September 23, 2015
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Recycling
By SARAH FAY CAMPBELL sarah@newnan.com
PHOTO BY SARAH CAMPBELL
Last year, Eagle Scout Sean McCarthy was surprised to notice there were no recycling bins at the Coweta County Fair. He set out to change that.
When Sean McCarthy was at the Coweta County Fair in 2014, he noticed there were no recycling bins for the many drink bottles that were thrown away. “I noticed there were just trash cans. I was like – are they recycling?” McCarthy said. McCarthy said he was a bit surprised that there were no recycling bins at the fairgrounds. “At most places, there’s one located right next to the trash can,” he said. At the time, McCarthy was taking an environmental science class through his homeschool co-op, and had already done two environmental projects working toward the prestigious Hornaday Awards. The awards, founded in 1914 by Dr. William T. Hornaday, reward Boy Scouts who do service projects in conservation and environmental stewardship. It takes three projects to qualify to receive the bronze medal. With a fourth project, which McCarthy is in the early stages of planning, he can try for the silver medal. McCarthy asked a few of his friends who had been to the fair if they had noticed the lack of recycling bins, and they had. So he sta r ted ma k i ng phone ca lls to county officials, including Director of Event Services Tray Baggarly.
comes to fairgrounds
“I found that it would be quite possible” to get bins at the fairgrounds – as long as he could find a way to get them paid for. McCarthy talked to his Hornaday advisor about the project and was given the go-ahead, so he started doing paperwork and trying to find out how to pay for the bins. He ended up talking to someone at Buffalo Rock, the local Pepsi distributor. “And they ended up deciding to pay for those containers – which is very generous of them,” McCarthy said. The recycling bins will be in place for the 2015 Coweta County Fair, which starts Sept. 24. But they won’t only be there for the fair. They’ll stay in place for other events at the fairgrounds, McCarthy said. McCarthy’s Eagle Scout project, which was also his first Hornaday project, was building and installing bat boxes to create a bat habitat at the Jim McGuffey Nature Center at the fairgrounds. His next one was removing saplings to improve the habitat for the endangered longleaf pine at the Gerald I. Lawhorn Scout Base/Camp Thunder in Molina. When the hardwoods were removed and the project completed, McCarthy said the young longleaf pines were around four feet tall. W hen he visited recently, “some were over 15 feet.” McCarthy was looking to do his
What’s
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fourth project at the fairgrounds, too. There are some erosion issues caused by stormwater runoff on one of the nature center trails. But that project turned out to be “quite massive.” Even if McCarthy could get it done, he wouldn’t be able to do it in time for his 18th birthday in May. And his Hornaday projects have to be done before he turns 18. So now he’s looking at a project dealing with unauthorized trails at the Line Creek Nature Center in Peachtree City. Some of the trails will be improved, while others will be closed. “It’s going to be completely funded, which is really cool,” McCarthy said. “Everyone in the Flint River Council really wants me to get this done, so they’re helping me.” He hopes to have that project done by the end of the year. McCarthy and his b r o t h e r, C o r m a c , are members of Boy Scout Troop 2193 at Cokes Chapel United Methodist Church. Both McCarthys appeared before the Coweta County Commissioners. Cormac was honored with a proclamation for his Eagle Scout project, which consisted of removing invasive plants from multiple areas at the McGuffey Nature Center. Sean gave a presentation on his recycling project.
INSIDE
Recipe fo Sweet and r Pork Mini- Spicy Kabobs ➤
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SIMPLE WEEKNIGHT MEALS YOUR WHOLE FAMILY WILL LOVE FAMILY FEATURES PHOTO BY JEFF LEO
Artist Peter Tudhope paints in the open studio space in the Gray Cottage in downtown Newnan.
By MAGGIE BOWERS maggie@newnan.com
Newnan, with its antebellum homes and unique community appeal, has become a destination for artists. And because of a new program, more painters, sculptors and even poets will be coming to
the county seat – and staying awhile – to share their talents with the public. The city has recently established an artist-in-residence program (NAIRP), and has restored Gray Cottage in the historic downtown district for Newnan’s creative guests to reside while visiting. The
home is located on Cla rk Street near the McRitchieHollis Museum. A rtist-in-residence programs provide artists a free place to live within the community, and they are some-
ARTIST, page 3
As you “fall” back into your routines and school is back in session, the pace of your home life has likely become a bit more hectic. When it’s nearing the dinner hour and you’re crunched for time, avoid the temptation of a drive-thru window or microwavable meal. Instead, opt for savory and satiating dishes using fresh ingredients that will deliver delicious results in no time. One simple way to spend less time cooking and more time catching up on the day’s events is to use an easy meal helper, such as Smithfield Seasoned Fresh Pork. Seasoned with a variety of fresh flavors like Peppercorn & Garlic, Teriyaki or Garlic & Herb, it’s the perfect base for any weeknight meal whether you’re grilling, roasting or sauteing. Seasoned fresh pork can also be sliced into medallions or cubes for faster cooking, so you can have dinner on the table in as little as 10 minutes. Plus, it’s packed with protein and made from 100% fresh
pork, so you can feel good about feeding it to your family and friends. For a hassle-free weeknight meal, try a sweet and spicy kabob with Peppercorn Garlic Seasoned Pork Sirloin, crunchy bell peppers and juicy pineapple. Complete the meal with a serving of hot couscous and steamed broccoli. For more family-friendly and time-saving recipes, visit www.Smithfield.com.
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4-H ANIMAL EXHIBITS
Always a big hit for young and old alike! Bring the family out to see a variety of animals including goats, miniature donkeys, miniature horses, llamas, rabbits, chickens, ducks, cattle and more!
Sept. 24 -Oct. 1, from open until 9:00 p.m. Agriculture Building
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