: My mom always said to “Always do what’s right,” and dad always said that “A friend is more important than a dollar.”

Marty Smith Carroll County Board of Commissioners Chairman

3. If stranded on a desert

island, I’d want the following book: The Bible

4. I learned early in life: That

trust and respect take a long time to build, but can be broken down in an instant.

5. If given one extra hour a

day, I’d spend more time with family and friends.

6. My favorite television show

as a kid was “The Andy Griffith Show” ... and we still watch it!

7. I never dreamed I

would have the opportunity to work with so many great employees and citizens of Carroll County.

8. God blessed me by giving

me a healthy family and placing us in such a wonderful community to raise them in. March/April 2013

West Georgia Living

Food Recipes by Amy K. Lavender-Buice Photos by Ricky Stilley

Crock Pot Roast

Dinner on a Budget

ou’ve heard it time and again: “What’s for dinner?!” What, indeed! It’s often easy to throw your hands up and order take out or load the family up in the car and head for a local restaurant. That’s fine for a treat, but doing that on a regular basis can get pretty expensive. According to a 2010 U.S. Department of Labor survey, Americans spend on average 12 percent of their income on food, and almost half of what we spend on food is spent away from home (a.k.a. not home-cooked meals) – where it is more expensive. If you’re strapped for cash, this is one of the easiest places to make an impact. First, dedicate yourself to eating at home more and packing your lunch every day. Second, you may have to learn a few budget-friendly habits – like learning to cook cheaper cuts of meat or instituting a vegetarian night. Hopefully, the tips and recipes that follow will help you get your food budget under control. With each recipe, I’ve provided you with a cost estimate for some of the ingredients, but be sure to note the costs of items you may not usually by at your grocery store the next time you shop. Venturing out of your comfort zone my surprise you!

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

Crock Pot Roast 1 Roast (beef or pork) 2 cups of baby carrots 2 cups cubed potatoes 1 medium onion, sliced 3 Tbls. Worcestershire sauce 2 Tbls. Garlic Powder 2 Cups Chicken Stock Water Roasts are one of the easiest and most cost-effective meals you can make. You put your ingredients in the pot, set it, and leave it! When you get home, dinner’s ready and the house smells wonderful!

tart with a chuck roast or eye of round roast, either of which can run you around $3 a pound. Onions are also very cheap and versatile vegetables. You can use them in all sorts of ways, and they add wonderful flavor to any dish. Place the thawed roast in the crock pot and place the potatoes, carrots, onions around it (in that order). Sprinkle the seasonings over everything, then pour in your chicken stock. You don’t have to fill the entire crock with stock, but replacing half your water with stock will increase the flavor. Once you’ve poured in your stock, add water to the crock until it almost covers the meat, but not quite. Leaving the very top of the meat uncovered with water will allow it to brown and help the meat stay together instead of disintegrating in the crock. Set your crock to its lowest, longest setting (preferably “low” for at least 8 hrs.), and let it cook. After the family has had their fill of roast and veggies, you can use the left over roast for roast beef sandwiches, which we have a recipe for as well!

Roast Herb Sammies

Food

Leftover roast beef 1 cup caramelized onions Rye/Pumpernickel marbled bread Sliced Provolone Cheese Herb Mayonnaise

t doesn’t get much easier than sandwiches. To whip up a quick lunch, use your leftover roast to make this sammy full of flavor. Simply sauté up some onions and make your own herb mayonnaise at home. Before layering up your sandwich, chop some herbs that you may have on hand around the house, in your garden or hanging out in the fridge, such as fresh basil, rosemary and garlic. Give them a very fine chop (or run them through a small food processor with the mayo) and mix them with the mayonnaise. Let the mix sit in the fridge overnight for maximum flavor absorption, or just let it marinate a minute while you caramelize your onions. When you’re done, layer the ingredients and pair your sammy with some whole fruit and raw veggies. Roast Herb Sammy

Mini Veggie Pizzas

Pizza dough or pre-made mini crusts Mozzarella cheese Pizza sauce or alfredo sauce Sliced fresh veggies Follow the instructions on your purchased pizza dough or crust to prepare it for your toppings. Place your sauce of choice on your pizza, followed by cheese and toppings. Bake in the oven according to dough package directions or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese completely melted.

great way to get your budget under control is to introduce your family to Veggie Night. You can do this in any number of ways: remove the meat from your lasagna and replace it with vegetables (It’s cheaper and healthier); make a vegetable stir fry and pair it with rice; or, come spring, use all that zucchini in your garden for veggie pizza! (Who needs pepperoni?) Here, I’ve shared with you a mini veggie pizza recipe. However, you can make veggie night a fun family activity by making getting the kids involved and let them build their own pizza. This way, everyone gets the kind of pizza they want, you get a hand making dinner, and everyone gets to have a little fun in the kitchen.

Dare to Compare! Bell peppers, 4 for $5. Onions, $2.29 for 3 lb bag. Pizza Crusts, 4 mini crusts for $4. Zucchini and squash can be as cheap as $1 pound when their in season during spring. (Buy all this, use the leftover veggies in another dish, and you come out a lot cheaper than delivery.)

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West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

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Sausage and Grits Grits 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese Andouille sausage, sliced 1 medium to large onion, sliced 1 bell pepper, sliced 1 cup mushrooms, sliced 2 cloves garlic (or more, to taste) 1 8 to 10 oz. can tomatoes 1 tsp. cajun spices First, get your sauce ready by sautéing your onion, peppers and mushrooms in some oil in a skillet. Once the onions are translucent, add your garlic and cook for a couple minutes (don’t let the garlic burn, though). Next add your tomatoes (home grown or home canned tomatoes are better if you have them) and your cajun spices. Let the whole thing simmer while you make your grits. Taste it periodically, adding spices, salt, and pepper as needed.

First off, when cooking your grits, instead of cooking them in water like the package says, cook them in half chicken stock, half milk or heavy cream. This will give you flavorful, creamy grits. Other than that, follow the directions on the package.

When the grits have only a minute left to cook, add your cheese. Save any leftover grits from this dish for fried grits the next morning by pressing them evenly into a baking dish and refrigerating. Recipe on page 48.

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Fried Grits

Fried Grits and Eggs

Prepare grits according to package instructions. Once they are done and partially cooled, press grits into a baking pan to make a uniform layer. Cover dish with plastic wrap and allow to cool in the refrigerator. Once they are completely cooled. Melt a few Tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Slice the grits into uniform sticks and place in the skillet once the butter is hot. Cook the grits on each side until golden brown. Pair your grits with some fried eggs and fruit, and you’re ready to face the day!

veryone knows that having breakfast for dinner is an easy way to save some money. Shake things up a bit by adding fried grits to the menu. You can use leftover grits from a previous meal and stretch your dollar even more! Of course, most grains are very easy on the wallet, so including them in your meal is a real money saver. Grits cost around $4 and yields 30 servings; Boil-in-Bag rice is $4.50 a box and yields 18 servings; Oatmeal (a great, healthy choice for breakfast) costs about $2.90 for a container that yields 13 servings – Just one more reason why whole grains are good! wgl

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Carroll County Parks & the West Georgia Two Cylinder Club Present:

The 2nd Annual Old Time County Fair April 20 & 21 at Little Tallapoosa Park, 1930 Hwy 113, Carrollton

Come experience family-focused fun and outdoor entertainment Don't forget to bring your famous pies and cakes for the Blue Ribbon Contest sponsored by West Georgia Living. For more information about the contest, call Amy K. Lavender-Buice at 770-834-6631. Pick up contest forms at the Times-Georgian, the Carroll County Annex, John Tanner Park & Little Tallapoosa Park. For more information about the fair, call John P. Boan at 678-449-7004.

Artist’s Corner Review by T.L. Gray Book by Annette Blair

Falling in Love with Romance all over again with ‘Sea Scoundrel: Knave of Hearts’ Book One of Four

Author: Annette Blair Publisher: ABA LLC; 2nd edition Release Date: May 10, 2012 Pages/Genre: 267/Romance

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

Book Description: Lady Patience Kendall crossed the sea to marry, but her intended died before she arrived. Penniless and stranded, she found only one way to get home: Bring rich American

Misses to England to find them titled husbands. At the ship, she realized their mothers expected each to wed the Marquess of Andover. She’d have to seek an introduction. On the journey, Captain

Grant St. Benedict was anything but friendly. Just because her girls caused a few mishaps? Grant had never met a woman more irritating, or more desirable, than the Lady Patience Kendall. But however dangerous his interest, he couldn’t resist teaching the delicious distraction that independence was nothing to passion.

of Lady Patience Kendall and Captain Grant St. Benedict.

From the moment when the young, vibrant, determined Lady Patience tripped and found herself sprawled out in an un-ladylike fashion on the docks for the entire world to see her in her humiliation, I was baited. Then, when the hand of a gruff sailor Book Review: reached out to help her, I saw the writing on the wall. My heart instantly latched on to the sailor and I’m not much of romance reader, preferring most of- never let go for one moment throughout the rest of ten the heart-felt coming of age young adult stories, the story. I fell hard very rapidly, so quickly, in fact, the mystery and magic of historical fiction, or getting I questioned whether I carried enough objectivity to lost among the adventure often spread over a series read and give an unbiased review. I smile when I say in an epic fantasy. with all confidence I am, and tout my quick affections to the effective, powerful and excellent writing Not since I was a teen have I delved into a good, old- of the author Annette Blair. fashioned romance. What is a good, old-fashioned romance? I’m not sure, but it sounded virtuous to I spent the afternoon lost among witty banter, embardeclare it as such. rassing situations, and lots of moments of passionate outbursts, prejudices and pride built from steel. My idea of romance is Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prej- Though not quite as epic as Austen’s ingenuity, it udice,” and for many years believed that the histori- held its own and sailed right into my heart. cal beauty simply set the bar too high, and no other romance would be able to compare, so why bother The quest: Lady Patience is to escort a handful of reading them? I’m glad I reconsidered after all this rich young American ladies to the English gentry time to give a romance novel a chance, or at least a in an effort to secure them a wealthy and connected little glance. I’m so glad I did, and have since filled family. Of course, no journey ever ends as it is inmy Kindle full of Annette Blair’s lovely stories. tended, and each of our characters, especially the young Lady Patience and the dashing Captain St. In the mood for a sea adventure, working on my own Benedict, discover who they truly are, what their epic fantasy based upon the rolling waters of the personal strengths and weaknesses may be, and then open sea, I came across a copy of “Sea Scoundrel” make the choice to be what makes them happy. by Annette Blair. It sat unopened, unconsidered and very much neglected in my eReader for a few weeks, I’m all for a Happily Ever After. In our fast-paced mostly due to my romance bias. world, a little character development is much needed. This is a clean read, not filled with sex and violence, But, one Saturday, with a free afternoon, and a sense and one I found that really pulls on the heartstrings. to do something out of the box, I scrolled across the title and opened my mind, and heart, into the world However, this tale doesn’t stand alone on its own, March/April 2013

West Georgia Living

but is part of a Knave of Hearts, a band of unruly boys from the Zebulon Fishkill Academy in 1805, who make a bond, swear an oath, to be there for one another, to call on each other in times of trouble, whatever life hands them. Knowing about this pact from these young boys, who all grew up and become dashing romantic men, always stayed in the back of my mind as I read this adventure. And so compelling of a writer was Annette Blair, I found myself instantly downloading and jumping right into the next story, the next part of the Knave of Hearts and haven’t even given a glance backwards. So, am I now a hopeless romantic? Perhaps I’ve always been a romantic, but I’ve found a work of art that has the power to sweep me away for a few hours and allow me to go on an adventure that is not only romantic, but filled with intrigue, humor and witty banter. I highly recommend this series, or any book or series from Annette Blair (having now devoured most of her publication list) for any reader who wants to take a lighthearted adventure. Till next time, T.L. Gray

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

Author Bio: A New York Times best-selling author, Annette Blair left her job as a Development Director and Journalism Advisor at a private New England prep school to become a full-time writer. At forty books and counting, she added cozy mysteries and bewitching romantic comedies to her award-winning historical romances. She also stepped into the amazing world of self-publishing. Author Awards: 1997 RWA Golden Heart Finalist 1991 A Heart of the Rockies Award 1991 A Dallas Area Romance Authors

Reviewer: T.L. Gray is a local author from Temple, Georgia. She has five publications including: The Blood of Cain, Keezy’s 10 Awesome Rules for Teenaged Dating, Milledgeville Misfit, The Arcainians and A Kid in the Park as part of the anthology, Triumph Over Tragedy: Anthology to help Hurricane Sandy victims. Ms. Gray works as a full-time novelist, editor, writing tutor, social media specialist and website manager. She is an active Member of the Carrollton Creative Writer’s and Atlanta Writer’s Club, contributing writer to Impact Times Magazine and The West Georgia Living Magazine. T.L. Gray is a 2012 Nominee for GAYA (Georgia Author of the Year Award), a NaNoWriMo 2012 Winner, and panelist in the upcoming Friends of the Library Literary Festival in Carrollton and the 2013 Georgia Literary Festival in Milledgeville. www.tlgray.net

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Expanded Cardiac and Vascular Care Has Come to Villa Rica!

xpanded access to nonsurgical, minimally invasive heart and vascular services is now available with a new, state-of-the-art cardiac and endovascular lab at Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica The lab allows endovascular specialists to check for problems and provide interventions to help keep patients’ blood flowing properly through their arteries. In addition, the lab permits Tanner’s team of cardiologists to perform advanced diagnostic procedures, such as angiography, that can help identify blocked arteries. “Cardiac catheterizations can identify narrowed or blocked heart arteries and evaluate how well your heart is working,” said Christopher Arant, MD, FACC, FSCAI, a board-certified interventional cardiologist with Tanner Heart & Vascular Specialists, part of Tanner Medical Group. “It’s one of the most important tools in diagnosing and treating heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease.” During an endovascular procedure, such as those performed in the new lab, a physician threads a thin tube, called a catheter, into a patient’s arteries. The catheter can be navigated through the patient’s blood vessels to help find narrow points and blockages that can be preventing blood flow. “With cardiac catheterization, we use the cath lab to perform angiograms to look at the inside of your heart’s arteries,” said Dr. Arant. “A dye that can be seen by X-ray is released into your blood vessel through the catheter. The X-rays and

dye allow us to see if your arteries are clogged with plaque.” Tanner Health System has expanded the heart and vascular programs available in Villa Rica, adding providers to the patient care team at Tanner Heart & Vascular Specialists and Tanner Vascular Surgery and opening a new Tanner Vascular Surgery location in Villa Rica. Additional services are provided nearby in Carrollton, at Tanner Heart and Vascular Center on the campus of Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton. There, Tanner also offers interventional cardiac procedures, such as angioplasty and stenting. “The growth that’s been seen in advancing cardiac care in this region is phenomenal,” said Dr. Arant. “New services, like cardiac electrophysiology, have become available, and now those services that have been established – like vascular surgery and interventional cardiology – are expanding to new locations to serve more people. “Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in this region, but coupled with Tanner’s efforts to promote healthy lifestyles, expanding the diagnostic and treatment capabilities for people who already have cardiovascular disease is incredibly important.” To learn more about the services available at each of Tanner Health System’s facilities, click “Tanner Locations” online at www.tanner.org or, to find a physician offering endovascular and cardiac services in Villa Rica, call 770.214.CARE. Paid Advertisement

Artist’s Corner Interview by Katie Allen Ross Photos by Ricky Stilley

Alan Kuykendall Carrollton

grandmother worked as a riveter at Bell Bomber; my mom picked cotton when she was young and was a carney in Florida traveling with a carnival. These and other archetypes find their way in obvious and symbolic depictions in all of Since you graduated from UWG, has the west Georgia my art. region influenced your art in any way? Every artist is influenced by the people, the culture, and Where do you find your inspiration? the society that they live in. I find that my art is influenced I find inspiration from science fiction and science, pop culmostly by the fact that regional and cultural archetypes of ture and my own historical past. Because much of my work the Carrollton area have been a distinct part of my life every is based upon commissions, many of my pieces and murals day, such as the working-class people, whom I see each also reflect the personal histories and needs of my clients. morning where I have coffee. Also, I’m influenced by the artistic and intellectual influI understand that you were involved in the creation of ences that filter into the community by way of the University the plastic bottle dragon sculpture at the Cultural Arts of West Georgia. And finally, I grew up in the South all of Center in Carrollton. What made you decide to use remy life, and draw upon other archetypes of Georgia that cycled materials to create art? were part of my life growing up. For example: my father I grew up poor and, early on, learned to use what I had to was a moonshine runner; my uncle was a moonshiner; my play with. Later on, as an artist, I learned to use materials I 56

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

found when I could not afford to buy materials. This became a lifelong habit that led to artistic recycling, which dovetailed beautifully into my association with SCRAP Bin in the idea of building a recyclable dragon. What is your preferred medium when creating art? I am primarily a painter and muralist; water-based paints is what I have worked with most of my life and career. However, because I have also been a commission-based artist for the last 37 years, I have spent a lot of time solving the problems of my clients’ needs in a variety of projects. This has led me to become experienced and adept at many mediums. I have found that the cross-pollination of these media has contributed a great deal to my own personal work. Do you teach any art classes? Starting in 1984, I was asked to come and teach a Christmas art class for the Carrollton Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department. Now I am involved in between 17 and 25 art and education programs for children, teens and adults. Considering that I originally obtained a Bachelor of Education and Art, it is appropriate that half of my art career has been involved in art education. These programs are with the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center, SCRAP Bin, various theatre groups, and the Carrollton school systems. Do other artists inspire you? As a person goes through their life, their attitudes and ideas are subject to change. Artists are no different; what inspires us changes us as we change. When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a comic book artist, and I was inspired by the likes of Jack Kirby and Frank Frazetta. When I was in college, I was inspired more by pop culture and media

artists, such as Peter Max and Norman Rockwell. I now find my inspiration from other artists is broader and more eclectic, such as Lucean Freud, Edward Hopper, Rembrandt and many of the new underground, urban artists that are now coming of age. What would you like for your audience to gain from your art? I am in the process of writing a book

about art. One of the foundations of my philosophy is the importance of time and place. An artist cannot separate himself or isolate himself from his time and place. He has not only the luxury – if he’s lucky enough – but also the responsibility to help sustain the cultural heritage of the time, people and place of his life. What I want people to mostly get from my art is a reflection of themselves and their time. wgl March/April 2013

West Georgia Living

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Arts & Events Old Time County Fair

Pawsfest Festival

Carroll County and the Two Cylinder Club Present the Second Annual Old Time County Fair April 20 and 21 at the Little Tallapoosa Park, 1930 Hwy 113 North, Carrollton. This year’s Fair will take a step back from the glitzy carnival rides of modern traveling fairs, focusing instead on agriculture, the great outdoors and bringing family-focused attractions to residents and visitors alike. This year, the Carroll County Two Cylinder Club will be on hand to showcase rare and historic tractors and other farming equipment. We’re welcoming any and all folks who want to participate in the County Fair. If you want to participate or have questions, email John Peyton Boan at jboan@carrollcountyga. com or call 678-449-7004.

The fifth Annual Pawsfest will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (CST) Saturday, March 23, on the Square in Headland, Ala., Sponsored by City of Headland Animal Rescue (C.H.A.R.M., Inc.). Free to all dog lovers and friends. Expect a fun-filled day of Pageants, Contests, The Greater Carrollton Area... Whatever you’re looking for, look here first. the Warren Sewell Library or via Keith Booths, a Pet Parade and other activities Sometimes we forget how many great things there are to see, do and experience in our own hometown. Before you spend your time and money somewhere else, why not look here first? You might be surprised by some of the treasures in your own backyard! for dogs and dog lovers. For more infor- Hebert at khebert@westga.edu. Tickets Explore the shops, restaurants and galleries of Carroll County historic downtown districts. Turn a few pages at Horton’s Books are $10. The concert is part of programmation, contact Teresa Jennings 334in Carrollton, the oldest bookstore in the state (and the county’s oldest business). Dine at one of our many restaurants, serving up an eclectic mix of mouth-watering Attend or host athe tournament at our award-winning recreation facilities. See a ming tocuisines. support Smithsonian Insti693-0075, Jo Geisler 334-693-9097, or show or exhibit at the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center, Townsend Center or Copeland Hall. Shoot a hole-in-one at your choice of several championshiptution’s quality golf courses.New Swim off theHarmonies, largest sand beach in the GA Celebrating State Park System at John Tanner State visit charmheadland.org. Park. Camp, picnic, hike or explore on horseback at McIntosh Reserve Park. Hold your business meeting, wedding or family reunion here. Cheer our home teams or learn a thing or two at theMusic University of West Georgia or West Georgia Technical College. American Roots traveling exhibit The Carrollton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is your complete local resource for planning and hosting that will be displayed in Bremen fromgroups and individual visitors in the Greater Carrollton Area. Contact us at 770-214-9746 or visit us online at www.visitcarrollton.com and on Facebook. Come byFeb. the Log Cabin Center at 102 North Lakeshore Drive 9Visitor through March 23.in Carrollton. Proceeds from Quilt & Textile Museum the concert will be used to preserve and The Southeastern Quilt & Textile Museum on Bradley Street will open its third promote the musical heritage of the west Georgia region. For additional informaexhibit on Feb. 28. It will be an exhibit tion about this event contact Dr. Keith of traditional quilts made by the CheroS. Hebert at khebert@westga.edu or kee Rose Quilters Guild and will be 770-537-2248. open Thursdays and Fridays from noon

Kiss Me, Kate CCCT presents the musical “Kiss Me, Kate,” Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter. Appearing March 14-16 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m.; March 21-23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday March 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10. About the show: Combine Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” with Porter’s music and lyrics to get “Kiss Me, Kate” an instant success with every cast and audience. This is a play-within-a-play where each cast member’s on-stage life is complicated by what is happening offstage. Musical numbers include “Why Can’t You Behave,” “So In Love Am I,” “Tom, Dick or Harry,” “Too Darn Hot,” “Brush Up Your Shakespeare,” “I Hate Men,” “Always True to You (In My Fashion)” and “Another Op’nin, Another Show.” “Kiss Me, Kate” is fun, melodious and sophisticated. Call 770838-1083 for information and tickets. 58

West Georgia Living

March/April 2013

to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 per person. For more information contact info@ southeasternquiltmuseum.com or call 770-301-2187.

Dakota Dyer Golf Tourney Dakota Dyer Foundation Golf Tournament, Saturday, March 9, 2013, The Lion Golf Club. $75 per player, $300 per team. Team and hole sponsorships available. The proceeds will fund the new Dakota Dyer Foundation Drug / Pill Drop Box Program. For more information 770-896-9024.

Children’s Choir The Spivey Hall Children’s Choir will perform in the City of Bremen at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at the HamiltonMcPherson Fine Arts Center. Advance tickets for this event can be purchased at

Art Springs On Friday, March 15, the teachers at Carrollton City and County Schools are working hard (Teacher Workday) while the students get to play. So the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center will provide a great place for children ages 7 to 12 to hang out, have fun, and create. Artists will be on hand from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to provide rotating art experiences. In addition, participants will get to watch artist in residency demonstrations/performances throughout the day. The cost for this day of workshops will be $30 including lunch. Activities will include music, dance, art, theatre tech, stage makeup and much, much more. Participants will be able to choose activities. Call 770-838-1083 for more information. Min. 20 – Max. 100. Please register by March 8.

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Ask the Ex ert What every West Georgian should know about...

Real Estate

Monuments

Britt Duffey/ Duffey Realty........................... 60

D & D Monuments ..................................... 66

Roofing

Orthodontics

Crist Roofing............................................... 61

Long Orthodontics .................................... 67

Investment Management Services Air Conditioning Maintenance Milestone Investment Management ........ 62

Sleep Apnea Tanner Lung and Sleep Specialist ............ 63

Buying Automobile Parts Walker Cadillac, Buick, GMC .................... 64

Addison Smith ........................................... 68

Home Insurance Billy Upton/State Farm ............................... 69

Contracting a Lawyer for a Personal Injury Case MacMillan Law Firm .................................. 70

Hearing Aids

Tax Preparation

Affordable Hearing Aids ............................ 65

T. Dennis Connally, CPA ............................. 71

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Britt Duffey REALTOR ® Duffey Realty

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What every West Georgian should know about... Real Estate

What is a REALTOR®?

The term REALTOR® identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors ®(the world’s largest professional organization) and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics which goes well beyond state license laws..

Britt has been a Realtor® since 2002.As a life-long resident of Carroll County he knows the West Georgia market as well as anyone. Britt has been a recipient of The Top Producers Award for the past 10 years. In addition, he is a recipient of the Phoenix Award from the West Metro Board of Realtors in 2012 in recognition as a Top Producer for 10 consecutive years. Britt is a licensed Realtor® in Georgia and Alabama.

Why should I use a REALTOR® when selling my house?

The duties of the REALTOR include marketing your property to potential buyers and other agents with buyers to get the highest possible price for your listing and to protect the interest of the client. It is not necessarily the REALTOR’s duty to find a buyer personally. By belonging to the REALTOR Association and MLS database, a REALTOR is able to network and reach out to hundreds of other agents with buyers looking for properties similar to your property listing.

Why should I use a REALTOR® when buying a home?

REALTORS® are advocates, consultants, representatives, advisers, mediators, or anything that you the home buyer need to accomplish your goal of owning a home. A good REALTOR® will literally take you by the hand, and lead you from beginning, to closing, if necessary.

Why use a REALTOR®? Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people will ever make in their lifetime. Transactions can easily exceed $100,000.If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a real estate transaction without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.

In future issues of West Georgia Living I will be delving deeper into each of these topics and more. LEARN MORE: Britt.duffey@duffeyrealty.com 770.354.0120

Duffey Realty ��

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What every West Georgian should hould know about...

Rooﬁng

Q A

Ron Crist

President & CEO of Crist Roofing & Construction

Qualifications

Ron Crist has been in the construction industry for the last 26 years, including 12 years as the owner of Crist Roofing. Ron has certifications from Atlas, Owens Corning, GAF, Duralast, Genflex, the NRCA and is accredited with the BBB. Ron founded Crist Roofing in hopes to develop an honest, reliable, community friendly business. For the last 12 years Crist Roofing has not only met, but exceeded these expectations.

What should I look for when choosing a roofing company?

Since the roofing industry is not licensed, ed, you want to make sure that the company you are using is legitimate. There are a few quick easy ways to make sure that they are not a “fly by night roofer”. When looking for a company, look for ones who have an office location close to where your home is located. You also want to see how long the company has been in business, what type of er or not the insurance they carry and whether offer a warranty. Also be suree to check home uch as the Better improvement rating sites such Business Bureau, Angie’s List, and Kudzu.

What type of shingle should shou I use on my home?

There are many different types of shingles out there and choosing one gg. can sometimes become over whelming. When choosing a shingle you should first Thee decide which color you want to use. Th y next step in the process is to decide if you ural want to use a three tab or an architectural. The architectural are more durable, three-dimensional and have a longer life expectancy. The final step is to pick

ou want to u which brand of shingles you use. manufacturer There are many different manufacturers out there so you want to be sure to p Cri choose one with a reliable product. Crist ds either Owens Ow Roofing highly recommends Corning or Atlas.

How do I prepare for a new roof?

It is very simple to prepare for a new roof. After going through the process of choosing a company to install it and what types of shingles you want to use there is not much left for you to do. Installation takes anywhere from one to two days so you are going to want to make sure you are home at that time. Once they have finished installing the roof you want to make sure to look over the work that was done and make sure everything was completed correctly.

Learn more www.cristroofing.com 770-514-9653

CRIST ROOFING

& CONSTRUCTION

770-514-9653 www.cristroofing.com

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What every West Georgian should know about... Investment Management Services

Is now a good time to be investing in the stock market?

I have always believed the best time to invest in the stock of good, high quality companies is when you have the money available.Â The current bull market is now over three and a half years old, and 2012 featured a nice return for most investors.Â That being said, risks to the bull market exist and those risks are widely known and possibly overblown.Â Most market analysts believe the bull market is approximately at its mid-point, but an air of skepticism leaves many investors unconvinced the bull market will continue.Â Sir John Templeton is famously quoted as saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bull markets are born in pessimism, grow on skepticism, mature on optimism and die of euphoria.â&#x20AC;?Â I detect little optimism today and no euphoria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which leads me to believe this bull market has room to run.

Michael L. Stone

CEO & Founder Milestone Investment Management

Qualifications

Before founding Milestone Investment Management, LLC, Michael worked in commercial banking in Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia for 24 years. He received a Bachelor of Science from LSU and later went on to graduate from LSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Graduate School of Banking. He has his Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) designation from the College of Financial Planning. He holds Series 7, 63 and 66 Securities registrations with LPL Financial for the following states: AL, CA, CO, FL, GA, IN, LA, NC, TX and VA; additionally he holds Licenses for Life and Health Insurance, and Variable Life and Variable Annuities.

The economy is sick, taxes are going up and our elected officials seem to be stuck in political paralysis.Â Why do you think 2013 will be a good year to invest?

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let Washington politics frighten you into financial paralysis!Â The markets are designed to price in all widely known factors.Â There are still ways to profit during any storm with a well diversified investment portfolio.Â You can still make

good money and preserve what you have earned.Â A balanced portfolio starts with stocks and bonds but should not end there.Â An experienced Financial Advisor will be able to help you manage the risks associated with investing in the stock market while helping you grow your assets to keep up with the risk of inflation.Â Investing is a marathon, not a sprint.

What are the main risks that investors face today?

I believe the risk of inflation is real threat to investors who have been loading up on low yield fixed income investments.Â Inflation takes away the purchasing power of our dollars as everyday goods increase in cost.Â To combat inflation, investors need an appropriate portion of their investment portfolios in the stocks of high quality companies that have the ability to keep pace with inflation.Â As a Professional Financial Advisor I specialize in helping determine your tolerance for risk, and what portion of your portfolio should be dedicated to stock market investments. LEARN MORE www.milestoneinvestmentsllc.com 770-830-0063

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Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Independent Financial Partners (IFP), a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

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What every West Georgian should uld know about...

What every West Georgian should know about...

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Orthodontics

Sleep Apnea

What is Invisalign?

What is sleep apnea?

uses a series of invisible, ASleepInvisalign apnea is a sleep disorder during which removable, and comfortable aligners

James Long, DMD

Board-certifi ed in sleep, pulmonary Qualifications and critical care medicine Qualifications: Dr. Long received his DMD Tanner Lung Sleep Of Specialists, degree from theand University Louisville, and part of Tanner Group was named AlphaMedical Omega Honor for outstanding

ing first cations in his class. He graduated from Emory Qualifi

University in Orthodontics Maxillo Dr. Boles received her medicaland degree and Facial Orthodontics in 1976. He hasEmory practiced on completed her residency at the the southside of Atlanta for over 30 years. Dr. University School of Medicine in Atlanta. She Long has offi ces inofDouglasville, Newnan is medical director the Tanner Center for and Peachtree City. located in Villa Rica, as well Sleep Disorders as medical director of the intensive care unit (ICU) at Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica.

Long Orthodontics Bonnie Boles, MD

scholastic achievement in Dentistry, graduat-

there are pauses or shallow breaths while you that can tell sleep. Thno eseone episodes canyou’re last forwearing. seconds So, to you can more during treatment minutes at asmile time during sleep. When this as well asyour after. Invisalign made with 3D happens, brain alerts soisthat breathing imaging technology and has cancomputer improve, causing deep sleep to become been proven effective. light sleep. The result is like a battery that is not getting recharged. Sometimes this cycle happens 300Invisalign times a night. For of Why more wouldthan I want instead most, congestedbraces? nasal passages or the tongue, traditional palate or uvula at the back of the throat may block airflow. Excess weight in the upper body canonly put are pressure on the windpipe, Not the aligners invisible,also they blocking airfl ow. are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want during treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. What are signs that someone They arethe also comfortable, with nohas metal; sleep apnea? which means you spend less time in your doctor’s office getting adjustments. Extreme sleepiness during you the day is theyour Invisalign also allows to view most common In addition feeling own virtualsign. treatment planto when you drowsy day, of startduring so youthe can seeother how symptoms your straight sleep apnea include loud snoring, choking is teeth will look when your treatment or gasping during sleep; morning headaches; complete. trouble with concentration or memory; or mood changes, such as depression.

Is sleep apnea dangerous? QQ How does Invisalign work? Sleep apnea can be very dangerous. Untreated,

Q A

it raises the risk of high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, irregular heart rhythms, wear eachmemory set of aligners about heart You attack, stroke, loss andfor even weeks, only to eat, death.two If you haveremoving symptomsthem of sleep apnea, brush,You andmay floss. As you replace talk todrink, your doctor. need to participate eachstudy. aligner with the next in the in a sleep This involves having yourseries, brain teeth will move - little by little, week waves,your heartbeat and breathing tracked during a night sleep- until in thethey sleephave lab. straightened to byofweek their final positions. You’ll visit us about once every six weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time typically lasts nine Can to sleep apnea be 15 months, andtreated? the number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and The most effective is continuous 30, but both treatment numbers will vary from case positive airway pressure (CPAP). It involves to case. wearing a mask-like device that pumps air as you inhale during sleep, helping to keep the airway open. If an underlying medical condition—such as an underactive thyroid— is causing sleep apnea, medicines can help. Learn atthe airway open and Mouth devicesmore that keep surgery are other options. www.LongOnSmiles.com

LONG Snore much?

LEARN MORE www.TannerSleep.org | 770.214.CARE (2273)

Snoring can be more than irritating — it can be dangerous. Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, affects as many as 18 million Americans. Symptoms include severe daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, trouble concentrating when awake and others. Untreated, it can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Orthodontics

way to diagnose and treat it is with a sleep study. 35 Years of The AllonlyAmerican Smiles The fully accredited Tanner Center for Sleep Disorders

— with locations in Carrollton and Villa Rica — can help, providing comfortable, hotel-like amenities and a certified staff of sleep technologists and medical directors who are board-certified in sleep medicine.

We Run on Passion

One of Georgia’s Elite Providers of Invisalign® Do your bedmate a favor and ask your doctor about a sleep study at Tanner.

Well-trained staff members with over 20 years of experience.

Solve the Snoring!

We don’t just treat people; we provide care and accommodate your family needs. All you need to schedule your sleep study at

Dr. Long proudly honors and recognizes militaryTanner families with afrom 20% is an order form yourdiscount. doctor. medical staff, Douglasville Peachtree City To find a doctor on Tanner’s Newnan call 770.214.CARE. 3666 Hwy. 5, Suite 100 1280 Hwy. 74 S., Suite 110 84 Jefferson Pkwy., Suite B Douglasville, GA 30135 Peachtree City, GA 30269 Newnan, GA 30263 (770) 949-7259 (770) 461-9642 (770) 251-2660

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What every West Georgian should know about... Buying Automobile Parts

Q A

Jeff Cusack

Parts Manager Walker Cadillac, Buick, GMC Inc.

Walker Cadillac Buick GMC and our parts department will strive to get you the right one, the first time, every time.

Why are GM Factory parts better than aftermarket? GM Factory parts are just that, parts that are just like the ones that came on your GM vehicle from the factory originally. GM Factory parts are designed and engineered by the manufacturer of your vehicle specifically for your vehicle. Unlike the aftermarket part, which is not made by the company that produced your vehicle and may not have the same fit and finish as a GM Factory part.

Q A

Qualifications

Jeff has been the Parts Manager at Walker Cadillac Buick GMC for the last four years and has worked in the automotive parts industry for the last thirteen. He holds a deep rooted passion for all things automotive, loves his work, and is waiting at Walker to sell you your next GM Factory part.

Q A

If I service my own vehicle can I buy GM Factory parts from you? You can always buy your GM Factory parts from me. Whether it be for a job your tackling yourself or one being done for you by us or someone else. You can always get the GM Factory part you need from

Are dealerships competitive on parts pricing? Relatively speaking, dealerships are competitive on parts pricing but you must compare apples to apples. There is a chance you could find the part you’re looking for a little cheaper in the aftermarket but you might also be sacrificing quality for that discount. Many people just assume that a dealership is going to be higher and it really surprises them to find that in most cases a GM Factory part could be obtained for around the same price as the one offered in the aftermarket without compromising on quality. LEARN MORE www.walkergmauto.com• 770.832.9602

www.walkergmauto.com

770-832-9602

Highway 27 N Park St (HWY 27) • Carrollton

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What every West Georgian should know about... Hearing Aids

Q A Chris Sonnedecker

Owner & Hearing Instrument Specialist Affordable Hearing Aids

Qualifications

Chris began his career training under an audiologist with more than 20 years experience at one of the leading hearing aid companies in the world. Chris became one of the company’s top hearing instrument specialists in the Atlanta area. He then started his own company, Affordable Hearing Aids, and began practicing here in Douglasville. He has a total of 10 years experience treating hearing loss.

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Q A

How can hearing aids help?

Hearing aids help people overcome side effects of hearing loss like: misunderstanding words, feeling isolated, depression, lack of self confidence, and loneliness. Hearing aids also can slow down or prevent further damage to the hearing system.

Q A

Do I need expensive hearing aids?

Most reputable hearing aid dealers are going to offer options for every budget. It is up to you and your hearing instrument specialist to balance out your needs and budget to determine the right hearing aid. Affordable Hearing Aids’ primary focus is on making the best hearing aids affordable for everyone while raising the standard for patient care. Our patients savean average of $1800 off name brand hearing aids.

Where is the best place to purchase hearing aids?

Your most important decision is not where you purchase your hearing aids; it is who you purchase your hearing aids from. Your satisfaction with hearing aids depends primarily on the person that fits and programs your hearing aids; not the hearing aids themselves. Our specialists’ are trained in the latest fitting and programming techniques to insure that 100% of our patients are satisfied with us and their hearing aids.

For more information, contact Chris at (770) 694-6599 or csonnedecker@ahahearing.com

OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE THE BEST HEARING AIDS AFFORDABLE FOR EVERYONE • As little as $25 per month for digital/programmable hearing aids • 0% Financing for up to 18 months O.A.C. • Free life time care • We accept and file insurance

Save 40-60% off hearing aids! AFFORDABLE HEARING AIDS

8601 Baldwin Parkway, Suite 101, Douglasville, GA 30134

(770) 694-6599

www.ahahearing.com Email: csonnedecker@ahahearing.com

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What every West Georgian should hould know about...

Monuments

Q A Q Diane Bingham Owner, D&D Monuments

Qualifications

Diane has been in the monument industry for 12 years. She is licensed and bonded and can work in any cemetery in the State of Georgia. She treats each family as her own with respect and dignity. She enjoys designing monuments and prides herself on unique and special monuments to remember your loved one.

Do I have to buy from the n? perpetual care cemetary I’m in? No. We are licensed, bonded and registered with the Secretary of State and allowed in any cemetery in the State of Georgia.

Does pre-planning savee money? Yes. Along with all other ther fun funeral costs, monument costs ts go up year after year. Making a decision at decis grief stricken times can lead to an lea decisions made by emotion and not ot with clear thoughts. This is one less ess decision your family will have to make.

Q A

When I purchase my cluded? monument, what is included? Your initial purchase includes ncludes the monument, design, inscription nscription aand setting of the stone. dates e. Death date are never included initial ded in the initi price. Inscriptions done at riptions are don the gravee site so keep this th in mind when planning your purchse.

Learn More: 770-949-6115

D&D MONUMENTS

For your special loved one...Let us help you say it all.

Floral Arrangements available for monuments

770-942-6115

6958 Broad St. (Hwy78) | Douglasville, GA, 30134

LIKE US ON

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James Long, DMD Long Orthodontics

Qualifications

Qualifications: Dr. Long received his DMD degree from the University Of Louisville, and was named Alpha Omega Honor for outstanding scholastic achievement in Dentistry, graduating first in his class. He graduated from Emory University in Orthodontics and Maxillo Facial Orthodontics in 1976. He has practiced on the southside of Atlanta for over 30 years. Dr. Long has offices in Douglasville, Newnan and Peachtree City.

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What every West Georgian should uld know about...

Orthodontics

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you’re wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Invisalign is made with 3D computer imaging technology and has been proven effective.

Why would I want Invisalign instead of traditional braces?

Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want during treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal; which means you spend less time in your doctor’s office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

How does Invisalign work?

You wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to their final positions. You’ll visit us about once every six weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time typically lasts nine to 15 months, and the number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both numbers will vary from case to case.

Learn more at www.LongOnSmiles.com

LONG

Orthodontics

35 Years of All American Smiles

We Run on Passion

One of Georgia’s Elite Providers of Invisalign® Well-trained staff members with over 20 years of experience. We don’t just treat people; we provide care and accommodate your family needs. Dr. Long proudly honors and recognizes military families with a 20% discount. Douglasville Peachtree City 3666 Hwy. 5, Suite 100 1280 Hwy. 74 S., Suite 110 Douglasville, GA 30135 Peachtree City, GA 30269 (770) 949-7259 (770) 461-9642

Newnan 84 Jefferson Pkwy., Suite B Newnan, GA 30263 (770) 251-2660

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What every West Georgian should know about... Heating and Air Conditioning Maintenance What is Preventative Maintenance?

Preventative Maintenance is the best way to ensure trouble free operation and peek performance of your HVAC system. Preventative Maintenance also helps to avoid a system failure in sever hot or cold weather when you need it more, and it can also keep your energy bill from getting out of control.

Tim Brewer

President of Addison Smith Mechanical Contractors

Qualifications

Tim Brewer has a BS in Mechanical Engineering, ASHRAE Member, License General Contractor GA, Conditioned Air Non-Restricted GA, SC, Master Plumber Non-Restricted GA, EPA License, Medical Gas Certification, Class I, II & III Boiler Certificate of Authority

When should Preventative Maintenance be performed? For any system that heats and cools, Preventative Maintenance should be performed in the spring before cooling season and in the fall before heating season.

Why is Preventative Maintenance necessary? Preventative Maintenance is necessary to ensure proper operation of your HVAC equipment. If Preventative Maintenance is not performed seasonally or if it is done incorrectly, the equipment will require extensive and costly repairs at a later date. This is not just a case of “pay now or pay later.” It is a case of “pay now or pay considerably more later,” and lose efficiency in the process.

LEARN MORE addisonsmith.net • 770.832.9006

Worry-Free Worry-F Freee Maintenance Mainten nancce customers: custom mers:

770.832.9006

t 2 Precision Tune-ups a year t Peace of mind you will be saving money on utility costs t A 15% discount on all service repairs t Preferred service - members receive priority if you need service t Improved home indoor air quality t Satisfy the maintenance requirements for any extended warranty t No overtime charges for Worry-Free Maintenance customers

www.AddisonSmith.net

Voted 2012 Times-Georgian Readers’ Choice Winner for your HEATING & COOLING NEEDS!

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Ask the Ex ert

Billy Upton Agent State Farm

Qualifications:

Billy has over 41 years as an agent with State Farm Insurance earning the highest award given by State Farm, the prestigious President’s Club Trophy as well as Lifetime Member of the President’s Club. He prides himself and his office team with getting to know clients on a first name basis and helping them with their needs.

What every West Georgian should know about... Home Insurance Q

Why do I need a local insurance agent for my Home Insurance? It’s paid by my mortgage company so I rarely think about it.

But my home insurance premium is in with my mortgage payment into an escrow account. How do I change my homeowner’s policy?

Most likely your home will be the largest asset you will own so you want it to be adequately insured. Your mortgage company’s only concern is you having enough coverage to pay off your loan if a disaster strikes. That’s where I come in. I meet with my Homeowner clients every 2-3 years to evaluate their coverage to be sure everything is well covered. It is also a good time for us to get reacquainted. Am I the type agent would like to sit nt you ou woul down with if you’re facing a large arge homeowner meowner loss? loss

That’s something that I will do for you. The change to my office with a new policy doesn’t even have to be at the renewal of your policy. I have a lady in my office that deals with mortgage companies on a daily basis. We can handle a transaction like this for you relatively easy.

What does my Homeowner’s er’ss Insura Insurance ccover?

WOW. It covers a lot. It covers your our house, our hous it covers cov your personal property, and it covers outbuildings well as premises tbbuildings as w Liability and medical payments. There ere are some limitations and exceptions, but it is a pretty comprehensive policy. That’s a neat hensive poli thing about having a local agent. You ccan an call or come into my office and ask questions to your heart’ss content content. I will personally answer them, or find the answer from oour expert Claim’s or ur expe Underwriting personnel. I may even answer swer a ffew you didn’t think about asking!

LEARN MORE billyupton.com • 770-949-5863

Honesty. Respect. Professionalism. Courtesy. Billy Upton, Agent 3417 Highway 5 Douglasville, GA 30135 Bus: 770-949-5863 billy.upton.bw8y@statefarm.com www.billyupton.com

Its how I treat all my customers. And you can be sure I’ll always do my best to meet your needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® CALL ME TODAY

Serving Douglas County & West Georgia for over 40 years

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T. Dennis Connally

CPA T. Dennis Connally, Consultant, P.C., CPA, PFS

Qualifications:

T. Dennis Connally is a Certified Public Accountant with over 50 years of experience; he graduated from Emory University in 1962 with a BBA degree. His present CPA firm T. Dennis Connally Consultant, P.C. CPA was established in 1989 succeeding his first firm which was established in 1970. Mr. Connally has years of experience in tax accounting and tax audits. Dennis and his team pride themselves in personal attention they offer all the clients.

What every West Georgian should know about... Tax Preparation Q

Do I have to pay taxes on cancellation of Debts, Foreclosures, Repossessions and Abandonments?

Does my employer have to provide me with health insurance under The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (commonly referred to as Obama Care)?

Yes, and No. IRS Publication 4681 is 26 pages of explanation. You may download this form off the IRS web site www.irs.gov. Do not pay taxes on any of the above situations until you have worked with a qualified Tax Specialist, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or an Enrolled Agent (EA).

Who Can I claim as a dependent on my Tax Return?

Children, Adopted Children, Mother, Father, Aunt, Uncle, Brother, Sister, Girlfriend, Boyfriend and others depending on the exact circumstances. BUT each category has differing qualifications in order to be claimed as a dependent on your Form 1040. You may research this at www.irs. gov, but it would be best, if you have doubts for you to consult a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or an Enrolled Agent (EA).

Yes, no, and maybe. Yes: If your employer has 50 or more full-time employees, including full-time equivalent employees on business days during the preceding calendar year. In 2014 large employers will be required to provide health insurance to all full-time employees. The 30 hours per week average reflects the statutory definition of full-time employee in § 4980H(c) (4) and is the definition of “full-time” employee” used in this notice. No: Small employers are not subject to The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. But, those employers who provide health insurance to their employees may receive a health insurance tax credit. Maybe: An employer may elect to pay the penalty instead of the cost of health insurance. It’s very important that employers discuss the possibilities and consequences of any decision they make in regards to their health insurance policy with a knowledgeable tax professional.

LEARN MORE tdconnally.com • 770 920-2890

T. Dennis Connally, Consultant, P.C., CPA, PFS is a professional full-service financial consulting firm with over 51 years of service and counting.

Tax Preparation • Tax Audits • Tax Planning

8483 Campbellton St. • Douglasville, GA 30134 770-920-2890 tdconnally@tdconally.com • Lifelong Douglas County Resident

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Tim MacMillan Attorney MacMillan Law Firm

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Tim MacMillan received his Juris Doctor in 1998. Tim practices in the legal areas of Family Law, Personal Injury, Workerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Compensation, and Wills. He is also a certified mediator. He has been practicing law in Carrollton since July 2001.

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What every West Georgian should know about... Contracting a Lawyer for a Personal Injury Case in custody issues as well as alimony and property division.Â I generally advise against dating until the divorce is finalized.

How willÂ our property be divided in a divorce? Real property, personal property and other assets obtained or acquired during the course of the marriage are generallyÂ â&#x20AC;&#x153;equitably dividedâ&#x20AC;?Â between the parties.Â That property acquired or held by one party prior to the marriage is generally not considered marital property.Â Â Additionally, any property that one inherits, even if during the course of the marriage is not considered marital property.Â If the parties are not able to come to a mutual resolution as to an â&#x20AC;&#x153;equitable divisionâ&#x20AC;? then it is usually up to the judge to determine what is â&#x20AC;&#x153;equitableâ&#x20AC;? and he or she has broad discretion to do so.

Will dating while my divorce is pending affect the outcome?

It certainly could.Â One must remember that until a Final Judgment of Divorce is signed by a Judge, you are still married.Â Dating while still married could play a role

How long will the divorce process take?

There is no scientific answer to that question, as every single divorce is different.Â Issues such as discovery, scheduling and frankly the desire of some parties to actually finalize the case are all factors that could prolong a divorce from being finalized.

LEARN MORE macmillanlawfirm.com 770.834.0871

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MacMillan L a w

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770-834-0871 418 Bradley St. - Carrollton

more CARDIAC and VASCULAR CARE has come to VILLA RICA

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xceptional cardiac and vascular care is more accessible to residents in Carroll, Douglas and Paulding counties with a new catheterization and endovascular lab now available at Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica. Tanner has expanded cardiac and vascular care in Villa Rica, growing the patient care team of Tanner Heart & Vascular Specialists and establishing a new Tanner Vascular Surgery location in one of west Georgia’s fastest growing areas. With the new catheterization and endovascular lab at Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica, vascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists can perform advanced diagnostic procedures to identify blockages in arteries throughout the body — including in the arms, legs and around the heart — and take steps to keep the blood flowing properly. Advanced cardiac and vascular care is now closer to home at Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica.

601 Dallas Highway Villa Rica, GA 30180