PHOTO GALLERY
Wednesday, January 9, 2013 April 22, 2015
Easy and Affordable. Available 24/7.
MyConnection Published every Wednesday and delivered free by The Newnan Times-Herald
Find photos of local sports, events, celebrations, plus more! Newnan High vs. North Cobb High
East Coweta High vs. McIntosh High
Thousands of photos to choose from at
Check Out the Classifieds on Page 7
photos.times-herald.com
Naturalist eager to ensure park reaches its potential By CLAY NEELY clay@newnan.com
T h i s su m mer, Ch at t ahoochee Bend State Park will turn four years old, and Jade Suster is ready to celebrate. As the park’s naturalist, her love of the outdoors and desire to work for the D e p a r t m e n t of Na t u r a l Resources has made her new job a great f it. Since coming aboard in January, she feels the potential of the relatively new state park is continuing to reveal itself. Stating her love of connecting people with nature, she’s currently finding new ways to create programs that reach visitors of all ages and experience levels. As the weather continues to warm, she’s excited about the unveiling of new ideas and programs. “My job is to get a solid programming foundation happen i ng,” Suster sa id. “People have been in my position in the past, but they were short-term. This is a great challenge for me and it’s such a fantastic job to have.” Since early March, Sus-
PHOTO BY CLAY NEELY
ter’s weekends have been filled with hosting various new programs. Wildflower h i kes , f it ness h i kes a nd moonlight hikes, all hosted by Suster, are just a small sampling of what the park has in mind for the upcoming season. “We’re really hoping to integrate some strong background courses in primitive skills, trampling and bow drilling workshops,” Suster said. “But we also will offer a lot of basic trail g uide st u f f l i ke m a k i n g f i re s , basic camping practices, and just helping people to
get friendly with their state park.” For Suster, the park symbolizes something fa r greater than just new activities. Sitting on nearly 3,000 acres with seven miles of frontage along the Chattahoochee River, the park is a wealth of untapped opportunity that Suster is eager to discover in her role as naturalist. Recently, Coweta County announced its intention to add a 1 .6 -m i le multi-use trail at the park. The county will be using a $500,000 grant that is part of a $2
million grant authorized in 2004 for the Chattahoochee Hill Country Regional Greenway Trail. “We have miles of trails but we’ve also done quite a bit of ‘off-trail’ hiking,” Suster said. “With the spring, you get a little more visibility than you would normally get in the summertime when the foliage is thick. People seem to really enjoy it.” “Full Moon Hikes” are held monthly and also offer participants a unique perspective of hiking the park by moonlight. Suster packs
Prior to becoming the Chattahoochee Bend State Park naturalist, Jade Suster worked for the National Audubon Society in Chicago. “I’ve always loved this part of the country,” she said. “I feel that this park has so much potential.”
a small telescope that currently offers clear views of Jupiter. T he presence of t he Ch at t a ho o che e R iver i s another prospect the staff is attempting to maximize. Suster is optimistic the park will soon be able to shuttle people who are renting boats. “We have many people asking about it,” Suster said. “We’re putting our heads together and hope to have a
solution soon.” Ideas for the river include a possible Rubber D uck race and a fall festival with vendors and a multitude of activities for Labor Day. In the meantime, Suster and the rest of the staff at the park are brainstorming ideas that will keep folks coming back. “I want to give our visitors the best experience possible,” Suster said. “This park belongs to everyone.”
A TASTY recipe using a culinary classic Family Features From the classics of yesterday to favorites on the table today, peanut butter is a delicious ingredient enjoyed in recipes generation after generation. “Whether it features creamy or crunchy peanut butter, is a snack your grandmother made, a side
Cole Croteau with family members at last year’s Soles For Cole 5K. This year’s event will be held on May 30. Pictured are, left to right: cousins Maddox Tucker and Annette Tucker, Cole, grandmother Madeline Daly, cousin Paige Tucker, and father Eric Croteau.
Golf tournament, 5K benefits upcoming Two major benefits for the Cole’s Cystic Fibrosis Family Foundation include the third annual Cole’s Commanders Golf Tournament to be held this year on May 2, and the third annual Soles For Cole 5K to be held on May 30. T he tourna ment will be held at Orchard Hills Golf Course, 600 Ga. Hwy. 16, Newnan. Shotgun start is at 2 p.m. Cost is $80 per person.
For more information, visit www. colesCFFamilyFoundation.org, or the Cole’s Cystic Fibrosis Family Foundation page on Facebook. The third annual Soles For Cole 5K will be May 30 at Ashley Park. Sign-in begins at 7 a.m. with the race at 8. Registration is $25, which includes a T-shirt. Register at www.SolesForCole.com or on Active.com.
Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour • 2 cups old fashioned oats • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon salt • 2 cups unsalted butter, chilled, cut up • 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar • 1 cup creamy peanut butter • 4 teaspoons vanilla extract • 2 eggs • 3 cups honey-roasted peanuts • 2 (10-ounce) packages peanut butter chips • 2 (8-ounce) packages of
Years of research help create years of memories. CanCer InstItute
dish your dad loved to cook at the holidays, or even a main entree you love serving your family on a busy weeknight, we want to honor your go-to, time-honored recipe,” said Leslie Wagner, executive director, Southern Peanut Growers (SPG).
toffee bits or 12 (1.4-ounce) bars milk chocolate toffee, such as Heath bars, chopped Whisk flour, oats, baking soda and salt in medium bowl and set aside. Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl at medium speed 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in peanut butter and vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, beating just until combined. At low speed, beat in flour mixture just until combined. Stir in peanuts, peanut butter
chips and toffee bits. Cover and refrigerate 2-3 hours or overnight. Heat oven to 375ºF. Li ne cookie sheet with parchment paper. Gently form into balls and flatten slightly to about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thickness. Freeze dough on baking sheets for 10 minutes or until firm. Bake about 12 minutes or until light brown on edges. Cool on baking sheet on wire rack 3 minutes. Place cookies on rack to cool completely before storing.