Houston County Living Magazine - Winter 2018 by With You In Mind Publications

WINter 2018

I wa n t t o b e yo u r r e a lt o r .

Specializing in: residential real estate, commercial properties, relocation and real estate investments

Amanda Fiebig R e a lt o r , A s s o c i at e B r o k e r 4 7 8 . 9 5 2 . 2 4 9 9 | a m a n d a @ a f f r e a l t y. c o m w w w. a m a n d a f i e b i g r e a lt o r . c o m

Don is changing lives in Houston County and around the world, one smile at a time.

Through yoga, Rachel Gerrity fills needs and builds bonds in the community.

Marian Dampier has led a life full of music and inspired children to do the same.

After three long years, Henson officially became a Slade and left Honduras with his family.

H o m e t o w n L i v i n g at i t s B e s t

Do you enjoy writing? Do you like to take photos? enjoy Do youwriting? have a great story idea?

Do you Do you like to take photos? Do you have a great story idea?

HOUSTON COUNTY Living For More Details Call our office 654-3045 or email us jay@wyimpublications.com | withyouinmindpublications.com For More Details Call our office 912-654-3045 or email us jay@wyimpublications.com | withyouinmindpublications.com Find Us On

J. Don Spillers, Jr., DMD, MS | Adam Gordon, DMD Spillers Orthodontics is where great smiles begin! Known for our friendly, well-trained team, we offer Invisalign®, Clarity™ Aligners, Smartclip™ metal and clear self-ligating braces, and much more. Our office uses the most advanced technologies, including 3D digital X-ray, 3D imaging, 3D printing and intraoral scanning to ensure that every patient achieves a healthy and beautiful smile. • Middle GA’s ONLY Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider • Complimentary Evaluation • No Referral Needed • No Impressions for Invisalign

W a record of success Jamie Moorman and her staff use their real estate skills to find the perfect home for their clients. 2

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478-808-4765 | www.JamieMoormanTeam.com

When you’re buying or selling a home, everyone knows that the best realtor is one with deep roots in the community. Someone with extensive knowledge of the area, a proven record for success and someone who feels just as passionately as you do about finding the perfect home. Jamie Moorman is just that person. A realtor with Keller Williams Middle Georgia and leader of the Jamie Moorman Team, Jamie grew up in Warner Robins, attending Houston County High School. After graduation, she jumped into the world of real estate and has never looked back. But her love of real estate goes back even further than that. “I always went to open houses in our neighborhood when I was younger. It was just for fun, to go in and look around,” Jamie said. “Even then I’ve always admired realtors. I remember they looked so cool to me, like they had everything put together. I knew then that’s what I wanted to do as a career.” When Jamie was 18 she got a job as an assistant in a real estate office, and in 2001 became a licensed realtor. She said it wasn’t easy: “At the time, I was a single parent. I had to take my son everywhere with me, to showings and open houses.” Now 38, Jamie has come a long way since those early days in the business, but continues to make Warner Robins home. She and her husband, Mike, and two kids Dalyn and Gavin, live in the area. Mike works as a flight chief at Robins Air Force Base. Living here so long is part of Jamie’s success. “I’ve been here my whole life and know everything about this area. I grew up here, went to school here, started a family here. My parents and family all still live here,” she said. “Because of that, I know the area very

well. I’m not your run of the mill agent; I’m very knowledgeable. I don’t have a bunch of titles behind my name, but I definitely know what I’m doing.” Indeed, she does. In 2018 alone, her team has sold more than 200 homes, totaling more than $17 million. The Jamie Moorman Team’s average days on market for listings in 2017 was 36 days – the lowest among the top 50 agents in this area. “The one thing I’m super proud about is that we just started the team in late 2017 and already we are number one in Central Georgia as far as homes sold,” she said. Jamie’s amazing team includes Shari Johnson, who Jamie calls her right hand: “Shari shows houses for me when needed, does paperwork, speaks to clients, handles advertising, a little bit of everything.” Team member Becky Smart has been an agent since 2016 and also happens to be Jamie’s best friend since high school, while team member Brandi Faircloth has been an agent since 2014 and brings a ton of experience to the team. Becky and Brandi alone have each done more than $3 million worth of business so far this year. “This is the best team because we all help each other. If one can’t do something, another can do it. We always have someone available to help and we genuinely all just get along,” she said. Whether you want to sell your home, buy an investment property or purchase your dream home, Jamie Moorman and her team can help you do it. With an abundance of experience, local knowledge and expertise, it’s no wonder the Jamie Moorman Team is number one for real estate in Central Georgia.

JAMIE MOORMAN TEAM Keller Williams Realty Middle Georgia, 4851 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins 478-808-4765

JamieMoormanTeam.com Jamie@JamieMoormanTeam.com Facebook: Jamie Moorman-Realtor

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contents 12

Home Grown Heart

Through her Warner Robins yoga studio, Rachel Gerrity fills needs and builds bonds in the community.

Love Runs in the family

After three long years and sixteen trips back and forth to Honduras, Henson officially became a Slade and left Honduras for America with his family.

Homeless to Home Builder Local Habitat for Humanity chapter helps women build a safe place to call home.

Breathing life Into Music

A change of heart led Mike Robinson to realize his calling to help others through the gift of music.

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12 About the Cover The cover photo features Dr. Don Spillers, taken by Tinika Bennett Photography. Turn to page 104 to read how he is changing lives one smile at a time.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Creative Escape

Adventuresome business in Warner Robins offers a chance to escape your troubles for a while.

Brothers in Business

We Care Heating & Air cools homes and warms hearts all over Houston County.

104

Changing Lives

Just like Dr. Boone changed his life, Don is changing lives in Houston County and around the world, one smile at a time.

118

156

Sweet Success

Michelle Gowan shares her talent of cookie making with the masses.

136

True Royalty Darlyn Davis

Darlyn Davis is a real role model and represents the best of what our young people have to offer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; talent, tenacity, strength, empathy and courage.

150

Song in Her Heart & Rhythm for Life

Marian Dampier has led a life full of music, and inspired children to do the same.

166

Healing A Broken Heart

A local couple shares the story of their sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chronic heart condition and the love that has held the family together.

182

35 Years of Service

KAZ Sorority celebrates its anniversary.

192

Adventure of a Lifetime

Angie definitely considers this experience the highlight of her career.

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166

Puzzle Pieces INTERVENTION CENTER

Bridgette Arno Sparks, M.A. Education & Behavioral Consultant

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy (ABA) Home & School Based Consultation Homeschooling Support & Classes Educational Performance Reviews/Consultation Gifted Acceleration Instruction Tutoring & Intervention Supports Curriculum Design & Developmental Assessments Behavioral Intervention/Assessments IEP Assistance Verbal Behavior & Memory Maintenance Social Skills Training & Groups Life Skills Coaching Sibling Training Play Groups Parent/Professional Training

Lindamood Bell Reading & Phonics Intervention Camps Summer 2018 (Age 5 through adult)

114 CONSTITUTION DRIVE, SUITE 300 | WARNER ROBINS, GA 31088 • 478.919.8606 • FAX: 404.393.5772 | PUZZLEPIECESIC.COM

From the Publisher

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In the last issue I mentioned that we were expecting our 3rd M a n ager s A June s s i sDixon tA n t While on an eveningthat family last week, was standing at my grandson. It appears whenhunt we sit around thei Thanksgiving Laura Whilespot savoring a cup of one morning, i sent our tA n tdixon M A n AGMcCullough EArsss i sJune pick-up the of road thecoffee dark husband table listingon some the in things we arewaiting thankfulfor for,my Guy David willto come. i m A n AG ers June dixon hadbeset down my stuff and was quotes looking at agratitude. bright full moon admiring Julie braly daughters awesome onsay; to joining some in!! (I doubt he will have much to but, he doesAccording come P h otograp h er s Captured in Time Photography the glow that softly illuminated the sky. A few minutes later, i saw nikki Burkhalter fromof a long line of talkers!) It would be to hear what some the things i have oninteresting thismy subject, headlights rounding the curveread and headed way. As gratitude soon as thecan Kari Koepp impressions he might have of his first few days out of the womb –just P h OtO G Kelly rAPh E r s dream Weaver Photos corner was made, i was by what i saw. the headlights have aturn profound effect onamazed us. things like decrease in physical McDonald Photography a thought. P h OtO G r A P h e r s Chuck Olm shown on three of the most intricately woven spider webs next to me Wilkes Photography Tinika BennettLes Photography pain, increased sleep quality, increased optimism, improved year we face times ofinjoy and times are not joyful. Mybecause that i Each had previously missed the dark. it that caught my so attention David Parks Photogra leslie hand Photography prayer season that we take the time to search out they werethis so holiday huge and the isdetails onallthem looked like an exquisite hand relationships, less self-focus, less self-pity and the increased eric s. Love with logic C ov er P h oto Dr. Don Spillers, taken by tully Photography sewn pattern. looked different, each so unique. thelace blessings that All we three have been given and focusyet them.was The more ability to see all of the incredible beauty on and blessings right in Tinika Bennettmalcolm Photography Jason townsend Phot i stood therethat amazed dark, i had missed these incredible blessings we lookthat for, in thethe more we will find. The more time we more than Words Photography front of us each and every day. displays. Yet, as soon as the light was shed on them, they became a Kelly mcdonald Photo spend thinking “happy thoughts” the happier our outlook becomes. rebecca Galloway Photography visible art show. immediately the clear message of dark and light spoke Sale s Dorothy Sichelstiel in pondering these thoughts, i was of my initial Our Prayer is that every time we hear or sayreminded “Happy Thanksgiving” millie mac Photograph to my heart. sometimes in the darkness, we may feel we are alone and Dottie Hicks ryan lee Photography or “Merry Christmas” it spreads JOY, HOPE and LOVE gratefulness to those around shae Foy Photography phone with tiffani she exuded there is visit nothing around us,taylor. especially when basing our feelings onwith our Landon Spivey us! senses.word. however, God’s light me shines through, shannan blanchard P every herwhen article made weep withhe herilluminates genuine what Martin C Ov EPatti r Ph OtO tiffani taylor, taken by

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authenticity gratitude toillustration family, friends and the world shein Happy are no greaterand examples of thisThanksgiving!!! than in some of the stories this issue. to be a part Merry is blessed of! Christmas!!! Babs hall and mrs. Juanita nixon are prime examples of lights in our the articles thiswith issue ofarms Chatham County community. Bothrepresented of these ladiesinlove open and hearts. Giving 1 Thessalonians 5:18 back toreflect people people is what you will alsosame read about in grateful Dr. Charityfor Wilson’s Living with that heart; what story as she displays her gifts of service in helping her patients above The entire staff of Houston Living Magazine: Dorothy they can contribute to the County people around them. in a world and beyond. Sichelstiel, Dottie Hicks, Jay and Patti Martin, June Dixon, Kelly helping people is what discouragement, Albany does and wedismay, have seenhatred, that fullPeople of headlines that reflect

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McDonald, Landon Laura McCullough, Nikki Teri R. Williams time and time againSpivey, through every story we Mandi are soSpivey, honored to share. COntriButinG landon spivey distrust, andRenee it isnone with that with you Corwine, Sherri Martin, Sonya Sanders, Stacey theBurkhalter, message isanger, clear that ofgreat us areJOY alone as we Godshare uses his people Traci Burns Writ er s D. Annette sasser to help shed light in“rays this city. Nichols, R. Williams and amazing Terithe Tinika Bennett. some of Chatham’s of light and love!” As always, we are so appreciative of the continued support of our C O n t r i B david u t i n GPena Enjoy thiswho issue and please remember to thank theto you at Houston County Living© is published advertisers so graciously make this magazine available semi-annually by With You inWMind Publications. riters elizabeth sheffield Gail Dixon no charge! Your complimentary available at each their “Amazing Advertisers” listedcopies in theare back who are theofreason withyouinmindpublications.com Gail Dixon businesses listed on page 176. stephen P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 Prudhomme this publication freefamily to all! Like onis Facebook! Wishing youusand your a verY merrY ChristmAs and a (912) 654-3045teri r. Williams Jesse Williams hAPPY neW YeAr! Jessica All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part Fellows (912) 654-3045 GodSales: Bless! is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from Kandice the publisher. Brooks Email: jay@wyimpublications.com Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Kate deloach View our magazines FREE online at: Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice. withyouinmindpublications.com ©

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Chatham County living is published Keisha Cory three times a year by With You in mind Publications. withyouinmindpublications.com P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 Albany living magazine© is published (912) 654-3045

We Like Making You Smile!

S. Michael Loden, DMD & Amy S. Loden, DMD We are a team of health care professionals dedicated to improving the lives of our patients by establishing relationships based on trust, compassion, and commitment. Our goal is to become a partner with our patients to help them achieve and maintain optimum health, beauty, and comfort for a lifetime. 1267 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins | www.lodendental.com | Office Hours by Appointment

STRAIGHT TALK from

Kate Strain

Many business owners incorrectly believe that they have the unfettered right to use the names of their companies and products based on their corporate entity filing with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office and/or their trade name registration in the Superior Court of the local county. Kate Strain, a trademark attorney with Belzer PC, a boutique intellectual property law firm in Savannah that handles all national and international trademark issues for a Fortune 100 company, says she sees this all the time. She says, “I tell fellow attorneys, ‘When you form LLCs and corporations for your clients, the clients often believe erroneously that this grants their company trademark protection for that name. Because we learn in law school to think in terms of the worst-case scenarios, attorneys need to inform their clients that, in the trademark arena, a worst-case scenario would be the loss of their businesses due to having to change the name of the company and/or the inability to stop a competitor from using a similar name.’” Most businesspersons seem to be under-concerned about the names of their companies, Kate says. “There’s a smalltown, everyone-knows-you perception when, in fact, you’re up against every business on the Internet in the United States.” Kate explains further, “I tell fellow attorneys, ‘One of the two ways your client could lose its business or a significant amount of its business due to a trademark issue would be that a competitor with greater rights to the name stops your client’s use of its name. Having to change its name, your client’s customers may not be able to find them, believe they have been bought out, etc., and sales may drop and force closure of the business. Alternatively, your client may be

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Why Your Business Needs Trademark Protection

unable to stop a competitor from using a similar mark and its customers mistakenly purchase goods or services from the competitor believing that they are purchasing from your client, and this seriously and fatally impacts your client’s revenues as well as its reputation.” Think of federal trademark protection as insurance against having to change your business name or being able to challenge efficiently and decisively a competitor who is using the same name. “Should a business with a federal trademark registration have to enforce its rights against a competitor, it is highly likely that the infringing competitor will see the registration number in the cease and desist letter and back down immediately,” adds Kate. Thus, a potential conflict is thwarted from the beginning, saving business owners valuable time and money. Before joining Belzer, PC, Kate worked for Hunter, Maclean, Exley & Dunn, PC, in Savannah. She is a member of the Intellectual Property section of the State Bar of Georgia and is admitted to practice in all three federal districts in Georgia. Kate came by her love of law naturally, as a fifthgeneration lawyer (the previous four attorneys growing up in Americus, Ga). She grew up in Macon and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia’s Honors program. After teaching English for five years at Stratford Academy in Macon, she entered law school. Kate attended Tulane Law School for her first year and then returned to the University of Georgia for her second two years of law school graduating Cum Laude in 2003.

Think of federal trademark protection as insurance against having to change your business name or being able to challenge efficiently and decisively a competitor who is using the same name.

“I didn’t have the patience for teaching,” Kate jokes. During those teaching years, she considered getting an MFA and pursuing a creative writing career. Apparently genetics kicked in and steered her toward a legal career. “That first day of law school, I thought: I am so happy to be here; I should have done this years ago!” Kate lives in Savannah with her husband, Criss, and their two children, Chesley (14) and Charles (10). She loves reading, writing (mostly poetry) and attending plays at the community theater. Kate loves her church, Asbury Memorial Methodist. “It is a wonderful place for creative people,” she says. “Our motto is ‘Where the Joy of God is Expressed Creatively.’ Every October our services focus on a different Broadway play and how it relates to the Bible and Christianity; and the best part is that we sing the songs and watch parts of the play being performed by our very talented congregation as well as local paid actors.” Kate is also involved with the United Way, where she uses her persuasive talents in fundraising. “I like making the community better,” she says. “I especially enjoy working with the United Way, where I can touch a lot of organizations.” You may contact Kate Strain at Belzer PC, 2905 Bull Street, Savannah; (912) 2363001; kstrain@belzerlaw.com.

“That first day of law school, I thought: I am so happy to be here; I should have done this years ago!”

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Story by renee corwine Photos by tinika bennett photography

home grown heart It was a sweltering Saturday to be standing in Centervilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center Park. The time was just shy of 9 a.m. and the line of people stretched at least 100 deep. Clutching yoga mats and water bottles, excited giggles bubbled up from young and old as everyone remained focused on the star attraction: a herd of goats. Welcome to Goat Yoga, hosted by Homegrown Yoga of Warner Robins and its creative and energetic owner, Rachel Gerrity. As the pen opened, about 60 people spread out their mats, ever mindful of where they stepped. Walking carefully herself, class instructor Jenni Saddler reminded everyone that the barnyard pellets

Goat Yoga is just one of the ways Rachel and her cadre of yoga teachers are trying to change peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perceptions about yoga, and to reach out to the Warner Robins community.

Hometown Living At Its Best

are just like life’s obstacles: You have to work around them. As the class stretched from down dog to mountain pose and back again, baby goats ran by bleating for their mammas, posed for Instagram-worthy moments, nibbled on shoelaces, and one even peed on a mat. “Flip it over and just keep going,” Jenni said with a soft laugh. Goat Yoga is just one of the ways Rachel and her cadre of yoga teachers are trying to change people’s perceptions about yoga, and to reach out to the Warner Robins community. A native of Macon, Rachel moved away for college but found herself back home in 2012 when her husband, Brian Gerrity, took a job as senior associate athletic director at Mercer University. Despite working as a college career counselor, Rachel said she knew yoga was what she really wanted to do. “We were moving home and I wanted to give being a yoga teacher a shot,” she said. “I decided to give myself a year and see if I could scrape together enough jobs to make it work. I was teaching here and there in Macon and there was such a need for yoga teachers that I ended up having to turn stuff down; it was really good.” In 2013, Rachel and fellow yoga teacher Ashley Dunwoody opened Hometown Yoga in Macon. Business at the studio was going great, but the partners kept getting calls from people in Warner Robins saying they wished Hometown was a little closer to their home town. Wanting to fill a need locally, in 2016 Rachel branched out and opened Homegrown Yoga, located on South Houston Lake Road. “When I opened here – and this is the common theme in my life since we’ve

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Rachel uses elements of fun to help push the notion that yoga is for everyone, and takes creative approaches to reaching the local community. “We’re trying to get out of the studio; that’s the big idea behind Yoga in the Park. The other is open houses where we offer free classes all day. The most challenging part of this business is getting people to try it, making people believe yoga is something they can do,” Rachel said.

moved back home – it was to meet a need. Since then, I have fallen in love with this community,” Rachel said. “I knew nothing about Warner Robins growing up, and I came here and people were from all over the place and they wanted a home base, a space to come and make friends. People crave this local, homey place and I fell in love with them and this space.” Rachel soon found herself spending most of her time in Warner Robins, and so she sold her share in the Macon studio to focus solely on Homegrown. One of the biggest issues she faced was finding enough qualified yoga teachers to meet the needs of the growing class offerings at Homegrown.

“That’s really how Homegrown’s 200-hour yoga teacher training program began,” Rachel said. “It’s interesting that I’ve always done something because I thought there was a need for it, and then it’s turned out to be exactly what I needed personally.” Goat Yoga’s fearless leader Jenni was among Homegrown’s first graduating class of yoga teachers, who earn their accreditation through the Yoga Alliance. She completed her training in December 2017. Jenni and her husband had an active at-home yoga practice for many years, but when the local studio popped up, Jenni said, “My husband and I got excited to be a part of a community – and that’s what Hometown Living At Its Best

it is. I feel home, and now I’ve been homegrown. My heart is really in what Rachel has going.” Another member of that first graduating class was Rachel’s mother, Stephanie Kross. Training her mom is an experience that Rachel said has brought them so much closer. “I’ve respected my mom and she’s been my role model forever. Going through this process, I came to respect her even more,” she said. Stephanie first started practicing yoga when Hometown opened in Macon. In the years since, she’s become a total devotee, and said she embarked on teacher training as an avenue for personal growth. “I didn’t do it with the intention of teaching, just for the experience of learning more and going through that process. But I came out of it with a such a deeper understanding of people and of things not being just black and white in my mind,” said Stephanie, adding that the emotional and mental challenges of training were more difficult than the physical aspects, despite being older than most of her peers. During training, Stephanie said her daughter treated her just like everyone else in the program, and that resulted in a deeper respect for her daughter. “The fact that we were not mother-daughter, but just peers, it has made me look up to her,” Stephanie said. “I try to model my teaching after her because she’s so energetic and filled with being fierce and powerful.” The training experience had an impact on Rachel, too. “To get to experience my mom in that way, it’s an aspect of a mother-daughter relationship I never thought I’d have,” she said. “So much about yoga is more than just yoga poses,

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Spreading love for yoga is one of the things foremost on Rachel’s mind. “As I became an adult, I got into this rut of doing what I do all the time, and I stopped learning and growing and I felt really stagnant,” she said. “So, what I bring to this studio and what yoga brings to grownups is this idea that we keep learning and growing, and there’s always a new edge we can push up to.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

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and to get to know my mom on such a personal, deeper level, it’s totally changed our relationship.” It’s the same kind of relationship that Rachel hopes to have with her daughter, 4-year-old Freida. “My mom and I always joke with Freida, saying, ‘No pressure, but you could be a third-generation yoga teacher.’ I most definitely hope that Freida will love the practice as well.” Spreading love for yoga is one of the things foremost on Rachel’s mind. “As I became an adult, I got into this rut of doing what I do all the time, and I stopped learning and growing and I felt really stagnant,” she said. “So, what I bring to this studio and what yoga brings to grownups is this idea that we keep learning and growing, and there’s always a new edge we can push up to.” Rachel uses elements of fun to help push the notion that yoga is for everyone, and takes creative

“When I opened here – and this is the common theme in my life since we’ve moved back home – it was to meet a need. Since then, I have fallen in love with this community,” Rachel said. “I knew nothing about Warner Robins growing up, and I came here and people were from all over the place and they wanted a home base, a space to come and make friends. People crave this local, homey place and I fell in love with them and this space.” Hometown Living At Its Best

Goat Yoga’s fearless leader Jenni was among Homegrown’s first graduating class of yoga teachers, who earn their accreditation through the Yoga Alliance. She completed her training in December 2017. Jenni and her husband had an active at-home yoga practice for many years, but when the local studio popped up, Jenni said, “My husband and I got excited to be a part of a community – and that’s what it is. I feel home, and now I’ve been homegrown. My heart is really in what Rachel has going.”

houston county living

approaches to reaching the local community. “We’re trying to get out of the studio; that’s the big idea behind Yoga in the Park. The other is open houses where we offer free classes all day. The most challenging part of this business is getting people to try it, making people believe yoga is something they can do,” Rachel said. She blames social media for some of the misconceptions about yoga. “The portrayal of yoga on social media alienates some people. People think if they don’t look like those people, there’s no space for them in this. And there are general misunderstandings of yoga, whether it’s just stretching and breathing, or a bunch of crazy physical moves, or that we’re all fu-fu crazy people.” If the number of people lining up for these classes are any indication, Rachel’s efforts to reach out are succeeding. “Now that we have more teachers, my goal is to get us more out of the studio and do more serviceoriented work in schools and different areas of the community,” she said, adding that one such area is the military community.

Not having been raised around military families, Rachel said she now has a greater appreciation for those who serve. “We have several yoga teacher trainees who are in the military. I never really realized what they did, and now, having relationships with people who are serving has made me more committed to being of service through yoga,” she said. “They’re being of service in a way that I could never imagine, so how can I be of service to them? Through yoga.” That’s one of the reasons Rachel said she felt the need to dedicate herself to being here in Warner Robins. “In two years here, I’ve made more best friends than I have anywhere else. I have the strongest tribe of friends from this space than I have had in any stage of my life,” she said. “And I opened this space not knowing that I needed that, too. So, when I came here and started making those friends, I realized I needed this space just as much as everyone else.” As the yogis say, om shanti.  HCL Hometown Living At Its Best

Family

HEALING GRIEVING HEARTS ONE AT A TIME

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Toni turned away as a nurse attempted to insert a catheter into a patient lying on a cot in the hospital hallway. Sickness and disease was everywhere. Most looked as if they already had one foot in the grave. But Toni and her husband Lance were focused. They had come to this hospital in Honduras for one reason: to see Appellate Court Judge Gladys, the woman who had refused to approve them for an adoption of a young Honduran boy. When Toni learned that Judge Gladys had developed Guillain-Barré syndrome and was completely paralyzed, she could not return to America without seeing her. Toni and her husband were not there for the Judge to do something for them. It was too late for that. They had come to do something for her. “I had to tell her that I forgave her,” said Toni.

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Now that they were there, the woman at the desk wouldn’t let them in. Even though she understood why the nurse could not allow someone who was not even a family member to go into the Judge’s room, Toni wasn’t leaving. They were certain a way would be made known. After several hours, a man standing across from them in the hallway said, “I overheard you say you are here to see Judge Gladys. I know her. I am a friend of her sister. She’s back there with her right now. Would you like for me to call her for you?” A few moments later, the sister came out. “I’m surprised she didn’t think we were there to unplug her sister when we told her who we were. But when we explained that we had come to bless her and pray for her, she asked for special permission for the nurse to let us in. The sister even waited outside the room so we could both go in together since only two people were allowed in the room at a time.” As soon as Toni and Lance saw the woman who had caused them much heartache, “My husband took her hand in his and I leaned over and kissed her cheek. Lance spoke to her in Spanish and explained why we were there. And then he said, ‘We want you to know that we forgive you,’” After he prayed for her healing, he asked if she wanted to ask Jesus into her heart. This woman who had just seen a demonstration of incredible forgiveness and unconditional love and who could only communicate with the lift of an eyebrow responded, ‘Yes’ as tears rolled down her face.

LEFT The day Luis Gustavo’s name was changed to Henson Slade. Henson began the 2017 school year in the eighth grade at Mossy Creek Middle School with his younger brother, Spencer. Even though he was learning English quickly, he still had some catching up to do academically. Just before Christmas, Toni watched her son, Henson, walk across the school stage to receive the Student of the Quarter award. “He’s only been here nine months,” said Toni, her eyes glistening.

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Three Years Earlier Toni and her husband, Dr. Lance Slade, a pediatrician in Macon, Georgia, had participated in many medical mission trips all over the world. The purpose for this particular trip in 2014 to Honduras was for Spencer, their ten-year-old son. “We wanted his first experience with foreign missions to be somewhere a little less difficult than Africa or Haiti, so we decided to return to the Orphanage Emmanuel in Guaimaca, Honduras, where our church went twice a year. Even though it was still a third world country, it would provide a nonthreatening environment for their son’s first mission trip. On the first morning, a smiling twelve-year-old boy come into the clinic. “He had been bitten right in the back of his head by a botfly and it had to be removed. It’s very dangerous, especially if the bite is on the head like this. A botfly will leave a larva that grows into a worm that feeds on your system. If it’s not removed, it will continue to expand and grow,” said Toni.

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Dr. Slade performed minor surgery, and the boy returned the next morning for a follow-up visit. When they returned to their room, Toni told her husband and son that she felt certain this boy was to be a part of their family. What might have seemed crazy to most people turned into a united mission for the Slades. Toni was not naïve about adoption in Honduras. There were many reasons why this would not even be possible. First, children at the orphanage were not legally eligible for adoption. And second, “There are only four or five successful adoptions in the entire country of Honduras each year because of corruption and disorganization in the government.” RIGHT Henson’s brother, Jose. His wife, Fanny. His son, Christopher. The Slades have continued to stay in contact with Henson’s brother, Jose, and his family. When Jose and his wife’s new baby was recently diagnosed with a rare and debilitating disease, Lance was able to give assistance by sharing his medical knowledge and expertise with the Honduran doctors.

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The boy’s birth name was Luis Gustavo. “According to his records, he had no family,” said Toni. But what they discovered was much more complicated. “His mother was mentally ill and he had been removed from her home at the age of five on first sight. We also discovered that he had a sister who had died from the same causes that he had escaped.” An incredible Honduran nurse who still worked at the orphanage named Cornella Burrows had made it her personal mission to save the boy’s life. “His mother had kept him in a crib on his back and he couldn’t walk,” said Toni. “Cornella carried him in a sling until he was strong enough to walk.” Even with the full support of the founders of the orphanage, there was little they could do. “We hired two attorneys. The one we hired to handle the DINAF part, which is the Honduran version of our DFCS, turned out to be corrupt and ran off with our money. The other 34

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attorney, Marta Montoya, we hired to handle the adoption part was absolutely amazing.” Even with a lawyer devoted to their cause, the Slades were still fighting to get the adoption approved a year and a half later. “We’d made twelve trips already. The main holdup was that a Judge had to sign off on a ‘Declaration of Abandonment,’ which meant he had to be declared abandoned by Honduran law since his mother was still living. It’s basically to prove that all rights have been surrendered by anyone who has a claim to the child.” When the request came before Appellate Court Judge Gladys, she denied the request without even opening the file. “Her Clerk had seen us at the courthouse many times. We kept trying to get someone to speak with us.

The Clerk told the Judge that we must be giving officials money under the table.” The Slades had only one option left. “The only thing we could do was to seek an appeal from one of the three Supreme Court Judges in Honduras.” For the next several months, Toni and Lance traveled back and forth to Honduras just to sit at the court house hoping to get someone to listen and get the Judge’s decision overturned. “This was our son, and I was not going away.” Before Honduras To fully get a sense of the extent of Toni’s relentless Hometown Living At Its Best

When Toni and Lance married, the two made a powerful team. It was important to them that their son, Spencer, experience what it meant to be a part of that team for himself. Even though the trip to Honduras was planned for that purpose, they never would have dreamed what the trip would actually mean for all of them.

determination driven by compassion, her mother, Donnie Henson, pointed back to her daughter’s high school years. From a young age, the direction of her daughter’s life was clear. “If someone needed help paying an electric bill or buying groceries,” said Ms. Henson, “Toni would find a way to help them. Once, when another student needed a car, she spearheaded a fundraiser and raised the money,” she said. Toni graduated from Mercer University with an undergraduate degree in Communications and Music and received her graduate degree in Early Childhood Education at Georgia College and State University. In 1997, she began her teaching career in Perry, Georgia, where she taught kindergarten through fifth grade. It was during her time in the public school system that Toni would start two separate projects that continue to help families in need throughout Middle Georgia today. “The Family Christmas Adoption Program” began when she observed that many of the children in her Title One school classroom did not have anything to

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look forward to at Christmastime. In order to bring “a little Christmas cheer,” she bought them shoes and a few toys and presented them to the children from an “anonymous giver.” The idea quickly spread. Today, the Family Christmas Adoption Program brings hope and joy to children and their families in about twentyfive schools throughout Middle Georgia. Families don’t solicit the organization. Instead, counselors, teachers, and principals identify the families in the most need. Help comes from Sunday school classes, organizations, and businesses that want to adopt a family in need at Christmastime. “We contact the families and have them fill out a short form to identify clothing and shoe sizes and a few items for a wish list for the children. This past Christmas, we were able to help 230 families.” The second program Toni spearheaded began in much the same way. “The five-year-old son of the Coach in the classroom next to mine was diagnosed with cancer. His wife had to quit her job. The cost of experimental treatment they needed to treat their son was astronomical,” said Toni. When she learned that a foreclosure on their house was imminent, she secretly launched a campaign to help them. “On Christmas Eve, we showed up with some presents and clothes for the children. When we started to leave, we gave the Coach a check for $25,000.” Helping that one family in a medical crisis thirteen years ago became the beginning of a fulltime nonprofit ministry for Toni. Even before she began teaching school, Toni established a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As a singer and artist, the nonprofit status enabled her to take whatever came in from her music and use it as a resource for charitable giving. That plan has never changed. To this day, neither Toni nor anyone on her board has ever received any form of compensation, which is why Project Giving, Inc. continues to be so successful. Through Project Giving, families in the Middle Georgia community in serious chronic medical crisis receive help for anything from mortgage payments, rental payments, transportation to and from medical

Through Project Giving, families in the Middle Georgia community in serious chronic medical crisis receive help for anything from mortgage payments, rental payments, transportation to and from medical treatments, to lodging expenses. “We cut grass, stock pantries, and pay electricity bills,” said Toni. “We know we can’t eradicate all of a family’s medical expenses, but the help we can give is able to build a bridge of hope in a time when hope often feels in short supply.”

treatments, to lodging expenses. “We cut grass, stock pantries, and pay electricity bills,” said Toni. “We know we can’t eradicate all of a family’s medical expenses, but the help we can give is able to build a bridge of hope in a time when hope often feels in short supply.” Each September following Labor Day, Project Giving holds a once a year fundraiser called Retro Night Glow. This coming year will make their 8th annual event. “It’s a 5k, 10k, and 1-mile fun run, kid’s fest, and 80s concert,” said Toni. “It’s held at our home church, Northway Church in Macon.” About 3,500 come to the event with about 1,200 of those participating in the races. “Our main source of funding comes from our generous corporate sponsors,”

said Toni. Project Giving not only raising desperately needed funds, “We become deeply invested in the lives of these families who are dealing with devastating sickness and disease.” Spencer When Toni and Lance married, the two made a powerful team. It was important to them that their son, Spencer, experience what it meant to be a part of that team for himself. Even though the trip to Honduras was planned for that purpose, they never would have dreamed what the trip would actually mean for all of them. But the decision to adopt Henson, the name he

Hometown Living At Its Best

asked to be given, was not the only lifechanging event to happen on that trip. Spencer surprised them all when he asked Henson if he wanted to receive Jesus into his heart. “It was pouring down rain,” said Toni. “We found shelter from the rain under the porch of the church at the orphanage. We were standing there when Spencer asked his dad to translate something to Henson. Spencer put his hand on Henson’s shoulder and asked, “Do you know how much God loves you?” His father translated back and forth between the two boys. Toni’s heart could hardly take it in. “I call that moment ‘seven minutes to always,’” she said. Later, they went to a water fountain on the orphanage grounds and Henson became the first person Lance had ever baptized. I See the Love They were all there together: Lance, Toni, Spencer, their attorney, Marta, and Henson. The Slades had been sitting in the court house for hours. It wasn’t the first time. Since no one would give them an appointment, their only recourse was to hope to speak to one of the Supreme Court Judges as they walked by. Finally, one of the Judges walked in. As soon as he saw the Slades, he went to them and asked them their story. Lance and the Judge carried on a conversation for several minutes in Spanish. The Judge looked from them to Henson and said, “I see the love.” And with that, he promised to look into their situation. The Slades were encouraged, but a promise was not enough. They continued to wait at the court house. They would need the agreement of all three Supreme Court Judges to overrule Judge Gladys’ decision.

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“We found out one was on vacation,” said Toni, but hoped we could at least see the other one who was the head over the three before we had to leave.” Disappointed, the family watched as the second Judge went into his office. “After that, we heard a whistle. The Judges’ Clerk was whistling to us. He said, ‘Hurry. Get in here.’” The whole group followed the Clerk into the chamber of the highest Supreme Court Judge in all of Honduras. Toni watched as the Judge pulled down some law books from his bookshelf and began turning the pages. “He looked very stern,” she said. After what felt like hours, the Judge started talking with Marta in “really fast Spanish,” said Toni. “After that, he leaned back in his chair and said to us in English, ‘I can see your love.’” What followed was a ten-minute long discourse from the Judge to Henson. “He asked him if he understood that this was an opportunity most children in this country living in poverty will never be given. As we stood to leave, he said ‘I will overturn Judge Gladys’ ruling. You have my word.’” Slowly, the months passed. “We had been to the top, and there was no other door left,” said Toni. Still, they held on to their hope. And then, just like that, it was over. The Slades got the call that Judge Gladys decision had been overturned by the Supreme Court Judges. With the approval for “Abandonment,” all that was left was for the Slades to place a notice in the paper. If anyone had kinship and an interest in him, it had to be done at that time. “Because the government is so disheveled, we had to put it in the paper three times,” said Toni. After twelve trips to Honduras, a

corrupt attorney, and a bad decision made by a Judge, Toni was in for another heartbreak. “A brother no one knew existed came forward and was seeking custody. Of course, Marta said it seemed suspicious. They all figured it was a case of extortion. Still, she said, ‘Toni, this is not the United States. I’m just preparing you. If he’s a brother and demands $10,000, you have no choice but to pay him if you want to adopt Henson.’” Marta set up the meeting between the brother and the Slades. The twentyfive-year old man who claimed to be Henson’s brother looked exactly like Henson. “There was no doubt,” said Toni. “He told us he left home at thirteen because of the situation. He was now married with two small children of his own and had no idea he had a younger brother until he saw the announcement with the name Gustava in the paper.” The brother had not come to extort the Slades. “His only concern was for his brother. He never asked for one cent from us. He just didn’t know what kind of people we were. After we talked a while, he asked Henson, ‘What do you want to do? Do you want to live with me or do you want to live with them?’ Henson said, ‘I love my Mom and Dad and my brother, Spencer. That’s where I want to be,’ The brother said, ‘I see your love for my brother and his love for you. I know his best life is with you, so I give you my blessing.’” (Note: The Slades have continued to stay in contact with Henson’s brother, Jose, and his family. When Jose and his wife’s new baby was recently diagnosed with a rare and debilitating disease, Lance was able to give assistance by sharing his medical knowledge and expertise with the Honduran doctors.)

Christmas was a busy time for the Slade family. They were delivering gifts the next day for the “Family Christmas Adoption Program.” Henson was excited. He could hardly wait. It would be the first time he would be the “giver” to someone else in need. There’s little doubt it will be the last. He’s a Slade, after all.

After three long years and sixteen trips back and forth to Honduras, Henson officially became a Slade and left Honduras for America with his family. When the plane landed in Macon, a crowd was there to welcome him home. Henson began the 2017 school year in the eighth grade at Mossy Creek Middle School with his younger brother, Spencer. Even though he was learning English quickly, he still had some catching up to do academically. Just before Christmas, Toni watched her son, Henson, walk across the school stage to receive the Student of the Quarter award. “He’s only been here nine months,” said Toni, her eyes glistening. Christmas was a busy time for the Slade family. They were delivering gifts the next day for the “Family Christmas Adoption Program.” Henson was excited. He could hardly wait. It would be the first time he would be the “giver” to someone else in need. There’s little doubt it will be the last. He’s a Slade, after all.  HCL Note: For more information, visit: www. projectgiving.net or tonihensonslade. com

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MAKING

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Todd and Monica Kinnebrew moved an old farmhouse from Warner Robins to Kingsland Farm, their bucolic 140-acre tract of land near Haynesville, Georgia. Last spring, they put the finishing touches on a major renovation to the farmhouse and opened the venue for special events such as weddings, parties, graduations, etc. “Gretna Green” – named for the famous Scottish marriage locale – is the 3,400-square-foot artfully rustic farmhouse boasting a full-service kitchen, two baths, upstairs game room, activity rooms (including bride’s quarters), back porch, fire pit, dock and fully stocked pond, as well as a high-low house for a skeet range. A pavilion is under construction, making outdoor events come off without a hitch even in inclement weather. Todd Kinnebrew, an orthopedic surgeon who works in Warner Robins, leaves the property details to his wife, Monica, who is also currently overseeing the renovation of an 1850’s plantation house on an adjacent 100 acres, which they recently purchased and now call home (Terra Plantation). “We bought the original 140 acres [Kingsland Farm] in 2003,” says Monica. “We just moved the farmhouse onto the property this past year,

KINGSLAND FARM

Todd and Monica Kinnebrew take on a major renovation, creating an idlyic event venue.

renovated it and opened it for business in May.” That renovation included adding an upstairs level she calls the “groom’s room” – a getaway for guys at any event, with lounging space and a bar. The farmhouse has rough-hewn walls and floors, quaint décor and cozy ambiance. While the farmhouse contains rooms for entertaining and socializing (no living quarters), there is a stylish brick three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath, house on the property available for overnight accommodations. It sleeps 10. The Kinnebrews have hosted a few of their own rites-of-passage celebrations, having raised four girls and three boys, ranging in age from 14 to 27; only the youngest daughter still lives at home. Russell, a senior bull terrier, ambles about the property greeting guests. Not so visible are three cats and a hamster. The couple leases a horse barn and pasture to a boarder. “The mowing is a never-ending project,” laments Monica. “I’d like to board more horses.” Four-legged mowers are certainly an easier option. For information on leasing Kingsland Farm, contact the Monica Kinnebrew at 478-747-5570 or www.kingslandfarmevents@gmail.com.

153 Kingsland Rd | Hawkinsville, Georgia | (478) 747-5570

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Story and Photos by Kelly McDonald

Homeless to Home Builder

Local Habitat for Humanity chapter helps women build a safe place to call home.

For one week every year, Houston Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Habitat for Humanity organization hosts a special event called National Women Build Week. Since 1991, Women Build volunteers from all walks of life have come together to build stronger, safer communities. Though these neighborhoods are comprised largely of women and children, they are also the most likely to be affected by poor living conditions, according to Habitatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website. In partnership with Loweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home Improvement and other local businesses, during Women Build Week, materials are provided to build an entire home. Drawing women from all walks of life, no experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn and help. Volunteers work under the guidance of construction professionals and alongside other volunteers and future homeowners.

In May, LaShunna joined other volunteers for National Women Build Week, which was the perfect opportunity for LaShunna and other female volunteers to take a proactive step in helping to build up the communities in which they live.

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One of the newest local homeowners is disabled Air Force veteran LaShunna Burrage. LaShunna served from 2004 to 2007 as a Nondestructive Inspection Technician. She always thought the Air Force would be a lifelong career, but a foot injury that wouldn’t heal led to a medical retirement and ended her dreams of a military life. Through a sad turn of events, which included a devastating fire in their rental house, LaShunna and her four children became homeless. “It is a loss that my family still struggles with to this day,” LaShunna said about the fire. Promising her children a better life, she accepted the next available house. She was grateful to have a roof over their heads, but the space was tiny and falling apart. The neighborhood wasn’t safe for her children to play outside because of the high crime rate and frequent gunshots near the house. That’s when LaShunna reached out to Habitat for Humanity for help –

“It’s is a chance for women to join forces, learn new skills, and to support each other through the process,” said Cheryl Glover, Habitat’s resource development director. “Locally, our women volunteers learn how to use power tools, such as a nail gun to hang up siding, and a saw to cut vinyl. They also participate in hanging drywall, painting, laying tile and installing flooring.”

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and was accepted. In May, LaShunna joined other volunteers for National Women Build Week, which was the perfect opportunity for LaShunna and other female volunteers to take a proactive step in helping to build up the communities in which they live. “It’s is a chance for women to join forces, learn new skills, and to support each other through the process,” said Cheryl Glover, Habitat’s resource development director. “Locally, our women volunteers learn how to use power tools, such as a nail gun to hang up siding, and a saw to cut vinyl. They also participate in hanging drywall, painting, laying tile and installing flooring.” There are a few professional volunteers who make time every Saturday to take care of the more technical aspects of construction. An electrician, a plumber and a home builder are a few of the volunteers who dedicate each weekend to making sure things are done to county codes. “These people are our backbone and have become like family to our Habitat community,” said Cheryl. Earning one of these beautifully and lovingly built homes doesn’t come free. “LaShunna and her family had to put in sweat equity hours, helping to build their home and future homes for Habitat,” Cheryl said. “It’s a process that all applicants go through. Even the kids can pitch in by earning hours based on their good grades in school.” Soon, LaShunna and her four children will move into a newly constructed four-bedroom, two-bath home. She will then purchase the home and pay an affordable no-interest mortgage. At long last, the family will have a safe place to thrive in, and a fresh start after so much loss. LaShunna also will have a new friend as her neighbor, Jessica Rivera. Jessica

Women Build Week opportunities are available all across the United States through Habitat for Humanity. Any women who want to learn how to construct homes are invited to join. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This week is special to us. We have high school students, real estate agents, housewives and other women from varied professions that come together to support each other and add new skills to their tool belt,â&#x20AC;? Cheryl said.

Hometown Living At Its Best

There are a few professional volunteers who make time every Saturday to take care of the more technical aspects of construction. An electrician, a plumber and a home builder are a few of the volunteers who dedicate each weekend to making sure things are done to county codes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These people are our backbone and have become like family to our Habitat community,â&#x20AC;? said Cheryl.

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is also a future Habitat homeowner who showed up for Women Build Week to help work on LaShunna’s home. The two women have become close, sharing their struggles and promising to be there to support each other’s families. “It will be so nice to know we are there for each other through this entire process of building, moving and being neighbors,” LaShunna said. Women Build Week opportunities are available all across the United States through Habitat for Humanity. Any women who want to learn how to construct homes are invited to join. “This week is special to us. We have high school students, real estate agents, housewives and other women from varied professions that come

together to support each other and add new skills to their tool belt,” Cheryl said. Cheryl was quick to point out that Habitat couldn’t accomplish all their goals without dedicated community partners, such as the City of Warner Robins, which donated land, as well as donations made by the local Lowe’s stores, local builders and all the volunteers. “This is definitely a group effort. Lowe’s showed up today with a grill for LaShunna’s new home and even stayed to cook us all lunch on it,” said Cheryl. Thinking about moving into her new Habitat home, LaShunna’s eyes filled with tears as she realized her dream of a safe home is finally coming true. “I am

Hometown Living At Its Best

The local Habitat chapter has transformed the area into a place anyone would be proud to live. To get involved with their next project, contact Houston County Habitat for Humanity at hocohabitat.org or 478-328-3388.

overwhelmed by these people,” she said. “They don’t even know me and showed up this week to help me, when I know they have other things to do at their homes. It means everything to me.” Thanks to Habitat’s continued efforts in the community, there are still more opportunities to be involved. The group is in constant need of materials, lunches on work days, and helping hands. “You can be highly skilled, know nothing at all, or somewhere in between, and still come help,” said Cheryl. Now, a true sense of community exists in this small neighborhood off Watson Boulevard. The local Habitat chapter has transformed the area into a place anyone would be proud to live. To get involved with their next project, contact Houston County Habitat for Humanity at hocohabitat.org or 478-328-3388.  HCL

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Thanks to Habitatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continued efforts in the community, there are still more opportunities to be involved. The group is in constant need of materials, lunches on work days, and helping hands. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can be highly skilled, know nothing at all, or somewhere in between, and still come help,â&#x20AC;? said Cheryl.

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William “W.T.” Jones and Thelma Jones have been married 69 years. They met in Florida when Thelma was just 16. It was April 1949 and 22-year-old W.T. had completed four years in the Marine Corps, serving during World War II. Back home in Sydney, Florida, some cousins introduced the two. W.T. said it was love at first sight; they were married by November. After their marriage, Thelma finished school while W.T. looked for work. He said it was tough to find a job after the war. In search of work, the couple moved to Dothan, Alabama, before settling in Perry about the time their first son was born. In Perry, W.T. ran a service station, and said everyone in town knew him as “Mr. Volkswagen,” because that’s primarily what he worked on. He had a little help from his sons, Tommy and Ronnie, and the business was called Jones and Sons Garage. Thelma worked at Anchor Glass until 1991, where she “picked the misfit bottles out of the assembly line,” W.T. said.

In 2017, Thelma suffered a stroke that left her completely paralyzed on her left side. Unable to care for her, W.T. moved her into Summerhill Senior Community, which he chose because of its convenient location to their home, as well as its outstanding reputation for quality care. Now almost 91, W.T. visits 84-year-old Thelma every day, feeding her breakfast every day but Sundays and dinner every day but Wednesdays. W.T. unexpectedly broke his foot a few months ago and chose to receive inpatient therapy at Veranda Rehab at Summerhill. While doing his own therapy conveniently at Summerhill, W.T.’s priority was visiting his wife every day. He puts her makeup on, polishes her nails and brushes her hair. Admitting that she’s starting to suffer a little dementia, W.T. says that doesn’t make a bit of difference in his love for her. “We took each other for better or worse all those years ago,” he said with a smile and a laugh. “I got the better and she got the worse.”

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my friends and customers for a wonderful year. Have a great holiday! Shawn Buchanan M.B.A. 524 S Houston Lake Rd Building K, Suite 400 Warner Robins, GA 31088 shawn.buchanan@COUNTRYFinancial.com

(478) 333-3147

Auto, Home, and Commercial policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company®, COUNTRY Casualty Insurance Company®, or COUNTRY Preferred Insurance Company®. Life insurance policies issued by COUNTRY Life Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company®. Fixed Annuities issued by COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company®. All issuing companies are located in Bloomington, IL. 1018-545HO

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Warner Robins Hometown Living At Its Best 301 Margie Drive 478.971.1153 Dublin 109 Fairview Park Dr Suite B, 478.745.4206

Kathy Balletto: A Doggone Relentless Realtor

Kathy Balletto has gone to the dogs – two in particular, Mr. Cooper and Michaelangelo. That’s “Cooper” and “Mikey” to their friends. Kathy added Cooper to her family this past spring. The adorable puppy is a Cavachon (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise cross); Mikey is a senior Golden Retriever. Her husband, Jim, a renowned artist and retired art director, rounds out the family of four. “Without a support system at home, you can’t do what I do on a daily basis,” says the accomplished real estate veteran. Kathy has spent the last 38 years of her fourdecades-long career at Golden Key Realty in Warner Robins. She is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), a credential only 4 percent of realtors have earned. “I once was very involved in the community theater here,” says Kathy, “but I stay so busy now selling real estate, I don’t have time for it.” She also played a leadership role with the Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, DFACS and Salvation Army boards of directors. “I don’t take volunteer roles lightly,” says Kathy. “I don’t join an organization unless I really care about the cause, and then I give it my all.”

Today, her time is mostly spent selling real estate – something she hardly calls “work.” “I love what I do,” Kathy says. And it takes a lot of support, at home and from licensed assistant Chelsea Edenfield, who is a listing and selling agent in addition to her role as administrative support. Originally from southeast Florida, Kathy and Jim were transferred to Warner Robins when Jim, coming off a tour in Vietnam, was stationed at Robins Air Force Base in 1970. They loved the area and stayed when he left the military. He went on to work as art director at the Museum of Aviation. Now retired, Jim is a sought-after artist and caricaturist working primarily in watercolors and acrylics. “Look at that face,” Kathy says cuddling the doeeyed, fluffy wiggle-worm, Cooper. “Dogs are so therapeutic; you can’t look at that face and not smile.” When Kathy is not working, she is reading, spending time at her Seagrove beach house or catching the latest movie with Jim. If you’re looking for a doggone tireless professional to handle your real estate needs, give Kathy a call at Golden Key Realty (478) 335-1239.

Golden Key Realty |Kathy Balletto | 478.335.1239

Breathing life Into Music STORY MIKE KLUG | PHOTOS BY CAPTURED IN TIME PHOTOGRAPHY

A change of heart led Mike Robinson to realize his calling to help others through the gift of music.

During a particularly difficult year in the life of Mike Robinson, his pastor counseled him that, as we pass through life’s trials we can either breathe death, surrender and defeat, or breathe life, hope and trust in God’s will. Our life will be the product of the response we make to our challenges – either positive or negative. These words inspired Mike to not only change his life, but also to help those around him find joy and hope in their own circumstances. The motivation Mike drew from his encounter led him to recall his years as a college student in Athens where he grew up playing guitar and performing as a singer/ songwriter with John Berry and Widespread

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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Panic, local rock bands. Music always brought him a sense of peace and happiness. How great would it be to share that feeling with people in his community? Mike serves as music worship leader with the fast-growing Church in the Park in Perry, and was active with the Kairos Prison Ministry for several years, so he was well aware of the need for healing and inspiration in Middle Georgia. His challenge was in finding a way to bring the healing power of music to these populations, to find a way to create a bridge between desire and ability, between need and providence. His solution was to create a way to connect people wanting music in their lives with available musical instruments in the community. Mike knew from experience with his own four sons that there are many people in Middle Georgia who have neglected musical instruments packed away in back rooms or in attics. Maybe it is a guitar that you always wanted to learn to play, but never found the

Turning Neglect Into Beauty Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal is to provide a means to take these loved, but neglected, instruments and get them into the hands of willing students and performers who can once again breathe life into their brass and wood. Instruments need to be played as much as people need to hear the music they make

Hometown Living At Its Best

How You can Help Mike explains that the organization will accept donations of any type of instrument and can arrange pick-up of instruments as well. Instruments are independently appraised and receipts provided to assure that the donors can receive proper tax credit for their generosity. After a cleaning and any necessary repairs, the instruments are matched with recipient candidates.

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time for lessons. Maybe it is a horn that was played with vigor in your high school band, but was set aside after graduation. Or maybe it is a family heirloom inherited from a beloved relative, an instrument that nobody plays, but nobody wants to get rid of either. Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal is to provide a means to take these loved, but neglected, instruments and get them into the hands of willing students and performers who can once again breathe life into their brass and wood. Instruments need to be played as much as people need to hear the music they make. Begin123 is a registered nonprofit organization Mike created that repurposes donated musical instruments to charitable organizations throughout Middle Georgia. Begin123 has donated instruments to prison ministries, church youth groups and the Boys & Girls Club as they seek to spread the joy and healing that can only be found through musical expression. Mike explains that the organization will accept donations of any type of instrument and can arrange pick-up of instruments as well. Instruments are independently appraised and receipts provided to assure that the donors can receive proper tax credit for their generosity. After a cleaning and any necessary repairs, the instruments are matched with recipient candidates. The instruments are immediately put to use providing musical praise for church youth groups, calming the souls of prison inmates, or helping inspire the next generation of musicians through music education. What a fantastic way to bring new life and purpose to old instruments and to honor the memory and legacy of the musicians in your family! To make a tax-deductible instrument donation to Begin123, or to identify a candidate or organization in need of musical instrument donations, contact Mike Robinson at 478-988-0780. Begin123 also accepts monetary donations to help cover the cost of instrument cleanings and repairs. With your help, and Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purpose in mind, Mike is working hard to bring the healing power of music to everyone in need. ď &#x2022; HCL

Hometown Living At Its Best

Serving You Is Our Business

Let us show you why over 6,000 businesses in Georgia have partnered with Ashley’s Business Solutions. For over 35 years we have been dedicated to supplying our customers with the best in office technology.

Meet Your Representative Chelsea Dozier, a Middle Georgia Native now serving Houston & Peach County Businesses! Chelsea can help with...

CHELSEA DOZIER Account Executive

Warner Robins, GA · Perry, GA

Contact Chelsea Dozier: o: 478.922.0860 Ext. 305 | cdozier@ashleys.info ashleys.info · toll free 800.677.4345 · tomorrow’s solutions for today’s office 68

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ornerstone Medical Associates is a multi-specialty group of physicians organized to offer quality management, medical billing, administrative and compliance services for its members. With these essential elements of a medical practice centralized and administered by employees with years of experience, our physicians are available to offer quality medical services to their patients.

PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES 116 South Houston Road Warner Robins, GA 31088 478-923-0131

PEDIATRICS 1024 Keith Drive Perry, GA 31069 478-987-3445

Kim T. Blevens, MD, FAAP Helen-Louise Moore, MD, FAAP, FACP Amer AI-Rafati, MD Debbie West, MD Monica Evans, CPNP

Larry D. Stewart, Jr. MD, FAAP Cathy Tedder, FNP-C Sally Velasquez, FNP-C

PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES- SOUTH 1275 S. Houston Lake Road Suites 1 & 2 Warner Robins, Georgia 31088 478-987-1100 Helen-Louise Moore, MD, FAAP, FACP Amer AI-Rafati, MD Elaine Caraway, NP-C Stephanie Gibbs, PNP-C INTERNAL MEDICINE 1023 Keith Drive Perry, GA 31069 478-988-1100

CORNERSTONE MEDICAL ASSOCIATES, LLC

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Welcome to WARNER ROBINS RANDY TOMS, MAYOR

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At Middle Georgia Orthopaedics, we specialize in you.

At Middle Georgia Orthopaedics, our distinguished team of experienced, board-certified orthopaedic experts is dedicated to helping you keep your bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s musculoskeletal system in the best possible working condition, returning you to the freedom of an active, pain-free lifestyle at any age.

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If you think murder, robbery, pirates and poison make for a creative date night in Warner Robins, then Jon and Cara Heardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business, Escape Artists War Town, has just what you need. The Heard family, who moved to Houston County from North Carolina in 2013, had previously attended two other escape rooms in Charleston and Greenville, South Carolina. Although they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t successfully make it out either, they fell in love with the concept.

Hometown Living At Its Best

For those unfamiliar, an escape room is generally a physical adventure game in which teams of players solve a series of puzzles and riddles, using hints and strategy, to complete the objective at hand: to escape. “The experience was so much fun. We spent hours afterward talking and laughing about the family fun we had,” Cara said. On the drive back to their hotel, Cara already started thinking about bringing an escape room to Warner Robins. The ideas kept coming and before they returned home to Middle Georgia, Cara had a plan, a business name and a handful of escape room designs. This isn’t the first business venture for the Heards. Shortly after moving here, Cara opened Lush Art, a paint studio with a twist. “We focus on offering adults a place to go and unwind. Children are always welcome, but we do enjoy giving their parents a creative outlet as well,” Cara said. “Lush Art specializes in reaching those who believe they don’t have a creative bone in

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their body. It’s like making an appointment to spend time with just yourself for two hours, and don’t we all need that?” When thinking about her new business venture, Cara wanted a space located close to Lush Art, and she thought she knew of just the place: an old tanning salon. “I wanted a place with a well-lit parking lot for our customers, and that was located in a busy area of town. We signed the lease in October 2016 and opened in December,” Cara said. With help from engineer friend Josh Williamson, Jon and Cara worked tirelessly to make each room challenging and fun. “It was

Hometown Living At Its Best

definitely a group effort. We all joke that we must be on some government ‘watch list’ because we researched murder, poison and bombs!” The group built each room to reflect a certain “problem” and it was up to their staff to solve it first. “We took an idea and developed clues, antidotes, maps, a control center and more,” she said. They worked through the failures and successes until each room was perfect. Opening weekend at Escape Artists presented five different scenarios for their customers to experience. The Murder Mystery room was the most popular. In this room, someone is murdered at a party, and your group has to figure out “who done it” by finding all the clues in the fastest time possible. In the Bank Heist room, the group robs a bank and tries to get away with the money before the bank’s employees come in for work. The Poison room starts with everyone zip tied, blind folded and poisoned, with only an hour to find the antidote needed to save everyone in the room. The Pirates room puts you on a cool pirate ship sailing through the ocean – only to realize it’s a trap. Can you escape before the real pirates board the ship and make you walk the plank? The last room has an annoying ticking sound. You have to find and diffuse the bomb in the Bomb room before your group is blown to bits.

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In an effort to keep things new and exciting, the business is now in the process of changing the Murder Mystery room into a new room, which will be the set of a futuristic game show. Rooms and experiences are designed to be challenging, and most are for ages 18 and older, although they do offer times for kids’ birthday parties every weekend. They also offer team-building rooms for businesses that want to help employees identify their strengths and weaknesses. “The people of Warner Robins have been great to us, allowing us to change and grow and to find ourselves, just like they have been able to learn at our facilities and find out more out about themselves,” Cara said. Rooms and experiences are designed to be challenging, and most are for ages 18 and older, although they do offer times for kids’ birthday parties every weekend. They also offer team-building rooms for businesses that want to help employees identify their strengths and weaknesses. “The people of Warner Robins have been great to us, allowing us to change and grow and to find ourselves, just like they have been able to learn at our facilities and find out more out about themselves,” Cara said. Hometown Living At Its Best

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And don’t panic, but Cara and her staff like to take all cell phones at the door. “We want your time to be Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook free,” she said. “This is family time. This is when you get to actually speak to and communicate with each other.” For more entertainment, Cara also has opened an adults-only lounge that connects the two businesses. Lush Lounge has become a great place to discuss the clues and missteps to each room, to compare finish

times, and to brag about narrow escapes. “The lounge gives everyone a place to gather before and after their room challenge,” Cara said. “We have beverages, snacks and big screen TVs so no one misses a big game.” Boys versus girls, family against family, or a double date-night challenge, however you want to play, Cara said the important thing is just to have fun and escape from real life for a while.  HCL

Hometown Living At Its Best

What Matters Most To You...

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For your convenience, we offer Online Check-In for all of our Med-Stop and ER locations at www.hhc.org/checkin

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LEXI HENRY, Director of Sales and Marketing

At Home in Houston County

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Whether you are moving across town or across country, we have agents that are ready to help! You may be eligible Scott Free, for relocation benefits! Broker / Owner Call us at 478-218-8052 Perry Warner Robins 1101 Washington Street 1271 S. Houston Lake Road to find out more! Warner Robins, GA 31088 (478) 218-8052

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Now Open! Grand Opening Sale Going on Now!

Turnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Furniture is now open and ready to serve Middle Georgia with the best furniture and mattress selection. Find top brands including Ashley, La-Z-Boy, Paula Deen, Serta, Tempur-Pedic and moreâ&#x20AC;Śall under one roof! Come see one of our design associates today and let us help you make your house a home. 785 GA Hwy 96 (Corner of Hwy 96 & Houston Lake Road) 478-217-2165 | Mon-Fri 9am-8pm; Sat 10am - 6pm; Sun 1pm-6pm www.turnerfurniture.com

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Story and photos by

If you haven’t seen pink monster trucks rolling around Houston County, then you haven’t been here long. The monster trucks and pink vans with “We Care” splashed on the side are the handiwork of three brothers with a new way of doing business. We Care Heating & Air was born from a desire to serve God and the community, and the Collins brothers – Zach, Matt and Eric – are committed to that concept. The Collins brothers grew up in Houston County with a rough beginning. “We didn’t have much in material things,” Zach said. “Our mom always taught us we could do anything. I imagine raising three boys was not easy, but she worked so hard and we saw that. She was our family’s backbone. She always made us feel loved.” All three brothers had jobs of some sort by age 10. They learned from an early age what having a good work ethic meant to their family. “Our father was sick and we needed to contribute financially. It gave us a hunger to make a better life for ourselves,” Zach said. After high school, Matt joined the Air Force, Zach worked full time in the heating and air conditioning business, and Eric worked for the City of Centerville. Because of their careers, the three brothers went their separate ways. While Matt was stationed in Delaware, he was medically discharged after a prostate cancer diagnosis. He decided to move back home to be closer

Kelly McDonald to his family. Zach had become the general manager of a HVAC company, but was considering moving home as well to start his own business. Zach and Matt had always talked of one day creating a company together. Both had big ideas of how a business should be run, and both had the confidence to go for it. The brothers moved back to Houston County within two weeks of each other with a shared dream. “Matt started a job at Robins Air Force Base and kept the bills paid while we hoped the business would gain traction,” Zach said. “I moved into his spare bedroom determined to live on $100 a week so we could make this business happen.” The brothers were willing to make the sacrifices needed to get started. “We sold our personal belongings to get capital. Matt sold his Rolex watch and all his sports memorabilia. I sold my dream car. We were all in,” Zach said. “The rest literally came to me in a prayer.” Zach had been involved with Relay For Life because of a close family friend with breast cancer. Because of Matt’s own cancer battle, both brothers were interested in cancer awareness opportunities. Before falling asleep one night, Zach had prayed intensely for that family friend. He woke up and knew immediately what to do next. He called Matt

The Collins brothers grew up in Houston County with a rough beginning. “We didn’t have much in material things,” Zach said. “Our mom always taught us we could do anything. I imagine raising three boys was not easy, but she worked so hard and we saw that. She was our family’s backbone. She always made us feel loved.”

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Hometown Living At Its Best

and said, “I have an idea: pink!” Matt was unsure, but called Zach back a few hours later and said he was certain they should do what God had revealed to Zach. Just like that, We Care Heating & Air was born. “We thought the logo would explain who we are. We care about our faith. We care about cancer

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awareness. We care about our family and our clients. We care about our community,” Zach said. From that moment on, the brothers were consumed with ideas and plans. Zach was attending a training meeting when a normal lunch break led to a big idea. “I walked into the parking lot to go eat. All I saw were white trucks and

Just like that, We Care Heating & Air was born. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We thought the logo would explain who we are. We care about our faith. We care about cancer awareness. We care about our family and our clients. We care about our community,â&#x20AC;? Zach said.

Hometown Living At Its Best

The business now has 70 employees, 60 trucks and vans, three locations and two monster trucks. “We never expected for things to happen so fast, but God has opened doors for us since day one,” Matt said. “Now, we’re all back together. Eric is part of the company as well.”

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vans, just one after another. I jokingly thought, ‘how do they tell them apart?’ Then it clicked. We would be different even in our vehicles: They would be pink. We knew that would stand out,” he said. The brothers sold more personal items and came up with a $20,000 budget. “We saw a building we wanted on Houston Lake Road and met with the owner. He wanted $2,000 a month and six months in advance. It was a huge step, but we prayed and then took the deal,” Zach said. The following Sunday, Zach was attending church in Florida. “I clearly heard God tell me to write this church a check for $3,000,” he said. “I was confused and questioned his plan. Didn’t he know we had a budget and were spending over half of it on rent soon?” Zach then realized that God had

With all that success, the Collins brothers have remained humble and dedicated to their community. From toy drives and cancer fundraisers, to police and firefighter appreciation dinners, these three are convinced that business can be different. They even give back 5 percent of their profits each month to local charities or people in need.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Zach and Matt had always talked of one day creating a company together. Both had big ideas of how a business should be run, and both had the confidence to go for it. The brothers moved back to Houston County within two weeks of each other with a shared dream. “Matt started a job at Robins Air Force Base and kept the bills paid while we hoped the business would gain traction,” Zach said. “I moved into his spare bedroom determined to live on $100 a week so we could make this business happen.”

gotten them this far, so he listened. He wrote the check and returned home. Days later, the owner of the building called and wanted to meet with them at the property. The brothers drove to their new building wondering what was going on. The owner informed them that he had been thinking about their deal. Instead of $2,000 for six months, he would be willing to take $1,500 for six months. Zach and Matt were stunned when they realized

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that was exactly $3,000. The brothers knew then that they were in the right place, doing the right thing. “I later found out that church was in desperate need of cash to keep their building when God encouraged me to give them the money they needed to catch up and move forward,” Zach said. In 2015, We Care Heating & Air started with one old building, one old van, two employees and a lot of prayers. Both brothers worked tirelessly on getting clients, becoming a dealer and creating

Hometown Living At Its Best

advertising ideas. The original budget was just about depleted when Zach decided to sell his shotgun for more capital. Matt posted the deal on Craig’s List hoping to generate some interest. When he finally received a reply, it wasn’t exactly what he was thinking. “This guy reached out to me and wanted to swap his giant trailer for my gun. It made me wonder what in the world he would need such a big trailer for, and that’s when he told me about the monster truck that might come with the trailer,” Matt said. The more the brothers talked about the idea, the more it made sense. Advertising on a stationary billboard was very expensive. A giant pink monster truck that could drive all over the county was much more creative – and cheaper. The brothers made the deal. The company began to grow. “Matt’s wife was pregnant and became our receptionist. We became a Trane dealer faster than we ever thought possible, and quickly needed to move into a larger building,” said Zach. “Matt and I found the old Flint Energies building for sale. We sat in the parking lot, knowing we could not afford it, but prayed anyway. We offered half of the asking price. Our banker believed in us, and we got the new property,” said Zach. We Care moved into the new space and has grown every year since. The business now has 70 employees,

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60 trucks and vans, three locations and two monster trucks. “We never expected for things to happen so fast, but God has opened doors for us since day one,” Matt said. “Now, we’re all back together. Eric is part of the company as well.” With all that success, the Collins brothers have remained humble and dedicated to their community. From toy drives and cancer fundraisers, to police and firefighter appreciation dinners, these three are convinced that business can be different. They even give back 5 percent of their profits each month to local charities or people in need. “Imagine if every company in our county would give back to our people who live and work here. Imagine if we all were responsible for taking care of each other. That’s the kind of world I want to live in and the kind of business I want to own,” said Matt. Zach agreed that they are on to something good with this company and its values. “We have our families, our business, our faith and the best employees around. But our true happiness is in changing the way people do business,” Zach said. “We are all in this community together. Sucess is when you can be happy for others’ success, and we are happy to serve in any way we can.”  HCL

I wa n t t o b e yo u r r e a lt o r .

Specializing in: residential real estate, commercial properties, relocation and real estate investments

Amanda Fiebig R e a lt o r , A s s o c i at e B r o k e r 4 7 8 . 9 5 2 . 2 4 9 9 | a m a n d a @ a f f r e a l t y. c o m w w w. a m a n d a f i e b i g r e a lt o r . c o m

Thursday, November 30th 6:30 pm Georgia National Fairgrounds Miller, Murphy, Howard $250 per table of eight or $40 per ticket

(478)987-1234 â&#x20AC;˘ PerryGAChamber.com

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Dedicated to Excellent Cardiovascular Care to the Residents of Middle Georgia for 20 Years!

CENTRAL GEORGIA HEART INSTITUTE, LLC Nisreen Jallad, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I. Interventional Cardiology

Rahil Kazi, M.D., F.A.C.C. Cardiovascular Disease

Accreditations in Echocardiogram (ICAEL), Nuclear Medicine (ACR) & CT (ACR)

L-R Ashley Chancellor, Np-C, Sharon Taylor, APRN-BC, April Jones, Np-C Not pictured Julie Davey, APRN-BC

SPECIALIZING IN ...

Cardiovascular Disease, including Chest Pain, Cholesterol Problems, High Blood Pressure, Cardiomyopathy, Leg Pain, Atrial Fibrillation, Stroke, Heart Failure, Heart Murmur, Irregular Heartbeats, Peripheral Vascular Disease

SERVICES ... Nuclear Stress Testing, Echocardiogram, Cardiac CTA, Peripheral CTA, Holter Monitoring, EKG, CT/ CTA, Pacemaker/AICD Monitoring, External Counter Pulsation Therapy, Labs Drawn

PROCEDURES INCLUDE ... Coronary Angiogram, Transesophageal Echocardiogram, Cardioversion, Peripheral Angiogram/Interventions, Pacemaker/Cardiac Defibrillator Monitoring

478.929.8030 | 1707 Watson Boulevard, Warner Robins, GA | rkazi@kazimd.com

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Salon Fusion

405 Hwy 96 Suite 900 | Bonaire, GA 31005 | salonfusionspa.net

405 Hwy 96 Suite 900 | Bonaire, GA 31005 essentialbodyskin.com

Enjoy your honeymoon while your dogs enjoy a canine adventure Canine Clubhouse

606 Ball Street Perry, GA | www.CanineClubhousePerry.com | 478-224-2640

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Story by sherri martin Photos by tinika bennett photography

Dr. Don Spillers knows from personal experience that changing someone’s smile can change their life. As a young teen with a severe overjet and crooked teeth, he experienced teasing and bullying. At age 14, he began orthodontic treatment with the late Dr. Toof Boone, walking from Northside High School to Houston Road after school for appointments. His experience with orthodontics had a profound impact on his life. “I had four teeth extracted at Dr. Boone’s recommendation, and then got braces. The changes to my appearance were remarkable. My self-

Spillers Orthodontics has come a long way since its humble beginnings. The business now has a team of 30, including an associate orthodontist, Dr. Adam Gordon. They’re located in a beautiful office in a professional complex that Don developed, and they just celebrated 25 years in practice.

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esteem improved. It changed my life,” says Don. “From that point on, I knew what I wanted to do.” Don’s declaration of his future career path was initially met with surprise. No one in his family had attended college. Some scoffed that he was too young to determine his vocation. Yet, he was determined. After obtaining an undergraduate degree at Georgia Southwestern State University, he completed four years of dental school at the Medical College of Georgia Dental School in Augusta, graduating second in his class. He then moved to Kansas City to receive his Specialty in Orthodontics and a Master of Science in Oral Biology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. “It was a long road – 11 years of hard work,” he says. For much of that road, he was on his own financially, earning scholarships and grants and working summers on his brother-in-law’s farm

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Spillers Orthodontics offers more than just a beautiful building; their primary focus is treating their patients well. “We tell our team to treat every patient as if he or she were their own son or daughter,” Don says. “We’re going to make their bite right – that’s the easy part. But we also want to treat them right. We want to do both in a nice, friendly environment, and have fun doing it.”

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to make ends meet. During his second year of dental school, he married his childhood sweetheart, Cheryl. She worked to help support them while he finished school. Eventually, the Spillers moved back to Warner Robins, and in September 1993, they opened Spillers Family Orthodontics. The practice was located in a 900-square-foot office, and to begin with, had enough patients to be open only one day a week. Cheryl ran the front office and there was one orthodontic assistant, Marilyn, who still works at Spillers Orthodontics today.

As the new kid on the block, Don hit the ground running – networking, meeting with general dentists, and getting involved in the community. Don and Cheryl say they love Middle Georgia, and have never regretted their decision to move back home. Spillers Orthodontics has come a long way since its humble beginnings. The business now has a team of 30, including an associate orthodontist, Dr. Adam Gordon. They’re located in a beautiful office in a professional complex that Don developed, and they just celebrated 25 years in practice. When Dr. Boone passed, Don purchased his practice in Macon to continue caring for his patients in a neat “life comes full circle” occurrence. And in fall 2019, Spillers Orthodontics plans to open a second office in Macon. After 25 years, Don is still excited about what he does. “I love coming to work every day,” he says. “I don’t

In the spirit of giving back, Don provides scholarships each year for dental students as well as two local high school seniors. He is also a provider for Smiles Change Lives, a nationwide program that provides orthodontic treatment for children whose families could not otherwise afford it.

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This love has led him to become involved with 30-30 Ministries, a Christian ministry that provides free weekend hunting or fishing camps for middle and high schoolers. “It is a great way to introduce kids to hunting and fishing and to share the Gospel.”

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like sitting still, and I love what I do.” Part of what he does is stay current with the latest orthodontic technologies. He was among the first in the area to bring digital X-ray, intraoral scanning, 3D imaging and 3D printing to his practice. At least half of his patients are treated using clear aligners, which move the teeth more quickly and are better for patients’ oral hygiene. In fact, Spillers Orthodontics is one of the world’s leading Invisalign providers. “We pride ourselves on learning all we can about technology and finding ways to enhance the patient experience,” Don says. Concern for the patient experience is evident in the design of his Warner Robins office. The beautiful setting seems residential; the waiting room is comfortable, with a video game room available for kids. Exam chairs face a wall of windows that overlook a wooded area, where wildlife often appears. All of this was by Don’s design, as he spent months working on the floor plan around which the

architects designed the building. Don says he didn’t plan to become a developer 10 years ago when he bought the land for his new office. Unable to buy just one acre, he bought 14 instead. That’s when the idea for the professional park came about. “The idea was to try to get all the specialties in dentistry here in one area for our patients,” he says. Now, there is an oral surgeon, an endodontist, a pediatric dentist, and a family medical doctor located in Spillers Professional Park. Spillers Orthodontics offers more than just a beautiful building; their primary focus is treating their patients well. “We tell our team to treat every patient as if he or she were their own son or daughter,” Don says. “We’re going to make their bite right – that’s the easy part. But we also want to treat them right. We want to do both in a nice, friendly environment, and have fun doing it.” Don has a kind face with a twinkle in his eye that says he enjoys life. He looks like he would be as comfortable in a deer stand or on a bass boat as he is in a white coat. “I’m an outdoorsman,” he says. “I like to hunt and fish.” This love has led him to become involved with 30-30 Ministries, a Christian ministry that provides free weekend hunting or fishing camps for middle and high schoolers. “It is a great way to introduce kids to hunting and fishing and to share the Gospel,” he says. This is just one area of ministry in which he is involved. He was on the founding board and is currently serving again on the board of the Rehoboth Life Care Dental Clinic, and sponsors and has provided dental treatment for an orphanage and school in Tanzania. His family, including son Trey, who is in dental school, and daughter Amy, who is pursuing nursing, has gone to Tanzania five times to work on site.

Don has worked with the Wounded Warriors Project, taking military members and their families on fishing trips. He and his staff participate in Project Giving every Christmas and throughout the year. In the spirit of giving back, Don provides scholarships each year for dental students as well as two local high school seniors. He is also a provider for Smiles Change Lives, a nationwide program that provides orthodontic treatment for children whose families could not otherwise afford it. The concept of life-changing smiles has been the stimulus behind his practice, and his career goal always has been to better the lives of others. “The best part of being an orthodontist is being able to change someone’s life forever,” he says. “You can change their outlook on life, and possibly even their path in life.” Just like Dr. Boone changed his life, Don is changing lives in Houston County and around the world, one smile at a time.  HCL

His family, including son Trey, who is in dental school, and daughter Amy, who is pursuing nursing, has gone to Tanzania five times to work on site. Don has worked with the Wounded Warriors Project, taking military members and their families on fishing trips. He and his staff participate in Project Giving every Christmas and throughout the year.

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Celebrating 75 years of serving Middle Georgia 114

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Tinika P hBennett otography Natural Light & On Location Photographer | tinikabennettphoto@gmail.com

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The Agricultural Village is a mixed-use property situated directly across from the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Georgia. The development offers a dynamic mix of select merchants, including Broken Arrow Outfitters, Perry Ford, Waffle House, and the newly-opened popular grocer Striplingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s General Store. A brand-new subdivision of single-family homes, The Preserve at Agricultural Village, is also part of the development.

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[ Story and Photos by kelly mcdonald ]

It has been widely reported that it may be easier to get into Harvard than into Michelle Gowan’s cookie school. Folks have taken to stalking Michelle’s personal and professional Facebook pages looking for class openings. The Cookie School is held almost every weekend right out of Michelle’s own kitchen in Bonaire. Student bakers from as far away as Arkansas have made the trip to discover Michelle’s cookie secrets.

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While she has always liked to bake, Michelle is also a retired teacher of 30 years from the Bibb County school system. She continues to teach now at Mercer University, but also offers a Ph.D. in cookies. “What if I retire and never get to tell anyone what to do again?” joked Michelle. “I had to keep teaching and somehow moved from books to cookies.” Michelle is a well-educated and gifted teacher, but it’s her cookies that have brought her fame. “Who knew so many people wanted to know how to make cookies,” Michelle said with a laugh. One student baker, Amanda, said, “I am the

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absolute envy of my office just by being in this class today.” Amanda, who works at Robins Air Force Base, and about 10 other students circled around Michelle’s kitchen island recently waiting for their beginner’s class to start. Michelle offers three stages of cookie-ology: Beginner, graduate and Ph.D.level classes all come with hands-on instructions and homework. Michelle starts every class with her philosophy on cookies. “Cookies have to be, first, delicious; second, adorable; third, reproducible,” she said. Michelle refers to most store-bought cookies as “a

Michelle believes in baking on the best baking stones she can find and whipping up homemade icing for decoration. Most store-bought cookies are made with a meringue icing for a longer shelf life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our cookies are made with frosting that is fresh and soft, so it flows while decorating. Cookies at a bakery can be so expensive, and I wanted to teach people how to make beautiful ones in their own kitchen,â&#x20AC;? she said.

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For Michelle, these classes are about more than just making pretty cookies. “It is about the time spent with family and friends. It is about teaching your kids how to get off of the electronic device and into the kitchen. It is about learning to do something that you maybe thought you could never do,” Michelle said. “These cookies will become your new currency!”

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size 24 bikini”: Just because you can make something, doesn’t mean you should. She believes in baking on the best baking stones she can find and whipping up homemade icing for decoration. Most storebought cookies are made with a meringue icing for a longer shelf life. “Our cookies are made with frosting that is fresh and soft, so it flows while decorating. Cookies at a bakery can be so expensive, and I wanted to teach people how to make beautiful ones in their own kitchen,” she said.

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During the beginnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s class, Michelle and her graduate-level helpers got to work mixing common ingredients into a bowl to form the cookie dough, then she added in chunks of butter. She believes there is no substitute for real butter and buys it in bulk. While teaching this particular class, Michelleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s phone buzzed with news from former students, alerting her that butter was on sale at the local grocery store. Michelle prefers farm-fresh eggs and whatever is the cheapest sugar in the store.

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In addition to making dough and icing, in The Cookie School, Michelle also addresses common cookie cooking mistakes. “Who has ever rolled out cookie dough and it was uneven? Who has ever cut out cookie shapes only to have them bake into a blob in the oven?” Michelle asked. She has tips and tricks to solve these problems and more.

During the beginner’s class, Michelle and her graduate-level helpers got to work mixing common ingredients into a bowl to form the cookie dough, then she added in chunks of butter. She believes there is no substitute for real butter and buys it in bulk. While teaching this particular class, Michelle’s phone buzzed with news from former students, alerting her that butter was on sale at the local grocery store. Michelle prefers farm-fresh eggs and whatever is the cheapest sugar in the store. After a few minutes of mixing, Michelle pinched off a sample for her students to try. “This is the best cookie dough I have ever tasted,” said Madison, a cookie school student from Macon. In addition to making dough and icing, in The Cookie School, Michelle also addresses common cookie cooking mistakes. “Who has ever rolled out cookie dough and it was uneven? Who has ever cut out cookie shapes only to have them bake into a blob in the oven?” Michelle asked. She has tips and tricks to solve these problems and more. What about accurate oven temperature? Michelle tells the class to preheat their ovens and then check to see how close the heat really is to the desired baking temperature. “I told you that your oven would lie to you,” Michelle said. Like everyone else, this master baker has learned from years of experience – along with her fair share of mistakes. “I baked for

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Cookie School graduate-level bakers Phil and Sherrie helped keep the class moving and Michelle even went Facebook Live during class. Most of the class was made up of local students, but Michelle said she reaches thousands of potential bakers from her “live” posts during class and on Sunday nights.

years and years and made all the same mistakes everyone else does. I then decided to make my own shortcuts and find answers to why things went wrong,” she said. She also searched for just the right inexpensive baking stones on which she produces cookie perfection. While the dough was taking shape, Michelle moved on to the sweetest part of the day, the icing. She has developed a “bullet” of cling wrap that makes decorating cookies simple and much less messy. Every student took a turn going through the whole process so they would all know what to do when they returned home and were baking on their own. Just the right smell from the oven would prompt Michelle to know when the cookies were done. Just the right consistency of frosting would let her know when it was ready. She shared all her years of baking experience in a few short hours. Next came what Michelle called “the fun part.”

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All her students took a spot at the table in front of their own tray of cookies and let their creativity flow. Cookies became baseballs, soccer balls, monograms and whatever her students dreamed up. Learning from her method of applying frosting, you’d believe these cookies came from a bakery. Cookie School graduate-level bakers Phil and Sherrie helped keep the class moving and Michelle even went Facebook Live during class. Most of the class was made up of local students, but Michelle said she reaches thousands of potential bakers from her “live” posts during class and on Sunday nights. “I had to try two times back in December to book this date, but it was well worth it,” said Debbie from Macon. Pam from Mercer added, “Her graduate class offers petit fours, cake cutting and her dipping method. I took them into my office and was swarmed by co-workers.” For Michelle, these classes are about more than just making pretty cookies. “It is about the time spent with family and friends. It is about teaching your kids how to get off of the electronic device and into the kitchen. It is about learning to do something that you maybe thought you could never do,” Michelle said. “These cookies will become your new currency!”  HCL Note: Currently Michelle no longer offers classes in her home but will gladly come to yours.

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WE WORK HARD TO BE YOUR COMMUNITY BANK OF CHOICE!

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We offer many different services to help you achieve a healthy lifestyle. • Laser Liposuction • Cyrotherapy • Personal Training • Teeth Whitening Call us today for your appointment.

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Fr inge salon

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Dr. Stuart Slappey, DVM, M.Sc, Veterinarian Dr. Laurel A. LeGoullon DVM Veterinarian

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THE DOG FENCE EXPERTS™ DESIGNED & MANUFACTURED IN THE USA

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South Georgia State College’s Nursing Program is here to help you prepare for your future. With a 98% NCLEX pass rate and ranked #2 for the most affordable nursing degrees in Georgia, there’s no need to look anywhere else. Are you ready to SOAR with SGSC?

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Britton Rawls Serving Central Georgia For Over 20 Years

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story by

Traci Burns

photos by

Tinika Bennett Photography

Darlyn Davis comes from a long line of Houston County winners. Her grandfather, Glynn Grantham, was named Mr. Warner Robins High School in 1961, and two of her uncles were named Mr. Northside High (Wesley in 1986 and David in 1993). At age 5, when Darlyn told her mother that she wanted trophies like her brother, her mom had the perfect answer: signing her up for some local pageants. Darlyn, a natural performer, adored singing onstage at First Assembly of God, where her grandfather was a pastor, and pageants were “a great way for me to utilize my outgoing personality and really teach me how to have confidence on stage at a young age,” she says. Darlyn was born in Macon but grew up

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in Warner Robins, where she maintained an impressive amount of extracurricular activities, holding officer positions in both FFA organizations and Beta Club, competing as part of the volleyball team and the swim team, and serving as high school football photographer, among many other activities. Her performance in the classroom was enviable as well: She graduated with honors, and with the title of 2015 Miss Veterans High School. Darlyn currently attends Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, where she studies Mass Communication with a minor in Spanish. She says she’d love to be a sports anchor or work for a public relations firm someday. In the midst of all this excellence, Darlyn still finds

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time to compete in pageants. Her early love of singing has only amplified over the years, and she relishes the opportunity to tell a story through song during the talent competition. She even won an award for her rendition of “Desperado” by the Eagles at the 2018 Miss Georgia pageant. That wasn’t the only award she brought home last year. In July 2017, she was crowned Miss Warner Robins. (She’s in good company here – Miss Warner Robins 2015 Betty Cantrell went on to win the national title in the 2016 Miss America pageant). All Darlyn’s years of hard work and practice finally paid off. She’d tried for years for the title of Miss Warner Robins Outstanding Teen, and for years she came up empty handed. It was a fate that might have discouraged a lesser competitor, but, as Darlyn says, “I learned a long time ago not to expect a win – just put your best out there, always.” Darlyn finds it important to work to break lingering stereotypes surrounding pageants. She says one comment she often gets is the infuriating, “You don’t seem like a ‘pageant girl.’” “What does that even mean?” she says. “There’s no such thing as a ‘pageant girl’ other than a girl who literally competes in pageants. It’s almost like people are inferring a negative connotation surrounding pageantry, but that isn’t the case.” One thing that is the case: preparing for and competing in pageants can be tough – both mentally and physically. Putting your talents up against 52 other women, all of whom are eager to win, can be daunting, but pulling off everything you’ve worked so hard for can be its own reward – whether or not you come home with a crown. Another invaluable benefit of years spent competing? “I’ve learned how to speak well, and with intent,” Darlyn says. “I can perform my talent with passion and tell a story, and I have

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By continually excelling both in and out of the classroom and by allowing her family’s struggle with Alzheimer’s to fuel her advocacy work, Darlyn Davis is a fine example of true Houston County royalty.

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learned how to represent my platform – advocacy for Alzheimer’s disease – well.” Alzheimer’s, a progressive disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior, is an issue that’s deeply personal for Darlyn and her family. Seven years ago, she first began her advocacy work because her great-grandmother suffered from the disease, but in the last few

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years, her grandmother began to show signs of Alzheimer’s as well. “Now, the connection for me means that my mother may eventually get this disease,” says Darlyn. Women make up two-thirds of all Alzheimer’s patients, and there’s no cure yet, just treatment for specific symptoms. As someone who has witnessed the firsthand effects of Alzheimer’s on a family, Darlyn says that securing funding for research that goes toward finding a cure is of utmost importance. However, in the meantime, families dealing with this disease in real time are in desperate need of more hands-on assistance and support. That’s where events and fundraisers, such Dancing Stars of Central Georgia, come into play. Based on the popular TV show and hosted by the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, this fun fundraiser,

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Darlyn also helmed her own Baby Doll Buddy campaign to encourage people to donate their gently used baby dolls to Alzheimer’s patients at Summer’s Landing in Warner Robins. Research and evidence has shown that doll therapy can calm and soothe some patients, reminding them of the sweetness of early parenthood and offering them a sense of purpose during a confusing time.

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which was held in May in Macon, pairs 12 local celebrity dancers with 12 professional dancers, all raising money by gaining votes. One of those local celebrities was Miss Warner Robins herself, Darlyn Davis. No stranger to the stage, Darlyn hasn’t danced professionally before, though she did grow up taking the obligatory tap, ballet and clogging classes – but she didn’t let that get to her. “It’s all about practice, practice, practice,” she says. Her partner was Enrique Stallworth, and they cut a rug to the sounds of Major Lazer’s “Know No Better.” Darlyn’s Alzheimer’s advocacy doesn’t end when she takes off her dancing shoes. She’s been involved with Central Georgia Alzheimer’s Association for the past five years, attending its Walks, working with its Speaker’s Bureau, and serving on its Congressional Team. She even created a coloring book geared toward helping children understand Alzheimer’s. Seeing a beloved family member change so drastically can be scary and confusing, and Darlyn’s book helps educate kids about the realities of Alzheimer’s in an accessible, comforting way. Darlyn also helmed her own Baby Doll Buddy campaign to encourage people to donate their gently used baby dolls

to Alzheimer’s patients at Summer’s Landing in Warner Robins. Research and evidence has shown that doll therapy can calm and soothe some patients, reminding them of the sweetness of early parenthood and offering them a sense of purpose during a confusing time. Darlyn is a real role model, and represents the best of what our young people have to offer – talent, tenacity, strength, empathy and courage. By continually excelling both in and out of the classroom and by allowing her family’s struggle with Alzheimer’s to fuel her advocacy work, Darlyn Davis is a fine example of true Houston County royalty.  HCL Hometown Living At Its Best

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Bankers Who Work For You

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The Farm-Phase II

Two plus or minus acres estate style lots with beautiful scenery located on the north side of Perry convenient to Perry, Warner Robins and Macon. Choose your lot and create the home of your dreams.

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Keeping It Classy Down South Full Body Waxing Walk In Only

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THE LAW FIRM OF CARMEL W. SANDERS M I D D L E

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1256 S Houston Lake Rd, Warner Robins, GA 31088 (478) 225-9830 | www.comfortairhvac.com 148

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You Manage Your HOME We’ll Manage Your COMFORT

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Here. For you. At Synovus, we truly understand what matters to you; that’s why we’re doing all we can to help you grow. Not just a bank, we’re your neighbors and friends. People from here who understand here. And we’re here. For you. 1-888-SYNOVUS | synovus.com

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Story by

Renee Corwine

Photos by

There aren’t many 5-year-olds who know exactly what they want to do when they grow up – much less actually stick to it. Marian Dampier is the exception. “I was 5. My dad was a Marine and we lived in Parris Island, South Carolina,” Marian said. “I remember clearly, there was a vacant lot near our house. I was playing with friends on the swing set and must have been talking about what I wanted to do when I grew up. I remember saying, ‘I’m going to college to study music.’ It never occurred to me that other children didn’t know what they were going to do when they grew up!” What young Marian didn’t know, however, was that her love of singing would take her around the world and lead to performances inside professional sports arenas, at famous landmarks and most importantly, she would impact the lives of children for 32 years and counting. Marian grew up in a musical family. “My mother played the piano and to go around the piano and sing was just a normal evening activity in our house,” she said. Marian’s brother, Ray Gotko, has a doctorate in Music Theory and taught at the University of Georgia before pursuing the ministry. As for Marian, voice lessons at age 15 led to a Bachelor’s in Music Education with a minor in Voice from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC.

Tinika Bennett Photography She then earned a Master’s in Music Education from UGA. Her teaching career began in Spartanburg and then led her to Albany, where she met her future husband, Joel, who had a young son named Matt. At the time, Joel was a Frigidaire representative for General Motors, and his sales work took him to Albany. “A good friend of mine told me he wanted me to meet a nice, young lady and thought that I would like her – and of course, I did,” Joel said with a smile. “We both had friends working in the same place,” Marian added. “I had children at home, taught elementary school all day, and just needed someone to go have coffee with!” It must have been a great brew, because Marian and Joel have been married for 46 years. After they married, Marian moved to Warner Robins, where Joel lived. She quickly took a job as an Elementary Music Specialist in the school system at Robins Air Force Base, where she taught children in kindergarten through sixth grade and directed the fourth, fifth and sixth grade chorus. Once here in Warner Robins, Marian devoted time to raising her three daughters – Lynmarie, Monica and Susan – and took a musical clef dive into sharing her voice with the community. Since moving here in 1972, she’s been the choir director

Marian grew up in a musical family. “My mother played the piano and to go around the piano and sing was just a normal evening activity in our house,” she said. Marian’s brother, Ray Gotko, has a doctorate in Music Theory and taught at the University of Georgia before pursing the ministry. As for Marian, voice lessons at age 15 led to a Bachelor’s in Music Education with a minor in Voice from Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C. She then earned a Master’s in Music Education from UGA.

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at Trinity United Methodist Church and St. Andrews Episcopal Chuch. She was a member and then director of the Warner Robins Community Chorus and the first director of the local chapter of Sweet Adelines International, now called Sweet Georgia Sound. Musically, the Adelines really took her places.

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“I’m still part of the group today, and we perform for club meetings, for churches and individuals, and at special events, like Christmas at the Old Governor’s Mansion in Milledgeville,” Marian said, adding that they’ll be performing there this year on Dec. 18. “The Adelines also performed in France and

After Marian retired from sharing that gift in the classroom, she began teaching private piano and voice lessons in her home, which she continues to do today. The power of singing and playing the piano as an emotional release is something Marian has tried to instill in the many children whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve stood next to her at the piano.

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Some of her private piano and voice students have developmental disabilities or autism. “The music has helped them tremendously. And for some of my students, I like to think that I’m a safe place for them. The environment is safe, it’s one where you’re not judged.” Her hands-on style of teaching includes work with “percussion, singing, the autoharp, dulcimer, keyboard, sticks, blocks ... I dabble at all of those. It really depends on the child,” she said.

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Austria, as part of tours where they set up performances for us.” Through the years, Marian has heard her voice echo in nave at the Washington National Cathedral and bounce around the stands while singing the National Anthem at Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks games. She sent her soprano voice soaring into the sky during air shows at Robins, and honored military dignitaries with what she said is her favorite song of all time. “I love the National Anthem; I learned it in the fourth grade. Mother had a book of patriotic songs and we sang it at the piano. We sang it a lot,” she said. “The fourth verse particularly is my favorite. The general populous never really knows there are four verses. As a child, that verse really came to me because my dad was overseas in World War II. I knew about war and trauma and heroism and freedom. I wish

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Among the news clippings Joel has saved from the last 40-something years is a photo of Marian being named the Woman of Achievement in 1976 from the Warner Robins Business and Professional Women’s Club. There’s also a shot of her with the Sophistacats quartet serenading an Olympic torch bearer as he ran through Warm Springs before the Summer Olympics came to Atlanta in 1996. That same photo can be seen today hanging on the wall over a booth at O’Charley’s in Centerville.

we sang that verse.” Reciting it from heart, Marian began: “Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand, between their loved homes and the war’s desolation; blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land praise the power that has made and preserved us as a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause is just, and this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust.’ And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave o’er the land of the free and

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the home of the brave.” It’s only fitting that a woman whose favorite song is the National Anthem spent most of her teaching career educating the children of our nation’s military at Robins. In 1998, she retired after teaching for 32 years in total. Joel, who she called her biggest supporter, hired a limo for the occasion. Even the local news media showed up! Among the news clippings Joel has saved from the last 40-something years is a photo of Marian

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being named the Woman of Achievement in 1976 from the Warner Robins Business and Professional Women’s Club. There’s also a shot of her with the Sophistacats quartet serenading an Olympic torch bearer as he ran through Warm Springs before the Summer Olympics came to Atlanta in 1996. That same photo can be seen today hanging on the wall over a booth at O’Charley’s in Centerville. Smiling at her husband as he sorted through stacks of clippings and accolades, Marian said, “Joel has saved all these. How many women have a man who loves them so much? I thank God every day.” A testament to her faith in God and love for her husband, Marian wrote a song for Joel called “You and I, and We With God.” It appears on the album she recorded with her brother Ray in 1980. “My father wanted us to make a record, so we decided to do all original music,” she said. The record, titled “Gift of God,” is named after an essay Marian wrote in high school. “God gives gifts, and the gift he gave to me was music,” she said. “I was also given the gift to teach, to share.” After Marian retired from sharing that gift in the classroom, she began teaching private piano and voice lessons in her home, which she continues to do today. The power of singing and playing the piano as an emotional release is something Marian has tried to instill in the many children

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who’ve stood next to her at the piano. “When I was growing up, I would just sing; I’d make up tunes,” she said. “For me, it’s an emotional release. Some people love to go to the gym, and my release is playing piano or singing.” Some of her private piano and voice students have developmental disabilities or autism. “The music has helped them tremendously. And for some of my students, I like to think that I’m a safe place for them. The environment is safe, it’s one where you’re not judged.” Her hands-on style of teaching includes work with “percussion, singing, the autoharp, dulcimer, keyboard, sticks, blocks ... I dabble at all of those. It really depends on the child,” she said. Now in her golden years, Marian continues to use music as her rhythm for daily life – well, that and the purring of her three cats. She is a certified Sweet Adeline director and presently the assistant director for Sweet Georgia Sound and is learning to arrange barbershop style music, which she calls “fascinating.” She plays hand bells at Trinity UMC and hand chimes at St. Andrews Episcopal in Fort Valley, where she also is a cantor for the Sunday service. About her future, Marian puts her faith firmly in God: “Maybe I will continue teaching; maybe not. We’ll see what God sends me next.”  HCL

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Story by Kelly mcdonald Photos by kelly mcdonald and elizabeth sendejas of salty beach photography

A local couple share the story of their son’s chronic heart condition and the love that has held the family together. In 2008, Nicole Wells and Louis Puryear met online on the thenpopular MySpace website. Neither knew that a casual conversation would turn into a lifetime of love. Louis had always been into dragracing cars, so a lot of “date nights” consisted of hanging out in the garage working on engines. “It was romantic in a weird way,” said Nicole. Somewhere between the transmission and the muffler, Nicole and Louis fell in love and started making plans for a wedding. In 2015, the couple tied the knot at Forsyth Park in Savannah and drove away in one of Louis’ prized cars. The couple always knew they wanted children.

“It was romantic in a weird way,” said Nicole. Somewhere between the transmission and the muffler, Nicole and Louis fell in love and started making plans for a wedding. In 2015, the couple tied the knot at Forsyth Park in Savannah and drove away in one of Louis’ prized cars. The couple always knew they wanted children.

The plan was to enjoy a few years of married life, and then have three kids. Two years later, Nicole found out they were expecting, so they were right on schedule for starting their family.

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Nicole and Louis said they are sharing their story because they want to raise awareness about children with chronic heart disease. “We had never even heard of HLHS two years ago, but now we feel like we have a medical degree,” said Nicole. The couple also want new parents of babies with heart conditions to know that it is a struggle, even putting a strain on your marriage, but one sweet smile from that baby’s face will soothe any problems that come along.

The plan was to enjoy a few years of married life, and then have three kids. Two years later, Nicole found out they were expecting, so they were right on schedule for starting their family. At 20 weeks, Nicole and Louis excitedly went to a doctor’s appointment, where they planned to find out if they were having a boy or a girl. During a routine ultrasound, the nurse couldn’t see part of the baby’s heart. “She assured us that it could just be the way the baby was laying or just be a shadow. But as a precaution, she sent us to Sibley Heart Center Cardiology in Macon,” Nicole said. Two weeks later, the couple headed to Macon for a better look at their baby’s heart. After an extensive ultrasound, the doctor gave them news that would change their lives forever. “He told us that our son had a heart defect. He explained that it was no fault of ours and that this condition happened before Nicole even knew she was pregnant,” Louis said. The doctor then told the couple he was sending them to Atlanta to confirm his diagnosis. At the Sibley center at Egleston hospital in Atlanta, Nicole went through another long ultrasound. It was there that their baby boy was confirmed to have Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome with Restrictive Atrial Septum (HLHS with RAS). Basically, he was missing the chamber of his heart that pumps oxygen-enriched blood back into his body. After being presented with a few options, which included terminating the pregnancy, the couple decided to do

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“We knew immediately that we would have our son and do everything medically possible to help him live the best life he could.” everything they could to save their son. He would have three surgeries, the first of which would happen at only a few days old, the second at a few months old and the third at a few years old. “We knew immediately that we would have our son and do everything medically possible to help him live the best life he could,” said Nicole. During the remainder of her pregnancy, the couple traveled to Macon and Atlanta every two weeks for more tests and ultrasounds. During a scheduled C-section at 38 weeks, Jaylynn was born.

Minutes after the birth, Jaylynn was placed in an incubator and put on a helicopter, which took him to Egleston in Atlanta. Louis kissed Nicole goodbye and jumped in an ambulance to follow his son. Nicole was left at Northside Hospital, a new mother suddenly alone without her baby or her husband. “I gave birth on a Wednesday and did not see my son until that Saturday. It was so hard knowing he was in a cardiac intensive care unit at a completely different hospital, but I knew Louis was there for him and I

During the remainder of her pregnancy, the couple traveled to Macon and Atlanta every two weeks for more tests and ultrasounds. During a scheduled C-section at 38 weeks, Jaylynn was born. Minutes after the birth, Jaylynn was placed in an incubator and put on a helicopter, which took him to Egleston in Atlanta. Louis kissed Nicole goodbye and jumped in an ambulance to follow his son. Nicole was left at Northside Hospital, a new mother suddenly alone without her baby or her husband.

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In the future, Jaylynn always will have lower oxygen levels and need closer attention, but is expected to otherwise be a normal boy. “He really isn’t supposed to play sports, but that’s OK. He can be into race cars like his dad,” said Louis.

would be soon,” said Nicole. Four days later, the little family was reunited. Nicole and Louis stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Atlanta at night and spent all day at Egleston. Jaylynn also had the Restrictive Atrial Septum, which required medication, and was on dialysis for his kidneys, but it was his infected lungs that concerned doctors the most. Sick and fighting for his life, Jaylynn was too ill to have his first surgery on time. “The doctor was concerned that any of the surgeries would even happen at all, but then one day he just started getting better. He was a fighter, and so were we,” Nicole said. At 2 weeks old, Jaylynn went in for his first surgery, where doctors put a shunt into his heart creating an artificial artery to do the work of the missing chamber. “I know it is necessary, but having to sign a consent form in case my son did not make it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do,” Louis said. At this point, most new parents would be at home struggling to find a decent sleep schedule, but Nicole and Louis were in a waiting room struggling to be patient while waiting for news of their son. Thankfully, Jaylynn came out of surgery and continued to make progress until they finally sent the family home. “It was so scary being at home alone and totally responsible for his care. We felt like we had become nurses ourselves at this point,” Nicole said. When Jaylynn turned 3 months old, it was time for the second surgery. This surgery would remove the artificial artery and let the doctors connect to the right pulmonary artery. The goal was to train

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his heart’s right chamber to do its job and the job of the missing left chamber. Two days after his surgery, Jaylynn’s oxygen levels dropped and doctors had to re-insert his breathing tube. Two days after that, Jaylynn’s lungs collapsed. “I got the phone call late at night in the Ronald McDonald House,” Nicole said. “Louis had come back to Houston County for work, so I called him to come immediately. He dropped everything, met up with our parents and drove straight to the hospital.” Jaylynn was placed on an Extracorporeal Membrane

Oxygenation (ECMO) machine for the next 15 days. The ECMO is a heart and lung machine that pumps and oxygenates a patient’s blood, allowing their own heart and lungs to rest. At this point, Nicole and Louis were told that Jaylynn’s condition was so bad that they may have to start over with the first surgery. “I couldn’t even think about him having to go through all that again,” Louis said. Their primary doctor insisted that they wait, hoping to give Jaylynn a chance to keep fighting and get better before re-starting the surgeries. Sure enough,

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Jaylynn fought back and made it through the next few weeks. He was in the hospital for 82 days before going home. Jaylynn turned one in July and is behind on baby milestones but is catching up quickly. His third surgery will come in a few years, based on his progress and symptoms. “We hope to start feeding therapy soon so we can transition him to a bottle and remove the tube,” said Nicole. In the future, Jaylynn always will have lower oxygen levels and need closer attention, but is expected to otherwise be a normal boy. “He really isn’t supposed to play sports, but that’s OK. He can be into race cars like his dad,” said Louis. Nicole hopes to return to work as a teacher next year and Louis has made a job change to allow him more time for doctor’s visits and being at home with his son. Jaylynn may never be cleared

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to attend traditional daycare but has two grandmas who are more than happy to fill the position. Nicole and Louis said they are sharing their story because they want to raise awareness about children with chronic heart disease. “We had never even heard of HLHS two years ago, but now we feel like we have a medical degree,” said Nicole. The couple also want new parents of babies with heart conditions to know that it is a struggle, even putting a strain on your marriage, but one sweet smile from that baby’s face will soothe any problems that come along. “Jaylynn is so happy, and so are we. I couldn’t imagine not having him exactly like he is,” Nicole said. But about their plan for three children, Nicole laughed, “We may have to reevaluate the original idea!”  HCL

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STORY BY ALLINE KENT | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KAZ SORORITY

35 years

of service

It is a common sight in Houston County; to see young people with the letters KAZ emblazoned on jerseys or on the back of T-shirts. But unless you have had a child in the organization, or were a member yourself, you might not be familiar with the sorority that celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. KAZ – or Kappa Alpha Zeta – is a high school service organization founded on Sept. 25, 1983, by former Miss Warner Robins Mary Ann Branch Coskery. While the organization provides many social activities for students, the primary goal of KAZ always has been service to the community. It was 1983 that Mary Ann returned to Warner Robins from college, where she had been very active in her collegiate sorority. “I wanted to share some of the many positive things I had learned from my own sorority experience, especially the commitment to serving others,” she said. Mary Ann mentioned to her real-life sister, Kim, then a student at Warner Robins High School, that perhaps there would be an excellent opportunity for a high school version of a collegiate sorority. An initial

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meeting was held that same day at Dry Lake Park and four girls – Kim Branch, Kellie Coxsey, Shannon Bianco and Katherine Moody – became known as the “Founding Sisters.” They agreed to establish a sorority for high school girls based on civic, academic, moral and leadership qualities. The first initiation class had a total of 13 young women. “It was founded on a belief that my parents taught us; to give of yourself,” Mary Ann said. “I believed starting KAZ would benefit not only the community, but the students involved with it.” In addition to KAZ being the first, and still the only high school sorority in Warner Robins, they were also the first group to incorporate “brothers” into the organization. In 1985, a chapter was added at Northside High School and after Houston County High was opened in the early 1990s, a decision was made to have one chapter that served all three high schools. Students from Veterans High were welcomed when that school opened in 2010 and last year, KAZ elected to open its

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membership to include all area high schools. This included Perry High School, The Westfield School and Mount de Sales Academy, just to name a few. “It has been an extremely beneficial decision to add these schools and have one chapter, especially because it has given girls and guys a chance to become great friends with people from other high schools that they probably would never have known otherwise,” said Mary Ann. Shauna Pender Vetrano, who was a member of KAZ from 1995-1997, was Miss Florida in 2003 and now lives in New York City, said that the experience of being in KAZ during high school was amazing. “I just wish everyone could have those memories. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunities in KAZ. They really will affect you for a lifetime,” Shauna said. 184 houston county magazine

Civic groups and activities have benefited from KAZ for 35 years as well. When the local MDA Telethon added a Warner Robins broadcast, members of KAZ were involved with the Warner Robins firefighters by feeding all staff, patients and volunteers, answering phones and a host of other activities. KAZ also has worked with the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, Jay’s Hope, Family Promise, the City of Warner Robins and other organizations through the years. One of the projects that KAZ is known for is Christmas for Kids. “KAZ has been involved with the Christmas for Kids project since the very beginning. They are so hardworking and delightful to be around. It is wonderful to see their enthusiasm each year as they purchase gifts for the kids and families in need. They are such a great addition to the community,”

The Organization KAZ – or Kappa Alpha Zeta – is a high school service organization founded on Sept. 25, 1983, by former Miss Warner Robins Mary Ann Branch Coskery. While the organization provides many social activities for students, the primary goal of KAZ always has been service to the community.

"I believed starting KAZ would benefit not only the community, but the students involved with it." [ Mary Ann Branch Coskery ]

said Martha Ard, who for 28 years has been the local coordinator of the Christmas for Kids project. KAZ has had the assistance of many alumni and parents during the years. “There is no way we would be where we are today without the love, devotion and assistance from these alumni and parents,” Mary Ann said. Several KAZ alumni have even stepped up to serve as advisors. Mary Ann is still the Founding Advisor but now KAZ alumni Jamie Green Floyd is the Head Advisor, while Tina Williams Rasmussen assists her. “Jamie has brought so much to KAZ. Her energy, creativity and initiative has propelled us to an even greater level,” Mary Ann said. Thanks to the group’s excellent reputation, there has been no shortage of businesses in the community willing to lend support. “Currently, we are fortunate to be meeting and having special events at the beautiful Hummingbird Hill Farms, and we had an event at Houston Lake Country Club in the spring. There have been many places gracious enough to host us throughout the years,” Mary Ann said. To date, KAZ has provided in-kind contributions totaling more than $750,000. Since KAZ’s inception in 1983, nearly 800 KAZ members have graduated and become KAZ alumni. “The alumni have really helped to prove the whole theory behind KAZ, which is community service,” Mary Ann said. “They take the high school experience of KAZ and translate it to their new communities – college and beyond. In addition, many friendships have continued and they’ve become lifelong friends. We’re looking forward to what is in store for the next 35 years.” Learn more about KAZ by searching “KAZ Sorority” on Facebook, or “kazsorority” on Instagram.  HCL

Helping The Communitty Civic groups and activities have benefited from KAZ for 35 years as well. When the local MDA Telethon added a Warner Robins broadcast, members of KAZ were involved with the Warner Robins firefighters by feeding all staff, patients and volunteers, answering phones and a host of other activities.

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Belk, Belk Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Store, JCPenney, Galleria Cinemas, and more than 45 specialty shops are here for your shopping & entertainment needs.

Come & enjoy the experience!

A HOME THAT OUR RESIDENTS WOULD BE PROUD TO CALL THEIR OWN

100 Lake Crossing Drive, Warner Robins, GA 31088 | (478) 224-5525 lakejoyassistedliving.com

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A VIP

Bridal Experience

Our P i nk D o o r E xp e rience is an e xclus i ve bridal s e s s ion t hat is all a bout yo u and yo ur w e d d ing !

Bridals By Gilbert Bridal - Bridesmaids - Accessories - China - Tuxedos 9 0 2 C o m m e r c e S t , P e r r y, G A 3 1 0 6 | ( 4 7 8 ) 9 8 8 - 1 5 9 5 | b r i d a l s b y g i l b e r t . c o m

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My Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place Where Families Get Together

PIZZA WINGS SALADS SUBS DINNERS DESSERTS

2507 Moody Rd, Warner Robins, GA 31088 | 478.929.0504 | myfathersplacepizza.com

My wife Dorothy of 37 years aids me in our business. I am a retired teacher and Navy instrumentman chief 21 years. I served my country and the public with pride, integrity and quality services I have been doing clock repair making home service calls for 47 years on grandfather/wall/mantel/ cuckoo/400 day anniversary/battery/ electric clocks A huge inventory of parts, also I restore broken cases. All overhauls will have a 1 year warranty on repairs. Many local middle, GA business, jewelry, antiques and furniture store recognize me for fair reasonable prices and service.

OSBORNEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

CLOCK REPAIR Please contact me by phone 478-956-4839 or drop by 31 Pine Dr, Byron, GA 31008

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Southern Bridge Inc. Counseling and Family Therapy 3 3 3 M a r g i e D r . S t e . C | Wa r n e r R o b i n s , G A 3 1 0 8 8 | ( 4 7 8 ) 4 4 9 - 1 4 7 5 | s o u t h e r n b r i d g e c o u n s e l i n g . c o m

We are who we are becoming.

Nitsa Gilbert DDS, MS | 104 Tommy Stalnaker Dr, Warner Robins, GA 31088 | www.wearepediatricdentistry.com | 478-953-4800

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• Appetizers • Entrees • Desserts • Cakes • Donuts • Coffee

• Gift Cards • Catering Holiday • Gift Giving • Shipping • Corporate Accounts • Gourmet Gifts

Celebrating Our

Serving Middle Georgia For 25 Years

25th

4420 Forsyth Rd, Macon, GA 31210 | (478) 757-0074 | www.thecasseroleshopandbakery.com

Warner Robins Rehabilitation Center

1601 Elberta Rd, Warner Robins, GA 31093 | (478) 922-2241

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Anniversary

Kraft Kitchen Coffee Tea Cuisine Gatherings Tastings Workshops

BODEGA BREW

Stylish Clothing For Boys & Girls

Sugarplum Tree

1025 Ball St. Perry, GA 31025 | www.bodegabrew.com

917 Carroll St, Perry, GA 31069 | (478) 987-0970 | sugarplumtree.com

LOCAL SERVICE that MAKES A DIFFERENCE

At Moore Insurance you experience local service that makes a difference. As an independent agent, we know a variety of insurance companies which means more options for you. We help you protect your assets and help save you money. We also believe it’s important to work with companies, like Donegal Insurance Group, which deliver outstanding claims service and support.

Local service that makes a difference…

that’s Moore Insurance.

And if you have a question or concern, you have the peace of mind knowing you won’t have to deal with an automated voice menu or sit on-hold waiting for the next available operator. Instead, with Moore Insurance you’ll be able to talk to a real person, someone who can help.

“I want to be part of your family story” Amanda Fiebig MBA, Associate Broker Master Certified Negotiation Expert (MCNE) Golen Key Realty Multi Million Dollar Producer

526 S. Houston Lake Blvd., Warner Robins, GA 31088

478-987-1832 1009 Jernigan Street • Perry, GA 31069

Direct: 478.952.2499 | Office: 478.333.5479 amanda@affrealty.com www.amandafiebigrealtor.com

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Most elementary school teachers would consider a school trip to the beach or mountains a treat. Angie Battle, a fourth grade teacher at Langston Elementary School in Houston County, got the trip of a lifetime when she was invited to go along with several other professionals to show her style of teaching economics in Japan. Angie had begun teaching in 1993 in Louisiana when her husband, Michael, received a job offer that moved them to Houston County. Angie put in applications all over the county and two days later, she was hired to teach at Kings Chapel School. After 17 years teaching at that location, she volunteered to move over to the new Langston Elementary School. Since making that move, Angie teaches the fourth grade and is also the GTE (Gifted and Talented) all academic subjects teacher. "My job is to push them past grade level... to exceed."

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Angie definitely considers this experience the highlight of her career.

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Angie explains that her position as the GTE teacher is not to just cover content but to teach problem solving and go beyond the obvious answers. Her students learn average economic problems and she encourages them to come up with multiple solutions that are fresh and effective. "It's a more practical approach to understanding problems in our economy and reaching for more innovative ideas that work." Angie herself has had to make that adjustment in her personal life as well. Her son, David, at the age of two started to display some autistic behavior. David and Angie started some autism testing at age five. "Pre-K was rough," she shares, "but we decided not to tell him. We wanted him to have no predetermined prognosis and no crutch for trying to always do his best." A few years later on a long car ride home, David had picked up a new book from the library. He sat and read "Rules" cover to cover. The children's book is about a 12-year-old girl named Catherine who struggles to have a "normal" life while having to deal with an autistic little brother named... David. Angie's David closed the book and looked directly at his mom and asked, "Am I autistic?" The answer

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PHOTO BY MIKE RAYMER

On February 16, 2017, Angie, Mike, and Stacey Dockter, an advanced social studies teacher at DeSana Middle School in Forsyth County, boarded a plane for the fifteen hour flight to Tokyo. After a rough landing, the educators were greeted by Mr. Yoshi Nakamoto the coordinator for the Japanese Program.

was “yes” and presented the first opportunity for a conversation on autism when David was ready. When asked about her son, Angie says, "He is doubly blessed... David is autistic and in the gifted program." Understanding a problem and choosing a different approach to deal with it seems to work in economics and parenting. In 2013, the whole county was nominated for the Economics Program of the Year. In 2014, Angie was named the GTEE Teacher of the Year and the Georgia Economic Teacher of the Year. At the celebration banquet in Atlanta she met Mike Raymer, the Associate Director of the GCEE. They became fast friends and shared ideas about

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their prospective fields. Angie and Mike stayed in touch so when she received a phone call from him in November of 2016, it did not seem out of the ordinary until he spoke. "Hey, do you have your passport?" Mike asked excitedly. "Would you like to go teach in Japan?" Angie recalls it taking a matter of seconds to say, “yes”. The GCEE had been invited by the Japanese counterpart the CEE of Japan to come show their style of economics teaching to the selected schools. On February 16, 2017, Angie, Mike, and Stacey Dockter, an advanced social studies teacher at DeSana Middle School in Forsyth

County, boarded a plane for the fifteen hour flight to Tokyo. After a rough landing, the educators were greeted by Mr. Yoshi Nakamoto the coordinator for the Japanese Program. The group spent the first day sightseeing and taking in the new culture which is so different from that of middle Georgia. The following day they made a drive to Northern Japan to the town of Odate. Angie remembers the freezing temperature walking up to the school which held only 52 students. She was instructed to remove her shoes and put on slippers once inside the school. This particular elementary and middle school tested the highest in the entire country, so Angie was extremely excited to interact with these students. After a traditional Japanese school lunch of fish and a bowl of rice, she got her chance to teach sixth graders an economics class. Her lesson was on Cost and Scarcity. With the help of an interpreter, she handed out a ball of modeling clay to each student. "Make a product that a consumer will want to buy," were her simple instructions. They became "producers" of products their classmates would want. The students made a variety of goods including money, books, and a Nintendo. Four students made a Personal Computer. Then those same

The three American educators worked closely with the Japanese educators and their students to demonstrate how to use an active learning approach to teaching economics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The opportunity to interact with people of another culture, embracing the similarities and differences, was an amazing experience beyond description. This was the adventure of a lifetime!â&#x20AC;?

PHOTO BY MIKE RAYMER

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In 2013, the whole county was nominated for the Economics Program of the Year. In 2014, Angie was named the GTEE Teacher of the Year and the Georgia Economic Teacher of the Year.

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students became "consumers". Angie asked how many of them would want a computer and nine raised their hands. But there were only four computers to sell. She explained the concepts of supply and demand to them in a way that they could easily comprehend and even offered an additional way to use one studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s money to purchase an additional computer. It was an amazing lesson considering the reason they were asked to come to Japan was that their current model of teaching was based

heavily on lecture and note-taking with very little student participation in the classroom. In the end, the students understood the need to make wise choices in order to be more productive. The three American educators worked closely with the Japanese educators and their students to demonstrate how to use an active learning approach to teaching economics. "The students and teachers became intrigued with the concept of HOW to think rather than WHAT to think. Mike Raymer talked with several of the community stakeholders that had come to observe. Their comments ranged from them being surprised that the students were so attentive during the whole lesson to themselves becoming interested now in learning more. "We hope that the United States CEE's method will be widely taken into Japan's

curriculum," said one adult onlooker. "We did have some time to sightsee. The Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine, and the Imperial Gardens, but the best part of our trip was interacting with the people there. We spent time with students, teachers, administrators, and board of education members of Odate City in the Akita Prefecture. They were incredibly gracious and kind!" Angie definitely considers this experience the highlight of her career. Sharing this experience with such phenomenal educators, Mike Raymer and Stacey Dockter, was an honor for this Houston County teacher. "The opportunity to interact with people of another culture, embracing the similarities and differences, was an amazing experience beyond description. This was the adventure of a lifetime!" ď &#x2022; HCL

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WELCOME TO

Warner Robins RANDY TOMS, MAYOR

Lisa Corley, Realtor Golden Key Realty

526 S. Houston Lake Blvd. Warner Robins, GA 31088 (478) 333-5549 | lcorley@goldenkeyrealty.net www. goldenkeyrealty.net

478.302.5515 | www.wrga.gov | 700 Watson Boulevard | Warner Robins, GA 31093

Expand your reach

advertise today

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Dorothy Sichelstiel

478.396.2447 | dorothysichelstiel@yahoo.com

Caring Animals FOR YOUR SMALL

Two Friends Sophisticated Style for You & the Home 2032 N HWY 341| PERRY, GA 31069 | 478-987-1514

WALKER-RHODES TRACTOR COMPANY Helping Middle Georgia grow since 1938!

926 CARROLL STREET

IN PERRY | 478.987.0751

Clifton, Lipford, Hardison & Parker, LLC Certified Public Accountants and Consultants

w w w. w a l ke r r h o d e s t r a c to r . c o m 478.987.1173 | 912 Jernigan St in downtown Perry

Warner Robins Office 468 S. Houston Lake Rd. | Warner Robins, GA 31088 (478) 953-0125

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South Houston Internal Medicine

David A. Wolk, DPT | Leigh Cabasares Wolk, DPT

1 01 8 K ei t h D r Su ite A , Pe r ry, GA 3 1 0 6 9 | ( 47 8 ) 987 - 7 444

Perry Spine & Wellness 1020 Keith Dr, Perry, GA 31069 | (478) 224-2209

Schedule Your Eye Exam Today

VISION SAVERS (478) 328-3937

We Have A Great Variety of Fashion Frames!

• Affordable Eye Exams • All Ages • Designer Frames • Contact Lenses • Eye Disease Treatment • Glaucoma • Most Insurance Accepted

Monday - Friday - 9:00 - 6:00 | Saturday 9:00 -12:00 Publix Shopping Center, 6011 Watson Blvd, Warner Robins, GA 31093

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226 HIGHWAY 49 | BYRON, GA 31008 | 478.956.3602

Credibility and Expertise

You Can Count On!

Jane McCullough

229-322-8741 • 478-988-8850

Custom made Children’s clothing and Monogrammed gifts

1019 Ball St, Perry, GA 31069 (478) 224-7465 thepreppypinkpineapple.com

Auto • Home • Business • Property • Life • Health

DAY ONE

TRANSFORMATION

Ryan Lyons - State Farm Agency

Roofing & Remodeling

478-442-7326

1238 South Houston Lake Rd Suite 2 Warner Robins, GA 31088 | 478.313.3007 Hometown Living At Its Best

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STOP BY AND SEE THE

WE CARE SHOWROOM

916 MAIN STREET, 2ND FLOOR | PERRY, GA 31069 478-987-0947 | MMMCPA.COM

924 S HOUSTON LAKE RD, WARNER ROBINS, GA 31088 (478) 218-2273 | WECAREHEATANDAIR.COM

Inside Real Estate itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more than just houses!

CORY ALLEN JONES design for the holidays

CUSTOM FLORAL, IN HOME DESIGN, ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS, AND MORE!

Sweet Evelyn's NOW OPEN Inside!

910 CARROLL STREET 204

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DOWNTOWN PERRY

2618 Riverside Dr. | Macon, GA 31204 | (478) 746-2000 524 South Houston Lake Rd D-100 | Warner Robins, GA 31088 | (478) 333-2277

Synergy Wellness & BodyCare

Massage | Lash Extensions | Reiki | Cupping | FasciaBlaster

678 Lake Joy Rd #400, Kathleen, GA 31047 (478) 313-3011 | Locally Owned

158 S Houston Lake Rd #3 | Warner Robins, GA 31088 (478) 569-1660 | synergywellnessandbodycare.com

BOB WHITE SELF STORAGE

Greater Perry’s Safest, Cleanest Storage • Fenced & Secured • Video Security Cameras • 24-Hour Access • Non Climate & Climate Controlled • Boat & RV Storage • Locally Owned & Operated

JWS, LLC | Commercial & Industrial | Joe Shuttlesworth 1205 Ball Street | Perry, GA 31069 | (478)988-8620

103 Woodlawn Drive (Across from Mike’s Golf Carts) Perry, GA 31069 478-218-5967 | www.bobwhitestorage.com

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THIS IS

HOME. HOUSTON COUNTY

The Houston County area is growing and steadily becoming a central marketplace. You can find great retail shopping, restaurants and services around each corner. If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t done so lately, take the time to look around and discover all the wonderful things there are to find.

CHECK OUT THE LOCAL MARKETPLACE

Abreanneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Your fun girly stuff store

TOWN & COUNTRY

Animal Clinic

Clothing S-3XL, shoes, accessories, and gifts

1241 S Houston Lake Rd, Warner Robins, GA 31088 www.tcacwr.com | 478.953.7297

150 S Houston Lake Rd #700, Warner Robins, GA 31088 (478) 832-1462 MON THRU SAT 10 AM - 6 PM

Because all care is personal

906 Commerce St Suite A, Perry, GA 31069

478-224-1714 www.rescare.com

2507-D Moody Rd Warner Robins

478.293.1880

4025 Watson Blvd suite 220, Warner Robins, GA 31093 (478) 333-3717 Hometown Living At Its Best

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Index of Advertisers

Abreanne’s ……....................................................................……. 207 Alfa Insurance - Amy Harmon ………............................…………… 180 All Secure Safe Locked ……......................................……………… 179 Allen’s Tree Service ….....................................……………………… 165 Ashley’s Business Solutions ………................................…………… 68 Beauty By MYA ………...............................................……………… 163 Belzer PC ……………........................................................……… 10-11 Bob White Self Storage ……..............................................………. 205 Bodega Brew …………….......................................................……. 191 Boland Prosthetic & Orthotic Center …………................…………… 43 Bridals by Gilbert …………………….........................................…… 187 Canine Clubhouse …………….......................................…………… 102 Carmel W. Sanders P.C. …………………...............................……… 148 Central Georgia Heart Institute, LLC ……….................……………… 99 Chic-Fil-A …...........................................................………………… 161 Church Home LifeSpring ………………..........................………… 24-25 City of Warner Robins ……….......................................………. 70, 200 Clifton, Lipford, Hardison & Parker, LLC …….....................………. 201 Coldwell Banker Robbins & Free Realty …....… 84, Inside Front Cover Colony Bank ………......................................................…………… 130 Comfort Air Cooling & Heating …………..........................………… 148 Computers ETC ……..........................................................………. 207 Cornerstone Medical Associates, LLC ………….................………… 69 Cory Allen Jones ……............................................................……. 204 Country Financial - Shawn Buchanan, MBA ……………………..…… 58 Courtyard Marriott …………...............................................………… 83 Daisy Patch Flowers ……...........................................……………… 178 Davis Dental Care ………...........................................……………… 161 Day One Transformation ................................................…………. 203 Do It Best Houston Hardware & Garden Center ………….......…… 164 Dolly James ………….................................................................... 207 Dorothy Sichelstiel …….....................................................………. 200 Elite Realtors of Georgia ……..........................................………… 181 Essential Body Organic Skincare ……………..........................…… 101 Evergeen Propane …………………....................................………… 130 Fairfield Inn & Suites …….........................................……………… 129 Flint Energies …………........................................................……..… 86 Floor Pro …….......................................................................……. 200 Forest Hill Park Event Rentals ............................…………………… 103 Fricks Bohan, LLC ……………….......................................………… 132 Fringe Salon ………......................................................…………… 133 Genesis Weight Loss & Body Sculpting ………………….......……… 132 Georgia Air National Guard ……............................……………… 26-27 Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center …………………......… 178 Georgia Southern University ……….............................……………… 44 Golden Key Realty - Lisa Corley ………...............................………. 200 Golden Key Realty - Amanda Fiebig ………...…… 97, 191, Back Cover Golden Key Realty - Kathy Balletto ……….......................…………… 61 Golden Key Realty …................................................………………… 42 Griggers Wealth Management ……..……...........................………… 40 Guild Mortgage - Anita Stewart ………..............……………… 180, 207 Hampton Inn by Hilton ……………….......................................…… 176 Heart of Georgia Hospice ………………...............................……… 131 Hello Beautiful Salon …….........................................……………… 159 Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory …..….......………… 46 Home Instead Senior Care …….................................……………… 177 Houston County Galleria Mall ……………............................……… 186 Houston County Living Magazine ….............………. Inside Back Cover Houston Healthcare ………….............................................………… 82 Houston Lake Country Club ……...............................……………… 162 J Auto Ranch ………........................................................…………… 41 Jen & Jac Boutique ………........................................................…. 205 JWS, LLC ….............….......................................................………. 205 Kerri Moore Interiors ………......................................……………… 163 Kingsland Farm …...................................................………….……… 47 Lake Joy Assisted Living & Memory Care ……………...........……… 186 Lasseter Implement Company …………...........................………… 175 Loden Dental Associates …………….......................................……… 9 Logic4Design …....................................................………………… 112 Macon & Robins Bed & Mattress …………………......................… 146 Magnolia Park Cemetery & Mausoleum ….................……………… 22 McCullough Funeral Home ..................................…………………… 23 McNair, McLemore Middlebrooks & Co LLC …….................……. 204 McReynolds Automotive …...............................................………. 202

Middle GA’s Best Home Inspection LLC ……………….............…… 147 Middle Georgia Orthopaedics ……………....................……………… 73 Mikes Tree & Landscaping ……………….................................…… 176 Mobley Furniture & Bedding ……...............…………………… 149, 175 Moore Insurance Agency ……….....................................…………. 191 Morris Bank …...........................................................………………… 5 Mossy Creek Natural ………….........................................………… 165 My Father’s Place ……………...........................................………… 188 New American Funding ………………..................................……… 162 Occasions at Lake Joy ……….......................................…………… 102 OdoBan ………………...............................................................…… 56 OrthoGeorgia Orthopaedic Specialists ………….........……………… 60 Osborne’s Clock Repair ………………....................................……. 188 Parrish Construction ……..........................................……………… 146 Paul Anderson Youth Home …………...............................………… 117 Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry …...............................………. 189 Pellicano Construction ………......................................…………… 181 Perry Chamber of Commerce …..............................………………… 98 Perry Drug Company …………….............................………………… 179 Perry Memorial Gardens ……...................................……………… 100 Perry Spine & Wellness ……..............................................………. 202 Pet Stop ……............................................................……………… 134 Phillips Furniture ………...............................................…………… 129 Pool Orthodontics ….............................................………………… 128 Previews Interiors & Antiques ……...............................…..………… 71 Puzzle Pieces Intervention Center ...................................…………… 7 ResCare HomeCare …………....…….........................................…. 207 Salon Fusion …….....................................................……………… 101 Sandpiper Apartments ........................................…………………… 59 Satterfield & Dempsey Jewelers …….................................……… 159 Sheridan Soloman & Associates - South ………......................…. 204 Smaha Orthodontist ………….........................................………… 135 Smith Animal Hospital ……..................................................……. 201 South Georgia State College ……….............................…………… 134 South Houston Internal Medicine ........…………......................…. 202 Southern Bridge Inc. ….....................................................………. 189 Southern Charm Waxing Co. ………..............................…………… 147 Southern Dynamic Realty ..............................................…………. 203 Southern Lighting ……………..............................................……… 145 Spherion Staffing Services ...…………...................................…… 131 Spillers Orthodontics ……….............................................…………… 1 Spotless Cleaning Service Inc. ……...…..........................………… 113 State Farm - Connor Suttles …………..............................………… 177 State Farm - Ryan Lyons ...............................................…………. 203 Sugarplum Tree …….............................................................……. 191 Summer’s Landing of Warner Robins ………….............…………… 160 Summerhill Senior Living Community ………………..................…… 57 SunMark Community Bank ………...............................…………… 144 Synergy Equipment ……...........................................……………… 135 Synergy Wellness & Body Care …….....................................……. 205 Synovus Bank …………....................................................………… 149 The Agricultural Village …......................................………………… 116 The Butcher Shop ………..............................................…………… 128 The Casserole Shop & Bakery ….......................................………. 190 The Farm Phase II ………..............................................…………… 145 The Floor Store Warehouse & Showroom ………………..........…… 160 The Jamie Moorman Team ……….................................…………… 2-3 The Local Marketplace ………..........................................…. 206-207 The Preppy Pink Pineapple ………..........................................….. 203 The Swanson ………….......................................................………… 87 The Westfield School ………….........................................………… 187 Tinika Bennett Photography ………..............................…………… 115 Town & Country Animal Clinic ….......................................………. 207 Trusted Real Estate Expert Advisors - Kim Williams ……….....…… 164 Turner’s Furniture ….................................................………………… 85 Two Friends ………...................................................................…. 201 Vision Savers ………................................................................…. 202 Walker-Rhodes Tractor Company …………...............................…. 201 Warner Robins Building Supply Co. ………..…….............…………… 45 Warner Robins E.N.T. Associates ………….......................………… 144 Warner Robins Rehabilitation Center ….....................……………. 190 Watson-Hunt Funeral Home ………………..............................…… 114 We Care Heating & Air ..................................................…………. 204 Westmoreland & Slappey Animal Hospital ……………….......…… 133

Please thank these sponsors for making this publication possible!

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Do you enjoy writing? Do you like to take photos? enjoy Do youwriting? have a great story idea?

Do you Do you like to take photos? Do you have a great story idea?

WINter 2018

I wa n t t o b e yo u r r e a lt o r .

Specializing in: residential real estate, commercial properties, relocation and real estate investments

Amanda Fiebig R e a lt o r , A s s o c i at e B r o k e r 4 7 8 . 9 5 2 . 2 4 9 9 | a m a n d a @ a f f r e a l t y. c o m w w w. a m a n d a f i e b i g r e a lt o r . c o m

Don is changing lives in Houston County and around the world, one smile at a time.

Through yoga, Rachel Gerrity fills needs and builds bonds in the community.

Marian Dampier has led a life full of music and inspired children to do the same.

After three long years, Henson officially became a Slade and left Honduras with his family.

H o m e t o w n L i v i n g at i t s B e s t