MarchApril NCM_2017

Room

Makeover DRAMATIC BEFORE & AFTER

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MARCH | APRIL 2017

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Editor

William W. Thomasson Marianne C. Thomasson Walter C. Jones Debbie Brady

Creative Directors

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Contributing Writers

Kandice Bell

Sandy Hiser, Sonya Studt

Maggie Bowers

Sarah Fay Campbell

Kelley Frenkel Pittman

Susan Mayer Davis

Annie Singh-Quern

W. Winston Skinner

Photography

Matt Bish

Maggie Bowers

Sarah Fay Campbell

Susan Crutchfield

Sara Moore

Glenn Rayfield

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CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE

44

MARCH-APRIL 2017

our

70

features 16 | Slowing Down the Speed of Life

48 | Why Coweta?

34 | Home Cookin’

70 | Hidden Treasure

When life took a turn for Glenn Rayfield, he turned to photography.

These Coweta cooks share tips for making eating at home a special occasion.

12 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Friendly neighborhoods, rural gems, modern townhouses, Coweta has something for everyone.

Dunaway Gardens blends a yesteryear charm with a modern vision.

in this issue

34

14 | From the Editor 15 | Roll Call 22 | Living Local

26 | Coweta Homes 56 | Focus on Community 60 | Day Trip 66 | Coweta History 78 | Coweta Gardener 86 | Coweta Scene 88 | Blacktop 90 | Index of Advertisers 90 | What’s Next

on the cover

Ashley Giles’ steak au poivre and bread pudding make dinner at home a foodie's dream. ➤ page 34 Photo by Matt Bish

FROM THE EDITOR

Growing Where You’re Planted

C W HOLESA LE GROCERS

FEED • WILD GAME • LAWN & GARDEN Restaurant Supplies • Janitorial Supplies concession supplies • grocery

oweta County is home to so many lovely historic homes, modern new construction and every type of dwelling in between, there’s a home for every taste.

This diversity of lifestyle is one of things that draws residents here as we found when Maggie Bowers asked Cowetans “Why Coweta?” Read her full article to find what other factors make readers choose to make their home here.

Spring has teased us all winter with occasional 70-degree, bluesky days, but now it’s here to stay, and it’s time to think about gardening. Don’t have space at home to garden? No worries, read about the New Leaf Community Garden in Newnan where you can rent a raised bed and put your green thumb to work or volunteer in the garden to help feed your neighbors.

If you’d rather just admire Mother Nature’s glory than dig in the dirt, head out to Dunaway Gardens and enjoy the rock and floral garden that has been a botanical work in progress since 1934.

It has a rich history, but current events are pretty interesting, too, as they work to develop a locally sourced, organic tea business.

If you’re like me, you can get sucked into an afternoon of binge watching HGTV and daydreaming about how to re-decorate or remodel your house. Read how some of your neighbors have personalized their homes. Whether it’s a major remodel or small improvements, the first step is deciding to just do it!

One of the great things about Coweta is that our neighbors are fascinating folks — they are geniuses in the kitchen, wizards behind the camera and just plain good-hearted. I hope you enjoy getting to know your neighbors.

Two of the articles in this issue were initiated by submissions to our Blacktop photography section — proving that some of our most interesting stories come from our readers. I’d like to hear from you about your neighbors, your local travels and what you’d like to learn more about. Please email magazine@newnan.com and tell me what’s on your mind.

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Debbie Brady, Editor

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SUSAN CRUTCHFIELD is a photographer and photojournalist living in Coweta County, where she has lived since she was 7. She owns Susan Crutchfield Photography, which specializes in wedding and family photography, and is a cofounder of Coweta Life, a digital publication exploring the best of Coweta and the surrounding counties.

She also is the photographer for the Newnan Theatre Company and began doing freelance photography for The Newnan Times-Herald in 2016. This issue’s shoot has a special connection for Susan, since she and her husband Russell were married at Dunaway Gardens 10 years ago.

In her spare time, Susan voraciously consumes books and fine foods, and enjoys spending time with (and regularly snapping shots of) her husband, dog and two cats. ➤ Make It Your Space, page 26 and Hidden Treasure, page 70

“As a writer and artist, it is the charm of small town living that has always appealed to me. It is often said that ‘home’ is where the heart is, and it seems that my heart, my work, and my family thrive in an environment rich with history, the beauty of nature, and the fellowship found in a strong community.”

MAGGIE BOWERS is Features Editor at The Newnan Times-Herald and spends her working hours covering all that is appealing in Coweta, from local arts and entertainment to the unique and personal stories of fellow community members. In her spare time, creativity continues to reign, both in raising two teen-aged daughters and in her love of oil painting. ➤ Why Coweta?, page 48

Spring Open House • March 30 • 6-8:30 PM Breakfast with the Easter Bunny & Egg Hunt • April 15 • 10 AM-Noon Photo by: Timothy Fernandez Photography

MARCH-APRIL 2017

ANNIE SINGH-QUERN finds purpose in her writing by connecting the people in her articles with those who read the stories. Having traveled to over 25 countries on five different continents, she has learned that universal truths transcend cultures over land and ocean.

Whether it is through the lens of our own eyes or through the lens of the camera, we are faced with opportunities to exercise courage, compassion, humility and non-judgement, just to name a few. The only difference is in the choice we make to either move one step further in our journey in life, or remain where we are in our path. Ms. Singh-Quern now lives in Peachtree City with her two young children, both of whom were born overseas. ➤ Slowing Down the Speed of Life, page 16

KELLEY FRENKEL PITTMAN has been a resident of Coweta County for 17 years, living in both Sharpsburg and Newnan. Kelley is a seasoned writer, marketing / communications manager, event planning and management professional.

As a graduate of Emory University with a BA degree in Psychology, Kelley has shared her knowledge and skills in such places as Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., The Georgia Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta, and served as Guest Relations Manager at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel.

She has also had the privilege to work with several nonprofit organizations which she finds extremely inspiring, humbling and gratifying. She currently works as a Marketing Manager in Peachtree City. In her free time, Kelley enjoys spending time with her husband, Scott Pittman, and their “four legged” children (two dogs, a cat and a parrot that talks — a lot!). Kelley enjoys other creative outlets such as jewelry making, pet sitting, serving as a wedding officiate, shopping at thrift stores for those “awesome finds,” taking photographs, and watching wildlife. ➤ Hidden Treasure, page 70

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The morning of Nov. 5, 2013 began like any other.

Cherry Rayfield was up getting ready for her golf outing with friends. Glenn nestled for another few minutes in the warmth of the bed listening to his wife move around the closet. Today, for some reason, she was fussing over the choice of golf shirts, and they both laughed about how spoilt she was for choice. By now, Cherry was a good 15 minutes behind schedule and was about to reach for the fourth top when she heard her husband call out sharply to her.

“Cherry, turn off the lights and come over here!”

“I’m having a stroke, Cherry,” Glenn Rayfield muttered, his eyes locked in an unfocused stare, increasingly unresponsive to his wife’s anxious questioning.

Seconds later, darkness gushed into his consciousness, and Glenn slumped over the bed.

R.G. Rayfield had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke at 59. Cherry prayed hard for a miracle during the seemingly endless nights in the intensive care unit, hoping that her husband would wake up to be the healthy, active man she had shared her life with for 35 years.

Finally, doctors announced Glenn’s prognosis. The left side of his brain had bled causing such significant damage that it prevented signals from reaching muscles and nerves in his face and limbs to perform their various functions. His speech was slurred, and his auditory input and processing were compromised.

He had lost the entire use of his right hand. And he could walk only with the assistance of a brace on his right leg.

Before that life-altering morning, Glenn was living the high life of early retirement, his days a whirlwind of scheduled activities. Following a morning walk with Palmer, the family English Setter mix of 16 years, Glenn would head out before midday for a 18hole game with his golfing buddies. In the afternoon, he would throw an occasional line out on the pond at the back of their home, hoping to bring a catch up to

Written by ANNIE SINGH-QUERN Photographed by GLENN RAYFIELD

Young female Cardinals strut about with their parents each morning for breakfast at the back deck feeder of the Rayfield home.

This Phragmipedium Orchid sports an abstract appearance. Glenn Rayfield used photo-editing software, to create the coloring effect.

the house for dinner. Just before dusk, Palmer would accompany his owner on the golf course, where they scouted for lost golf balls.

Now the Rayfields were returning home from the hospital, unaware that the tempo of their lives was going to change. Daily activities especially were a physical and emotional workout that tested patience and resilience. “What would take the average person 15 minutes to do, it took 1.5 hours just to get Glenn to get up from bed, dress, eat breakfast and back to bed again. We were forced to slow down the way we lived,� admitted Cherry.

In time, the couple saw the blessings of living in the moment. Cherry began to realize that the small things were really the big things — her husband finally able to hold the 18 | www.newnancowetamag.com

In the shade of an oak tree, the Red-Shoulder Hawk scouts with his companion for their next meal. The pair also favors the pond in the back yard bordering the golf course.

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door open for her again, his only functional arm circling her shoulders and occasional laughter rings sweet music to her ears.

Glenn was determined to regain some level of his active lifestyle. He began by learning to use his left hand. Coming to grips that he could never golf or fish again, he sought out photography, a pastime from his high school and early adult years.

Glenn’s first digital camera purchase came one Our Doctors year after his stroke. Determined and patient, he Our Physician Assistants Jack H. Powell, III, M.D. learned the basics of digital photography, from Beth Fleming, P.A.-C. George M. Ballantyne, M.D. manipulating different camera settings, changing Our Doctors Jared Shafer, P.A.-C. Michael P. Gruber, M.D. Our Physician Assistants out the lens, attaching the camera to the tripod, Jack H. Powell, III, M.D. Chad M. Kessler, M.D. Darron Baham, P.A.-C. Beth Fleming, P.A.-C. George M. Ballantyne, M.D. downloading pictures to a laptop, exploring Michael V. Cushing, M.D. Rusty Smith, P.A.-C. Our Doctors Jared Shafer, P.A.-C. Michael P. Gruber, M.D. editing techniques, downloading photographs to a Jayson A. McMath, M.D. Lee Davis, P.A.-C. Our Physician Assistants Jack H. Powell, III, M.D. Chad M. Kessler, M.D. Darron Baham, P.A.-C. USB drive, and following directions at a kiosk to David J. Heinsch, M.D. Our Doctors Beth Fleming, P.A.-C. George M.D. MichaelM. V.Ballantyne, Cushing, M.D. Rusty Smith, P.A.-C. develop his prints. Seemingly simple steps for the Our Ph Jack H. Powell, III, M.D. Jayson P. A. Gruber, McMath,M.D. M.D. Jared Shafer, P.A.-C. Michael Lee Davis, P.A.-C. average person who would have the privilege to Beth Fl George M. Ballantyne, M.D. Newnan DavidM.J.Kessler, Heinsch,M.D. M.D. Chad Darron Baham, P.A.-C. use both hands.

1755 Highway 34 East, Suite 2200 Michael P. Gruber, M.D. Jared S Michael Rusty Smith, P.A.-C. Newnan, V. GACushing, 30265 M.D. Yet the enjoyment of taking photos remained Chad M. Kessler, M.D. Darron (770) 502-2175 Jayson A. McMath, M.D. Lee Davis, P.A.-C. elusive. Glenn was limited in the number of trips Newnan Michael V. Cushing, M.D. Rusty S O RTHO PA E DIC E XC E L LE NC E . EXCEPT IONAL CAR E. David Heinsch, Peachtree City he could make from the house down to the edge 1755 Highway 34J.East, Suite M.D. 2200 Jayson A. McMath, M.D. www.GeorgiaBoneandJoint.org Lee Da 4000 Shakerag Hill, Suite 100 Newnan, GA 30265 of the water in a day without exhausting himself.

David J. Heinsch, M.D. Peachtree City, GA 30269 (770) 502-2175 Call today for an appointment!

His problem-solving mind went to work, and days (770) 626-5340 Newnan ORTHOPA E DIC E XC E L LENC E . EXCEPT IO NA L CA R E. Our Doctors Peachtree City later, he came up with the solution — gut the 1755 Highway 34 East, Suite 2200 www.GeorgiaBoneandJoint.org Our Physician Assistants Newnan Jack H. Powell, III, M.D. 4000 Shakerag Hill, Suite 100 Newnan, GA 30265 insides of a golf bag and attach it to a motorized Peachtree City, GA 30269 1755 Highway 34 East, SuiteReplacement 2200 (770) 502-2175 Ankle | Back | Elbow | Foot | Hand | Hip | Joint | Knee | Neck Call today for an appointment!

Beth Fleming, P.A.-C. George M. Ballantyne, M.D. cart to transport his camera and tripod. Cherry (770)Our 626-5340 Newnan, GA 30265 Doctors | Shoulder | Spine | Sports Medicine | Wrist Jared Shafer, P.A.-C. Michael P. Gruber,Pediatric M.D. Orthopaedics ORTH OPA E DIC E XCE L LE NCE . EXC EPTIO NAL C ARE. helped fill the bag’s pockets with accessories and Peachtree Our Physician Assistants Jack H.City Powell, III, M.D.(770) 502-2175 Chad M. Kessler, M.D. Darron Baham, P.A.-C. www.GeorgiaBoneandJoint.org 4000 Shakerag Hill,M. Suite 100 M.D. with a folding chair mounted to the side, Glenn Beth Fleming, P.A.-C. George Ballantyne, O RTHO PAEDIC EXC EL Peachtree City Peachtree City, GA 30269 Michael V. Cushing, M.D. Rusty Smith, P.A.-C. today for anP.A.-C. appointment! was ready to go, unassisted!

Ankle | Back | Elbow | FootM.D. | Hand Call | Hip |Jared Joint Shafer, Replacement | Knee | Neck Michael P. Gruber, www.GeorgiaB Shakerag Hill, Suite 100 (770)M.D. 626-5340 4000 Lee Davis, P.A.-C. ChadOrthopaedics M. Kessler, Peachtree M.D. Darron Baham, P.A.-C. Cherry noted in her journal, ”One determined Jayson A. McMath, Pediatric | Shoulder | Spine | Sports Medicine City, GA 30269 Call| Wrist today fo David J. Heinsch, M.D. Michael V. Cushing, M.D. Rusty Smith, P.A.-C. (770) 626-5340 man — golf bag loaded on his motorized push Jayson A. McMath, M.D. Lee Davis, P.A.-C. cart now holds his tripod with camera, phone, Ankle| |Elbow Back || Elbow Foot | |Hand Hip |Replacement Joint Replacement | Knee | Nec Ankle | Back Foot || Hand Hip | | Joint | Knee | Neck David J. Heinsch, M.D. water and chair. He’s headed out to take pictures.

Newnan Pediatric Orthopaedics | Shoulder | Spine | Sports Medicine | Wrist Pediatric Orthopaedics | Shoulder Spine| Elbow | Sports Medicine Ankle | |Back | Foot | Hand| |Wrist Hip | Joint Re I love Glenn, his determination and willpower.”

1755 Highway 34 East, Suite 2200 Newnan Newnan, GA 30265 Pediatric Orthopaedics | Shoulder | Spine | Sp The back yard of the Rayfield home is a 1755 Highway 34 East, Suite 2200 (770) 502-2175 haven for Glenn’s photography subjects. Birds Newnan, GA 30265 ORTH OPA E DIC E XCE L LE NCE . E XCE PTIONA L CA RE. (770) 502-2175 of different species seek temporary refuge in the Peachtree City www.GeorgiaBoneandJoint.org ORTHOPAEDIC EXCELLE NCE. E XC E PT IO NAL C ARE .

4000 Shakerag Hill, Suite 100 trees and on the pond. The same two flaming-red Peachtree City Peachtree City, GA 30269 www.GeorgiaBoneandJoint.org Call for an appointment!

4000 Shakerag Hill, Suitetoday 100 cardinals frequently hover at the bird feeder by the (770) 626-5340 Peachtree City, GA 30269 Call today for an appointment! shed, while a hawk comes to rest comfortably on a

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forked branch throughout the seasons. Among the visiting feathered friends, are finches, starlings, Ankle | Back | Elbow | Foot | Hand | Hip | Joint Replacement | Knee | Neck Ankle | Back | Elbow | Foot | Hand | Hip | Joint Replacement | Knee | Neck Pediatric OrthopaedicsPediatric | Shoulder | Spine | Sports Medicine | Wrist Orthopaedics | Shoulder | Spine | Sports Medicine | Wrist

Photo by Cherry Rayfield 20 | www.newnancowetamag.com

and brown thrashers.

Glenn recollects, “I took my first picture of the hummingbird. I was surprised that the viewfinder found the bird and that I was lucky I captured the hummingbird’s image. As I have become more proficient, I noticed light movement, feeding and flight patterns.”

Glenn spends each day relishing in his renewed hobby. He may spend hours in his chair down by the pond, observing each landing and flight.

Sometimes he rises early enough to catch the warming light from the morning sun. On a cool day, he may sit by the window in the sunroom, seeking the faintest of activity in the back yard.

He points his camera to capture the slightest flutter in a split second. It’s not uncommon for him to collapse in exhaustion at the end of the day,

content and proud that he harvested one perfect image of the hundreds taken.

With over 10,000 photos captured by his lens, Glenn began to take an interest in art-related community events in the Coweta area through The Newnan-Times Herald newspaper and Newnan-Coweta Magazine.

Cherry would accompany her husband to events on the square, and through networking, the couple was introduced to Jenny Jones, the owner of The Corner Art Gallery in downtown Newnan. Some of Glenn’s photographs are now on display in the shop while others have found their way in the homes of proud neighborhood residents.

Over 40 months have passed since that eventful November morning that

Be our Guest!

changed their lives forever, and Cherry and Glenn Rayfield continue to take serious steps to live in the blessings

that followed. Being able to see and

capture the raw beauty around him has beckoned Glenn and Cherry to travel in their RV to explore the beautiful

wildlife on the Georgia coast. Living healthily is still the couple’s No. 1

priority while dark days remain short thanks to the unwavering support

from family and friends. The married couple’s devotion to God will remain

central in their daily lives. Cherry and Glenn Rayfield know very well how

critical it is to cherish their simple daily moments, for in shutter-fast speed, it could be changed in a flash, forever.

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Written by SUSAN MAYER DAVIS | Photographed by SARA MOORE 22 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Behind the national marketing campaigns, inside the hundreds of mega stores and obscured by media attention — if you look a little deeper, you will find a warm, caring heartbeat in one of America’s largest corporations. In Newnan that company is Walmart, and the person who knows it best is Brian Ziifle.

Ziifle, the oldest of three children born to Helen and Bob Ziifle, has Down syndrome and is bilaterally hearing impaired. He has worn hearing aids for his profound hearing loss for most of his life. When he was born in 1974, an elderly doctor told his parents that his future was “hopeless,” and recommended they sign him over to an institution immediately.

Instead, his parents determined early on to focus on Brian’s strengths instead of his weaknesses. When

Brian Ziifle delights Sapphira MeElwaney with the new Mr. Potato Head when she visited the toy department with her mother, Maria McElwaney of Fairburn. (top) Ziifle shows his obvious pride in his neatly organized toy department at Newnan's Walmart. (bottom)

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LIVING LOCAL

Twenty years ago, Newnan’s Brian Ziifle received vocational counseling through Jim Burke of the Georgia Department of Rehabilitation. Now, both the Rutledge Center and Pathways in Coweta County offer “Supportive Employment” (and other services) to those with developmental challenges.

The two non-profit organizations work with each other, sometimes sharing clients and employers as they work to supply the best support for the individuals in the areas of transportation, coaching, skills training, counseling and evaluation. Ann Newton, director of supportive employment with the Rutledge Center, gratefully acknowledges some of the most involved corporations, in addition to Walmart, who hire and train those with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities, including: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Piedmont Healthcare Mike Fitzpatrick Ford Kroger Wesley Woods Coweta County School System Publix Junction Lanes Buffalo Rock/Pepsico

There is no way to know how many individuals have been helped by services such as these, as many people find jobs on their own, and there is no central database to record the information.

However, hats off to the employers who listen to their hearts and hire those who just want to show what they can accomplish when given the opportunity.

Source of information: Ann Newton, Director of Supportive Employment at Rutledge Center, 770-263-1189.

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Brian was only 4 months old, his parents drove 120 miles daily from their home in Spartanburg, SC, to the closest school that offered an infant-stimulation program. In 1976 when Brian was 2, his parents traveled to Georgia when Bob was considering a new job in the area. They agreed if they did not find an appropriate program for Brian, his dad would not accept the job offer.

They stopped in the little town of Newnan with slim hopes of finding a program for Brian. Much to their delight, the Ziifles found exactly what they needed in an Infant Stimulation Program administered by the Open Door Training Center, which now operates as the Rutledge Center. As Brian grew he befriended many merchants in town, including Connie at the old Brother’s store and Earlene Scott of Scott’s Books.

Brian attended many regular classes at school, earned his Eagle Scout award, and excelled in statewide tennis and bowling competitions sponsored

by Special Olympics. After graduating from Newnan High School, Brian and his parents sought full-time employment with benefits for him to develop his independence and a more secure financial future. That is where Walmart came in.

Twenty years ago, Jim Burke of the Georgia Department of Rehabilitation, serving as Brian’s vocational counselor, arranged for an interview with Walmart on behalf of Brian who was 21 at the time.

He had previously worked part-time at C&D Pizza and Chick-fil-A, but he needed more hours and benefits. Burke arranged an interview, but Brian earned a job in the toy department on his own merits.

Brian’s mother Helen, remarked, “You know how everyone wishes they could make a difference in someone’s life? Well, Jim Burke can say that he did that for Brian. He helped him reach his full potential, and we are so grateful.”

Two decades later and Brian’s supervisors still rave about his performance. “I wish every employee was like him,” said the regional manager at Brian’s 20-year celebration in April. “He embodies what Walmart wants from their associates. I feel so good after visiting him that I don’t even need my wife to tell me how wonderful I am for at least a week.”

What accounts for Brian’s work ethic and great attitude? His parents give much credit to the understanding and love given by the community and the Walmart supervisors. Brian, who owns his own condo and does his own laundry and other household chores, says that his secret is that he wakes up each morning by saying, “This is going to be a great day!” and it usually is. When asked what he likes about his

Brian and his mother, Helen, with Brian's best buddy and roommate at his condo, Belle.

job, he smiled and said, “I like keeping everything neat and clean. I keep the toys looking good. And I love both my co-workers and the customers!”

“But don’t you get tired of children playing with the toys and leaving them for you to pick up?” his mother once asked him. After thinking for a minute, he replied, “Oh, no. Kids are supposed to play!”

Brian has two younger siblings, a sister who is in law enforcement, and a brother who is a chef in New Orleans. His father jokingly remarked that there were times when the younger two were rebellious teenagers, that he sometimes wished that — based on Brian’s behavior compared to theirs — they were more like Brian. NCM

When asked what he likes about his job, he smiled and said, “I like keeping everything neat and clean. I keep the toys looking good.

And I love both my co-workers and the customers!”

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COWETA HOMES

Make it

Your Space

HOME RENOVATIONS TAILOR YOUR HOME TO YOUR TASTES

H

ome remodeling expenditures in the U.S. are expected to reach $327 billion in 2017, according to a Harvard University report, so if you’re thinking of making some changes to your house, you’re not alone! A few hours (days more likely) on Pinterest and binge watching “Love It or List It” can inspire even the most contented homeowner to make a change.

Deciding to renovate is the easiest step in the process.

From there, things get more challenging. Many decisions are driven by budget, and even more are driven by personal aesthetics — the choices quickly become overwhelming to the average homeowner.

Lori Gillson Duncan

Written by DEBBIE BRADY | Photographed by SUSAN CRUTCHFIELD 26 | www.newnancowetamag.com

COWETA HOMES

march/april 2017 | 27

COWETA HOMES

“The first thing I really latched onto was the tub.

Once I saw it, I knew I had to have it, and it drove the rest of the design.”

— Maureen Smallwood

Maureen Smallwood's master bath was inefficiently designed and lacked any character or charm. The renovation focused on maximizing the space and giving it a warm, inviting appeal.

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COWETA HOMES

Lori Gillson Duncan, owner of Blue Fern Merchants, helps her customers navigate the decisionmaking and construction process. “Most people have a solid vision of what they want, they just need help fine-tuning their vision and finding the right products to make it come together,” Duncan said.

Maureen Smallwood of Newnan had a master bath that wasn’t attractive or functional. “It was difficult to clean — it took me an hour or more — and it wasn’t a useful space,” she said. The bathroom was circa 2000 contractor grade and didn’t have any charm or character.

Smallwood visited Blue Fern and started talking about what she would like to change. “The first thing I really latched onto was the tub. Once I saw it, I knew I had to have it, and it drove the rest of the design,” Smallwood said.

“Maureen was going to have that tub,” Duncan laughs. The stand-alone copper tub is a statement piece and the focal point of the renovated bathroom.

The new design has clean lines and functional space with high-end touches that give it a rich, warm feel.

Dual vanities, a large glass-enclosed shower and upgraded tile floors all complement the copper tub.

“It’s just such a great space now and so easy to clean.

COWETA HOMES

the

details

Details really pull a design together. These small touches add to the rich feel of the living space.

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COWETA HOMES

I’m in and out in just a few minutes, and it looks like new,” Smallwood said.

Locally sourced barnwood doors mark the transition between bathroom and bedroom, and Duncan provided recommendations on paint color and furnishings to tie the renovated space to the master bedroom.

Bathroom renovations consistently rank high on the list of most common and popular home renovations.

They also provide a strong return on investment.

According to remodeling industry statistics, bathroom remodels typically return about 60 percent on investment when homeowners sell.

Deena and Michael Wise also wanted to add personal touches to their lovely home north of Newnan. Their main living area had a soaring wall, but the original contractor-grade fireplace and basic mantle did nothing to make the space distinctive.

“I’m a wood guy. I grew up on a farm and just really like the warmth of wood,” Michael Wise said.

This aesthetic set the tone for a fireplace remodel that created a dramatic focal point for the room. “It transformed the room and warmed the space up. We are ecstatic with the result.”

The Wises worked with Duncan to create their vision for the fireplace and leaned heavily on her to

march/april 2017 | 31

“Most people have a solid vision of what they want, they just need help fine-tuning their vision and finding the right products to make it come together.”

— Lori Gillson Duncan

accessorize the room.

“They had many nice pieces already, and it was just a matter of finding chairs, art and soft goods that tied it all together,” Duncan said.

Duncan offers full service from concept to installation if that’s what her client wants. “Some people just don’t have the time or interest in finding contractors and overseeing the project. I work with local contractors to handle everything from demolition to finishing touches,” Duncan said.

If you have a vision for remodeling your home, here are a few things to consider. If it involves any structural changes — moving a wall or door for example — be sure to consult with a contractor to ensure it’s doable and the integrity of the structure won’t be impacted. Roger Miles of RDR Contracting in Newnan has been helping Coweta homeowners renovate for nearly 30 years. “I tell homeowners that a wall has six sides and you have to consider them all. There may be plumbing or electrical lines in it or

32 | www.newnancowetamag.com

COWETA HOMES

it may be load bearing,” he said.

“People watch HGTV and think you can build a house in 30 minutes. It really takes a lot of preplanning,” according to Miles.

Even a devoted DIYer can benefit from consulting with an expert. “Looking at the space and doing a floor plan can help save a lot of heartache. A homeowner can spend $300 on a consult up front and cut $3,000 off their expense. Planning is key,” said Miles.

Choose the features, colors, or textures that are most important to you and then design around them. If you can’t quite see it how to tie it together, don’t hesitate to consult an expert. Changes quickly

“I tell homeowners that a wall has six sides and you have to consider them all.

There may be plumbing or electrical lines in it or it may be load bearing.”

— Roger Miles add to the cost of a project so spending some of your budget for professional guidance can save you big dollars in the long run.

There are lots of statistics on how much different remodel projects return on the investment, but your most important return is your personal satisfaction in your living space, so follow your vision and enjoy the results. NCM

march/april 2017 | 33

34 | www.newnancowetamag.com

COWETA COOKS!

Chef Antoine Gaines prepares the vegetables for his famous Cajun shrimp linguine.

Cookin’ HOME

COWETA COOKS SHARE THEIR SECRETS OF TASTY FOOD

F

socialize, while filling their bellies ood is often said to be the way to with food pleasing to the soul. the heart because ANTOINE GAINES it connects friends, Antoine Gaines is a local chef who credits his love for cooking to simply moving out on his own and families and having to prepare his own meals. Gaines, who has five cultures. Local siblings, was used to homecooked meals, so he decided chefs Antoine Gaines, Ashley Giles he’d learn to make his own, not thinking it would turn a passion or even a career. and Barb Wetherington help bring into“One of the most exciting parts of being a chef is together families and friends to being creative and watching people eat your food and Written by KANDICE BELL | Photographed by MATT BISH

march/april 2017 | 35

COWETA COOKS!

Antoine Gaines

Lobster tail over Cajun Shrimp Linguine

enjoy it,” he said.

Gaines said he comes up with recipes himself and adds or subtracts ingredients to recipes he’s already tried.

“I’m self taught, so I just get in the kitchen and experiment,” he said. “I like to cook any and everything, but I would say my speciality is seafood. I’m very particular about cooking with fresh ingredients, which makes the food turn out delicious.”

Gaines said he also enjoys putting his special touch on pasta and chicken, citing his homemade Alfredo and Bourbon chicken as being favorites at events such as baby showers, corporate and private events.

“I cook for all types of events,” he said. “I even cook for individuals who just want a tasty meal.”

Gaines’ food had become so popular after all the hype from family and friends, that he would get requests from various individuals for a “plate by Antoine G,” which is when he 36 | www.newnancowetamag.com

realized that it was possible to follow his passion of providing good food and making money at the same time.

Along with his cooking skills, Gaines said his experience at Red Lobster for 10 years as a server helped his customerservice skills and making sure to follow all safety rules when it comes to cooking.

“I really learned that customer service is just as important as good food,” he said. “Whenever I cook for an event or a group of people, I consider it to be a privilege. There’s nothing more satisfying than having someone who has tasted my food and bragged about how good it was. My family and friends are also very encouraging.”

Nikki Henry recently hired Gaines for her baby shower, where she said guests raved about his seafood dish. “He was very professional, and the dishes were well-presented and tasted delicious,” she said.

“I’m self taught, so I just get in the kitchen and experiment. . . . I’m very particular about cooking with fresh ingredients, which makes the food turn out delicious.”

— Antoine Gaines

As for future plans, Gaines said he wants to eventually own his own restaurant. He already has first assistant chef, his son Dominic Antoine Gaines, who will be 1 year old in June.

ASHLEY GILES Ashley Giles wears many hats, as a horse trainer, Rodan and Fields entrepreneur and as a lover of cooking gourmet dishes.

Giles said her passion for cooking began when she was a child, citing her memories of cooking with her mom Pam and watching her create gourmet dishes.

“She and I love to cook together,” Giles said. “She got me a kid’s cookbook when I was around 10 years old. At that time, I was playing around in the kitchen, and when I got to be in my early 20s, I started to get more creative in the kitchen and make different foods.”

Giles’ mother, Pam Giles, agreed that she and her daughter enjoy cooking together and that her daughter’s cooking gets tastier with time.

“She’s my go-to person when we have the whole family together,” Pam said. “When we have the whole family, we have about 12 of us that come together. She always comes over to our house, and I depend on her getting here to get me organized. She makes the best turkey gravy. She’s just a really great cook.”

Ashley said she is doesn’t shrink from a challenge when it comes to food and the kitchen. In fact, the harder the better. “I’m not afraid to make anything,” she said. “The more unique the recipe the better.”

Ashley said she mainly cooks for her friends and family and dinner parties. “Cooking is something I really enjoy,” she said. “If I’ve had a really bad day, it makes me feel better. It’s march/april 2017 | 37

COWETA COOKS!

Chef Ashley Giles' most requested dish is her steak au poivre.

“Don’t be afraid to make something. The worst that could happen is you won’t like it and you’ll know what to do differently next time.”

— Ashley Giles

Ashley Giles

38 | www.newnancowetamag.com

great to be able to create something that people enjoy.”

Her two most requested dishes are steak au poivre, which is a steak with peppercorn in brandy cream sauce, and a bread pudding soufflé with a warm whiskey cream sauce.

Ashley said the key to the kitchen is to find a source for good recipes.

She prefers to use epicurious.com, a site that specializes in recipes for various dishes.

“It’s rated by home chefs, so you can look at what rating this is,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to make something. The worst that could happen is you won’t like it and you’ll know what to do differently next time.”

COWETA COOKS!

Giles seasons the steak for the recipe.

BARB WETHERINGTON Barb Wetherington has been serving her family, friends and neighbors with her Southern cooking for years, using her love and talent for cooking as a way to serve others.

“I spent many years finding elderly people in my neighborhood that lived alone and struggled to have good meals,” Wetherington said. “I would visit and make up stories about how I loved to cook and always made way too much food and thought I would drop by and share. It made them happy, and it made me feel like I had found a wonderful calling.”

Wetherington said food inspires her, making it easy to whip up meals and dishes.

“I truly enjoy cooking, and it seems to come easy to me,” she said. “I’m old-fashioned enough to believe that food is how we show someone that we love them. It is a gift from the heart.”

Wetherington also shares her recipes in the food section of The Newnan Times-Herald. She learned to cook in 1973 march/april 2017 | 39

COWETA COOKS!

recipe by

Barb

Barb Wetherington poses with her late dog, Miss Maggie.

from her neighbor, Miss Emma, when she moved into her first home in an Atlanta neighborhood.

“She was the tiniest black lady that I had ever met... about 4’10” tall and perhaps weighing 90 pounds soaking wet, and 83 years old,” she said.

Wetherington said she learned to cook after taking one of her home-cooked meals to Miss Emma, who gave her honest opinion about the meal.

“When you have friends like that, you never have any drama in your life,” Wetherington said. “Besides learning to cook from her, I also learned an important life lesson — always be just what you appear to be. On that particular day she simply said, ‘You

could use some cooking lessons.’ We both got a good laugh when I agreed.

So, we made a deal. I would buy whatever she told me to buy, and she would teach me how to cook it. And we would share the results. It worked out perfectly.”

Newnan Times-Herald Features Editor Maggie Bowers said she met Barb when visiting/covering a local craft fair.

“She is very creative, and we spent some time talking about the clothes and other items she hand-sews and knits, but then, somehow, we started to talk about food, and I found out that Barb is just as creative — and personable — in the kitchen as she is in other aspects,”

Bowers said. “She seems to really love sharing anything she creates. I love Barb’s contributions to the food section of The Newnan Times-Herald, and our readers adore her as well. She offers recipes that, truly, anyone can try at home, and she always has a great story to tell about her own family and friends enjoying the food that really brings it all together.”

Indeed, food brings families and friends together, and exploring different dishes and home cooks can enrich any meal by expanding their repertoire of go-to recipes. Start with trying the recipes from Antoine, Ashley and Barb, and don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen. NCM

I’m old-fashioned enough to believe that food is how we show someone that we love them. It is a gift from the heart.”

— Barb Wetherington 40 | www.newnancowetamag.com

The Loft at Due South A Special Event Center in Peachtree City, Georgia

Mississippi Potatoes oh-so-perfect fried potatoes

4 tbsp. bacon grease (You do save your bacon grease don’t you?) known in the South as liquid gold large white onion 1 6 medium potatoes

salt and pepper

garlic powder SautĂŠ the sliced onion in the bacon grease until golden over medium heat.

Slice the potatoes pretty thin and layer with the onions, being sure to season each layer with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

Stir often while cooking over medium heat while keeping the skillet covered between stirrings.

As the potatoes become soft, use a spatula to mash and break them up. The onions will caramelize and make it all taste divine.

THE LOFT at Due South combines the celebrated cuisine of Due South Southern Cuisine with a polished elegance that fuses perfectly for your special event. Our venue supports Rehearsal Dinners, Corporate Events, Wedding Receptions, All Day Meetings, and Family Events. THE LOFT at Due South is comprised of 3 separate rooms, The Main Ballroom, The Augusta Room (a/v equipped), and The Savannah Room (a/v equipped).

Two seated balconies offer a very unique perspective on the surrounding area.

Due South 770-629-5847 THE LOFT at Due South 678-251-2225 302 Clover Reach Peachtree City, Georgia 30269 Email: theloftatduesouth@gmail.com

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COWETA COOKS!

PREPARATION Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.

To make the bread pudding, combine the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs until smooth, then work in the heavy cream. Add the vanilla, then the bread cubes. Allow the bread to soak up the custard.

Scatter the raisins in the greased pan, and top with the egg mixture, which will prevent the raisins from burning. Bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes or until the pudding has a golden color and is firm to the touch. If a toothpick inserted in the pudding comes out clean, it is done. It should be moist, not runny or dry. Let cool to room temperature.

To make the sauce, bring the cream to a boil, combine the cornstarch and water, and add the mixture to the boiling cream, stirring constantly. Return to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds, being careful not to burn the mixture. Add the sugar and bourbon, and stir. Let cool to room temperature.

Preheat the oven to 350°F, and butter six 6-ounce ceramic ramekins.

YIELD Makes 6 servings To make the meringue, be certain that you use a bowl and whisk that are clean and that the egg whites are completely Bread Pudding: free of yolk. This dish needs a good, stiff meringue, and the 3/4 cup sugar egg whites will whip better if the chill is off them. In a large 1 tsp. ground cinnamon bowl or mixer, whip the egg whites and cream of tartar until

Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg foamy. Gradually add the sugar, and continue whipping until 3 medium eggs shiny and thick. Test with a clean spoon. If the whites stand 1 cup heavy cream pure vanilla extract (use a high-quality up stiff, like shaving cream, when you pull out the spoon, the 1 tsp. meringue is ready. Do not overwhip, or the whites will break

extract, not an imitation) down and the soufflé will not work. day-old French bread, cut into 5 cups In a large bowl, break half the bread pudding into pieces

1-inch cubes (see Note) using your hands or a spoon. Gently fold in a quarter of the 1/3 cup raisins meringue, being careful not to lose the air in the whites.

Whiskey Sauce: Place a portion of this mixture in each of the ramekins.

1 1/2 cups heavy cream Place the remaining bread pudding in the bowl, break into 2 1 tsp. cornstarch pieces, and carefully fold in the rest of the meringue. Top off 2 tbsp. cold water the soufflés with this lighter mixture, to about 1 1/2 inches 1/3 cup sugar over the top edge of the ramekin. With a spoon, smooth and 1/3 cup bourbon shape the tops into a dome over the ramekin rim.

Bake immediately for approximately 20 minutes or until Meringue: golden brown. Serve immediately. Using a spoon at the table, 9 medium egg whites, at room temperature poke a hole in the top of each soufflé and spoon the room1/4 1 tsp. cream of tartar temperature whiskey sauce into the soufflé.

3/4 cup sugar Note: New Orleans French bread is very light and tender. y b e p ci Outside New Orleans, use only a light bread. If the bread is re y too dense, the recipe won’t work. We suggest Italian bread as Ashle the most comparable.

Bread Pudding Soufflé with Whiskey Sauce

42 | www.newnancowetamag.com

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Leading West.

Partner. Innovator. Creator. Economic Driver.

Leader. The University of West Georgia is more than a nationally recognized educational institution.

UWG connects with local schools to create synergy in preparing students for college. And UWG works closely with area employers to ensure that our graduates are prepared to meet the region’s workforce needs.

UWG’s leadership – in online curriculum development, the expansion of services for veteran and adult learners, and UWG Newnan – creates opportunities for more members of our community to Go West, earn degrees, and change the direction of their futures.

Learn more about how UWG is leading West at westga.edu.

Go West. It changes everything.

44 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Southern Fried Corn Jim’s all-time favorite way to eat corn

4 slices of bacon 10 to 12 ears white, yellow or bi-color corn on the cob, shucked, cleaned and scraped off the cob with the juices (called milk). OR if corn is out of season or you are short of time, you can buy a large bag of frozen shoe peg or Silver Queen corn in the grocery store.

1/2 tbsp. granulated sugar 4 tbsp. butter 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half and half if it’s

what you have — cooks must be flexible!)

black pepper salt In a large skillet, chop bacon and cook until crisp.

Remove and set aside on a paper towel, reserving the drippings in the skillet.

While that is cooking, clean the corn and cut off the tops of the corn kernels. Using the blunt side of the knife, scrape the remaining pulp and milk from the cob (or thaw your frozen corn in the microwave). Sprinkle the corn with the sugar and set it aside.

In the same skillet that you fried your bacon in, add the butter to the bacon drippings and melt over medium heat. Add the corn and the cream. Reduce heat to very low and cook about 30 minutes until tender. Add salt and pepper and prepare to be wowed and to impress your family.

recipe by

Barbara

1690 Hwy 34 E • Newnan

recipe by

Steak Au Poivre

Ashley

YIELD Makes 4 servings ACTIVE TIME 35 min. TOTAL TIME 35 min.

4 (3/4- to 1-inch thick) boneless beef top-loin (strip) steaks (8 to 10 oz. each) 1 tbsp. kosher salt 2 tbsp. whole black peppercorns 1 tbsp. vegetable oil 1/3 cup finely chopped shallots 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces 1/2 cup Cognac or other brandy 3/4 cup heavy cream Preheat oven to 200°F. Pat steaks dry and season both sides with kosher salt.

Coarsely crush peppercorns in a sealed plastic bag with a meat pounder or bottom of a heavy skillet, then press pepper evenly onto both sides of steaks.

Heat a 12-inch heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over moderately high heat until hot, about 3 minutes, then add oil, swirling skillet, and sauté steaks in two batches, turning over once, about 6 minutes per batch for medium-rare.

Transfer steaks as cooked to a heatproof platter and keep warm in oven while making sauce.

Pour off fat from skillet, then add shallots and butter (2 tablespoons) to skillet and cook over moderately low heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until shallots are wellbrowned all over, 3 to 5 minutes.

Add Cognac (use caution; it may ignite) and boil, stirring, until liquid is reduced to a glaze, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add cream and any meat juices accumulated on platter and boil sauce, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, 3 to 5 minutes. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and cook over low heat, swirling skillet, until butter is incorporated. Serve sauce with steaks.

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y h W COWETA

A stroll through downtown Newnan is akin to a short walk through the history of the city, as the streets are filled with unique homes built in decades long past.

?

WHAT MAKES ONE SMALL COUNTY HAVE SUCH LARGE APPEAL

A

sk any number of residents in Coweta County why they choose to hang their hats in the seemingly quiet, small towns nestled together just under 40 miles outside of Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bustling capital, and each will likely offer a different explanation. From fishing to golf, from horse farms to trendy shops, from live theater and concerts to innovative restaurants and lively nightspots, the county boasts a wide range of entertainment in addition to a variety of living spaces, including sprawling farmsteads and loftstyle homes with an urban feel. But, what is it, exactly, that draws outsiders in and keeps most long-time locals from straying?

Written and Photographed by MAGGIE BOWERS 48 | www.newnancowetamag.com

WHY

FOCUS ON GROWTH

“It is tucked away in the perfect location. We can get to the airport in 20 minutes and the interstate is easily accessible.”

— Yetta Richardson “It’s all about the location,” explained Yetta Richardson, a construction-loan specialist at United Bank in Newnan.

Richardson has been in the banking business for more than 30 years and maintains that locale weighs heavily on the housing and building industry.

Richardson described Coweta as a “gem,” noting that clients make the claim regarding the county’s hidden value often.

“It is tucked away in the perfect location,” she said. “We can get to the airport in 20 minutes and the interstate is easily accessible.”

Newnan resident Amanda Holbird said closeness to the major thoroughfares is important to her family. She and her husband moved to Coweta more than a

decade ago. Holbird has since become a stay-at-home-mom while her husband took a position in Atlanta.

“What has kept us in Coweta is our love for the downtown area and our proximity to the airport,” Holbird said, noting that her husband travels often.

The commute, she noted, is much easier from this county than in many other areas surrounding the capital.

But, it isn’t the ease of leaving that is appealing to locals. Instead, it’s being in close proximity to a major metropolis like Atlanta, without actually residing there. Many residents find that living in the area is akin to being in a small town or in the country, while enjoying all of the conveniences of city-living. This

particular aspect of the community is especially attractive to families.

“Family is a driving force in the continued increase in population,” Richardson explained. “The county has a reputation of being a good place to raise children. It is the whole ‘it takes a village’ sentiment.”

Despite exponential growth in business and industry, the county has managed to maintain what many might call “Southern charm.”

Real estate agent Aimee McBriar agrees the sense of community draws many to Coweta. The Josey, Young & Brady agent focuses on selling residential properties in Newnan and surrounding areas, in addition to calling the county

Many residents agree that what is most appealing about Coweta is the opportunity to enjoy the best of two worlds. The county offers the option of country living, while still being able to enjoy the conveniences of city life.

50 | www.newnancowetamag.com

home. McBriar noted that she enjoys getting to know buyers on an individual basis in order to identify their specific needs.

“Many purchases are driven by the schools,” McBriar explained. “Schools are important. You want your children to go to nice, welcoming schools.”

Luckily with Coweta County, every city has great schools and amazing teachers, McBriar added.

The city a family chooses within the county is based on family size and other personal needs, in addition to lifestyle, according to Richardson. Despite the recent construction of townhomes in historic Newnan and loft-style living in several areas, the loan specialist noted that many buyers are seeking a bit more space.

“What I am seeing more of now is people moving out of subdivisions and into homes with acreage,” she explained.

“People want to spread out and be less cluttered like in a neighborhood.”

Land, according to Richardson, can be a bit pricey in the county. But, for those who can afford larger spaces, the trend is moving toward building larger homes and simply enjoying nature. It is just a preference, Richardson added, some buyers want to spread out and have gardens and trees rather than close neighbors.

Local Shelley Romey said after leaving her home state of Texas, she and her family looked at several different areas in the Atlanta metro area.

“Coweta County felt most like home,” Romey explained. “It is the friendliest and had the ‘country close to the city’ feel like what I had known my whole life in Texas.”

Romey and family ultimately chose to build a home in Two Rocks, on the edge of the county. The area includes large portions of land that are well-suited for pilots, like Romey’s husband who works for Delta Airlines.

“We have been saving for 15 years to purchase our own plane, and we were so happy to learn there was a community like this here,” Romey said. “We have just over 5 acres with ponds, wildlife, places to walk and hike, and a grass runway over 3,000 feet.”

Due in part to the large expanses of land left intact, many areas in the county remain open and green. The countryside, according to McBriar is what makes cities like Moreland and Senoia, “the best kept secrets in Coweta.”

“Places like Moreland aren’t as busy and offer a slower pace,” McBriar said. “But, these areas are still close to Newnan and close to the interstate.”

The secret of Senoia, however, is quickly becoming more widely known. Recognized often as the primary filming spot for the AMC television series, “The Walking Dead,” the city has undergone significant revitalization and is more in demand to

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march/april 2017 | 51

FOCUS ON GROWTH

Two side-by-side townhouses recently erected in downtown Newnan are, to many, a perfect example of the county's all-encompassing offerings. The Savannah-style condominiums are located just outside of the busy city square, in a housing landscape of both old and new homes.

submitted photo

“Coweta is a little bit country, a little bit of a small town.

But it is filled with a nice combination of new business, local restaurants, shopping and entertainment.”

— Chip Barron

buyers than ever.

City development officials have been working toward creating an 11-acre residential space within Senoia’s historic district, located on the site of the former McKnight Cotton Gin property. The space will include lofts, townhomes, brownstones, and singlefamily homes all designed to be a living backdrop for future filming, in addition to offering buyers one-of-a-kind spaces.

The opportunity to discover something truly unique brings people to the county seat of Newnan as well, according to Chip Barron, co-owner of Lindsey’s Realtors since 1974.

52 | www.newnancowetamag.com

“Newnan has so many wonderful, historic homes,” Barron said, noting that the history of the city and of the county as a whole adds to its overall appeal to newcomers and long-time residents alike. “These homes offer so much charm and uniqueness, there truly is only one of each.”

Barron said the only downfall in the market in Newnan is the lack of inventory. There are fewer than 700 homes available in the city, he said, and many more potential buyers. Following the recession in 2008, new residential development nearly stopped completely, leaving the “City of Homes” with a

shortage of dwellings to offer. The situation appears to be changing, according to Barron, though it will take time.

“We are starting to see developers coming in,” Barron said. “More houses coming on the market now as well.”

Spring, he added, is the best-selling season for real estate.

Also on the market in downtown Newnan is what many consider to be a prime example of what makes Coweta special. Two Savannah-style townhomes have been erected just outside of the city square.

The side-by-side structures were

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FOCUS ON GROWTH

placed in what was previously a commercially zoned lot barely a block from the city’s popular restaurants and boutiques. The addition seems a study in the juxtaposition between old and new.

The townhomes were listed on the high end of the market at nearly $500,000, but the builders and area realtors agree that the the demand for housing is there, and diversity is valuable. One has already sold.

“I love the city, the town, and the exciting things that happen all around [the county].”

— Renea Lynn

Once thought to be a well-kept secret, the city of Senoia has undergone significant revitalization and is becoming a popular destination for Coweta buyers. Like Newnan, the city boasts lofts, brownstones, and other modern structures alongside historic single-family homes.

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The county continues to attract all types of buyers, Barron said. “Coweta is so lucky to have three major hospitals, the University of West Georgia campus and West Georgia Tech,” Barron said. “There is no doubt the county will continue to grow and will remain a great location for many types of people.”

Barron added that realty agents are seeing buyers from all over the U.S. looking for homes in Coweta.

“Coweta is a little bit country, a little bit of a small town,” Barron said. “But it is filled with a nice combination of new business, local restaurants, shopping and entertainment.”

Local resident Renea Lynn, said she has traveled all over the nation with her military family but eventually made her way back to the place she is proud to call home. Lynn found the city of Newnan in 1999 when she and her husband drove from Fort Benning to adopt a puppy.

“I fell in love with the town and how it had so much history and beautiful homes,” Lynn said. “We left Georgia and moved to Alaska, and from there we moved to California.”

After her husband received his last set of orders returning the family to Georgia, Lynn knew the family was Coweta-bound. Atlanta wasn’t for her, she explained, but she knew she’d be “happy to move back to Alan Jackson’s hometown.”

“I love the city, the town, and the exciting things that happen all around [the county],” she added. Lynn is currently attempting to persuade her parents to join her in Coweta County. NCM

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FOCUS ON COMMUNITY

f a e L New munity m CoGarden GROWING VEGGIES AND SUSTAINING OUR COMMUNITY Written and Photographed by DEBBIE BRADY

56 | www.newnancowetamag.com

G

ardening doesn’t have to be a solo pursuit; New Leaf Community Garden lets gardeners combine their love of growing plants with nurturing our community.

Founded in 2013 on a small plot tucked just off the square on Salbide Avenue, the sustainable community garden serves its mission of educating, feeding and nourishing the people of Newnan.

GROWING The garden is divided into three sections. The section fronting Salbide Avenue has 38 raised beds that are available for rent to gardeners who may not have an

appropriate garden spot at home. These gardeners lease the bed annually and use it to grow whatever their heart desires.

The only garden requirement for these plots is to garden consistent with organic practices.

A few of the 4x8 foot raised beds are reserved on scholarship for low-income gardeners. In late January, these beds are some of the most active in the garden. Filled with collards, cabbage and other winter vegetables, these plots will yield food for their tables.

A handful of toy cars in the corner of one bed and a bright purple birdhouse perched in the corner of another are reminders that gardening is about more than cultivating plants. Young families can share an activity that nourishes the body and the mind as children learn how vegetables make their way to their plates.

Michael and Erin Durand have rented a raised bed for the last year and found they’ve really enjoyed their plot. “We have a garden at home, but to be honest our raised bed does better. Our kids love it, and it gives us a reason to go for a walk through downtown to water and weed the garden.”

When asked if they will continue, Michael said, “I don’t think we will let it go. It’s really been a great way to be more involved in downtown.” march/april 2017 | 57

FOCUS ON COMMUNITY

Raised bed renters grow food and memories when they make their gardening a family affair.

EDUCATING The opportunity to learn about gardening isn’t limited to those families who rent beds. A core part of the garden’s mission is educate young people about wholesome, locally grown food. The garden hosts tours for school groups and clubs.

“We have a strong focus on exposing young school kids to gardening organically. They are often astounded to be able to pick something and eat it right there in the garden,” said Kim Bish, current chairwoman of the garden’s board of directors. “We hope that experience stays with them and they embrace organic practices if they take up gardening.”

“Despite a negative perception, organic practices are not that difficult to implement, and the advantages are worth it,” Bish said. New Leaf Community Gardeners use organic seeds to start their own seedlings, and the garden also produces compost using kitchen waste from individuals and some local restaurants.

58 | www.newnancowetamag.com

The garden’s board and volunteer ranks include master gardeners, educators and other professionals. Their expertise is the garden’s greatest asset, and their labor is what keeps the garden going.

“Our biggest need is physical labor,” Bish said. It takes many hands to plant, weed, mulch, water and harvest the garden. Additional volunteers are always welcome, and there are other tasks outside the garden that need volunteer help as well.

Social media and community outreach are just two areas where volunteers are needed.

SHARING About two thirds of the garden is communal. These areas are used to grow produce that is donated to local food banks and ministries. Bridging the Gap is one of the beneficiaries of the garden’s bounty.

The original vision of the garden was a sustainability section to generate produce for market. While some restaurants still buy produce from the garden, the board

decided last year to focus on sharing produce rather than selling it. “Focusing on our food donations has worked out well,” said Bish. “Our sponsor support has been critical to allowing us to focus on giving our community members access to healthy food from a sustainable garden.”

The garden will also benefit from a Eagle Scout project that will expand composting capabilities. The expanded composting area marries art with function as many of the panels used to make bins were painted by the Newnan High School Art Club.

Gardens are for growing, and the New Leaf Community garden is growing more than plants; it’s growing community, compassion and sustainability as well.

NCM

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Day Trippin'

HEAD TO

MACON for a day of FAMILY

FUN Written by SARAH FAY CAMPBELL

Whether you love history, music, the outdoors, science, sports or architecture, Macon has something for you. Oh, and plenty of great food and shopping, too. Just a little over 90 minutes from Newnan, Georgia’s fourth largest city makes a fantastic day trip — though there is so much to do, you might need to stay a few nights — or visit often.

60 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Macon has a vibrant downtown, a variety of museums, and a rich history — particularly a rich musical history as the home of Otis Redding, left, the Allman Brothers Band, and Little Richard.

Photos courtesy Macon Convention and Visitors Bureau

Getting there is simple — take Ga. Hwy. 16 east through Senoia and Griffin to Interstate 75. Head south, and there you are. If you’re on the north end of Coweta, taking I-85 north to 285 to I-75 South can be a quicker option, depending on traffic.

Macon is the home of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the Allman Brother’s Museum at the Big House, and the Otis Redding Mini Museum at the Otis Redding Foundation. Upcoming events include the Cherry Blossom

Festival, March 24 to April 2, and the Spring Spirit Strolls in historic Riverside Cemetery, also March 24 to April 2.

The city is chock full of museums, but if you want to spend the day outdoors, there’s the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, an 11-mile path along the river, and tours of Riverside Cemetery and Rose Hill Cemetery.

Music and theater buffs can take in a show at one of several performance venues, including the historic Douglass Theater, where Otis Redding was discovered, Grant’s Lounge, “the march/april 2017 | 61

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Macon’s Ocmulgee National Monument has been continually inhabited for 17,000 years. The visitor center contains over 2,000 artifacts and tells the history of the site. There’s also a replica of a portion of the earth lodge, above. At top is the entrance to the earth lodge itself.

original home of Southern Rock,” and The Grand Opera House.

Downtown has shopping and dining, and impressive late 19th and early 20th century architecture. Grab a chili dog at Nu-Way Weiners, founded in 1916, or dolmades and gyros at the Greek Corner Deli. Nu-Way has several locations, but the original is currently closed because of fire damage.

Macon’s biggest attraction — in more ways than one — is the Ocmulgee National Monument. Ocmulgee has been continually inhabited for 17,000 years, and the mound complex and earth lodge are approximately 1,000 years old. When you enter the earth lodge, you’re transported

Macon’s Nu-Way Weiners, founded in 1916, is the country’s second oldest hot dog chain, and is famous for its chili dogs.

Photo courtesy Macon Convention and Visitors Bureau

back to 1015, when the lodge was the meeting chamber for the leaders of the Mississippian tribes of the Macon Plateau. While the lodge itself was reconstructed in 1937, the white clay floor, with seats for each council member, is original.

There are five accessible mounds at the main site. From the great temple mound, you can take in a great view of the Macon skyline. In addition to the mounds, there are 6 miles of trails around the site, including wetlands trails and access to a creek, river and pond where fishing is allowed for those with a valid license.

Because the mound complex is sacred ground, picnicking and other recreational activities are not allowed on the mounds themselves.

There is a picnic area and short bicycle trail. The visitor center contains over 2,000 artifacts and extensive information about the mound site and the cultures that have occupied it. The monument is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, every day except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is free. Visit nps.gov/ocmu/ index.htm for information. Spring, fall

Editor’ s Note We plan to make day trips a regular feature.

Please send your ideas — either places you like to take your family or places you’d like to learn about — to magazine@newnan.com.

and winter are the best times to visit — hiking the Great Temple Mound in the summer can be a bit unpleasant.

There are several special events and programs throughout the year. Lantern light tours, complete with costumed characters, will be held March 24, 25, 26 and 31 and April 1 and 2. Admission is $5 per person.

The 2017 Ocmulgee Indian Celebration will be Sept. 16 and 17.

Clearly, Macon can be your destination for several engaging day trips suited to your family’s interests. To learn more about everything in Macon, visit the Macon Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.maconga.org or in person at 450 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. NCM

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Museum thebighousemuseum.com The “Big House” was the home of the Allman Brothers Band, their roadies, friends and family from 1970 to 1973. It’s now a museum housing the largest collection of Allman Brothers band artifacts and memorabilia. It’s open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

64 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Is one of your kids a budding archaeologist or scientist? They’ll love the Museum of Arts and Sciences. The museum includes a 40-million-year-old whale fossil known as Ziggy, and you can dig for fossils in the “Ziggy Dig,” part of the Scientist’s Workshop.

There’s also the Dream Room, Humanist’s Study, Artist’s Garret and Mini Zoo, the planetarium and observatory, and “Science on a Sphere.”

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 3 to 17, $7 for students with ID and $8 for senior citizens and military.

Tubman Museum tubmanmuseum.com

If history is your passion the Tubman Museum is worth your time. It’s the country’s largest museum educating people about the art, history and culture of African Americans. The museum was founded in 1981, and a new, larger facility opened in 2015. Permanent exhibits include the signature mural, the Inventors’ Gallery, exhibits on local and Georgia African American history, a folk art collection and exhibits from black artists of Georgia. The Tubman hosts the 21st annual Pan African Festival of Georgia April 28-30. New this year will be the Pan African Film Festival.

Museum admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and $6 for children 3 to 17.

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Sports fans will enjoy the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. The current facility opened in 1999 and includes 14,000 square feet of exhibit space, over 3,000 artifacts, and a Hall of Fame corridor honoring over 400 inductees. It’s the largest state sports hall of fame in the country.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, military and students, and $4.50 for children.

Hall of Fame

The

HAY House hayhousemacon.org

Several historic Macon homes are museums, including The Hay House, an 18,000 square foot Italian Renaissance Revival style mansion, built in the 1850s. Tours are available Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

Another historic home open for tours is the Cannonball House, which was struck by a cannonball during the Civil War and features a Civil War museum and artifacts from Wesleyan College.

It’s open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Admission is $4-8. cannonballhouse.org NCM

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newnantire.com march/april 2017

| 65

Grand Ole Opry stars Grandpa Jones and Minnie Pearl look like they are ready for a festive country meal.

Courtesy The Nashville Network

66 | www.newnancowetamag.com

COWETA HISTORY

Written by W. WINSTON SKINNER

Ophelia Colley Cannon loved Dunaway Gardens.

When efforts began to restore the rock gardens in the 1980s, I called her to talk about the project. She endorsed it wholeheartedly because it was at and through her experiences at Dunaway Gardens that young Ophelia Colley created a country persona, Minnie Pearl, that brought her fame.

Wayne P. Sewell and his wife, Chautauqua star Hetty Jane Dunaway Sewell, began operating a home talent theater company in the 1920s. Sewell was a businessman whose ideas often were unorthodox — and profitable. He had bought out relatives to obtain full title to his family’s antebellum plantation near Roscoe, and his Arkansas-born wife bought large stones from neighboring farmers and oversaw the transformation of the cotton farm into a lovely rock garden.

Sewell’s home talent theater hired young women as acting coaches. The coaches came to Dunaway Gardens each summer, learned short musical plays written by Hetty Jane Sewell and then scattered across the South. They would put on the plays in small towns, with the production sponsored by a civic club or school group. The coach would try to cast prominent local folks — the mayor, the doctor, the police chief — in roles in the humorous plays to boost ticket sales. The coach and the group would split the ticket money, and she would send her trunk of costumes ahead of her and trek to another town.

The coach of the coaches was Marjorie Hogan, Mrs. Sewell’s niece. When Marjorie married Hammond Hatchett, she suggested her aunt hire a talented coach from Centerville, Tenn., to spend the summer teaching the plays. Ophelia Colley had a degree from Ward-Belmont and a dream of becoming a serious dramatic actress. There was, however, an economic depression going on, and she was glad for the job.

Coaches were often asked to speak at the local Rotary Club ahead of a performance of a Sewell play, and they also had to stay wherever they could on the road. In one Alabama town, Ophelia Colley spent the night with a mountain woman. She was so charmed with her hostess’s unique country ways that she began to develop a persona for her civic club talks. Thus, Minnie Pearl was born.

In the late 1930s, she was home in Tennessee for a visit and was asked to do her Minnie Pearl act for a banker’s convention.

That performance led to connections with WSM-AM. She auditioned and became part of the Grand Ole Opry in 1940.

The country gal with the price tag on her hat was a long way from the dramatic roles that had filled Ophelia Colley’s dreams, but the Opry was a good job. She told me that she had not really listened to the Opry a lot until she was hired to work there, although her father was a fan.

She became an icon of the country music industry. For 40 years, she brought Minnie Pearl to concerts halls, theaters and state fairs. She recorded albums, and appeared in a couple of movies. She became a regular on “Hee Haw” and even played roles in a couple of episodes of “The Love Boat.”

In later years, she wrote a memoir and reflected that the march/april 2017 | 67

COWETA HISTORY

“I’ll never forget the hospitality of the folks around Roscoe, and I needed it. I was really on my own then.”

This house in Roscoe was the dormitory where Ophelia Cannon and other Sewell coaches lived during the summers when they learned plays, songs and dances.

Sewell years were clear in her mind. Those days had been a joyful, youthful time of exploration — a step between her childhood and youth in Centerville and then 40 years of performances that often ran together in her memory.

Mildred Holdridge, who remembered Ophelia Colley from her days in Roscoe, wrote to her occasionally. In a 1982 response on stationery headed “Minnie Pearl,” Ophelia Cannon offered a reflection on those long ago days at Dunaway Gardens. “I’ll never forget the hospitality of the folks around Roscoe, and I needed it. I was really on my own then.”

While Minnie Pearl was forever looking for a “feller,” Ophelia Colley found hers. She married Henry Cannon, her manager, in 1947. She sometimes was at odds with Opry leadership who felt she should not dress or speak “out of character.” She proceeded to dress stylishly, speak clearly to civic groups and reporters and to live her own life. Nashville neighbors and friends knew her as a gracious and accomplished civic leader who lived next door to the Tennessee Governor’s Mansion.

She died in 1996 at 83 and is still remembered fondly by country music fans — and country music stars. Dwight Yoakam said of her, “She’s a light that will never go out.” NCM

Ophelia Colley â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the future Minnie Pearl â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is attired in elegant Southern ruffles in this photo from her time in Coweta County. Below is a letter she wrote Mildred Holdridge, reminiscing about those days.

march/april 2017 | 69

COWETA FIND

“The gardens have a splendor, majesty and grace that I never take for granted. It is a gift for all of us.”

— Jennifer Bigham

Hidden Treasure FROM THEATRE HOT SPOT TO TEA LEAVES, DUNAWAY GARDENS HAS A RICH HISTORY AND VIBRANT FUTURE Written by KELLEY FRENKEL PITTMAN | Photographed by SUSAN CRUTCHFIELD

70 | www.newnancowetamag.com

F

or Dunaway Gardens, the history is rich and the future is thriving even more.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Dunaway Gardens was founded in 1934 by a famous actress, Hetty Jane Dunaway on husband Wayne P. Sewell’s ancestral estate.

These grounds were cultivated and flourished under their care and soon became popular with the stage theatre community as a training haven and retreat getaway. Embracing the likes of Walt Disney, Minnie Pearl and others from that era, the gardens was the host of many theatre and ballet troupes performing for locals and faraway

visitors alike.

Sadly, the garden’s theatrical vibe wilted by the 1950s and the lavish surroundings went to ruin. This remained the case until 2005 when the current owner of the gardens, Jennifer Bigham, reclaimed and reopened the beautiful sanctuary known as Dunaway Gardens and welcomed previous admirers and new guests to this botanical masterpiece. “From the minute I laid eyes on the Gardens, it captured me and has never let me go,” remarked Bigham.

Since the renewed gardens opened their gates, they have morphed from “hidden jewel” to a sought-after destination. Dunaway Gardens has continued to grow in popularity, especially march/april 2017 | 71

COWETA FIND

One of the last remaining original structures in the garden sits high above the creek. (right) The amphitheater is one of the most popular wedding spots in the garden. (bottom left) Josh Fisher explains the harvesting technique for the tea leaves. (bottom right)

72 | www.newnancowetamag.com

COWETA FIND

as brides increasingly seek unique venues for their special day.

Josh Fisher, director of operations, describes the grounds as a “secret garden” where the outdoor and natural beauty can be tailored to fulfill the dreams of brides and grooms. Fisher states that, “while most weddings take place in the historic amphitheater, the gardens have a variety of lovely sites, including the Hanging Gardens which features a gently flowing waterfall, as well as the dramatic Arrowhead Pools which really lends itself to gorgeous photos.”

Of course, there are so many hidden spots throughout the gardens to discover and settle in for a quiet moment or for a beautiful backdrop for capturing memories. Visitors come to take in the serenity of this carefully nestled haven on days the gardens are open to the public. A peaceful stroll through the lush native and ornamental greenery and vibrant floral settings is a serene treat. From walking the trails paved with hand-laid rocks or simply sitting in a shady spot listening to the sounds of Mother Nature and watching wildlife scamper about, Dunaway Gardens has a setting for everyone.

When reflecting on the gardens and her experience resurrecting it, Bigham said, “When I am in the gardens, I look back and realize it was the most challenging experience, but it has also been the most satisfying. The gardens have a splendor, majesty and grace that I never take for granted. It is a gift for all of us.”

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COWETA FIND

An expansive outcropping of granite is the garden's Little Stone Mountain. (above) A camellia provides a pop of color in winter. (left)

THE FUTURE IS IN THE TEA LEAVES

In recent years the gardens has been cultivating and growing certified organic tea on the property.

As efforts were underway to restore the gardens from its decline, tea plants — known as Camellia Sinensis — were discovered under the thick layers of kudzu and wisteria. These plants were preserved as the gardens once again took shape, and in 2011, the garden owners decided to embark on a journey to bring the art of growing organic tea to Newnan.

This was quickly dubbed The Dunaway Gardens Tea Project.

Gardeners salvaged seedlings from those original plants and began planting them. They then experimented with another way in which to grow these tea plants. They took cuttings from the few surviving plants, cultivated them, and wound up creating a miracle — a tea plant of the same genotype as the original plants.

“It’s kind of addictive,” Fisher said of propagating the tea plants. “We’ve experimented with different locations in the garden and gone through quite a bit of trial and error.” Long time tea growers from Hawaii have offered a lot of assistance as the Dunaway team has navigated its journey to sourcing local tea for Georgia.

“They’ve come here. We’ve gone there. It’s been a very interesting process to learn what works here in the garden,” he said.

Today, there are 2-3 acres of flourishing tea

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COWETA FIND

plants, situated precisely row after row.

Workers hand pick and process the tea from first flush in May when the plants start to develop new growth through the fall months. The ultimate finished product is USDA certified organic. The gardens produce black, oolong and green tea in small lots.

Dunaway Gardens plans to soon offer tours and tastings of these savory blends.

Additional information about upcoming tea tours and tastings, as well as more details about The Dunaway Gardens Tea Project, can be found on the project’s website (www.dunawaytea.com). From the website - “We are just getting started, so join us on our journey as we discover what tea can do when it’s grown where folks appreciate sweet Southern tradition.”

When asked what keeps those that work at the gardens excited about being at work every day, Fisher said, “It’s such a truly beautiful, one-of-a-kind place, that we never get tired of walking the grounds and keeping them beautiful for our guests and clients. The wildlife and landscape are forever changing with each season, and each year brings something new to enjoy and appreciate.”

Bigham thinks of being in the gardens on an even deeper level.

“To look around the gardens today is a soul-satisfying experience.” she said.

NCM

The hand-laid rock pathways throughout the garden were the vision of Hetty Jane Dunaway. These paths lead visitors through the splendor of the gardens.

➝ For more information on visiting times, please reference www.dunawaygardens.com

76 | www.newnancowetamag.com

The Coweta Cities & County Employees Federal Credit Union would like to congratulate Rodney Riggs on his recent retirement after 41 years of service to the Newnan Police Department. The Coweta Cities & County EFCU would also like to thank Rodey for his more than 36 years of service to the Credit Union volunteering on the Board of Directors! It’s volunteers like Rodney, dedicated to the community, that make the difference at Coweta Cities & County EFCU!

Membership may be easier than you think!

43 Jefferson Pkwy. • P.O. Box 71063 Newnan, GA 30271-1063

770.253.2273 WWW.CCCEFCU.ORG

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Cultivating a Rich Life OLD TOWN GARDEN CLUB IN SHARPSBURG GROWS FRIENDSHIPS AS WELL AS FLOWERS

Written and Photographed by SARAH FAY CAMPBELL and OLD TOWN GARDEN CLUB MEMBERS 78 | www.newnancowetamag.com

COWETA GARDENER

Old Town Garden Club member Mary Denney, here with some of her camellias, is one of the club’s biggest recruiters — along with her husband Sharon. At right, in a photo by member Rosalie Gage, is a Lenten Rose just about to bloom.

I

’m in the garden club because I like people and I like plants. And I like learning about both.” That’s how Old Town Garden Club member Emily Wilbert summed up her feelings for the organization, founded in 1938. “We grow ourselves and we grow things,” she said.

The small club, part of the Redbud District of the Garden Club of Georgia, is a way for members to learn and share about their gardening endeavors, to do projects and public service, to go on trips, to have fun and to make friends.

“We’re a working garden club,” said Suzanne Caldwell. “It’s not a special occasion for tea and crumpets.”

The Old Town Garden Club began as the Tri-Cities Garden Club, for residents of Sharpsburg, Turin and Senoia. But these days, its members come from all over Coweta, and there are even members from Fayette County.

The club’s biggest — and most visible — project every year is the horticulture show at the Coweta County Fair. Club members organize the show, accept, arrange and judge the entries. Club members also help out, but don’t judge, at the flower show at the annual Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park.

There’s a definite art to flower show judging. Every entry is march/april 2017 | 79

COWETA GARDENER

Old Town Garden Club members Mary Denny, front, Celeste Williams and Rosalie Gage chat at a recent club get together.

80 | www.newnancowetamag.com

pull

compared to a standard, and winners must be perfect.

Choosing a winner isn’t easy.

Celeste Williams gave an example. There may be one rose that is big and bright and absolutely beautiful. But when you look closer, there may be petal that wasn’t perfectly formed or We comprise a healthcare team which understands that women h special healthcareeneeds throughout their lives. Our specialists a comprise a healthcare team small spot where an insect chewed on it. Another rose may trained in the field ofwhich women’sunderstands medicine whichthat includes obstetrica women be only half the size, and not nearly as bright, but be perfect. gynecological services such as pregnancy care, family planning n have special healthcare needs And that would be the winner. and counseling, annual examinations and minor office surgical proce their lives.

“It can really be challenging when a judge says that’s the Inthroughout addition, specialized care is available in areas such as high ri and gynecological/urogynecological surgery.

Ourpregnancy specialists are most beautiful, but it’s not the best,” she said. trained in the field of Member Mary Denney said the most rewarding part of women’s medicine which doing the flower show is watching young children bring in includes obstetrical and their entries. “Most of the time they don’t even know what gynecological services they are bringing in. You have to go and explain it to them,” such as pregnancy care, she said. “All they know is that they grew it.” family planning needs Each year, the club awards a scholarship to a Coweta and counseling, annual Dr. Lilibird Pichardo examinations and minor student who is studying horticulture, botany, or a related office surgical procedures. field. The money for the scholarships comes from the judging fees that the club is paid by the fair, and sale of plants and In addition, specialized other items. is available in have We comprise a healthcare team which care understands that women The Garden Club of Georgia and its member clubs abide needs throughout their areas such high are special healthcare lives.

Ouras specialists trained the field of women’s medicine risk which includes obstetrical and pregnancy by three tenets: beautification, conservation and in education. gynecological services family planning needs andcare, gynecological/ “All of us are connected with the community and the land in such as pregnancy Obstetrics Treatment and counseling, annual examinationsGynecology and minor offi ce surgical procedures. urogynecological surgery. such a way that we try to recycle, we try to In beaddition, responsible, we • Annual Exams • Normal and High Risk • Menstrual Prob specialized care is available in areas such as high risk T. Cook don’t use things that are bad for the Earth,” saidpregnancy Wilbert. and gynecological/urogynecological • Colposcopies • Obstetrical Care Dr. William • PMS surgery.

Gynecology • LEEP Procedures • 3D/4D Ultrasounds • Menopausal Pr We• comprise healthcare team which understands that women have AnnualaExams • Essure • Normal and High Risk • Urinary Incontin special healthcare needs throughout their lives. Our specialists are • Colposcopies • Thermablation • Biophysical profiwhich les includes • Infertility trained in the field of women’s medicine obstetrical an • LEEP Procedures “We let them know that being a garden club • Urodynamic Studies • Twins/Multiples gynecological services such as pregnancy care, family planning • Pelvic Painneed and counseling, • Essureannual•examinations Pregnancy and minor office• surgical Fibroidsprocedur member doesn’t mean you know everything.

In addition, specialized care is available in areas•such as high risk Sterilization • Thermablation pregnancy and gynecological/urogynecological surgery.

It means you’re there to learn and participate • Urodynamic Studies 770-632-9900 • www.wsfayette.com and share what you do know.”

Dr. Marlo Carter Obstetrics 1267 Hwy 54 West Suite 3200 Fayetteville, GA 30214 • Normal and High Risk — Mary Denney • Obstetrical Care • 3D/4D Ultrasounds • Biophysical profiles Club members do all types of gardening. Current president • Twins/Multiples Carla Lee Kane likes to grow “anything I can cook.” That’s • Pregnancy not just vegetables but herbs and even edible flowers. She Gynecology Obstetrics Treatment enjoys the occasional cup of marigold tea, and marigolds can Treatment • Annual Exams • Normal and High Risk • Menstrual Problems Dr. Matthew Ralsten, III be used as a substitute for saffron. But• you have to watch Colposcopies • Obstetrical Care • Menstrual • PMS Problems out with the marigold tea, Kane said. •Too much can be LEEP Procedures • 3D/4D Ultrasounds• PMS • Menopausal Problems hallucinogenic. She also likes to put sugar pansies on cakes. • Normal and High • Essure Risk • Menopausal Problems • UrinaryObstetrics Incontinence Gynecology Treatment • Thermablation • Biophysical profi les • Infertility • Annual Exams • Normal and High Risk • Menstrual Problem • Urinary Incontinence Denney likes perennials and conifers. And she doesn’t like • Colposcopies • Obstetrical Care • PMS Studies • Pelvic Pain • Infertility to baby them. “I expect it to live or die• Urodynamic on it’s own,” she said. • Twins/Multiples • LEEP Procedures • 3D/4D Ultrasounds • Menopausal Proble • Pregnancy • Fibroids • Pelvic Pain Her husband has green color blindness but can see yellows, • Essure • Normal and High Risk • Urinary Incontinen • Sterilization • Fibroids so she has planted many variegated evergreens and yellow • Thermablation • Biophysical profiles Dr. Nicole • Infertility Quinn • Sterilization • Urodynamic Studies • Twins/Multiples • Pelvic Pain and blue conifers.

770-632-9900 • www.wsfayette.com • Pregnancy • Fibroids In addition to meetings, club members take trips to visit • Sterilization 1267 Hwy 54 West Suite 3200 Fayetteville, GA 30214 Scan for Web Page gardens or organizations. On one excursion, the ladies

W

770-632-9900 • www.wsfayette.com march/april 2017 |GA8130214 1267 Hwy 54 West Suite 3200 Fayetteville,

COWETA GARDENER Suzanne Caldwell’s raised bed garden will soon be loaded with veggies.

“We’re a working garden club.

It’s not a special occasion for tea and crumpets.”

— Suzanne Caldwell

Members of the Old Town Garden Club include, left to right: Suzanne Caldwell, Celeste Williams, June Harris, President Carla Krajna-Kane, Rosalie Gage, Emily Wilbert, and Mary Denney.

Mary Denney’s husband has green color blindness, but he can see yellow. So she plants many yellow and variegated varieties, including this “mophead.”

The Denneys particularly love conifers.

82 | www.newnancowetamag.com

met with the man in charge of the Day Butterfly House at Callaway Gardens to learn about the butterflies there and in the area, including the best kinds of host plants for them and what the caterpillars look like. “It gave me something to go home and say oh, I need to dig up this and plant this” to attract butterflies, Wilbert said.

For many years, the club kept a “grandmother’s garden” in downtown Sharpsburg. Williams would often admire it when she drove by. One day she stopped and asked what it was. She was told the garden was tended by the garden club.

Williams can’t remember if the woman she asked gave her contact info or she left a note, but soon Denney contacted her, and Williams has been a member ever since.

Rosalie Gage learned about the club from the woman she bought her house from. Gage is the club’s expert on Latin names. That knowledge came from a time

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COWETA GARDENER

she was ill and read a plant encyclopedia to pass the time.

June Harris grew up with flower gardening, and

her mother and sister were flower show judges.

But when she moved to Coweta “we had nothing

but Georgia red clay,” and she didn’t know how to

garden with it. The garden club was “a great place to

learn,” she said. And, many of the plants that are now growing in her yard were given to her by friends in the garden club.

Denney said there have been people who have

come to a meeting and “would say ‘I know nothing about gardening I kill everything.’ We let them know that being a garden club member doesn’t mean you know everything. It means you’re there to learn and participate and share what you do know.”

“It’s a great learning experience and a great group of people,” said Caldwell.

NCM

➝ For more information about the Old Town Garden Club, contact President Carla Lee Kane at carla_lee@yahoo.com.

This little dragon perches in a tree at Suzanne Caldwell’s home.

YOU ’ VE STILL GOT A SPARK INSIDE .

At Somerby, our Residents know exactly how When choosing a senior community, where do you begin?

What is living at

that feels. Here, life is filled with opportunities We suggest starting with lunch.

Somerby like? to make deep friendships, stay physically

Let someone who calls it home tell you.

active and stimulate all your senses. We invite you to learn more about the purpose-driven lifestyle that our Residents, Families and Associates enjoy at Somerby.

Experience what makes Somerby so Full of Life. Explore our website for Resident stories or call us to schedule a personal visit.

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84 | www.newnancowetamag.com

•

www. S o m e r by S pa r k .co m

AROUND COWETA

MARCH

17

Grey Matters March Dinner

CALENDAR

The Newnan Centre | 6 pm Proceeds benefit Can’t Never Could, a non-profit supporting the needs of families suffering from catastrophic illnesses.

18

11th Annual ShamRock Run Historic Downtown Newnan | 8 am | $10 / $35 / $40 The Newnan Junior Service League’s annual race has 5k and 10k courses and a Leprechaun Dash. Walkers, dogs and strollers are welcome in the 5K and the Dash.

Proceeds from this year’s race benefit Newnan-Coweta Angel’s House.

Dragging for Dollars Donald W. Nixon Centre for Performing & Visual Arts 7 pm Newnan’s annual womanless pageant will benefit Southeastern Assistance in Healthcare.

Spring Art Walk Historic Downtown Newnan 5 - 9 pm

25

28

CLICK Trivia Bee First United Methodist Church | 7:30 pm

APRIL

1

Market Day Courthouse Square, Newnan | 10 am - 1 pm | Free Local arts, crafts and food vendors set up for business the first Saturday of every month.

20

Coweta’s Dancing Stars Donald W. Nixon Centre for Performing & Visual Arts | 7:30 pm Watch your Coweta friends show off their fancy footwork for charity.

Spring Taste of Newnan

24

Historic Downtown Newnan | 5 - 8:30 pm

Abby’s Angels Rainbow Run & Festival

Senoia Optimist Club Spring BBQ Senoia Masonic Lodge, Main Street Senoia 11 am - 2 pm | $10 / plate Proceeds support research for childhood cancer.

Hooch Hike and Paddle Chattahoochee Bend State Park | 8:15 am - 2:30 pm Admission: $12 with own boat; $30 boat rental. | Parking fee: $5 Event Phone: 770-254-7271 Get the best of both worlds at the Bend -- a 5.5 mile hike up the Riverside Trail to the bend boat launch then a nice, easy paddle back down the Chattahoochee. Boats are available to rent or bring your own. Register in advance, space is limited. Ages 10+.

Society of Seven 3rd Annual Art Sale

MARCH-APRIL 2017

28

Donald W. Nixon Centre for Performing & Visual Arts 5 - 7 pm | Free Admission Newnan’s art group, the “Society of Seven,” will sponsor its third annual art sale in memory of Gene Chesnut. The one-day sale features the work of local artists, and sale prices top out at $250.

All proceeds from the sale will help provide funding for art supplies for Title 1 Schools of Coweta as well as the Patrons of the Centre’s Educational Fund which enables deserving students to participate in various educational experiences in the visual and performing arts.

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275 Pine Road, Newnan | 9 am - 2 pm | $15 / $30 Don the colors of a rainbow and come out for 5K run followed by a festival with craft and food vendors. All proceeds benefit Abby’s Angels Foundation, which supports families who have lost children.

MAY

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Screen on the Green First Avenue Park, Newnan | Free | 7:30 pm Join your neighbors for a family-friendly movie.

Market Day Courthouse Square, Newnan | 10 am - 1 pm | Free Local arts, crafts and food vendors set up for business the first Saturday of every month.

Hats and Hooves Derby Affair McRitchie-Hollis Museum, Newnan | 5 - 10 pm Raise funds for Coweta’s Communities in Schools program while wearing your loveliest spring hat and enjoying an outdoor broadcast of the Kentucky Derby. Ticket includes dinner, drinks and a live band.

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COWETA

SCENE COWETA SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR AWARDS

THE WALKING DEAD CAFE

RISE UP DAY CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD

CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER CLEAN-UP 86 | www.newnancowetamag.com

PINK OUT GEORGIA BEER DAY

MLK JR. PARADE

RUN FOR ANGELS FURREAL EVENT

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 92.5 The Bear..................................................... 83 Abby's Angels Foundation.............................. 14 Ag-Pro......................................................................6 AllSpine...................................................................9 Arnall Grocery Company.................................. 14 Atlanta Gastroenterology................................47 Atlanta Market Furniture and Accessories............................................. 75 The Bedford School..........................................59 Blue Fern Merchant.......................................... 33 Brewton-Parker College................................... 51 Cancer Treatment Centers of America....... 92 Carriage House...................................................77 Charlie’s Towing..................................................77 Charter Bank....................................................... 63 Christian City....................................................... 13 City of Thomasville...........................................59 Coweta Cities & County Employees Federal Credit Union.....................................77 Coweta Community Foundation....................10 Coweta-Fayette EMC........................................91 Cresswind Peachtree City.................................7 Digestive Healthcare of Georgia, P.C............ 11 Georgia Bone & Joint........................................ 19 Georgia Farm Bureau....................................... 53 Heritage of Peachtree......................................55 Insignia of Newnan............................................47 Jack Peek’s Sales.............................................. 73 Joe Dion State Farm......................................... 83 Kemp’s Dalton West Flooring........................ 53 Lee-King Pharmacy........................................... 75 Lillian Gardens..................................................... 15 The Loft at Due South....................................... 41 Main Street Newnan......................................... 53 Massage Envy.................................................... 53 McGuire’s Buildings.......................................... 62 The Newnan Centre.......................................... 21 Newnan Dermatology......................................59 Newnan Station Tire & Automotive.............65 NuWay Realty.....................................................55 OrthoAtlanta....................................................... 43 Pain Care.................................................................5 Piedmont Healthcare..........................................2 Pontoni Hair Design & Skin Care.................. 59 Progressive Heating & Air Conditioning.................................................... 25 Renee Horton Agency/American Family Insurance...........................................................77 Sewell Marine.....................................................55 Somerby Peachtree City................................. 84 Southern Crescent Women’s Healthcare.......................................................69 Southern Roots Nursery & Gardens.............77 SouthTowne...........................................................3 Stephanie Fagerstrom State Farm............... 54 StoneBridge Early Learning Center............. 46 Sweetland Amphitheatre...................................4 The Trammell House Bed & Breakfast.........77 Treasures Old & New....................................... 45 Typo Market........................................................ 75 United Bank.................................................... 8, 55 University of West Georgia............................ 44 The Women’s Specialists of Fayette............ 81 Yellowstone Landscape...................................77 90 | www.newnancowetamag.com

may/june preview

what's

next Wedding Bells Ring

Coweta is home to an array of unique wedding venues. You’ll learn some dos and don’ts for a successful ceremony.

Summer Picnics Find out where to go and what to pack for family fun picnics.

Graduation

Tips & Traditions Celebrate your graduate.

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