NCM Mar/Apr 2024

Please join City of Hope Atlanta for a special

Breast Cancer Screening Event

Wednesday, March 13th | 3:30 pm-6:30 pm

EVENT DETAILS

All patient appointments are subject to meeting clinical requirements. It is required that participants being screened have a doctor to receive the screening results.

THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF NEWNAN UTILITIES CUSTOMERS, WE HAVE DONATED OVER $100,000 TO NONPROFITS IN OUR COMMUNITY!

RESIDENTS

IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN HELPED BY NONPROFITS THAT HAVE RECEIVED GRANT FUNDING.

5

YEARS

THE CARING CUSTOMERS PROGRAM WAS CREATED AS PART OF THE NEWNAN UTILITIES FOUNDATION, A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION, IN SEPTEMBER 2018.

34

NONPROFITS

WE HAVE SUPPORTED 34 NONPROFITS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT HELP THEIR CLIENTS WITH EVERYTHING FROM BASIC NEEDS TO LITERACY, ART, DISABILITIES, VETERANS, AND SO MUCH MORE!

100%

OF FUNDS

COME FROM NEWNAN UTILITIES CUSTOMERS AND 100% OF THOSE DONATIONS STAY IN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our ode to pets and plants

In this issue of Newnan-Coweta Magazine, we feature families who are only complete when surrounded by the pets and plants they care for, local restaurants that welcome canine companions, and smart ways to keep both your pets and plants safe in the garden.

We also introduce you to Oliver, a golden retriever who’s earned quite the reputation around Newnan in recent years as a stellar service and therapy dog. Of course, you may not need our introduction; chances are you’ve seen Oliver yourself out and about around town, visiting the library or assisted living homes, hanging out with firefighters at the fire department or nurses at the hospital, or showing off his unique skill set at local events.

Oliver (whose full name is Oliver Golden Therapy Dog) is everything a well-trained dog can hope to be. He carries out his mission(s) with stealth and patience, calm and vigor, bringing joy and comfort to the humans he visits while bringing pride to his pet parents, David and Pamela Thomas. As they have learned, not every canine is cut out to be a service dog; some go through training and while they may not graduate as certified therapy dogs, the training they underwent makes them exceptional pets.

For the Thomases, Oliver’s training, and their reinforcement of it, resulted in the unleashing (pun intended) of an incredibly savvy service dog. Our hat’s off to them for sharing this masterpiece of a dog with our entire community – and for sharing his story with us, see page 24.

Winners of our 2024 Pet Photo Contest are announced on page 36. There was ample competition this year, so we gave some love to the runners-up by creating titles for them, too. Noteworthy in this year’s competition: The dogs didn’t walk away with all the prizes. Proving diversity in Coweta, even among pets, our winning photos included two cats, two dogs and one frog. We couldn’t be prouder!

Also in this issue, you’ll find the 2024 Best of Coweta ballot and instructions, starting on page 72. Take a minute to read the instructions. In them, you’ll learn (if you don’t already know) that the contest is open only to locally owned and operated businesses; that only one vote per person will be counted (we have our high-tech ways of checking this!); and that anyone can vote for any locally owned business or service provider in Coweta County simply by writing in their name on the ballot. We don’t nominate businesses. Our readers cast votes, and we count them. It’s a simple and straightforward contest that leaves little room for error as the numbers simply add up.

We look forward to warmer weather and hope your spring brings quality time spent with your family among the pets and plants that bring you joy.

Jackie Kennedy, Editor magazine@newnan.com

Correction: Featured in our previous issue, students Mackenzie Anthony, left, and Mackenzie Barber grace the cover. We apologize for not naming them in the January-February issue.

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY PRACTICE

The Women's Specialists of Fayette comprise a healthcare team that understands that women have special healthcare needs throughout their lives.

Our specialists are trained in the field of women's medicine which includes obstetrical and gynecological services such as pregnancy care, family planning needs and counseling, annual examinations, and minor office surgical procedures.

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

William T. Cook, M.D. Marlo Carter, M.D.

Matthew Ralsten, M.D.

Nicole E. Quinn, M.D. Yvonne Conaway, N.P. Nykia Burke-Bray, M.D.

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 and publish her own young adult novel.

Neil Monroe is a retired corporate communicator who worked with Southern Company, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Delta Airlines and Coca-Cola Enterprises. He and his wife, Rayleen, live in Sharpsburg where they enjoy tennis, golf and grandchildren.

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, She helps voters get government-issued picture IDs.

Jennifer London 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.

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.

The 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.

To bloom spectacularly

Some may argue what fate is. Some may brawl with definitions and challenge you to think differently. Moments are just moments after all. But in our memories, they become magnetic and monstrous, millions of miles away.

These defining moments in our lives are obviously noteworthy and impactful, but sometimes life sidles in and surprises us with a memory that (at the time) didn't seem to merit such weight. Meeting Perry, the corpse flower, was one of those fateful moments.

Perry is actually an Amorphophallus titanum; you don’t even have to know Latin to figure out its meaning. It is a giant plant that blooms every few years. When I say it's giant, it’s “Jurassic Park”-jumbo meets “Land of the Lost”-large. It is commonly referred to as “the corpse flower.”

The college I went to was lucky enough to boast owning one of these plants. Every time Perry was about to bloom, the news media went nuts. It’s named “the corpse flower” for a reason – that reason being that it stinks higher than heaven.

I’ve been fortunate enough to never smell a rotting corpse, but if Perry is any indication, I understand why detectives rub Vicks Vapo-Rub under their noses at a crime scene.

Perry is a rock star of the plant world, and the wait in line to see him was so long I wondered if I was buying Rolling Stones tickets instead of ogling a plant.

Patiently waiting, I noticed a bunch of Kleenex/toilet paper overflowing from a trash can. As I was about to enter the building, I immediately understood why. To be frank, the smell radiating from inside was so intense I actually threw up in my mouth (revealing why that phrase isn’t merely an “expression”). Kudos for Kleenex!

Despite this ripe, rancid stench (a stench so foul I wouldn’t have to shave my legs for weeks), it was worth the wait. As I turned the corner into the greenhouse, I gasped and lost my breath as I took in Perry’s majesty. I had entered into the jowls of the jungle, seeing what few people had ever smelled.

Deep wine-colored leaves sprang like tulips from a yellow phallus on steroids. Here was a plant that whispered to the flies, “feed me.” I was eye-to-eye with a live version of Audrey 2 from “Little Shop of Horrors,” and I was borderline terrified in seeing something I couldn’t quite comprehend existed in our world.

Our minds have a way of easing pain. We recall beauty and censor the stink when confronted with titanic disbelief.

Years later, I was able to visit Perry again, this time with my friends Chris and Eric. Eric had cancer and the prognosis was grim even though we all had hope. He was strong. Eric happened to hail from this corpse flower hamlet, so we drove by some of his old haunts, which silently haunted us with the unspoken words of his potential prognosis.

Months later, Eric passed, but fate came knocking a decade later when I was given some corpse flower seeds (a smaller genus, not the Willie Wonka size). I now smell its brief bloom through the walls and I embrace its ripeness, for the corpse flower bloom lasts only a few days.

And like my friend Eric, Perry proved the point that it isn’t the length of time spent blooming – it’s that you bloom spectacularly with the time you are given. NCM

Coweta’s Coolest Canine

Written by JACKIE KENNEDY Photographs courtesy of DAVID AND PAMELA THOMAS

Choosing photographs among the hundreds of outstanding portraits of Oliver, the professional therapy service dog, proved a task for the staff of Newnan-Coweta Magazine, but we’re all ridiculously crazy about pets and animals, so it was our pleasure.

Since introducing Oliver to the community a few years ago, his pet parents, David and Pamela Thomas, have taken tons of photos to document his therapy journey – and to promote him to the public at large.

While only one photo can grace our cover – and what a happy doggy face Oliver shares in that cover pic – we couldn’t resist sharing a few more shots of Oliver that grabbed our animal-loving attention. We hope you enjoy them, too!

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One of the most common reasons a rabbit presents to SweetWater Veterinary Hospital is due to decreased appetite. There are several potential causes of anorexia in a rabbit, with dental disease being extremely common. Rabbits are hindgut fermenters and have constantly growing teeth, just like a horse. This means they need a diet that is high in fiber and requires a lot of circular grinding of the teeth to keep them worn down. The normal diet of an adult rabbit should consist of unlimited timothy or orchard grass hay and 1 cup of dark, leafy green vegetables daily. Pellets, which are artificial hay balls, should be limited to ¼ cup daily. Pellets are not a natural food source for rabbits and if this is the preferred food item by the pet, we can see dental issues from inappropriate mastication (chewing). Another possible cause of dental issues is a congenital malformation like an underbite or overbite.

A rabbit’s mouth is very small, and their molars are set farther back, making visualization of the teeth difficult in an awake rabbit. To diagnose a dental issue in a rabbit, we need to sedate the patient to get accurate skull x-rays and a thorough oral exam. The x-rays help us assess the roots of the teeth to look for signs of infection and/or inflammation. We then use specific tools to get good visualization of the cheek teeth (molars) to look for overgrown teeth, loose teeth, or sharp points along the molars. Treatment is based on the results of these tests and may include tooth extractions, corrective dremeling, and even abscess lancing.

We recommend wellness exams every 6 months in rabbits for early disease detection, especially for things like dental disease!

M‘ Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know’

Reviewed by JESS BARRON

alcom Gladwell’s “Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know” is a timely publication looking into modern society.

Gladwell analyzes humanity’s interactions with one another and our inability to correctly understand each other. If you have read the author’s previous works such as “Blink” and “Outliers,” then you'll enjoy “Talking to Strangers.”

The book covers recent events like the killings of George Floyd and Michael Brown but also dives much deeper in typical Gladwell-style.

You will discover why police departments have certain strategies and approaches in place. Why did England’s leadership trust Adolf Hitler? How did Bernie Madoff fool so many investors? Why do we assume strangers are trustworthy?

Gladwell covers many topics in this book, including psychology, sociology, history, espionage, pyramid schemes and the correlation between coupling and suicide.

The material in this book is heavy and at times disturbing, particularly the portions covering sex abuse involving former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky and former USA gymnastics trainer Larry Nasar. These cases help the author make his points regarding humanity’s default to truth – or our natural trusting nature – but this content makes for a tough read.

Just as when reading Gladwell’s other books, I finished this one and felt like I picked up things I could use moving forward in my life. My biggest takeaway is that it’s better to be cautiously trusting of humanity than overly paranoid and accusatory of people.

“Talking to Strangers” is worth a read, but I did not enjoy this book as much as the author’s other publications. The material is dryer and heavier than his previous books, and you can feel Gladwell’s personal opinions and views bleeding through while you read.

“Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know” was published by Little Brown in 2019; 400 Pages;

Whiskers-N-Paws

THE HUMANE SOLUTION TO CAT OVERPOPULATION

Written by CAROLINE NICHOLSON | Photographed by SARA MOORE

You may be shocked and horrified to learn that as recently as 2017, 334 community cats died or were euthanized over the course of a single year at Coweta County Animal Services due to overpopulation and lack of resources.

Thanks to Whiskers-N-Paws, a Coweta County nonprofit, and its preventionbased rescue model, that number was reduced to 26 in 2022.

This means that Coweta County’s save rate, the number of animals who enter the shelter and then leave alive in one year, was 96% in 2022, significantly higher than Georgia’s save rate of 84%.

The story of Whiskers-N-Paws started at the Newnan-Coweta Humane Society when Cindy Lauer and Jennifer Kline, co-founders of Whiskers-N-Paws, began working closely with the Humane Society and identified a need in the community. Lauer headed their Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program where she captured community cats, took them to veterinarians to be spayed or neutered, and then returned them safely to their neighborhoods.

Over time, TNR programs stop the breeding cycle and control the population of community cats.

About this program and its benefits, Lauer says, “For the people who love cats or hate cats, Trap-Neuter-Return is the answer. It is immediately impactful and humane.”

After spending years as the director of the Humane Society’s TNR program, Lauer knew that Coweta County was in desperate need of an organization solely dedicated to community cats and their care, which led to the founding of Whiskers-N-Paws in 2016.

Whiskers-N-Paws’ goal as a nonprofit is to foster transformative change in the community which they accomplish through two preventative programs. First is their Snip, Snip Hooray! (or TNR) program where community cats are trapped, neutered and then returned, controlling the population of community cats in Coweta County by slowing breeding. In 2022, 409 cats were trapped, neutered and returned to their neighborhoods. That number has stayed fairly consistent in the years since they have been in operation.

ABOVE Barn Buddies acclimate to their new property inside their temporary enclosure.

“For the people who love cats or hate cats, Trap-Neuter-Return is the answer. It is immediately impactful and humane.”

– Cindy Lauer

Cindy is thrilled to have trapped another Coweta community cat in a humane live trap.

ABOVE

Cindy places community cats post-surgery, into an enclosure set up as a part of the Barn Buddies program.

Working Cats

Their other program, Barn Buddies, is an innovative way that Whiskers-N-Paws has decreased shelter populations and filled a need within the community. Through Barn Buddies, Whiskers-N-Paws rescues cats from Coweta County Animal Services and places them in local barns, stables and warehouses to handle rodents, snakes and bugs. Lauer calls it “organic pest control.”

“This program creates a symbiotic relationship between the feral cats and the barn owners,” she says, explaining how cats are saved from the shelter (where they likely would be euthanized) and given a new purpose and a safe home. The property owners receive a cheap, effective and long-term solution to their pest problem. In 2022, 66 cats were saved through the Barn Buddies program.

“Cindy is a powerhouse,” says Sandy Hiser of the Newnan-Coweta Humane Society. “She’s made a huge impact in reducing the number of feral and community cats euthanized in Coweta.”

What can you do to help?

Spay/Neuter

Lauer and Kline stress the importance of getting your cats spayed or neutered, no matter whether they are indoor or outdoor cats.

If stray cats are hanging out around your house, be a good Samaritan and take it upon yourself to get those cats spayed and neutered as well.

Barn Buddies Program - Working Cats

If you or someone you know is in need of organic pest control, reach out to Whiskers-N-Paws to become part of their Barn Buddies program.

For more ways to get involved and give back, check out the Whiskers-N-Paws website at whiskers-n-paws.org or call them at 678.944.7537.

Benefits of TNR

✓ Ends nuisance behaviors from community cats such as fighting, spraying and howling

✓ Prevents repeated unwanted litters of kittens

✓ Saves taxpayer dollars by keeping the cats out of county shelters

✓ Organically rids neighborhoods and businesses of rodents and snakes

✓ Improves their overall health of community cats

✓ Serves as the only humane option to reduce and stabilize the large populations of community cats

Removing community cats from their home is counterproductive. Each colony of cats has a territory that they defend from other colonies of cats. If cats are removed, it leaves an open territory where more unaltered cats will move in and start the breeding cycle all over again.

What is an eartip?

Moving forward, Whiskers-N-Paws hopes to grow in size and scope. Currently, Lauer is a one-woman TNR team, handling all of the trapping, neutering and returning herself with occasional assistance from freelance trappers. The TNR process is time and resource consuming, but an increase in funding for the nonprofit could mean an increase in team members and an increase in community cats helped. NCM

An ear tip is a painless procedure done during the spay/neuter surgery. It allows people to tell from a distance whether or not a community cat has been spayed or neutered. That tipped ear saves the cat the stress of being trapped and anesthetized a second time.

source: www.pethoodga.org

A recently trapped community cat is loaded into the van to be transported to the Spay Neuter clinic for surgery.

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2789 US-29, Moreland, GA 30259, just a 20 minute drive from Lake Redwine. www.morelandanimalhospital.com

2789 US-29, Moreland, GA 30259, just a 20 minute drive from Lake Redwine. www.morelandanimalhospital.com

2789 US-29, Moreland, GA 30259, just a 20 minute drive from Lake Redwine. www.morelandanimalhospital.com

2789 US-29, Moreland, GA 30259, just a 20 minute drive from Lake Redwine. www.morelandanimalhospital.com

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Photo

Dog about town

OLIVER, THE THERAPY DOG, BRINGS COMFORT TO COWETANS

Written by JENNIFER LONDON

Photos courtesy of DAVID AND PAMELA THOMAS

Newnan residents Pamela and David Thomas were looking for a way to give back to the community and stay active after retirement. He was a professional photographer for more than 30 years, and she’ d worked as a teacher and banker.

David started researching and learned about therapy dogs.

“A lot of people get a dog first, a family pet,” he says. “We went the other way. We did all kinds of research first – finding out about training and what an appropriate dog would be for doing that type of thing.”

With a large amount of time, energy and money going into the dog’s lessons, it doesn’t always work out, but as David explains, “You have one heck of a dog that’s been trained to make a great family dog.”

But, thankfully, doggie training for their pup worked out alright.

Oliver, the Thomases’ 5-year-old golden retriever therapy dog, hails from Ireland, “from Waterford, where they make the crystal,” according to David. The pup and his littermates were born in February 2019.

The important part of training a therapy dog is to socialize them from a young age, so working with a breeder who understood what they were trying to accomplish with Oliver was crucial to the dog’s development, according to the Thomases. As soon as their pup arrived from Ireland, breeders worked on socializing him. About a month later, when the Thomas family took him home, he began puppy training. In eight to 10 months, they began off-lead training with Oliver.

The determined canine went through about 200 different scenarios in the process of training, from being around children and people of all ethnicities, hearing jewelry clinking, approaching wheelchairs, being near elevators and other animals, and hearing sirens. The inclusive checklist even included “meeting a goat,” which was checked off when Oliver visited one at Serenbe.

Training for therapy dogs can take anywhere from six months to a year while service dog training typically takes up to two years. Oliver is well beyond therapy dog training and currently holds five major certifications: Therapy Dog, Service Dog, First Responder Certified Therapy Dog, Reading Education Assistance Dog (READ) and HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response.

RIGHT Depending on his assignment, Oliver wears specialized clothing and/or equipment.

Oliver the therapy dog shares his legendary smile.

The pup and his owners are on call 24-7 for disaster relief. Oliver and David visited 1,060 elementary school students with therapy dog teams of HOPE after a tornado hit Griffin last year. After a crisis, the Red Cross, FEMA or another government organization contacts HOPE and then dispatches dog handling teams to affected areas.

“HOPE is well above a normal therapy dog’s expectation and experience,” David says.

On Tuesdays, Oliver visits Piedmont Newnan Hospital's staff on all eight floors, alternating different shifts so that everyone can see him. He occasionally visits patients, too, especially if a child is in the ER.

“When you pet a dog, you get oxytocin released in your system, but so do they, so it’s mutually beneficial, and that’s why they like to be petted,” says David.

At the beginning of his career, Oliver often visited libraries via his READ certification. Though not currently doing this due to his busy schedule, he’s gone to libraries where children read to him, helping those who get a little nervous reading in front of other people by practicing with Oliver.

Sometimes people think Oliver is tired when he lays down, but his owners say he’s just calm.

“People are not used to having such a calm dog and they wonder if there’s something wrong,” says David. “Well, no, he’s just exceptionally well-trained and well-behaved. He’s so disciplined, which we love for people to see when we're out in public. We want people to see how well behaved a dog should be, but they ask the question, ‘Does he ever have fun?’ Yeah! Just take that vest off. When the vest is on, he knows he’s a working dog.”

To unwind and play after working hours, Oliver accompanies his family to the water plant to run and play. He loves zoomies, running and sliding on the grass, and enjoys being outdoors, especially in cooler weather. On his time off, the pup enjoys vacations to the beach and taking bike rides in the cart behind his owners' bike.

When trained, most dogs are either toymotivated or food-motivated, according to David, who says Oliver is food-motivated.

“So, if we want to train him quickly, we’ll give him high value treats; for example, for him it’s small pieces of chicken or cheese,” says David. (Oliver is not opposed to any cheeses, though perhaps Irish Cheddar should be in the Waterford native’s future.)

Oliver, whose complete name is Oliver Golden Therapy Dog, is quite comfortable with his Coweta County fame.

“He is very used to having his picture taken and he knows when a camera comes out, it’s a photo op,” says David.

The cool-as-a-cucumber canine works with Pathways adults in group circles, and clients who pet Oliver often open up in ways they may not with people, according to his owners.

“He offers a safe place and also happens to be extra fluffy, gentle and sweet,” says David. “We have noticed that Oliver will go towards the people, the staff, that really need him the most.”

“He can pick up on their stress,” Pamela adds.

Oliver’s busy schedule also includes working with Encompass Health Physical Therapy patients and staff, and once a month, he visits Wellstar West Georgia, in LaGrange, for staff visits. Coweta County

Since acquiring their golden retriever in 2019, Pamela and David Thomas have shared Oliver the Therapy Dog with the community at large.

“We have noticed that Oliver will go towards the people, the staff, that really need him the most.”

– David Thomas

Fire Stations get visits and snacks every Sunday after the Thomases attend church. Oliver and the Thomases also visit local dispatchers at local 911 centers.

At nursing homes, residents cherish the time they spend with Oliver.

“Some residents will recall dogs of their past while petting him,” says Pamela. “One resident sent Oliver home with a big kiss with red lipstick on his face.”

The therapy dog and his proud owners also visit the YMCA, Amazon distribution center, and, on occasion, Oliver ventures to juvenile court to sit with kids while they meet with a judge.

Oliver Golden Therapy Dog visits local firemen to boost morale.

“We’re so fortunate that we’re able to take him to help other people, but we have a therapy dog 24-7,” says David. “How good is that?”

How do his owners summarize Oliver, the golden retriever who gives the term “therapy dog” a great reputation in Coweta County?

Say the Thomases: “Oliver loves wearing hats, Crocs and fun shirts. He makes people smile everywhere he goes, and when he’s upside down, he looks like he’s smiling. Hopefully, everyone gets to meet him when he’s out and about. Until then, follow him on social media at Oliver Golden Therapy Dog.” NCM

Dressed in his full regalia, Oliver the therapy dog has become an often-encountered "local" around Newnan.

ABOVE

Oliver may not know how to read himself, but he certainly knows how to encourage youngsters to read.

TOP Oliver routinely visits hospital staff to encourage them on tough days and sometimes stops in to see young patients as well.

ABOVE

Newnan residents Cliff, Michelle and Sadie Smith (she’s holding their Boston Terrier Betty) are regulars at what is perhaps Coweta’s most pet friendly restaurant, RPM just off the square in Newnan. RPM has a large patio and encourages owners to bring their pets.

Pet-friendly and proud of it

A FEW LOCAL RESTAURANTS HAPPILY ALLOW FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS

Written and Photographed by NEIL MONROE

On an anniversary trip 25 years ago, my wife and I walked into a quaint French restaurant just outside Paris and had a wonderful surprise: There were four dogs present in the dining room, all calmly enjoying the evening with their owners.

Our meal was wonderful, brightened by the presence of the mostly well-mannered canines who seemed to take pride in the attention they got from other diners. As committed dog owners, we couldn’t stop talking about how much we’d like to take our own pups with us when we visited restaurants at home.

Today, we still can’t take our two wonderful dogs, Millie and Dasch, inside local restaurants. State health department regulations prohibit pets inside food-related businesses, except for registered service dogs.

But there is a growing trend of creating outdoor spaces in restaurants that enable many excellent opportunities to dine with your canine friends in Coweta.

An informal telephone survey of more than a dozen local restaurants found that all but one had an outdoor seating area that, weather permitting, allows customers to bring their dogs along. In fact, many Coweta establishments, such as RPM Pub & Grill in downtown Newnan, have worked to expand their patio areas and actively encourage pet owners to bring their dogs.

The trend toward pet-friendly outdoor seating took hold at the height of COVID-19, and today, more than 60% of all fine dining and casual restaurants have outdoor seating,

according to the National Restaurant Association.

So, how does this pet-bringing trend mesh with state and local health regulations?

Chrissy Donehoo, a spokesperson for the Coweta Department of Environmental Health, says they actively support the trend.

“While regulations don’t allow pets indoors at any time, we are very supportive of efforts for restaurants to welcome dogs in outdoor areas; we encourage it,” says Donehoo. “There are regulations. For example, it’s important that each business has a written policy with guidelines for handling pets in their patio areas. These guidelines help make it possible for everyone to bring their pets in a safe manner.”

Though my wife Rayleen and I are hardly dog experts, we do have tons of experience in dining with our dogs Millie and Dasch. Twice in the past three years, we’ve completed weekslong, cross-country car trips, dogs in tow, finding dog-friendly restaurants from Alabama to Arizona and everywhere in between.

Based on our experiences, here are five keys to successful dining with your dog:

Key tips for successful dining with Fido

Call ahead.

You may have seen a beautiful outdoor patio at the restaurant you want, but that is not a 100% guarantee they’ll welcome you with a pet. A quick call can eliminate dog-related rejection and may even get you a reserved table.

Remember what the term “service dog” means

Buying a leash that says “service dog” doesn’t make your pet anything other than, well, your pet. The State of Georgia says your dog must be individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of people with disabilities. Though this regulation is often abused, pet owners are taking a risk by trying to dodge this regulation. (Besides, your dog or dogs would be ashamed of you for lying about them.)

Bring water for your pets, just in case

Nearly all restaurants will provide a disposable water bowl and happily keep it filled if necessary. But not all restaurants will, and a foldable water bowl and a bottle of water can prove helpful, especially on a warm day.

Keep dogs on a tight leash, always

If a restaurant is pet friendly, more often than not your dog won’t be the only one there. Maintaining control of your dog is essential for everyone.

Don’t feed your dog

If you have leftovers from your meal, get a box and take them home. Feeding your dog from the table might seem fine, but they can prompt unpleasant doggie accidents as pets may well be a bit nervous in strange environments.

NCM

March 2nd & 16th

April 6th & 20th

May 4th & 18th

June 1st, 15th & 29th

July 13th

NCM's 2nd

Pet Photo Contest

COWETA PETS POSE FOR THE CAMERA

Written by JACKIE KENNEDY

Newnan-Coweta Magazine readers from throughout the Southern United States sent in photos of their precious pets to compete in our second NCM Pet Photo Contest.

From bodacious bulldogs to cool kittens, a menagerie of appealing pets were showcased in the photographs presented for judging.

On the pages that follow, we announce our First Place winners in each of five categories with Honorable Mentions getting a shoutout, too.

We send a yip and a howl of thanks to our readers for participating.

Chou Chou

#1

Goofiest

Pet

Luna, the black Goldendoodle

Pet Parent: Becky Hancock

Nose

Pet Parent: Valerie Dumas, Newnan

Luna

Chou Chou, the tortoiseshell kitten

Our Winners

Froggie

#1

Most Unique Pet

Froggie, the Tree Frog

Pet Parent: Michelle Mackinen, Senoia

Says Michelle: “Froggie lives in my plant all summer and comes in the house for the winter!”

#1

Best Ears

Archie, the Chiweenie

Pet Parent: Carmen Besharse, Monette, Ark.

#1

Rodney

Best Dressed(& social influencer)

Rodney, the Siamese

Pet Parents: Jeff and Amy Bishop, Newnan

Our Honorable Mentions

Best Named Sethery.

That says it all.

Pet Parent: Margaret Mitchell, Fayetteville

Tallest Ears

(& best TV reception)

Meko, the European Doberman

Pet Parent: Kelly Sims, Newnan

Most Dapper

(& most likely to become a millionaire) Tucker, the rescue dog

Pet Parent: Paula Roberts, Sharpsburg

Most Attentive Student

Radio, the Australian cattle dog-American pit bull mix

Pet Parent, Lawrence Reed, Newnan

Best Southern Belles (& Best

Most Likely to be in Therapy Pudge

Staff Favorite

Best Celebrity Look-alike

All Girl Band)

From left: Alabama Hannah Bell, Charleigh Mae and Chattanooga Lucy Church These long-haired miniature dachshunds carry their Southern heritage proudly.

Pet Parent: Janet Johnson

Willie Nelson as Willie Nelson

Pet Parent: Angel Haynes, Newnan

Pet Parent: Marla Hansen

2024 Pet Photo Contest

Our Honorable Mentions

Most Likely to Overcome

(& Most Charming)

Winky, the one-eyed wonder

Pet Parent: Jackie Johnston

Most Annoyed & Annoying

Tucker, the Lab, and Homer, the Dachshund

Even though he’s smaller, Homer seems to have the upper lip.

Pet Grandparent: Sally Ray, Moreland

Best Poker Face

Reese, the long-haired dapple Dachshund

Pet Parent: Lauren Wright

Best Eyes

Snoop, rescue pet bulldog

Pet Parent: Lauren Kee

Most Likely to live in Mom's basement, forever.

Willie Nelson, the Goldendoodle

Most Patient Pet Parent: Angel Haynes, Newnan

2024 Pet Photo Contest

SATURDAY, MAY 4

9AM-3PM DOWNTOWN CARROLLTON

CARROLLTONGA.COM/MAYFEST

Join us for an altogether crafty festival full of fun! Browse handmade arts and crafts by hundreds of vendors, located all around our vibrant downtown. Enjoy tasty local eats and explore our unique specialty shops. Stop by The Amp for family-friendly entertainment throughout the day. Mayfest is Carrollton’s most popular festival – come find out why!

Spring into a Healthy & Beautiful Smile

Questions & Answers with Dr. Kimberly Chubb

Why should I visit the dentist every six months for a routine exam and cleaning?

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Bacteria, food debris, and sugar can produce cavities in the grooves of your molars and in between all your teeth. We can detect these early with regular visits or help you avoid them with specific oral hygiene techniques. Preventive measures with fluoride, sealants, rinses, or dental appliances can fine tune your needs. We assess you as an individual and work with you to personalize and optimize your dental health.

What is a typical example you observe as a dentist when people don’t keep regular dental visits?

A patient contacts our office regarding moderate to severe pain related to a dental abscess or gum abscess. Their dental emergency is usually a deep cavity into the nerve of a tooth or a gum abscess that has damaged the bone area around the roots of one or more teeth. Either problem results from bad bacteria that cause destruction and produce pus. The body then sends a signal to alert us of the problem in the form of pain. This alert should be respected. Some people try and tough out the pain, take pain pills or use ointment to disguise the pain. Over time, the pus continues to destroy the nerve in the area

and the pain will subside, but the problem progresses undetected. This is the worst scenario. The infection can progress to tooth extraction or destruction to the jawbone. Chronic dental infections have clearly shown to spread throughout the body and can cause additional harmful problems to the heart and organs. Routine dental visits identify problems early and allow for corrective treatment before the problems reach a more advanced stage.

How is Amazing Smiles a special dental office for new patients to consider?

We always put our patients first and our track record speaks for itself. Patients have provided us with hundreds of 5-star reviews describing us as “considerate,” “knowledgeable,” “thorough,” “very professional” and many others. We are proud to achieve these accolades from our patients, and we work hard every day to ensure our patients are fully satisfied. Compassion and caring are the backbone to our practice, and we continually update the technology to remain state-of-the-art. Our staff is focused on you as a person, and it shows. We accept most insurances and have quality payment plan options. We welcome new patients to Amazing Smiles Family Dentistry and extend this same professional and caring approach to their dental health.

Pets Plants

&

A PERFECT COMBO FOR CALM AND HAPPINESS

Written by JENNIFER LONDON | Photographed by SARA MOORE

Caring for pets and plants goes beyond simply providing food and water for something that grows.

By nurturing these living things – whether they have fur or feathers or are potted in soil – we gain comfort and a bit of relief from life’s daily stresses.

Pet lovers take heart: Doctors have found that petting a dog (or cat) lowers cortisol and releases oxytocin.

Greenthumbs, the same: A bacterium found in soil has been linked with the release of serotonin, a mood stabilizer.

Writer, gardener and dog owner Susan Orlean says, “I think coexisting with another life form is a very rich experience. It’s why people keep plants and animals.”

Coweta residents who tend to flowers or pamper pups are eager to share the benefits of keeping plants and pets.

Giving their “pet child” the best life

Brittany Young-Brutcher and Aaron Brutcher, of Newnan, have a menagerie of four-legged residents sharing their household.

There’s Gambit, a goofy and fun-loving 3-year-old pit bull/Labrador mix. And Harry Potter, the intuitive and possibly genius 3-year-old Australian shepherd super mutt. Plus Frodo, the reserved yet loving 8-year-old beagle. And add to the canine mix their feline friend, Fred the cat, a 9-month-old fluffy, white baby with blue eyes and pink nose who’s a Parvo survivor.

“I look at them as my babies,” says Young-Brutcher. “I don’t have kids, and me and my husband don’t know if that’s a plan for us anytime soon, so they are truly our children. They get all the cuddles, they get all the treats. They’re just very much so spoiled.”

The proud pet owner says she’s had animals her whole life, but notes that her dogs have become a “safe haven” for her in the past several years. Coming home to her dogs settles her after a busy day of work at the local salon and spa she owns in downtown Newnan.

“It pulls me out of the chaos of the world and brings me to a point of realizing that the reason why I do what I do everyday is to bring home enough money to make the best life for me and my puppies and my husband,” she says, noting that her dogs seem to know just when she needs extra love as she struggles with anxiety and depression. “They’re great about helping me.

Brittany Young-Brutcher and her husband Aaron hang out with their beloved pets, from left, Harry Potter, Frodo the beagle, Fred the cat, and Gambit.

“I finally got to the point where I was able to actually nourish and watch (plants) grow.”

– Brittany Young-Brutcher

They can identify it before I even identify it, so they’re great about keeping me balanced and keeping me grounded.”

At work, says Young-Brutcher, she and her coworkers all have an affinity for plants. Hers grew over time.

“I finally got to the point where I was able to actually nourish and watch them grow,” she says. “Nourishing them everyday is something I look forward to.”

Now, she admits, she’ll apologize to her plants if she finds their soil a little dry.

“Oh, I’m so sorry buddy,” she’ll say to her flowering friend. “I should have watered you last week.”

Unconditional love from rescue dogs

Dog trainer Shaleen Munsell and her husband, Matt, live in Senoia with their three children, Evan, 9; Rilynn, 7; and Nolan, 3.

Add to their lively family: four cats, three pit-mix dogs, one cane corso, and a Belgian Malinois as well as a new foster Belgian Malinois-German shepherd mix.

The Munsell family consists of parents, children and lots of pets. People, from left, are Shaleen, Matt holding Nolan, Rilynn and Evan. Pets, from left, include Ena, Mazie and Gemma.

Brittany Young-Brutcher finds that tending to plants tends to ease her stress, plus provide beauty for her backyard patio.

Shaleen began her dog training business 15 years ago in California, then took a break for a few years after moving to Georgia. When bringing home Mazie, her energetic Belgian Malinois rescue, her love for training was reignited. Now, she is professionally taking clients and actively working with dogs at her home.

“I’ve always loved dogs,” she says. “We used to run a dog rescue when we lived in California, so dogs have been a big part of our lives for a long time. I feel like with dogs you’re not judged by anything. You can completely be yourself.”

Shaleen says her daughter Rilynn helps with the training, and all of the kids play with the dogs.

“It gets them outdoors,” she says, adding that Mazie’s need for a daily workout brings the family outside to play, which proves to be uplifting for both parents and the children.

The dog trainer encourages would-be pet owners to do their research to understand the needs of different dog breeds.

“If it’s a working dog, a working breed, make sure you’re giving them something to do,” she adds. “Keeping them active and mentally stimulated is so important to them.”

Taking care of their pets benefits the kids, too, according to the Munsells.

“Dogs and cats make me feel happy and they calm me down,” says Rilynn. “My cats cuddle me and dogs cuddle me, too, sometimes, and they play with me, and I train dogs and it makes me happy.”

Rilynn expresses a desire to teach other kids that dogs and cats make great pets.

“They make you feel better when you’re sick,” she says.

Her brother Evan lights up when talking about his cat Dexter: “He doesn’t really like my brother and sister, but he likes me a lot,” says the youngster.

Shaleen and her family rescue animals frequently.

“I want to help,” she says. “I have such a soft heart for helping animals, especially dogs. There is such a need for animals to be rescued. When you rescue a dog, you’re saving a life and you get this unconditional love.”

Strength from support, support from love

Plant aficionados and Newnan couple Symone Evans-Bartholdi and Christoph Bartholdi are raising children Riddick, 8; Boston, 3; and twin 1-year-old girls Elora and Eliana.

Along with raising four children, they tend a fabulous indoor garden and care for two dogs: Pippa, a silly American Staffordshire, and Rosalind, a non-stop partying Belgian Malinois.

Symone says her dogs have helped her through many challenging life events, including miscarriages.

Evan and Rilynn love on Harvey, the gray cat, a handsome Maine Coon.

Mazie, Ena and Gemma put their best paws forward in their attempt to learn how to play fetch.

“I remember getting news of the first miscarriage, coming home and taking Rosalind outside and just enjoying being out back and having her to distract me because she was a silly little puppy that kept trying to eat my hand,” Symone recalls.

Admittedly an “animal person” most of her life, Symone says her love for plants grew about the time she and her husband bought their home in Newnan.

“I bought one succulent and my addictive personality decided that wasn’t enough, so I kept buying more,” she says. “It became my way to find

“It became my way to find peace. If I’m overstimulated, I just need a timeout: If I get my hands in dirt, I’m OK, I’m good. I can bring it back down.”

– Symone Evans-Bartholdi

peace. If I’m overstimulated, I just need a timeout: If I get my hands in dirt, I’m OK, I’m good. I can bring it back down.”

Symone says her plant addiction started with one plant.

“I was like, ‘Oh, that’s what happens when you buy a house; you’re supposed to have a plant,’” she says.

Symone, who admits not always taking proper care of herself, says she spent some time “not really knowing what I like and what I enjoy doing.”

But she always knew she loved dogs.

“That was a given,” she says. “The companionship was nice – somebody that just loves you. Period. No matter what. Like your kids do.”

Symone’s mother died from cancer 10 years ago and her brother to suicide the following year. She turned to drinking.

“I held on to a lot of anger and resentment, and that’s what kind of drove my addiction,” says Symone. “This was before my kids.”

Today, the pet and plants lover talks with her oldest son about coping with grief and sadness.

Symone says that being in the greenhouse with plants she propagates is her “happy place.”

“We talk about mental health and counseling and just ‘I need a minute,’ how important all of those things are,” says Symone, noting that living with plants provides her happiness.

“It’s survival of the fittest here,” she says of her household of six humans, two dogs and a plethora of plants. “For me, it’s like getting out of myself and I need the distraction. I can take something smaller that is bothering me and make it into a big thing inside my head, and when I take a minute and work on the plants, I’m caring for another thing that needs care because it’s not in its natural habitat. I love seeing it grow and develop and get bigger and then making new plants. I have all the propagations, which is really cool.”

She propagates many of her plants for the Frayed Edges Foundation, which plans a fundraiser in April where they’ll be selling plants that aid in “growing your emotional wellness,” according to Symone. (For details, visit frayededgesfoundation. org.)

“I’ve recently learned how to make trellises, so I have it climbing and as they are supported and they grow, their leaves get bigger and they get healthier but they need to have that support in order to mature into the larger leaves,” she says, noting that lately she’s been experimenting with growing plants in water.

“Life is busy, kids will keep you busy whether they’re in school or not, and as for my mental health, I have to be able to step away from the household stuff and put my hands in some soil and take a minute to focus on something else, something right there in front of me that I can complete from start to finish,” says Symone. “I kind of shut down when I get overwhelmed emotionally and it makes me tired and want to sleep, and if I’m doing that, I’m not caring for myself, I’m not caring for the kids or the plants or my dogs, and that’s just not good for anybody because they need me.”

“I need me and I need them,” she concludes. NCM

Symone Evans-Bartholdi enjoys life with her pet pups Rosalind and Pippa.

Keeping them all Safe

IN THE GARDEN WITH PLANTS PLUS PETS (AND OTHER ANIMALS)

Written by DALE SENKO, COWETA COUNTY EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER

Gardeners face two challenges in the garden when it comes to animals. We want to keep our pets safe in the garden, and we want to keep unwanted animals out of the garden.

As we begin spring, gardeners in Coweta are anxious to dig in the ground and place all those plants they have been reading about in the plant catalogs and seeing in the garden centers. They have prepared the soil, taken note of water and sun requirements, and designed aesthetically pleasing garden habitats for their family.

But have they taken into account that their fur babies also play in the garden? Or that some plants are tastier menu items for wildlife?

Keep pets safe in the garden

If you have curious pets who like to explore the yard or new pets who nibble on everything, familiarize yourself with plants that are toxic. Be aware of the potential hazard some plants pose.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has on their website extensive lists of plants toxic and non-toxic to cats and dogs. Plants may vary in the level of toxicity and severity of symptoms and may depend on the amount eaten. Keep track of these plants and their location in the garden. If your pet should eat the plant, you will be able to describe it to the vet.

Be on the lookout for any signs of illness your pet might display after spending time in the garden. If he vomits, has diarrhea, lethargy, excessive drooling or uncoordinated movements, the sooner he receives veterinary attention, the better.

Veterinarian Christy Hand, of Sharpsburg Animal Hospital, says that knowing what plant(s) your pooch may have come in contact with helps the vet prescribe an appropriate plan of treatment.

Come late summer and autumn, wild mushrooms often sprout in the lawn. Remove them before your pets play in the grass. If possible, remove mushrooms and regularly monitor the yard as mushrooms can pop up overnight. And unless you’re a mycologist, it is difficult to identify non-toxic mushrooms from the poisonous.

Hand recommends taking a photo of the mushroom if your pet’s nibbled one so the vet, again, will know what's going on.

Hand also sees instances of animal poisoning by chemicals used in the garden. She advises pet owners to keep original containers for any chemicals used in the garden. If your pet chews, licks or walks on chemically treated soil or plants, the poison can be identified.

Keep nuisance wildlife out of the garden

A frequent question received by the Ask the Master Gardener Help Desk at the Coweta County Extension Office is how to prevent wildlife animal damage in the garden.

There’s not one solution that will keep unwanted animals out of the yard all of the time. Multiple approaches may be needed, according to an appropriately titled University of Georgia (UGA) publication, “Resolving Human Nuisance Wildlife Conflicts.”

Identifying the critters creating havoc in your yard is the first step toward successful control. This may be easier now since many homeowners have cameras mounted overlooking their property. Seeing Bambi eating your prized hydrangea –or armadillos digging up the yard – will help determine the type of physical barrier to install.

Deer need at least eight-foot-high barriers, and digging critters need two-foot barriers dug 6- to 12-inches deep. Fencing with electrical wiring may sound like the ultimate

answer, but even that deterrent requires attention. As one local farmer points out, his veggies were raided because the gate was left open and power went off during a storm.

A number of repellents are commercially available. They work through unpalatable taste, offensive odor or the animal’s fear, such as reacting to urine of a predator. Read and follow the instructions on the label to be sure it’s safe for food crops.

Start the repellent program as soon as damage is noticed. Do not let animals form the habit of feeding or entering. They love to return and repeat the same path. Apply repellents in their path and surrounding areas.

Persistence is essential. Barriers must be maintained and repellents must be replaced. If they are not, do not blame repellents or barriers for failure. All require your watchful attention.

Outsmarting the deer

An added approach to prevent deer browsing in landscapes is to plant ornamental plants that deer do not like to eat. There is no such thing as a deer-resistant plant, and when deer populations are high and food becomes scarce, deer may feed on plants that are thought to be deer-tolerant.

However, deer generally do not like plants with pungent aromas. Some gardeners have reported success with planting strong-scented plants like catmint, chives, mint, sage or thyme adjacent to plants that deer frequently browse.

Deer also shy away from plants with prickly or rough leaves and plants with a bitter taste. The UGA publication, “Deer Tolerant Ornamental Plants,” provides numerous plant suggestions for Georgia gardens. Plants are divided by those that deer occasionally or frequently browse versus plants deer rarely browse. Rarely is, of course, subject to the deer’s appetite, time of year, and numbers.

As you take steps to outsmart the critters, keep your sanity and tolerate those not doing any harm or extensive damage.

And please, keep your gardens safe for birds, butterflies and bees. NCM

Mark Your Calendar!

Coweta County Extension Master

Gardener Spring Plant Sale offers some new annuals and vegetables this year in addition to the regular inventory of annuals, vegetables, herbs, perennials and shrubs.

The sale is set for Saturday, April 13, 8 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Coweta County Fairgrounds Ag Building in Newnan.

‘Eat Your Veggies’ MAMA SAID

Written by GAIL MCGLOTHIN Photographed by APRIL MCGLOTHIN-ELLER

Imight not be able to find the coarse ground black pepper at the grocery store, but I have the produce department committed to memory.

When your refrigerator is well stocked with vegetables, your hardest decision is which vegetable will be the base of your salad or side dish. Roasted is the trend of the moment when it comes to vegetables. Green beans and Brussels sprouts lead the roasted category at our house.

We always have three different bags of carrots in the refrigerator – whole, baby cut and shredded for extra crunch on sandwiches, or in a ramen bowl, or as added color in a stir fry or salad.

Four colors of peppers (yellow, red, orange and green) are our favorite raw munchies.

A list of the reasons to eat vegetables can go on and on. Vegetables are big in vitamins and minerals. In addition to the color on your plate, vegetables add necessary bulk to your diet.

Experts say frozen vegetables retain as much nutritional value as fresh, so feel good about grabbing vegetables already washed, peeled and ready to cook.

Ever wonder if eating a specific food will help with a medical issue? Research says to improve eyesight, memory, neuropathy and arthritis, eat leafy greens. For your heart, up your game with asparagus and carrots followed by, you guessed it, leafy greens.

Next time you’re at the grocery store, walk a little slower through the produce department and pick up a new-toyou vegetable to try. Bon Appétit.

Roasted Squash Salad with Bacon and Pumpkin Seeds

4 cups (½-inch) cubed peeled butternut squash

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

3 tablespoons sherry or rice wine vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 slice bacon

1 medium shallot, minced

10 cups gourmet salad greens

3 tablespoons pumpkinseed kernels, toasted

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange squash in a single layer on a jelly roll pan coated with cooking spray. Coat squash with cooking spray; sprinkle evenly with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until squash is tender and lightly browned, stirring after 15 minutes. Remove from heat, keep warm.

Combine remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper, vinegar and mustard. Cook bacon until crisp. Remove from pan, reserving 1 teaspoon drippings. Crumble bacon, set aside. Add shallot to drippings in pan, and sauté 1 minute. Add shallot and bacon to vinegar mixture, stirring with a whisk. Place salad greens in a large bowl. Drizzle vinegar mixture over greens, and toss gently to coat.

Arrange about 1⅓ cups salad on each of 6 plates. Top each serving with ⅔ cup squash and 1½ teaspoons pumpkinseed kernels. Serves 6.

“The roasted butternut squash pieces are brilliant orange splashes in a forest of mixed greens. A small amount of dressing coats all the lettuce and adds a savory contrast to the sweet butternut squash.”

Roasted Squash Salad with Bacon and Pumpkin Seeds

Lemon Dill Green Beans

3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1 pound fresh green beans, steamed

4 ounces crumbled feta cheese

Whisk together fresh dill, olive oil, salt, lemon rind and lemon juice in a large bowl. Add green beans, tossing gently to coat. Cover and chill 1 hour. Sprinkle with feta before serving.

“Green beans are a versatile vegetable – roasted, boiled, sauteed or steamed. Add some sour lemon and salty feta to put some pizazz on your plate.”

Cucumber with Mashed Garlic

1 pound European cucumber

1 teaspoon minced garlic

½ teaspoon unseasoned rice vinegar

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon chicken bouillon seasoning

¼ teaspoon toasted sesame oil

¼ teaspoon sesame seeds

Trim and discard ends of the cucumber. Cut the cucumber on the diagonal into 2-inch lengths. Put cut cucumbers in a mixing bowl and add garlic, vinegar, salt, chicken seasoning and sesame oil. Toss. Arrange on serving platter and garnish with sesame seeds. Serve immediately. Makes 3 cups.

“Cucumber with Mashed Garlic has an Asian flair to it. Because of the distinctive sesame oil flavor, this salad is just the right side to Asian food.”

COWETA COOKS

Lemon Dill Green Beans

Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage

2 tablespoons butter

2 pounds red cabbage, thinly sliced (12 cups)

6 tablespoons sugar

2/3 cup balsamic vinegar

Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Add cabbage and sauté until slightly wilted, about 5 minutes. Add sugar; toss to coat evenly. Add balsamic vinegar. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover, and simmer until cabbage is tender, stirring often, about 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Lentil Salad

2 to 3 cups cooked brown lentils

1½ cups grated carrots

½ red or yellow bell pepper, diced

½ cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped

¼ cup red onion, diced

¼ cup kalamata or green olives, sliced thinly ¼ cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon prepared mustard

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

In a mixing bowl, mix lentils, carrots, bell pepper, red onion, olives and parsley leaves. Shake together vinegar, and olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the lentil/vegetable mixture. Marinate at least an hour before serving.

“High protein content is a hallmark of a salad based on dried legumes. Colorful, nutritious and delicious, Lentil Salad can be a stand-alone meal or a perfect cold side for grilled meat.”

“Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage can be served hot, cold or at room temperature, making it a super side for potluck dinners.”

Lentil Salad

Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage

WELCOME TO RETIREMENT AT ITS BEST

A close community of great friends. Happy days filled with going, doing and, yes, laughing. An environment as comfortable as it is beautiful. The security of living in a Life Plan Community – with independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing all under one roof. Can you think of anything better?

Crossing the country in April

TRAVEL TO CATCH THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

Written by GLENDA HARRIS

Mother Nature, in collaboration with the celestial forces of the universe, has a big show planned for spring. On April 8, the moon, sun and earth will align perfectly, darkening the sky (you may see stars!) in the middle of the day.

This will be the second total solar eclipse in fewer than seven years. In August 2017, the sun was totally eclipsed and visible from many locations in the U.S., including Coweta County. The eclipse drew millions close to its path as it traveled the country before exiting near Charleston, S.C.

This year’s eclipse will track from southwestern Texas and across the middle of the country, exiting in Maine.

Only those within the path of totality will see the sun totally eclipsed. Otherwise, a partial eclipse will be seen, and there is a big difference. Generally considered a once-ina-lifetime event, the eclipse coming up in April gives us an opportunity to see a second. The next eclipse visible in the U.S. occurs in 2044.

What exactly is happening

As the lunar shadow begins its crossing, called the “first contact,” viewers (wearing glasses to protect their eyes) will see a small, bright crescent shape that grows to cover the sun except for its corona, the outer edge. This corona is a circle

of white light, shimmering like a huge diamond ring, and is one of the most dramatic aspects of the eclipse. The ring will then disappear as the second contact takes place and the moon neatly aligns with earth and the sun. This is the total phase of the eclipse and is the only time during the event you can remove your eclipse glasses.

The image seen is that of a large black orb surrounded by the pale light of the corona, suspended in the midday sky, and looking both strange and beautiful. The sky gradually becomes darker, appearing either like twilight or dark enough to see stars. This spectacular phenomenon lasts only a couple of minutes, but is a humbling and totally unique experience.

A bright 9-year-old boy asked me, “How can the moon cover the sun? I thought the sun was way bigger than the moon.”

It’s a good question, and he is right. The Earth’s sun is approximately 400 times larger than its moon; however, the moon is about 400 times closer to Earth than is the sun. When seen from planet Earth, the sun and moon appear to be about the same size, thus the moon can “cover” the sun.

Best viewing spots from Texas to Maine

These cities are within the path of totality or close to it: Dallas and Austin, Texas; Carbondale and St. Louis,

Mo.; Evansville, Ky.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo, N.Y.; Burlington, Vt.; and Bangor, Maine.

Wherever you decide to set up, look for a spot beside a lake or large field or other open space. Some towns may open stadiums or arenas for premium viewing. Make your travel plans/reservations as soon as possible.

Important safety precautions

Eclipse glasses must be worn during the partial portion of a total eclipse. According to eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov, “Failure to use appropriate filtration may result in permanent eye damage or blindness.”

When the sun is covered by the moon, it’s safe to remove eye protection, but as the bright light of the sun returns, put the glasses back on. Special eclipse-viewing glasses are readily available through Amazon and are inexpensive.

Make travel plans now

If you’re lucky, you have friends or family who live close to the path. If not so lucky, make hotel or RV reservations now. Hotels in the center of the pathway may be full, so be willing to look a bit further out.

Arrive on April 7 to give yourself time to make specific plans, including selecting your chosen spot for viewing. Check out local media at your destination before your trip for tips on viewing locations.

The actual event is brief but so worth the trip and the effort! Bring the children and teenagers. Witnessing this rare natural event can be impactful and stimulate interest in nature and the wildness and tenacity of our universe.

Or, watch the eclipse online

If traveling to see the eclipse is not feasible, watch it live via NASA's online stream at svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5123 or visit

the web at timeanddate.com/live/eclipse-solar-2024-april-8.

For more info on the coming eclipse, check out these sites: eclipse.2024.org, astronomy.com, science.nasa.gov and visitindy.com.

Bonus viewing

Whether or not you catch the eclipse, you’ll have another opportunity in April to view a rare night sky event. Comet 12/P Pons-Brooks, visible only when the sky is dark, is not new to the inner solar system. A periodic comet, the PonsBrooks Comet sweeps past the U.S. every 71 years. Its next visit will be in April, according to earthsky.org. NCM

Photo Courtesy Adobe Stock

Love where you live

Morgan’s Market sows unique seeds and grows a following

As Coweta Greenhouses celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the business is gearing up for a major expansion of its retail side, Morgan’s Market.

Founder Marshall Cawthon opened his wholesale flower production in 1974, and he’s still at work, keeping his hands dirty with seedlings. His son-in-law Tommy has officially taken the reins and, along with the thousands of plants in the 250,000-square-foot greenhouse space, the business is growing.

Coweta Greenhouses originally was exclusively a wholesale plant dealer, but now through Morgan’s Market at Coweta Greenhouses, the public can shop directly from the source at the expanded retail facility.

The remodeled garden center features exclusively grown plants that aren’t offered to

wholesalers. Harder-to-find species of plants that are propagated in-house or heirloom varieties that are grown from seed are available.

This spring, look for hundreds of varieties of annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs that are all locally sourced or grown right here in Coweta. Coweta Greenhouses utilizes 250,000 square feet of greenhouse space, slightly larger than four football fields.

To keep your garden and plants healthy, look for a variety of organic fertilizers and pest control options offered at Morgan's. Birders will love the wide selection of feeders, seed and bird accessories – for songbirds as well as hummingbirds.

General Manager Mark Taylor is excited to start ramping up their native plant collection, another

Lori Strange, left, long known as “The Flower Lady,” creates unique flower arrangements for any occasion, from tabletop planters to wedding arrangements and prom corsages. General Manager Mark Taylor, right, can usually be found out in the trees and shrubs, helping customers find the perfect plant for their yard.

benefit to those looking to entice wildlife into their yards. Mark is one of the experts on hand who is happy to assist with helping customers pick out the perfect plant to fit their needs. “I enjoy plants and I enjoy people,” he says.

According to Tommy, Morgan’s Market also serves as a place for local artists and craftspeople to sell their work without the added overhead of the larger retail stores, much like the seasonal craft fairs that have become scarce in recent years.

“I don’t want to sell stuff that people can go online and buy. I prefer dealing with small businesses and family businesses,” says Tommy.

Shoppers will also find an impressive array of statuary, also locally sourced.

In addition to the expanded storefront for plants and crafts, Morgan’s Market offers locally-crafted cheeses, jams and jellies, honey, homemade

candies and local beef from a fourth-generation farm. These offerings, as well as seasonal produce, have landed Morgan’s Market on the Georgia Grown Trail.

Georgia Grown Trails are designed to highlight all of Georgia’s agriculture-related hot spots such as U-pick farms, dairies, vineyards, wineries, farm tours, B&Bs, restaurants that feature local and regional products, and specialty food stores.

“I’ve really enjoyed starting the Market. It’s been exciting to be able to interact with the customers in the community,” says Tommy.

There’s a reason they say they love where they live. “Our staff is what makes this place great. They’re knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. They believe in what we do,” says Tommy.

Stop in the updated Morgan’s Market and you’ll believe it, too.

LEFT

Sam Smith is the houseplant guru at Morgan’s Market. She recommends pothos because they’re so easy to care for.

LEFT

Tommy Morgan, owner of Morgan’s Market at Coweta Greenhouses, takes a minute to examine one of the many varieties of dianthus before they hit the shelves this spring. He credits his staff for the thriving business. “We all believe in what we do, and they’re the best at what they do,” he says.

The Enchanted Foxes

Written and Illustrated by ANNA NEELY

Editor's Note: For our Pets & Plants Issue, elementary school student Anna Neely shares the first chapter from her book-in-progress, "The Enchanted Foxes," which follows the story of an enchanted fox family.

Chapter One: Awakening

One warm spring day there was life in the air as baby sparrows who just broke out of their tight shells were chirping with delight. Squirrels were moving across treetops making pine cones fall to the mossy bottom of the forest floor. The lake was sparkling like an emerald when light hit it. Tadpoles were swimming, feeding on slimy algae. Deer were teaching their young to walk. Bears were catching salmon in the

Anna Neely is the daughter of Clay and Beth Neely and an aspiring writer. She loves art, exploring the outdoors, and finding new and exciting ways to irritate her teenage brother.

rivers. The morning glories were opening. Sunflowers faced to the East. Spider webs had shiny dew on them. Caterpillars were munching on crisp green leaves. Eagles were protecting their nests.

There was a hole in the ground with baby foxes sleeping peacefully on a moss bed. Their mother was watching over them like they were priceless treasures.

This is our foxes' home, where our story begins. One little kit yawned, opened its eyes and looked at his mother. She smiled that one of her kits had awoken.

The kit stretched and stood up, then wobbled and fell to the ground. He tried one more time, and while he was standing, he took a step and lost his balance again. His mother giggled and wanted to name him James. When James fell to the ground, he landed on his brother and sister. They woke up with high-pitched yawns. James's brother opened his eyes and pounced on him for waking him up. Their sister sat up and looked around, and then she got on all fours, took a step and fell.

The mother fox walked over to comfort her child, and she chuckled and watched them play for the first time.

Old Boots

Written and Photographed by KARL McMICHAEL

Old Boots and a worn-out canvas shirt

Wait for me when the forests or farms call.

Calls from deep within the soft red dirt –Whispering like evening’s fading light

Or awakening to some soft April sunlight.

The soil speaks of life and new beginningsPlanting and harvest.

Water and light from the Master Artist.

An old shirt hugs like a long-lost friend

And boots that fit snug for years on end Cracks and wrinkles showing boldly, A reflection of the old man, they hide tales of yesteryear.

Releasing them to me ever so slowly…

The creek we jumped together, Landing on an old water snake in frightful delight

The tractor breaking down, Losing its brakes at evenings fading twilight.

The wonders we found

While caressing the forest floor. They flood back to me, Causing a yearning for more.

Amazing how a pair of old boots can speak, Speak of good times and bad.

Of life passing so freelyDirt and grease and diesel spills.

Rough cut hands.

Hands that know work, That show time's passing as much as the old boots… Should I go and get another pair?

New leather to break in

Maybe a new shirt to compare?

I think I’ll keep the old ones for now, And keep the memories as long as time allows. And get on that old green tractor,

Maybe hook up the plow

Feels like a good idea if Big Green will allow. I’ll spill some more diesel on these old leather boots, And watch the corn and beans slowly reproduce. Or sit by the fireside in pure delight, Watching a twinkling star in heaven’s night.

Old boots and a worn-out canvas shirt

Might seem a little poor to those who don’t see

But these old boots and wrinkled shirt

Are what make me… me.

KShare Your Prose

Are you a closet poet?

Or a creator of short fiction?

Share your best work with us and we may publish it in an upcoming issue of Newnan-Coweta Magazine. Submit your work along with your name, address, email address and daytime phone number to magazine@newnan.com or mail to or drop by our office at Newnan-Coweta Magazine, 16 Jefferson St., Newnan, GA 30263.

Honor

MARCH 2-30, 2024

ONLY CURRENTLY OPERATING, LOCALLY-OWNED, COWETA COUNTY BUSINESSES/ENTITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR VOTING. BIG-BOX STORES AND NATIONAL CHAINS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO BE VOTED BEST OF COWETA.

PRINT BALLOT:

Please read the rules, and print clearly and legibly.

• Enter the name of one (1) COWETA COUNTY business of your choice next to each category as completely and correctly as possible. If a business has multiple locations, indicate the location to which your vote applies. If you have no favorite for a particular category, you may skip it.

• Drop off your completed ballot in person Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. or mail to: Newnan-Coweta Magazine, ATTN: Best Of Coweta , 16 Jefferson St., Newnan, GA 30263

• Print ballots will also be available in weekend editions of The Newnan Times-Herald during the voting period.

• All print ballots must be received at our office by 5 p.m. on March 29, 2024.

PHOTOCOPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

ONLINE BALLOT:

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ALL PRINT AND ONLINE BALLOTS MUST CONTAIN A VALID AND LEGIBLE FIRST AND LAST NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS TO BE ELIGIBLE. AT LEAST 50% OF THE PRINT OR ONLINE BALLOT MUST BE COMPLETED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE DRAWING. ONE BALLOT PER PERSON WILL BE ACCEPTED.

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VOTING CATEGORIES

FOOD & DRINK

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SHOPPING

Best Furniture/Home Decor Store:

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Best Antique/Vintage Store: Thrift stores are included in this category. Votes for big-box, chain or franchise stores or stores associated with state/national/international charities or non-profit organizations will not be counted.

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ENTERTAINMENT & LEISURE

Best Local Band or Musician: Please enter the full name of a currently active local band or first and last name of a living local musician. Please include the musician's band if they are a member of one.)

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SERVICES

Please enter the business name, or first and last name of a local professional service provider not associated with a specific business.

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Please enter the business name, and location if there is more than one and you have a preference. Do not vote for individual practitioners with the office unless they are the sole practitioner.

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BEST OF COWETA 2024 Voting and Prize Drawing Official Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY.

WHEN TO VOTE: Voting begins on March 2, 2024 at 12 a.m. EST and ends on March 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

WHO CAN VOTE: Voting is open only to legal residents of the United States and Georgia who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of voting. Employees and independent contractors of The Newnan Times-Herald and NewnanCoweta Magazine are not eligible to participate.

ONLY CURRENTLY OPERATING, LOCALLY OWNED, COWETA COUNTY BUSINESSES/ENTITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR VOTING. BIG-BOX STORES AND NATIONAL CHAINS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO BE VOTED BEST OF COWETA.

HOW TO VOTE ONLINE:

During the voting period, visit newnancowetamagazine.com or times-herald.com and click on the Best of Coweta 2024 Reader’s Choice Survey link; scan the QR code on one of the print ads in Newnan-Coweta Magazine or The Newnan Times-Herald; or scan the QR code on one of the promotional posters at any business displaying one. Enter your first and last name, one (1) valid phone number, and one (1) valid email address and proceed to the first voting section.

Enter the name of one (1) COWETA COUNTY BUSINESS of your choice for each category, as completely and correctly as possible, in the ‘Other’ box. If a business has multiple locations, indicate the location to which your vote applies. Proceed through each voting section in the same manner, and click on ‘Submit’ at the end. If you have no favorite for a particular category, you must select N/A to proceed. Online ballots must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on March 30, 2024 in order to be eligible. No online ballots will be accepted after this time.

HOW TO VOTE ON PAPER:

Best of Coweta 2024 paper ballots will be available in the Weekend editions of The Newnan Times-Herald during the voting period, as well as at the office of The Newnan Times-Herald and Newnan-Coweta Magazine. Fill in your choice for each category as described in the “How to Vote Online” section above, and fill in your first and last name, one (1) valid phone number, and one (1) valid email address at the end (required). If you have no favorite for a particular category, you may skip it or enter N/A. Please print clearly and legibly. Print ballots may be mailed to Newnan-Coweta Magazine, ATTN: Best of Coweta, 16 Jefferson Street, Newnan, GA 30263, or hand-delivered to the same address. Print ballots must be received at The Newnan Times-Herald/ Newnan-Coweta Magazine office no later than 5 p.m. on March 29, 2024. No printed ballots will be accepted after this time.

PHOTOCOPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ALL PRINT AND ONLINE BALLOTS MUST CONTAIN A VALID AND LEGIBLE FIRST AND LAST NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS TO BE ELIGIBLE. 50% OF BALLOT MUST BE COMPLETED TO BE ELIGIBLE. INCOMPLETE BALLOTS WILL NOT BE COUNTED, NOR WILL THEY BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PRIZE DRAWING.

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Category Winners: The leading vote recipients in each category will be declared the winner of that category (the “Category Winner” or “Category Winners”). In the event of a tie, a random drawing will be held among the tied Category Winners to determine the final Category Winner. A candidate may win in more than one category, but votes will not be combined across categories.

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Ten (10) voter ballots will be drawn at random on or around April 8, 2024, from all eligible ballots, for the voter to receive a prize of one (1) twenty-five dollar ($25) Gift Card of the Sponsors’ choosing.

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Blacktop

submit your photos

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

Photo by Wayne Davis

Wayne and June Davis have enjoyed the azaleas in their front yard since moving to their Newnan home 25 years ago.

Photo by Gary Wilson

GaryWilson’s buddy, Tabay the dog, meanders around the creek at Wilson’s Coweta County home.

Photo by Sally Ray

A colorful Tiger swallowtail butterfly dines on spring flowers in Moreland.

Gulf fritillaries butterflies enjoy a flower garden feast.

Gimli is a favorite Chattahoochee Bend State Park hiking partner of his owner, Gary Wilson.

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.

magazine@newnan.com

024 CALENDAR OF EVENTS SUMMER

March 02 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

March 22 - Spring Art Walk, 5-9pm

April 06 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

April 14-20 - Downtown Newnan Restaurant Week

April 20 - Bike Coweta’s Rock & Road Festival

May 04 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

June 01 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

June 13 - Summer NewnaNights, 6-9pm

June 21 - Summer Wined-Up, 5-9pm

July 04 - July 4th Parade, 9am

July 06 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

July 11 - Summer NewnaNights, 6-9pm

Aug 03 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

Aug 08 - Summer NewnaNights, 6-9pm

Aug 30-Sept 2 - Labor Day Sidewalk Sale

Aug 31 - Sunrise on the Square 5K

Sept 07 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

Sept 20 - Fall Art Walk, 5-9pm

Oct 04 - Oktoberfest, 5-10pm

Oct 05 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

Oct 19 - Spirits & Spice Festival, 2-7pm

Oct 31 - Munchkin Masquerade, 10am-12pm

SPRING AUTUMN WINTER

Nov 02 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

Nov 22 - Holiday Sip & See, 5-9pm

Nov 29 - Plaid Friday

Nov 29 - Santa on the Square, 6-8pm

Nov 30 - Small Business Saturday

Dec 07 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

Photo by Laurie Mattingly

Jonquils are an early indication of spring in Coweta County.

Photo by Ron Schuck

Patiently waiting, a hawk keeps watch for prey to land.

The ol’ homestead

Living in the South is a unique experience. I think. I've never lived anywhere else, but I’ve heard the stories and I’m happy to be both from the South and in the South.

The sun shines brighter in the South. The sweet tea is a little bit sweeter. Actually, the sweet tea is usually way too sweet for my liking, but no region can be perfect.

There is also a great bond between pets and plants that takes center stage in the grand theater of Southern living. It’s where magnolias meet meows.

Not on my five-acre plot of peace, though. We don’t have any magnolias.

My wife spends 90% of her leisure time outside either planting things or tending to things she’s planted. I have zero interest in any plant or tree that does not produce something I can eat. The vast majority of things she plants will eventually make their way into a dish or a can for later use.

The first thing I did when we bought our land was plant two pecan trees. Pecan trees believe in the “slow and steady wins the race” theory of growth. I didn’t know much about pecan trees at the time, but now that I do, I hope whoever buys our house after we are dead and gone enjoys my trees.

While my wife handles the plant side of things, I prefer the pets. And when I say pets, I mean the honeybees, the chickens, and the quail when they’re coming up. We are planning on adding sheep to the homestead this summer –and then to the menu a little after that.

We have a barn cat, but she doesn't have a magnolia tree to meow at. She keeps a steady stream of vanquished foes at our side door. I’m never certain if she puts them there as a prize for us or as a warning of what will happen to us if she goes a day or two without food. Either way, she's the best pest control money can buy.

She has a name, but I don’t know what it is.

And then we have Jobu. The cutest dog ever. I think I've written about Jobu a few times, but anyone who’s ever met him would understand that one more column wouldn’t hurt anything.

Jobu’s a mix between a pit bull and a heeler. He got whichever half of each breed has all the energy. He goes crazy barking when a friend arrives, not clear on how his bark and his raised hackles might not come off as very welcoming.

When Jobu figures out the visitor means his mama no harm, he goes in for some pets. Then he doesn’t stop. When the friend invariably gets up to leave, Jobu goes back to the same bark he had when the friend arrived. The difference is, this time, in the most aggressive way possible, he’s trying to talk them into staying.

In closing, I have a picture that perfectly combines the two themes of this issue: pets and plants. Jobu likes to eat leaves. He likes to eat twigs. He just likes to eat.

But one night, he found a particular leaf that he was fond of. Instead of eating it, he just walked around the house with it hanging out of his mouth like a pacifier.

And since I currently have more pictures of Jobu in my phone than I do of my wife or children, I did what came natural: I took a picture of him and his pacifier. NCM

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

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