NCM Jan/Feb 2023

By being part of City of Hope, one of the nation’s top 10 cancer hospitals, we’re able to combine groundbreaking clinical research with precision cancer treatment, providing you with the comprehensive, personalized care you deserve.

Dr. Craddock is the absolute BEST around! He goes above and beyond for his patients. I will never trust anyone but him with my vein care!!

Since 2009, Southern Vein Care has performed minimally invasive, comfortable in-office procedures that effectively eliminate problem veins, restore normal circulation, and return legs to a more youthful appearance. With more than 30 years of vein-care experience in Newnan and Coweta County, Dr. Garnet Craddock, Coweta’s only board-certified general surgeon with a specialty in vascular medicine, is a leader in his field. While he has developed a reputation as one of the premier vein specialists, not only in Coweta and Fayette counties, but throughout the Southeast, Dr. Craddock never stops striving to provide the best possible patient care and stays up to date with current, cutting-edge techniques.

Dr. Craddock is relentlessly motivated by his patients’ safety and health, and has built a specialized team of licensed nurses and registered vascular sonographers. The vascular lab at Southern Vein Care holds the highest possible accreditation from the IAC - the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission.

Dr. Craddock performs every vein procedure himself in the Southern Vein Care offices, and consistently receives 5-Star ratings from his patients.

DR. GARNET CRADDOCK

WELCOME TO THE BEST.

community, has earned a terrific reputation. Case in point: We were the top choice of Newnan-Coweta Magazine readers for Assisted Living. (Thank you!)

Wesley Woods of Newnan, the region’s only Life Plan retirement community, has earned a terrific reputation. Case in point: We were the top choice of Newnan-Coweta Magazine readers for Assisted Living. (Thank you!)

community, has earned a terrific reputation. Case in point: We were the top choice of Newnan-Coweta Magazine readers for Assisted Living. (Thank you!)

Wesley Woods of Newnan, the region’s only Life Plan retirement community, has earned a terrific reputation. Case in point: We were the top choice of Newnan-Coweta Magazine readers for Assisted Living. (Thank you!)

As our residents will tell you, we bring the same quality – and satisfaction –to independent living, memory care and skilled nursing. All under one roof. And all the best.

As our residents will tell you, we bring the same quality – and satisfaction –to independent living, memory care and skilled nursing. All under one roof. And all the best.

As our residents will tell you, we bring the same quality – and satisfaction –to independent living, memory care and skilled nursing. All under one roof. And all the best.

As our residents will tell you, we bring the same quality – and satisfaction –to independent living, memory care and skilled nursing. All under one roof. And all the best.

2280 North Highway 29 Newnan, GA 30265 wesleywoods.org/newnan 770.683.6859

2280 North Highway 29 Newnan, GA 30265 wesleywoods.org/newnan 770.683.6859

2280 North Highway 29 Newnan, GA 30265

wesleywoods.org/newnan 770.683.6859

2280 North Highway 29 Newnan, GA 30265 wesleywoods.org/newnan 770.683.6859

WELCOME HOME.

WELCOME HOME.

WELCOME HOME.

WELCOME HOME.

Wesley Woods is the only Life Plan Community in the Newnan area – offering independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing.

Wesley Woods is the only Life Plan Community in the Newnan area – offering independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing.

Wesley Woods is the only Life Plan Community in the Newnan area – offering independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing.

Wesley Woods is the only Life Plan Community in the Newnan area – offering independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing.

CONTENTS our features

24 |

A New Way to Exercise

In her studio at Southern Arc, Lena Hanchard teaches pole fitness classes designed for improving physical stamina and confidence. Jennifer Dziedzic

28 |

Get Your Financial Act Together

Brett Moore, the 2022 Best of Coweta’s Best Financial Advisor, shares tips on getting – and keeping – your finances in order. Jackie Kennedy

31 | The Thrill of Thrifting

Bargain shopping is no longer limited to one demographic. People of all ages and income levels enjoy finding a good deal. Caroline Nicholson

33 | Local Approaches to Mental Health

A variety of nonprofit organizations seek to support those dealing with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Melissa Jackson

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2023

WEDDING SECTION

A Tale of Two Dresses

Preparing for her wedding to Daniel Stauffer, Whitney knew she wanted two dresses. Each one was fit for a princess bride. Jackie Kennedy 47 | A

Backyard Bride

Brittany Cimini’s dream wedding to Garrison Morgan took place in the backyard at his parents’ home. Jackie Kennedy

Painful bunions? There's a new, NEW YEAR, NEW YOU ISSUE 52

patented treatment option!

Another Year

Our theme for this January/February issue is “New Year, New You.” It could just as easily be called “Another Year, Another Opportunity.”

Another year, another opportunity to get it right?

Another year, another risk of getting it wrong? Another year, another botched attempt at keeping resolutions?

Esteemed Irish actor Cyril Cusack said, “If you asked me for my New Year resolution, it would be to find out who I am.”

Finding out who we are in this ever-changing world can be a challenge. New Year’s provides the perfect opportunity to get started.

In this issue of NCM, we share a few tips to help you get going with emphasis on ways to enhance your physical, fiscal and mental fitness.

Read about the latest exercise craze for women on page 24. Learn how to get your finances in order on page 28, and discover the thrill of thrift shopping on page 31.

Starting on page 33, we detail local resources for meeting mental health needs, along with zero-cost things you can do to relieve stress at home.

We also introduce you to this year’s brides in our Wedding Section, which begins on page 41. Read about a hometown couple’s backyard wedding and about another bride’s search for not one but two elegant wedding dresses.

It’s our goal to keep this year’s resolutions long enough to learn something about ourselves.

We hope the same for you.

Our 2022 Best of Coweta winners were feted at a reception in October, see page 62. Congratulating the winners are Newnan-Coweta Magazine representatives, from left, Erin Scott, graphic designer; Beth Neely, publisher; Misha Benson, multimedia sales specialist; Sandy Hiser, creative director; Jackie Kennedy, editor; Sonya Studt, creative director, Debby Dye, production director; and in the front, Anna Neely, journalist-intraining. The 2023 Best of Coweta competition begins March 1.

Jackie Kennedy, Editor magazine@newnan.com

Photo by Sara Moore

In November, we asked our NewnanCoweta Magazine readers and Facebook friends to caption this photo. The winning entry was submitted by NCM reader Michelle Nelson-Ratcliff of Greenville.

In January, we’ll post another photo for readers to caption. Winners receive an NCM T-shirt.

Our September/October 2022 feature on Palmetto, “A friendly city recalls its past,” was a hit with several readers whose memories of their hometown were rekindled.

“Thank you for interviewing these people for their stories before time moves on and that history passes with them.”

– Cox Sherry

“I moved to Palmetto in 1971 to a great place, Georgia Baptist Children’s home. I believe the home was relocated to Palmetto from Atlanta. Although it was a sad time in my life, it turned out to be the place I call home!”

– Angela

“I grew up in Palmetto, back when life was simple. You could walk the streets and feel safe. You’d stay outside until the street lights came on. There were plenty of kids in the neighborhood to play with. In the summer, the ball field was the center of attention. All the kids hung out there. We’d go to the Chow Now for a plenty burger! That small town feeling molded a lot of us. I’m thankful to have grown up there.”

– Tim Grubbs

“I love all the stories. It makes you see the town as a beautiful place.”

– M. Flinn

“

Let Us Hear From You...

Send thoughts, ideas and suggestions to magazine@newnan.com.

Roll Call

The

Sara Moore’s warm and welcoming nature influences her photography by putting her subjects at ease. She enjoys living the quiet country life while residing in Newnan with her husband, horses, dogs, chickens and ducks.

Frances Kidd is a Newnan native who spent most of her adult years working as a nonprofit and marketing consultant. Although she’s an avid traveler, she never lost her Southern accent. If she’s not in Georgia, you can find her out in the country in Italy.

Gail McGlothin is a nonprofit consultant and grant writer. When she’s not searching for starfish on the Oregon coast, kayaking, reading or playing board games with her grandchildren, Gail helps voters get government-issued picture IDs.

Jennifer Dziedzic lives in Newnan with her daughter. The two use their travels as inspiration for stories they create with Jennifer writing and her daughter illustrating. Jennifer believes that everyone has a story to tell, and she loves being a freelance writer and meeting new people.

Melissa Jackson, right, teaches writing and literature at the University of West Georgia in Newnan. Her poetry collections include “Cameo,” “Sweet Aegis” and “Paper Birds.” Hannah Trosper, her student at the University of West Georgia, is interested in pursuing a degree in counseling.

Caroline Nicholson loves disappearing behind a book and falling into fictional worlds. She’s working toward her Master of Arts in English at the University of West Georgia and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in creative writing to become a college English and creative writing professor. In time, she hopes to publish her own young adult novel.

Jill Whitley is digital marketing manager for Bonnell Aluminum and has served her community in a number of nonprofit roles over the past decade. A Coweta County native, she enjoys traveling with her partner and two children in her free time.

Chris Martin has photographed Major League Baseball, NCAA football, bull riding, air shows, space launches and international swim meets featuring Michael Phelps. He shoots action sports

Rev. April McGlothinEller is the director of Church and Community Engagement at Wellroot Family Services, a ministry of the United Methodist Church. In her free time, she fancies herself a musician, artist and photographer.

for The Heritage School in Newnan and for The Newnan Times-Herald.

Art in Exercise

Written by JACKIE KENNEDY

While photographing Lena Hanchard for this issue’s cover, we were in awe of the artistry she exudes while striking poses on the fitness pole.

The owner of Closet Poler, based inside Southern Arc Dance Studio in Newnan, Hanchard teaches pole fitness classes for women, sharing with them her knowledge of this exercise phenomena and teaching them specifics for movement and holding poses on poles and hoops.

Capturing the best cover shot is always a team effort, and this time, Lena Hanchard was the star player. Read about her classes on page 24. NCM

BELOW

With intense lighting focused on her face and a roomful of photo directors making pose suggestions, Lena Hanchard kept her cool, making the stamina it takes to clench to the fitness pole look effortless.

“ Trying the fitness pole should be on every woman’s bucket list.”

– Lena Hanchard

Graphic Designer Erin Scott, right, stops the hoop in order for photographer Chris Martin to get a still shot of Lena Hanchard.

BELOW Photographer Chris Martin uses mental gymnastics to figure camera and lighting settings while photographing Lena Hanchard in her dimly lit studio where women find just the right vibe to build confidence through exercise.

Photos by Erin Scott

Photo by Jackie Kennedy

Hard to be healthy? Arden’s Garden makes it easy!

Written by JILL WHITLEY

’Twas the season for over-indulgence. Many of us are returning to work from the holidays sluggish and lethargic after family gatherings and celebrations that often lead to late nights and unhealthy choices.

“Our business definitely has a seasonal component to it,” Arden’s Garden’s CEO Leslie Zinn confides. “Halloween candy begins the slide into Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then we just don't feel good that first week of the year. We feel tired, bloated, and overwhelmed by all the incredibly rich food we’ve eaten, and our bodies need a reset.”

Arden’s Garden is a cold-pressed juice company that also offers fresh smoothies and plant-based foods. They opened their Newnan location in 2019, expanding their mission to make healthy products convenient and affordable. The store at 98 Temple Avenue features a drive-thru window and a selection of vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, grab-and-go soups, salads, and snacks. Visitors can select pre-packaged blends or build their own smoothie from a selection of more than 20 fruits and vegetables.

“From beta-carotene to phytochemicals, scientists are continually discovering how fruits and vegetables help keep us healthy. We believe

that making juice from a wide variety of fruits and vegetables maximizes these benefits,” says Zinn, who helped her mother, Arden, start the company from her kitchen in 1995. “Fresh juice is gentle and healing. Think of it as a cleansing program to help rid your body of sugar, wheat, caffeine, and processed foods. Whether it’s improved energy or the natural antidepressant lift of omega-3 fatty acids, after a week, people generally feel the benefits of adding just one juice per day.”

“Your body will let you know exactly what it needs. While our prepackaged juice cleanses are a great way to reset after the holidays, you will see cumulative health benefits from just changing one small habit daily,” Zinn says. “Let’s admit it: It can be hard to be healthy. It can be expensive. It can be time-consuming. We’re here to eliminate some of that difficulty – and to do it as deliciously as possible.”

Arden's Garden CEO Leslie Zinn

‘Along Southern Roads: Images and essays

ramblin’ around the South’

Reviewed by GLENDA HARRIS

Abeautiful collection of stories and photographs deserving of a special place in any home, “Along Southern Roads: Images and essays ramblin’ around the South” celebrates the people, customs, history and unique natural beauty of the American South. Leather-wrapped and oversized with an embossed cover, this is one classy book. Stunningly presented with glossy color photographs and personal stories, this is a visual roadtrip to Southern cities and towns from Florida to Texas and north to Virginia and Kentucky. Twenty photographers contributed photos for the book, and the variety is impressive. Browse the entire book in one sitting, or savor a few pages at a time.

Says the publisher, Lydia Inglett: “This book is about those places in the South that touch our hearts – places where we may have been or pathways we are traveling along now – places that we want to go, along Southern roads.”

Readers will marvel at roadside fields of Texas bluebonnets, panoramic views of the Smokies and Blue Ridge mountains, historic churches and plantations. Stunning photos of wildlife, waterfalls, live-oakcanopied roads and winding forest trails will take your breath away as will photographs of homes and memorable sites in Savannah and Charleston.

Essays from Southern writers bring authenticity to the publication as they share personal stories of growing up in the South, giving greater meaning to the photos. Southern readers will nod their heads and laugh at the “Southernisms” heard nowhere else in the world.

Atmospheric, nostalgic and inspiring, this literary work of art may become a treasured keepsake in your home. It is thoroughly enchanting.

“Along Southern Roads: Images and essays ramblin’ around the South,” published in 2019 by Lydia Inglett, Ltd. Publishing/Starbooks; 108 pages; 5 stars. ★★★★★

Share your favorite new read with Newnan-Coweta Magazine by writing a book review for possible publication in an upcoming issue. Keep your review at 200-300 words and please include the author’s name, page count and date of publication. Send your review with your contact information to magazine@ newnan.com or mail to Newnan-Coweta Magazine, 16 Jefferson St., Newnan, GA 30263.

Read a good book lately?

The chronological world of Calendaria

Written by FRANCES KIDD | Photographed by SUSAN CRUTCHFIELD

As the end of each year approaches, calendars for the new year begin to appear. According to the New York Times, paper calendars are still popular – even in today’s digital world. Some teach a new word or fact a day; others are filled with photos that might remind us of a place or thing we love.

Newnan resident Pilliard Dickle (aka Joe Chandler) has turned the idea of traditional calendars on its head with his series of calendars set in the world of Calendaria. Every year, he returns to this world and creates a different look and story.

World-building isn’t a new concept. It’s been used by writers, particularly in science fiction, since the days of H.G. Wells. Filmmakers also build worlds for the stories they tell on screen.

The world Chandler has built with his calendars is both artistic and useful. Calendaria is where, as he says, “everything is made of days.” This includes buildings, factories, roads, ships and the Palace of Calendaria. Behind each calendar is a story, usually with recurring characters. For example, Professor E.G. Head (his friends call him “Egg”), dean of Chronological Studies at Calendaria U., often makes an appearance.

When asked whether he lives in reality or the world of Calendaria, Chandler is quick to say, “Unfortunately, I live in the land of reality, but I can escape to Calendaria for a while.”

The artist says he developed the idea for his calendars when he was in college majoring in economics – when the real world of numbers gave way to an imaginary world which also involves numbers but in a completely different way.

“I call myself an ‘imaginationist,’” he says. “Everything I do has to be unique.”

His work is undoubtedly unique. This year’s 2023 calendar features Professor Head building a time machine and ending up in a chronological loop with no beginning and no end.

In addition to his calendars, Chandler is a filmmaker, author, singer/songwriter and performer. He presents Calendaria in a family-friendly show in which he takes audiences to Calendaria, introduces some of the residents, and describes his adventures after falling through a hole in time and discovering this new world. NCM

Pilliard Dickle, right, discusses his show, A Trip Through the Land of Calendaria, with Program Associate Jessica Dunnington at the Newnan Carnegie Library in September 2022.

Pilliard Dickle performs with guitars adorned with images from his signature calendars.

Champagne Kisses

Growing up, New Year’s Eve was a mysterious midnight ritual brimming with bubbly adults who believed in a better tomorrow. Television shows teased my young brain with the portrayals of shrimp cocktail served in fancy glasses while cocktail dresses sparkled the promise of champagne kisses at midnight.

I viewed it as a night not for the faint of heart and vowed that someday my “classy future self” would saunter through a crowd deemed for magazine covers, laughing tinkly at the witty repartee of the party guests, basking in the newfangled glow of finally being an adult.

But life isn’t the movies, and my first grownup New Year’s Eve was spent slurping soup through a straw while on painkillers, thanks to the surprise extraction of my impacted wisdom teeth. There was another New Year’s Eve spent watching my parents bowl at the bowling alley across the street, and there were nights of not-so-thrilling TV accompanied with a jigsaw puzzle. Another was spent anxiously in a hotel room afraid to sleep for missing my redeye flight home.

Many of my New Year’s Eves were spent trudging through dirty snowdrifts in winter boots, flannel and long underwear while blowing hot breath through my scarf in a losing battle to defrost my eyelashes –or wiping snot from my face with crusty frozen mittens while fending off frostbite to finally sip a hot drink in the warmth of a friend’s home. This was the reality of my perceived childhood “glamorous adult New Year’s Eve.” Yet, I cherish it all.

To be frank, the pressure of this night looms immensely. The expectation that this is the night we finally make a change – to better ourselves – cycles to the following year when we realize we maybe didn’t achieve the resolutions we swore to the previous year. The evening brims with both defeat and hope, a cyclical cocktail not sipped the rest of the year.

This year there will be no resolutions or promises. This year will be less pressure pot and more frying pan – more sizzle, more instant appreciation, clapping for crisp fall leaves and memorizing the scent of the first sun-ripened tomato’s perfume. There will be less showering in the dark to avoid the mirror of despair and more thanking the friends who haven’t given up on me – and reaching out to those who have. I’ll be speaking out and standing up for those who aren’t being heard, even if this means myself, igniting that pilot light that glows within and vowing to keep it afloat despite the extinguishing waves.

The older I get, the more I learn that adulting isn’t all about fancy dinners and responsible decisions. It’s sometimes embracing those childhood impulses to remind you of the unique joy that comes with discovery, the type of joy when you find something new and sparkly and you grab it full force while proclaiming “It’s mine.” It’s the ownership of a new adventure that fills in your blanks. Be it a hobby, a book or stumbling on a new recipe that brings back memories, it’s never too late to claim your joy.

And though I can barely make it to midnight these days, I gulp down a glass of that magical childhood potion, the one that makes yawning eyelids brave it out until midnight. I may have traded in cocktail dresses for pajamas and fancy shrimp cocktails for paper plates, but I will remain bold, choosing the scary high dive into the new year and plunging into that unknown sea – into an ocean of pink champagne and promise, kissed by the bubbles at midnight. NCM

Minnesota made yet Newnan Strong, Faith Farrell is involved with Newnan Theatre Company and Backstreet Arts. Her artwork can be viewed at faithfarrellart.com.

New Year, New You

Time to buckle up and reboot your physical, fiscal and mental fitness

New beginnings. That’s what most people tend to focus on leading up to New Year’s and in the days that follow.

Before Jan. 1, we consider what resolutions we might make to better ourselves in the coming year. After the holiday, we figure we’ve done well if we keep resolutions for a couple of weeks.

Every year, we say to ourselves – again – “Next year will be the year.”

Whether Jan. 1 is your starting point – or Feb. 1, or your birthday, or a random date – it’s not the date that matters. What counts is that we get moving on making changes for the better.

Whether your “new you” begins on New Year’s or later in 2023, we’ve put together a few ideas to get you motivated and moving toward making improvements in your life – physically, fiscally and mentally.

– Jackie Kennedy

Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock

NO MORE TABOO:

Sensual Movement & Fitness

Written by JENNIFER DZIEDZIC

Lena Hanchard flies high in Bermuda during a Black Girls Pole retreat in June 2019.

Photo courtesy of Lena Hanchard

Owner Lena Hanchard opened the doors of Closet Poler Alternative Fitness, her boutique fitness studio, just before the pandemic hit in 2020. The business’s tagline: “Where women go to play.”

“I was in a bad marriage,” she says. “I needed something to do to get me through the divorce.”

After professional counseling and focusing on her healing, Hanchard started taking pole classes in Union City.

Pole classes?

Often connected to the world of exotic dance, maneuvering on a vertical pole actually dates back to hundreds of years ago in India, China and other countries. Combined today with acrobatics and aerial gymnastics, it’s a total body workout for women to build their confidence while improving strength, coordination and flexibility.

Hanchard, whose pole fitness name is Twista, began her journey in pole fitness by attending classes in studios around Atlanta, studying and learning which elements of the programs she preferred. Ultimately, she was inspired to start teaching.

“Poling itself was therapy for me and it helped me to just be patient,” she says. “Learning different things with your

body and wanting to progress, you have to have patience and you have to be consistent with what you’re doing.”

Adds Hanchard: “The divorce took me three years. It was a nasty divorce. My child was having some issues because of the marriage and the divorce, so I was dealing with a lot of different things at that time.”

She credits pole with helping her process it.

Seeing a need for classes closer to home, Hanchard opened her studio in Newnan.

“I needed to bring it here,” Hanchard said to herself. “I don’t know if they’re ready for it, but I’m bringing it.”

With a background that includes doing pole fitness for 10 years and teaching almost three years, Hanchard began teaching chair classes at several studios around Newnan.

Eventually, she rented out temporary space at Southern Arc Dance Center, taught chair classes, and then added pole classes.

However, she could only teach one or two students at a time, and the pole was heavy to transport, so she began looking for a space to set up permanently. After studying a few different locations, she found a permanent classroom at Southern Arc Dance Center on Greenway Court.

“Once you start treating that body nice, it will morph; it’ll change because you’re showing it love. It’s kind of like a plant that you’re not giving water to or you’re talking badly to. It’s not gonna grow. When you start nourishing it, then the thing’s gonna bloom. You have to look in the mirror and talk nice to yourself.”

– Lena Hanchard, owner/instructor, Closet Poler Alternative Fitness

Lena Hanchard offers pole fitness classes at her studio inside Southern Arc Dance Center in Newnan.

Photo by Sara Moore

“When I finally opened up, it just changed everything for me,” says Hanchard. “It was just going to be a space for women, and I knew there were lots of women out there like me who had things in their life that go on, and they don’t have time for themselves. Or they’re in a bad marriage and the person might have made them think differently about themselves. Whatever it is, the pole helps women with their confidence.”

The instructor says she’s had students cry as feelings came to the surface from dancing.

“They finally felt welcomed and free,” she says. “That’s what keeps me doing it because I know that women need it. I know it’s just a pole, but it really isn’t. Those are props and, yeah, you have to condition yourself, but it does something from the inside out when you pole. Any woman who’s done it and taken that journey – they all have a different story to tell.”

Don’t stereotype her classes as “stripper pole classes,” however. Hanchard educates women that there are different types of poles and that what is portrayed on TV is nothing like what she teaches.

Students are offered classes in pole, aerial hoop, sensual movement on the floor with heels, and sensual chair classes.

“We teach classes that help a woman know her body and understand how it moves – and to appreciate it,” says Hanchard.

Newbies can start by taking a virgin pole class with instructor January “Crimson Goddess” Da Vila, who conducts affirmations with students before class. Hanchard says it’s a great class to start with as the choreography is easy.

Once a student has mastered the moves, she can advance to beginner classes, taught by Hanchard, who also offers stretch and balance classes and pole conditioning. A few popular classes include:

Liquid Motions. This sensual floor class gives students a break from pole.

Legmerize. This class teaches students how to wear their heels along with knee pads to do leg movements without having to stand up.

Chair Flair. In this class, students learn sensual movements while wearing leggings or fishnets and lingerie.

“If you have an outfit that you want to buy but you don’t know where you can wear it, bring it to pole class,” says Hanchard.

Local ladies take part in a pole fitness class at Closet Poler.

Photo by Sara Moore

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Written by JENNIFER DZIEDZIC

Editor’s Note: Freelance writer Jennifer Dziedzic had been wanting to take a pole fitness class to find out for herself what the rave was all about. When she was assigned an article to write for NCM, her procrastination came to an end. Here’s her first-hand account of the latest exercise craze.

Arriving at Closet Poler, inside Southern Arc Dance Center, my friend Shawna Annis joined me for a virgin pole class. We were so excited as we both love to dance. With my background as a massage therapist and hers as a yoga instructor, we know the benefits of movement in promoting physical wellness.

This class, however, teaches so much more.

Changing into short shorts and fitted tank tops, we both took down our hair in preparation for some sexy hair whips. We entered the room with our water bottles and socks for warm-ups and selected one of the six available poles.

To set the mood, hues of purple light accented the low-lit studio as sultry music echoed throughout. The energy in the room was alluring and electric.

The instructor, Lena “Twista” Hanchard, had us wipe our hands and the pole with alcohol to remove any oils that may be present. Then she set the music to a seductive song as we began to sway to the beat, feeling the rhythm as we warmed up our bodies. Each move was thoroughly explained and easy to follow.

Eventually, the moves became more challenging. Toes pointed, we focused on keeping our form beautiful, graceful and sensual as we moved, watching only ourselves in the mirrors lining the wall.

With a slow and deliberate intention, Hanchard demonstrated how to grab the pole with both hands, jump and then criss-cross both legs around the pole and squeeze at the thighs as our legs extend to hold ourselves in place while the toes stay pointed. (Note to newbies: Wear short shorts for class and carry the understanding that your body may get a few bruises here and there from the pressure point contact with the pole.)

Mimicking moves as Hanchard demonstrated, I grasped the pole as high as I could reach. I lifted myself, swinging my legs up and out, using my abs and feeling the challenge to my core.

Suddenly, my biggest lesson while attending my first pole fitness class became apparent: It was that I should not have gotten a massage immediately beforehand.

I had arrived at the class feeling relaxed, muscle tension worked out, but completely covered in a thin layer of oil-based massage cream from head to toe. As my legs touched the pole, the oils on my skin prevented my grasping it, and the lack of friction took me down to the ground in one swift motion.

So much for grace.

Laughing, I stood up and regained my composure. A patient instructor, Hanchard suggested I use alcohol to remove the oil from my legs and the pole. Once clean, it was time to give it another try, and I was able to execute the move.

It was exhilarating.

In the air, I felt powerful, strong, and so beautiful.

Glancing in the mirror, I was in awe of myself – doing something entirely for me – confident and unstoppable. NCM

Shawna Annis, left, and NCM writer Jennifer Dziedzic learn the basics of pole exercise in their first class at Closet Poler.

Photo by Lena Hanchard

Get –and keep –your savings in order

Written by BRETT L. MOORE, CFP®

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Voted Best Financial Advisor in Newnan-Coweta Magazine’s 2022 Best of Coweta Readers’ Choice Awards, Brett Moore, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, is managing partner and wealth advisor for RBM Wealth Management Group, which he cofounded in Newnan. Moore was recently presented with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Advisor Today 2022 National 4 Under 40 Award, which recognizes NAIFA members who achieve extraordinary professional success before the age of 40. Here, Moore shares simple, professional, and time-tested tips on getting the most out of your money, saving for retirement, and controlling your finances.

1. Start saving early.

There’s no such thing as being too young to start saving or having too little cash to start putting some away. Time is on your side. As the old adage goes, “Pay yourself first” by putting money into savings. The sooner you start, the sooner you have the opportunity to take advantage of compounding interest or growth, a snowball effect that allows your money to make more money. If you’re worried about current debt, there are good methods to either consolidate or wisely get out of debt. Plus, not all debt is bad to have.

2. Take advantage of “free” money.

If your employer offers a 401K match, if possible, put in at least as much as you must to take advantage of the full match. Not doing so is like watching dollar bills float away and not bothering to catch them.

3. Contribute routinely.

Whether it’s a retirement account, such as a 401K, Individual Retirement Account (IRA), or a regular investment account, add to it methodically, preferably with automatic deposits from your paycheck. This method, called dollar cost averaging, takes out the guesswork of trying to predict the market.

4. Enter the stock market.

If you’re sitting on the sidelines, waiting for the right time, you’ll lose out in the long run. Over time, it’s better to be in a volatile market than out of the market altogether. Your advisor may also have tools to invest in the market while hedging or possibly protecting against downturns.

5. Have a plan and a process.

One of the most important saving strategies is to not just have a plan but also a solid, timetested process that you can stick to through good and bad markets. This takes out some of the emotions that cause you to make poor decisions and helps you to not panic.

6. Review your beneficiaries.

Life changes, and you need to keep up with it. The beneficiaries named on insurance and investment accounts override what your will might dictate. Not reviewing important financial decisions after major life changes is how exspouses sometimes end up with money rather than current spouses – or how a new child might get left with nothing.

7. Keep up with changes in the financial world.

It changes rapidly, and so do laws governing it. What once worked well as a savings vehicle may be replaced over time, often in short time. Products and investments may have improved and be more consumer friendly compared to just five or 10 years ago. Some newer options come with lower or no fees or more liquidity. For example, laws affecting distributions in retirement and beneficiaries’ inheritances have changed in the last couple of years. The IRS changes contribution and income limits almost every year.

8. Get professional assistance.

If you need a root canal, you’ll go to a dentist. It’s the same with your savings. Seek advice from a professional who’s trained in financial planning and keeps up-to-date with ever-changing methods and tools for growing your money. Some advisors offer free advice or a free financial plan even with no minimum amount of assets. A good advisor listens, and there is no such thing as a bad question. Be honest with your advisor, who is there to help, just like your doctor. Make sure your advisor listens to your needs and is handson with your assets, not simply sending your accounts to a centralized, cookie-cutter model run by someone who doesn’t even know you.

9. Study up on financial advisors.

Is the advisor you are talking to a true fiduciary? The best financial advisors do more than manage your investments. They consider your financial life holistically, often communicating with other professionals, such as your lawyer and/or certified personal accountant to make sure all the pieces to your financial life work together in your best interest. The best financial advisors are educators as opposed to salesmen. Professionals will help you work beyond emotions when things get tough to make the right financial decisions to stay on track toward your goals.

10. Do your research.

Does your advisor have all the licenses needed to be equipped with the best financial tools available to truly provide exceptional recommendations in your best interest? See if your advisor has high quality or meaningful designations and certifications. How long has your advisor been in the business and will continue to be in the business? The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is a government-authorized, not-for-profit that oversees broker-dealers in the United States. For information about financial advisors’ licenses, certifications/ designations, disclosures, red flags and more, visit Brokercheck.finra.org. NCM

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Each year, Advisor Today magazine recognizes four financial advisors with the “4 Under 40 Award” for achieving excellence in their profession by or before the age of 40.

Newnan-Coweta Magazine’s Best of Coweta Readers’ Choice awards are based on online polling.

Thrifting: Bargain shopping for the 21st century

Written by CAROLINE NICHOLSON | Photographed by JACKIE KENNEDY

The COVID-19 pandemic and responses to it thrust the world into a parallel universe, so separate and strange from what life once looked like. Beyond the self-isolation mandates and medical masks, millions of Americans lost their jobs and the economy suffered.

One factor in this difficult economic situation is inflation, which has placed a strain on consumers in the form of higher prices with shoppers forced to look for better deals when buying clothes, food and everything in between.

Due to the combo of household incomes decreasing as prices for everyday items increase, thrifting and bargain shopping have boomed in the past two years, although shopping for bargains has been around for centuries.

Since the 1600s, lower-income consumers have turned to bargain shopping as a cost-effective option; in fact, second hand shops thrived in Elizabethan England, according to Erin Blakemore of JSTOR Daily digital library.

The 1900s saw a boom in thrift shopping due to significant world events like the Great Depression and World Wars I and II. As the end of World War II brought economic prosperity, more people donated their items and searched for new things and a fresh start.

In recent years, due to economic uncertainty as well as changing styles and increasing environmental awareness, thrifting has been on the rise with the stigma associated with bargain hunting slowly but surely decreasing.

Thrifting locally

Todd and MaryLynn Farthing say Goodwill is an excellent place to shop for Christmas gifts for their three young children, ages 4, 3 and 1. “We bought a kitchen playset that would’ve been $200, and we got it for 20 bucks,” says MaryLynn.

Newnan Realtor Joy Brown Barnes admits that thrifting is as much for fun as it is for practicality. Her love of fashion goes back to her teenage years when she worked at Cato’s clothing store, coordinating outfits for customers and giving fashion advice.

“Thrifting is more or less a scavenger hunt for me,” she says, noting that the fact that you never know what you’ll find while thrifting establishes a level of excitement that shopping in typical box stores can’t.

In her many years as a thrifter, Barnes shares that her favorite find is an Anne Klein suit that still had the original tags attached, a perfect find for her career as a real estate agent. Most of her finds come from the local Goodwill stores that she sometimes visits between clients as a fun break. Barnes says she loves the variety offered at thrift stores.

No stereotypes

As thrifting shifts into a hobby for some, there’s no longer a stereotypical thrifter. People of all ages, ethnicities and economic levels shop for furniture, clothes and household items at places like Goodwill and local thrift stores. Thrifting has become an ideal hobby for many due to its accessibility, no matter your income level.

Julie Bennett is director of Marketing and Communications at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, which serves more than 50 counties in central and south Georgia. She attributes the recent expansion of thrifting to many things but says one unique cause for the growth is social media.

“Goodwill noticed social media influencers putting out YouTube content from one of their stores showing what they found and how they fashioned it,” says Bennett. “That’s been another big trend that we’ve seen since the pandemic.”

One-of-a-kind finds

Also contributing to the growth of thrifting is the unique assortment of items one can only find in second hand stores.

Lalla McGee, a zealous thrifter who lives in Newnan, describes her favorite thrift find: an abstract painting discovered back in the 1980s that sparks conversation anytime she hosts guests at her home.

“It has caused more conversation than any other piece of art I’ve ever had,” says McGee. “It’s just a wonderful, wonderful conversation piece.”

McGee admits she never hesitates to share that a particular item of clothing or art or furniture that she owns was discovered in a thrift store because she is proud to have found these items at such discounted prices.

Whatever your style or income, thrift and bargain shopping can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars a year, keep clothes out of landfills, and add a bit of adventure to your life. NCM

Hayley Bishop, a student at the University of West Georgia in Newnan, says she’s discovered that if she has a need for a particular item, she can almost always stop by her local Goodwill and locate it. This time, she was looking for bowls – and found them!

Local Thrift and Bargain Shopping

CLOTHES

One Roof Thrift Store, Newnan, oneroofoutreach.org

ReNew Thrift Store, Newnan, facebook.com/ReNewThriftStore/ Underground Runway, Newnan, facebook.com/groups/UndergroundRunway

FURNITURE

Habitat For Humanity ReStore, Newnan, nchfh.org/restore

Highway 29 Bargain Shop, Newnan, facebook.com/hwy29bargainshop

The Shack, Senoia, facebook.com/TheShackWholesale

A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING

Goodwill Newnan, 228 Bullsboro Drive, goodwillsr.org/newnan

Goodwill Newnan, 3121 Highway 34 East, goodwillsr.org/thomascrossroads

Salvation Army, Newnan, facebook.com/TSANewnan/

Meeting Newnan’s mental health needs

Written by MELISSA JACKSON AND HANNAH TROSPER

Everyone feels broken at least once in their life, and no one gets out of life without experiencing some form of trauma, according to Jennifer Yaeger, clinical director at Seaglass Therapy in Newnan.

However, she adds, healing is possible for everyone, and anyone can become a survivor as opposed to a victim. That’s good news.

The bad news: In 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 48,000 Americans died as a result of intentional self-harm, making suicide among the leading causes of death. The same year, approximately 55.7 million Americans in medical visits sought assistance for ailments arising from mental health disorders.

Further, according to the CDC, nearly 5% of American adults report regular feelings of depression, and more than 20% receive mental health treatment of some kind, including pharmaceutical support for mental health ailments.

Between 2019 and 2021, Americans spent nearly $21 billion seeking support for substance abuse and mental illness, according to IBISWorld, an international industry research provider.

In recent years, worries across the world have included the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and international strife such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the persistent threat of North Korean nuclear aggression, all exacerbating the stress and anxiety of life in the 21st century.

The World Health Organization, which reports a 13% rise in mental health conditions and substance use disorders in the last decade.

Newnan and Coweta have not escaped the surge in mental health maladies. And while it’s difficult to meet all mental health needs, several local organizations work to do just that. Here are just a few.

SEAGLASS THERAPY

Located on East Broad Street in Newnan, Seaglass Therapy is a holistic therapy practice specializing in emotional and behavioral issues with a focus on helping clients heal from trauma through a variety of treatments, including talk therapy, art and music therapy, therapistled yoga sessions, massage and acupuncture. They even have a Himalayan salt sauna.

Treatments such as Trauma-Informed Yoga help clients “find empowerment and safety in their body,” according to Yaeger.

Yoga sessions are led by a licensed therapist, who utilizes tools like invitational language, inviting clients to move to a position only if they feel comfortable, as opposed to instructing them. Therapists are mindful of potential past trauma related to physical touch, so they don’t physically touch clients to correct form without asking for consent.

Both of these tools help clients feel empowered to set boundaries, and create a comfortable and safe therapeutic environment, according to Yaeger.

FRAYED EDGES

An offshoot of Seaglass Therapy, Frayed Edges is a nonprofit that raises money to offset costs of counseling and other emotional wellness services for Cowetans. Frayed Edges offers scholarship programs of 12 therapy sessions over six months at a cost of $30 per session with qualification based on income and size of household. The nonprofit raises funds to provide this discounted rate by seeking grants and hosting events.

In September, Frayed Edges held its second festival at Greenville Street Park in Newnan, complete with vendors, food trucks and live music. A favorite component of the festival, according to Yaeger, was a $15 armband area where the Seaglass team provided mental wellness activities such as a rage room, yoga, an art and music therapy project, and dream interpretation.

Another affordable option for services offered through Seaglass Therapy is its internship program in which graduate students working on completing licensure offer therapy at the same rate as the scholarship program. Licensed therapists remain involved in the caseload to ensure a positive and helpful experience for the client. Anyone interested can opt in to the program and receive the discounted rate, as long as they consent to a student leading the session.

B.Y.R.D. HOUSE

Located in Newnan, Behavioral Youth Resource Development (B.Y.R.D.) House is another nonprofit that provides strategies to connect youth and families with professionals who provide the support and guidance

necessary for positive socialization. Sliding-scale pricing is based on income for counseling sessions.

B.Y.R.D. House specializes in treating school-aged children ages 5 to 18 and their families with emphasis on cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on changing thoughts and thought patterns in order to create more positive behaviors and feelings.

An afterschool program offered by B.Y.R.D. House, Beat the Street extends tutoring and personal mentoring in order to prepare at-risk youth for success. The program provides educational interventions with a variety of recreational, social and life skills.

By focusing on all aspects of a child’s life, such as mental wellness, personal relationships, family and education, this program sets its participants up with the best possible opportunity for success, and helps them grow into healthy, confident adults.

PITCHING IN

In addition to formal therapeutic experiences, several Coweta businesses and institutions offer opportunities to practice wellness-supporting habits.

On Wednesday evenings, local musician Richard Oteri visits House of Light, on Jackson Street in Newnan, for free group meditation.

“Being able to stop thinking or to think in a more peaceful way is very beneficial,” says Oteri, who notes that some suffering with anxiety or physical ailments, such as arthritis, comment on how their symptoms seem to disappear during the hour-long meditation.

House of Light also offers an on-demand drum circle experience for individuals interested in the stressalleviating practice of group drumming.

The Carnegie Library in Newnan offers free guided meditation and breathing classes, along with other classes aimed at reducing stress and promoting mental wellness, including Exercise is Medicine and Gentle Yoga.

Blue Lotus and Backstreet Arts also offer programs aimed at improving mental health. NCM

Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock

Low-cost and no-cost ways to reduce stress

Written by MELISSA JACKSON

While many mental health concerns require professional therapy and pharmaceutical support, imbalances resulting from situational stress and low-level anxiety can often be addressed by intentional lifestyle shifts. Seek professional help if you need it, and consider these low and no-cost solutions to help improve your daily wellbeing.

Sleep: Many studies have shown a correlation between adequate sleep and mental wellness. Keep a sleep journal and document your sleep schedule and sleep disruptions to look for patterns. Remember to put electronic devices away and eliminate blue light from your bedroom. Get a white noise machine if nearby noises, like a spouse’s snore, disrupt your sleep.

Physical activity: Regular physical activity promotes mental and physical wellness as well as better sleep patterns. Consider joining a group walking or running program, taking up a sport, or dusting off that gym membership for the new year.

Mindfulness activities: Mindfulness activities such as focusing on your breathing and practicing meditation can transform daily experiences and reduce stress. Google “Mayo clinic, mindfulness exercises” for tips and strategies.

Free community resources: Visit House of Light to find out more about their free meditation evenings and on-demand drum circles, or start a drum circle of your own. Visit the Carnegie Library to participate in free yoga, breathing and exercise classes specifically designed to support mental and physical wellness.

Nutritional changes: There’s increasing evidence that the gut microbiome dramatically impacts mood and mental wellness. Consider ways to eliminate processed foods and increase sources of micronutrients and probiotics through fermented foods as well as fresh fruit, vegetable and protein options.

Supplements: In 2017 the National Center for Biotechnology Information published a study indicating that increasing regular doses of magnesium and B6 correlates with decreased anxiety. Ask your doctor if these or other supplements might help you.

Turn to the Ancients: Read Epictetus’s “The Art of Living” translated by Sharon Lebell or Marcus Aurelius’s “Meditations” to learn more about how the ancient stoics managed the stress of daily life nearly 2,000 years ago. You may be surprised by how relevant their advice remains. “There is only one way to happiness,” Epictetus stated, “and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond our power or our will.”

Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock

Resolutions for Good

HOW TO USE YOUR UNIQUE GIFTS TO SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY IN THE NEW YEAR

Written by JILL WHITLEY

Every January, many of us make resolutions that we ultimately never keep. For some, it’s an unfulfilled promise to hit the gym regularly or a wasted effort to declutter our home or workspace. So often, unsuccessful New Year’s resolutions end up making us feel worse about ourselves.

Fortunately, many studies show that participating in acts of service – whether volunteerism, philanthropy or simply performing random acts of kindness – not only make us feel better about ourselves but make us happier in general. That’s largely due to an increased connection to our community and its people.

However, like many resolutions, charitable serving or giving feels like a huge undertaking, and with more than 700 nonprofit organizations in Coweta County alone, it’s not surprising that choosing a cause and deciding how to support it can be an overwhelming task.

Enter three of Coweta County’s experts on charitable giving and volunteerism: Kristin Webb, executive director of Coweta Community Foundation; Amanda Camp, board chair of Coweta Family Connection; and Kevin Barbee, chairman of Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce’s Nonprofit Alliance.

Combined, these three local leaders have more than 40 years of nonprofit experience and an encyclopedic knowledge of the rich ecosystem of charitable organizations throughout Coweta County.

“I always tell people that you can serve the cause of your choice in one of three ways,” says Webb. “You can contribute your time, your talent, or your treasure.”

At Coweta Community Foundation, Webb works to help focus local philanthropy on the

community’s changing needs through the power of collective giving.

Along with serving on Coweta Family Connection board, Camp is executive director of Coweta CASA, an advocacy organization for children in foster care.

OPPOSITE

PAGE LEFT

Kristin Webb, executive director of Coweta Community Foundation, says there are many ways to volunteer, mainly by contributing your time, talent or treasure.

OPPOSITE PAGE MIDDLE

Amanda Camp, board chair of Coweta Family Connection, serves as executive director of Coweta CASA, an organization that advocates for the needs of children in the foster care system.

OPPOSITE PAGE RIGHT

Kevin Barbee, executive director of Elevate Coweta Students, serves as chairman of the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce’s Nonprofit Alliance.

“Not everyone is able to be a front-line volunteer,” says Camp. “So many people think volunteer work requires a vast amount of time and effort, and that’s simply not true. Once you find an organization you’re passionate about, then you get to sit down with its leadership and find ways to serve that will excite and challenge you while furthering their mission or filling a critical need.”

Kevin Barbee, director of Elevate Coweta Students, a mentorship program for underserved students in the Coweta County School System, considers how potential volunteers can find their passion.

“Everyone has something they’re passionate about,” he says. “If there is not a problem in your community you want to help solve, that’s not something any organization can help with. That requires quiet time and introspection.”

Elevate Coweta Students’ volunteer mentors spend time nurturing connections with at-risk Coweta County Schools students.

Photo courtesy of Elevate Coweta Students

Barbee says organizations like the chamber’s Nonprofit Alliance and Coweta Community Foundation can educate a potential volunteer about local organizations in need of assistance – and help match their passion, skillset and bandwidth to the appropriate nonprofit.

“There is so much collaboration between organizations in Coweta that we have a vast referral network,” he says. “For example, someone may come to Elevate Coweta Students wanting to support children in need but not be able to commit to 30 minutes a week for what we hope is a number of years. In that case, I can send them to Backpack Buddies or Abby’s Angels.”

Camp concurs: “There are so many amazing causes to choose from, but that sometimes results in decision paralysis. Fortunately, by attending a meeting of the Family Connection or the Nonprofit Alliance, you can network with local nonprofit leaders until you find the organization that feels right for you.”

Webb appreciates the vast number of ways potential volunteers can learn about the hundreds of nonprofits in Coweta County.

Camp says she’s discovered that some people have a finite idea of what volunteerism looks like.

“They think it might be packing boxes at a food pantry or handing out donations to those in need,” she says. “The reality is the method of service is only limited by your imagination. Maybe you have a background in banking, law, logistics, or the ability to fundraise, and you would like to sit on a charitable board. Or maybe you’re good at event planning and want to chair a committee. Maybe you enjoy writing and want to spearhead the newsletter, or you’re really good at social media and want to help in that way. I can’t think of a single nonprofit in Coweta that doesn’t need help with IT.”

All three nonprofit leaders emphasize that, if you have any questions about volunteering or philanthropy, the best way to begin is by reaching out to one of the three nonprofit networks they lead.

The Chamber’s Nonprofit Alliance and Coweta Family Connection both meet monthly, and they welcome visitors to any meeting.

The Coweta Community Foundation is available by appointment to help direct your philanthropic efforts to one of their donor-advised funds.

All three networks can be easily searched on the web for more information. NCM

reality

Kristin Webb, left, of Coweta Community Foundation, and Amanda Camp, right, of Coweta Family Connection, demonstrate the collaboration between nonprofits by providing Coweta County Schools’ psychologist Ruth Scott, center, with stress relief manipulatives for the system’s mental health professionals.

– Amanda Camp

“The

is the method of service is only limited by your imagination.”

Photo courtesy of Coweta Community Foundation

The Venue at Murphy Lane is located on a gorgeous country estate with a gated entrance, a long winding driveway, rolling hills, wide-open fields, tranquil ponds, well-maintained lawns and immaculate landscaping. You will find a beautiful barn complete with a covered and enclosed patio area with wrought-iron chandeliers, bistro lighting and patio furniture, a climate-controlled barn with a grand crystal chandelier, 8-ft wooden farm tables and 60" round tables with cross-back chairs, a pristine Bridal Lounge with a hair and makeup counter, a Groom's Room, comfortable bathrooms and spacious catering kitchen. Other amenities include: variety of ceremony sites, golf cart shuttle service, on-site accommodations, 5-star service, venue decor and more!

A Tale of Two Dresses

THE ROYAL WEDDING OF DANIEL AND WHITNEY STAUFFER

Written by JACKIE KENNEDY | Photographed by LESLIE CALLAWAY/CALLAWAY CREATIVE COMPANY

Whitney Stauffer’s royal wedding ball gown was just what she wanted to project glamour and regalness at her May 21, 2022 wedding.

From the beginning, Whitney Stauffer knew she wanted two wedding dresses for her spring 2022 wedding to Daniel Stauffer.

In tune with a recent trend, she searched for a romantic ball gown for the ceremony itself and a more comfortable, yet equally elegant, dress for dancing at the reception.

Whitney is founder and director of Veterans Helping Veterans Foundation (VHVF), a Douglasville-based nonprofit that supports veterans with disabilities and

ABOVE

Whitney and Daniel Stauffer have only eyes for each other after exchanging vows at Foxhall Resort in Douglasville.

promotes veteran mental health awareness. Daniel works with her in the nonprofit and also serves as a major with the United States Marine Corps Reserves where he’s a company commander for Engineer Support Company, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, in Baltimore, Md.

The couple met in 2020, during the COVID pandemic, at their favorite bar, Hangar 92 Bar & Grille in Douglasville.

“ When we first met, it was like love at first sight,” says Whitney. “ We just had so much in common that we could not be separated from one another. We were both in the United States Marine Corps, which is what really brought us close together.”

Originally from Douglasville, Daniel had moved to Newnan in 2019, and in 2020, Whitney moved to Newnan to be with him. When driving from their

“When I tried on each of these wedding dresses, I immediately cried.”

– Whitney Stauffer

Whitney’s second dress, equally elegant but more comfortable for the reception, was purchased at Sure Bride in Newnan.

foundation in Douglasville to Newnan, the couple typically drove past Foxhall Resort in Douglasville.

“ We always mentioned to ourselves that we would like to get married there, and we did,” says Whitney.

Their May 21, 2022, wedding and reception featured a live band, a VW bus photo booth, and a three-piece string ensemble.

And those two dresses!

“ Searching for my wedding dresses, I wanted to take my venue into consideration,” she says. “ We had a very

Bridal in Atlanta. The V neckline ball gown features custom beaded embroidery and tulle horsehair with Swarovski crystals.

“ The ball gown dress was very heavy, to say the least,” says Whitney. “ It weighed around 13 pounds and was too big and heavy to have fun in at our reception.”

The remedy, according to the bride: “ My sleeker and sexy dress from Sure Bride. It was a perfect fit and extremely light. I loved the way the dress hugged the curves on my body perfectly, and it was so easy to dance in while enjoying our reception.”

The reception gown by Justin Alexander is a beaded, off-the-shoulder dress with a whimsical A-line silhouette.

“ This dress is the perfect combo of elegant, sexy and traditional,” says Whitney. “ The lace is gorgeous and really amplifies the dress without competing with other details. And the dress was so comfortable.”

elegant outdoor wedding, and my walk down the aisle was very long. My vision was to have a stunning royal wedding ball dress with a very long train, followed by a sleek, slender dress, which I found at Sure Bride wedding boutique in downtown Newnan.”

Whitney discovered her royal ball gown at Anya’s

Whitney says that, much like love at first sight when she met Daniel, finding her dresses was also love at first sight.

“ When I tried on each of these wedding dresses, I immediately cried,” she says. “ Every bride that was booked at the bridal boutique came out of their changing room with their family over to me to tell me how beautiful I was. I knew then it was love at first sight –and love at first cry.”

On her wedding day, says Whitney, she “ felt very regal and royal in both dresses.”

Her groom Daniel had royalty on his mind, too, when he saw her in each dress.

“ She truly looked like a princess from a fairy tale, just beautiful,” he recalls. “ My heart stopped when I saw her. She looked perfect.”

The couple feel their royal wedding will lead to a lovely life together.

“ Whitney is a gift from God that came into my life at the perfect moment,” says Daniel. “ I honestly would not know where I would be without her.”

The couple’s wedding photographer, Leslie Callaway of Newnan, says she sensed something special from the moment she met Whitney and Daniel.

“ Their positive energy, creativity and loving nature is so contagious, and I knew their day would reflect that,” says Callaway. “ Everyone was so excited to see them so genuinely in love. Their wedding was absolutely stunning, and I am so honored to have had the opportunity to capture it.” NCM

LEFT Whitney and Daniel Stauffer look forward to their life together.

– Daniel Stauffer

“My heart stopped when I saw her. She looked perfect.”

ABOVE

By Justin Alexander, the off-the-shoulder dress with an A-line silhouette is the perfect combination of elegance, sexiness and tradition, according to the bride.

LEFT

The dress from Sure Bride made dancing the night away at their reception a relaxing and comfortable occasion, according to Whitney.

Reception dress

Sure Bride, Newnan; surebrides.com

Photography Leslie Callaway of Callaway Creative Company, Newnan; facebook.com/ callawaycreativecompany

– Whitney Stauffer

A Backyard Bride

FAITH, FAMILY AND A FUTURE TOGETHER

Written by JACKIE KENNEDY | Photographed by LISA MORRIS/LISA-ANNE PHOTOGRAPHY

Brittany Cimini and Garrison Morgan, both born and raised in Newnan, built their wedding venue – from the ground up – in his parents’ backyard.

When Troy and Ericka Morgan offered up the backyard of the family home, their son’s response was immediate. “I was brought home to this house as a baby boy, and I would really love to marry the woman of my dreams here,” he said.

Brittany, the daughter of Mark and Dawn Cimini, was completely onboard. The couple had one year to plan their do-it-yourself venue and wedding.

“We drew up a blueprint of our dream venue and made it happen,” says Brittany.

The couple’s backyard vows were shared on April 30, 2022.

Garrison and Brittany Morgan pose in front of a canary-yellow pickup truck that proclaims them “Just Married.”

Garrison and Brittany, both 22, knew each other from the time they attended school together at Arnco Sargent Elementary. Their love story began in their junior year of high school when, as Garrison is prone to say, “the weird girl had a major crush on No. 76 of the Newnan High School football team.”

Garrison was intrigued by that girl with the crush. Knowing deep in his heart he only wanted to marry once, he planned a way to enhance his odds, according to Brittany.

“He introduced me to literally every single person who meant the most to him before he took me on our first date,” she recalls. “And that was to the Coweta

Cattlemen’s Rodeo in 2016. Sparks flew from that day forward, and the rest is history.”

The pair graduated from Newnan High in 2018 and attended West Georgia Technical College together, their love story growing as each year unfolded. On May 28, 2021, Garrison proposed on a white sandy beach at St. George Island, a favorite Florida vacation spot for the Morgan family.

“I said yes, of course, and from that day forward, we started to plan our wedding,” says Brittany.

The goal was to make their big day as unique to them and special for their entire family as possible. Their backyard ceremony and reception area was created from relics of an old farmhouse where

The couple’s faith was front and center at their wedding, which included prayer as shown here, from left, officiant Brian Morgan, Garrison Morgan, the bride’s father Mark Cimini, and Brittany.

At the reception, the couple requested that guests sign their Bible and highlight their favorite verse.

A foot washing was another way the couple incorporated their strong faith into their wedding ceremony. Here, Garrison washes the feet of his bride-to-be; in turn, she also washed his.

For the ceremony, the couple knew they wanted their faith front and center.

Garrison’s grandparents had lived. With wood hauled from the farmhouse, the backyard venue became the site of a pole barn, handmade tables and benches, and barn doors that led into the ceremony spot. To top it all off, an eight-foot chandelier was also brought over from the farmhouse.

For the ceremony, the couple knew they wanted their faith front and center.

“So we washed each other’s feet as testament to serve each other throughout our marriage,” says Brittany.

At their sign-in table, a Bible was used as the guest register with guests encouraged to highlight their favorite Bible verse and sign next to it. “We plan to use this as a family Bible when we start our family together,” says the bride.

Her wedding band was originally Garrison’s grandmother’s diamond ring, then his mom’s engagement ring, and finally Brittany’s wedding band.

“It’s such a sentimental reminder of what a long-lasting marriage looks like,” says Brittany.

While many of their wedding details were homespun, the couple also relied on local small businesses “ to make our special day perfect” she adds. NCM

The wedding cake was created by Amanda Crook at Kaney Cakes in Franklin.

The Cimini-Morgan wedding party included, from left, Anna Willoughby, Kyanne Scott, Brooke Dunsmore, Gabby Morgan, matron of honor Sarah Sellers, Brittany the bride, Garrison the groom, best man and father of the groom Troy Morgan, Alex Perry, Nick Bowie, Matthew McLellan, Trey Willoughby and Tyler Sellers. Ring bearers are Barrett Scott, left, and Reese Cimini.

to your 6

VendorsLocal

Florist

Felicia Scott at Morgan’s Market, Newnan; morgansmarket.com Rings

Morgan Jewelers, downtown Newnan; morganjewelersnewnan.com

Dress alterations

Sew Julie, Newnan; facebook.com/ Sewjulieseamstress/ Groom and groomsmen apparel

Celebrate Tuxedo, Newnan; celebrationgeorgia.com

Photography

Lisa Morris, Lisa-Anne Photography, Newnan; facebook.com/ lisaannephotog/ Food

Alley's Barbecue, Newnan; facebook. com/alleysbarbecue/

The reception meal featured chicken quarters, mac-n-cheese, coleslaw, baked beans and, for late-night guests, chicken wings. Outdoor decor/ couch seating area Blue Fern Merchant, Newnan: bluefernmerchant.com

Hair Hair and Makeup by Karlee, Newnan; facebook.com/ hairandmakeupbykarlee1/about Deejay

DJChols, Newnan; djchols.com

Officiant

Brian Morgan, Newnan.

“Brian has played a huge role in our relationship from the beginning,” says Brittany. “Garrison asked permission from Brian, a huge role model in his life, to ask Brittany out on their first date. Brian made their special day so sentimental and had the whole crowd in tears. And no, he’s not related to the Morgan family! LOL.”

Felicia Scott of Morgan’s Market in Newnan designed the bridal bouquet

Lisa Morris of Lisa-Anne Photography in Newnan photographed the Morgan wedding and reception.

Salmon Avocado Salad, see recipe on page 56.

Food for the mind, body & spirit

Written by GAIL MCGLOTHIN | Photographed by APRIL MCGLOTHIN-ELLER

The beginning of each new year seems to be about adding and subtracting. What am I going to add this year and what am I going to subtract?

One December, I spent a lot of time thinking about what changes I intended to make in the next year in mind, body and spirit. I added this and subtracted that and before I knew it, my year was going to be spent in significant effort changing my mind, body and spirit – 34 changes, mind you, added and subtracted. Tell me who can do that?

As I recall, getting it down to two in each category appeared to be doable. What happened to the other 28 changes is anyone’s guess.

I have been thinking about mind, body and spirit again. Because I live in a multi-generational family of five, food occupies a large part of my mind, body and spirit. We make a menu every week and generate a grocery list. Grocery shopping involves three grocery stores and, sometimes, specialty markets. Fortunately, plenty of people are around to carry bags in from the car to the kitchen. And the person who shops does not have to put away groceries.

Listed in the 2023 “mind” category is stepping outside my comfort zone to find a new food we like. A fruit, vegetable or fish we’ve never eaten? A boxed, canned or frozen item? Something from the shelf of a specialty ethnic market? Who knows!

On my last trip to Barnes and Noble, I flipped through several cookbooks that, frankly, looked like the ones already lining the bookcase at home. I decided to pick up the one I was least likely to buy –based only on the cover. “Super Simple” by Tieghan Gerard is now at home looking like a porcupine with sticky tabs around three sides. The Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala is delicious.

Getting into the spirit of cooking is as much about the joy of sharing a meal with friends and family as it is about enjoying chopping fresh veggies and the aroma of garlic and onions simmering in olive oil. The post-COVID era is upon us and it’s time to get back to neighborhood potlucks, church dinners, and having the neighbors over for coffee and homemade cookies.

Joy also involves finding a dish both grandsons will eat. The whole family likes cauliflower so the Cauliflower in Tomato Cream Sauce is already finding its way to our table. An adventurous spirit might entice someone to make from scratch something you always buy ready to eat. Canned carrot soup is tasty, but spices in the Moroccan Carrot Soup add a special kick.

The physician’s assistant I last visited told me that 80% of our weight is what goes into our mouths. While water aerobics and senior stretch classes at the YMCA are good for me, the plain truth is 2023 is going to be about being intentional about what goes into my body. Surely with all the different food plans available, anyone can find a plan that appeals.

Heavy cream once used in the Cauliflower in Tomato Cream Sauce is now fat free half-and-half, and low- or no-fat sour cream and low-fat cream cheese are substitutes for their full-fat siblings in the Bavarian Cream. No one misses the fat!

This year might be the year to cull out your recipe box. What haven’t you made in 15 years? An old favorite might be back in the rotation when you check your favorite recipes for possible healthier substitutes.

I’m looking forward to serving old favorites and trying new yummies. I’m determined to subtract fat and learn a new cooking technique. I think a bigger herb garden is a possibility.

What does 2023 hold for you?

Moroccan Carrot Soup

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 cup chopped white onion

1 teaspoon cumin

1 pound large carrots, peeled

2½ cups chicken broth

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon ground allspice Salt, to taste Pepper, to taste

½ plain yogurt, thinned with milk

Heat olive oil in medium saucepan. Add onion and sauté over medium heat until tender. Stir in cumin and cook one minute. Cut carrots in ½-inch pieces. Add to onion, and stir in broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer about 20 minutes until carrots are very tender. Remove from heat. Puree in a blender, adding chicken broth, if desired, to thin to favorite consistency. Whisk in honey, lemon juice and allspice. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls. Drizzle yogurt over top of soup.

Spinach, Mushroom and Feta Crustless Quiche

1 (10-ounce) container frozen chopped spinach

8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced

½ teaspoon fresh garlic

2 ounces feta or goat cheese

4 large eggs or egg product equal to 4 eggs

1 cup milk

¼ cup grated Parmesan Salt, to taste Pepper, to taste

½ cup shredded mozzarella

Thaw and drain spinach. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray pan with non-stick spray. Sauté mushrooms and garlic over medium high heat until no moisture remains.

Spray pie pan with non-stick spray. Squeeze spinach until dry and spread out in the bottom of the dish. Add cooked mushrooms and crumbled feta or goat cheese. In a bowl, whisk eggs until fairly smooth. Add milk, parmesan and salt and pepper to taste. Pour over spinach, mushrooms, and feta. Sprinkle mozzarella over top. Place quiche in oven and bake 40 to 50 minutes until golden brown on top and center is solid.

Cauliflower in Tomato Cream Sauce

Pasta, preferably spaghetti, linguine, angel hair, or ziti

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

7 cups small cauliflower florets

1/3 cup water

1 cup tomato puree

1 cup fat-free half-and-half

½ teaspoon salt

Fresh ground black pepper, to taste

¼ cup minced fresh parsley

Grated Parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook to al dente. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium/low heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking 2 minutes. Stir in cauliflower and toss. Pour in water and cover the pan, steaming 10 minutes or until cauliflower is tender. Meanwhile, mix tomato puree, half-and-half, salt and pepper together well in a small bowl. Pour over cauliflower and toss. Bring to a boil to heat well, then remove from heat. Drain the pasta. Serve pasta and cauliflower tossed together or individually. Garnish with parsley, and pass the Parmesan cheese at the table.

Salmon Avocado Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

Salmon Avocado Salad

2 pounds salmon filets

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 small avocados, peeled and sliced

8 cups spring greens

¼ cup sliced green onions

12 cherry tomatoes, quartered Lime Vinaigrette, recipe below Sprinkle filets with salt and pepper. Cook salmon in hot olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium high heat 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Set salmon aside. Toss together avocado, spring greens, green onions and cherry tomatoes. Divide salad into four servings. Lay filet on top of each salad and top with vinaigrette. Serves 4.

Lime Vinaigrette

3 tablespoons sugar

¼ cup olive oil

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

2 shallots, minced

2 teaspoons fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped

Combine all ingredients in a jar. Cover tightly and shake vigorously. Makes 1 cup.

Bavarian Cream

1 cup light sour cream 1 cup fat free half-and-half ¾ cup sugar or equal amount artificial sweetener

½ teaspoon vanilla ¼ cup water

1 envelope unflavored gelatin ¼ cup water

8 ounces low fat cream cheese at room temperature

Brush a 4-cup mold lightly with vegetable oil. Combine sour cream and half-and-half in medium saucepan. Beat in sugar or sweetener and vanilla; place over low heat to warm.

Measure ¼ cup water in a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over water in a cup to soften. Place cup in saucepan with hot water to dissolve and liquify. Stir in warm sour cream/ half-and-half mixture.

Beat cream cheese until soft. Stir in cream, gradually, blending thoroughly. Pour into mold. Refrigerate at least 4 hours. Unmold and serve with your favorite berries on top. Individual servings can be made using 4 or 5 small bowls. For a syrup topping, mash berries of your choice. NCM

Run for Angels

Written by CAROLINE NICHOLSON | Photos courtesy of ANGEL’S HOUSE

It can be hard to imagine that horrible things happen in your own backyard, but there are young people in Coweta County who suffer from nightmarish living situations.

The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) often intervenes in these instances, taking children out of damaging home environments and working to rehome

them. Ideally, these children are placed in the custody of other family members, but for some there is no family to go to. When that happens, DFCS must find another suitable place for these children to stay.

In late 2000, a lack of housing options in these cases forced children to stay overnight at the DFCS office. Following this crisis, DFCS called on the community to help create a more permanent solution, so Angel’s House was born.

Construction on the children’s home began in 2001, and on June 21, 2004, the doors of

This year’s Run For Angels is set for Feb. 4 in downtown Newnan.

Angel’s House were flung wide open, like arms welcoming children in need.

In the beginning, Angel’s House served boys and girls, but they’ve since shifted to house just girls in 6th to 12th grades.

Angel’s House works to create a safe, loving home environment for the young girls staying there, according to Stephanie Searcy, president of the Angel’s House Board of Directors. In order to accomplish that, they use a houseparent system. Currently, two pairs of

houseparents live with the girls on a rotating biweekly schedule.

Houseparents see to the needs of the girls, help with homework, make dinner, and perform all the other mundane things that are so easily taken for granted in any household. Enrolled in Coweta County schools, the girls are provided all school supplies and encouraged to succeed, according to Searcy.

“Some girls have never slept in a bed before they came to Angel’s House,” says Searcy. “With

Residents of Angel’s House excitedly read and share books donated to them from community members.

“...Not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for the time I spent there. I owe much of who and where I am to Angel’s House and the love, guidance and support they showed me.”

– Rebecca Whitley

community donations, anything the girls could ever need is provided for them. Often for the first time in their lives, they are safe and cared for with a community supporting them.”

For these girls, the support extends much further than just their time at Angel’s House. As long as they are pursuing a college degree, residents don’t age out of the system until their 21st birthday. That means they have help not only when applying for colleges but throughout their college careers.

Searcy speaks proudly of the girls who have gone off to college, mentioning three freshmen who are studying now at Berry College, Mercer University and Gordon State College. Through Angel’s House, these girls were given everything needed to furnish and decorate their dorm rooms. In addition, they are able to return to their family at Angel’s House during college breaks.

All funding for Angel’s House comes directly from the community via donations and fundraisers. Each year, Angel’s House holds Run for Angels, its biggest fundraiser, to help raise

money to support their day-to-day operations. The annual Run for Angels provides the bulk of the organization’s funds.

The 21st Annual Run for Angels is set for Feb. 4. Runners of any ability have the option of participating in a 5K, 10K, or a one-mile fun run.

There are other ways to support the young girls. Angel’s House keeps an updated Amazon wish list that includes not only fun stuff the girls want but practical things that the house needs in order to function. In addition, there are ample opportunities to volunteer.

Since opening, Angel’s House has provided care to 274 children over 43,171 days with 62% of the residents coming from Coweta.

Rebecca Whitley, a former resident, is thankful for her time at Angel’s House.

“It’s been 11 years since I was placed at Angel’s House, but not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for the time I spent there,” she says. “I owe much of who and where I am to Angel’s House and the love, guidance and support they showed me.” NCM

Angel’s House opened its doors to children in June 2004.

A Good and Perfect Gift

Written by CHUCK CLEVELAND

When I asked God for a Christian wife, I sensed his reply was, “What exactly do you want?” Somewhat encouraged, I proceeded to make a five-fold request. Barbara meets all five of those characteristics, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

In February of 1975, I attended a singles retreat over Valentine’s at Kay and Jack Arthur’s Reach Out Ranch in Chattanooga. When another retreat was announced for late September that year, I encouraged my fellow singles at our church in Atlanta to go, and many of them did. I had a responsibility at the church on Friday night that weekend, but I drove a little more than 100 miles on Saturday morning to participate in the remainder of the conference.

What I didn’t know was that Kay had concluded her teaching Friday night by asking those present: “If God wanted you to remain single, would you be willing to do so?”

Barbara surrendered her desire for marriage on Friday night – only to meet her future husband the next evening.

I have no idea why I was sitting by myself toward the rear of the room that Saturday night. But there I was when Barbara came in looking for a seat. I would like to think I would have done the same for a less attractive woman, but we’ll never know. Barbara was very pretty, and I motioned there was an empty seat near me, which she hurriedly took.

We met during a break and had a pleasant conversation. We continued that talk the next day at the conference and decided to extend our time together Sunday afternoon. I don’t recall when the conversation about spiritual matters turned to romance, but it certainly did,

and as I drove home I sensed the Lord asking me, “What was it you recently prayed about?”

Could Barbara be the answer to that prayer?

I was starting to read the Book of James the next morning and I wondered if God would provide direction from that letter.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt.” (James 1:5-6a).

I clearly lacked wisdom, but I was ready to believe what God would show me.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17).

In September 1975, I took those verses as confirmation that Barbara was indeed the answer to my prayer for a Christian wife, and 10 months later we married. After 46 years together, I continually thank my loving heavenly Father for his good and perfect gift. NCM

Wedded on July 31, 1976, Chuck and Barbara Cleveland have shared 46 years of marriage.

Congrats, again, to our Best of Coweta winners!

Written by JACKIE KENNEDY | Photographed by SARA MOORE

Winners of the Newnan-Coweta Magazine (NCM) 2022 Best of Coweta (BOC) Readers’ Choice Awards wined and dined at a reception held in their honor in October. Held in Newnan at Blue Fern Merchant, the BOC winner for Best Interior Design, the reception featured foodstuffs crafted by fellow BOC winners: Rock Salt Milk Bar, Best Dessert; Contemporary Catering, Best Caterer; Christy’s, Best Breakfast; and Goldens on the Square, Best Southern Cooking.

Hosted by Blue Fern Owner Lori Duncan, her staff, and the staff of Newnan-Coweta Magazine, the reception provided winners of the annual Best of Coweta contest an opportunity for networking, meeting new acquaintances and catching up with old friends.

The fifth annual Best of Coweta Readers’ Choice Awards kicks off March 1. Look for past and potential winners in our March/April issue, along with the official ballot and details on how to vote.

1. Lillian Gardens, represented by owner Ashley Keeley-Bercich, was named Coweta’s Best Special Event/Wedding Venue.

2. Representing Piedmont Pediatrics, Edwyn Carter was voted Coweta’s Best Pediatrician.

3. Hosting the reception are Blue Fern Merchant associates, from left, Angie Bell, designer; Marli Duncan, store assistant; Lori Duncan, owner/designer; Heather Berens, design assistant; and Kim Melhouse, event manager.

4. Newnan pediatrician Edwyn Carter, front right, of Piedmont Pediatrics chats with, from left, NCM Editor Jackie Kennedy, Blake Henry, and NCM staffers Payton Thompson, Debby Dye and Misha Benson. Carter was named Coweta’s Best Pediatrician in the BOC contest.

5. Jeff Morgan, owner of Morgan Jewelers in downtown Newnan, celebrates winning for Best Jewelry Store.

6. Dr. Stan Smith was named Coweta’s Best Internal Medicine/General Practitioner in the 2022 Best of Coweta contest.

7. Beth Tripp, director of sales and marketing, represents Wesley Woods of Newnan, winner for Best Assisted Living Facility.

8. This trio of champions celebrate their claim to fame as Best of Coweta winners, from left: Brett Moore of RBM Wealth Management Group, Best Financial Advisor; Walter Arnall of Walter W. Arnall LLC, Best Attorney; and Buck Floyd of Bucks Tires, Best Tire Shop.

9. Wine Director Camille Balboa, left, and General Manager Tavia Dillon celebrate Mama Lucia’s Restaurant’s win for Best Italian Food.

10. From left, NCM multimedia sales specialist Misha Benson, Rockin’ B Antiques and Collectibles owner Lorraine Beckman, NCM Editor Jackie Kennedy and Rockin’ B vendors Kathy Grant, Valorie Stitt and Molly Veasey celebrate Rockin’ B’s win for Best Antique/Vintage Store.

11. Representing Hero Roofing, voted Best Roofing Service, are Kristin and Nick Branon with their son Ronin and daughter Evie.

12. Rock Salt Milk Bar won for Best Dessert. Celebrating are, from left, Caroline Myatt, pastry chef assistant; Cindy Hendricks, owner; and Brandi Hendricks, pastry chef.

13. Voted Coweta’s Best Food Truck, Me Lumpia Long Time owners Candace and Rob Teague celebrate with daughter Isla. 14. Taking top honors for Best Home Repair/ Remodeling was Lichty Brothers Homes, represented here by Daniel Lichty, owner, and Shane Hamilton, project manager. 15. Voted Best Catering Service, Contemporary Catering was represented by, from left, owners Jennifer Hanna and her brother John Hanna, and Teri Hill, executive director.

16. Voted Coweta’s best for mental health services, Pathways Center was represented at the reception by, from left, Phyllis Pettway, client activities associate; Abigail Alvarez, director of client engagement; and Brittany Post, client curriculum coordinator.

17. Representing Newnan Presbyterian Preschool, voted tops for child care, are, from left, Karen Geeter, assistant director; Barbara Kookogey, school director; and Jill Green, attendance and records administrator.

18. Balloon Artist David Baker created a custom-designed #1 balloon statue and Best of Coweta ribbon for the reception.

Blacktop

Dozens of hummingbirds battle over two feeders at the Lake Redwine home of Rick Gross. “Sometimes they land on the feeder when I’m still holding it,” he says. The top photo shows hummingbirds vying for position at the feeder, while the other is of a hummingbird perched on the end of a zip tie.

photos

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

Local resident Renee Faulkner took this photo in downtown Newnan a couple of years ago. “The building was run down, but it was just beautiful and sad at the same time,” she says. “I’m so glad I got some photos before it was taken down.”

Photos must be original, high-resolution (300 DPI) digital photos in .jpg format, at least 3x5 inches in size. Please include your name so that we can give you credit for your photo in the magazine! Email your photos with the subject “Blacktop” to the address below.

Photo by Renee Faulkner

Photo by Sally Ray

Moreland resident Sally Ray captured this snowy shot at her mother’s home in Franklin, N.C.

Photo by Laurie Mattingly

A squirrel enjoys a midday snack at Margarita Trail in Coweta County.

The grandeur of the steeple at First Baptist Church in Newnan is punctuated by pink crepe myrtle flowers and a blue sky.

2 023 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SPRING

March 4 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

March 24 - Spring Art Walk, 5-9pm

April 1 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

April 16-22 - Downtown Newnan Restaurant Week

May 6 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

SUMMER

June 3 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

June 8 - Summer NewnaNights, 6-9pm

June 16 - Summer Wined Up, 5-9pm

July 1 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

July 4 - July 4th Parade, 9am

July 13 - Summer NewnaNights, 6-9pm

Aug 5 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

Aug 10 - Summer NewnaNights, 6-9pm

AUTUMN

Sept 1-4 - Labor Day Sidewalk Sale

Sept 2 - S unrise on the Square 5k, 8am

Sept 2 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

Sept 22 - Fall Art Walk, 5-9pm

Oct 6 - Oktoberfest, 5-10pm

Oct 7 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

Oct 21 - Spirits & Spice Festival, 2-7pm

Oct 31 - Munchkin Masquerade, 10am-12pm

WINTER

Nov 4 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

Nov 17 - Holiday Sip & See, 5-9pm

Nov 24 - Plaid Friday

A November sun sets over Coweta County Courthouse in downtown Newnan.

Nov 24 - Santa on the Square, 6-8pm

Nov 25 - Small Business Saturday

Dec 2 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

Photo by Khris Martin

Photo by Christine Kendall

New Year, Same Me

It’s a new year.

It’s been a rough stretch the last few years. I’ve had to say goodbye to family members I didn’t want to say goodbye to, and I said goodbye to a few friends I never thought I’d say goodbye to.

Such is life.

I used to think that, with the start of each new year, I had a chance to change myself. New year, new me. That sort of stuff.

But nothing ever stuck. Well before March, I was always back to being the same stubborn old curmudgeon.

Now that I’ve pretty much reached boomer status, I don’t even see the need to pretend for a few months.

I’m going into 2023 the same way I’m leaving 2022. My hope is that I will continue to work where I work and with whom I work with now. My friends are the best friends a fella could ask for.

I’m still going to try to get to the gym four or five times a week. I’m down to a weight I like, and I feel better than I’ve ever felt. Exercise does as much for you mentally as it does for you physically. I do believe that.

Plus, as a boomer, I can attest that you kind of hurt one way or the other, whether you’re sore from working out or sore from being old, so it’s really just choosing which pain you would rather feel.

I’m still going to care too hard about things I care about – and not care at all about things I don’t. It may sound like a jerk-ish way to be, but it works for me.

I’m still going to use meanness as my way of hugging and ignoring as my way of showing indifference. You can easily tell who I love most in this world by how much I pick on them. Again, maybe a jerk-ish way to be, but it works for me.

3

And don’t be feeling bad for my closest friends. They are as brutal to me as I am to them. It’s how we love.

I hope 2023 is the best year for everyone it can possibly be. And if I’m lucky enough to see 2024, I’ll say that again.

If I’m long gone by then, just know I went out being a stubborn old boomer with the best friends a stubborn old boomer could ask for. NCM

Southern-born and Southern-bred, Toby Nix is a local writer who works in law enforcement.

Make a resolution to be energy efficient this year.

Everything you do, no matter how small, can add up to big savings – for you and your neighbors. From flipping a switch to upgrading to CFLs. So take your pick, and save your money.

Scan the code with your phone camera to learn more. Follow

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