NCM May/June 2023

A Publication of The Newnan Times-Herald

We have the solution... Book now & get your legs ready for summer!

Schedule an appointment today at southernveincare.com or call 770-683-8346.

NEWNAN OFFICE

2959 Sharpsburg McCollum Rd. Newnan, GA 30265 770-683-8346

PEACHTREE CITY OFFICE

1975 Highway 54 West, Suite 110 Peachtree City, GA 30269 770-683-8346

This might be the most friendly, professional, and thorough medical office I have ever visited. Every staff member showed genuine compassion and care beyond my expectations.

SouthernVeinCare.com

Publishers C. Clayton Neely

Elizabeth C. Neely

Editor Jackie Kennedy

Creative Directors Sandy Hiser, Sonya Studt

Graphic Designer Erin Scott

Contributing Writers Jon Cooper

Jennifer Dziedzic

Jenny Enderlin

Jonathan W. Hickman

Frances Kidd

Gail McGlothin

Caroline Nicholson

Photography Tammy McCracken

April McGlothin-Eller

Sara Moore

Advertising Manager Misha Benson

Multimedia Sales Specialist Debby Dye

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION call 770.253.1576 or email advertise@newnan.com

Newnan-Coweta Magazine is published bi-monthly by The Newnan Times-Herald, Inc., 16 Jefferson Street, Newnan, GA 30263.

Newnan-Coweta Magazine is distributed in home-delivery copies of The Newnan Times-Herald and at businesses and offices throughout Coweta County

On the Web: newnancowetamagazine.com

@newnancowetamag

@newnancowetamagazine

© 2023 by The Newnan Times-Herald, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

DR. GARNET CRADDOCK

Leg Pain, Swelling, Aches, Fatigue, Restless Legs or Unsightly Veins?

–GARY SILISKI

CONTENTS

MAY-JUNE 2023

our features

26 | Cruise for Brews

With a new local brewery in town, Coweta’s choices for distinctive beer continue to grow.

By Jon Cooper

30 | Day Trippin’

You don’t have to go far to enjoy travel and leisure. Coweta offers adventure, serenity and city events at local destinations.

By Caroline Nicholson

36 |

Georgia Getaways

For a quick weekend adventure without crossing the state line, enjoy three Georgia locations that are hard to beat.

By Jackie Kennedy

50 | Flyin’ High

Skateboarding has become a really big deal in Coweta County. Just watch ’em fly!

By Jenny Enderlin

61

|

Don’t forget Mom and Dad

With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day coming up, we offer a few ideas on how to treat your parents on their special day.

By Jennifer Dziedzic

Cover Photo: Jaden Humble, a member of Vinylyte Records and Skate Shop’s skateboarding team, shows off his mad skills at the Red Bull Terminal Takeover Competition held at C.J. Smith Park in Newnan in March. (Cover photo by Tammy McCracken). See our Cover

page 50.

Close to home

Some years call for a grand vacation. Friends of mine are about to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip overseas. Good for them!

Anniversaries and key birthdays give plenty of reasons to plan a big trip, but enjoying time away with those closest to you doesn’t have to include a posh resort or round-trip plane tickets.

At home in central west Georgia, Cowetans have an abundance of getaway options in the Peach State with only a few hours to drive, if that. In this issue, we visit the mountains in Blue Ridge, the ocean at St. Marys and Cumberland Island, and presidential history and peanuts galore in Plains and Americus, see page 36. Each of these destinations has a lot to offer, from adventure to relaxation, eating out to grilling in.

For those who want to remain even closer to home, plan a rambling afternoon with a picnic at Greenville Street Park in Newnan, Chattahoochee Bend State Park outside of Newnan, or Elders Mill in Senoia, see page 30. Chances are you’ve been to one or two of these sites, but have you visited all three?

And don’t forget Brown’s Mill Battlefield Civil War Historic Site in Newnan. Along with learning about national history as it occurred locally, the site offers miles of woodland bike trails and acres of natural beauty to boost anyone’s mood. See page 56.

With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day fast approaching, traveling to the local spa or nail bar might be the perfect way to treat Mom for her day in May, while sharing a brew with Dad in June could be a good way to celebrate your old man. Find a few other ways to treat your folks locally on page 61.

For an adrenaline-pumping pastime, try skateboarding at Newnan’s C.J. Smith Skatepark where boarders of all ages fly high on a concrete playground, practicing tricks until they’re perfected while passing pointers along to newbies. See page 50. Whatever your family’s best path to fun is, we hope you’re able to take that trip this summer, whether it’s across the continent to celebrate a milestone – or right here in Coweta County where every day can become a celebration.

Jackie Kennedy, Editor magazine@newnan.com

Jackie Kennedy and her daughter Rachel prepare to enjoy the summer.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jon Cooper is a freelance writer who has written for the Atlanta Braves, Hawks, Falcons, Thrashers and Georgia Tech Athletics. In his spare time, he spins yarns as a Fan Ambassador at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame.

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 governmentissued picture IDs.

Jenny Enderlin graduated cum laude from Florida State University with an English degree. She enjoys volunteering with the NewnanCoweta Historical Society, Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Coweta County Democrat Party, One Roof and Backstreet Community Arts.

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.

Our Readers Write:

Thoughts on “Small-town Culture, Big-time Thrillers” in the MarchApril 2023 issue

of Newnan-Coweta Magazine (NCM):

It was truly an unexpected honor to grace the cover of your magazine, and I find myself ever indebted to you for such journalistic kindness. Sincerely,

– Joe MacNabb

Hi, this is Jan Davis. At our 60th high school reunion last September, Joe MacNabb quietly noted that he’d just finished his second book. Gary Brown and I wondered aloud whether Joe’s next novel would usher him out of “The Closet.” Indeed, Joe finds himself at “The Shed,” where many a small-town boy choked on his first rabbit tobacco (or other syrupscented) ‘cigar.’ As for me and partner Doug, we’re nearly done with our first book, a creative nonfiction bio of my (very) distant relative Eddie O. Martin, the self-anointed St. EOM, creator of the psychedelic art compound Pasaquan near ‘Catalpa,’ a clone of Buena Vista, where our Spanish teacher Sara Allen Matthews grew up.

– Jan W. Davis

Thoughts on “Award-Winning Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller Novelist”

in the March-April issue of NCM:

I just downloaded two of her (author Kim Carter) books to my Kindle and am looking forward to reading them!

– Denise Nickerson

How about a new category for Best of Coweta?

Hello! Just curious... Why do you not have a category for plumbing companies in the “Best of Coweta” contest? I noticed that there are HVAC and Handyman, but no plumbing. There are several local plumbers who I am sure would love to be included. If there is a way to add that category, it would be nice for those local plumbers to be represented as well! Thank you!

–

Angie Glass, HIS Plumber, Newnan

Angie, that’s a good idea, and I’ve made a note to consider adding a category for plumbing to next year’s Best of Coweta contest. Thank you for sharing the idea,

– Jackie Kennedy, NCM editor

Thoughts on “Coweta Prose & Poetry” in the March-April 2023 issue of NCM:

I’ve gotten tons of calls, texts, and emails about “The Heart Tree.” Thanks again for putting that in the current issue. All the best,

– Karl McMichael

Dinner and a magazine

Went for dinner with my daughter and we read the (March-April 2023) Newnan-Coweta Magazine together. Had a great time learning and talking and being reminded what a special place Coweta is. It’s an amazing publication. Thank you for all you do. It is really appreciated.

– Bradley Down, Sharpsburg

Carriage House

Country Antiques, Gifts, Collectibles

Bradley Down and his daughter, Kacia Down Brumby, read a recent copy of Newnan-Coweta Magazine.

Reviewed by JONATHAN W. HICKMAN

“Fairy Tale”

A novel written by Stephen King

608 pages

“Fairy Tale” is Stephen King’s 65th novel. That remarkable feat alone is enough to recommend it. At age 75, the prolific writer is not slowing his amazing pace. His next book, “Holly,” will be released later this year.

King’s protagonist in “Fairy Tale” is 17-year-old Charlie Reade. A good athlete and decent student, Charlie’s upbringing was forged in tragedy. His mother was struck by a truck and killed when he was seven. This trauma sent his father into years of alcoholism and eventual recovery with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous, a theme King continues exploring in this book. He did the same thing in great detail in “Doctor Sleep.”

One day, Charlie assists a grumpy hermit named Howard Bowditch, whose creepy house has frustrated the community for years. After Charlie saves Bowditch’s life and gains his trust and the love of his senior dog Radar, the old man shares his fantastic secrets, including a portal hidden by a shed in the backyard that leads to an other-worldly dimension. Once Charlie enters that realm, he becomes involved in the struggle of the inhabitants to resist oppressive dark forces.

Can Charlie save the kingdom that has fallen prey to a monster?

The Newnan Times-Herald’s movie critic, Jonathan W. Hickman, critiques a few books you may want to add to your summer reading list.

‘Fairy Tale,’ ‘The Passenger,’

‘City on Fire,’

‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ and ‘Cinema Speculation’

All the trademark King touches weave their way through this tome. It’s a somewhat tedious 600-plus page adventure that isn’t as scary as it is action-driven and overly sentimental. What frustrated me is that certain story sections had no apparent connection to the central conflict. For example, Charlie is captured and spends a long time in a subterranean dungeon, training and eventually participating in a deadly gladiator-style game. This familiar conceit never has any purpose other than to introduce Charlie to other characters that will assist him in his heroic journey. Why does the evil ruler hold these empty competitions? King makes no effort to connect the dots, nor is this a mystery worth exploring.

Charlie’s progress is not clever or surprising. He’s able to overcome many of the dangers with obvious techniques and a .45 caliber handgun. While language and adult situations skew in favor of older readers, “Fairy Tale” is comfortable at home in the Young Adult genre, which King helped inspire. In that category, I’d recommend the “Red Rising” series over this Stephen King entry.

“The Passenger”

A novel written by Cormac McCarthy

383 pages

Another aging master, the 89-year-old Cormac McCarthy continues to deliver with two new books, “The Passenger” and the companion novel, “Stella Maris.” “The Passenger” is his first work since 2006’s “The Road,” which won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

“The Passenger” is a psychological thriller of sorts about a salvage diver named Bobby Western. In between dives, Bobby spends his time moping about bars and restaurants in New Orleans. His backstory is fascinating: Bobby’s father was one of the scientists who helped build the atomic bomb, and his sister Alicia was a genius and classical musician.

Bobby was a Formula 2 driver before a big crash. We meet him after Alicia has committed suicide. He blames himself for not saving her, but Alicia struggled with schizophrenia, a diagnosis that Bobby may share. When Bobby participates in a recovery dive involving a mysterious plane crash, he becomes the target of an investigation by shadowy, possibly governmental operatives.

McCarthy’s writing is elegant and deeply textured, but the constant switches between Alicia’s schizophrenic manifestations and what approximates the real world can be annoying. And while the plot contains the elements of a good thriller, McCarthy isn’t telling that kind of story. The book’s most interesting parts, to me, involve Bobby’s diving and his inventive source of income, but the novel ends with more questions than answers.

“City on Fire”

A novel written by Don Winslow

376 pages

Don Winslow’s “City on Fire” is the first in a trilogy. This gangster story follows Danny Ryan, the son of a demoted Irish mob boss, who rises to the head of a criminal organization in Providence, Rhode Island. The“Fire” relates to a war partially sparked by a love triangle between the son of another Irish crime leader and the progeny of an Italian family.

The narrative is well-developed and paced; however, it really takes flight when Danny’s estranged mother Madeleine is introduced. Madeleine is a former Vegas showgirl and one-time prostitute turned politically-connected powerbroker. Her backstory is engrossing and entertaining, making me want Winslow to give us a more extended version in a separate novel.

“City on Fire” is the solid start to a series that will expand on the world Winslow has constructed in two more novels.

“Daisy Jones & The Six”

A novel written by Taylor Jenkins Reid

368 pages

Writer Taylor Jenkins Reid is huge right now with bestselling books, streaming series and feature film adaptations of her work in production. A streaming series version of “Daisy Jones & The Six,” arguably better than the book, is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.

Reid’s story centers on the title character as Daisy moves from party girl to musician, eventually joining forces with a rock band and producing one of the best albums of the 1970s. Clearly, Reid’s inspiration for the characters is the actual supergroup Fleetwood Mac, and Jones is a stand-in for siren Stevie Nicks.

Reid’s approach is to tell the story through a series of interviews. It’s sort of like reading a documentary. And that manner of storytelling is one of the limitations in that it does get a little repetitive and monotonous. Of course, this style isn’t anything new as Bram Stoker employed a similar technique in his epic epistolary novel “Dracula.”

“Cinema Speculation”

Non-fiction written by Quentin Tarantino

400 pages

Oscar-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino traces his movie influences in “Cinema Speculation.” He looks at each movie that shaped his taste by placing it in the context of the time, the industry, and his first experiences watching. This is a must-read for fans of the director or film buffs as Tarantino explores the action crime and blacksploitation films of the 1960s and 1970s.

Naturally, Tarantino’s opinions and word choices are sharp and biting. He doesn’t hold back while also colorfully romanticizing his earliest cinematic experiences. He takes swings at critics while celebrating lesser-known film reviewers, often including lengthy excerpts from their writing.

The book is a memoir of sorts that doubles as a genre education. It’s gloriously entertaining and intentionally indulgent. NCM

“JC has sold multiple properties for my family and just recently sold my first house. He is amazing! Every piece of advice he gave us worked and was for the benefit of everyone. Our house was sold in under 90 days at a price I never thought I would get! He is easy to communicate with and is aggressive in the appropriate ways. Highly recommend! We will be using him again for sure.”

- Kaylene Smith (Coweta)

“

- Russ Oaks (Newnan)

Gas Station Vacation

My “vacation” to the gas station happened during the pandemic – that time when travel and fun were redefined.

Paused were the roadtrips over the Mississippi River, speedily spelling out M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I both backwards and forwards, finishing before the bridge became regular road. Magical, twilight, childhood evenings with windows rolled down while the scent of cigarette smoke wafted from the front seat. Paul Harvey shushing me to sleep as he finally told “the rest of the story.”

There is a mysterious transformation inherent in roadtrips, a shaking of hands between driver and road, a pact of pavement and promise.

County lines blur as the AM radio station blurts salvation. Time bends differently on a road trip where rusted mailboxes and broken trucks tell their secrets of teenage troubles or lonely housewives. Johnny Cash’s velvet voice lifts with the lilt of the hills.

From bakery shops to butchers, there’s always something new to be seen, tasted and gained, a story to be shared and photos to be taken.

One of the best surprises about road trips are the truck stops.

Loving truck stops is easy. What’s not to love? There are cafes with plaster Elvis bust lamps for sale and giant pencils with your names on them. Back in the day, there were View Master discs, country and western cassette tapes, original cool trucker hats before they became hipster, jumper cables, No-Doz and other stuff to help you stay awake.

Months into lockdown, a fellow truckstop enthusiast suggested I go to Buc-ee’s. The closest one is in Warner Robins, just 90 minutes away, so we hopped in the car thinking it would be a short visit.

We were wrong.

Have you been to a Buc-ee’s? There is no preparation for a newbie. Bucky, the giant beaver mascot, waves to the masses, welcoming them to his dam.

I was Chevy Chase, and this was my Wally World. There is a wall, an entire wall, covered in beef jerky, as if Willie Wonka had peddled meats instead of chocolate. A cinnamon roasted nut booth entices the crowds to stay. Pour a Buc-ee’s sugar cane soda (alongside every other soda ever invented) from the epic soda fountain. Buy a bag of Beaver Nuggets or homemade potato chips (delicious). Their bakery is crazy for both sweet and savory Kolachkis. Brisket sandwiches are wrapped in foil. There’s homemade banana pudding. Need quail eggs? You’re in luck.

The chain promotes having the world’s cleanest bathrooms and, to be frank, I completely forgot to go inside them. I was too caught-up in the kaleidoscope of T-shirts, pjs, jams, candy, umbrellas, gift wrap – anything and everything branded with Bucky the beaver.

While getting gas outside (pump count? Too many to tell), we decided to take backroads home and somehow stumbled right into Pearson’s Orchard in Fort Valley. We went inside their store where you can watch the peach processing conveyor belts work their magic. They sold soft serve peach ice cream, souvenirs and, of course, fresh peaches. They proudly display a replica of the Guinness’s World Book of Records largest peach ever grown, weighing in at almost a whopping two pounds and bigger than a softball. Our wandering had been rewarded.

The lack of adventure is an ache we try our best to ease, either by watching a movie or reading a book, claiming those characters’ discoveries as our own.

But adventure isn’t about skydiving or traveling the Seven Seas. It’s simply experiencing the unfamiliar. It’s being open to not just crossing borders but erasing them – tasting something foreign, traveling somewhere new, confirming the marvels of beavers selling gas and peaches winning prizes… twisting a pandemic into a panoramic worthy of painting and prose 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.

Comprised of youngsters aged 10 to 18, the orchestra is based in Ayrshire, Scotland, sister county of Coweta County.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS WITH OUR SCOTTISH SISTER CITY:

Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra to perform in July

Written by JENNY ENDERLIN

After a long hiatus, Scotland’s Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra (AFO) is returning to Newnan. In anticipation of the visit, Cowetans have come together to ensure a welcome worthy of the South’s reputation for hospitality.

“We are thrilled to welcome back to Newnan the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra,” says Mayor Keith Brady. “Their visit in July will be a great opportunity for our citizens to learn more about their culture, but it also is a chance for us to showcase our city and all we have to offer.”

The trip is part of a broader Sister City/Sister County relationship between Newnan and Ayr and Coweta and Ayrshire.

“Since our first visit from the AFO in 1997, our partnership has created deep ties of friendship and helped promote tourism,” says Brady. “This July, we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of our sister city relationship with Ayr, and we look forward to many more years of strong ties between our two cities.”

The sister city bond formed in the mid-1990s when Bette Hickman, John Thrasher and other local citizens traveled to the Washington D.C. area for an education conference. They were immediately drawn to a delegation from Scotland who enthralled them at an afterparty with bagpipes and Scottish dancing, plus an invitation for the Georgia delegates to visit them in Ayr. They eagerly accepted.

“When we arrived, we had an amazing civic reception with all the bells and whistles, and the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra was playing,” says Hickman, recalling her first time encountering the AFO and its founder, Wallace Galbraith.

The AFO serves as Scotland’s ambassador for traditional Scottish music and culture and consists of five dozen musicians between the ages of 10 and 18 who perform around the world. The orchestra has played at the White House, 10 Downing Street, on Broadway, at the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House, in China and for Queen Elizabeth II.

As the sister city relationship grew, numerous visits across the ocean ensued. Over the years, Newnan has been represented in Scotland by Mayor Keith Brady, Councilwoman Cynthia Jenkins, Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce Vice President Cynthia Bennett and more. Likewise, Ayr sends dignitaries when the AFO visits.

The Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra is set to perform in Newnan on July 20.

Newnan’s Ken Bennett, left, and groom Stuart Lindsay share a word after Lindsay’s wedding ceremony at Rowallan Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland in July 2018. An AFO performer, Lindsay married fellow orchestra alumni Christy. Bennett and his wife Cynthia hosted Lindsay as an exchange student in 2011 and have kept ties with him and his family ever since.

This summer, Newnan is the AFO’s first stop on their Southern States Tour. A key component of their trip is sampling American life for the first time. During their visit to Georgia, the young musicians will stay in the homes of host families throughout the county, an arrangement organized by the local AFO Steering Committee, which is headed by Co-chairs Bette Hickman and Phyllis Graham, Committee Chair for Home Hosts Cynthia Bennett, and Chair of Finance John Thrasher. Their efforts are supported by volunteers with city and county sponsorship and private sponsors.

Relationships between host families and visiting musicians often last long after the students’ departure.

“Even in the digital age, to put your hand in the hand of someone who has a different culture and is living in a different country – that makes us human and brings us together,” Hickman reflects. “We watched these young kids grow up. I’ve made lifelong friends, and I’m not alone in that.”

Bennett, too, has kept in touch with former Scottish guests. She and her husband Ken traveled to Scotland to visit their guests’ families and have attended family weddings. One former student whom she hosted, David Moore, now serves as the AFO’s musical director and works alongside AFO co-directors Galbraith, Euan Terras and Kathleen Terras.

The musicians and their chaperones will arrive in Newnan on July 18. During their four-day stay, they will be treated to an ice cream social, a pool party at Lynch Park Pool, and a Scottish Ceilidh-meetsAmericana-Hoedown. (The Ceilidh – pronounced KAY-lee – is “a celebration of dance and friendship,” says Hickman.)

“We are all more alike than different” says Graham, stressing the importance of music and art as a means of connection. “I think creating the atmosphere for us to understand that we’re all one really helps.”

The visit culminates with a musical performance on July 20 at Wadsworth Auditorium with the Scottish students each performing in their own distinctive tartan. In conjunction with the concert, the NewnanCoweta Art Association (NCAA) will host an art exhibition at the Wadsworth’s Vault Gallery.

“All the artwork is related to music – orchestra, fiddle, bagpipes – or to Scotland itself: nature, cultural, historical or architectural,” says NCAA Vice President Rae Duncan. “We sincerely hope the international visitors, local dignitaries and citizens will come to view the exhibition and enjoy this marvelous display of art.”

The event is free to the public, but donations are highly encouraged as the AFO is a nonprofit that relies on contributions, merchandise sales and concert revenue to support the young musicians’ tuition and travels. NCM

Cruisin’ For Some Brews

Coweta County is the place to be this summer to try some refreshing, innovative beers

Written by JON COOPER

Throwing back a “cold one” has long been a popular way to ease the heat of a Georgia summer. But these days, your options are much more interesting.

A little research shows that 37 breweries are making their own unique libations within a 40-mile

radius of Newnan. We’ve narrowed the list down to Coweta locations where you can enjoy a good brew.

Just remember: Ride-sharing, like Lyft and Uber, or having a designated driver is always the best option on these types of quests.

Happy Cruisin’!

Abide Brewing Company

130 Werz Industrial Blvd., Newnan

Newnan natives Matthew Kapusta, Evan Scanlan and Philip Leonard founded Abide Brewing Company in 2013 to live out their dream to brew beer.

Abide is a nanobrewery, meaning they produce only three barrels or fewer per batch. (Macrobrewery? Think Anheuser-Busch or Coors; each produces more than six million barrels a year, while microbreweries produce a maximum of 15,000 barrels a year.)

Kapusta, Scanlan and Leonard think of their nanobrewery as a laboratory of sorts, an opportunity to get creative. They serve around 30 different drafts ranging from Local Pale Ale, Black IPA, Porter and Oktoberfest to Blackberry Strawberry Sour, Hollow Peno (infused with jalapenos) and Man Bun, a wheat beer.

“We have 12 taps, rotating beers, anything from light, dark, to IPA, hoppy, non-hoppy – so there’s a variety for even the non-beer consumer to find something they will enjoy,” says Scanlan. “And we’re about to launch a new sour variety where we have blueberry, cucumber, papaya and strawberry.”

A family- and petfriendly venue, Abide has featured releases from 6 to 9 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and one Sunday a month. Updates are posted on their Facebook page.

Senoia Beer Company

1 Main St., Senoia

Senoia Beer Company is one of the new kids on the block when it comes to local breweries; they have been open for about half a year, although the friends who started the company have been brewing for about four years.

The new brewery offers four craft brews: Wheat IPA (its citrusy flavor makes it their most popular beer), a lighter Blonde Ale, Brown Ale (with notes of chocolate), and Red Rye IPA, the strongest (6.6% APV) and fullest-bodied beer they serve. They sell their beer in cups and growlers and offer live music on the weekends.

Photo by Beth Neely

Almost 40 breweries operate within a 40-mile radius of Newnan, giving Cowetans ample choices when it comes to brews.

Photo by Mark Fritz

Left to right are friends and brewery owners Evan Scanlan, Philip Leonard and Matt Kapusta, who started the brewery together after a hobby of home brewing.

Ace Beer Growlers

22B West Court Square, Newnan

Ace Beer Growlers isn’t a brewery, but it is a portal to beer exploration.

Helmed by Jason Kanner, the shop in downtown Newnan sells 30 different craft beers in 32- and 64-ounce growlers. Their brands include Round Trip Smoked Doppelbock, Schoolhouse Cold IPA, Bold Monk Brother Ivan Stout, St Bernardus Abt 12 Trappist Ale, and Contrast Hot Pants Sour.

The local beer shop is open seven days a week and also offers wine and meats, in partnership with Cow Eata Meat Company.

Line Creek Brewing Company

18 Savannah St., Newnan

Friends and co-founders Brian Messer, Matt Ramsey, Paul Costick and Paul Schwinne opened Line Creek Brewing Company in Peachtree City in 2018 as “a few local guys’ love of quality craft beer and the desire to see it brewed, served and distributed right here in our community,” says Manager Chris Lane.

That desire to serve community extends to Newnan this summer when Line Creek opens its third location, to be called The Reserve, on Savannah Street. As the name suggests, the Coweta County location will be dedicated to barrel-aging.

“We’re planning on doing all of our barrel-aging in Newnan,” says Lane. “Our plan is to typically have six barrel-age beers on tap along with all of our core beers, and we’ll also do some experimental stuff in Newnan. We do a lot of different experimental collaborations in Fayetteville, our second location,

but I can foresee Newnan doing a lot of that type of stuff, too, along with the barrel-aging. We definitely have a vibrant brewing community here.”

Line Creek offers 24 beers that range from the traditional (First Crush IPA and The Cooliest) to off-beat (the fruity Pathrunner, a light lager with coconut; #ConserveGeorgia, with peach and ginger; and Pomiscuous, with pomegranate and mint) to the even more off-beat: Berry B-A-N-A-N-A-S, a strawberry milkshake IPA, and Spicy Pickle Sour, with habanero and serrano peppers.

Jason Kanner offers almost three dozen different craft beers at Ace Beer Growlers in downtown Newnan.

Photo by Beth Neely

Retirement Planning is a Journey

United Bank Wealth Management Advisors are Here to Help

Are you looking forward to a productive, accomplished retirement? Are you confident that your savings and investment income will match your goals? Do you know how much income you will need when you retire and are you on track to have enough?

As a United Bank Wealth Management Advisor and a Newnan native, it’s an honor to help my Coweta County neighbors enjoy retirement to the fullest. I understand that each individual has unique needs and visions, and to meet those goals they need an individualized retirement planning strategy. I will take the time to understand you; then we will

plot a course together.

Your plan may be to travel, visit family, relocate to a warmer climate, or check items off a bucket list. We help you create your own personalized retirement planning strategy, ensuring you stay on course so you can enjoy your benefits. Remember, it’s never too soon to begin. Good financial habits you develop in your 20s and 30s will be very beneficial during your retirement years.

If you are already enjoying your retirement years, you may need to consider a plan for a successful transfer of your assets to family members. United Bank Wealth Management Advisors can also

work with you to fulfill the terms of your estate according to your wishes, ensuring the care of future generations.

Saving for retirement is a long journey, and United Bank Wealth Management Advisors are here to guide you on the right path. We’re here for the long haul and will stay alongside you, stepby-step, to keep you on track.

Contact me or stop by a United Bank office in Newnan to learn more about how I can help you achieve your financial goals.

United Bank Wealth Management services are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed, may lose value and are not a bank deposit.

trippin� Day

GO NO FURTHER THAN COWETA COUNTY FOR A FULL DAY OF FUN

Written by CAROLINE NICHOLSON

A recent study published by Forbes magazine reports that although traveling is highly desirable, it is also viewed as inaccessible by a large portion of Americans. Seventysix percent of survey participants reported a desire to travel more than they do. The two most common reasons listed for their lack of travel were insufficient funds and not enough time to plan and execute a trip. Contrary to popular belief, though, travel need not mean a faraway journey costing thousands of dollars and requiring long hours on a cramped airplane. Traveling can just as easily mean visiting a destination in your own backyard, a place you’re interested in but have never been to. Coweta County is overflowing with distinctive locations perfect for day trips or afternoon adventures between the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here, we take a peek at three.

Fall is majestic over the lake at Elder’s Mill in Senoia.

Photo by Joe Stancil

Chattahoochee Bend State

Park

425 Bob White Way | Newnan

Only a 30-minute drive from downtown Newnan and nestled along a bend in the Chattahoochee River lies the aptly named Chattahoochee Bend State Park, one of Coweta’s hidden gems and one of Georgia’s largest state parks.

Wooded trails along the river boast unique plants and wildlife in a park that spans more than 2,910 acres with four miles of biking trails and 12 miles of hiking trails. For those with a love for the water, there’s boating, fishing and paddling down the river.

With ample areas perfect for informal picnics and covered picnic shelters available to rent for special occasions, the park is ideal for travelers looking for a day trip to connect with nature. However, the park also provides options for those seeking a longer escape. Chattahoochee Bend State Park offers several lodging options, including three cottages for rent as well as different types of camping sites for more adventurous visitors.

For those travelers who prefer a detailed itinerary, Chattahoochee Bend offers a wide array of naturespecific events monthly. These events range from “Chat and Chews” where visitors have an opportunity to learn about local fauna to hikes where travelers can identify trees growing along the river. These events cater to all ages and help make the local park a must-see destination in Coweta County.

Elder ′s Mill

1739 Elders Mill Road | Senoia

Down a Senoia path darkened by trees – and in a cell phone dead zone – a peaceful lake stretches across eight acres and feeds into a gushing waterfall. The waterfall is the focal point of the land that Joe Stancil and Cyndi Flanagan own. Near the cascades stands the foundation of what used to be Elder’s Mill, a building that received its energy from the powerful waterfall.

It’s unclear when exactly the mill was built, whether in the late 1800s or early 1900s, but the Elder family who established the mill have lived in Coweta County for almost two centuries. In 1827, Howell Elder and his wife Rebecca moved from Clarke County to Coweta onto their expansive 800-acre property. With them, they brought their two sons, William and Sterling, and daughter, Rebecca Jane.

When Howell Elder died in the mid-1830s, his land was split between his sons. William’s wife had a son in 1871 and named him Sterling James Elder II after his brother. Sterling Elder II inherited 400 acres of the Elder’s land, and the other 400 acres were sold. Rather than staying in Coweta County though, Sterling Elder II moved to Atlanta and ran the mill from afar. After his death in 1957, the mill and acreage around it were sold in order to financially provide for his widow, Madge. Sterling and Madge were the last Elders to own the property, but the family name lives on in Senoia.

In the years since Elder’s Mill was in operation, Hollywood has taken note of the picturesque landscape and descended on Senoia. Since 1994, the waterfall and property at Elder’s Mill has been the setting for at least eight large-scale productions with more planned for the future.

Most notably, portions of the 2012 crime drama “Lawless” were shot at Elder’s Mill. At first glance, it’s easy to think that the two large, crumbling wooden buildings are relics of the property’s rich history. On the contrary, these structures were built for the sole purpose of filming, plus housing actors and production crews during the making of “Lawless,” which starred Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf and Jessica Chastain.

Although set designers built the Blackwater Station set from the ground up, they also incorporated elements from the property’s history and worked to make everything historically accurate, according to Flanagan. For instance, hanging on the walls of what was the bar area in the movie are bags that used to hold cornmeal and other items produced at Elder’s

Photo by Nikitha Bandela

Atop the observation platform, visitors can discover Chattahoochee Bend State Park from a new point of view.

A rainbow is created by the waterfall at Elder’s Mill in Senoia.

Photo by Joe Stancil

Mill. Plastered on a wall upstairs in a period-accurate fashion are old newspaper clippings from the 1930s and 1940s.

Though the property is certainly a mustsee destination thanks to its presence in many films, cinephiles aren’t the only people drawn to visit Elder’s Mill. Both professional and amateur photographers flock to the property as well thanks to its abundance of unique backdrops.

Moving forward, Stancil and Flanagan plan to continue working with producers to share their property on the small and big screen. But they have another big project in the works – a plan to transform Elder’s Mill into an events venue with the capability of hosting weddings and other large gatherings. The pair hope to build a large barn and turn Elder’s Mill into a hub for the Senoia community.

“There’s a tremendous amount of possibilities out here,” says Flanagan.

To see where a favorite movie was filmed, take photos, immerse yourself in local history, or simply enjoy a day unplugged from life’s stresses, Elder’s Mill might be your spot. Stancil and Flanagan offer guided tours and visits by appointment.

Blackwater Station, created for the 2012 movie “ Lawless,” peeks through the trees.

The sun rises over a misty morning at the mill.

Photo by Joe Stancil

Photo by Joe Stancil

Greenville Street Park 51 Greenville Street | Newnan

For those looking for an experience not far removed from the amenities of everyday life, look no further than the outskirts of downtown Newnan. Two-acre Greenville Street Park is an ideal location for downtown patrons, employees on their lunch breaks, and visitors attending evening community events.

The park features a tiered amphitheater encircled by 25 columns with a spouting fountain at its center. Visitors can walk along the brick pathways, rest on secluded benches shaded by trees, and admire the park’s two statues. Dotted throughout are picnic tables, excellent for outdoor lunches with family and friends.

Greenville Street Park also serves as a hub for many of Newnan’s community events. Most notably, the park hosts the extremely popular Summer NewnaNights where people gather to listen to live music, enjoy cuisine from food trucks, and shop from local vendors.

Thanks to the unique amphitheater design of the park, this is a first-choice venue for local concerts, including Jazz in the Park.

In September 2022, a professional theater company performed Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” in the open-air amphitheater, a flashback in time to when Shakespeare’s plays were performed at a similar amphitheater, the Globe Theatre in London.

Beyond being a hub for local events, Greenville Street Park is also a tourist destination thanks to the highly popular television series, “The Walking Dead (TWD).” In March 2022, Stalwart Productions began filming the series’ final episode in Greenville Street Park. Since the airing of that episode in late November 2022, the park has become home to fans of the show hoping to see where the end of their favorite TV series was filmed.

Whether you’re a TWD fan or just want to escape the monotony of regular life during your lunch break, consider stopping by Greenville Street Park. NCM

Photos by Sandy Hiser

Greenville Street Park borders downtown Newnan and offers the best of city park life with plenty of greenspace, an amphitheater and routine events.

Georgia On the Road to Getaways

Written by JACKIE KENNEDY

As spring turns to summer and school winds down to a close, the desire to get out of town is sometimes too strong to tamp down.

Give in to your wanderlust notions this summer while staying in your home state. Whether it’s the North Georgia mountains or the South Georgia coast, the Peach State offers an expanse of vacation and weekend getaway options. It’s why visitors from all over the United States and across the world come here.

Don’t miss out on what others are enjoying. Turn your attention to a Georgia vacation this year, and find out what you’ve been missing if you haven’t yet visited the three spots we feature in this issue: Blue Ridge for mountain adventures, St. Marys and Cumberland Island for coastal breezes, and Plains and Americus for downhome fairs and festivals with presidential lore and legend to boot.

Spend a refreshing day in Blue Ridge hiking or biking to local waterfalls on forested trails in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

Photo courtesy of Fannin County Chamber of Commerce

Blue Ridge and Fannin County Outdoorsy and upscale in North Georgia

About 90 minutes north of Atlanta off Interstate-575, Blue Ridge is outdoorsy, earthy, upscale, fresh and historical, all at once. It’s a collision of opposites that results in a picture-perfect getaway for crafting memories, whether seeking solitude, uniting family, gathering friends or igniting romance.

Upscale cabins dot this North Georgia landscape, giving visitors an opportunity to revel in nature while keeping within close proximity to the chic shops, restaurants and multi-generational activities that Fannin County offers.

The charming mountain towns of Blue Ridge and McCaysville each have a distinct character and history. Downtown Blue Ridge offers eclectic shopping and dining in a quaint small town setting. With the historic Blue Ridge Depot at its center, Blue Ridge is a center for arts and galleries, antiques, unique shopping and eateries.

Photos courtesy of FANNIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Blue Ridge offers lodging with stunning mountain views, creek-side hideaways, riverfront fishing lodges, cabins on the lake, hotels and resorts.

Summer Fun Spots

The Swan Drive-In, one of three remaining drive-in theaters in Georgia, offers first run movies on weekends.

The Ocoee Whitewater Center, site of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Canoe/Kayak/Slalom events, features great spots for wading and sliding on rocks at this natural water park.

At Lake Blue Ridge, boating and fishing are popular pastimes for outdoor enthusiasts.

The McCaysville Basin, along the Toccoa River, is frequented by trout fishermen.

Hop aboard a train. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is one of the must-see attractions in this region. The railroad connects the towns of Blue Ridge and McCaysville and offers a journey along the beautiful Toccoa River.

Sink your teeth into sweet, plucked-fresh-fromthe-tree apples at local orchards. Buying local fruits, vegetables and homemade goodies is a big part of the Blue Ridge experience, especially when it includes a visit to Mercier Orchards, a family farm for 65 years and one of the largest orchards in the Southeast. Amazingly, 50 varieties of apples are grown here.

Test your taste buds with farm-to-table offerings. Shop for unique souvenirs and wardrobe additions at the boutiques. Cheat on your diet with sweet treats. Engage your senses at the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association and Art Center.

For the adventurous, get back to nature with scenic ventures on the Benton MacKaye Trail, spanning nearly 300 miles through the Appalachian Mountains. Kayak the Toccoa River, boat Lake Blue Ridge, or cast a line in Fannin County, known as Georgia’s Trout Capital.

Take a leisurely float down the tree-lined waters of the Toccoa River by tube, kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board.

Two of the greatest outdoor adventures in the world begin at the southern border of Fannin County. Both the Appalachian and the Benton MacKaye Trail start at the top of Springer Mountain.

The Appalachian Trail, better known and the longer of the trails, is a 2,000-plus-mile journey to Maine through many states on the Eastern Seaboard.

The Benton MacKaye, more remote than the Appalachian, begins a 286-mile trek along the western slopes of the Appalachian Mountains, rejoining the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. NCM

Summer Events

Arts in the Park: Downtown Blue Ridge City Park, Memorial Day Weekend

Pickin’ in the Park: Horseshoe Bend Park, every Thursday evening from May through September

Old Timers Day Parade: Downtown Blue Ridge, Saturday closest to July 4th

Lake Blue Ridge Fireworks: Blue Ridge Marina, on or near July 4th

Old Fashioned Fourth in McCaysville: Downtown McCaysville, July 4th weekend

Blue Ridge Kiwanis Rodeo: Kiwanis Fairgrounds in Blue Ridge, August

Copper Basin River Fest: Downtown McCaysville/Copperhill, August

Labor Day Barbeque: Downtown Blue Ridge, Labor Day

While in McCaysville and Copperhill, dine waterside overlooking the Toccoa River.

Take a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a generationbonding adventure that starts at the historic 1905 depot in downtown Blue Ridge.

Plains and Americus Presidential ties where history comes to life

Atwo-hour drive from Newnan, Sumter County is the only county in Georgia – and one of only three counties in the United States – with two national historic sites: Andersonville National Historic Site, home to the largest and most well-known Civil War prison, and Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, which pays homage to the nation’s 39th president.

From peanut farmer to president to Nobel Prize laureate, Carter remained an active citizen in his community until recent years. He and his wife Rosalyn renovated a downtown building into the Historic Plains Inn where guests from around the world have stayed overnight in the inn’s rooms, which each depict a different decade from the president’s life.

At the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, visitors see the Plains Depot, restored to its 1976 appearance when it served as Carter’s campaign headquarters.

Other stops along the historic site include the president’s boyhood home and surrounding farm, as well as Plains High School where both Jimmy and Rosalyn graduated. The high school now serves as a museum and visitor’s center.

Established in 1970, Andersonville National Historic Site has three main features: the prison site, Andersonville National Cemetery, and the nation’s only National Prisoner of War Museum. Andersonville was the largest and arguably the most infamous of 150 military prisons of the Civil War.

Across the road from the historic site is Andersonville Civil War Village featuring The Drummer Boy Museum, Pioneer Farm, and the Anderson Station Restaurant.

Photo courtesy of Americus and Sumter County

The annual Plains Peanut Festival highlights Sumter County’s peanut production.

The Historic Windsor Hotel occupies nearly an entire city block in the heart of downtown Americus. A prime example of Victorian architecture, the hotel was built in 1892 to attract winter visitors from the North. The upstairs balcony is a favorite spot for guests to unwind after a day of sight-seeing.

Americus is an ideal stopping point when enroute to Florida with its vibrant downtown filled with unique shops and eateries.

In downtown Americus, unique shops include Café Campesino, Georgia’s first and only 100% fair trade, organic coffee company, and Mobile Glassblowing Studios, where a factory tour allows a peek into the art and community behind it.

Formerly home of Habitat for Humanity’s International Headquarters, Americus is still home to the Historic Windsor Hotel and Rylander Theatre.

Located in the heart of downtown Americus, the Windsor is a breathtaking example of Victorian architecture. Built in 1892 to attract winter visitors from the north, the Windsor is a 53-room, five-story

Victorian masterpiece designed with tower and turret, balconies and a three-story open atrium lobby. It occupies almost an entire city block. The hotel closed in 1972 after almost 80 years in operation and reopened in 1991 after a $6.5 million dollar renovation.

The Historic Rylander Theatre sports much of its original grandeur after a $4.8 million restoration and is home to local theater productions.

Also in Sumter County, the town of Leslie is home to the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum, which houses the largest collection of telephones and telephone memorabilia in the world.

Photos courtesy of Best Western Plus Windsor Hotel

Spots for Tons of Fun

• Both held in September, Taste of Sumter, in Americus, and Plains Peanut Festival offer lots of good eats and drinks, activities and entertainment.

• Lake Blackshear is located on the edge of Sumter County and is home to a multitude of water based activities like fishing, boating, tubing and skiing.

• SAM Shortline Excursion Train, a rolling Georgia State Park, makes stops in Leslie, Americus, Plains and Archery most weekends.

• The Americus Hot Glass Craft Beer Festival is the world’s largest gathering of hot glass blowers. Each spring, internationally recognized artisans fire up some of the most dazzling pieces while visitors enjoy craft beer from around the state.

• Jimmy Carter Regional Airport, in Americus, was known as Souther Field Airport in 1923 when Charles Lindbergh took his first solo flight, making the local airport one of the most important heritage sites in aviation. NCM

St. Marys and Cumberlan d Island Beauty and adventure await on Georgia’s coast

One of the most relaxing coastal Georgia experiences awaits visitors in historic St. Marys and Cumberland Island.

This typically uncrowded destination on the Atlantic coast serves up culture, heritage and outdoor activities that make it popular with both history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts.

St. Marys’ intimate downtown waterfront community offers a welcome respite. With no pretense, local restaurants serve up tasty coastal cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere. The streets are lined with locally owned shops with owners happy to share local tips and favorite spots. Historic homes offer glimpses into coastal life in an earlier era, and some homes are open for overnight guests, adding unique options for lodging.

The revitalized St. Marys waterfront is a welcoming, walkable and bikeable community center. The pedestrian-friendly streetscape continues along a multi-use path leading to a new public marina. Self-guided tours highlight historic sites, and the St. Marys Submarine Museum displays memorabilia from submarine history, including stories from the local waters.

All this is set against the scenic beauty of the St. Marys River. Once prowled by pirates and smugglers, today shrimp and pleasure boats dot the horizon.

A visit to the Cumberland Island Visitors Center, in St. Marys, prompts many to visit the enchanting island. Across the river, the untamed beauty of Cumberland Island provides an escape to a world away.

Continued on page 45

Photos courtesy of ST. MARYS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

LEFT

The St. Marys waterfront offers stunning views of sunsets, shrimp boats and more.

BELOW

The Cumberland Island National Seashore is comprised of undeveloped beaches, maritime forests and expansive salt marshes.

Fast Facts

» In 1804, after the infamous duel between third Vice President Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, Burr fled to St. Marys and found refuge at the home of his law school friend, Archibald Clark. The Archibald Clark House is the oldest house in St. Marys and is available today as a vacation rental.

» St. Marys was one of the last battles of the War of 1812. On January 13, 1815, five days after the Battle of New Orleans, British troops attacked the battery at Point Peter just minutes from downtown St. Marys. Known as

the Forgotten Battle, it was over by late evening as Point Peter fell to Admiral Cockburn and his 1,500 troops.

» St. Marys Peace Garden is the southernmost point of the Binational Heritage Peace Garden Trail. The site commemorates the War of 1812 and the shared heritage of the United States and Canada. The trail begins in Canada.

» St. Marys is on the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail. The town is home to the St. Marys Submarine Museum where guests can have fun with a working periscope and view WWII patrol reports along with submarine and veteran memorabilia.

Bikers in St. Marys enjoy pedaling down quiet streets lined by historic homes and landmarks.

Protected as the Cumberland Island National Seashore and accessible by boat only, Cumberland can be visited by taking a 45-minute passenger ferry from St. Marys. Day trips highlighted by a guided Lands and Legacies tour are popular; participants are taken by van to visit the island’s cultural and natural landmarks, such as the remains of Robert Stafford’s plantation and cemetery, Plum Orchard Mansion, Cumberland Wharf, the Settlement and First African Baptist Church.

Some adventurous travelers to Cumberland Island choose to camp overnight on the island, which is allowed by reservation only.

Back on the mainland and 10 minutes from downtown St. Marys, Crooked River State Park is another natural treasure. Set on the banks of the Crooked River, the 500-acre park offers cabins and campsites, a nature center and hiking, biking and kayak trails. The 11-mile St. Marys Tabby Trail connects the park with downtown St. Marys via a multi-use bike trail.

The entire area is known as a paddling and birding mecca and has spots noted on both the Southeast Coast Saltwater Paddling Trail and the Colonial Coast Birding Trail. A guided tour with state park staff takes guests to St. Marys rookery to visit a variety of native wading birds, including Wood Storks and Roseate Spoonbills. NCM

ABOVE

Visitors to Cumberland Island can enjoy a peaceful hike along the island’s live oak-lined main road to several landmarks, ranging from the Settlement and First African Baptist Church on the north end to the ruins of Dungeness at the south end of the island.

Warm Weather Events

First Friday in Downtown

St. Marys: First Friday of each month

Music in the Park: Second Saturday from April to October

St. Marys Independence Day

Festival: July 4

St. Marys Seafood Festival: First Saturday each October

Photo by Beth Neely

Harold M. Walton

Amos W. Wilder

Christopher Drew Bauch Saluted by: Mom Robin Mann, brothers Jay & Will

George Harkins Saluted by: Friends of George

U. . Y S ARM

1st Lt Lauren Taylor Hovey Saluted by: VFW Auxiliary Patriotic Instructor

Johnny Hodo Jr. Saluted by: Family

Douglas Holmes Saluted by: Alford, Schmidt & Holmes families

Toby Bowden Saluted by: VFW Auxiliary Patriotic Instructor

Johnny Hodo Sr. Saluted by: Family

Flyin’ High NEWNAN’S SKATEBOARDING SCENE

Written by JENNY ENDERLIN | Photographed by SARA MOORE

Clementine Spier takes flight at the C. Jay Smith Skatepark in Newnan where she practices tricks of the skateboard trade.

Because fall after fall occurs in skateboarding, athletes say there is no room for ego – only humility, hard work and comradery.

Seeking external acclaim is considered poor form in the sport of skateboarding, so when world-famous skaters like Eli Williams, Justin Brock and Brazilian Olympic medalist Kelvin Hoefler quietly slip into town to skate among the hundreds of other skaters at Newnan’s C. Jay Smith Park, there is never fanfare.

“I just love the community aspect of it, what it does for people. It gets you outside, but also, the bonds that form – I mean, they’re insane,” says Jesse Yates, firefighter and owner of Vinylyte Records and Skateshop, which began selling skateboarding gear in 2018.

“It’s probably the only sport that doesn’t matter what you look like, where you came from, how you dress, what you want to be called, what you identify as,” says Yates. “It’s open for everybody.”

Yates points out that because the initial startup cost is so low, anyone can afford to take up this daredevilish hobby, which is not always the case with other sports.

Before the local skatepark was completed in August 2021, Newnan skateboarding culture remained largely underground.

“Me and Zane [Hallman] would rip and run through the streets and skate anywhere and everywhere we could,” says Vinylyte-sponsored athlete Jahlil Buford, reminiscing over the numerous times his crew got into trouble growing up.

“There’s people that definitely judge it as ‘hoodlums running around,’” says Austin Gordon. “I view it as any other sport – people coming together, having fun, just skating!”

According to Yates, local skaters are grateful to have somewhere to finally skate without worrying about getting arrested. He feels that creation of the park sends a message of validation.

“You can see it in their faces how appreciative they are, and they’re talking to the mayor,” says Yates. “Skaters don’t get to talk to mayors. But on opening day, they walked up and thanked him.”

Newnan’s skate park, the largest in the state of Georgia, was built after years of lobbying. In the early 2000s, a group of skaters began petitioning the city for a skatepark.

Airborne, Zane Hallman is a local skateboarder with his own T-shirt line called Glamour.

“Once they got older, they kind of passed the torch down,” says Yates, who credits local skater Kurtis Kornacki for leading the campaign across the finish line.

“When this park opened up, I definitely leveled up on my skating times ten,” says Zane Hallman, local skater and creator of skate clothing line Glamour Georgia. “This place is beyond what I ever thought it would be.”

With a skatepark suited for national-level competitions, Yates says it’s close to producing homegrown skaters who go full-on pro.

In March, C. Jay Smith Park was headquarters for its first regional contest – the Red Bull Terminal Takeover Competition, which was originally envisioned for the Delta Museum in Atlanta but ultimately was moved to Newnan. The competition featured 10 crews from Charlotte to St. Petersburg, with Newnan’s Vinylyte-sponsored crew consisting of Hallman, Gordon, Cobe Harmer, Jaden Humble and Logan Hulsey proudly taking fourth place.

Ryan Clements, founder of The Boardr Skate Company, which produces competitions across the country, says several skaters were shocked to see The Boardr in Newnan.

“Dude, I can’t believe you guys are here!” he recalls skaters exclaiming, adding that while he’s skated in Atlanta many times, now that he’s seen what he calls Newnan’s “epic skatepark,” he’s a fan: “I would honestly prefer to stay in a hotel here and skate here.”

Clements says the municipality of Newnan may not have grasped the full impact that creating a world-class skatepark would have in terms of drawing people from all over to patronize local hotels and restaurants. “If you build it good enough, people will come from far away,” he states.

The up-and-coming Devin Flynn, who traveled from New Jersey for the Red Bull Competition, was excited by both the quality of the local park and talent of the skaters. “A lot of people here are really good,” he says.

Likewise, Hallman, who is looking forward to traveling to New York and L.A. for upcoming competitions, appreciated the opportunity to see new tricks.

“A lot of these people have never been to this skatepark before, and they were doing a lot of things I’ve never even seen done here,” Hallman says. “It was impressive.”

Skaters say the sport plays a vital role in their lives. Colin Mure explains it has taught him to wake up every morning

Skaters say they embrace the risk inherent in the sport because it instills resilience and perseverance.

Raylen Reier, 4-year-old son of Randy Reier, swoops and slides on his trusty scooter at the local skatepark.

Friends and fellow skateboarders at C. Jay Smith Skatepark are, from left, Jacob Rainey, Zane Hallman and Derrick Deville.

and ask himself whether he is going to sulk all day or crush the day.

“This has been my mental release for the past 18 years plus,” he says. “This is where I come to release my everything.”

Buford says that while he works in film, nothing “puts that spark” in him like skating.

“Skateboarding culture influences everything in the fashion world, in the music world, in the entertainment world,” Buford adds. “It’s all drawn from skate culture. Skating is not just a hobby for some people. It’s a lifestyle. I know people who have put their kids on a board as soon as they can walk.”

To parents of children interested in taking up skateboarding, Yates advises: “Don’t be overprotective. Just let them do it. Yes, they’re going to fall. Put aside your copay for the ER and just keep that full because it’s going to happen –broken bones, lacerations, all that stuff.”

He recommends wearing protective gear. “There’s nothing wrong with wearing a helmet,” he says. “A lot of guys think it’s bad fashion, but it will save your life. Murphy’s Law is going to hurt you.”

The skaters of C. Jay Smith Park know this only too well.

“You have to focus because that’s how you land stuff. If you’re not focused when you try a trick, nine times out of 10, you’re going to hurt yourself,” says Buford. He recounts a “gnarly” time a friend knocked himself out and had a seizure, losing several teeth in the meantime.

Skaters say they embrace the risk inherent in the sport because it instills resilience and perseverance. Yates believes things like video games impart a false sense of accomplishment because the characters can never die.

ABOVE

Jesse Yates, owner of Vinylyte Records and Skateshop in Newnan, works as a firefighter and has fun has a skateboarder.

ABOVE & RIGHT

Wearing one of Zane Hallman’s T-shirts is fellow skateboarder Jahlil Buford, shown on his board, above right, in the inset photo.

“You can’t respawn in skateboarding. You go in and you try as hard as you can – and if you land it, you’ve really done something,” says Yates. “You know how hard you worked to build up to that point, and you actually pulled it off. You get a real, true sense of accomplishment for every trick you learn whether it’s the first one – which for most people is an ollie – to the tre-flips down stairsteps.” (An ollie is a skateboarding trick where the rider and board leap into the air due to the rider stomping the tail of the skateboard off the ground, then sliding his foot forward to level out the board at the jump’s peak.)

Sam Spier was initially hesitant when her daughter Clementine asked for a skateboard.

“Sometimes, there’s a lot of falls, but so far, she’s doing great. We’re up here all the time and I’m super glad she chose to get into this,” says Spier, who loves that her daughter has found a

creative outlet that also happens to have a fitness aspect. “I think that it’s a great way for her to work hard at something and feel accomplished once she finally gets it.”

Clementine, 12, has been skating for a little more than a year and loves how quick people are to offer tips.

“It’s something active to do instead of just sitting around,” says Clementine. “And it’s a really supportive community.”

“I think skate culture is really inclusive,” says Spier. “Everyone is really kind to reach out and say ‘Hey, why don’t you try it this way?’ If Clementine is struggling with a trick or needs a skate tool, there’s always been some friendly person to help her out.”

Curious about skateboarding life? The athletes of C. Jay Smith Park say they have just one message: “Come out here and hang out. Meet a couple of us!” NCM

ABOVE AND LEFT

Clementine Spier, 12, has been skateboarding for just more than a year, time enough for her to excel in some tricks – and plenty of time for her to fall in love with the sport.

RIGHT

Even a blustery late winter day finds plenty of skateboarders at Newnan’s C. Jay Smith Skatepark, the largest skatepark in Georgia.

BECKONING BOTH KIDS AND ADULTS FOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURE – WITH A HISTORY LESSON THROWN IN FOR FUN

andering through the woods and meadows of the Brown’s Mill Battlefield Historic Civil War Site, it’s almost impossible to think that, in 1864, a battle was fought on this now tranquil spot. Other than the well-placed walking and mountain biking trails snaking through the woods, the land feels completely undisturbed.

Brown’s Mill Battlefield: W

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the site as a historic and recreational resource for the NewnanCoweta community. While it took some time to get here, the process has been driven by great collaboration between government agencies, the private sector and volunteers.

In 2001, the Coweta County Board of Commissioners committed to preserving the historic site by purchasing approximately 105 acres of land that had been part of the battlefield. Not only was the Battle at Brown’s Mill the only Civil War battle in Coweta County; it is credited with causing Union General William T. Sherman to change his initial strategy as his troops headed toward Atlanta.

Soon after the purchase, the County presented Sandra Parker, who had recently joined the County Planning Department, with the project. The rest is history.

Written by FRANCES KIDD

Carolyn Turner, a Coweta resident who taught history in the Coweta County School System, approached Parker to inquire about involving some of her students in the census work being run out of Parker’s office. After the two met and sorted out plans for Turner’s class, they discovered something else they could work on together: Brown’s Mill.

Turner, now retired and serving as president of Brown’s Mill Battlefield Association, had grown up hearing family stories about the battle and had always had a great interest in the site. Parker was already working on the idea of developing the former battlefield as a historic site. Other early supporters included State Senator Lynn Smith, who was instrumental in getting grant funding to assist the County in the purchase of the land.

Young bicyclists explore the trails at Brown’s Mill Battlefield Historic Civil War Site.

What once was Brown’s Mill Battlefield now serves as a spot for recreation and enjoying nature in Newnan.

Photo by Chris Doane

Photo by Carolyn Turner

Photo by Chris Doane

As the site developed, organizations and individuals around Coweta contributed to making the site a great place for the community. For example, Boy Scouts seeking to earn their Eagle Scout badges volunteered to build wooden benches at intervals along the trails. Local Kiwanis Clubs provided funding to the Battlefield Association.

“Here we have open communication with, and great support from, our Board of Commissioners,” says Turner. “We are fortunate that they all have pride in the history of our county. Cooperation between the Commissioners, the Parks and Recreation Department, the mountain bikers, and the historians creates a great experience for all who visit Brown’s Mill Battlefield.”

At the historic site at 155 Millard Farmer Road in Newnan, approximately four miles of hiking trails include

a quarter mile that’s ADA-accessible. Markers outlining the area’s history, researched and erected by Brown’s Mill Battlefield Association, line the way. In May 2019, six miles of beginner and intermediate mountain bike trails opened as the culmination of a partnership with Bike Coweta, Mountain Bike Atlanta and Brown’s Mill Battlefield Association.

Brown’s Mill was the first County site reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents, increasingly looking for safe ways to get out of their houses, were calling the county asking what facilities were open. The site was reopened because the extensive trail system gave users the ability to keep a safe distance from others using the trails. As one can imagine, its popularity immediately increased, according to Turner.

The historic site is a favorite spot for various groups to hold outings geared toward exercise and adventure or learning about nature and history. Here, a group of participants in a youth mountain bike camp prepares for an adventurous excursion through the wooded trails at Brown’s Mill.

Photo by Chris Doane

A BRIEF HISTORY

Historians say the Battle of Brown’s Mill changed the course of Union General William T. Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. Sherman’s original plan was to use cavalry to cut Atlanta’s railroads that supplied and fed the Confederate Army defending the city.

Two mounted columns, including almost 10,000 officers and troops, headed out on July 27, 1864. One, commanded by General Edward M. McCook, headed west; the other was led by General George Stoneman. Their orders were to cut four major railroad lines.

McCook’s force did initially succeed in inflicting damage to Confederate rail lines and supply wagons. But just southwest of Newnan, McCook was turned back by cavalry troops commanded by Major General Joseph Wheeler. McCook’s troops suffered considerable losses at the Battle of Brown’s Mill.

Even though the mill itself played virtually no role in the battle, the mill is referenced directly in the accounts of General McCook, so the place name has become synonymous with the battlefield site.

According to an archeological research study commissioned by Coweta County, Brown’s Mill was constructed in the 1830s and was largely destroyed by flood in the 1880s. The only remaining signs of the mill are a series of drill holes in the stone of the creek containing iron reinforcement bars associated with bracing the dam. The Brown family residence was also on the property, south of the mill.

A dog-friendly site, Brown’s Mill is a great place for people to exercise and walk their canine companions, although pets must remain on a leash. It’s also a place where mountain bikers whoosh through the woods on their dedicated trails. Often, volunteers from the association ride along the trails to pick up any trash left behind or give tours to visitors.

Even on a gray, drizzly day in early spring, there were folks on the trails. One of the visitors was Holly, a beautiful Weimaraner who was leading her owner Mike Hartenstine towards the trail.

“I get to come about two times a week for 20 or 30 minutes,” Holly seemed to say, with great excitement in her eyes as she added, “I like the woods and the squirrels.”

Further along the trail, there were two other dogs and their people who are also frequent visitors to the park. The dogs declined to comment, but one of the owners said they found the pet-friendly trail on an app listing nearby recreation areas.

While a destination for recreation and outdoor activities, Brown’s Mill is also a place that deserves respect. In 2022, at the suggestion of the state historic preservation office, the Battlefield Association brought in cadaver dogs with an experienced handler. These trained dogs are usually in the field looking for missing persons or tracking the area where a body is thought to be buried. The work in battlefield archeology, using the same skills, is relatively new.

In hopes of confirming the existence of graves, some volunteers with the association had been dowsing, a

Holly, the Weimaraner, stops for a moment to chat with an NCM writer as her owner, Mike Hartenstine, enjoys a quick break from their brisk walk.

Photo by Carolyn Turner

traditional art used to detect underground water, grave sites and other buried items by using metal rods that move when they detect something underground. The volunteers had discovered some potential locations of graves, including that of a young girl who had lived with her uncle, George Cook, owner of the mill. Along with the grave of Cook’s niece, some other areas were corroborated by the cadaver dogs.

The Brown’s Mill Battlefield Historic Civil War Site is located at 155 Millard Farmer Road in Newnan and is managed by the Coweta County Parks and Recreation Department. There are selfguided tours, free parking, a pavilion, bike racks and public restrooms. The site is open year-round Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Hiking trails are always accessible but, to prevent damage, the Rec Department requests that mountain bikers help preserve the biking trails by avoiding them after hard rains. NCM

A camp leader guides young campers on a thrilling mountain bike trail through the Brown’s Mill Battlefield site.

Photo by Chris Doane

Dog walkers enjoy the trails at Brown’s Mill.

Photo by Carolyn Turner

Paint the Day Your Way!

HOW TO HAVE FUN THIS MOTHER’S & FATHER’S DAY!

Written by JENNIFER DZIEDZIC | Photographed by SARA MOORE

AND NEXT PAGE

Mother’s Day has traditionally been about flowers and breakfast in bed, but let’s be honest: Many moms want a day off, and as Newnan resident Crystal Reedy says, “For Mother’s Day, we don’t typically do presents unless it’s something I’ve been looking at or something he knows I need. Instead, he gives me the day off. I can take a few

hours to walk around a store by myself, grab a cup of coffee somewhere, or read a book.”

Reedy says Father’s Day with her husband Jamie is also less about gifts and more about quality time together as a family with their 7-year-old daughter River.

“We typically plan a fun day where he doesn’t cook but just can relax and have fun,” says Reedy. “This could be a game day, a fun outing, or something new.”

ABOVE

With a budget her mom provides, Mysha Dziedzic, 10, takes mom Jennifer out for a Mother’s Day that includes crazy fun and pampering, too. The crazy fun takes place at Black Bear Axe Company in Newnan, where a paint room beckons kids and parents to see who can throw the most paint at the other.

LEFT

Sons (or daughters) might choose to take their dads to Black Bear Axe Company to blow off some steam, as illustrated here by David Jonassen bashing things in the Rage Room.

Whether you’re a family looking to share a new experience together, a single parent planning a special day with your children, an adult looking to treat your parents, or even a dog parent looking for a pet friendly place to grab a beer, Coweta County has something for everyone to make it memorable.

Ax and paint throwing

Families looking to try something new can check out the Splatter Room at Black Bear Axe Throwing Company in Newnan. It’s an exhilarating experience for the whole family, igniting the Jackson Pollock in each of us, as well as the inner child who wants to come out to play.

Bathed in black lights and paint-splattered adjacent walls, families can splash and flick glow paint around on a canvas and even paint on each other while dancing to music pumping through a Bluetooth speaker. Perhaps your child will paint a fluorescent yellow mustache on you – if you let him.

Owner Devin Foldy throwing an ax at Black Bear.

Don’t worry, rain ponchos, head and shoe protection are provided, and the paint is non-staining and washable. But to be on the safe side, don’t wear your Sunday best.

Black Bear is best known for their ax-throwing lanes, and it’s another cool family adventure for Mother’s and Father’s Day. Popular with both women and men, this activity combines healthy stress relief and a dollop of competition. There are indoor and outdoor ax-throwing areas and a new Rage Room for ages 10 and up. There’s also a mobile ax-throwing unit that can come to you.

Take a break and order take-out

Busy parents don’t want to cook on their day off, so catering a meal frees up time that they usually would spend in the kitchen.

The food truck business in Coweta County is booming, from Me Lumpia Long Time serving Filipino cuisine to Japaneck Frank Hibachi to Lisa’s Creperie and so many more. There are plenty of food choices at other restaurants as well.

John Adcock, owner of Jalapeno Express BBQ, a food truck and catering business in Newnan, says that both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are busy for them.

“We do a lot of catering for families,” says Adcock. “We can also serve and set up or we can do a drop-off.”

Throw back a beer with Mom and Dad

What do you get someone who has everything? A beer!

Adult children looking to add to the Mother’s and Father’s Day weekend festivities might swing by Abide Brewing Company on the Saturday before the holiday.

“We do food trucks and music every day,” says co-owner Evan Scanlan. “We’re very family-friendly, pet friendly. We typically do stuff like ‘Buy your father a beer day’ for Father’s Day, because all our fathers were very supportive when we were going through this journey [of opening the brewery], so family has been a big part of our journey. Fathers enjoy a free beer from their sons.”

Scanlan reminds sons and daughters that moms enjoy a cold brew, too!

Abide Brewery co-owner Evan Scanlan, center, treats his parents, Doug and Pat Scanlan, to a happy Mother’s Day and Father’s Day with the beers on him.

Spa time!

If mom prefers a gentle day of wellness and relaxation, going to a nail bar or visiting a spa can be a fabulous way for mothers and daughters to relax and spend quality time together.

Plumyumi Day Spa in Senoia and Emily’s Skincare and Spa in Newnan are excellent choices for massage gift cards for when mom needs a break.

Ashley Le, owner of Waterscape Nails in Newnan and

Peachtree City, says she sees many mothers and daughters on the week of Mother’s Day visit for pampering. Father’s Day isn’t off limits: “We have more men that come in to get pampered, too,” Le adds.

Mother’s Day spa day at home is a fun option for younger children. Emily Miller, 8, of Newnan, says she loves to pamper her mom on Mother’s Day.

“It’s a good way to help her relax if she has a little bit of stress on Mother’s Day,” says the wise child.

EMILY’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPA DAY AT HOME

Emily Miller, 8, of Newnan offers these tips for pampering mom on Mother’s Day with a home-based Spa Day.

Step 1: Make your mom breakfast.

Step 2: Collect supplies and set up.

Step 3: Grab your mother and have her sit and relax.

Step 4: Put on relaxing music.

Step 5: Do the foot and hand soak. Dry her hands and feet, and then massage them using a nice body lotion. Then paint her nails.

Step 6 : You must always remember to love your mama!

Jennifer, left, and Mysha Dziedzic wind down after paint throwing to relax with foot massages and pedicures. “I feel very proud about what a good mother I have and that we can go on a mother/daughter date, and I love that,” says Mysha.

Emily Miller checks out products at a local spa in preparation for treating her mom Melody with a spa day at home for Mother’s Day.

Plan an impromptu photoshoot

Stop by any local florist shop to purchase loose flowers for a sweet spring photoshoot with mom. After all, she’s typically the one taking all the photos, so make this day about capturing beautiful memories together with her.

One can never go wrong with the traditional gift of a floral arrangement for Mother’s Day. But, a reminder to the guys out there: Order early for delivery. NCM

PRANK Mom!

Fun-loving, playful kids and parents can add a new twist to the day by making it all about laughter.

Elizabeth Giles, COO of SeaGlass Therapy, remembers when Mother’s Day pranks began in her family.

“I woke up and my family guided me outside into the garage and showed me my car, and on my white SUV were racing stripes,” she recalls. “They just died laughing, and then showed me they were like sticker decals.”

Last year her children went all out with their prank.

“I knew it was coming because they laughed when I woke up,” says Giles. “On my car were a crown sticker on my windshield, eyelashes on my headlights, crystal-studded pineapple tire air caps –and a giant YAAAS Queen sticker on my hood. It was awesome!”

Giles says she loves the pranks and now looks forward to them every year.

Flowers are always a thoughtful gift for mom on Mother’s Day.

A Mother’s Day (or Father’s Day) prank could become a new tradition.

RiverLife:

HEALING COMMUNITY BY HELPING OTHERS

Written by CAROLINE NICHOLSON

Imagine you have recently become wheelchair-bound: The house you’ve lived in for years is no longer accessible to you. The stairs you used to climb with ease every night now seem more like a mountain. The push mower in the garage sits unused, and the gutters you procrastinated cleaning are now unreachable. Your family doesn’t live nearby, so you have no idea how you will navigate this new life that’s been thrown at you.

Unfortunately, many people in our community face these types of challenges on a daily basis.

Recognizing the need in Coweta County for help with such challenges, Bill and Melanie Reeves left their careers as pastors at Newnan First United Methodist Church to establish RiverLife in 2015.

Danny Heisner helps with exterior repairs during a #ServeCoweta event.

From the start, the couple created a two-fold mission. First, by matching local volunteers with those seeking help, they sought to fill needs identified in the community for help with certain tasks like yard cleanup, exterior home repairs, and the building of wheelchair ramps.

In addition, they connected volunteers with other nonprofit organizations in the community whose work better suits their passions.

“Lots of people want to volunteer, but they don’t know where to start,” says Melanie. “We just really saw a need for making those connections between the people who are in need and the people who want to serve.”

As the couple found in the past eight years of work, this two-fold mission has allowed them to change numerous more lives than they would have been able to alone.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, RiverLife organized a response team

dedicated specifically to the elderly and disabled members of the community. With this team, they regularly call to check on clients and delivered food and supplies as needed.

Along with offering help with household repairs, RiverLife also actively assists those affected by natural disasters. In March 2021, Newnan was hit by an EF-4 tornado. In response, RiverLife and other local nonprofits sprang into action.

During this trying time, RiverLife gathered 3,900 volunteers to make repairs to about 300 different properties in Coweta County, according to Melanie, who estimates that their volunteers have put in close to 30,000 hours of service in the two years since the tornado.

After helping with the Newnan tornado reconstruction, RiverLife established a disaster response team that enables them to help coordinate efforts immediately after natural disasters.

Photo by Melanie Reeves

Photo by Evan Davison

John Schmidt, a volunteer project leader, assists a local senior up her new wheelchair ramp built by Community Christian Church.

RiverLife volunteers, while often from Coweta County and surrounding areas, also travel from other states on mission trips. A group from Pisgah Lutheran Church in South Carolina traveled here last summer to help RiverLife build a wheelchair ramp. During their time of service, they worked in Newnan for three days.

The impact of RiverLife on the community is measured and felt by each individual they serve, like those families who were able to return to their homes after the tornado destroyed everything, according to Melanie. She says the nonprofit’s importance is also felt by those who now have working wheelchair ramps or a clean yard with freshly planted flowers.

In some cases, by giving individuals wheelchair ramps, RiverLife and its volunteers give people lifechanging access they didn’t have before.

Newnan resident Theresa River can’t say enough about the kindness of volunteers who helped at her house.

“They came and got my entire fence line trimmed and cleaned up,” she says. “They got the exposed wood of my shed primed and replaced my mower blades. It was great! And every one of them is so very friendly. It was a joy and blessing to meet them.”

RiverLife volunteers make strong connections with their clients through their service.

“Of all we do, building relationships with our clients is the most rewarding,” says Melanie. “Many times the people we meet are isolated and feel alone. Having a team of people to check on them helps them feel connected to the community.”

RiverLife volunteers foster these relationships through phone calls, birthday cards and occasional visits, she adds.

Since 2015, RiverLife has mobilized more than 11,000 volunteers assisting more than 3,200 individuals and families with hands-on help, according to Melanie.

She invites those passionate about helping others and looking for a way to start giving to visit the RiverLife website at livetheriverlife.com. NCM

“Many times the people we meet are isolated and feel alone. Having a team of people to check on them helps them feel connected to the community. ”

– Melanie Reeves

Gaines Coker serves during a Newnan High School Gives Back event.

Photos by Melanie Reeves

Dave Bennett, a volunteer project leader, teaches students from Pisgah Lutheran Church in South Carolina as they build a wheelchair ramp.

WELCOME TO THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE

Are your days filled with too much alone time? This will cheer you up. We are offering very special pricing on our one-bedroom apartments – making it easier than ever for you to join our community. Think about it. So many friends. So much fun (yes, parties included). Treasured peace of mind.

It’s all within reach. Call today for details.

THE ANSWER TO

Road Trip Munchies

Written by GAIL MCGLOTHIN | Photographed by APRIL MCGLOTHIN-ELLER

Travelin’ Berries, see recipe on page 81.

What’s a road trip without munchies?

When my friends Nan and Andy and I were headed to south Louisiana to the Strawberry Festival, I was astounded, after buckling myself into the back seat, to see myself surrounded by junk food – food that was never seen in their house. Nan spent next to no time justifying her choices as she dug into a Little Debbie cake. When we stopped in Natchitoches at my favorite convenience store, she loaded up on fried gizzards, livers, boudin balls and crawfish. Those are great munchies for a seven-hour road trip.

Day trips with my children were up in the Rocky Mountains when we lived in Denver, Colorado and to the Okefenokee Swamp and the beach when we lived in Kingsland. Even April, who was two at the time, hiked steep, three-to-four-mile trails to St. Mary’s Glacier, stopping regularly for water and snack breaks. That’s when we started eating GORP (good ol’ raisins and peanuts). Adding chocolate chips or M&Ms made it even better. It’s hardy with carbs for energy and protein for substance. My grandsons have bumped up the fun with their GORP. The rule is that they have to eat everything, and we start with a generous handful of raisins and peanuts. Just about any small candy or cracker gets mixed in these days.

Growing up, we picnicked regularly. Cole’s Creek on the Natchez Trace was a favorite spot after stopping to climb the Indian Mounds. I have a CD made from a DVD made from an 8mm film of one of our picnics. Mama Stelle was settled in her lawn chair and Aunt MaryV was trying to hula hoop. It still cracks me up every time I watch it. Sandwiches were the meal of choice most of the time, featuring lunch meats and cheeses, fresh tomatoes from the garden, pickles and onions. Rounding out the picnic were potato chips and “Co-Colas” (as Aunt MaryV called them), both a rare treat at our house.

This same picnic was repeated at rest stops in many states over

the years as my family vacationed in the Southeastern United States. A picnic basket, plastic box or backpack is a great way to carry grab-and-go picnics. Load it with basic supplies, adding extras as needed. A tablecloth is important on outdoor, public picnic tables. A blanket to sit on, paper plates, napkins and plastic utensils, plus a couple of garbage bags, are essential. Add a sharp knife or two, bug spray and sunscreen, and tuck in a roll of paper towels. We usually drink water, so I carry cups and a small soap for handwashing before lunch.

Packing a picnic with a little pizzazz is not much more trouble than taking the sandwich route. I like to bake wings, usually pre-prepared frozen, the night before and serve them cold with a choice of Ranch, Frank’s Buffalo Sauce, or barbeque sauce. Pair them with Asian Noodle Slaw, veggie sticks, chips and fruit, preferably a watermelon.

Every picnic needs a special dessert. Brownies with icing decorated with M&Ms is a fun dessert, easily eaten without a plate and fork. Make sure it’s tightly covered and not left in the sun. One picnic at Crooked River State Park outside St. Mary’s nearly ended in tragedy when Jake’s friend, carrying the brownies to the table, tripped and fell. The brownies were then dished out upside down from the lid of the pan. Still yummy, just not as pretty!

Cooking while camping is a challenge easily met by a creative cook. One can cook on a stove, over the fire, or in cast iron with coals. Arriving at our campsite, we set up the tent and equipment before anything else. An

Foil Packet Campfire Dinner, see recipe on page 80.

oilcloth tablecloth goes on the picnic table and the fire wood, bought locally, is stacked next to the fire pit.

Preparing dinner before leaving home is a real time saver on the first night at a campsite. Layer a protein, a starch, and vegetables on heavy duty foil at home and all you have to do is light the fire. A boneless pork chop with sliced sweet potatoes and carrots makes for a delicious meal. Sprinkle a little brown sugar over the sweet potatoes, Tony Chachere’s on the pork chop, and a little butter dotted around. Beef stew meat and white potatoes layered with sliced onion, tomatoes, and sliced mushrooms is yummy. My boneless chicken thigh with

sliced potatoes and carrots and green beans hot off the grill hits the spot. Remember to provide a plate or hot pad for each person to set his/her foil packet on.

It’s the season for taking a short Sunday afternoon drive around to see the flowers in bloom. Try picnicking on the top deck of the Atlanta airport parking garage to watch the planes take off and land, or picnic after a hike at Chattahoochee Bend State Park. Georgia has a wonderful system of state parks with lots to do at each one. Many are within a 90-minute drive.

This might be the weekend to pull out the camping gear and hop in the car. Have fun and bon appetit.

GORP (Good Ole Raisins and Peanuts)

“Like most families, we have a surplus of water bottles that make wonderful containers for GORP. The bottles are not going to tip over and we know whose is whose, plus, each kid can open their own top.”

½ jar roasted peanuts

½ box raisins, black or yellow

Pour peanuts and raisins into a bowl and mix well. Pour the other ingredients into smaller bowls and let each person make their own GORP. Use small individual candies and crackers. Add one or some of the following to bump it up a notch: Reese’s Pieces, dried cranberries, fruit chews, miniature pretzels, Goldfish snack crackers, Whoppers, M&Ms, chocolate chips, jelly beans, candy corn. Let each person fill up an easy-to-open-and-close but hard-to-spill container.

Popcorn Scramble

“Popcorn Scramble is easily made the night before a road trip or just for fun and snacks at home. Mixing goes easier if one person stirs while the other pours caramel over the mixture.”

5 cups freshly popped popcorn, unsalted

2 cups bite-sized crispy rice cereal squares

2 cups toasted oat cereal

2 cups roasted salted peanuts

½ cup butter

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

¼ cup light corn syrup

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine first 4 ingredients in a large roasting pan. Toss gently, and set aside. Melt butter in a saucepan; stir in brown sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly. Cook, without stirring, 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in soda and vanilla. Pour over popcorn mixture; stir until coated. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool, and store in airtight container. Makes 12 cups.

Asian Noodle Slaw

Slaw:

1 pound slaw mix

1 bunch chopped green onions

Dressing, see recipe at right

4 ounces sunflower seeds

6 ounces sliced almonds

2 packages oriental flavored ramen noodles, broken up Toss together slaw mix and chopped green onion in a large container with a lid. Pour dressing over and mix well. Right before serving, toss with sunflower seeds, sliced almonds and ramen noodles.

Dressing:

¾ cup oil

4 tablespoons white vinegar

3 tablespoons sugar

2 seasoning packages from soup

Put dressing ingredients in a jar with a lid. Shake well and pour over slaw mix and green onions.

Polka Dot Brownies

Brownies:

2 cups sugar

4 tablespoons cocoa

1½ cup self rising flour

2 sticks melted butter, cooled

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 8x13inch baking pan. By hand, mix sugar and cocoa together. Stir in flour and mix well. By hand, add cooled butter, then eggs beaten with vanilla. Bake 25 to 35 minutes. Cool in pan. Add topping, recipe below.

Topping:

4 tablespoons cocoa

4 tablespoons melted butter

1 box confectioner’s sugar

8 tablespoons evaporated milk

M&Ms

With a mixer, mix cocoa, melted butter and confectioner’s sugar. Add enough evaporated milk to make a spreadable icing. Spread over cool cake. Sprinkle with M&Ms and lightly press them into icing.

Foil Packet Campfire Dinner

“Each camper can individualize his or her own packet; just be sure to identify whose is whose.”

For each individual packet:

4 to 5 small potatoes, sliced 8 green beans, trimmed 4 baby carrots, quartered lengthwise

1 boneless chicken thigh

Seasoning salt

Layer two 14-inch pieces of double strength aluminum foil on the counter. Spray generously with Pam. Lay sliced potatoes on the foil. Top with green beans, then carrots. Lay chicken thigh seasoned with seasoning salt on top of the vegetables. Seal the packet tight. Cook over hot coals for 20 to 30 minutes, turning after 10 minutes. Open the foil to check for doneness. (Don’t prick the foil to test.)

Travelin’ Berries

“Pop one of these for each person at your picnic into the cooler with the campfire dinner packets, and you’re prepared to enjoy an easy evening meal.”

1 pint of berries of your choice

2 cups vanilla or honey yogurt

½ cup granola

Dollop a generous soup spoon full of vanilla yogurt in the bottom of an 8-ounce canning jar. Place clean berries on top of the yogurt until the jar is ⅔ full. If using strawberries, cut into smaller pieces. Top with another generous soup spoon full of yogurt and 1½ tablespoons granola. Cover with lid and refrigerate. Travels in a cooler until ready to serve. NCM

Where I’m From...

Written and Photographed by BONNIE ANNIS

I am from clotheslines, from Clorox and Ivory Soap flakes.

I am from cold tile floors covered with red dirt we tracked in after we’d spent long summer days outside.

I am from honeysuckle, dogwood trees and lush, green ivy creeping slowly up the sides of our cinder block house.

I am from laughter and love, from Ottis and Pearl, from Thurston and Huddie Mae.

I am from sharing, caring, giving and trusting. From “Get up those stairs or you’ll get a whippin’” and “Get ready for bed” and “Hurry up, we have to go!”

I am from worn, yellow pages of well read Bibles. From soft spoken prayers cried out in the night.

I’m from sultry, tent revivals held in little “hick” towns. From beliefs so strong, that nothing could shake them.

I’m from Georgia’s sweet bosom of scarcity and hope.

I’m from collard greens and black-eyed peas and warm, buttery cornbread.

I’m from a family who welcomed in strangers, no matter what color, no matter what race; who shared what we had though it wasn’t very much. From a family that struggled to make ends meet, but always knew love, always knew love.

I am from sweet memories, the smell of crisp, cool air, and long walks in the woods behind our house.

I’m from hopscotch and pick-up sticks, jump ropes and kickball.

I’m from a family of folks who love the Lord and count each day as a blessing.

I’m from poke berries and blackberries picked straight from the vine; from muscadines and scuppernongs made into jelly or wine.

I’m from rambling Kudzu and sweet heady Magnolia blossoms. From lightening bugs caught in old mason jars and crickets that chirped on hot, summer nights.

I’m from dusty, dirt roads, ragged old cars, and hand-me-down clothes.

I’m woven from cloth made with threads of integrity and valor.

I’m from roots that run so deep, I stand strong and am firmly grounded. I am my parents’ child, and I am loved.

Bonnie Annis, a native Atlantan, discovered the gift of poetry as a young girl. She entered and won her first poetry contest at age 13. Since then, she has enjoyed writing about her faith, family and the beauty found in rural Georgia. She hopes her writing will cause others to feel a stirring in their soul.

Blackberries point to summer’s arrival.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO COWETA

Blacktop

The antics of this spring squirrel made us not only laugh but also admire its diligence in reaching its ultimate goal of snagging some food intended for the birds. Wayne Davis captured these impressive images at his home near Thomas Crossroads in Newnan.

Photo by Laurie Mattingly

Summer blooms in the form of a dahlia along Margarita Trail outside of Newnan.

Photo by Gary Wilson

Kayaking from Whitesburg to Chattahoochee Bend State Park is a perfect way to spend a spring or summer day in Coweta County.

Photos by Wayne Davis

The photographer describes capturing this photo of the historic trolley that makes routine runs from downtown Newnan to Ashley Park: “I was walking around downtown taking pictures of anything and everything when I saw the trolley pass by. I loved how the colors looked.”

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!

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

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

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

Nov 25 - Small Business Saturday

Dec 2 - Market Day, 10am-2pm

Photo by Chance Mirabile

Summertime in God’s Country

It’s almost that time of year again – the time when the sun is high in the sky, the days are long, and the sweet smell of BBQ fills the air: Summertime, the best season of them all! Now, some folks might argue that spring or fall are better, but let me tell you, they don’t know what they’re talking about.

Spring might be nice with all the flowers blooming and the birds chirping, but it’s still a little too chilly for my taste.

And fall might be lovely with all the colorful leaves, but pumpkin spice-everything is enough to ruin the entire season for me. Plus, it’s a reminder that winter is on its way.

In my opinion, there’s nothing better than a lazy summer day. You know the kind I’m talking about. You wake up with the sun, grab a cup of coffee, and then just lounge around in your yard or on your porch all day. Maybe you read a book, take a nap, or just soak up the sun. There’s no rush, no deadlines, just you and the summer breeze.

Speaking of breezes, let’s talk about the beach. No summer is complete without a trip to the beautiful white sands of the Gulf of Mexico and enjoying the sound of the waves crashing, the salty air, and the feeling of sand between your toes. It’s a little piece of paradise right here on earth.

Let’s not forget about all the activities you can do at the beach like swimming, surfing, playing volleyball, or building sandcastles. It’s a summer staple that can’t be beat.

I don’t do any of these summer staples myself, but they’re there for the taking if you’re so inclined. I’m content with the crashing waves, salty air and eating fresh seafood every night of the trip.

Of course, summertime also means cookouts and BBQs. There’s nothing quite like firing up the grill and cooking up some burgers and hot dogs with all the sides that come with it: potato salad, corn on the cob, watermelon. It’s a feast fit for a king. And the best part? Eating outside in the warm summer air with friends and family.

There are some downsides to southern summers. Mosquitoes, for one. Those jokers know how to ruin a good time. Lucky for me, the better half attracts every mosquito in a one-mile radius of her skin, so as long as I stay pretty close to her, I’m usually alright.

It does tend to get a little warm in God’s Country during summer – so warm you start melting just walking to your car, where you’re hit with a heat wave as you open the door.

But even those things can’t dampen my love for summertime. Not when you add up the lazy days, beach trips, and eating food outside with the people you’re lucky enough to do life with.

Summer is coming. Enjoy it. And when you fire up the grill, don’t forget to invite your ol’ buddy, ol’ pal Toby.

I’ll even bring a mosquito magnet with me. NCM

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

Leave your energy worries at home. Installing a smart thermostat, turning off your power strip, and using insulated curtains are a few steps you can take for a full house of energy savings.

Scan the code with your phone camera to learn more.