WGL May-June 2016 by Times-Georgian

West Georgia

LiVing May/June 2016

Life . Art . Music . People

Vacation! From the Georgia coast to right next door - where to go, what to see and what to do this summer Plus ... Camp cooking, gourmet style The music of David Pippin This year's blockbuster movies

$3.95

Vol. 6/Issue 3

Power Your Community We deliver power. So can you. By sharing just a few hours of your time each month, you can help build a stronger community and improve the lives of your friends and neighbors. Read to children at a local school or head start program. Serve at a food pantry or soup kitchen. Mentor a youth or teen. Coach an athletic team. There are countless ways to share your talents. Get involved. Deliver your own power.

Features 14

Georgia's Golden Isles - where sun and sand meets nature

May-June

2016

Birmingham is a whole new adventure, only 85 miles away

Lots of fish, lots of neighborhoods and lots to eat - the many places of Atlanta

PLUS Let vacation bring out the kid in you - 8 A "new stay" for the "vacay" - 29 Splendor is elevated at West Point Lake - 44 It's Hydrangea Festival time - 50 The sounds and sights of Yunnan - 56

4 West Georgia Living May/June 2016

History and nature meet at Douglas County's Sweetwater Park

Explore your wild side with a vacation to the North Georgia mountains

On the Cover: Sunset in the Gulf of Mexico, from Panama City Beach Photograph by Ricky Stilley

Spring is here, and YOU’RE INVITED to come and visit Southern Home & Ranch Garden Center! The waiting is over, it’s time to get serious about working in the yard and garden, and we can help! When it comes to maintaining, improving, problem solving or creating your idea of a wonderful yard or garden, Southern Home & Ranch is your kind of place. We have a wide and varied assortment of healthy, well-maintained shrubs, trees, perennials, annuals, in-home tropicals, edibles, and of course your favorite garden vegetable plants. The majority of our plants are from nearby local nurseries and growers, acclimated to this growing area – our way of helping make sure your selection has the best possible chance for long-term success. 7 iÌ iÀ Þ Õ >Ài Ü À } Þ ÕÀ >Ü ] Þ ÕÀ }>Àì ] ÀiÛ Ì> â } Þ ÕÀ y ÜiÀ À Ã ÀÕLLiÀÞ Li`Ã] «ÕÌÌ } ÕÌ viÀÌ âiÀ] À w} Ì } vv «iÃÌÃ > ` ÃÌÕLL À ` Ãi>ÃiÃ] Üi V> i «° 7i V>ÀÀÞ > V « iÌi Ãi iVÌ v > Ì i À } Ì products to help you keep your lawn and garden in the best possible shape and looking good. Be sure to come by and check our NEW Bonide Analysis Center, bring in a sample of your pest or plant problem, we will give it a close > ` «ivÕ Þ w ` > Ã ÕÌ ° Our friendly and knowledgeable Garden Center staff, including our own local expert, Carl Brack, are ready to help Þ Õ w ` Ì i «iÀviVÌ « > Ì À Ì ÌÀÞ Ì i « Ã Ûi > «À L i ° v Üi ` ½Ì >Ûi Ü >Ì Þ Õ >Ài } v À] iÌ ÕÃ Ü > ` Üi Ü ` ÕÀ LiÃÌ Ì w ` Ì v À Þ Õ° À Ì Ãi v Þ Õ Ü Ì iÛi L }}iÀ Þ>À`Ã] wi `Ã À «>ÃÌÕÀiÃ] Üi >Ài Þ ÕÀ V> -"1/ , -/č/ - ,č ì> iÀ] V>ÀÀÞ } vii`] Ãii`] viÀÌ âiÀ] > > i> Ì «À `ÕVÌÃ > ` wi ` > ` v>À «À `ÕVÌÃ° čÌ - ÕÌ iÀ i E ,> V ] Þ Õ Ü w ` ÕÀ "ÕÌ` À Û } >Ài> >Ã iÝ«> ì` Ì V Õì iÛi Ài « ÌÌiÀÞ] « > ÌÃ] v Õ Ì> Ã] vÕÀ ÌÕÀi] Li V iÃ] ÃÜ }Ã] À V iÀÃ] ÃÌ>ÌÕ>ÀÞ] V iÃ] L À` L>Ì Ã] wÀi « ÌÃ] ÕÀ >ì č iÀ V> PRIMO ceramic grills and smokers and much more. We are all about outdoor living and entertaining. Ã ì - ÕÌ iÀ i E ,> V Üi >Ài vÕ v ÃÕÀ«À ÃiÃ Ü Ì Ã iÌ } iÜ ÃÌ iÛiÀÞ `>Þ° 7i >Ài V ÃÌ> Ì Þ sourcing new and interesting products to make your home and gift giving fun and the talk of the town. Our selection includes Carhartt and Wrangler clothing and jeans, shoes and boots from Born shoes for men and women, Twisted Boots, Georgia Boots, and Thorogood work boots. ÛiÀ ÕÀ iÜi ÀÞ V>Ãi] vi>ÌÕÀ } > ` >ì i v > ` « iViÃ] vÀ>}À> Ì /À>«« V> ` iÃ] Li>ÕÌ vÕ 7 Ìi , ÛiÀ ìÃ } viÌ i V> ` iÃ] > ` ÕÀ V> Þ «À `ÕVi` Þì iÞ] " Û > >À i vÀiÃ «ÀiÃiÀÛiÃ] i À} > >À Ã olive oil, Kinloch Pecan oil, Cooke’s Tavern soups along with other special delights and treats. The list can go on, but instead of telling you more, why not just come on by and see for yourself! "ÕÀ Ã> iÃ v Ã >Ài vÀ i ` Þ > ` i>}iÀ Ì i « Þ Õ w ` Ü >Ì Þ Õ ii` > ` i « Þ Õ Ü Ì Þ ÕÀ «À iVÌ À «À L i ° Southern Home & Ranch, your one stop shopping for most anything and everything you might need, locally owned > ` «iÀ>Ìi`] i>ÃÞ Ì }iÌ Ì ] > vÕ « >Vi Ì Û Ã Ì] Ü Ì i « vÀ v Ã Þ Õ } Ì iÛi Ü° v Þ Õ >Ûi ½Ì Lii here, you really do need to come on by! Hope to see you soon ...

Southern Home & Ranch

West Georgia

Li Ving Volume 6 . Issue 3 May/June 2016 Publisher Marvin Enderle publisher@times-georgian.com

Editor Ken Denney ken@times-georgian.com

Advertising Melissa Wilson melissa@times-georgian.com

Photographer Ricky Stilley rstilley@times-georgian.com

Design Richard Swihart rswihart@messenger-inquirer.com

Contributors Vickie Ashford, Taylor Boltz, Bob Coval, Nancy Dombrowsky, Rob Duvé, Macie Hunter, Joyce McArthur, Josh Sewell and Molly Stassfort.

ABOUT THIS ISSUE Have you had it up to here with the rat race and the routine of your job? Time for a vacation! In this issue, we share with you some terrific ideals for places to go and things to do. First off is a trip to the Golden Isles of Georgia's coast - the mini paradises of St. Simons, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island – and the historic mainland port city of Brunswick. Next, we head to Atlanta. What's that you say? You've been there a thousand times? Maybe, but Atlanta is so big, so diverse there are many hidden corners and treats which can turn a day trip or a weekend into a mini vacation. And then there is Birmingham, a slice of the South just 85 miles west of the Georgia border. There are lots of shops, restaurants and entertainment just waiting for you in a place many of us have never fully explored.

Closer to home is Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas County, where Civil War history blends with natural beauty. And speaking of beauty, there are plenty of gardens you and your non-garden loving family can enjoy, all within a day's ride of west Georgia. And finally, how does soaking in a hot tub nestled in the north Georgia mountains sound? We give you some hints on how to find a place to rent for an adventure in the high hills. And that's not all. In this issue we also introduce you to the talents of David Pippin, one of the busiest entertainers in our area. Rob Duvé teachers us how to cook more than s'mores in camp, and we preview the Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival in Douglasville. So, pack your bag and hit the road. It's vacation time!

Departments FOOD

A R T I S T' S C O R N E R 53

David Pippin put down a 47 cue stick to lay down music

There's more to camp cooking than s'mores

To advertise in West Georgia Living, call Melissa Wilson at 770-834-6631.

Submissions, photography and ideas may be submitted to Ken Denney c/o The Times-Georgian, 901 Hays Mill Rd., Carrollton, GA 30117.

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. Direct mail subscriptions to West Georgia Living are available for $24 a year. Copyright 2016 by the Times-Georgian

6 West Georgia Living

May/June 2016

CINEMA

GARDEN

West Georgia Living is a bi-monthly publication of the Newspapers of West Georgia.

A floral treasure is just a day drive away

TAKE 5 52

Todd Wright raises cattle and shepherds his flock

Most anticipated 2016 box office blockbusters

BOOKS 58

"Fallen Land," a novel by Taylor Brown

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Vacation is the time to be a kid again

acation trips sure used to be different when I was a kid. That’s because I wasn’t responsible for packing up the car, tanking it up with gas, and then dealing with all that driving. All I had to do was sit in the backseat, read comic books and pester my brother. What we used to do was to drive down to Panama City Beach – yes, the Redneck Riviera. Back in the mid to late 1960s, this was quite a motor trip. Just as today, there was no Interstate route between Carrollton and PCB, but back then the roads were just two-lane strips of asphalt that stretched for mile after mile, without a McDonalds or convenience store to break up the monotony. There was, however, Stuckey's. There were two along the route, and we would stop at each on both the trip down and the trip back up. Sometimes it was to eat at the restaurant; sometimes it was just to take a break. Whatever the reason, finding the Stuckey’s after being on the road for hours was kind of like finding an island when you are lost at sea. When we crossed over into Florida, there was another roadside attraction: the gator farms. Those were places (are they still around?) where you could see live alligators, and usually there were some folks who would wrestle with the gators at hourly intervals. My brother and I would start seeing the billboards for those things maybe 100 miles out: Gator farm 100 miles! Gator farm 50 miles! Only 25 miles to the gator farm! Holy cow, the gator farm is just 5 miles away! My brother and I were really excited at that point; our parents were not. First of all, they just wanted to get to Panama City and be done with this trip. Second of all, they knew what we should have known: that the gator farm was just a big rip-off (that’s a slang term from the era.) Sure enough, when we got there, the gator farm was nothing like the pictures on those billboards. There were no gigantic, snarling creatures – just a few gators sleeping lazily beside a mosquito-filled pool. There were no brave alligator-wrestlers waiting to pit their strength against savage beasts for our amusement – just a gap-toothed yokel, rolling on the ground with a disinterested, elderly reptile.

8 West Georgia Living May/June 2016

Despite these shortcomings, however, those yearly – or nearly yearly – trips to Florida were the highlights of our summers. It felt good to get out of west Georgia and seek new adventures elsewhere. It was nice to exchange the Gulf of Mexico for acres of kudzu and pole beans that always needed weeding. From the perspective of a few decades, though, I can appreciate the fact that vacations with children are not really vacations for parents. In fact, I sometimes wonder now if vacations are really any fun for adults at all. Think about it: you have to pack and plan. You have to research hotels to get a good deal, book a flight several weeks in advance, then go to all the hassle of traveling: taking off your shoes at the security checkpoint; getting on a flight that’s overbooked; making connections with just seconds to spare. You hustle and hurry, wait and worry, just so you can have a few days of rest, only to repeat the process on the trip back. It’s almost like the stress of travel completely cancels out your entire vacation. Add a couple of cranky, demanding kids into the picture, and you just might wonder if you are insane for trying to go on vacation in the first place. But maybe vacations are worth all the trouble. We all seem to have a need to find a new experience, to be in a place we have not seen before. It’s the “otherness” of locale that we crave. You can’t find surf curling around your toes in west Georgia. You can’t find the Grand Canyon in Douglas County. There are nice things here, but we have become used to them. We need to see other things, go other places – if only to appreciate our homes more. And then there’s this: vacations create memories. It’s been many years, but I still remember those trips to Florida and those bored alligators snoozing in the sun. I remember playing board games with my brother in the backseat. I remember the blue skies and the highways

KEN DENNEY

that stretched on forever, with mirages of trees and more road floating on the horizon. I remember the first time feeling my toes sink into sand after the surf had washed over my feet. As an adult, I’ve gotten to travel to many places. Most of these were business trips, but somehow I found some ways to have fun. I remember taking a day off from a convention in San Francisco to go on a tour; I did the same thing in Los Angeles. I don’t remember much about the client meeting I had in Seattle, but to this day I remember going out on Puget Sound, walking around Pioneer Square and seeing the sights from the Space Needle. When you are a kid, you see things as a kid; when you are an adult, you see things differently. But if you go on a trip as an adult, you spend all your time thinking about the cost of things, the scheduling of things, all the work piling up back at the office. If you do all that, how can you say you have really been anywhere at all? When you travel, it’s best to travel as a kid. Let the adult inside of you worry about all the hassle and the bother. Let the kid in you have a vacation. WGL

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CINEMA

Who you gonna call? Melissa McCarthy (from left), Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig, and Leslie Jones in Columbia Picture’s “Ghostbusters.” Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIES

ow that we’ve almost made it through the movie industry’s post-awards season lull, it’s time to start getting excited for the big-budget blockbusters. There are plenty of intriguing titles, even though ( as always) they’re dominated by sequels and comic book adaptations. Here are 10 that I’m really looking forward to - and don’t forget movies go best with popcorn.

“Captain America: Civil War” (May 6)

The latest installment of Marvel’s ongoing cinematic universe continues the stories set up in 2014’s “Captain America: Winter Soldier” and last summer’s “The Avengers: Age of Ultron.” The storyline suggests (as if we didn’t already know from the title) we’re heading into some truly dark territory with Cap (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), both of whom audiences have grown to root for. “Winter Solider” might be my favorite Marvel flick so far, so I can’t wait to see if the returning creative team can somehow manage to top themselves. 10 West Georgia Living

May/June 2016

2016

“The Nice Guys” (May 20)

Shane Black’s “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” is one of my favorite movies, so I’m thrilled to see him return to the world of private detectives in Los Angeles. This time around, his story is set in the 1970s and involves a case that forces two rivals (Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe) to join forces. The trailer, which shocked me by proving that Crowe can be charismatic and funny, is a violent, foul-mouthed delight.

“X-Men: Apocalypse” (May 27)

This is the first “X-Men” movie since 2014’s “Days of Future Past” erased the mutants’ world and started over again, so I’m curious to see what Bryan Singer

JOSH SEWELL

does with a clean slate. Look for some pretty intense stakes since Oscar Isaac plays the titular bad guy (considered to be the first and most powerful mutant) and Jennifer Lawrence has made it clear this is her last time playing villain-turned-hero Mystique. I’m guessing things won’t go well for her character.

“Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping” (June 3)

The Lonely Island’s brand of humor isn’t for everyone, but the group – made up of Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer – revolutionized both “Saturday Night Live” and the internet itself with hilarious music videos like “LazySunday,” “I’m on a Boat” and several collaborations (whose titles I can’t include in a family magazine) with Justin Timberlake. “Hot Rod,” their previous cinematic gem, made me laugh so hard I couldn’t breathe, so I’m looking forward to seeing this parody of a washed-up superstar.

“Finding Dory” (June 17)

This sequel to one of Pixar’s most iconic films turns Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Nemo (Hayden Rolence) into supporting characters and brings Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), the scene-stealing blue fish with memory problems, to the forefront. The story kicks off when she suddenly remembers her long-lost family and sets out to reconnect with them. It was announced a while back that Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy would provide the voices of Dory’s parents, which is some pretty spot-on casting.

“The BFG” (July 1)

Steven Spielberg returns to the world of family films with his take on the beloved Roald Dahl book, which was adapted by the late Melissa Mathison (“E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial”). The trailer has a distinct “Harry Potter” vibe, especially since composer John Williams scored both films. Mark Rylance, fresh off his Oscar win for Best Supporting Actor (in Spielberg’s “Bridge of Spies”), performed the motion capture work for the title character, and the rest of the cast looks promising as well.

“Ghostbusters” (July 15)

I’ll admit I was skeptical about Paul Feig’s upcoming reboot, not because of the all-female cast (over which the dark corners of the internet seems to be losing their minds), but because the original was

directed by Damien Chazelle, the guy behind “Whiplash,” and my anticipation jumps a few more notches. This one could be something special, folks.

“Jason Bourne” (July 29)

After the underwhelming “The Bourne Legacy” tried to keep the franchise going without Matt Damon (sorry, Jeremy Renner), we finally get another installment of the real deal. The actor returns alongside frequent collaborator Paul Greengrass (both also have screenplay credits) and brings Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe in recent Oscar winner Alicia Vikander, one of “ The Nice Guys,” a Warner Bros. Picture. my new favorite actresses, into the mix. The Pictures release. plot is being kept under wraps, but rumors such a monumental part of my childhood. suggest it tackles big issues like cyber Other children might’ve played “cops and warfare and civil liberties. robbers” on the playground, but I was the nerdy kid who pretended I was using my proton pack to battle Slimer and the Stay “Suicide Squad” (Aug. 5) Puft Marshmallow Man. Fortunately, the I haven’t been a big fan of DC’s approach to trailer calmed my fears. The movie looks its comic book heroes (Superman should not absolutely gorgeous and the cast – Kristen be grim and gritty), but it might fit this story Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, of villains bribed into attempting a mission Leslie Jones and Chris Hemsworth – feels that will almost certainly lead to horrible like a perfect fit. I’m thinking McKinnon deaths. If they do manage to pull it off, the could steal the whole thing and emerge a government will grant them all pardons. The megastar. intriguing cast, including Margot Robbie, Will Smith and Jared Leto (playing a Hot Topic version of the Joker), combined with “La La Land” (July 15) writer-director David Ayer could make for a An original musical starring Emma refreshing change of pace. Or it could prove Stone, Ryan Gosling and J.K. Simmons? why Marvel is the real king of the superhero I literally don’t need to know anything movie. Only time will tell. WGL else about the movie. My ticket’s already bought. But tell me that it’s written and

Jennifer Lawrence (from left), Rose Byrne, James McAvoy, Lucas Till, and Nicholas Hoult in “X-Men: Apocalypse.” Photo courtesy Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.

West Georgia Living May/June 2016 11

Tanner Health System

What’s Your Calcium Score? BY TIMOTHY ALBERT, MD

TANNER HEART & VASCULAR SPECIALISTS

Knowing your risk for cardiovascular disease is instrumental in helping you and your physician devise a plan that can reduce the odds of experiencing a life-threatening heart attack. At Tanner, we offer a simple, fast, noninvasive and low-cost screening test called a coronary CT calcium score that can determine if calcified plaque has accumulated in your arteries.

CT Scans and Heart Health Coronary CT calcium scoring allows a medical provider to diagnose the presence and extent of calcified plaque inside the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood. Plaque is the fatty substance that can collect along artery walls. As plaque ages, it becomes calcified, eventually leading to a narrowing of the heart arteries — a condition called atherosclerosis — blocking critical blood flow to the heart. A coronary CT calcium score scan enables medical providers to detect the calcified plaque in coronary arteries in its early stages 12 West Georgia Living

May/June 2016

and determine an individual’s risk for a heart attack. The results of the test are called a “calcium score.”

• A history of tobacco use

The entire scan is fast — typically taking no more than 10 minutes — and painless, with no need for contrast material to be injected.

• A sedentary lifestyle

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Though the results of the screening can give your patient care team an opportunity to intervene before a cardiac event — such as a heart attack — happens, many insurance plans do not cover the screening. However, Tanner Heart Care offers the screening for $99.

There are some groups of people who would benefit most from a coronary CT calcium score, including those at greatest risk for atherosclerosis. Risk factors for atherosclerosis include: • Men 45 years of age or older and women 55 years of age or older • High blood cholesterol (especially lowdensity lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol) • High blood pressure • Diabetes or pre-diabetes • A family history of heart attacks (male relative younger than 55, female relative younger than 65)

• Being overweight or obese

• Being post-menopausal

Speak with your physician about whether or not you should receive a coronary CT calcium score then call Tanner Central Scheduling at 770.812.9721. The screenings are offered at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton and Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica, so you may choose the facility that’s most convenient for you. For more information, call Tanner Heart & Vascular Specialists at 770.812.9326. - Paid Advertisement

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Avenue of the Oaks, St. Simons Island. All photos courtesy of Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau

e h T

GOLDEN ISLES

14 West Georgia Living May/June

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idway between Savannah and Jacksonville lie the Golden Isles of Georgia, a group of four barrier islands: St. Simons, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island – and the historic mainland port city of Brunswick.

exploration. Look closely, and you may find hermit crabs, horseshoe crabs, or sand dollars. The beaches are where you can enjoy the serenity of a solo walk at sunrise, the romance of a simple picnic, or the excitement of kiting or windsurfing.

If the word “vacation” brings to mind miles of sun-drenched beaches, then this is the place to visit. But there are also vast marshlands, winding rivers and nature in abundance throughout this region. Here also is found gracious living in the true Southern style.

To explore the area completely, you’ll need to stay awhile – and you have your choice among some of the world's most renowned resort hotels, or you take things a bit simpler at a beachside condo, bungalow or even a woodsy campsite.

The Golden Isles experience is a rich combination of history, natural beauty, the ocean and the beaches. But it is also found in the lifestyle – the quaint towns, the family gatherings and churches large and small. It’s a coastal area that also experiences the seasons like the rest of the state, but here every season shines with activities and new experiences; art and antique shows; festivals; food and wine events; historic celebrations; performing arts; themed tours and races. No matter which month you choose to visit, there will be something going on here to add to your fun and enjoyment. The beaches of the Golden Isles are special to both residents and visitors from around the world. At high tide, the line between sea and sand is crisply drawn; low tide creates sand bars and tidal pools invite

Once settled in, it will be your choice of how best to explore the region. One of the best ways to discover the charm and history of Jekyll and St. Simons islands is by bicycle, or walking, or jogging. There are miles of bike and walking paths that encircle and cross the islands, providing easy and safe access to many historic sites, restaurants, beaches, and shops. Both islands also offer a trail system by which you can explore the many hard-packed beaches and catch a glimpse of coastal wildlife and nature. But there’s a lot more here. From quaint shops to outdoor markets; designer labels to unique souvenirs, the Golden Isles has something for everyone. Guests hunting for the perfect treasure may visit area art galleries and antique stores. Local outfitters and surf shops provide equipment and knowledge for outdoor

MARCIE HUNTER

Sun, sand and nature along Georgia's coast

Mary Ross Water front Park, Brunswick, Ga.

May/June 2016 West Georgia Living 15

enthusiasts. Chic boutiques and outlet stores are the ideal place for a fashionista to shop the day away, and there are many shopping districts like Redfern Village, Pier Village, Retreat Village, Downtown Brunswick, Jekyll Island Historic District, Golden Isle Plaza, Glynn Place Mall and more. Like to golf? This is where the game of golf meets genuine Southern hospitality in a seaside setting with a rich and storied history. The area’s beauty and world-class golf courses, facilities and instructors have earned the Golden Isles its reputation as a golfer’s paradise. The area’s 198 holes of golf provide challenges for both the amateur and accomplished professional. No trip to the Golden Isles would be complete without experiencing one of the nature, history, or even ghost tours. With the coastal marshlands and beaches so full of life, there are very few places better suited for nature tours. You can choose from quiet and educational birding tours – to discover many of the 300+ species that frequent the Golden Isles – or an adventurous and educational shrimping tour aboard the Lady Jane, a working shrimp boat. One of the most popular historic tours on St. Simons Island is the trolley tour. Ride the trolley to see historic landmarks and local attractions while learning about the stories, people and legends that make the Golden Isles magical. Other well-known tours are provided by the Jekyll Island Museum. These historic tours feature a guided tram tour of the 240 acre historic district, including entry into two historic cottages built by prominent members of the “Millionaire’s Club.” Oh, and while you’re here you might want something to eat. Few areas are graced with the abundance and variety of dining options as those found in the Golden Isles. From sports bars to world-class restaurants, famous barbecue to authentic Italian, there is a dish for everyone ― and it all comes with generous helpings of courtesy and genuine Southern hospitality.

Fort Frederica, St. Simons Island

Sure, it’s a drive to get here from west Georgia. But we’re all pretty sure you will think the trip was worth it. So come visit and stay awhile. WGL Marcie Hunter is a communications specialist with the Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau.

16 West Georgia Living May/June 2016

Left, Christ Church, Frederica, St. Simons Island. Below, Golden Isles Morningstar Marina, St. Simons Island.

Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island

Downtown Brunswick, Ga.

West Georgia Living May/June

2016 17

ATLA sure - you've been there a million times, but have you really seen it? 18 West Georgia Living

May/June 2016

ots of us in west Georgia travel to Atlanta – some of us go there a lot. Many of us work there; many of us shop there; many of us go there for entertainment. But of course Atlanta is the big city. It has traffic snarls and a bewildering array of destinations that can seem intimidating. It’s comfortable to stick to what you are familiar with when visiting a big town like Atlanta, but there is also much to be said for getting out of your comfort zone. This list barely scratches the surface, but it's at least a good start for getting off the beaten path and discovering the South’s largest city.

Things to Do Walk the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail: (Monroe Drive and 10th Street) The Atlanta BeltLine is the most comprehensive transportation and economic development effort ever undertaken in the City of Atlanta and it’s among the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs currently underway in the U.S. The

KEN DENNEY

Atlanta BeltLine is a sustainable redevelopment project that provides a network of public parks, multi-use trails and transit along a historic 22-mile railroad corridor circling downtown and connecting many neighborhoods directly to each other. The Eastside trail is a 2.4 mile segment bustling with locals and peppered with unique art. Centennial Olympic Park and the surrounding attractions: (265 Park Ave W NW) The 21-acre park serves as Georgia’s lasting legacy of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games and it serves as a starting point for visitors to explore Atlanta. World of Coca-Cola: (121 Baker St NW) The World of Coca-Cola, near the park, is a highly visual and interactive museum dedicated to Atlanta’s native soda, Coca-Cola. The museum features a multisensory theater, an 1880s soda fountain, the smallest bottling line in the world and an opportunity to sample more than 100 beverages from around the globe. Georgia Aquarium: (225 Baker St NW) Walk next door to North America’s largest aquarium, Georgia Aquarium. This popular Atlanta attraction features aquatic animals from around the globe and more than 10 million gallons of water.

May/June 2016

West Georgia Living 19

CNN Studio Tour: (190 Marietta St.) While in the park, why not journey into the heart of CNN Worldwide for an exciting glimpse of news and broadcasting in action! The Inside CNN Studio Tour takes you behind the scenes of the Global Headquarters of CNN in Atlanta. Center for Civil and Human Rights: (100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW) The Center’s theatrical and high-tech exhibits use motion, sights and sounds to immerse visitors in the American civil rights movement. Touch screen video panels bring visitors face-to-face with human rights activists from around the world.

Visit the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. Walk in the footsteps of iconic civil right leaders at The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood.

Where to Shop Lenox Square Mall (3393 Peachtree Road NE) and Phipps Plaza (3500

Peachtree Road NE) Since 1959, Lenox Square has been the premier shopping destination in the Southeast. Lenox recently received a facelift to its front entrance and welcomed new retail and dining vendors, including a two-story Nike store, UGG Australia, Karen Millen and the first Sprinkles Cupcakes in Atlanta. Three new restaurants will open by the end of the year, including True Food Kitchen, Zinburger and a relocated Cheesecake Factory. Phipps Plaza, located nearby, offers upscale shopping with more than 100 stores, including Tiffany & Co., Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Versace and Valentino. In addition to first-class shopping, Phipps offers plenty of entertainment with a 14-screen AMC movie theatre, LEGOLAND Discovery Center and dining at Davio’s Northern Italian

Walking tour of Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District: (450 Auburn Ave. NE)

May/June 2016

Lunch

Steakhouse. Little Five Points: (Moreland Avenue NE) Ranked No. 16 on Forbes list of Best Hipster Neighborhoods, Little Five Points offers tasty food, eclectic events and alternative culture on Atlanta's Eastside. Points of interest: Junkman's Daughter (464 Moreland Avenue NE) Junkman’s Daughter is a 10,000-square-foot megastore filled with far-out fashions, groovy accessories, unusual gifts and cool collectibles. Be sure to climb the 20-foot, red high-heeled staircase to check out the extensive shoe department. Criminal Records (1154 Euclid Avenue NE) Criminal Records has a large and diverse selection of music offerings in many formats, including vinyl.

Where to Eat Breakfast Highland Bakery: (1180 Peachtree St NE) Head to Highland Bakery for gourmet coffee, fresh-baked pastries and Southern breakfast staples. Southern Art & Bourbon Bar: (3315 Peachtree Road) Southern Art & Bourbon Bar is owned by Oprah’s former personal cook, Chef Art Smith. Art Smith’s eatery places a focus on regional, Southern fare served in a glamorous setting.

Ponce City Market: (675 Ponce De Leon Ave) Housed in the fully renovated 1925 Sears, Roebuck & Company building, the largest brick building in the Southeast, this urban market will feature a central food hall, leading retail brands, and living and working spaces. Dining and retail openings are scheduled throughout 2015. West Egg Café: (1100 Howell Mill Road) Have breakfast for lunch at West Egg Café, named Best Breakfast in Georgia by Southern Living magazine. Shake Shack in Buckhead Atlanta: (3035 Peachtree Road NE) The first-ever Georgia Shake Shack opened in Buckhead Atlanta last fall. Shake Shack is known for its 100 percent all-natural Angus beef burgers, crinkle cut fries, plus a selecPhoto by Ricky Stilley tion of location-specific frozen custard concretes made with local ingredients from H&F Bread Co and Cacao Atlanta Glenn’s Kitchen: (110 Marietta Street Chocolate Co. NW) Glenn’s Kitchen, situated in the heart of downtown, is an upscale dining Stone Soup Kitchen: (584 Woodward Averoom that serves a Southern-inspired nue) Stone Soup Kitchen is located in one of menu with emphasis on small plates. Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods, Grant Park. Fresh ingredients are used to create some

delicious sandwiches, soups and salads.

Dinner Krog Street Market: (99 Krog St.) Taste your way through Atlanta’s newest culinary mecca, Krog Street Market. This West Coast-style market, which is often compared to San Francisco’s Ferry Building Marketplace, features some of the city’s most popular food, beverage and specialty vendors. Located in the historic neighborhood of Inman Park, Krog Street is housed in a renovated 1920s warehouse and features market stalls that sell fresh meats, seafood and baked goods. St. Cecilia: (3455 Peachtree Rd) Chef Ford 22 West Georgia Living

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Fry’s menu is inspired by the flavors of the southern European coastline and serves up Italian seafood, pasta and specialty cocktails in an elegant setting. Sip on the La Bella Donna, with Amaro CioCiaro, Casoni 1814, Strega, Grapefruit, Prosecco. YEAH! Burger: (1168 Howell Mill Road) Priding itself on using food from local farmers and respecting the environment, YEAH! Burger creates “food you can feel good about.”

Late Night Bar hopping: Edgewood Avenue in the historic Old Fourth Ward neighborhood just east of downtown Atlanta has experienced

a resurgence over the past few years, transforming into a hotspot for nightlife. This street has several options to hang out with friends. Late-night dancing: The Sound Table (483 Edgewood Avenue). Serving until 2:30 a.m., the Sound Table combines gourmet food, artisanal cocktails and good music for a trifecta of fun. Kitschy after-hours: Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping-Pong Emporium (466 Edgewood Avenue) Owner and artist Grant Henry offers a surreal, overthe-top bar setting decorated with alter-ego Sister Louisa’s art work and complete with full bar, good eats, jukebox, Ping Pong table and an organ for “Choir Karaoke”

College Football Hall of Fame and Fan Experience is a massive, state-ofthe-art shrine for college football fans, with interactive exhibits that entertain even the non-fan visitor. Tickets carry visitor-specific data that links to various exhibits to display content about each visitor’s college football team. Guests can experience football games from the 50-yard-line using 360-degree viewers. The high definition Game Day Theatre will immerse fans in Saturday game-day pageantry with a panoramic projection display.

Secret hangout: Speakeasy (327 Edgewood Avenue) Behind a secret door in Pizzeria Vesuvius lies the Edgewood Speakeasy, a 1920s-themed secret den of drinks. Enjoy inspired cocktails, innovative boilermakers, local and regional craft beers, and boutique distilled spirits and moonshines. Karaoke night: MOTHER (447 Edgewood Avenue) Stop in for Karaoke, dance parties and $2 tacos.

Live music: Apache Café (64 3rd Street NW) Apache Café features local artists in an intimate setting and is the spot for hip-hop and soul enthusiasts in the Midtown neighborhood. Both Erykah Badu and India.Arie jumpstarted their careers in this club, where open-mic nights, DJs and jam sessions

occur each week. There's a lot more to see in Atlanta than there is space here to tell. The best thing to do is to come and discover for yourself all that the South's biggest city has to offer. WGL

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The Birmingham skyline as seen from Railroad Park. All photos courtesy of Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau

24 West Georgia Living May/June 2016

Birmingham Just 85 miles west is a new adventure

irmingham is only 85 miles due west from the Georgia state line, and yet for many in our region it may be an undiscovered destination. Not as big as Atlanta, the city is still full of amazing shops, wonderful food and awesome sights to see. To explore the city in its fullest â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whether on a day trip or a weekend stay â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we've prepared this handy guide to some of the highlights. VICKIE ASHFORD Alabama Splash Adventure is a water park and amusement park, located off Interstate 20/59 in Bessemer, just west of Birmingham.

West Georgia Living May/June 2016 25

Regions Field, photo courtesy of the Birmingham Barons and the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau

Food, Wonderful Food. And Drink. If there’s one special thing tourists find in Birmingham, it’s good food. The kind of food you’d write home about, if people still wrote home. Here are some suggestions, but be aware that some of these are so hot and happening they may require a reservation well in advance.

In the event you failed to call early for reservations at Highlands, try its next door neighbor and another of Frank’s places, Chez Fonfon. In the spirit of fraternité and égalité, they don’t take reservations, so going early or late is the best idea. The French bistro is not at all fussy and consistently wins national awards for its “Hamburger Fonfon.”

Now, don’t go to Birmingham and not seek The Satellite Coffee Bar in the gentriout some barbecue. For locals that means fied neighborhood of Avondale, right near downtown. Camille, the coffee manager, will take The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. good care of you and will be happy to serve you Brown Butter Old-Fashioned Doughnuts, which recently made a Food Network Top Ten list. Highlands Bar and Grill should be on any foodie’s list of must-do places. You’ve likely heard or read about it, and it’s everything you imagined and more. It’s James Beard material, and it’s where Chef Frank Stitt began all this Birmingham business of fabulous food. 26 West Georgia Living

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Saw’s Soul Kitchen in Avondale. Try an incredible dish of cheese grits piled high with turnip greens, barbecue pork and onion rings. For a real evening out, make a reservation for Hot & Hot Fish Club, which is neither a fish camp nor a private association. What it is one of the city’s finest restaurants with one of the city’s best chefs, Chris Hastings. You may have seen him on The Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” beating the stew out of Bobby Flay. Take the short drive to Bottega in the Highland Park neighborhood. This well-loved eatery has a casual Bottega Café on one side and the more formal Bottega Dining Room on the other. Flip a coin; Order an Orange Thing. F0r cocktails, start at Carrigan’s Public House, a relatively new bar specializing in craft cocktails. If the weather’s cooperating, you’ll like their rooftop patio. Then head over to The Collins Bar in the

Barber Motorsports Museum in nearby Leeds, Ala.

hip Second Avenue District for more craft drinks and a good vibe. Wrap up the evening with a nightcap at Paramount. One of Birmingham’s newer nightspots, this place is well-known for its haute bar food and its arcade of classic games. Yeah, we’re talking Lethal Enforcers and Nightmare on Elm Street Pinball. If your visit to Birmingham falls on a Saturday between April and December, it is essential you start the day at The Market at Pepper Place. Here you’ll find locally-grown everything, from apples to zucchini. Grab a couple of Chilton County peaches and some homemade macaroons with coffee for breakfast. This is the outdoor place to be in Birmingham on Saturday mornings. Find more fun and adventure at one of the country’s last real juke joints, Gip’s Place. Operating only on Saturday nights, Gip’s is in the residential neighborhood of nearby Bessemer. Here, Henry Gipson oversees the music and dance at this tin-roof honest-to-God roadhouse. It’s the real thing. BYOB.

How About Some Culture? Make your way downtown to the Birmingham Museum of Art. You’ll find really astounding collections of Asian, African, European Decorative, and Modern and Contemporary Art that span more than 4,000 years. If you stay long enough – and you will - you can have an impressive lunch at Oscar’s in the museum. It’s nice and airy and where else are you going to find the Georgia O’Keeffe Chicken Salad Melt? If you like live theater, Birmingham has a number of very good theatrical companies with performances regularly underway. Before your visit, check the schedules at Virginia Samford Theatre, Red Mountain Theatre, Terrific New Theatre, the beautiful and historic Alabama Theatre, and the newly restored Lyric Theatre.

Let’s Go Shopping Without question, Birmingham is the unrivaled retail giant of Alabama. From outlet

malls to upscale boutiques, shopping opportunities are near endless. Devoted shoppers know that in Birmingham the buying spree can go on for days, fueled by the huge selection of places to browse and buy. The suburb of Mountain surrounds three shopping villages. Start your day in English Village with a visit to the Continental Bakery for artisanal breads and pastries in the French tradition. Just down the rather curvy mountain is Mountain Brook Village, a great location for boutique shopping of all sorts. Tucked into classic European architecture are shops such as The Cook Store (self-explanatory), The Dande’ Lion with antiques, vases and table décor, and The Lingerie Shoppe. Further down the road is Crestline Village. It’s good to park here and walk around the village to find stores such as The Lamb’s Ears, where you find a bit of everything from jewelry to journals. Once Upon a Time is a baby specialty shop, and Snoozy’s Kids is filled with children’s toys, books and gifts. West Georgia Living May/June 2016 27

The next shopping suburb you’ll want to hit is downtown Homewood. How did so much chic shopping fit into this cozy space? Here you’re going to find boutique shopping of the best sort, from designer jeans to make your daughter jealous to fashionable clothes for soon-to-be mamas. This is also one of the best places in town to shop for antiques. If you’re buying for your children or grands, don’t miss the Birmingham tradition of Homewood Toy & Hobby. Next, head just south of downtown to The Summit, an open air mall with more than 100 stores and lots of restaurants. The Summit has locally-owned shops along with Saks, Lucky Brand, Gus Mayer, Chico’s, bebe and Pottery Barn. And that’s just six. You’ll find good eats at The Summit, as well.

Play Time With 140,000 yards of some of the best public golf on earth, Birmingham is a near-yearround perfect place to play golf. Public golf highlights include two courses along the state’s famed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

Begin with a tee time at Ross Bridge, one of the most beautiful and challenging courses along the Jones Golf Trail. Carved into rolling terrain, the course meanders through indigenous landscape and is one of the longest courses in the world. Don’t let that deter you; Ross Bridge has multiple tees for golfers of all levels. Oxmoor Valley, the area’s other Robert Trent Jones-designed courses, is a 54-hole facility consisting of the Ridge, the Valley and the Short Courses. All three are sculpted from the peaks and valleys of the Appalachians and are situated in scenic forests with creeks and challenging elevation changes. You can also try the Highland Park Golf Course. This is the oldest golf course in Alabama, though it has, of course, had renovations through the years. Golfers have the unusual experience of viewing the city skyline from the course where the bent grass greens run fast and true. For other kinds of outdoor activities, drive out just south of the city to Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama’s largest public park. Oak Mountain’s Red Trail is included in the International Mountain Biking Association’s list of EPIC rides, making it one of 52 “must ride”

trails in the world. With more than 50 miles of separate hiking and biking trails, visitors can choose a short loop or an overnight trip. If you’d like to stay, cabins are available. Also check out Red Mountain Park for an afternoon of hiking, biking and general outdoorsiness. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Ziplines over the canopy of trees in the park, or climb and rappel down. Speaking of bikes, if you forgot to bring your machine, go on over to Railroad Park downtown and cheaply rent the new ZypBikes, and go on a biking tour of the downtown area. It’s flat and easily ridable. Of course you’re in great shape, but in the event you’re not, your Zyp electric pedal assist bike will assist you with a little extra zip when you need it most. In addition to Railroad Park, there are ZypBike kiosks at other locations around the city. Birmingham has many, many adventures and sights to offer. So for something a little exotic but close to home, put the family car on Interstate 20 and head west. You’ll find lots to do, see and experience. WGL Vickie Ashford is Director of Travel Media for the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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A New Stay for the Family Vacay I

t’s about the time for families to make the Big Trek to their spring or summer travel destinations. For some, that means sun, sand and ocean; for others, it means the mountains or a major city. Wherever they go, they will need someplace to stay. Forget hotels. The traveler looking for a good deal and a homelike environment should consider house sharing. Remember that movie “The Holiday,” in which Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz’s characters swap houses to escape their real lives? It’s hard to believe that you can really find a home-like place anywhere in the world, yet it’s real. There are real homes, owned by real people, who rent their places per night and hope that you enjoy yourself. Whether it is a beachside condo, a mountain view castle, or a rustic villa, you can find just the place for you. There are hundreds of different websites that seek to match homeowners with house-seekers. Where do you start? Well, let's look at three of the most popular.

The first: FlipKey. This company, in which TripAdvisor purchased a majority stake in 2008, brags 300,000 vacation spots and was recommended by both USA TODAY and Travel + Leisure magazine. The website offers rentals in 179 countries and has a “Travel Insights” series, or a collection of facts and advice about the where, what, when for people and vacations. It focuses on 25 popular destinations across the United States and, according to Vice President of Marketing Eric Horndahl, “‘Travelers planning their next vacation will have insider knowledge on when to go, where to stay, how far in advance to book and how much to pay for rental accommodations.” This is also a site where you can rent out a property you own or manage if you need some extra cash. But note that the site recently increased its fees for property owners, the first such hike in two years. Even so, it seems FlipKey is focused on making both the guest and the owner happy in the end.

The second: HomeAway This company, founded in 2005, is a part of a larger family of home rental sites like VRBO, VacationRentals.com, OwnersDirect, and Travelmob. It spans 190 countries and has over 1 million listed homes. In 2013, the company produced a Professional Referral Network, a combination of 40 partners who, according to the website, vacation rental owners can contract to manage their listings and handle all guest inquiries and reservations. This means that renters have a significant number of companies to ask questions and book under. The company recently revealed a new campaign: “bring(ing) to life the joy of ‘a whole vacation’ for the entire family—no matter how you define ‘family’” Chief Marketing Officer Mariano Dima said that the vacation rental “provides space and privacy to truly bond and create lasting memories,” and HomeAway wants to help families create those memories. For property owners and managers, there is another rental model: a performance-based system, paying subscription fees no matter the booking numbers. They still have the typical pay-per-booking with no fees, but there is a 10% commission on HomeAway’s end.

neighborhoods to help travelers determine where they should stay in a city and, once there, how to get the most out of their home away from home.” With this service, the search for a vacation destination becomes more focused, more pointed, more catered to what the guest wants and needs. Though designed as a one-night rental site and “to take the hassle out of renting out a house, a spare room, or even just a couch,” Airbnb is another great option if someone wants to rent out an extra room. It can even be a good source of revenue. In 2010, an article noted that a few people used the website to keep their homes from foreclosure. And this is still the case today. A 2013 article stated that “Airbnb offer(ed) something the old methods could not: reliability” and reliability is immensely important when renting out a room in your house. Of course, there have been as many negative reviews as those that are positive. So, just as you would research the best hotel for the price, do the same for home sharing. Take your time, do your research, prepare. WGL

The third: Airbnb. Based in San Francisco and founded in 2008, Airbnb “connects people to unique travel experiences” in over 34,000 cities and 190 countries. Properties rent for any period of time: nights, weeks, months. It is the giant of house-sharing services, with over 10 million nights booked. In 2012, the company added a wish list option—a place for dream destinations to cumulate and even share. According to the company’s statistics, “45% of users that login engage with Wish Lists.” In addition, the company launched “Neighborhoods,” also in 2012, which is a series of “hyper-focused travel guides availale in seven cities and roughly 300

TAYLOR BOLTZ West Georgia Living May/June 2016 29

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Sweetwater History and nature meet in Douglas County

West Georgia Living May/June 2016 31

A Civil War ruin; a natural wonder

riving along the backroads to Douglasville, you encounter a sign along the highway that reads “Sweetwater Creek State Park.” It’s one of the most popular recreational spots in Douglas County, but some residents may be unaware of its rich history.

“Sweetwater” is said to be the meaning of the name of a Cherokee leader named Ama-Kanasta, to whom the land originally belonged. The federal government protected those lands until about 1831, after which

32 West Georgia Living May/June 2016

the state of Georgia acted to remove the Cherokee and open the territory to new settlement.

Eventually, this parcel of land came into the hands of Charles J. McDonald and Colonel James Rogers, two men who built Sweetwater Manufacturing Company in 1846. They built a five-story mill, along

STORY BY TAYLOR BOLTZ PHOTOS BY RICKY STILLEY

with a surrounding mill town, that by 1860 produced hundreds of pounds of cotton, yarn, and fabric a day. During the Civil War, federal troops – on the lookout for factories that made goods for the Confederate armies – shut down the mill, burned it to the ground, and sent its workers, most of them women, out of the state. The building was left a ruin, and for more than a century became one with the ever-growing forest around it. In 1972, however, the area became a state park,

named for the creek that divides it. Today, the park spans 2,549 acres and contains walking and hiking trails, campgrounds, and a Visitors Center where you can see artifacts from Native Americans and the Civil War. It is also a very eco-friendly place, making use of collected rainwater, environmentally friendly restrooms, and concrete that allows water to soak into the ground. The park rangers conduct numerous hikes and special events during the seasons. Some of the upcoming ones include “Tails on Trails,” a June 4 event in which dogs are welcome to accompany their owners on hikes to the old mill ruins. Other events can be found on the park’s website, along with information for registration and parking fees. Sweetwater Park also hosts school field trips for different grade levels. Each are led either by rangers, or are self-guided, depending on the student’s need. Some of the options are: • “Life Along Sweetwater Creek” for grades 2-8, which discusses human history of the area, including plant and animal

identification and a trip to the ruins • “All About Birds” for grades 3-7, which allows kids to identify the various birds of the park and how they adapt over time • The “Green Building Tour” for grades 10-12, which offers a chance for older students to understand the technology behind the environmentally responsible Interpretive Center, as well as other aspects of environmentalism. These groups can vary from 15-60 people and cost $3 per student, teacher, and chaperone. More information about fees and scheduling can be found of the Georgia State Parks website. But the park is perfect for other events as well, including weddings, birdwatching and geocaching. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, welcomes the community to hike, fish, and just enjoy the environment around them. WGL

West Georgia Living May/June 2016 33

Birdwatching hikes are available and are designed for anyone 11 years or older who is interested in learning more about birds, the important habitats critical to some species, and organizations like the Audubon Society which are dedicated to bird conservation. Cost is $5. At right is a stone wall constructed at the time the mill was constructed, to channel water flow from the creek.

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GARDEN

Gardens for the kid in you Discover floral treasures just a day's car ride away

o you love to wander around public gardens, feasting your eyes on the natural beauty around you, inhaling the fragrant aroma of summer blooms, listening to the sound of songbirds and the wind in the trees … and your kids will have none of it: “BOOORING! “ “Boring???” Let’s look at some garden day trips (and an overnight or two) that will get your family begging for you to find another garden to wander through during summer vacation. They’ll even ask if they can bring their friends!

METRO AREA There are three places around the Metro Atlanta area which offer everything a family could want: Zoo Atlanta, The Chattahoochee Nature Center, and (believe it or not) Oakland Cemetery. An easy day trip, Zoo Atlanta, (800 Cherokee Ave. SE ) is home to The Carnivorous Plant Bog, part of the Complex Carnivore exhibit. The fun thing about carnivorous plants is that, like mammalian carnivores, they eat meat! 36 West Georgia Living May/June 2016

Dunn Formal Rose Garden, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Photo courtesy of Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau. Though we don’t often think of an insect as a meat entree, they are indeed just that to a Georgia native species, the Pitcher Plant. Zoo Atlanta’s Carnivorous Plant Bog is host to another popular insect eater, the Venus Fly Trap, a native of North Carolina, as well as the exotic looking Pitcher Plant. While

the little ones will be excited to see an entire garden growing in mud, Mom and Dad can take this opportunity to teach the kids about bog habitats from the abundance of educational materials on site. The Chattahoochee Nature Center,

NANCY DOMBROWSKY AND JOYCE MCARTHUR

u (and the kids with you) you need an easy hike. For something that's a little different, try a little history with your garden tour by heading to Historic Oakland Cemetery. A cemetery you say? How macabre! Located at 248 Oakland Ave SE, than a mile from downtown Atlanta, this cemetery was founded in 1850. Its 48 acres are home to 1,400 trees and over 70,000 souls. Each lot was gardened by the family of the departed, so you get to see a wonderful diversity of styles and plants. The goal of each family was to create a small bit of heaven on earth for their departed loved ones, and a place of beauty to be enjoyed by those left behind. Visit their website and download age-appropriate visitor guides. The guides suggest looking for Atlantaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous citizens, reading the moving epitaphs and comparing some of the 55 mausoleums.

ATHENS If you want to go a little further east on your Georgia day trip, you can always head on over to Athens and visit one (or all!) the gardens that represent the past, present and future of garden plants.

in nearby Roswell, (9135 Willeo Rd.) has enough kid-friendly sights and activities to keep children of all ages entertained. Visit the Butterfly Garden, where native and non-native flowering nectar and host plants keep the butterflies coming all day long. If the kids wear flower prints to the garden, the butterflies may even land on them! At the Centersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Discovery Center,

youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find interactive exhibits of native habitats found along the river, featuring fish and frogs, bugs and plants. Down on the hiking trails, the family can burn off some of that extra energy while exploring the Southern forest, or trampling on a boardwalk over the Chattahoochee. Take a short walk (good for families with toddlers) along the Homestead Trail, overlooking the pond and forest when

Step into the past with your first stop: The Founders Memorial Garden. The first garden club in the country was established in Athens in 1891 and The Founders Memorial Garden commemorates the 12 founders of that club. It also stands as a memorial to all of those who served in the Armed Forces. Located on campus at South Lumpkin and Bocock streets, it consists of a 2.5 acre garden that contains many heirloom species and a Greek Revival style house. The gardens of today can be seen in the State Botanical Garden of Georgia (2450 S Milledge Ave.)It is a 313-acre garden that includes five miles of garden trails ranging from easy strolls to more West Georgia Living May/June 2016

strenuous hikes. They also offer several Festivals, such as the Forest Fest and the ever-popular Insectival. If your children are intrigued by insects, this is the festival for them. Kids get a chance to look at mosquitoes and black fly larvae; hold caterpillars, beetles and tarantulas; and they find food the way insects do―by using their sense of smell. Your final stop in Athens is the most exciting, as far as I am concerned. It contains over 2,000 plants and looks to the future. It is called simply The Trial Gardens at UGA. It is nestled in the middle of the UGA campus between Snelling dining hall and the College of Pharmacy. It serves as a testing site for the newest varieties of annuals from all over the world. It also tests perennials to see how they stand up to the heat and humidity of the Southeast. Here you can see varieties that are too new to be in stores, and some that may never make it to commercial production. Companies send their seeds to UGA where they are planted, nurtured and various aspects of their growth are recorded. You can log onto the website follow the data on your favorite plants. The gardens are open every day, and there is a public open house from 9 to 12:00 on July 16, 2016.

ALABAMA Georgia has over 50 Public Gardens and Arboreta, but sometimes we just get the itch to go west (young man). If your family gets that itch, there are places to visit in Huntsville and Birmingham.

HUNTSVILLE

It’s an overnighter, but worth it to see the joy in your children’s faces when you walk into the Storybook Garden at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens (4747 Bob Wallace Ave, Huntsville. The Storybook garden is part of the two-acre

State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens. Photo courtesy of the University of Georgia. Children’s Garden, one of eight unique gardens created just for kids. A description from the website makes me want to get in the car and head on over, even though my children are adults now: “See a real Space Station node (donated by Marshall Space Flight Center) and Water Rocket Clock (complete with a real missile!).Explore the world of rainbows through prisms and kaleidoscopes. See rainbow gardens, benches and paths. And look for our pot of gold!” Now, that sounds like a perfect garden to me!

BIRMINGHAM It is about two hours away, and admission is free! Parking is free! So, for the cost of a tank of gas, you can spend a wonderful day roaming through the 67.5 acres of the Birmingham Botanical Garden (2612 Lane Park Rd.)This garden is filled with more than 30 thematic gardens. You can stroll through Ferns, Hosta, Crape Myrtle

or Asian gardens. Then visit the Moon Tree; it is an American sycamore that was grown from the seeds that orbited the Moon in Apollo 14's command module. If that doesn’t fill your day, you can walk from the Botanical Garden to the Birmingham Zoo. ••• We’ve given you enough day trips here to venture out on one a week all summer – and we’d love to hear how you and your family liked these day trip gardens. To give the Carroll County Master Gardener Volunteers feedback on your visit, please email ccmgaeducation@gmail.com. Nancy Dombrowsky is a vice president of the Carroll County Master Gardeners Association; Joyce McArthur is a member of the Carroll County Master Gardener Association and Vice President of Education for the Georgia Master Gardener Association. WGL

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What to do

LOCALLY

This Summer

While you are visiting the many places around west Georgia for a relaxing getaway, don’t forget there is a lot to do and see right in your own hometown. Here are a few of the events local groups have planned for the summer.

Theater August 4-7 Carroll County Teen Theatre presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center, 251 Alabama St. Showtimes: Thursday-Friday, August 4 and 5 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, August 6 at 2 pm & 7:30 pm, and Sunday, August 7 at 2 pm. Tickets are $10 and may be ordered online at carrolltontix.com .

A smaller version of the well-known Little Big Jam, packed with live music, local food, camping and beautiful scenery. 325 Daniel Road, Bowdon, Carroll County. Ticket and other information may be found at littlebigjam.com . Sept. 29-Oct. 2 Little Big Jam. This four-day festival takes place on approximately 100 acres of land, featuring both pasture and forest and features local and regional musical acts, local food vendors, and local merchants. Ticket and other information may be found at littlebigjam.com .

Concert Venues The AMP – 119 Bradley St., Carrollton. An outdoor covered amphitheater. All concerts are free to the public.

Sept. 23-25

This year’s concerts include:

Carroll County Community Theatre presents “The Crucible” at the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center. Showtimes: Friday and Saturday, September 23-24, 2016 at 7:30 pm and Sunday September 25 at 2 pm. Tickets are $10 and may be ordered online at carrolltontix.com.

May 14 - Journey May 20 – Local Band Night, featuring Homegrown, The George Britt Band, the Duke-Baggett Band May 28 – Ghost Town

Music

June 4 – Local Band Night, featuring Paris Luna, Ugly Betty, Foos McCoy

April 22-23

June 11 – Groove Gypsies

Carroll County Community Chorus presents “The British Invasion” Featuring the music of Elton John, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Adele, The Beatles, and Queen. Friday, April 22 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, April 23 at 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm at the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center, 251 Alabama St. Tickets are $10 and may be ordered online at carrolltontix.com .

June 25 – Gimmie Abbey

May 27-28 Little Big Jam Presents: Spring Fest. 40 West Georgia Living

May/June 2016

July 9 – Savannah Jack July 30 – Local Band Night, featuring the Rick Fowler Band, Blind Cadillac, Sweet & Salty Blues Band Mill Town Music Hall – 1031 Alabama Avenue, Bremen, Haralson County. West Georgia's largest concert and entertainment venue. Prices for each event can vary, so please consult milltownmusichall.com.

Upcoming concerts and events include: April 30 - David Phelps May 12 - James Gregory May 21 - Eddy Raven Country Grass show featuring Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road June 18 - T. Graham Brown and Jimmy Fortune July 14 - Neal McCoy July 23 - The Isaacs and the Diplomats

Food May 21 Taste of Douglasville - 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Local restaurants will be offering samples of their menus during this street event in downtown Douglasville. Also, there will be booths for arts and crafts and other attractions. Tastes are available for $1 to $4; it's free to attend. Sept. 15 Taste of Carrollton – 5:30-8 p.m. on Adamson Square, downtown. The 25th annual event will feature a sampling of many of the city’s restaurants. Attendees can purchase tickets to exchange with each vendor beginning Aug. 10. Each ticket is $1, and it is recommended each attendee buy at least 10. A “food and brew” package is available for $20.

Other Events May 7 MayFest – 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This annual arts and crafts festival is entering its 30th season this year. A wide variety of handmade arts and crafts will be available, along with food and special events and activities. Downtown Carrollton

Escape to The NORTH GEORGIA

MOUNTAINS

“The mountains are calling and I must go.” – John Muir

hose who want to follow famed adventurer John Muir’s call don’t have to head west to scale new heights; Georgia offers mountain adventures of its own. Less than three hours northeast of Carroll County are two of the top tourist locales in the state, both nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains. Helen, in White County, is known not only for the town’s Bavarian-style architecture, but also the natural beauty found in nearby Unicoi and Vogle state parks. Just a few miles away is Rabun County, home to Tallulah Gorge and Black Rock Mountain State Parks, with beautiful vistas and endless hiking trails for a fresh air-filled

Where to go, what to do.

How to get away from it all! trip with family and friends. With dozens of adventures for all ages and adrenaline levels, north Georgia is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of suburbia. To plan your mountain getaway, the first

MOLLY STASSFORT

step is determining what kind of lodging you want. Parking an RV or pitching a tent at a state park is always an option, but for the rustic mountain lifestyle, a cabin is the best splurge. For a lot of people, having a temporary house in the mountains – complete with fireplace, cable TV and a hot tub – is simply the way to go. But first you need to know how big a cabin to rent. If it’s just your family, planning is easy, but for a group weekend away, getting people to fully commit can make booking a little difficult. Remember: most rental agencies require a deposit, and usually a card number to keep on file to pay for the balance.

A place to stay There are hundreds of companies that West Georgia Living May/June 2016 41

A hot tub is practically mandatory to enjoy the scenery from your mountain cabin. Photo courtesy of Georgia Mountain Rentals in Helen.

offer cabins for rent; each have websites showing the amenities and the options for one, two, three, or many more bedrooms. Cost is a big factor here: you can choose a cabin with a room for everyone, or be prepared to get cozy on cots and pallets.

“Eagles Nest,” is available through Georgia Mountain Rentals in Helen.

Georgia Mountain Rentals, near Helen, offers a variety of cabin sizes and amenities for the North Georgia mountain area. With multiple bedroom options, as well as pet-friendly and group cabins and rustic or luxury options, you are sure to find your perfect fit. One of their properties, Eagles Nest, is a luxury cabin with three bedrooms and three baths and comfortably sleeps seven. It has a fireplace, back porch view of the mountains and a hot tub, as well as wi-fi, DVD player and HDTV. The Eagles Nest runs from $155 42 West Georgia Living

May/June 2016

to $215 per night. A larger size cabin, or one with more amenities, can run up $350 per night. While the prices may seem scary at first, they are not per-person prices, purely per night. This means that the more people you have sharing the house, the cheaper it gets; If you choose to fit all seven people in the cabin, it can run for a steal of less than

$50 a night per person – cheaper than most hotels. A smaller option, while not as packed with amenities, offers the same homey feel for those looking for luxury on a budget. A two-bedroom cabin, like the Country Charm B, is ideal for a family of four or a small group of friends. With the two bedrooms comes one bath with a Jacuzzi tub. Similar size cabins run anywhere from $90 to $150 dollars a night. For more information on booking similar cabins, visit georgiamtnrentals.com.

On the River Once you book your cabin of choice, it’s time for the real fun to begin: picking your daily activities. For those looking for serious adventure up north, white water rafting on the Chattooga

This RV park, nestled in the north Georgia mountains, has a fishing pond. Photo courtesy of Rabun County Tourism Development Authority.

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River is sure to fulfill the adrenaline junkie’s needs. The Nantahala Outdoor Center offers two different rafting adventures down the Chattooga; one suited for beginners and those with some skills, the other for experts only. The first experience, Section III, has expert raft guides who help navigate through the class II and III rapids. This section covers almost seven miles of the river, and a tour lasts almost six hours, with breaks in between to eat and swim in the water. The cost is about $100 a person to ride and is for ages 8 and up. A more advanced rafting experience is found in Section IV. Only for ages 13 and up, this section is sure to offer a challenge. With class IV and V rapids thrown in through this almost seven-mile ride, rafters will not be left disappointed – or dry. This is six-hour ride and costs $110 to $150 a person, depending on your group size. Don’t forget to purchase your photo taken while you conquered the rapids! If you’re looking for a less intense adventure, nothing beats the summer heat like a tube ride down the Chattahoochee River. In Helen, Cool River Tubing offers a ride down the river for only $5 a person, but if you want to spend the whole day riding the Chattahoochee, $9 will get you unlimited rides down the river. For an extra $5, you can enter the Cool River Waterslide about halfway down the course, and get a quick burst of energy before you get back on the tube.

See the Sights While still in Helen, tour the Bavarian-themed Appalachia town. Stop by the Alpine Mini Golf Village or pan for gemstones at Outpost Gold and Gem Panning. Just outside the city, in Cleveland, is Babyland General Hospital, where

Cabbage Patch Kids are born. If you’re lucky, you might even get to witness a birth. No mountain trip is complete, however, without hiking. Rabun County is home to many of Georgia’s beautiful state parks, including Tallulah Gorge and Black Rock Mountain. Tallulah Gorge is one of Georgia’s most remarkable canyons; this two mile long chasm has some of the best sightseeing in the state. With over 2,000 acres, the park offers over 20 miles of hiking trails, 50 camping sites, and an in-park lake for swimming. A suspension bridge, hanging 80 feet over the gorge, offers visitors an immaculate view of the canyon and the waterfall within. The Short Line trail, a local favorite, is a three-mile paved trail through the gorge, with a bridge crossing over the Tallulah River. Accessible for both hiking and biking, the trial is a family-friendly hike for all ages. Just up the road sits another state park. Black Rock Mountain is Georgia’s highest state park, with elevation of 3,600 feet. With many cabins in which to stay, Black Rock Mountain can be a one-stop vacation. Eleven miles of hiking on four different trails are offered inside, and roadside lookouts give an 80-mile view of the gorgeous mountain scenery. A 17-acre lake gives the opportunity for fishing or canoeing and kayaking. Pack a lunch and enjoy the mountain views for a day with Mother Nature. A favorite among hikers, the Tennessee Rock Trail is a two mile moderate to difficult hike through the park. ••• There are many other adventures like these throughout North Georgia, and they’re all just a short drive from west Georgia. The mountains really are calling – so go! WGL

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West Georgia Living May/June 2016 43

Life at the Lake West Point Lake is a man-made body of water created by West Point Dam. All photos courtesy of the US Army Corps of Engineers.

here’s nothing like a weekend of fishing, camping and being out in nature to recharge and refresh, and West Point Lake is the perfect place to do it.

The lake, built on the Chattahoochee River by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has a practical purpose: to control flooding and to provide hydroelectric power. But a side benefit is the 525 miles of shoreline surrounding this gigantic, man-made body of water that covers 25,900 acres. The lake is shared by Troup and Heard counties of Georgia, and Chambers County, Alabama. There are multiple campgrounds, four of which are managed by the Corps. All are now open; most of them will be through the Labor Day weekend. There are a variety of campsites open to visitors, whether they want to pitch a tent or park their RV. Primitive campsites cost $16 to reserve; other campsites, with electricity, cost between $24 or $28, depending on whether you need a 30 amp or 50 amp hookup. Reservations can be made online or by calling 1-877-444-6777. All campsites have a 20X20-foot area in which to camp (no tents are permitted on the grass) and a place to build a fire (no fires are permitted on the shoreline.) There are shower and restroom facilities for campers, as well as a coin-laundry – but just remember

44 West Georgia Living

May/June 2016

there are no stores at the lake; if you forget your toothbrush, you’ll have to head outside to the nearest town. The lake is well stocked with a variety of fish, including big and small-mouthed bass and catfish. And because the lake spans two states, the Corps rangers are obliged to follow both states’ rules on fishing. If you have a Georgia license, you can fish anywhere you want on West Point Lake; it’s honored on both sides. But if you have an Alabama license you are restricted only to the middle portion of the lake. No fishing is permitted on courtesy docks and boat ramps. As a federally managed campground, there are no firearms permitted within the lake. Fireworks are also not permitted. There are trash containers, but no trash pick-up service, so visitors are asked to pick up after themselves. Corps rangers patrol the park. They have authority to issue tickets to those who break the rules, and that includes those who operate powered watercraft without the appropriate permits. The gate to the campgrounds opens at 7 a.m. and is locked at 10 p.m.; all times at the park are in the Eastern timezone. Ten p.m. is also “quiet time” in the campgrounds, so please be courteous to your fellow campers. WGL

A bird settles upon its nest at West Point Lake

There's plenty of natural wonders to enjoy at the lake.

May/June 2016

West Georgia Living 45

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Good times, Good friends, Good Food There's more more toto camp cooking than s'mores There's camping than s'mores

West Georgia Living May/June 2016 47

FOOD Writers Note: I wrote this almost four years ago,

but when I learned that “vacation” would be the theme of this issue, I knew I wanted to get this published. Not only is it a story of food on the fly, but it’s a story of old friends, new friends, and friends in general. It also holds a special place in the hearts of the people who are mentioned because one them has passed since this writing. Terri was too young to leave us, but in the time that she was here, she ate and lived as we all should: without regrets.

come up with more than a few of my recipes during the one week of the year when my wife and son go to New Orleans. That’s when I buy as much experimental food as I like; cook the things that I like – and they don’t; and try new things because, if they’re horrible, no one’s there to miss the failure. This tale will include one such recipe, but it’s really a story of good friends and new friends; good food and one heck of a good time.

Friday April 8, 2012 It began when Gina got in touch with me while she was in New Orleans and asked if I wanted to go kayaking and camping. I immediately thought, "yes," but, knowing we would have to leave as soon as she came in after a six-hour drive – and knowing that things were tight financially – I first made sure she was up to it. While Gina was still driving in, our good friend Russell and new friend Terri went to the campsite to set up camp. Terri would be our guide on this little adventure; she worked for Timothy, the outfitter. I started pre-cooking a few things to make sure we didn't go without, food-wise, over the weekend. Gina ran in the door, we threw together some things while forgetting others and headed out. A quick stop at Big Box Mart and we were off. We arrived, set up all our gear, and I got to cooking.

2 cups organic grits (dry) 1 small shallot, finely diced 2 cloves garlic, finely diced 3-4 tablespoon Cajun seasoning 4 tablespoon roux 2 cups heavy cream 1-2 teaspoon Kitchen Bouquet of Gravy Master (caramel coloring) 2 cups water Chopped Green Onions Salt and Pepper to taste Start by frying the Speck as you would bacon until it’s crispy, saving the remaining fat. This step will add the same depth of flavor as when frying bacon. When crispy, place in two cups of water and bring to a simmer to create a broth. While that is simmering, add the shallots and garlic to the leftover fat and sauté until translucent. Try to avoid adding salt to the sauté. It does help break the aromatics down, but the salt content of the Speck is quite high. Wait until you're closer to the end before seasoning. Throw the shallots and garlic into the pot with the Speck and puree with a stick blender, or use a small food processor. Either way, puree until smooth, bring to a mild simmer and add the roux. When this begins to thicken, add the heavy cream until it reaches the gravy-style consistency you desire and finish by adding the caramel coloring. This adds the caramelized flavors that would come from a simple pan gravy using a deglaze or drippings. Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning on the shrimp and sauté in butter until done. Cook the grits

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I began with this recipe, which I had been wanting to try for a while:

Shrimp and Grits with Smoked Speck Gravy 1-2 lbs Gulf shrimp, peeled and deveined 8-10 slices Smoked Speck (a dry cured meat much like prosciutto) 48 West Georgia Living

May/June 2016

506 Maple St. Carrollton, GA 30117

770-214-9191

Rob Duvé

to your liking (some like them thicker, thinner, etc.). Plate a large scoop of grits, top with gravy, then shrimp, then green onions. Add wine, campfire smoke, and about eight very unique personalities and you have one heck of a camp fire meal. In the interest of complete disclosure, I did the gravy at home before we left, but the rest was made on site.

Saturday April 9, 2012 The day began much as I expected it would: feeling as if I had been grazed by a large truck that tasted vaguely of red wine. No matter, camp coffee, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and leftovers made a terrific breakfast. All we cared about was the fact we had to be on the river around noon. That morning, we met a couple camping a few sites over. Within minutes, Joe and Inga were fast friends and they ended up spending that Saturday river trip running with our crew. Terri showed up around 10:30 a.m. with a glass of Cabernet in hand, trying to get everyone's plans coordinated. We were off shortly after that. A day on the river makes a group hungry ... and quite thirsty. After everyone had run to town, home, the store, and all over the surrounding area for the last of the needed wine, beer, and ingredients, it was time to settle in for another huge meal and a night of laughs. The red wine had been opened, a few beers displaced, and the camp stove came to life.

Chicken Marsala There are a few ways to make this dish, but here is my way. And just ask yourself: when was the last time you went camping and had chicken Marsala? 7 Chicken breasts, pounded flat and cut across the grain into 2 pieces 2 cups flour 2 tablespoons fine sea salt 1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper 1 tablespoon garlic powder 2 cups sliced portobella mushrooms 1 medium shallot, finely diced 5 cloves roasted garlic 1 ½ cups Marsala wine 1 ½ cups heavy cream Olive oil and butter for frying

Chicken Marsala Salt and pepper to taste In a large frying pan, add enough olive oil and butter (1 to 1) for frying. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the flour and dredge the breast pieces. Shake to coat and leave to sit for just a moment. Fry over medium high heat, adding oil and/or butter as needed, until golden brown and set aside. As you end the frying process, there should be a good bit of flour in the bottom of the pan. Just leave it there for now. Add mushrooms, shallots, and garlic to the pan and sauté until the aromatics are translucent and the mushrooms have wilted sufficiently. When these are done, add another 2 tablespoons of the dredge flour to the pan and stir in, allowing it to brown just a bit. While the pan is still quite hot, pour in the Marsala and whisk very well to keep the lumps out. When very thick, add heavy cream until it reaches your desired level of thickness. Serve over pasta of your choosing, next to a fire, with 6-8 friends, after a day on the river. I should mention that Terri had roasted garlic and corn over the fire, as well as having salad, sweet peppers, and just a general abundance of additions to the meal.

Shrimp and Grits with Smoked Speck Gravy I would love to say that I took care of everything but, the truth is, I did the main course and she did the rest. When the meal was complete, Russell's granddaughter Ashley (our very good friend and all-around great person) broke out a guitar and the night was well under way. Unfortunately, Joe and Inga decided to pass out before dinner, but the rest of the crew hung on as long as they could. One by one, we each fell away and took to our beds.

Sunday April 10, 2012 After spending half the morning in our tents, I decided that coffee and some attempt at breakfast was probably a good idea. I say “some attempt," because, in all of our running around the night before, everyone had forgotten to get breakfast makings. Of course, by "everyone" I mean me. As I got coffee brewing, I noticed Russell sit-

PHOTOS BY RICKY STILLEY

ting by his fire and decided to join him. He told me that Timothy and Terri had already run to town to get biscuits and coffee. Knowing that Terri had been our river guide all day, had eaten a huge meal, and then was one of the last to leave the fire, I was impressed by her ability to recover. All day Sunday was spent on the river. Terri led the way as our little group stopped to snack from time to time, and just generally had a blast. So, here you have a story about some good food. But it’s really about some good friends, old and new, having some good times that didn’t involve a night out or an elaborate meal. Sometimes, the best things come to us when we don't expect them, and I hope everyone who reads this has the blessing that my extended family share. We all have the ability to laugh at each other, to take everyone for who they are – and to accept into our lives anyone who is the same way. Party Well, Eat Better WGL

West Georgia Living May/June 2016 49

It's time for the

HYDRANGEA FESTIVAL

he ninth annual Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival, which has been growing in size and popularity, will be held in June at locations throughout Douglas County. The theme is of the 2016 Festival is “America, the Beautiful!” and the theme flower is the Hydrangea Macrophylla Blue Wave, which is a lacecap and the first blue Hydrangea chosen in the Festival’s history.

All Festival’s activities will use the Americana theme, including the Standard Flower Show, the Miniature Gardens, Master Gardeners’ Vegetable Garden Scarecrows, and the Courthouse Gallery Art Exhibit. Many new components are being added to the schedule, including “Quilts of Valor” and “Quilts of Red, White and Blue” Exhibit and Rose Garden plus the official opening of the Butterfly Trail of Douglas County, which is registered with the Rosalyn Carter Butterfly Trail.

Hosted by the Douglas County Tourism and History Commission, the event will be held Saturday - Sunday, June 4-5.

The annual Festival is always held the first full weekend in June at the height of the Hydrangea growing season. It is named for

50 West Georgia Living

May/June 2016

Atlanta native Penny McHenry, Founder of the American Hydrangea Society, who received her first Hydrangea as a memorial gift at the loss of her daughter. Mrs. McHenry had close ties to Douglas County and her family has granted permission for the use of her name for the Festival. The Hydrangea Macrophylla Blue Wave is considered one of the finest of all Hydrangea lacecaps. It is an unusually strong and hardy grower with beautifully shaped blue flowers in acid soils. Numerous large ray flowers circle tiny center flower with supporting dark green foliage.

The Festival is organized and produced by the Douglas County Tourism and History Commission, with the support of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, and the City of Douglasville Mayor and Council. Its purpose is to beautify our community; preserve our history, historic places and heirloom plants; and display our community to the world. Visit pennymchenryhydrangeafestival. com for updated activity schedules. For questions call 678-449-3939, or send us a message atinfo@visitdouglascountyga.com. WGL

Tammie Pero-Lyle (770) 832-0911 102 Trojan Drive, Suite A Carrollton tammiepero@allstate.com tperolyle@allstate.com “Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One”

Phone: 770-258-7239 Fax: (770) 258-7230 rainwaterfuneralhome.com West Georgia Living May/June 2016 51

TAKE 5

Todd Wright Pastor, Midway Church Carroll County

I never dreamed I'd ... achieve so many of my dreams! Marry my childhood sweetheart; lead a vibrant growing church of awesome people; have my own cattle farm and that it would be a successful business; travel the world and train leaders; and be on all west Georgia radio stations everyday to inspire and help others. My best friend is ... my wife Lisa. We became sweethearts in junior high school, got married when she was age 16 and I was 18. We will soon celebrate 34 years of marriage, and together we have two married daughters and one grandson. If stranded on a desert island, I'd want this book with me ... I would actually want two books. One is my Bible, and the other would be a notebook to write my thoughts, evaluate where I had been, and to write my dreams about the future. I'd love to share a cup of coffee with ... my dad, Alfred Wright. He passed away in 2012, and I still miss him terribly. My hero is … my mom, Dean Wright. Less than one year after dad died, she was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer in September 2013 and was given 12 weeks to live. She had always lived an inspiring, loving, and encouraging life, but in death she took those characteristics to a level none of us knew existed. She faced death with the most faith, strength, and confidence imaginable. People probably don't know that I ... am an introvert and don't like big crowds LOL! I treasure time with my family or a couple of friends. God continues to stretch me with HIS sense of humor by putting me in front of bigger crowds. When I have 10 minutes alone I like to ... sit and watch my cattle eat grass. My parents taught me ... to trust God completely, love people without prejudice, dream big, work hard to reach those dreams, and be honest. My personal motto is ... "If I always do what I've always done, I will always get what I've always gotten." If I expect my life, family, church, or business to get better, I usually have to change something! My favorite childhood memory is ... Annual "Hog killing" day with my brothers, parents, and grandparents. It was an all-day family affair that brought us all together for one purpose, and everyone had a job to do. WGL Photo by Ricky Stilley 52 West Georgia Living May/June 2016

ARTIST'S CORNER

MAKING MUSIC

avid Pippin is surely one of the busiest entertainers in west Georgia. When he’s not performing in any of the bands he’s part of, he’s teaching music; and whenever he’s not doing either of those, he’s organizing music festivals and other events. Yet when he was a kid, all he wanted to do was play pool. He grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., near the Intracoastal Waterway. Until he was 15, his young world consisted only of traveling the country with his grandfather to meet old-time Western movie idols, and playing pool with his father. He liked playing pool, and there was a kid in his neighborhood who had a pool table in his family’s garage. One day, Pippin went over to play, but the neighbor had something to show him first. He had been

David Pippin picked up the guitar at the age of 15 — and has been laying down incredible tunes ever since. learning to play the electric guitar, and had just gotten a new distortion pedal. He wanted Pippin to hear what he could do with it.

STORY BY KEN DENNEY PHOTOS BY RICKY STILLEY

“Man, I don’t care about you playing the guitar,” Pippin told his friend. “Let’s just go play pool.” Nothing doing, the friend said. There would be no pool playing until Pippin heard his guitar. Pippin reluctantly agreed, and became even more reluctant as his friend plugged his cheap guitar into a beat-up old amp and equally well-used Big Muff distortion pedal. But then … “He hit it, and it was so loud it was almost overwhelming. But it was like a light switch had gone on. I was like, ‘if this guy can do this, I know I can.’” That was it. Pippin forgot about playing pool, went over to his grandfather’s house and begged to have an old electric guitar that the grandfather had hung on the wall as a decoration. Pippin got West Georgia Living May/June 2016 53

"By teaching music theory and teaching scales, and teaching how music is actually built, you tend to be able to find your own voice within that. It’s basically the building blocks, and then you choose how to use those building blocks yourself. So I try to give someone the ideas maybe of some of their heroes and how they used it, but really it’s up to them."

— David Pippin

some new strings and a self-help book, which he went through in a week – and then he realized he needed more. With his dad’s encouragement, Pippin found a teacher to give him lessons. The rest is sort of like the Bryan Adams' song “Summer of ’69.” “Every week I was going to guitar lessons. It was like I would rather do that than go to Disney World. That was it for me. If I could have taken five days a week, I would have done it.” The teacher, Rob Scavetto, showed Pippin everything, including how to play lead guitar. Everyone who has ever tried or learned - to play any instrument knows that, at first, all you see and hear are a jumble of notes. But with Scavetto's help, Pippin was soon able to see the patterns of the music: how artists like Stevie Ray Vaughn were drawing their phrasing from scales. He learned the mechanics of not only rock ‘n’ roll music, but also of other genres. “I listened to everything. I really didn’t have a specific genre that I latched on to. I was listening to Stevie Ray, then I would go to Nirvana, and then Pearl Jam and then Dire Straits.” He and his family moved to Georgia when he was 16 and Pippin stayed with his lessons, learning how his guitar heroes – and those from past generations – had 54 West Georgia Living

May/June 2016

played around with the forms of old blues and jazz tunes to create entirely new sounds on the guitar. By the time he began to study music seriously at West Georgia College, he was interested in learning more about the classical roots of guitar. But his teachers wanted him to focus on playing pieces almost by rote – to play precisely like someone else had already done. It was when one teacher faulted him for not holding his thumb in a precise spot on the fretboard that Pippin decided he had enough of such instruction. He headed off to Atlanta, and the Atlanta Institute of Music. “I learned more in the hour audition (for AIM) than I did in an entire year at West Georgia. I learned a lot from the students there, I learned a great deal from all the different styles and professors that they had up there.”

Pippin had decided from his first exposure to guitar that music would be the basis of his entire career. And he has amassed a great deal of knowledge in the process. While many musicians are content to learn one genre and a set repertoire of music, Pippin not only enjoys many genres, but he has an encyclopedic knowledge of artists – even performers who lived way before his time – and their techniques. A conversation with him is peppered with references to such greats as Jimi Hendrix, then segues into Hendrix’ personal preference for Fender guitars (except when he was playing a Gibson Flying V.) Pippin will next take you through a minute deconstruction of Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Pride and Joy,” including such arcane references as Vaughn’s experimentation with the Mixolydian mode and the Penatonic scale. Although Pippin primarily earns his keep as a performer, he still likes to teach music. And in doing so, he puts into practice all the things that worked – and didn’t work – when he was learning years ago. “I find that I like to teach things that are practical, so if I am going to show someone a scale, I’m going to show them how to use that in a situation. I’ll say, the

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more you have this memorized, the more youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be able to use it along with this rhythm track and be able to apply to that song, (to) create musical phrases.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;By teaching music theory and teaching scales, and teaching how music is actually built, you tend to be able to find your own voice within that. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basically the building blocks, and then you choose how to use those building blocks yourself. So I try to give someone the ideas maybe of some of their heroes and how they used it, but really itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up to them.â&#x20AC;? It seems that Pippin is busy all the time, whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s giving instruction or performing himself. A quick view of his website, davidpippin.com, reveals he has bookings for months in advance, either for himself as a soloist, or for one of the bands in which he performs. One of those groups is Blind Cadillac, a blues band that has won the Atlanta Blues Challenge two years in a row. And while most musicians would be content with one genre, Pippinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group, Martini Caliente, is a Latin Jazz group that plays mostly works of his own composition. And he has recorded an album in another genre: flamenco (not the bird, which is spelled flamingo.)

But he does more than that. Several musical events across west Georgia have his fingerprints all over them. For example, there's the Little Big Jam, a four-day music festival that takes place every fall in Bowdon. The event will soon have its 11th anniversary, and has been so popular that Pippin said a "mini-jam," called the Spring Fest, will be held May 27 and 28. He is also organized a jazz festival in Villa Rica on April 23, and is planning a blues festival for Carrollton in September. And on top of all that, he's married with two children. Pippin is a young man with a much older man's knowledge of music and musicians; someone who needs to play, just as any true artist needs to do what they do. When he's not playing, he's composing - including the occasional film score. He records, organizes and plays solo gigs. And he passes on what he knows to students. It all began when he heard the first lick on a ratty guitar in a friend's garage. "I realized that this is what I was going to do for the rest of my life." WGL

Â Â? Â?Â?Â?Â Â Â?

West Georgia Living May/June 2016 55

The "Voices of Yunnan", a traditional Chinese ethnic music and dance ensemble per formed, at the University of West Georgia's Kathy Cashen Recital Hall in March. The event was a continuation of the observance of the 105th anniversary of International Women's Day, supported by a number of local women serving on the host committee. Sixteen singers and musicians per formed Chinese folk songs. The ensemble was brought to Carrollton by Song Yang, of the US_China Cultural & Educational Foundation. Opening act for Voices were the local Appalachian Folk Music group "Whitesburg Depot Gang." Photos by Ricky Stilley

56 West Georgia Living May/June 2016

West Georgia Living May/June 2016 57

BOOKS

Love and War:

a Civil War Odyssey across Georgia Taylor Brown. Fallen Land. NY: St. Martin’s Press, 2016.

he Civil War has captured the imaginations of readers and moviegoers, almost from the moment it ended. The impact of the war on people’s lives has been told many times, from Stephen Crane’s novella “The Red Badge of Courage,” to Margaret Mitchell’s iconic “Gone with the Wind.”

Now, Taylor Brown’s debut novel, set in the fall of 1864, follows the epic journey of a young man and woman, Callum and Ava, across Georgia. Their journey through the extremes of violence, desperation, and fear deepens their relationship as they face the harsh realities of war. The two young protagonists meet in the final year of the war, each threatened by the violence around them. Callum, a 15-year-old orphan from Ireland, has been riding with a band of former soldiers. He meets Ava, who is hiding in her family’s house, having lost her father and brother to the war. Ava is pregnant, the result of a recent rape by one of the men with whom Callum had been riding. Thus, Callum and Ava’s relationship begins in chaos and violence. The young couple, both orphans of war, 58 West Georgia Living May/June 2016

face a seemingly unending series of dangers as they cross the bleak landscape of the war-torn state. Taylor Brown’s story gives the reader a sense of the destruction of war, not just in terms of military battles and campaigns, but in the lives of ordinary people, the innocent victims, escaping that violence. Callum must protect himself and Ava from the band of marauders who pursue him for the bounty on his head. As they ride Reiver, the valiant horse that Callum has acquired, the two encounter slave hunters, thieves, murderers, and soldiers fighting amid the wake of destruction caused by General Sherman. They encounter newly freed slaves and farmers displaced by the destructions of war, passing abandoned homes and ravaged farms. As they travel across the ruined landscape, Callum and Ava encounter both the best and worst elements of mankind, people threatening their lives, and people willing to share their last morsel of food. As they move toward Atlanta, they hope for safety and supplies. Instead, they observe the city burning, the description like a scene from Dante’s Inferno. Their adventures as they flee toward the coast provide a backdrop for their developing relationship, and the constant shifts in plot keep the reader involved in the extremes of emotion and action. Taylor Brown’s style is exceptionally nuanced for a debut novel. Brown’s stylistic palette is extensive. He is capable of poetically beautiful descriptions of landscapes, even of the ravages of war. The book’s opening sentence displays Brown’s impressionistic touch, “Pale light crept into the black stanchions of pine, the ashen ground, the red center of dying coals.” The contrast of the beauty of nature, and the implied destruction of war sets the novel’s artistic tone. The tender scenes between Callum and Ava also reveal a delicate touch. Brown’s tough descriptions of the violence of war are, in contrast, specific without being nauseating in their detail. Brown describes the many aspects of the brutality of war, including mutilations and gunshot wounds, but his style avoids graphic details. Reviewers have compared him to a young Cormac McCarthy, an assessment that describes much of Brown’s style. Readers who know McCarthy’s post-apocalyptic novel, “The Road,” will appreciate the comparison. Brown’s style and storytelling skill give the narrative of Callum and Ava a sense of the surreal that colors the realism of his story. The quest for safety, security in Brown’s novel recalls the themes of the great epics of war: “The Iliad,” “The Odyssey,” and “The Aeneid”; all portray human lives caught up in the violence of war. While Callum and Ava are

novel, and their relationship also develops against the backdrop of war.

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770-214-9191 ROBERT C. COVEL Robert C. Covel, a retired university and high school English teacher, received his Ph.D. in English from Georgia State University. He has published two books of poetry and he is also writing a novel. When not reading and writing, he enjoys playing trivia. He lives with his wife Deloris and his dog Monet in West Georgia.

Conflict is an essential element of good storytelling, and warfare is the ultimate expression of man-versus-man conflict. Brown’s novel, “Fallen Land,” uses the violence of the last year of the Civil War to tell a captivating and fast-paced story. His style puts the reader in the midst of the story, providing a cinematic experience filled with the sights, sounds, and emotional elements of his tale. He balances the devastation of war with the gentler side of human life: compassion, charity for others, and love. The novel plays on the oppositions of war and peace, of love and hate, of hope and despair. Despite the challenges and tragedies that Callum and Ava face throughout the book, they finally experience the triumph of the positive elements of human life. The violence presents a bleak image of humanity, but the story leaves the reader with a sense of the possibilities of life. WGL AUTHOR BIO Taylor Brown grew up on the Georgia coast. He has lived in Buenos Aires, San Francisco, and the mountains of North Carolina. His writing has appeared in more than twenty publications. He has received the Montana Prize in Fiction and has been a finalist for the Machigonne Fiction Contest and the Doris Betts Fiction Prize. Fallen Land is his first novel. He lives in Wilmington, North Carolina.

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more homespun versions of the characters of those epics, their archetypal search for home and security is a part of that same tapestry of human life. Likewise, the battle scenes in Brown’s novel reflect the same unflinching depiction of violence that Homer describes in “The Iliad.” The journey that the young couple takes across a ravaged landscape filled with constant dangers and surprises may be a modern version of the epic quests of Odysseus and Aeneas, as the two heroes seek to leave the violence of war behind them. Even the horse. Reiver, is a worthy steed for an epic hero – tireless and dauntless as it carries the young couple toward safety. Though the comparisons here are easy to overstate, Taylor Brown’s artistic style and his ability to tell a story certainly raise his novel beyond a story of the bloodshed and horrors of war. His characters’ personalities grow and develop as they respond to the events of the

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This is the best place for your child.

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

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Paula Gillispie

Head of School Oak Mountain Academy, Carroll Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only independent, college-preparatory, faith-based, day school

Qualifications arning her graduate degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from The George Washington University in Washington, DC, Paula is a lifetime educator in her fifth year as Head of School at Oak Mountain Academy. Professionally, she chairs Accreditation Teams for the Southern Association of Independent Schools, is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, National Council of Teachers of English, the International Reading Association, and Phi Delta Kappa. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Independent School Association. Paula is a member of the Carrollton Dawnbreakers Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, and she serves on the Workforce and Education Committee and the Board of Trustees of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.

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What every West Georgian needs to know about... Vacation: Family Fun, or Is It? As schools everywhere come to a close, family vacations begin. If you remember or have seen any of Chevy Chaseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classic family vacation movies, you know they brought a whole new meaning to â&#x20AC;&#x153;family funâ&#x20AC;? with unexpected events and near disasters. To ensure that your family vacation is more fun than failure, consider the following tips from parenting experts: â&#x20AC;˘ Plan the trip as a family with activities for all to enjoy. Talk about the trip ahead of time so all know what to expect and what to look forward to on the vacation. â&#x20AC;˘ Prepare ahead of time and begin your trip rested. Many of the aggravating aspects of travel such as jet lag, uncooperative agents at hotels, car rental stands, and airlines may be more attributed to our beginning trips stressed and tired from last minute preparations. A rested, positive attitude makes it all easier to handle. â&#x20AC;˘ Avoid over-packing. Gather what you think you need, then decide what you REALLY need, eliminating non-essential items and that extra outfit or pair of shoes for each family member. â&#x20AC;˘ When flying with children, while taking off and landing have a pacifier, juice, or something that will cause the child to swallow. This will relieve ear pain.

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At Oak Mountain Academy we encourage our students to dream big! We strong students deserve be develop their gifts. OMA combines academic At Oak Mountain Academy we encourage our students to dream big! We believe strong students deserve tobelieve be challenged in order to to fully challenged in order to fully develop their gifts. OMA combines academic and athletic rigor, along with a strong and athletic rigor, along with a strong commitment to the fi ne and performing arts, to encourage our students to strive to succeed. Oak Mountain Academy students grow into confident commitment to the fine and performing arts, to encourage our students to strive to succeed. Oak Mountain Academy young adults who are ready to take on the world andconfident becomeyoung everything they Weworld invite to visit our campus see for yourself what OMA is all about. students grow into adults who are ever readydreamed! to take on the andyou become everything they everand dreamed! We invite you to visit our campus and see for yourself what OMA is all about.

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What every West Georgian should know about... An Award Winning Dealership

You say Walker Cadillac Buick GMC is an Award Winning Dealership; what does that mean?

We have been a GM Mark of Excellence award winning dealership since the program’s inception. To receive this prestigious award, we must maintain high levels of Customer Satisfaction and increase sales year over year. Only the finest dealers who commit to unsurpassed performance and customer satisfaction are named Mark of Excellence dealerships.

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Qualifications Mark has a Dual BBA in Automotive Marketing/Automotive Management from Northwood University and Certification in Dealership Successorship through the NADA. Mark has 15 years experience in the automotive industry and is a community visionary who has a passion for exceptional customer service.

And you sell award winning vehicles; what exactly is that?

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We Dare ourselves to be Different. We challenge each co-worker to do more, better, faster. Mr. Walker makes it very clear for us to focus on “What is right for the customer” before we make any decision. It is his ultimate goal for us to stand out in the crowd as the best of the best. LEARN MORE www.walkergmauto.com• 770.832.9602

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What every West Georgian should know about... Metal Roofing vs Shingle Roofing & Metal Carports vs Wood-Framed Carports

Q A

What does Superior Structures do?

Q A

What is the advantage of steel and metal over traditional wood and shingles?

Jeff Bishop President Superior Structures Jeff Bishop has been a resident of Carroll County since he married his wife, Kathy, 27 years ago. They worship and serve at Midway West Church in Carrollton. Jeff has received several business awards including the most recent “The Best of Carroll” 2015 Award from the National Chamber of Commerce for Metal Buildings. Jeff has been an entrepreneur for most of his life and he believes that you should treat every customer like family and always do what is right. Jeff quickly gives God all the Glory for his success in this business. Jeff and Kathy believe that God has chosen to bless their business because they strive to honor Jesus Christ in all that they do.

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We manufacture and install steel and metal Barns, Garages, Shops, Carports, RV Covers, Cabins and Houses.

Less expensive - up to 50% savings over wood and shingles Faster - Much faster build time, our structures can be “dried in” in a fraction of the time of wood. Maintenance - Almost 100% maintenance free, the roofing and siding have a 40-year limited warranty on the paint. Strength – Our steel framing is American Made and is 10” in circumference. Most others are only 8” or 9”. We have a new frame that is 14” in circumference (the largest in the industry) for unprecedented strength. Local Installers – Our installers are all local people (your neighbors) not from out of state and the crew leader has been working with our company for 14 years.

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Do metal roofs cost more than shingles?

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Do you really make steel and metal houses?

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What sizes do you make?

Metal roofs cost about the same as a good 30-year Architectural shingle roof but, the metal roof will last much longer. Yes – we build several every year; starter homes, second homes, cabins and retirement homes. We have many sizes and styles. We can build structures any where from 240 sq. ft. up to 10,000 sq. ft. in both single and two story styles. We have over 6,000 satisficed customers; individuals, farms, industrial, schools, local and state governments. We have built structures from airplane hangers to diaries, BBQ Restaurants to horse and goat barns, covered walkways to man-caves and she-sheds, lake houses to mountain cabins. Come by for a free, no obligation, price quote today.

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What every West Georgian should know about Lowering Your Risk of Pregnancy-Related Diabetes

Q A

Q A Shannon Couvreur, DO West Georgia Healthcare for Women

Qualifications: Dr. Couvreur is a board-certified obstetrics and gynecology specialist with West Georgia Healthcare for Women. She earned her medical degree from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, Mich., and completed her internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology with Mercy Health Partners in Muskegon, Mich. She is a member of Tanner Health System’s medical staff, providing obstetrics and gynecology services continuously in the Carrollton area since 2011.

Q A

But there are some choices that can lower the risk for gestational diabetes:

Why is diabetes a concern during pregnancy? Diabetes is the most common complication of pregnancy. Fortunately, there are ways to control the condition — called gestational diabetes — that can keep you and your baby healthy. There are also steps you can take to lower your risk of developing the disorder if you plan to become pregnant.

• Avoid gaining weight in early adulthood and watch your weight during pregnancy. • Don’t smoke.

• Exercise regularly before and during pregnancy. Aerobic exercise is particularly good. Check with your doctor to learn what exercises are safe during pregnancy.

What causes gestational diabetes? In gestational diabetes, higher levels of estrogen and other hormones due to pregnancy block the action of yet another hormone, called insulin. Insulin brings fuel, in the form of blood sugar, to cells. The condition generally appears about midway through pregnancy. Doctors use a blood test to screen pregnant women at risk for the disease.

Often, following a special diet that restricts carbohydrates and checking blood sugar are enough to keep gestational diabetes under control. Sometimes, women may need to take daily insulin shots. The condition generally clears up by itself after giving birth.

Do women who have gestational diabetes need to worry about diabetes after pregnancy?

How can you avoid developing gestational diabetes?

Women who develop diabetes during pregnancy have a good chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Women can lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a diet that’s low in saturated fat and high in fiber and performing at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five days a week.

Some risk factors, such as family history or ethnicity, are obviously beyond women’s control.

For more information, visit wghfw.org or call 770.214.2121.

Women who may have a higher-than-average risk of developing gestational diabetes include those who are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, or are of African-American, Hispanic or Native American descent. The condition is also more common among pregnant women older than age 25 and pregnant women who smoke.

Advancing Health WITH OBSTETRIC AND GYNECOLOGIC CARE BEYOND MEASURE.

Shannon V. Couvreur, DO, is joining West Georgia Healthcare for Women.

West Georgia Healthcare for Women 150 Henry Burson Drive, Suite 215 Carrollton, GA 30117

Dr. Couvreur is joining David Helton, MD, Amy Dodson, DO, and Tiffany Stanﬁll Thomas, MD, at West Georgia Healthcare for Women, a Tanner Medical Group practice. She will continue to serve patients at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton, including providing services in the hospital’s surgical services center and the W. Steve Worthy Maternity Center. Dr. Couvreur earned her medical degree from the Michigan State University ersity College ernship and of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, Mich., and completed her internship residency in obstetrics and gynecology with Mercy Health Partners in Muskegon, Mich. She has been a member of Tanner Health System’s medical staff,, providing obstetric and gynecology services to the Carrollton community, since 2011.

Learn more at WGHFW.org or call 770.214.2121. 1. Left to right: Amy Dodson, DO, Shannon Couvreur, DO, Tiffany Stanﬁll Thomas, MD, and David Helton, MD.

MEDICINE BEYOND MEASURE

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What every west Georgian should know about... THE RIGHT WAY TO MOW

Mowing a lawn is a pretty simple task… but if you don’t follow a few important guidelines, you can damage your lawn and waste money. Be proactive by developing a mowing plan that encourages healthy growth all season long.

1. How often should I mow my lawn?

Helen Albrightson Business Manager Qualifications A native of Wisconsin, Helen joined NG Turf in 2001. Her responsibilities include oversight of internal functions including accounting, sales, marketing and human resources. Helen has been a Certified Turfgrass Professional since 2005.

It would be nice if we could say mow once a week or every 10 days. But, it is not that simple. The best way to know when to mow is to watch your lawn. When your lawn is growing faster, you have to mow more often to maintain proper height. When your grass grows slower, you can mow less frequently. Cool season grasses (like fescue) grow fastest in the spring and fall. Warm season grasses (like bermuda, centipede, and zoysia) have a faster growth rate in the late spring and summer.

2. Does it matter how short I cut my grass?

If you are headed out on vacation or trying to mow less often, it is tempting to just cut your grass very short. A word of warning… you may be causing irreversible damage to your lawn!

Each variety of grass has a recommended mowing height. This optimum height ensures the grass has the best chance to grow heathy, green shoots with a deep and effective root system. The rule of thumb is to remove no more than 1/3 of the height of your grass in any one mowing. Chopping it too

short can result in serious damage, increase the risk of disease, and stunt the root system.

3. Can I always mow to the same height? Not always. You may need to keep your grass a little longer than the recommended height if you are growing it in shade to maximize the amount of photosynthesis happening in the blades. Warm season grasses can be cut shorter in the spring to reduce thatch and accelerate “green-up”. Come summer and fall, you can allow them to grow a bit longer to reduce irrigation needs. Cool season fescue can be kept longer in the summer to combat heat and drought damage. All mowing puts stress on your grass, so any time your lawn is recovering from injury or disease, let it go a little longer between mowings to give it time to return to health.

4. Does the type of mower I use have an effect on my lawn? The type or brand of mower you use has little effect on the health of your lawn… but the quality of the blades is critical. Dull blades shred your lawn instead of producing nice, clean cuts. Ragged tips increase water loss and make your lawn more susceptible to pests and disease. Always keep your lawnmower blades sharp for best results.

Need a rain gauge this summer? The first 20 callers to mention this ad will receive one for free! Call NG Turf @ 770-832-8608.

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Kim Hatcher

Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites

Kim has been promoting Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites since 1993 and serves as a spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources.

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What every West Georgian should know about... Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites. Georgians are fortunate to have such a variety of state parks and historic sites where they can have fun in the great outdoors, learn about our past, and protect special environments for future generations. During 2016, we are celebrating the 85th anniversary of Q: Are state parks doing anything special to celebrate the 85th anniversary?

parents. These can be used for accommodations,

A: Park rangers have revealed their favorite “Hidden Gems” that many visitors miss, and these are listed on GeorgiaStateParks.org/HiddenGems. Throughout the year, west Georgians can join events that highlight these little known places. Plus, June is Get Outdoors Month, a time to explore activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboards, biking, fishing, geocaching and golf. Georgia’s State Parks truly offer activities for all interests and ages. On June 4, many park rangers are leading guided hikes in celebration of National Trails Day. To find an event near you, visit GeorgiaStateParks.org/events.

more.

Q Do many families celebrate Mothers Day or Fathers Day in Georgia’s State Parks?

golf green fees, boat rental, gift shop items and

Q: What are some state parks in west Georgia? A: Sweetwater Creek State Park near Lithia Springs might one of the best known. It has wonderful

hiking trails and ranger events. Chattahoochee

Bend near Newnan is one of our newest state parks. James H. Floyd State Park near Summerville is a quiet getaway with pretty cabins, a campground and small fishing lakes. To learn more, visit

GeorgiaStateParks.org or call 800-864-7275.

A: Yes, spending time together is often the best gift of all. Families can rent picnic shelters for an all-day gathering. Everyone can enjoy mini-golf, swimming beaches, playgrounds, fishing and more. Many stay overnight in cabins, yurts and campsites. Plus, our gift cards make thoughtful presents for outdoorsy

Explore the Hidden Gems at Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites!

TE PA R STA

S K

85th

IVER S A R

Adventure Lodges Historic Sites Camping, Cottages and Yurts

TO RI C SI T

View our online state parks guide!

Think you’ve seen all that Georgia State Parks have to offer? Do you have a knack for exploration and discovery? Introducing Georgia State Parks: Hidden Gems, your chance to see the undiscovered side of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites. From a ranger-led hike to the Marble Mine at “Sloppy” Floyd State Park, to finding the Prohibition Era Moonshine Truck at Amicalola Falls, you don’t want to miss these once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Visit GaStateParks.org/HiddenGems to sign up and plan your visit. Act quickly, because many of these events are limited. Book your stay today!

GaStateParks.org | 800-864-7275 reservations

Hidden Gem

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What every West Georgian should know about... The Myths of Cremation

Q A

Scott McBrayer Ellen Wynn McBrayer Jones-Wynn Funeral Home & Crematory and Meadowbrook Memory Gardens As always, we remain “A Family Serving Families®....Since 1950”

Qualifications

Scott & Ellen McBrayer are both licensed funeral directors and embalmers. Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes & Crematory has served our community since 1950. We keep our funeral home & crematory synonymous with its name & reputation of serving & caring for families. We are three generations carrying on one tradition. We offer Peace of Mind with the highest quality of service and affordable options. Our funeral home family is always available to help you clarify or answer questions you might need help with.

69 West Georgia Living

May/June 2016

Q A

One of the main Myths about Cremation is that you can’t have a funeral or service if you choose cremation. Can you have a funeral or service with cremation? Yes you can. We have to explain (a great deal of the time) that you can choose cremation to occur before or after the service. If you choose to have cremation done before the service, then the term we associate that with is referred to as a memorial service. A memorial service is a service that is held without your loved one’s body present. You can choose to have the cremation urn present during the service. Most families like to have pictures of their loved ones present during the service. If you choose to have the cremation done following the service, it is called a funeral service. If you choose this option you can still have a visitation and a viewing for your loved one.

Is cremation is cheaper? The answer is that it can be, however it is such a personal decision with more options than anyone could ever realize that it may turn out being more expensive than originally planned. One of the main reasons cremation is increasing in popularity is because we live in a very transient society. The majority of people don’t stay in the same town they’re born in, and it’s also very rare for multi family generations to still remain in the same town. People move for many different reasons that include: jobs, family, retirement, etc. As a result, they gravitate to the option of cremation because they feel like they will always have the option to be able to carry their loved one with them. This is a very meaningful reason, but I would also like to add my personal opinion on the matter. That opinion would be to always create some sort of “permanent memorial”, because with grief you often still need to have a

permanent place of memorial where you can go and grieve. It is important to consider creating permanent memorials, Cremation memorials, keepsake and jewelry memorials in order to honor everyone and their family’s emotional needs. And this is possible because the funeral home that you choose can help you divide your loved one’s cremains accordingly and in a respectful manner.

Q A

Is a Cremation Society always cheaper than a funeral home? This isn’t necessarily true. Often, a Cremation Society might charge “membership fees” or other “fees”. However, with our funeral home and crematory, we don’t charge “membership, enrollment, or annual fees”. Remember, extra fees or unnecessary “fees” can add to the cost of the cremation. So I would advise you to ask questions. Also, ask for a breakdown of what is included with their cremation. For example, ask if a temporary urn is included. Also, ask about hidden or unnecessary fees. It’s important to become familiar with what cremation means and what is included with each provider (cremation society, funeral home, or crematory) that you may call/visit and ask questions. Remember that with any death, the process of making final decisions for your loved one can be overwhelming. Remember to call, ask questions, take notes, and reach out for help.

LEARN MORE www.jones-wynn.com Villa Rica Chapel - 770-459-3694 Douglas Chapel - 770-942-2311

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Greg Towler, Pastor Crossroads Church

Pastor Greg has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and has been the Lead Pastor of Crossroads Church in Douglasville, GA for over 15 years.

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What every West Georgian should know about... Finding HOPE Q: How do I find hope despite my past? A: Human beings can live for forty days without food, four days without water, and four minutes without air. But we cannot live for four seconds without hope. Hope is powerful. Even though our past can feel impossible to break free from, the Bible tells us that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is also available to us. God desires for us to rise up and live our lives from that same source of hope and power. It’s time for us to discover the source of our hope, which will allow us to move beyond our past and the things that hold us back from living the lives God intended us to live. Q: How do I find hope for today? A:We all seem to have our share of good days and bad days. Finding the hope to make it through the bad ones can be tough. Some of us place our hope in money, people, and things that help us escape the hopelessness that surrounds us. Even with all our attempts, there still seems to be something missing. The Bible shows us that what is missing can not be found in the material things in our lives and in this world, but instead in our understanding of who Jesus is. Once we know who Jesus is, we can discover who we are meant to be! Q: How do I find hope for the future? A: When we think of the future, finding hope can sometimes be worrisome. No one can truly predict the future. But I believe that I

have discovered what makes our future brighter. I found the “The Great I Am” and that changed all that I am. My past had left me empty, broken and hopeless. I was “dead” spiritually. And when we are dead spiritually, we don’t give life…we take it! We destroy our relationships, damage our kids, and live only for ourselves. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and life.” He came that we might have life. We can resurrect hope for the future with Him. Our New Message Series I AM: THE HOPE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR Who is Jesus? This is one of the most important questions we could seek to answer. To the misfortunate, Jesus was a second chance. To the dead man, He was life. To the searching, He was the longawaited answer. To the broken, He was hope. Who is Jesus to you? Join us as we discover the life-changing promises of what it means when Jesus says, “I Am.” March 26th & 27th - I Am Your Future Hope April 3rd - I Am the Way to Heaven April 10th & 13th - I Am the One Who Satisfies April 17th & 20th - I Am Your Sufficiency April 24th & 27th - I Am Your Source May 1st & 4th - I Am Your Light in Darkness

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What every West Georgian needs to know Traveling With Your Pets. We are getting ready to go on our spring and summer vacations and were wondering, what we should do to prepare our pets for this?

Vacations are wonderful but preparing for them can be hectic. Just as you would prepare to travel with your kids, you need to prepare to travel with your pets.

1) If your pets are taking any medication be sure to have a list of these medications (ideally in your phone) in case you lose a bottle, canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember the name, and need a prescription called in.

Jason P. Harden, DVM

Veterinarian at Carroll County Animal Hospital

Qualifications Dr. Jason Harden is a native of Carrollton, GA. He graduated from Oak Mountain Academy and continued on to the University of Georgia where he received his degree in Biology and his doctorate in veterinary medicine. His interests in veterinary medicine include surgery, exotic medicine, and ophthalmology. Dr. Harden is married to Chloe Harden, and they have 2 children, Maggie and Reese. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association. He is the chairman of the Oak Mountain Academy school board, a member of the Carrollton Lions Club, and on the board of directors of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.

2) If you are traveling by plane and are taking your pet with you find out the airlines policy on pet travel prior to booking, including where your pet will be kept and is it pressurized and temperature controlled.

Some breed have a difficult time cooling themselves during the summer months and can overheat quickly.

If you are taking your pet on the airplane, find out the airlines policy regarding having your pet in a carrier.

20-30 minutes and see if they get sick or begin to drool excessively. If so, let your veterinarian know and have them get your medications to prevent this. There are newer medications that can help ease your pets symptoms for 24 hours.

4) Make sure to pack your pets food or find a location where you can buy their brand. Unless you have a dietary restriction we normally donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think about packing food for vacation, but if they change diets abruptly it can upset their stomach. Try and keep your pet on the same brand of food and if they are on a medicated food make sure to bring enough. 5) Ask your veterinarian to help you locate an emergency animal hospital close to your destination, just in case your pet needs medical attention. A little preparation will go a long way to ensure your entire family has a wonderful and memorable time. Have a great trip!

If you have any questions, feel free to visit either one of our locations or give us a call.

3) If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t already know, find out prior to leaving whether your pet get car sick. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing worse than having to listen to kids arguing or a pet vomiting in the back seat. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know, take them for a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sunday driveâ&#x20AC;? for

LEARN MORE: 770.812.5381

Carroll County

Animal Hospital Sometimes your petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health care canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be scheduled Office Hours: Mon. - Sun. 8am - Midnight Regular Office Hours: Mon. - Sun. 8am - 6pm

NOW SERVING YOU FROM TWO LOCATIONS

(770) 832-2475

635 Columbia Dr. 1155 Stripling Chapel Rd. Carrollton, Ga. 30117 Carrollton, Ga. 30116 #OLUMBIA $R s #ARROLLTON 'A (770) 832-2475 Across from Sony(770) Music834-1000

Advancing Health WITH HEART RISK ASSESSMENT BEYOND MEASURE.

What’s your risk for heart disease? Tanner Health System offers a simple screening that’s fast, noninvasive and low-cost to assess the health of your coronary arteries. It’s called a coronary CT for calcium scoring, and it uses X-ray images to measure calciﬁed plaque — the hardened, fatty substance inside your blood vessels — that narrows your coronary arteries and leads to a heart attack. The amount of plaque is your “calcium score.” If it’s high, you and your doctor can take steps to prevent heart issues. Ask your doctor about a coronary CT for calcium scoring at Tanner Medical Center/ Carrollton or Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica. The screening is available for just $99. Taking steps to identify and reduce your risk of heart disease is how Tanner delivers medicine beyond measure.

High-value screening for an affordable price. Get a coronary CT calcium score for $99. Ask your medical provider for an order.

To ﬁnd a heart specialist, call 770.214.CARE or learn more at TannerHeartCare.org. MEDICINE BEYOND MEASURE