2019 NCM Jan/Feb by The Times-Herald

The

Issue

Food, Art, Racing, and Zombies

WINTER DRINKS to Warm the Soul

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thisissue

CONTENTS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2019

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features 28

15 | The Booming Food Scene in Senoia Learn all about it on the brand new Small Bites Tour. By Jackie Kennedy

22 | Senoia Arts Collective Local artists come together in new collaborative. By Robin Stewart 8 | www.newnancowetamag.com

26 | Walk the path of “The Walking Dead” What to expect from a Walking Dead tour. By Emily Kimbell

30 | Senoia’s Dirt Track Star Get to know local racing legend Clint “Cat Daddy” Smith. By Neil Monroe

32 | Senior Living in Coweta County It ain’t your grandma’s nursing home. By Marty Hohmann

44 | Odd Jobs A local private investigator, intuitive medium and fine wine specialist talk about their offbeat jobs. By Jennifer Dziedzic

on the cover

Senoia Coffee & Café’s April Anderson serves hot chocolate on a cold day. ➤ See Winter Drinks to Warm the Soul,

page 40 Photo by Jackie Kennedy

Roll Call Nancy Croy-Anyanonu is a native of Ohio who moved to the Newnan area to be closer to family, especially three grandchildren and two grand dogs. She spent 40 years in the real estate field. Along with being with her grandchildren, she enjoys reading, freelance writing and learning about the history of Newnan and the South.

Jennifer Dziedzic is a massage therapist at the Spa at Serenbe. She and her husband, daughter and their rescue dog, Tybee, love to hike in the Georgia wilderness. Her hobbies include gardening, photography and making her own line of natural bath and body products.

Sara Moore’s friendly smile is the first to greet you when visiting The Newnan Times-Herald. Her warm and welcoming nature influences her photography by putting her subjects at ease. She enjoys living the quiet country life while residing in Newnan with her husband, horses, dogs, chickens and ducks.

Jeffrey Ward describes himself as an “old retired guy” who loves Zumba and pickleball. He’s a native San Franciscan, Vietnam vet and University of Washington communications grad with a 50-year career in aviation. He’s been married 46 years, has two adult children and six grandchildren, and is a foodie and Facebook junkie.

Beth Neely is a Coweta native and co-publisher of The Newnan Times-Herald. When she’s not working, she can usually be found up to her elbows in a garden or catching critters with her kids. She lives in Newnan with her family.

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OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Neil Monroe is a retired corporate communicator whose career included positions with The Southern Company, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Delta Airlines and CocaCola Enterprises. His roots are in community journalism, having worked 10 years with local newspapers in the South Metro area. He and his wife, Rayleen, live in Sharpsburg where they enjoy tennis, golf and grandchildren. Emily Kimbell is an English doctoral student and graduate teaching assistant at Georgia State University. As an active member of her community, she enjoys archiving artifacts at the local historical society, exploring the city’s historic cemetery, and acting in local theatre productions.

Robin Stewart is a volunteer with the NewnanCoweta Humane Society and, along with her artist husband, active in the local art scene as a member of the Newnan Coweta Art Association. She loves all animals, is addicted to costume jewelry, and the part of her brain that used to know math is now occupied by useless facts for team trivia purposes.

Susan Mayer Davis lives with husband Larry and golden retriever King Charles V (Charlie). “Have computer, will write” is her motto. What she enjoys most about writing for NCM is meeting great people when she researches articles and then sharing their stories. “It’s fun,” she says, “but it’s also a privilege.”

Martha A. Woodham became a Coweta County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer (MGEV) in 2014. As such, she often writes about gardening for local publications. Unfortunately, that doesn’t leave her much time to work in her own garden, but she still manages to grow a tomato or two each summer.

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Letter from the Editor

Senoia, Old and New

t’s hard to succinctly describe Senoia. It’s a small town where neighbors know and look out for one another. It’s a west Georgia city saturated with Southern charm. It is red clay and pine trees and Saturday night racing at the dirt track. And, it’s tea parties, fine dining and boutique shopping. It’s steeped in history but not wallowing in it, and it seems forever on pace to make new history. It's a city with contradictions, and one is most obvious. This small town with neighbors who know each other is almost continuously packed with complete strangers strolling downtown. Home to about 4,200, it attracts many, many thousands more on an annual basis. Some of the tourists come to view one or both of the Southern Living Idea Houses that brought a degree of fame to Senoia in 2010 and 2012. Some visit to see locations where their favorite movies were filmed, like “Fried Green Tomatoes” and the remake of “Footloose.” Some come to shop and dine in a city that seems to continuously reinvent itself. But let’s face it. The bulk of those who trek to Senoia do so for one reason: to immerse themselves in all-things-Walking-Dead. It has become cliché to say that “The Walking Dead” brought new life to Senoia, but it certainly did. It’s not that Senoia was dying, not by any means; the small town held its own during the Great Recession and was already gaining regional attention with its Southern Living homes and hospitality. But regional attention turned to worldwide appeal after Rick and Daryl and the rest of the gang first encountered zombies here in 2012, when Season Three of the insanely popular TV show debuted. In 2018, Senoia’s most recent reinvention expanded its downtown area with the addition of the Barnes Street shops with retail stores, loft apartments and an upscale restaurant. The new development looks like it’s been there far more than a year and feels like home. That’s sort of how it is with “The Walking Dead.” It’s only been on the scene here for seven years, but doesn’t it feel like forever? And isn’t Senoia truly the home of “The Walking Dead”? Whether you consider it a godsend that’s breathed new life into the city—or a nuisance that’s compromised the quiet of a quaint town—the impact of TWD can’t be dismissed. It is Senoia. But it’s not all of Senoia. In this issue of Newnan-Coweta Magazine, we focus on old Senoia with features on the local historical society and dirt track racing legend Clint “Cat Daddy” Smith. And we introduce you to new Senoia with a story about arts enthusiasts who recently wrapped their first year as Senoia Arts Collective and an article on the town’s premier food tour, which celebrates brand new as well as established eateries. And, yes, we take you on a Walking Dead tour, too. We couldn’t help ourselves. Love ’em or loathe ’em, it’s just too much fun! Happy New Year to all who call Coweta home.

Jackie Kennedy, Editor magazine@newnan.com 12 | www.newnancowetamag.com

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The Many Sides of enoia is a town of various distinctions. It is home to one of the region’s winningest dirt track drivers, Clint Smith, and to one of the world’s most famous TV shows, “The Walking Dead.” It’s a city that embraces its history while working at fever pitch toward the future. It’s a place with hometown values and big city dreams. Senoia may best be described by the faces that grace its sidewalks and nearby communities. The folks here are representative of the many sides of Senoia, which make this Coweta County town a treasure. From left: Maureen Schuyler. As director of the Senoia Area Historical Society, Schuyler operates the Society’s museum, which invites locals and tourists to learn of the town’s storied past. See page 52.

Angelo Robinson. A newcomer to Senoia, Robinson has found his niche helping the new Senoia Arts Collective get off the ground. See page 22. Clint “Cat Daddy” Smith. Considered a dirt track racing legend at age 53, Cat Daddy Smith’s star shines bright from Senoia throughout the racing nation. See page 30. Lynn Horton. A retired English teacher, Horton works as a freelance writer and editor and is active in The Senoia Chick Lits Book Club. Her review of a new book based in Senoia appears on page 59. Lavorious Robinson. Born and raised in Senoia, Robinson is a server at Katie Lou’s Café and representative of Senoia’s burgeoning food scene. See page 15. Emily and Sean Hauser. Like thousands of tourists who annually flock to Senoia, the Hausers, of Terre Haute, Ind., travelled from afar to walk the streets that are home to “The Walking Dead.” See page 26. 14 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Written and Photographed by JACKIE KENNEDY

Georgia Tour Company has offered walking tours featuring Senoia filming sites for several years but only recently introduced their twiceweekly food tours. The two-and-a-half hour Senoia Small Bites Food Tour serves as a welcome to and a relatively quick overview of the city, according to Tour Company owner Julie Brown. While leading guests from eatery to eatery, the tour guide points out interesting spots and regales tourists with Senoia history pertaining to local buildings and film-making. The walking tour gives participants an overall lay of the land that helps them navigate the area through the remainder of their visit, particularly when it comes to choosing where to dine, according to Brown. The progressive meal winds through town as it makes stops at local restaurants, a bakery and a bed-and-breakfast. It wraps up at Georgia Mercantile, on Main Street, the sister company to Georgia Tour Company and located next door. As Brown’s first business, the Mercantile opened in 2012 and offers Georgia-made products including local jams, honey and barbecue sauces. “We usually have a sample of our own Zombie Jolt coffee roasted especially for the Mercantile by David Pengelly, of Coffee by David, since filming of ‘The Walking Dead’ occurred in this very location,” says Brown. Rain or shine, tours begin at Georgia Tour Company on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. At the first restaurant, diners enjoy an appetizer; the next few stops feature house specialties, and the tour winds down with dessert to top off the equivalent of a full meal. While there are other fine restaurants in town, like Nic and Norman’s and Maguire’s Irish Pub, Brown concentrates her tour on smaller or newer establishments usually not as well-known. Whether visiting for a small bite or a full meal, Senoia enjoys a food scene that most towns its size would envy. For a taste, turn the page.

january/february 2019 | 15

David and Suzanne Pengelly entered the new millennium by opening this corner café at 1 Main Street on Jan. 1, 2000. Among the first to renovate a downtown building in Senoia, the couple operated their café for 16 years before selling to Brent and April Anderson in 2016. Senoia Coffee and Café specializes in coffee creations and breakfast, which they serve all day. Their menu also features lunch items, soups and a quiche of the day. They host private events, including wine and painting parties. Their menu includes Grits with Bacon Jam and Spicy Pimento Cheese; the popular jam is also featured in their grilled cheese and bacon jam sandwich. “These grits are comfort food,” says Sandy, far right, a food tour participant visiting from Fayetteville, Ark. with her friend Michelle, of Goose Creek, S.C. “If I was depressed, I could eat these and be happy.”

Open since January 2018, Jacob’s Table serves fresh, healthy and fun fare that’s locally sourced. The family business is named for everyone in the Orme family: Jules, at left, Abbey, Chase, Olivia and Brian, whose first letters spell “Jacob.” Located at 15 Barnes Street, the restaurant’s first year in business coincided with the arrival of Senoia’s new block of retail shops and loft apartments. Kicking off their business with a bang, Jacob’s Table took home top honors at last April’s Taste of Senoia with their Beer and Cheese Soup. Jacob’s Table specializes in paninis, flatbreads, wraps, soups, salads and smoothies. Their Buzzbars are an “adults only” treat—the world’s first gourmet line of ice cream and sorbet bars infused with alcohol. Varieties include Mojito Madness and Bourbon Street Chocolate.

Hilary White was inspired by the fresh farm produce surrounding her as she grew up in rural Shelby, Ohio. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., she worked at 103 West, an upscale restaurant in Atlantaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Buckhead community, and eventually became its first female executive chef. In 2007, she opened her first restaurant, The Hil, at Serenbe. Ten years later, she opened Bistro Hilary, a fine dining establishment on Senoiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Barnes Street block. A member of Southern Foodways Alliance, Chef Hilary sources fresh food from local farmers for her seasonal menus. Brunch, lunch and dinner are served at the bistro, and the bar always features one locally brewed beer and custom-made cocktails. The menu includes everything from Beef Bourguignon and Mediterranean Wood Grilled Chicken to Le Cordon Bleu and Trout Meuniere Amandine.

Bill, at left, and Claudia Rutledge and their daughter, Jenny, opened Katie Lou’s Café on Senoia’s Main Street in 2012 and named it for the couple’s granddaughters Kate and Louise. Their made-from-scratch menu features Southern flavors and a few Southwestern ones reminiscent of Bill’s New Mexico upbringing. They specialize in slow-smoked barbecue, seasonal vegetables and fresh salads and offer breakfast all day long. There’s also a good selection of beer and house wine and, beginning in December 2018, they now serve mimosas and a nice bloody Mary. The barbecue sauces at Katie Lou’s include Bill’s own 45 Sauce, a red sauce he concocted with a friend, according to food tour guide Julie Brown. “It was created after Bill and his friend, who both enjoyed cooking with a cocktail, got lost in the spreadsheet and landed on the perfect flavor,” says Brown. “They couldn’t figure out which evolution it was, so they settled on 45.”

Scott, at left, and Theresa Young opened Cutie Pies & Cakery in downtown Senoia in 2009. Their shop caught the attention of The Walking Dead’s craft services during Season Two of the hit show when reps came searching for a cake for an event. The relationship between Cutie Pies and TWD has been ongoing ever since as they provide cakes and other goodies for cast birthdays and show events. Their delicacies have served as show props, including Carol’s Cookies, Maggie’s Apple Pie and the bread for Dwight’s and Daryl’s sandwiches. Cutie Pies makes cakes to order along with other specialty treats, from red velvet or key lime cupcakes to cookie sandwiches and all in-between. Their cheesecake flavors include pumpkin, Oreo and caramel apple. They also prepare breakfast and dinner casseroles to order.

As former guests of The Veranda Historic Bed & Breakfast Inn, Laura, below, and Rick Reynolds fell in love with the idea of becoming innkeepers, and in 2005, they purchased the inn and made their dream come true. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1906 Greek Revival originally served as the Holberg Hotel. With 8,000 square feet, the inn features a wrap-around veranda and nine guest bedrooms with original Georgia heart pine floors, ornate tin ceilings, chandeliers and fireplaces. An overnight stay includes a four-course breakfast, but you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be a registered guest to sit at the table. Secure your spot by calling in for a breakfast reservation. Breakfast features fresh fruit and yogurt, egg dishes, pancakes or French toast, pork loin, bacon and ham. On occasion, breakfast fried chicken, shrimp and grits, or a breakfast casserole may find its way on the menu. The innâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homemade peach pie is a Georgia-grown dessert. NCM

e th h it w st ti r a er n in s it s d Senoia fin

SARA MO ART | Photographed by Written by ROBIN STEW

od r acrylic on wo ss displays he Ro a ic ss Je t Ar tis n.” Has Come Dow painting, “Truth

22 | www.newnancowetamag.com

ORE

he thought of the Coweta County town of Senoia brings to mind many things: charming historic homes, a lovely downtown Main Street shopping area, the movie business and the hit television series, “The Walking Dead,” complete with the show’s fans who visit, hoping for a glimpse of a zombie or two. It seems to have it all. Interestingly, amid all that swirling creativity and eclectic energy, one thing remained absent until recently: an artist organization. Now this most unique, quirky and artsy town has that, too. In January 2018, several local artists met at Senoia Coffee and Café to discuss their work and its place in the Senoia community. That meeting essentially became the founding of the Senoia Arts Collective. Those founding members include Susan Zeidler, Angelo Robinson, Jane Whitehurst, Mark McJunkin, Lori and Doug Kolbenschlag and Jim Schuyler. Now the coffee shop serves as their weekly meeting place on Fridays at noon, and everyone is welcome. Artists from any part of Coweta may participate. Though based in Senoia, members are also from Newnan, Sharpsburg, Peachtree City and other nearby communities. This isn’t your typical club with a hierarchy of elected officers. As with most things of beauty, it happened organically. Talented, like-minded artists and their supporters come together to talk, collaborate and share the goal of creating a presence and a place for art and artists in Senoia.

ABOVE: Senoia Arts Collective members are, from left, front: Doug and Lori Kolbenschlag, Jessica Ross, Vikki Weigel and Anne Rivers. Back: Jim Schuyler, Mark McJunkin, Susan Zeidler, Jane Whitehurst, Angelo Robinson and Marcus Stewart. RIGHT: Artist Anne Rivers specializes in abstract acrylic paintings and scarves created from them. BOTTOM RIGHT: Senoia Arts Collective founding member Angelo Robinson displays his acrylic on canvas, titled “Black Earth, Blood & Water: A Head Above the Rest.”

McJunkin describes the group’s structure as “headless” and “very chill.” Not interested in “tight rules,” the word “collective” seemed to better fit the fledgling club, according to McJunkin. “It’s been so much fun it has not felt like work,” he says. In short order, these creatives coalesced and hit the ground running, organizing their first juried art exhibit titled “O Artist, Where Art Thou” and hosted by the Senoia Area Historical Society at their headquarters and history museum on Couch Street. “Every February, the museum hosts a temporary exhibit,” says Historical Society President Maureen Schuyler. “This year, we turned our meeting room into a Senoia art gallery.” Four founding members of the collective are also historical society volunteers or board members, including Susan Zeidler, a gifted mixed media mosaic artist who served as curator of the january/february 2019 | 23

inaugural exhibit. The historical society and Senoia Arts Collective plan to make the art exhibit an annual event. Perhaps most impressive has been the group’s momentum. Their second public show also doubled as a fundraiser. The one-day show was held at Senoia Masonic Lodge #82 on Main Street during the popular Taste of Senoia last April. The collective donated 50 percent of the proceeds to the Optimist Club, host of the tasting event. One of the things multimedia artist and co-founder Robinson likes about the collective is that it’s “very open and artistically diverse.” Watercolors, oil paintings, mixed media, photography, scarves created from abstracts, even fractal wood burning are just some of the works produced by the artistic souls who form the Senoia Arts Collective. Robinson adds that he enjoys the interaction between members. “Our conversations are not critiques, but discussions of each other’s work,” he says. Jessica Ross, a self-taught artist and active member who lives in Senoia, hopes the collective will “inspire people

TOP: Artist Vikki Weigel practiced mixed media painting to create “Joy, Joy, Joy.” ABOVE: Collective founding member Susan Zeidler shares her work-in-progress, "Daisy Window," a mixed media mosaic. RIGHT: Artist Marcus Stewart shares “Gotcha,” an oil on Gessobord painting. 24 | www.newnancowetamag.com

to be more creative.” Lofty goals for the group include one day having a gallery/artist workspace to call their own. “Senoia is a destination city,” says founding member Doug Kolbenschlag. “We have historic homes and the film industry, but no art galleries.” Also on the new organization’s wish list is to eventually offer scholarships to local students and to host student art shows and sponsor art camps. Cameron Alexander Knight is the group’s first student member. While a fifth-grader at Eastside Elementary School, in Senoia, he had two works in the collective’s first exhibit. Pop artist Andy Warhol is just one of the artists he likes. The Senoia Arts Collective also hopes to host a Senoia Art Walk later this year. The idea is to maintain the momentum and be the “match on the gasoline” of the Senoia Arts scene. Considering their pace so far, there’s no doubt they’ll do all of that, and more, in the most creative, artistic fashion. NCM

TOP: Senoia Art Collective founding member Jane Whitehurst works in oil as shown in her painting, “Holly.” ABOVE: Artist Mark McJunkin is a founding member of the Senoia Arts Collective. He shares his steel and pallet wood artwork, “Little Earth Shelf,” with his dog, Tigger. LEFT: Senoia Arts Collective founding member Lori Kolbenschlag shares her “Tuxedoed Tooter.”

How to contact: Artists, supporters and the public can keep up with the collective primarily through its Facebook page by searching Senoia Arts Collective. After joining, artists can be added to a separate, private Facebook group. january/february 2019 | 25

Written by EMILY KIMBELL

While scouting filming locations for “The Walking Dead,” the executive producer stopped for lunch in Senoia. Glancing briefly from his menu, he spotted a prop on a wall from the 1979 war film “Apocalypse Now.” That movie just happened to be his favorite film, and being a superstitious person, he took this as a sign that “The Walking Dead” should be filmed in Senoia. The rest, as they say, is history. 26 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Portraying “The Governor” from the hit TV show, tour guide James Wojnowski shares insights into filming sites and production experiences with TWD fans. Photo by Emily Kimbell

That’s the story tour guide James Wojnowski told while leading a group of tourists through Senoia last fall. Since 2012, Senoia has served as the primary filming location for “The Walking Dead,” one of the most popular shows on television. As a result, tourism in the town has exploded, bringing in fans from all over the country and the world. Several local businesses cater to these crowds, including the Georgia Tour Company, which provides tourists with an in-depth walking tour down Main Street featuring fan-favorite filming locations. Julie Brown, owner of The Georgia Tour Company, loves to tell the story of how she created her business. In April 2012, after

opening The Georgia Mercantile Company, a location manager from “The Walking Dead” visited the store, informing owners that filming for the show would begin in June. Brown recalls that the show was not well-known at the time. “Little did I know that it would take over our town,” she says. After filming started, Brown noticed an increase in interested fans. “People started coming in and wondering where things are,” she recalls. In response, she put up a map, made T-shirts and created location signs. Soon she became recognized for knowing everything about filming locations, Walking Dead trivia and episode guides. january/february 2019 | 27

Tour guide Jeremy Morales, of Newnan, uses production shots to illustrate what occurred in the TV show while standing on the actual sites where those popular scenes were filmed. Photo by Jackie Kennedy

Owner, Georgia Tour Company

Recognizing the Walking Dead sensation at her front door, Brown decided to start a touring company. She went for a walk with an original zombie cast member and mapped out a tour. A few college students decided to join them, and her first tour officially began. Since 2012, Brown’s touring company has expanded to include The Touring Dead, a two-mile walking tour focused on “The Walking Dead” filming locations; The Touring Dead II–Survive the Ride, a sixhour interactive, live-action tour complete with a full zombie attack; and Senoia on the Big Screen, a walking-tour highlighting Senoia’s rich film history. The Touring Dead, the tour company’s most popular attraction, operates year-round; it takes about two and a half hours with the first group leaving each day at 10 a.m. and the last departing at 4 p.m. Brown and her staff are continuously amazed by the pride, dedication and devotion of “The Walking Dead” community. “We get to meet people from around the world,” she says. “It amazes us day in and day out the people who come here from all over the earth. A scientist-researcher even came from Antarctica.” A sunny afternoon tour last fall reflected the same diversity that Brown sees every day. People visited from all over the country and beyond—Indianapolis, South Florida, Texas and Mexico—just to visit Walking Dead filming locations. Brandie Hale was perhaps the most excited for the tour. Hale and her family of four flew in from New York, arriving in Atlanta at 2:45 a.m. and taking a power nap in their rental car on the way to catch a morning walking tour in Senoia. Her family all came to support their mom, whom they call a “super fan” of the show. Their weekend visit plans consisted of “tour today, tour tomorrow, tour Saturday.” As tour participants gathered at Georgia Tour Company in downtown Senoia, Wojnowski, dressed as “The Governor,” walked in to lead the group. A stage and film actor, Wojnowski worked as a tour guide in his hometown in Wisconsin before landing in Georgia and especially enjoys the acting part of his job. “You get to be an actor; plus, you have an audience, and they can’t go anywhere,” he says. That is, he adds, until Norman Reedus shows up. Reedus portrays Daryl Dixon on the show and, with Director Greg Nicotero, owns Nic & Norman’s restaurant in Senoia. Fans’ sighting of the star during walking tours has been known to steal attention from the discussion at hand, according to Wojnowski, who recalls one such incident. “I had everyone’s attention, and all of a sudden Norman Reedus drives past,” he recalls. “I lose everyone. They just loved that they saw him. Norman does that every once in a while.” What Wojnowski enjoys most about leading tours are the people. “I love meeting new people from all over the world,” he says, noting that even though tourists come from across the globe, “they are all very much the same—they all have a love for ‘The Walking Dead.’” The Walking Dead tours attract fans celebrating different life occasions such as family vacations, birthdays, wedding anniversaries or business trips. In October, Dana Butler and her kids, Jadan Clark and Delaney Butler, visited from Indianapolis during their fall break. Clark, a high schooler, was the first in the family to watch “The Walking Dead.” Butler recalls, “He was only 10 at the time, and I about had a fit when I first saw him watching it.”

James Wojnowski gets into character as “The Governor” before leading his next tour group through Senoia. Photo by Beth Neely

But he was able to convince his mom to watch the Walking Dead marathon playing that weekend, and she was hooked. “I sat and watched every episode,” she recalls. “We didn’t move from the couch.” The local tour allows fans an insider view into their favorite show, walking the streets of the fictional Woodbury and seeing the gates of Alexandria. Most tourists are super fans, but a few are there to support their friends and family and leave inspired to start watching the show. Many are amazed that “The Walking Dead” is filmed within a few miles’ radius. Clark sums up his tour experience: “I’ve been on the tour, and I know what buildings they used. It’s cool to know more than other people know.” Having insider information only adds to the fandom’s devotion and connection. Even though this group is made of people of all ages, races, backgrounds and cultures, they form a sort of family—an undead family, but a family all the same. NCM

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january/february 2019 | 29

Senoia's Dirt Track Star:

Written and Photographed by NEIL MONROE

o you know what you were doing when you were two weeks old? Not likely, but Clint Smith does. He was attending his first dirt track race as his dad, Roscoe Smith, competed—and likely won. Since then, the Senoia resident has rarely missed a weekend of racing, first watching his dad, then competing himself starting at the age of 15, and now, at 53, competing and coaching other drivers. After nearly 40 years of racing, Clint “Cat Daddy” Smith has achieved legendary status. He has racked up more than 295 wins, competed and won at the highest levels and, along the way, built a successful racing business that positively impacts dirt track racing throughout the country. First things first, though. How did he get that nickname? “Early in my career, a driver named Johnny Virden gave it to me,” says Smith. “He always had a knack for coming up with nicknames for people that included the word ‘Daddy.’ He knew that I called a lot of people ‘Cat,’ so he started calling me ‘Cat Daddy’ and it just kind of stuck.” For decades, Clint Smith Racing has built dirt track cars and taught people how to drive them. “It’s all I’ve ever done,” says Smith, “or wanted to do. It’s a fortunate world to be in, to be able to do what you love and help others achieve success as well.” Smith maintains 25 or so cars and, even if you’ve never driven a race car, he can provide that experience in a two-seater that’s perfect for full-bore laps at Senoia Raceway. The success of his racing business is closely tied to Smith’s noteworthy achievements as a driver. His numerous wins were made at tracks all across the country and led to several important

30 | www.newnancowetamag.com

championships. He’s a four-time Southern All-Stars Dirt Racing Series Champion and has more than 10 Top 10 finishes in the prestigious World of Outlaws Late Model Series point standings. The World of Outlaws series, held at tracks throughout the nation, is considered the highest echelon of dirt track racing. While points championships and high finishes in the World of Outlaws series are important to Smith, he points to a 1993 win as his most memorable. “I’ve won some big races, including a $25,000 win,” he says, “but in the early ’90s, winning a $10,000 event was a big deal. And in 1993, I won the Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Late Model Series race at South Hampton, Virginia. That was my first $10,000 win, and to this day it is very special.” Smith also has driven for his country, being selected twice to a U.S. team that competed in seven races in Australia in the mid-1990s. Smith and the Americans won on each of their visits down under. “We don’t travel quite as much as we used to,” Smith says, noting there are benefits to staying close to home. “By running at more local tracks, like North Georgia or East Alabama, we can prepare a little better, make adjustments. And, it’s definitely better for my family.” Smith’s family includes wife Kim and daughter Jenna, who travel with him whenever possible. “I still love to compete, and I’m going to keep racing as long as I’m capable and competitive,” Smith says. “Racing will always be a part of my life—if not competing, then helping others compete.” That drive to compete, and the benefits of experience, was never more evident than last fall at a major event, the Southern 100, in Milton, Fla. Smith started in the seventh row at the

$10,000 headliner, and in a race marred by numerous wrecks and caution flags, he worked his way all the way to fourth place. “That Milton run really demonstrates the temperamental nature of the sport,” Smith says. “There can be bumps on the track, over aggressive drivers or equipment issues. We had a transponder malfunction, which hurt us, but we dodged the wrecks, found some traction in key spots and made a solid finish.” The legendary driver talks about racing on his weekly radio show—another facet of the Smith racing enterprise—that airs on Newnan’s Magic 98.1. Hosted by Chris Carr, the show features conversations with the nation’s best drivers who discuss their success or failure from the prior weekend. The show demonstrates a key element of Smith’s success: He knows racing, top to bottom, holds the respect of people in the industry, and is driven to help the sport grow and prosper. That knowledge has led to many interesting interactions with people wellknown in racing and in other fields. Smith built cars for Jeff Gordon when the superstar NASCAR driver competed in the Prelude, a dirt track charity race that attracts drivers from all types of racing. In addition, the Senoian has worked with Tony Stewart and other former and current NASCAR drivers. Despite such connections, Smith is anything but star-struck. At this point in his career, his primary focus is on helping others become better drivers and on building the sport itself. One example: Last fall, he was chosen as an instructor at the Racewise Dirt Track Chassis School in Alabama, where hundreds of drivers attend to learn the technical side of racing and race cars. “I really like helping people win,” says Smith. “I want my people, who are driving my cars, to have success. I want that even more than I want to win a race myself. That’s a real kick.” What happens if those students happen to be pitted in a race with their famous instructor? “It happens, for sure,” says Smith. “But I make it pretty clear that while I want them to win, I’m never going to give it to them. They have to earn it.” NCM

Senoia's resident dirt track superstar, Clint Smith, drives the No. 44 car with pride.

january/february 2019 | 31

The Coweta Cities & County EFCU would like to thank Lt. Col. Lenn Wood for his more than 39 years serving and protecting the residents of Newnan & Coweta County. We would also like to thank Lt. Col. Wood for his 21 years at the Credit Union volunteering on the Credit Committee! It’s volunteers like Lenn, dedicated to the community, that make the difference at Coweta Cities & County EFCU!

Membership may be easier than you think! 43 Jefferson Parkway P.O. Box 71063 Newnan, GA 30271-1063

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It’s Not Your Grandma’s Nursing Home Written by MARTY M. HOHMANN Photographed by BETH NEELY

32 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Residents and guests sample desserts in the rooftop solarium during a low-country boil last fall. Photo by Beth Neely

irvin “Toby” Dewitt knew that his days of living independently were drawing to a close, and he had some tough choices to make about his home for this next stage of life. Coweta County’s growing senior citizen population has a number of options, including in-home care, personal care homes and assisted living facilities with plentiful amenities and around-the-clock medical supervision. For Dewitt, the choice was assisted living. He made his decision two years before Monarch House Assisted Living officially opened its doors near Ashley Park in Newnan last July. “I was the first person to reserve a suite, and although I waited for two years, I feel it was all worthwhile,” he says, adding that he would recommend assisted living to anyone interested in such services. Each assisted living facility in Coweta County has its own offerings and unique personality with residents who make it not only a home but a community. At Monarch House, an intergenerational approach is the first-of-its-kind in Georgia, according to owner Victor Young. Monarch House shares real estate with Caterpillar House, a daycare facility that provides care for 200 children ages six months through 12 years. The idea that the elderly can enrich the lives of children, and vice versa, is central to Young’s plan for the assisted living and daycare facilities.

In 2014, Young, a career real estate developer and contractor, purchased the unfinished building that became Monarch House. It already contained a partially finished daycare center so, rather than tear it out and develop the property solely as assisted living, he decided on a different approach. Young says he had observed that whenever children visited the assisted living community in Cumming where his mother lived, “the seniors’ eyes would light up and you could just feel the warmth and happiness spread throughout the room.” He wanted to offer those interactions to seniors on a regular basis, and the Newnan facility would allow him to do that. “It presented the opportunity to have the kids visit our Monarch House seniors for more than special occasions,” he says. Young finished out the daycare, licensed it through the state, and began operating it three years ago. The second phase of his vision, Monarch House, opened last summer with 41 residential suites and a small staff-to-resident ratio, creating a close-knit family environment and personalized service, according to Young. Among the first to move in was Dewitt, who had already begun building relationships with the children at Caterpillar House during visits to read books to them. The building itself is a testament to Young’s philosophy january/february 2019 | 33

At Monarch House, residents enjoy their own movie theater, soda fountain and game room. Photos courtesy of Monarch House

that moving to an assisted living facility shouldn’t feel like the end of a chapter. Rather, it should be a beginning—and an opportunity to make new friends. Young’s vision eschews a clinical aesthetic by opening the center of each floor as a living room with fireplaces and built-ins filled with books, puzzles and games designed to encourage interaction between residents. “No doubt we are different, not just in our building design but also our management philosophy and mission,” he says. “Our layout encourages socialization, and our amenities and activities were designed to give residents a reason to get out of bed in the morning.” Monarch House residents can gather at the 1950s-style soda fountain, play Skee-ball while listening to the jukebox, or shoot a round of pool. If they prefer an evening of conversation with a glass of wine, they can stroll over to the lounge

Today's senior living provides a community of friends.

with its hand-crafted wooden bar and

photos of the Rat Pack lining the walls. Outdoorsy types find their retreat on

the fourth-floor rooftop garden where residents plant vegetables in summer and start seeds all year-round in the

solarium. The seating area is a favorite

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spot for live entertainment and the occasional low-country boil. A senior himself, Young personally oversaw the construction and interior design of the common spaces, a design that resonates with Ophelia “Toots” Petrey. “Monarch House is a great community of friends and delicious food on demand,” she says. “My housekeeping needs are taken care of, there are fun activities, and I have a beautiful, comfortable home to live in.” Central to the vision of Monarch House is the idea that the entire building is home. The dining area is designed to look like a home kitchen, just on a larger scale, complete with a center island. “Our dining room is casually elegant,” Young says, adding that it encourages residents to break bread and live in community. The area is also a key component in getting residents involved in cooking and social interaction. “Say your mom had an apple pie recipe,” says Young. “Our chef will get the ingredients and have residents gather around the island where they help prepare the pie. Then he will pop it in the oven and everyone will taste the rewards of their efforts. That kind of resident involvement in day-to-day living is all a part of the purpose and meaning that enhances lives.” NCM

Senior Living Coweta County is home to several senior living facilities, including:

•

Benton House of Newnan, 25 Newnan Lakes Blvd., Newnan 770.253.8444 bentonhouse.com

•

Brookdale 355 Millard Farmer Industrial Blvd., Newnan 770.253.6411 newnanbrookdale.com

•

Corinth Road Personal Care Home 1411 Corinth Road, Newnan 770.254.8734, corinthroadpch.com

•

Insignia of Newnan

•

Monarch House 299 Bullsboro Drive, Newnan 678.209.3751 monarchhouse.net

•

Somerby Senoia/Somerby Peachtree City 200 Rockaway Road, Peachtree City 800.840.8125 somerbyseniorliving.com

•

Watercrest Senior Living 285 Summerlin Blvd., Newnan 772.539.4560 watercrestseniorliving.com

•

Wesley Woods of Newnan 2280 N. Hwy. 29, Newnan 770.683.6833 wesleywoodsnewnan.org

27 Belk Road, Newnan 770.251.6639 insigniaseniorliving.com

january/february 2019 | 35

Pamela Burrus hopes to help bring new life to Grantville.

36 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Sharing a

Vision

to Revive Grantville Written by MARTY M. HOHMANN | Photographed by SARA MOORE

ituated in the southwest corner of Coweta County, Grantville is largely quiet now, though it was once home to a booming economy, banks, a movie theater and even a hotel. Today, three downtown businesses have regular patrons, but the sidewalks are empty aside from occasional visits from groups touring sites featured in “The Walking Dead” and a handful of feature films. The city’s heyday, when the railroad was thriving and cotton was king, was left behind in the last century. Over the years, there have been efforts to revive the business district, but they have all

but evaporated, leaving historic buildings abandoned and in various stages of decay. Pamela Burrus wants to change this. A resident of Senoia, Burrus is familiar with the renaissance that has taken place there in recent years and would like to see something similar bring new life to Grantville. The mother of two says she almost immediately fell in love with the character and history of Grantville, but she was disheartened that the downtown area looked abandoned. She took a few photos of the buildings and considered the amazing potential of the sleepy little town. Not long after, she saw an article on how art can be used in unique ways to

generate interest in a community. “My first thought was how I’d love for this to be in my town—because while I’m not an artist, I’m a huge appreciator of all things artsy,” she says. “Jokingly, I posted on Facebook, ‘Is there an abandoned town somewhere for sale? I’m looking for one.’” When a friend pointed her back to Grantville, she realized she had found her canvas, and the ideas began to flow like a breached dam. The former web designer and mom to Anna Clair, 9, and Maclaine, 5, developed a plan and a website, ThisisGrantville.com, to explain her vision in detail. Her goal is simple: To get members of the community involved in revitalizing

“Here’s a chance to create history. It’s a town creating a new story. It’s kind of like the sequel to a book that was already there.” — Pamela Burrus

january/february 2019 | 37

The fire hydrant was painted to commemorate the great bank robbery of 1932 at the Bank of Grantville. Bank robbers locked a young teller, Ed Brasch, in the vault and made off in the getaway car, spilling coins on the streets of Grantville through a hole in the floorboard.

38 | www.newnancowetamag.com

the outside of buildings and the surrounding area. She hopes this will encourage foot traffic to support future businesses. In the spirit of “If you build it, they will come,” Burrus went to work. She set up an office in one of the city’s oldest buildings on Main Street and let her creativity take flight. She painted fun designs on the floors, hung photographs depicting Grantville’s past, and brought new life to the space. From this home base, Burrus plans to extend her efforts throughout the downtown. “I love old things,” she says. “I love the story of old things. I love the juxtaposition between old and new.” She envisions murals, art installations, a children’s art museum—even a hot air balloon basket with a multicolored balloon painted on a wall as an interactive exhibit. The sky’s the limit, she says, and most importantly to her, the art showcased will be a collaborative effort among Grantville school groups, civic organizations, members of the senior center, and residents. The art transformation project will be uniquely Grantville, with the rich stories of the city’s history and its residents as its centerpiece, according to Burris. She has pored over old documents, scrolled through websites, and talked to countless Grantville residents. She even set aside a corner of her office with a comfortable chair and video camera in order to document

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memories for generations to come.

Burrus envisions Grantville becoming a town rebuilt by dreamers

and doers, and she doesn’t let the naysayers who say it can’t be done slow her down.

“Here’s a chance to create history,” she says. “It’s a town creating a

new story. It’s kind of like the sequel to a book that was already there.” Rochelle Jabaley, a longtime Grantville resident and business

owner, is excited about all that Burrus has in mind and was one of the first to offer the side of one of her buildings for a mural.

“She has fantastic ideas for downtown Grantville,” Jabaley says

of Burrus. “Already she has transformed the building in which she is based into a wonderland. Grantville is a hidden jewel that we should cherish.”

Burrus is calling all artists, photographers, woodworkers, interior

designers, remodelers, gardeners, landscapers, musicians or any type

of dreamer and doer to join the effort to bring new life to Grantville. With her irrepressible energy, determination, and ability to

connect all types of people in a common goal, Burrus refuses to fail. “Together,” she says, “we will all be phoenixes.” NCM

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Bistro Hilaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Holiday Hot Chocolate

Winter Drinks to Warm the Soul Written and Photographed by JACKIE KENNEDY 40 | www.newnancowetamag.com

here’s nothing quite like a hot beverage to warm the body on a cold winter day. And even if it’s a cold drink, like the frozen hot chocolate shared here, the tasty treat and nostalgia wrapped in it might stir the soul. Here, we share a few of the favorite winter drinks we discovered at restaurants featured on the Senoia Small Bites Food Tour.

Hot Mulled Wine — Katie Lou’s Cafe 1 4 4 1 8 3 1 1

bottle red wine, preferably merlot cups hot steeped orange pekoe tea cups fresh orange juice with pulp whole skin-on orange, thinly sliced with seeds removed cups apple juice sticks cinnamon tablespoon whole cloves in cheesecloth cup brown sugar

Bring all ingredients to near boil in pot or crock pot. Taste and adjust, if necessary. Café owner April Anderson shares one of her favorite winter treats, Hazelnut Hot Chocolate.

Hazelnut Hot Chocolate — Senoia Coffee and Café 8 ounces steamed or warmed milk (140-160 degrees) ⅛ to ¼ cup high quality chocolate sauce, preferably Ghirardelli 2 teaspoons hazelnut syrup, preferably Davinci Mix all ingredients. Top with fresh whipping cream and shaved dark chocolate. LEFT Katie Lou’s owner Bill Rutledge brings a glass of Hot Mulled Wine to the table.

january/february 2019 | 41

The Holiday Hot Chocolate — Bistro Hilary 1 4

ounce crème de menthe ounces Chef Hilary’s homemade hot chocolate Whipped crème Soft peppermint crumble

Mix crème de menthe with hot chocolate. Top with whipped crème and soft peppermint crumble. Garnish with candy cane. Add a splash of vodka or other favorite beverage, as desired.

42 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Bistro Hilary waiter Hunter Midkiff serves up The Holiday Hot Chocolate.

cowetacooks!

Jacob’s Table Frozen Hot Chocolate — Jacob’s Table 8 1 1 ¼

ounces whole milk scoop ice scoop vanilla bean or peppermint ice cream cup hot cocoa mix Generous pump of chocolate syrup

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth. Pour into favorite glass. Garnish with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and peppermint snow or candy canes. Variation: For an adult version, use only six ounces of whole milk and ½ scoop of ice, and add 2 ounces peppermint schnapps or Kahlua.

ABOVE AND LEFT

Jacob’s Table owner Jules Orme prepares to serve her Frozen Hot Chocolate.

january/february 2019 | 43

ODD Jobs Written by JENNIFER DZIEDZIC

Fine wine and spirits specialist Melissa Tyner says “Cheers.” Photo by Jennifer Dziedzic

44 | www.newnancowetamag.com

y the time kids reach the age of 5, they’ve more than likely trick-or-treated while dressed up in garb related to one of the more obvious professions—doctor, firefighter, police officer or schoolteacher. And if they’ve had a pet puppy or kitten, they’ve probably dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, too. These are all standup, respectable professions, but there are many more ways to make a living, and the three folks featured here prove it. Their success in their chosen, albeit a bit offbeat, careers might inspire others to steer off the paved road onto a new career path. Melissa Tyner

Fine Wine and Spirits Specialist The age of alcohol prohibition is long gone with bootleggers replaced by home craft brewers and wineries, yet laws remain intact for the commercial sale and distribution of alcohol. Those who want their libations of choice stocked at local restaurants and hotels rely on the unique occupation held by people such as Sharpsburg resident Melissa Tyner, a fine wine and spirits specialist for Empire Distributors, an Atlanta-based wholesale beverage distributor. “After Prohibition, if you were selling a particular product, say coffee, you couldn’t just go directly to the store,” says Tyner. “You had to go through the middleman, which is considered the distributor.” As a distributor, says Tyner, Empire receives product from multiple suppliers; its custom portfolio holds more than 8,000 wines. Tyner’s work experience includes sales jobs and a decade-long position as a military flight attendant for World

Ethan

Private Investigator Private investigation not only is an unusual job but one that holds common misconceptions with the portrayal of PIs in movies and TV often embellished. Most likely, you won’t find whiskey hiding behind a magnifying glass in a drawer within a lamp-lit room filled

“Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages.”

— Louis Pasteur, chemist

Airways, whose staff flew troops in and out of war zones and, at the other extreme, transported movie crews and celebrities to exotic destinations. Her background helped her develop customer service skills while exposing her to interesting cuisines and wines from a variety of countries. On the job, Tyner enjoys teaching and coaching sales teams on creative ways to pitch their products. She aids businesses in developing customized wine menus and has hosted several tastings at area restaurants. Her accounts range from mom and pop restaurants to national chains, specialty wine stores and growler shops. A key component of her job involves researching the latest trends in products and sampling new wines and spirits. For those new to wine, attending a tasting can be daunting, but Tyner spurs people to step out of their comfort zones. “There’s really no right and wrong,”

says the spirits specialist. “What you taste might not be what the winemaker tastes.” Tyner has a go-to phrase she employs for a typical white wine tasting: “Go into your imaginary grocery store.” Her coaching may continue like this: “Think of citrus fruit. Start with lemons. Is it the sweet lemon that you taste, almost like a candied lemon, or are we talking about bitter, pucker sourness? Or is it just the crispness of a lemon?” Waking up the palate before a tasting is crucial, she says, recommending that tasters swish their first sip and spit it out. Tyner encourages visiting local restaurants and inquiring about tastings or flights; a flight features a sampling of small amounts of several alcoholic beverages. Taking notes on what you enjoy can help determine what your personal palette trends toward. ❙

“Every man at the bottom of his heart believes that he is a born detective.” — John Buchan, novelist with disguises.

who works for Investigative Solutions,

anyone, anywhere, blending in with

locations around Atlanta. Ethan is a

In the real world, a PI could be

daily surroundings. One such PI is Ethan, a Coweta County resident

a family-owned business with five

former Army ranger like his father,

George, who founded the company january/february 2019 | 45

nearly 20 years ago. Putting themselves at risk is part of the job, but thanks to their training, they go into situations fully prepared and cautious. “There is a danger factor to it, but if we’re found out while we’re working a case, then we’re probably not doing it right,” Ethan says. Investigative Solutions handles criminal cases like theft and armed robbery, civil cases, DNA collection and examining, and cell phone forensics. In cases involving corporate espionage and the leaking of trade secrets, PIs may be called on to inspect offices, boardrooms and, in extreme cases, entire floors of companies. They may have to sweep a CEO’s office and, on occasion, they locate listening devices and cameras using an instrument called a CPM-700 that can detect electronic surveillance devices, according to Ethan. Ethan says his company invests a significant amount in high-tech camera equipment, including Bluetooth cameras that record audio and wristwatches that double as cameras. “Customer relationship is a huge thing for private investigators,” says Ethan, noting that a PI can’t demand information as a police officer might, so he relies on finesse and good communication skills to get people to share information. The work can be rewarding, he adds, especially when his investigative efforts lead to charges dropped against those wrongfully accused. For anyone contemplating becoming a PI, Ethan suggests finding a good mentor. “Be ready to not make the amount of money you think you should and be willing to make sacrifices in order to prove yourself in the industry,” he adds. If you find yourself in need of an investigator, Ethan urges, “Do your research. Make sure they are licensed. Sometimes you will find companies that charge extremely cheap but are not licensed, and ultimately you pay the price. Make sure they are willing to meet you in person, speak with you on the phone, and an agreement is signed.” ❙

Janis Boscarello works as an intuitive medium. Photo by Beth Neely

Janis Boscarello

“There is life after death, and it’s beautiful. It is a place where happiness abides and all are healed and reunited.” — Matt Fraser, psychic medium 46 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Intuitive medium Across the globe, convictions vary on what takes place after death. Some believe that spirits in the afterlife can communicate with those still on the physical earth. This is where Janis Boscarello comes in. Boscarello’s business is located at 2½ East Court Square in downtown Newnan where she works with clients who seek reconnection with their deceased loved ones. As an intuitive medium, she “channels spirit and spirit guides as they send messages” through her to her clients, according to

Boscarello, who says she first came into contact with a spirit when she was a child and describes the experience as surprising but positive. “Being a medium since I was 11, I always stay in God’s light,” she says. “I couldn’t do what I do if I didn’t stay connected to God. First and foremost, I’m a spiritual person.” The loss of someone close can have a strong sentimental impact, so sessions with her clients can stir feelings, but the medium says she always is prepared: “They call me the Kleenex lady. It can get very emotional.” However, she won’t pass along negative messages: “I will not give anything bad. People come to me after losing a loved one. They are looking for healing and closure.” Many times they seek answers as well, she says, and if a spirit comes through to her, those messages can be powerful. “A spirit wants to help their loved ones live their best lives while they are here,” Boscarello says, noting that signs they send can be healing to those left behind. Clients describe things like smelling a familiar cologne, finding coins on the ground, seeing cardinals or dreaming of loved ones. The medium says people should trust those signs. “Family members will never come and put fear in your heart,” she says. The medium recommends waiting three to four months after a loss before trying to connect with a loved one, respectfully positing, “If you just lost this soul, how will you hear what they have to say when it’s still so fresh?” Boscarello claims to be clairvoyant, which means she sees things beyond the range of ordinary perception; clairaudient, which means she hears those things; and clairsentient, which means she senses or feels spirits. She says she meditates before her clients arrive. “I talk to the archangels,” she says. “I stay connected to them. I keep my chakras open and clear. It’s very important to stay connected with Mother Earth.” Boscarello does both private and group readings. Once a month, she offers a two-hour group meeting to demonstrate mediumship for those who have never been to a medium. “They want to know what a medium is all about,” she says. “They can see who I am. They learn about spirit and ask questions.” NCM

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january/february 2019 | 47

Nonprofit Spotlight

‘Share Your Food with the Hungry’ Written and Photographed by SUSAN MAYER DAVIS

Rachael and her daughters moved from Oklahoma to Coweta County with nothing after her husband died. The I-58 Mission provided beds, food and “family,” she says.

48 | www.newnancowetamag.com

t’s Thursday—Pantry Day—and the parking lot at The I-58 Mission in Senoia starts to fill. Clients talk with one another. Some are comfortable and others, the first-timers, a little nervous. In the yard, a volunteer tosses a football with a couple of children here with their parents. The scene takes on the small-town warmth and friendliness of a Norman Rockwell painting. The I-58 Mission Director Karhma Novak leads the day’s food distribution to those who come to the nonprofit’s headquarters, a building that once housed Vineyard Church and now belongs to First Baptist Church of Senoia. Don’t let the organization’s name fool you. It’s not I-85 with the numbers transposed, and there is no Interstate 58 in the area. The “I” in this name refers to the Bible book of Isaiah and 58, to the 58th chapter, which encourages readers “to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter.” The I-58 Mission was formed as Sow Good Center in 2011 after a group of Senoia residents sought to respond to the mission laid out in Isaiah. Since then, they have partnered with grocery stores, food banks, churches and individuals to provide weekly aid to families in need of food and household items. Simultaneously, Novak and her husband had founded Project 586, their own answer to sharing food with the hungry, also based on Isaiah 58. “My husband and I had pulled a name off of an angel tree at our church, and when we took the gifts to the home, we saw the painful reality of need,” Novak recalls. “That’s the moment God ignited something in my family’s heart.” In 2015, the like-minded organizations merged to become The I-58 Mission with Novak named director of operations. In any given month, the nonprofit distributes

Volunteers Jennifer Pray and Amy Dunn sort through donations at I-58 Mission.

In any given month, the nonprofit distributes about 8,500 pounds of food to about 440 families with the help of approximately 325 volunteers. january/february 2019 | 49

IS YOUR BANK CHANGING? MAYBE IT’S TIME TO CHANGE BANKS.

(Pictured from left to right): Will Conoly, Beth Headley, Harold McCoy, Jacki Parker, Yetta Richardson

61 Bullsboro Drive Newnan, GA 770.251.4311 w w w.accessunited.com 50 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Nonprofit Spotlight about 8,500 pounds of food to about 440 families with the help of approximately 325 volunteers. Upstairs at the mission, the pantry invites clients to fill baskets with non-perishables to feed their family for a week. Downstairs, what once were Sunday school rooms are stockrooms with various items, from baby essentials to household goods. Volunteers sort through donated items, categorizing, organizing, folding, stacking and arranging on shelves. One room holds only items that need washing, and a young mom volunteers weekly to take the items home to wash. The textile room is filled with clothing unfit to give; another volunteer recycles the fabric and comes back with cash for the mission. “Nothing is wasted here,” says Sara Walton, a longtime volunteer. In the former sanctuary, now minus its pews, clients listen to weekly devotionals brought by visiting ministers or missionaries. Clients say they enjoy the short meeting before they receive their food. For many with physical limitations, or without transportation, it’s the only “church” they get in their lives, and they express appreciation for it. Along with the basic food items they receive, clients occasionally are treated to frozen chicken or ice cream—or homemade cookies like those recently handed out by a group of home-schooled children. A mission client, Ashley is a single mother of three with a job, but she says her wages are not enough to support her family, and their food stamps were cut back because she works. Rachael moved here from Oklahoma after her husband died. She had to leave everything behind, even the furniture, and doesn’t own a vehicle. The I-58 Mission provided her with beds and fed her family for three weeks. “I love that they treat us like family,” she says. “And I love the prayers and messages from the pastors. This is my church.” As the nonprofit grows, it’s on the lookout for its own building and hopes to partner with more churches, according to Novak. “We are located in the heart of Senoia, but we serve multiple surrounding counties,” she says. “Understandably, our resources are often stretched thin. Some days it reminds me of the loaves and fishes story in the Bible. But our God provides, so we are tremendously blessed to be able to reach out a loving hand to our neighbors, just as Isaiah 58 says.” The I-58 Mission is located at 2450 Highway 85 in Senoia. Food is distributed on Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m. and by appointment at other times. For more, visit thei58mission.org or call 770.301.0870. NCM

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january/february 2019 | 51

cowetahistory

Senoia’s History Museum

Sheds Light on a Bright Past Written and Photographed by JEFFREY WARD

Say “Senoia” to folks who don’t live here and what comes to mind? If they’ve watched “The Walking Dead,” they might think of it as a tourist town. But to longtime residents and other locals, it’s so much more. Long before the movie industry boom in Senoia, there was a bowling alley, a Coca-Cola bottling facility in the basement of the carriage museum, a movie theater in the Masonic building, a ninehole golf course, car dealership, high school and three cotton gins. There were two busy interconnecting railroads and a depot and, in 1915, Margaret Mitchell interviewed Civil War veterans in downtown for her novel, “Gone with the Wind.” In 1996, the Olympic torch passed through town. And, that’s just for starters. Historical anecdotes like these, with accompanying memorabilia, are abundant at the Senoia Historical Area Society Museum where Director Maureen Schuyler welcomes visitors. Schuyler has been the director since the museum opened in 2010 and her enthusiasm is only exceeded by her knowledge of local history. “When we opened, we had a fraction of the artifacts and documents that we have today,” says Schuyler. “We’ve now reached a point where we archive and rotate out artifacts, and we have chronologically redesigned our display in our exhibition rooms. This is an exciting step forward for us and shows our dedication to the museum experience and the confidence the community has in us as they continue to donate so many precious artifacts.” The museum, located in the historic district at the corner of Couch Street and Stallings Road, is itself a historical structure. Built in 1870 and known as the Carmichael House after the family who 52 | www.newnancowetamag.com

The Senoia History Museum is a treasure trove brimming over with documents and artifacts related to the town’s history. NTH File Photo

owned it, the Historical Society purchased the home in 1990 and, after significant restorations were made, opened it as a history museum. The society’s origins go back to 1977 when a group of dedicated residents used a small amount of leftover funding from the U.S. bicentennial celebration of 1976 to form the Senoia Area Historical Society. In 1989, their work resulted in Senoia’s historic district being placed on the roster of the National Register of Historic Places. Along with its director, the museum is staffed by volunteer docents. Residents and tourists visiting the museum may wonder about the origin of the city’s name. Much

lore surrounds the name, but a favored answer is that it comes from Senoya He-ne-ha, the mother of fabled Chief William McIntosh, an American general and chief of his Creek Indian tribe. Senoya was from the prestigious Wind Clan of the Creek Indians, thus originated the myth surrounding the title of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Princess Senoya.â&#x20AC;? Prosperous and comfortable in both worlds, Chief McIntosh established the McIntosh Trail, which extended east of Griffin into Alabama. The trail fostered commerce, trade and growth between fledgling communities and passed just north of present-day Senoia. The land on which

Museum Director Maureen Schuyler oversees operations at the Senoia Area Historical Society Museum.

january/february 2019 | 53

Chief William McIntosh. His mother, Creek Indian tribe member Senoya He-ne-ha, is thought by some to be the inspiration for the name of the city of Senoia. Charles Bird King's portrait of William McIntosh (ca. 1825), from “The McKenney-Hall Portrait Gallery of American Indians,” by James D. Horan

Volunteer docents at Senoia’s History Museum include, from left, Ryan Dzwigalski, Steve Maloy, Museum Director Maureen Schuyler, Leslee Maloy, Penny Conlan, Pat Veneziani, Beth Young, Doug Kolbenschlag, Hal Sewell and Ralph Arnold.

Senoia is located was sold to the U.S. from the Creek Indian nation in 1825 by Chief McIntosh, who subsequently was murdered by his own people for that fateful decision. The history museum presents a colorful snapshot of the origins of Senoia as a community. In 1827, Gerald Veal, a teenager, won the fifth land lottery and was deeded land lot 279, which included

the 202 acres that became modern Senoia. In 1828, settlers moved into the area from Newberry, S.C., and in 1860, the Rev. Frances Warren Baggarly bought the land on which downtown Senoia is now situated. Senoia was officially incorporated in 1866 as settlers gravitated to the two intersecting rail lines in the new town. Schuyler describes the layout of the

museum: “It starts with the Creek Indians and covers time up to and including today’s popular film making. I always start a tour with the words ‘For such a small town, Senoia has a deep, rich and storied history.’ It may not seem possible to some, but our town was every bit as busy and prosperous, if not more so, at the turn of the last century as it is now.”

Senoia, GA 30276 • 770-727-9158 54 | www.newnancowetamag.com

A teller window from Senoia’s first bank features intricate woodwork from a bygone era.

Senoia’s film history is recalled through movie memorabilia from the 1980s and ’90s.

The antique cash register was a fixture at R.S. Sewell’s General Merchandise, located on Senoia’s Main Street, where Beyond the Door is now. The general store operated from 1947 to 1973.

The museum’s central hall features a gallery of photos by Gary Gruby of residents during the 1980s and ’90s. The museum also contains a growing research library. Every month, the museum is host to a presentation on one aspect of Senoia’s history, and the historical society organizes several annual events to raise funds for the museum. Schuyler and the historical society have big plans for the future. “Our museum is constantly growing and adapting to provide a tour experience that educates and entertains,” she says. “The direction I hope and believe we are going is to open more than two days a week, which would enable us to reach more people, to develop more academic programs that reach schools and students, to increase our social media presence, and to increase community involvement.” The museum recently received a grant to restore the front porch to its original gingerbread complexity, and the two chimneys need to be rebuilt. Future funding is earmarked for a larger, special-needs accessible meeting room. Schuyler emphasizes that the museum is not the only source of historical information on Senoia. The Downtown Development Authority offers selfdriving tours of historic homes, the Georgia Tour Company provides community tours, and Senoia Golf Cart Tours also shows off Senoia to visitors. For more info, visit senoiaareahistoricalsociety. org. The museum is open 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and for private tours. Call 352.428.9916 to schedule a tour. NCM

january/february 2019 | 55

cowetagarden

BEFORE Curtis and Carlotta Murray transformed their front yard in Senoia by building a stacked stone wall around the oak tree and filling the bed with hydrangeas, hosta, ferns and coral bells.

AFTER

Blank slate R becomes front yard flower garden Written by MARTHA A. WOODHAM

56 | www.newnancowetamag.com

eal estate agents often say their clients know a house is the home for them within 30 seconds because their initial view tells them, “This is the one.” That’s what happened to Curtis and Carlotta Murray in March 2017 when they first set eyes on the under-construction house in Senoia that would become their home. “As soon as we got here, we loved the house,” says Curtis, a lead inspector for maintenance at Delta Air Lines. And from the beginning, they had a vision for the blank slate that was a bare, red mud yard at the time. “We wanted to create a garden that looked like it has been here for a long time,” says Carlotta. The Murrays had a plan for their garden. Almost two years later, the finished product shows the time and effort the couple put into it, and they did all of the design and planting themselves.

AFTER Curtis Murray used a garden hose to outline the scalloped border for beds outside the front yard fence at his Senoia home.

AFTER AFTER

BEFORE

Tea olive shrubs anchor the corners of the flower bed in front of the house, and hydrangeas fill in the beds, which boast clusters of hostas, ferns and coral bells. The couple’s first project was a stacked stone wall around the oak tree in front of the house. Curtis used a garden hose to outline the foot-high wall, built with flat stones they purchased locally. They filled that in with dirt and have added a variety of plants. They installed a wooden fence around the front and sides of their yard and created scalloped-border beds outside the fence, again using the garden hose trick. They added a stone walk, which Curtis built, and Carlotta pulled from her stash of used garden collectables—which range from old chairs and farming tools to decorative plant holders—to highlight

the flower beds. Primitive wooden items created by a 95-year-old great-uncle, Anthony Jantosik, dress up the front fence. On one side of the house, Curtis built Carlotta a potting bench where she stores her tools and pots. Still to come are a garden shed and a vegetable garden with raised beds. Many of the Murrays’ plantings are “pass-along” plants the couple received from friends and family. Several of Carlotta’s favorites are a praying hands hosta, pink blooming clematis and daylilies. “My favorite iris is a gift from a friend; it’s a baby pink bearded iris,” she says. Carlotta’s love for plants began when she was a child helping her grandfather in his front yard. “The whole front yard was beautiful

Photos courtesy of Carlotta Murray

flowers,” she recalls. “There was no grass, just flowers.”

The Murrays, who met when they both

worked in the airline industry, have lived

in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Tampa, Fla. They

were too busy working and raising a family to focus on gardening until a job transfer from Delta led them to move to Senoia’s Willow Bend neighborhood in 2007.

“Our yards were nice, but they didn’t

have flowers,” Carlotta says of her former homes.

Their home in Senoia has given them

the opportunity to create a garden that’s truly their own, one that reflects their

interests and is a hobby they both enjoy.

“We love it,” Carlotta says. “We can do

it together. It’s our thing.” NCM

january/february 2019 | 57

Coweta to Me

Life is Good Here by Carol Jackson Glover

’m one of the lucky ones who was born and raised here.

I grew up in an idyllic time when we thought the whole world was perfect because ours was. We had built-in playmates of siblings, cousins and pets. I watched my children play in the same yard I did, and later my grandchildren joined us for Sunday lunch there. We received a great education and made lifelong friends in neighborhood schools—in the same classrooms and on the same playgrounds my own children, and now theirs, have enjoyed. I spent my career as a special educator in those same schools. We were nurtured in downtown churches where we learned to love Jesus and music. I have been in a church choir since I was 3 and helped teach my children and grandchildren. We have watched Santa arrive on the firetruck and ridden in parades. Together, we have marveled at the fireworks and savored the county fair. We have all been safe and comfortable and happy here. I never found a reason to leave. Some call me sheltered; I call me blessed. We have it all—everything we could need or want: beautiful seasons, homes and countryside, recreational areas, excellent school system, cultural arts with world-class entertainment, local theatre, museums, libraries, restaurants, top-notch medical and retirement facilities, dedicated public safety officials, caring and generous civic clubs and charitable organizations. There is love of God and country and fellow man here. Our leaders have a respect for preserving the past Whether you’ve lived here all without getting stuck there. your life or only a ye ar, we want Photo by Debby Dye They have the vision to be Carol Jackson Glover to hear your pe rsonal Coweta progressive and embrace the story. future while keeping a continuity of community. Did you and your husband Newnan is a great place to raise a family and a great place to fall in love here ? Did you move retire. Now I live with my husband not far from downtown on his here in your seni or year of family’s property, where he left for a career, saw the world, and high school and make lifelong came back to stay. friends? Did you pick guitar with We have a great place out back for parties, reunions, egg hunts your grandpa an d grow up to be and, most recently, a bluegrass jam with his friends from Pickin’ a musician? on the Square. Whatever your own Coweta County story is, Life is good here. we’d like you to share it with re All my memories are here, and I plan to continue making them aders of Newna nCoweta Magazin here. I’ll soon be celebrating my 50th class reunion from my high e. Keep your word count at 35 school just down the street where we often hear the marching 0-450 words, pl ease. Email your band playing. “Coweta to Me” story to magazine@ The only thing that could make that sweeter would be a newnan.com an d we’ll publish rousing rendition of “Tiger Rag.” NCM

what’s

Coweta to

58 | www.newnancowetamag.com

you?

the best. We look forward to hearing from yo u.

bookreview

Bigfoot CSI

Bigfoot in Your Backyard? A Review by Lynn Horton It is not often that a book designed for a young adult fiction audience makes such an impact on me, but Kimberly Osborn Sullivan’s “Bigfoot CSI” kept me turning pages way into the night. Because it is set in my hometown of Senoia, familiar landmarks add a delightful flavor. A fellow Senoia resident, Sullivan paints a vivid picture of the somewhat fictionalized town’s miles of shaded golf cart paths, thickly wooded green spaces, and acres of uninhabited land just outside the city limits. She creates a setting on the fringe of civilization—one where the reader can believe a tribe of Bigfoot exists. These huge creatures move about out of sight of residents of this quiet community; that is, until one of their fellow “legendaries” dies. Enter young Scrub Piper, who unwittingly stumbles upon the dead Bigfoot. Piper discovers that, like it or not, she is a critical part of a select group of humans who are responsible for destroying any evidence that these giant, but gentle, creatures ever lived. If we were to be completely honest, I’ll bet there is hardly a soul out there who doesn’t want to believe in the existence of the mysterious and very elusive creature known for its craggy features, shaggy all-over body fur, and long, wide feet with a prominent middle toe. We have seen amateurish newspaper drawings and blurry photos of the creature, and if you tune in to YouTube, you can find videos taken with highly sophisticated night-vision cameras of the stealthy giant known as Bigfoot. What you have not seen or heard about is scientific proof that these mysterious creatures really exist. There are no piles of Bigfoot bones, no caves with their remains tucked away, and no Bigfoot carcass lying dead on a deserted county road, the victim of a speeding moonshiner. I have always been a little skeptical, even when a great deal of the photographic evidence is so convincing, but where are these legendary creatures? How could they have kept their culture secret for so very many years? There seems to be not a scrap of DNA material collected from unidentified remains to suggest that something not-quite-human lives among us. One possibility of why Bigfoot may indeed be true unfolds in the pages of this book. So, you think there is trouble afoot? Pun obvious. And not just with the TV guy who will stop at nothing to capture and cage a Bigfoot—but with Piper desperate to hide her secret from her family. There are so many twists and turns, so many jolts and scares, so much fun that Sullivan could have named her book “Roller Coaster.” “Bigfoot CSI” was published in 2018 by Kissing Frog Books; 312 pages. ★★★★★

Kimberly Osborn Sullivan intrigues with a Bigfoot story set in Senoia.

Photo by Jackie Kennedy

Read a good book lately? Can’t wait to

tell somebody about it?

Share your favorite new read with Newnan-Coweta M agazine by writing a book review for possi ble publication in an upcoming issue. Whether it’s a book that’s been around awhile and you’re jus t getting to it, or if it’s a brand new publica tion that everyone’s talking about, we’d like to hear your ed ucated take on it. Keep your review at 350-450 words and please include the au thor’s name, page count and date of pu blication as well as any awards the book may have won. Be sure to give the bo ok your rating of 1 to 5 stars: 1=You’l l never miss it; 2=Okay; 3=Pretty go od; 4=Read it; 5=Best. Book. Ever. Send your review wi th your contact information to maga zine@newnan.com or mail to Newnan-C oweta Magazine, 16 Jefferson Street, Newnan, Ga. 30263.

CALENDAR

coweta calendar

JANUARY

JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2019

JAN. MAR. Annie Greene Museum

1 -30

Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Historic Downtown Newnan | 12 Noon | Free

Artisans on the Square, Greenville | Free

Newnan’s 32nd annual MLK Parade celebrates black history in Newnan and the advances in civil rights for all Americans. For more info, contact Margaret Thompson at 770.253.1559.

Noted regional artist Annie Greene exhibits yarn art related to her new autobiographical book, “What Color is Water? Growing Up Black in a Segregated South.” Known for her intricate yarn paintings, Greene has exhibited her artwork throughout and beyond the Southeast for three decades. Along with her “What Color is Water?” exhibit, Artisans on the Square will feature her “Georgia Farm Life in the ’40s” exhibit. For more info, visit artisansonthesquare.gallery or printshopgallery.com. 404.386.1328.

Series Exhibit

We’ve Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered

The Nixon Centre for the Arts | 7 p.m. | $15-$20 Returning to The Nixon Centre for the Arts after a sold-out show in 2017, We’ve Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered celebrates the music of one of the most successful recording acts of all time. Sing along to “Close to You,” “Rainy Days and Mondays” and more. For info, visit thenixoncentre.net, call 770.254.2787, or email John.Molettiere@cowetaschools.net.

JAN. FEB. Robert Burns Scottish Heritage

31 -3

Weekend Celebration

Newnan Train Depot | Prices vary

The fourth annual Newnan Robert Burns Scottish Heritage Weekend Celebration features a variety of activities celebrating Newnan’s ties to its sister city of Ayr, Scotland. Enjoy Celtic music, dance, food, drink and more. The annual event is hosted by the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society, Newnan Cultural Arts Commission and The Order of the Tartan Chattahoochee Hills. For more, visit newnanrobertburns.com, newnancowetahistoricalsociety. com, stop by Newnan-Coweta Historical Society’s McRitchieHollis Museum at 74 Jackson Street in Newnan, or call 770.251.0207.

FEBRUARY

HOME • LIFE • AUTO • BANK

Coweta County

(770) 253-3649 19 Bullsboro Dr. Newnan, GA 30263

www.facebook.com/CowetaCountyFarmBureau 60 | www.newnancowetamag.com

2019 Run for Angels and Angel’s House Chicken Q

First United Methodist Parish Hall, Newnan | 7 a.m. The 5K/10K Road Race and One Mile Fun Run is the largest annual fundraiser for The Angel’s House. The event annually attracts more than 1,000 participants from across the Southeast, and both the 5K and 10K courses are certified as Peachtree Road Race qualified. Register by Jan. 22 to guarantee receiving a run T-shirt. Early Registration ends January 23: 1 Mile Fun Run, $15; 5K, $25; 10K, $35. Add $5 for late registration. Held in conjunction with the run, the Angel’s House Chicken Q features $10 chicken que plates from Huckleberry’s. Drivethru and walk-in lines open at 10 a.m. or dine at the church parish hall. Purchase Q tickets online until January 28 at theangelshouse.org.

coweta calendar

Tara Winds

The Nixon Centre for the Arts 3 p.m. | $15-$20

Tara Winds is an all-adult symphonic band celebrating more than 30 years of excellence in musical performance. Tara Winds is composed primarily of musicians from Metro Atlanta but draws its membership from instrumentalists throughout Georgia. For more, visit thenixoncentre.net, call 770.254.2787 or email john.molettiere@cowetaschools.net.

7-10 14-17

‘The Love List’

Newnan Theatre Company Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. $10-$17

In this saucy adult comedy by Norm Foster, Leon and Bill concoct a list of attributes of the ideal woman—the Top 10 best qualities in a mate. When this allegedly “ideal woman” actually arrives on the scene, the men quickly learn that their list could use a few revisions. Be careful what you wish for, especially in choosing a mate. This old adage leads to hilarious results in Foster’s comic hit. For more, visit newnantheatre. org/2018-19-season.

Coweta Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet Coweta County Fairgrounds 6:30-8:30 p.m. | $35

Held at the New River Hall and Kitchen in the Fairgrounds Exhibit Building at 275 Pine Road, the annual Hall of Fame Induction Banquet gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Purchase tickets at the Convention & Visitors Bureau in the Historic Courthouse in Downtown Newnan or by calling 706.672.2311.

College Bound?

Think West. Are you ready to take the next step on your educational journey? Think - a 645 acre campus - home to more than 80 degree opportunities, 150+ student organizations, and countless ways to make your mark. Where you can get a quality education taught by some of the greatest faculty minds around. And all in your back yard. Come experience West. Schedule a visit to see campus, meet current students, and faculty members. You’ll get important information about the application process, financial aid, housing, and more. We look forward to seeing you. Daily Campus Tours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am and 2:00 pm

Grits Hits: A Jazz Tribute to The Gold Record Artists from The South The Nixon Centre for the Arts 7 p.m. | $15-$20

Saturday Tours: Check online for availability. Preview Day: January 27 For details and registration visit westga.edu/visit.

Gwen Hughes newest project, Grits Hits: A Jazz Tribute to The Gold Record Artists from The South, features an educational look at the history of American music and its impact on the rest of the world. For more, visit thenixoncentre.net, call 770.254.2787 or email john. molettiere@cowetaschools.net.

Chattahoochee Valley Poultry Association Annual Show and Swap Meet

15-16

Coweta County Fairgrounds | Free Held at the county fairgrounds at 275 Pine Road, the annual

january/february 2019 | 61

coweta calendar — continued

H Hillcrest Chapel Funeral Home

Higgins

1 Bullsboro Dr. | Newnan, GA 30263

770-253-4723

LaGrange Chapel Funeral Home

100 Corporate Plaza Dr. | LaGrange, GA 30241

706-884-7117

poultry show and swap meet features a bevy of birds strutting their stuff, plus accessories for sale as well as jams and jellies, arts and crafts, and concessions. Vendors are welcome to set up for the swap with no pre-registration required, but participants must register for the show. Georgia residents who wish to sell birds must have a permit from the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Gates open Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. For more, visit cvpa-newnan. org or call Tonya Massengale at 770.851.2103 or Bryan Massengale at 770.900.1669.

770.435.7474

auto lockouts

• flat bed towing • winchouts

770-253-8767

229-C Greenville St. Newnan, GA 30263 Credit Cards Accepted NEWNAN, GA

www.charlieswrecker.com

16 Jefferson Street • Newnan, GA 62 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Newnan-Coweta County Airport 7-10:30 p.m. | $110-$7,500

This 12th annual event benefits the Newnan-Coweta Boys and Girls Club and the Howard Warner Boys and Girl Club. With limited seating, the black tie event gets underway at the airport’s Thomas Enterprises Hangar and features a live and silent auction, entertainment, dinner and drinks. Tickets go quickly, so purchase early. Cost is $110 for individuals; $195 for couples; and partnerships range from $250 to $7,500. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit www.cowetaoscarnight.com or call Ginger Queener at 615.330.7442 or Lori Stephens at 770.328.0760.

Vega String Quartet The Nixon Centre for the Arts 7 p.m. | $15-$20

The Vega String Quartet, Quartet-in-Residence at Emory University, is cultivating a new generation of chamber music lovers through dynamic performances and innovative community engagement. The quartet performs both nationally and internationally. For more, visit thenixoncentre.net, call 770.254.2787 or email john.molettiere@ cowetaschools.net.

MARCH

3 If you would like information about how to promote your products or services in Newnan-Coweta Magazine, please call 770.253.1576 or email to advertising@newnan.com.

Newnan-Coweta Annual Boys and Girls Club Oscar Night Gala

Tapestry: The Carole King Songbook Show The Nixon Centre for the Arts, Newnan 3 p.m. | $15-$20

Tapestry, the Carole King Songbook is the premier musical tribute to Carole King. The show recreates the sound and vibe of a 1970s King concert following her legendary album, “Tapestry.” Impeccable attention to detail is taken in recreating a respectful and accurate musical presentation of piano and vocals. You’ll feel the earth move under your feet. For info, visit thenixoncentre.net, call 770.254.2787 or email john. molettiere@cowetaschools.net.

We Proudly Announce

A state-of-the-art community for Newnan, Coweta County seniors

magine a Seniors’ Community where your every need is anticipated while your independence is fully respected. Rather than a one-size-fits-all of activities, Monarch House residents are free to chart their own course every day, with the comfort of knowing help is there at a moments notice when needed. A staff of caregivers with warm hearts and an appreciation of each resident as an individual with life experiences that could easily be transcribed into best sellers, we are so very proud and humbled to serve our residents.

With only 41 private suites and our resident family growing steadily each day, we encourage you to reserve a private tour! To arrange a private tour, call 678-552-9867 or text 404-433-4113 vic@monarchhouse.net

299 Bullsboro Dr., Ste. 100 • Newnan, GA 30263 678-552-9867 • www.monarchhouse.net

Abandoned as pu

ppies, all three

Photo by Sam

Photo by Gary of Gary Wilson’s Wilson he al th y an d ha ppy dogs enjoy with him in Mt. watching footba Carmel. ll

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Pace, om, Samantha m ir e th r fo se acks. Ava, 4, po Alivia, 10, and on Coweta County train tr

Photo by Jodie Astin Reese, “mentally stores locations Jodie Astin says her fiancé, Richardbac so I can take pictures,” of places he wants to take me ksetoon Gordon Road. including this old farmhou

submit your

photos

Email us your photos of life in and around Coweta County and we may choose yours for a future edition of Blacktop!

Photos must be original, high-resolution (300 DPI) digital photos in .jpg format, at least 3”x 5” size. Please include your name so that we can give you credit for your photo in the magazine!

Photo by Laurie Mattingly

This fall sky in Coweta County is a work of natural art. 64 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Email your photos with the subject “Blacktop” to the address below.

magazine@newnan.com

EXPERIENCE DOWNTOWN NEWNAN visit our website for event schedule & business listings

WWW.MAINSTREETNEWNAN.COM

a Rapholtz Photo by Patrici

nes, in ghter, Haven Jo au dd an gr r he Church. took this photoatofMoreland United Methodist tz ol ph Ra ia ic tr h Pa mpkin patc October at the pu

The silos on Smokey

Photo by Jodie Ast in

Road evoke peace in

a pastoral setting.

INDEX

of advertisers Affinis Hospice...........................................6 Ansley Park.................................................2 Atlanta Gastroenterology.................... 29 Ave Maria Academy.............................. 10 Bella Center Beauty and Spa....................................................51 Berkshire Hathaway.............................. 68 Cancer Treatment Center of America................................................3 Carriage House....................................... 34 Charlie’s Towing .................................... 62 Christian Brothers Automotive.............8 Christian City.............................................9 Coweta Cities and Counties Employees Federal Credit Union..... 32

find us HERE

In addition to our advertisers at left, pick up your copy of Newnan-Coweta Magazine at the following locations and several other businesses throughout Coweta County! Berkshire Hathaway Cancer Treatment Center of America Carnegie Library Coweta County Visitors Center

Leaf and Bean Little Giant (Hwy. 29) NCM magazine box

(inside historic courthouse downtown)

The Newnan Times-Herald Piedmont Newnan Hospital Publix Redneck Gourmet RPM Patio Pub & Grill Senoia Post Office Senoia Welcome Center Summit Healthplex and YMCA Truett’s Chick-fil-A

(corner of Jackson St. and North Court Square)

Coweta Public Library System Fabiano’s Pizzeria Georgia Mercantile Georiga Touring Company Grantville Library Hemrick’s Hogansville Library Insignia Living of Georgia LaFiesta Mexican Restaurant

next ISSUE Magazine Advertising Deadline

Coweta-Fayette EMC............................67

January 30, 2019

Digestive Healthcare of Georgia, P.C.........................................5

Next Publication Date: March 1, 2019

If you would like information about how to promote your products or services in Newnan-Coweta Magazine, call 770.253.1576

Double Bar H Stables.............................11 Edward Jones.......................................... 66 Fine Lines Art & Framing..................... 32

Investing is about more than money.

Georgia Bone & Joint............................ 35 Georgia Farm Bureau............................ 60 Higgins Hillcrest Chapel....................... 62 Insignia Living of Georgia........................7

At Edward Jones, we stop to ask you the question: “What’s important to you?” Without the insight and a real understanding of your goals, investing holds little meaning.

Jack Peek's Sales.......................................7 Kemp’s Dalton West Flooring............. 55 Lee-King Pharmacy................................47 Main Street Newnan............................. 65 McMaster BBQ....................................... 54 Monarch House...................................... 63 North Georgia Turf.................................51 The Print Shop Gallery......................... 13

Contact your Edward Jones financial advisor for a one-on-one appointment to discuss what’s really important: your goals.

StoneBridge Early Learning Center.....................................51 Treasures Old & New............................ 39 United Bank............................................. 50

Jennifer E. Camp, AAMS Jennifer E Camp, AAMS®

Financial Advisor

Wesley Woods of Newnan.................. 13

53 Main StreetSuite B Senoia, GA 30276 Suite B 770-599-3981 Senoia, GA 30276 770-599-3981

MKT-8275B-A-AD

University of West Georgia.................61 West Georgia Boat Center.....................4 Yellowstone Landscape........................ 62 66 | www.newnancowetamag.com

53 Main Street

www.edwardjones.com

Member SIPC

Trusted. Dependable. Innovative. Trusted. Dependable. Innovative.

POWERFUL POWERFUL PARTNER PARTNER

CowetaFayette Fayette EMC employees Coweta EMC employees are are members, parents, volunteers members, parents, andand volunteers justlike likeyou. you. Our employees just Our employees are are dedicated providing your homes dedicated toto providing your homes and and businesses with safe, reliable power businesses with safe, reliable power while forgetting their reason why.why. whilenever never forgetting their reason CFEMC more than keep the the lights CFEMCdoes does more than keep lights on. We give you the power to plug into on. We give you the power to plug into your family, friends and neighbors.

your family, friends and neighbors.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the CFEMC difference.