Houston County Living Magazine - Summer 2020

Hometown Living at its Best S u m m e r 2020

A Church Reborn

Wayne and Debbie Holcomb took a leap of faith when they took on Elko Baptist Church

Building on a Legacy

HOUSTON COUNTY LIVING

Fire Chief Christopher Stoner follows in the footsteps of his mentor, Jimmy Williams

Success A PICTURE OF

FROM AN EARLY AGE NICHOLE BREWER KNEW WHAT SHE WANTED TO DO AND THAT WAS TO BE A HAIR STYLIST.

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More Than

BUILDERS Building Community Since 1995

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Story By Ansley Gentry

Veterans High School. Freedom Field. Tanner Park.

Chances are that you’ve seen a Parrish jobsite sign as you’ve driven along the streets of Houston County.

Perhaps you have even seen a white pickup truck with the red and black Parrish logo on the door. For 25 years now, Parrish Construction Group’s corporate office has called Perry, Georgia, home. What began as one man working out of the back of a black Ford Bronco has not only become the largest academic builder in the state of Georgia but has also grown to be a large contributor in the healthcare, industrial and commercial construction sectors.

Dave Cyr, CEO, overlooks the jobsite of the Perry High School renovation and addition in 2006. Since then, Parrish has performed a number of upgrades for Perry High School including renovations to their auditorium in 2017 and, most recently, built a new gymnasium.

However, Parrish is building more than just brick and mortar facilities in Houston County and across the state of Georgia. In fact, the 25-year-old company’s favorite ongoing project is building relationships with people and the communities in which they do business.

In 1995, Dave Cyr, one of the company’s original founders, relocated his family from Atlanta to Perry in hopes to expand his company, Parrish Georgia, Inc. Since planting roots in Perry, Parrish has completed more than 500 jobs across the state of Georgia – nearly

100 of them being in Houston County alone. Despite the vast amount of work that Parrish has performed locally, Cyr traces his success back to getting involved in the community, including joining and becoming active in the Perry Chamber of Commerce.

“When we moved here, there was no guarantee that we would ever become a large, successful company. I believe Parrish has flourished because we have made it about more than ourselves and got really involved in our community,” says Dave Cyr, CEO. Cyr isn’t the only owner that credits Parrish’s exponential growth to community involvement.

Rodney Smith, President, considers Parrish a “community-minded partner.” By developing a company where people can come and grow in their careers, Smith believes his team members are given the benefit of being able to start and retire without having to go to a big national company. Additionally, they get the opportunity to build projects they can take pride in.

“We have the culture of a small business, but we provide our people with large company opportunities,” Smith says. “They can live and work in their community.”

Although Parrish is planted in the quiet town of Perry, Charlie Griffis, Chief Operations Officer, states that the construction company differs from your average “small town.” Aside from their commitment to growing the best team the company can possibly have, the company wants to make their subcontractors successful and to support each community in which they work.

“We pride ourselves on being a responsible community builder. To achieve this, we have focused on hiring, training, and equipping the best and brightest team, all focused on being the best at what we do,” says Charlie Griffis.

As we look forward to our next 25 years, we would like to thank the numerous Houston County organizations and businesses that have trusted us as their Construction Manager, including the Houston County School System, the City of Perry, the City of Warner Robins, the City of Centerville, Central Georgia Technical College, Houston Healthcare, the Development Authority of Houston County, and Flint Energies.

From New York to California, Parrish has recruited people from all over the United States to fall in love with the same community that Dave Cyr did 25 years ago. Although Parrish has grown to include multiple offices, their Houston County hometown way of doing business continues to be a huge part of the culture and is felt throughout all offices, including their second largest office in Atlanta. The 115 person Parrish team is comprised of citizens dedicated to giving back to their communities as coaches, Chamber members, and leaders in various civic organizations across the state.

With a passion for community, Parrish uses its resources and talents to give back to Houston County by doing what it knows best – construction.

When the City of Perry needed a new animal shelter, the Parrish team wanted to be involved with a project that would have such a great impact on the community. Additionally, when the Perry High School FFA Hog Barn burned down during a tragic fire in November 2017, Parrish partnered with other local companies to donate time, materials, leadership and manpower to reconstruct the barn.

To help commemorate our 25th Anniversary this year, Parrish will be sponsoring the new Habitat for Humanity building in Perry as well.

(Left to Right) Rodney Smith, President, Dave Cyr, CEO, and Charlie Griffis, Chief Operations Officer

221 Industrial Park Drive, Perry, Georgia 31069 478.987.5544 l parrishconstruction.com Hometown Living At Its Best

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Hometown Living at its Best

Experience Israel Now

CONTENTS /

SUMMER ISSUE 2020

Pastor Andy Cook followed a calling to a mission that lasted 27 years.

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A Natural Shift 2 Sisters, 1 Natural Shift & an Entire Healthy Community.

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CenterStage for Christ Diane Kinsley wanted to find a way to contribute to her church home and found a solution, by creating an adult drama ministry; serving the community one laugh at a time.

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Something no one else has From NFL players to Little League champions, Coach Mark Taylor brings out the best in his athletes.

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Heavyweights with Heart Boxing is a wonderful fullbody workout, a powerful stress reliever and a great way to bring people together – especially at ON T H E C O V E R A Picture of Success - Hairstylist Nichole Brewer >> PHOTO: TINIKA BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY 4 SUMMER 2020 / HOUSTON COUNTY LIVING

Kingdom Boxing, Warner Robins’ only boxing gym.

Same Bank,

New Location!

Coming Soon to Perry, Georgia!

Founded in 1954, Morris Bank has grown to be middle Georgia’s business bank by offering small town service with big opportunity.We do so with an agility and style of service you’ll only find at a local bank. At Morris Bank, we think about your needs differently because Perry’s success is our success.

Visit us at 809 Carroll Street in Perry!

Dublin

. Gordon . Gray . Houston Co . Perry . Statesboro . Brooklet . (888) 272-5202 . www.morris.bank Hometown Living At Its Best

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Hometown Living at its Best

C O NT E NTS

158 172

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It’s a Wonderful Life 124

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coping with cancer, Tom has a lifetime of knowledge to share.

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A Picture of Success From an early age Nichole knew what she wanted to do and that was to be a

SenseAbilities

hair stylist.

The Agent That Cares Overcoming a devastating accident, Bobby Ryals was determined to find a fulfilling career path, and did so through insurance.

6 SUMMER 2020 / HOUSTON COUNTY LIVING

and serving in the military to marrying his boss’ daughter and

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From growing up in South Georgia

Robin Bray, Lisa Hall and Kristi Rigdon started SenseAbilities, a pediatric therapy clinic offering

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A Church Reborn Wayne and Debbie Holcomb took a

crucial support for special needs families since 2012.

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leap of faith when they took on Elko

Building on a legacy

Baptist Church, and the Lord could

Fire Chief Christopher Stoner follows

not have chosen two better people for

in the footsteps of his mentor, Jimmy

such a task.

Williams.

Creating Unforgettable Memories

Kingsland Farm

Georgia’s gorgeous landscape is accentuated at Kingsland Farm, making it a stunning scenery fit for any occasion

153 Kingsland Rd | Hawkinsville, Georgia | (478) 747-5570 | www.kingslandfarmga.com

From the Publisher

P u b l i s h e r With You In Mind Publications

Jay and Patti Martin e d i to r Renee Corwine C reat i v e | D e s i g n Caffeine Generated Graphics

Courtney Kitchens Design Stacey Nichols

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“New Normal” is a phrase that has been tossed around a lot over the last few months. I have absolutely no idea exactly what the definition of that phrase is other than “changes”.

Most of us tend to be creatures of habit based on our personal experiences. When we move, get married or have children a “new normal” occurs that we have to adapt to. In all of the above cases, the emotion that usually accompany those changes is “hope”.

When the “new normal” is caused by something negative like the death of a loved one, loss of a job or a natural disaster most of us jump to “fear”. “What am I going to do now?” Fear turns to hope at some point in time.

A worldwide pandemic is an entirely different matter; especially when there is no previous knowledge about its cause or cure. We are walking a path that is not lit up by past experience and knowledge in our life time.

I drove past a church last week that had a sign on their marquee that said: This too shall pass I believe this to be a true statement and hope that it will be sooner rather than later. I have always had a streak of optimism. I think that has been fueled by my occupation as a publisher of hometown magazines. All of us at the office have had an opportunity to read hundreds of stories that highlighted perseverance, integrity, love, faith and overcoming adversity. The life experiences in the articles encourage me and give me confidence that we, as Americans, will overcome our current adversities and become a better people and “nation under God.” God bless and keep you!

Jay and Patti Martin Sales: (912) 654-3045 Email: jay@wyimpublications.com houstoncountylivingmedia.com 8

houston county living

o f f i ce M a n ager Nikki Burkhalter

A s s i s ta n t M a n ager June Dixon

D i r e c to r Of P h otograp h y Tinika Bennett

P h otograp h er s Annie T. Photography

Courtney Kitchens Photography Sugar Snapz Photography Tinika Bennett Photography

C ov er P h oto Nichole Brewer, taken by

Tinika Bennett Photography Sa l e s Dorothy Sichelstiel

Dottie Hicks Patti Martin Randy Montague

Contributing

Wri te r s Alexa Tebben

Jennifer DeMaro

Michael W. Pannell

Renee Corwine

Traci Burns

Valerie Rose

Houston County Living© is published semi-annually by With You in Mind Publications. houstoncountylivingmedia.com P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 (912) 654-3045 All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein.

Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice.

providing the best care for each and every one of our patients

Our Name Says It All

serving the community for over 40 years!

At Women’s Health Professionals it’s no coincidence that the first word in our name is

WOMEN.

We pride ourselves on our decication to women, through a the stages of their lives.

Alison Wright MD Tan-Loc Nguyen, MD David Quang, DO Chinenye Adimora-Okolie MD

Certified Obstetrics and Gynecology New Patients Welcome Office Hours by Appointment

COME VISIT US AT OUR NEW LOCATION 130 Byrd Way,Smurda, Warner Robins Thomas Talley, MD, FACOG • Paul MD, FACOG Emily Sumner, MD • Lynette Talley, CNM, WHNP

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229.883.4555

414 Fifth Avenue Albany, GA 31701 WomensHealthAlbany.co

130 Byrd Way | Warner Robins, GA 31088 | www.whcofga.com

SHORT TERM REHABILITATION LifeSpring delivers in-patient specialized, short-term rehabilitation services for those recovering from a hospital stay or needing to gain strength and skills following a surgical procedure. LifeSpring rehabilitation empowers residents to “spring back to the life they love.”

• State-of-the-art Rehabilitation Facilities • In-patient and Out-patient Rehabilitative Therapies • Cardio-Pulmonary Procedure Recovery • Orthopedic Surgery Recovery • Post-Stroke/Neurological Recovery • Dysphagia Therapy • Wound Care • New Private Rooms with Private Baths • Private Dining Room

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2470 US Hwy 41 N, Fort Valley, GA 31030 | (478) 987-1239 | www.ChurchHomeLifeSpring.com

6 miles north of Perry on US Hwy 41 near GA 96 10

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LONG TERM CARE For that time when nursing home care is required for safety and quality of life, Church Home delivers the highest quality skilled nursing care and therapy for long term residents.

• Caring for Seniors in Middle Georgia for over 80 years!

• Health Monitoring and Medication Management • Physical, Occupational, Speech, and Restorative Therapies • Nutrition Monitoring and Management • Activities/Social Programming

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Story By Valerie Rose | Photos By Tinika Bennett Photography

A Natural Shift 2 Sisters, 1 Natural Shift & an Entire Healthy Community

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The world health organization states that health is a state of complete mental, social and physical wellbeing, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

According to two strongly motivated and inspired sisters, Julie Davey and Kari Coody, health is about creating “a natural shift” by making it a priority and taking full ownership. If you are wondering what sets this idea apart from all the other “health programs” out there, then you and I have the same question and these two sisters have all the answers and then some!

The idea behind developing A Natural Shift came from the heart’s desires of these two sisters.

Together, they have over 35 years of combined experience in health care and have seen the devastating effects of not taking ownership of your health. They have a deep desire to create a new way by guiding others in making their health a priority and providing more than just a few “pieces of the puzzle.” They envision wellness as a whole, not simply segmented pieces, and by shifting to this view of health, one’s personal wellness would be constructed in such a way that it creates and cultivates a lifetime of healthy living. Both sisters, originally inspired by natural or holistic healing from essential oils, whole food sources, and daily movement, began to notice the need for doing more than merely focusing on one particular area and

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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decided to take them all on, one by one.

Sounds like a pretty hefty calling, right?

It is and it is also what makes this natural shift like no other out there!

Fully aware that there is no “quick fix” or “one size fits all” approaches when it comes to developing and maintaining overall health, these two sisters have taken on the task of being ready, willing and able to offer various forms of assistance to help decrease the overwhelmed, one step at a time. The various areas of support they offer include bi-annual full-body cleanse programs, educational classes on the subjects of how to incorporate more whole foods, eating healthy with a busy schedule and on the go, how to transition to natural forms of healthcare, and removing toxins from your home and personal care products.

Additional services include cooking classes offered monthly, one-on-one consultations and online courses.

The online course offerings include “Upgrade Made Easy: Your Plan for Better Health,” which focuses on the most important areas of health and a

taking ownership of your health The idea behind developing A Natural Shift came from the heart’s desires of these two sisters. Together, they have over 35 years of combined experience in health care and have seen the devastating effects of not taking ownership of your health.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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stepwise approach to creating lasting change. “The Sugar Addiction” is also a course offering teaching you how to overcome the sugar addiction with easyto-implement, practical steps that actually work! In addition to the course offerings, there is an online community in which they provide guidance, support, prayer, and weekly education covering topics ranging from the daily struggles of time management, prioritizing, breaking bad habits, developing healthier habits, and individualizing each person’s need for support to meet them where they are. No subject is off limits! The community is for those looking to make the “shift” into a healthier way of living, but are overwhelmed by all of the information out there

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and don’t know where to start. It’s a safe place to ask questions, receive guidance, and feel supported!

A Natural Shift’s mission is to help overwhelmed individuals prioritize their health to create more time and energy. Both ladies are very transparent in saying that this is a spiritually led mission in which there is an end in sight. These ladies are 100% committed, and then some, to continuing to expand their community as the needs of the community arise.

They also co-host a podcast called “Take the Upgrade,” which provides informational videos on their YouTube channel, and have plans for a live Christian Women’s Wellness Event scheduled for January 23, 2021. While it sounds overwhelming, the

Hometown Living At Its Best

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ladies say that is all the more reason why the “natural shift community” is the place to come and be connected to receive support to build a healthy lifestyle.

One of the biggest frustrations they hear is that people feel overwhelmed in knowing how to discern and decide between all the vast information out there from Weight Watchers, to Paleo, to Keto, or One Fitness exercise programs from another. People often get confused and quickly frustrated trying to follow specific diets, fads or programs and that leads to comparison and ultimately feeling defeated. They begin by having those they work with take inventory of their current health and decide where they would like it to be. They are committed to meeting their community members right where they are and begin building the healthy lifestyles they desire.

Community is without a doubt a key component to the livelihood and success of their mission and there is no stopping. According to one sister, Kari, “When God calls you to a mission, you follow Him every day and He will lead the way.” If there was a single message that they could send, it would be that this community is an open dialogue being led by two women who recognize that God created each person uniquely by design and each for a unique purpose. These ladies firmly believe it is vitally important to honor one’s self through overall health and well-being.

They are following their mission by helping others who are currently feeling overwhelmed with managing their health and helping them to prioritize by creating daily habits that lead to a healthy lifestyle.

As for what the future holds for A Natural Shift, the possibilities are endless, and the mission never expires!

Hometown Living At Its Best

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A Natural Shift’s mission is to help overwhelmed individuals prioritize their health to create more time and energy. Both ladies are very transparent in saying that this is a spiritually led mission in which there is an end in sight. These ladies are 100% committed, and then some, to continuing to expand their community as the needs of the community arise.

These two ladies are not only determined, but driven to improve and sustain the wellness of the community around them. They have goals of being able to offer their assistance, programs and online access to the “natural shift community” and to local businesses (and one day major corporations across the country) extending the opportunity and potential to join forces in creating a true “natural shift” in which daily habits create real progress resulting in lasting change.  HCL

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WELCOME TO

Warner Robins RANDY TOMS, MAYOR

478.293.1000 | www.wrga.gov | 700 Watson Boulevard | Warner Robins, GA

Patient

First Approach Dr. Justin McCullough of Heart MD delivers a down-to-earth, caring approach where patients are not rushed, and their concerns are always addressed.

D

Dr. Justin McCullough grew up in Statesboro, Georgia. He wanted to become a doctor as early as kindergarten. The drive to be a doctor led him to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Shorter College, complete doctoral college and residency at Mercer, and then cardiology fellowship at University of Tennessee. It was his roots in Middle Georgia that called him back.

Dr. McCullough has been practicing cardiology for five years in Macon and Warner Robins and started his solo practice in November of 2019. The drive behind that move was to deliver a downto-earth, caring approach where patients are not rushed, and their concerns are always addressed.

When you walk into the office of Heart MD

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on Corder Road, it’s as if you’re stepping into someone’s home. Friendly, welcoming staff assist with the check in process and the lobby is decorated with Southern Georgia Charm. On the wall is the stethoscope from beloved doctor and mentor, Dr. Tally Culclasure of Macon.

Patients at Heart MD are treated like family, never rushed, and always receive care and concern during their full work up. Every patient is able to see the doctor at each appointment, ask questions, and have their concerns addressed directly in terminology they can understand. It is truly a patient driven and patient-centered approach to care.

When he is not working, which is rare, Dr. McCullough loves spending time with his parents

and his young son and daughter. They enjoy anything outdoors, especially if it is on the lake; jet ski, boating, knee boarding, and tubing are all popular choices.

Fresh air and exercise with his family are important to Dr. McCullough who spends so much of his time indoors working.

During the week, you can find the doctor mostly in the office. He prefers time with patients over time spent doing procedures and often travels to some of the smaller locations to see patients as well. The office is open five days a week, with scheduled procedures usually performed on Thursday mornings. Heart MD accepts patients age 18 and up. Dr. McCullough has privileges in Macon, Warner Robins, Perry, Eastman, and Dublin. He is also on call at those hospitals as well. His practice accepts most all major insurances and there is a website online for patient forms and patient portal.

Many people will need a cardiology referral during their lifetime. It is refreshing to know that there is a cardiologist like Dr. McCullough to take care of patients, both in the office and in the hospital. He strives to always provide “cardiac care with compassion and integrity.

404 Corder Road, Suite 400 Warner Robins, GA 31088 | 478-257-5533 heart-md.com.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Family

HEALING GRIEVING HEARTS ONE AT A TIME

Every situation is different; we know this. From traditional to highly customized to purely simple, we can honor your loved one perfectly. We will meet any budget need. Period.

Beautifully maintained, Magnolia Park has options for every type of memorialization and offers both affordability and enduring quality.

Our newly expanded Veteran’s Garden of Valor features a custom-made POW-MIA memorial. Spaces for Veterans will always be provided at no charge.

Burial Lots | Private Estates Mausoleums | Cremation Options Free spaces for Veterans

2 05 S. Ple a s a nt Hi l l R oad | War n er R o b i n s, G eo r g i a 31088 | (478) 922-5845 | mag nol i aparkc em etery.c om

Offering exceptional value with compassionate service to our community has been the mission of McCullough Funeral Home for nearly 70 years.

Still family owned and operated, ours is a history of unmatched integrity and we strive to maintain our reputation through quality, sincerity, and trust.

We will never forget that our mission is one of service.

No matter your situation, McCullough Funeral Home can and will help you.

4 1 7 Sou th Hou s ton L ake Road | Warner Robi ns, GA 31088 | (478) 953-147 8 |mccullo ugh fh .co m

Center Park at Centerville is perfectly positioned to be the front door to Centerville’s community activities. The open green space has amenities such as a picnic pavilion, restroom pavilion, playground, and splash pad.

Center Park is home to regular events such as Food Truck Friday, Farmer’s Market, Fall Festival, and more! We’re excited for you to visit Center Park and play in the Center!

March April

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Farmers Market Farmers Market

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Farmers Market & Clean Up Day Farmers Market & Touch-a-Truck

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May

1 2 16

Food Truck Friday Farmers Market Farmers Market & Movie Night

June

5 6 20

Food Truck Friday Farmers Market Farmers Market

July

3 18

August 1 Sept.

7 15 4 5 19

Oct. 2

3 17

@CenterParkatCenterville 26

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Independence Day Celebration Farmers Market Farmers Market Food Truck Friday Farmers Market Food Truck Friday Farmers Market Fall Festival Food Truck Friday Farmers Market Farmers Market & Movie Night

A Brand Built on faith, family and trust

STOP BY OR CALL NEAL AND HIS TEAM AT THE SERVICE CENTER (478) 361-0389

1250 S HOUSTON LAKE RD, WARNER ROBINS, GA 31088 | JAUTORANCH.COM | (478) 333-8161

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Story By Alexa Tebben | Photos By Tinika Bennett Photography & Pastor Andy Cook

Experience Israel Now Pastor Andy Cook stepped out of his journalism role to follow this calling to the ministry, a mission that lasted 27 years.

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“We built what we thought Bethlehem might have looked like. You would come and walk through Bethlehem and relive the Christmas story.”

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Pastor Andy Cook’s research shows that less than 2% of churchgoers will ever take a trip to Israel. Considering it is the home of many biblical events and pivotal moments in history, this number is shockingly small.

Andy was 10 years into his journalism career, as a sports editor, when he was called into the ministry. Without knowing what the course of his ministry would look like over the years to come, he stepped out of his journalism role to follow this calling to the ministry. He and his wife, Melody, stepped forward in faith to nurture this opportunity into a mission that lasted 27 years. “It was a wonderful career,” Andy says of his time as a pastor. “We loved being in churches. I loved being a pastor.”

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During his time as the pastor at Shirley Hills Baptist Church, the church put together a Christmas event called Walk Through Bethlehem. Andy explains, “We built what we thought Bethlehem might have looked like.

You would come and walk through Bethlehem and relive the Christmas story.” Walk Through Bethlehem grew very popular, and Andy reports that 10,000 people attended the event annually for 14 years. It put Shirley Hills Baptist on the map, and the church’s attendance skyrocketed.

However, an interesting thought gnawed at Andy. He admits, “A couple of years after we started this [Walk Through Bethlehem], it occurred to me we were building this wooden city based on our imagination, and people who had been to Israel might be walking through our version of Bethlehem kind of laughing... and I thought, ‘I really need to go look at this thing.’”

In 1999, halfway through his ministry as a pastor, Andy took his first trip to Israel to see it for himself. “I knew almost immediately I’d be back many times,” he says. Instantly in awe of how alive the Bible became when he visited biblical landmarks, Andy wanted to share the

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Andy has given countless virtual tour presentations, some easily more than 100 times. He says, “Occasionally somebody will say, ‘Don’t you ever get tired of that?’ To see it from my perspective, to see their eyes, to see the light bulbs go off, it’s energizing every single time. I may be the most satisfied, fulfilled person in Middle Georgia because I’m getting to do what God designed me to do, and I feel like I’m making a difference.”

experience with others. In 2000, he took his first group to Israel. “They all came back incredibly excited about what they had seen – which is true across the board. When people come home from a Bible tour of Israel, they say things like, ‘This changed my life,’ or, ‘I’ll never read the Bible the same way again.’

They say kind of ultimate things.” Seeing the profound impact these visits had on his group, Andy desired to share the experience with the members of Shirley Hills Baptist who were unable to embark on this journey. He began including photos and short video clips of their trips into his sermons for geographical context. Andy and a small team committed to the project put these short video clips on YouTube, got connected with a Christian TV network, and began gathering a library of video Hometown Living At Its Best

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clips that enabled them to create a virtual tour experience for people. “I realized I stumbled on a communication tool that was really effective,” Andy tells me. He sure did not let it go to waste. He used this unique means of teaching in prisons, schools, his church and while guest speaking at other churches. Plenty of Bible lessons were taught using these visuals, guiding his sermons in a way that made the Bible and the people in it more tangible.

After passionately incorporating this project into his role as a pastor, Andy felt led to pursue this form of ministry full time. “I had said to my people for those 27 years, ‘If God ever gives you a dream, the smartest thing you can do is follow that dream – don’t let fear stop you.’

Well, it was my turn.” In 2015, he stepped down from his role as a pastor to devote his time to this project, and thousands of people have been impacted because he followed his own advice.

Almost as soon as you meet Andy, his desire to share the Gospel and excitement to do so in this unique way becomes exceedingly evident.

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When asked about the most memorable, impactful moment he’s had in Israel, Andy described an early morning in Jerusalem during his first trip there. He slipped out of the hotel as the sun was coming up in hopes of finding the old city of Jerusalem. On his walk, he turned a corner and the city opened up before him. Standing directly in front of him was the Damascus gate, one of the most famous entrances to the old city. Despite pastoring his third church and believing the Bible wholeheartedly, he says, “I stood there and before I could stop myself I said out loud, ‘Oh my gosh, this really happened!’ And that’s the impact that going to Israel will have on people. That’s the impact I desperately want the 99% to have, the people who haven’t been and perhaps will never go. And we have the technology now to bring that to people.” In the

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During his time as the pastor at Shirley Hills Baptist Church, the church put together a Christmas event called Walk Through Bethlehem. Andy explains, “We built what we thought Bethlehem might have looked like. You would come and walk through Bethlehem and relive the Christmas story.�

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“I would not be doing this if it were not for a countless number of people in Middle Georgia who have given us money, encouraged us, and prayed for us... I’m living the dream because people are helping me live the dream.”

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In 1999, halfway through his ministry as a pastor, Andy took his first trip to Israel to see it for himself. “I knew almost immediately I’d be back many times,” he says. Instantly in awe of how alive the Bible became when he visited biblical landmarks, Andy wanted to share the experience with others.

past 20 years, Andy has taken 551 travelers to Israel, and he has brought Israel to over 55,000 people by means of his virtual tour presentations. “That’s a wonderful two numbers because for every one person I’m taking to Israel, I’m taking a hundred people to Israel by way of new technology.

If I could convince pastors, Bible teachers and small group leaders to use these tools, we’d actually have an impact on millions of people.” Andy has written and published five books filled with visual aids of Israel from photographer and drone pilot Chris Dunn, William Haun and others. They have created a website consisting of pictures and tutorial videos on how to do what they

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do too. Andy wishes to make these communication tools accessible for pastors and anyone who wishes to bring the Israel experience to people who have never been. He adds that in times of rapidly spreading disease that cause officials to advise against traveling abroad, bringing Israel to people in America becomes more important than ever.

Andy has given countless virtual tour presentations, some easily more than 100 times.

He says, “Occasionally somebody will say, ‘Don’t you ever get tired of that?’ To see it from my perspective, to see their eyes, to see the light bulbs go off, it’s energizing every single time. I may be the most satisfied, fulfilled person in Middle Georgia because I’m getting to do what God designed me to

do, and I feel like I’m making a difference.”

Andy attributes the generosity of the people of Middle Georgia for making it possible for him to reach people in this way. “I would not be doing this if it were not for a countless number of people in Middle Georgia who have given us money, encouraged us, and prayed for us... I’m living the dream because people are helping me live the dream.” Of all the places Andy has traveled, he says with fondness that Peach County holds a special place in his heart. Andy and Melody are grateful to have followed the Lord’s calling on their lives, even if they didn’t always know where that calling would lead them.  HCL

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Congratulations to our award winning agents for 2019

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Forever Love Story Rosemary Potenziani and her husband Enrico, “Ricky”, met on a blind date that turned into a forever love story.

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Rosemary Potenziani and her husband Enrico, “Ricky”, met on a blind date. Thanks to a mutual friend, Ricky and Rosemary will soon celebrate 73 years of marriage! Today, the two spend their days together at Summerhill Senior Community.

The Potenziani’s met in Connecticut where they were both living after WWII ended. One day Rosemary, who worked at a local school, agreed to replace her sister as a volunteer at the Blind Veteran’s Hospital in Avon, CT. Ricky, a war veteran, apprentice pipefitter, and an accordion player, was there as well, playing with a local country band. After being turned down twice for a date, Ricky asked Rosemary out once more. This time, she said yes! Third time is the charm!

The couple eventually married and settled in Danbury, CT. Ricky worked as a steamfitter-pipefitter until his retirement in 1988.

Rosemary worked as a secretary, secretary-bookkeeper, and finally as a bank teller before retiring in 1989. The Potenziani’s

also raised a daughter, Anita, and fostered a brother and sister through Catholic Charities in Connecticut. Throughout their retirement, the Potenziani’s volunteered at their local hospital in Danbury and then in Houston County once they relocated to live closer to Anita, also a military veteran.

When Ricky Potenziani was admitted to Summerhill for short-term rehab, Rosemary would accept nothing less than to reside close to him so that she could visit him as often as she would like! Rosemary moved into Andrews Terrace, Summerhill’s Personal Care Home, where she is only a short walk to Ricky’s room. Rosemary spends her days reading, doing puzzles, and attending Ricky’s rehab appointments with him. The couple would love to go back to their home, but also talk about staying long-term at Summerhill’s thriving senior community.

Whatever is decided, these two will stick together on their blind date that turned into a forever love story!

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Story By Traci Burns | Photography by Tinika Bennett Photography and Michael Kinsley

CenterStage for Christ

Diane Kinsley wanted to find a way to contribute to her church home and found a solution, by creating an adult drama ministry, serving the community one laugh at a time.

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Diane Kinsley wanted to find a way to contribute to her church home, Perry United Methodist Church, but she didn’t sing in the choir or play hand bells, and she wasn’t too keen on making casseroles for the bereavement committee. A veteran community theater performer and past drama director at Houston County High School, she had a passion for the stage, so when the church granted her permission to start an adult drama ministry, Diane was elated.

CenterStage for Christ performed for the first time in 2006, putting on a corny little murder mystery, complete with spaghetti dinner, in the church’s fellowship hall. The room was ill-equipped for theater, but the troupe made it work. The drama bug bit, and soon they were searching the Christian catalog for material for their next show. The problem was, they kept coming up emptyhanded, uninspired by the scripts they found.

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Enter Michael Kinsley, Diane’s husband. A Perry dentist whose office, Dentistry at Houston Lake, is decked out in exuberant showbizthemed style, Michael is a lifelong aficionado of theater, music and all forms of performance. He was ambitious enough to suggest writing a script of his own for the troupe to perform – even though it would be his first time writing a play.

“We wanted something bigger, longer and funnier than anything we were finding in the catalog,” says Diane. Michael’s solution was to pen his own riff on the popular musical “Damn Yankees,” which he cleverly reconfigured as “Darn Yankees,” complete with retooled songs.

With this performance, CenterStage for Christ began a nearly 15-year streak of ministering to the community via laughter – and building an amazing family of friends in the process.

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Currently, CenterStage for Christ puts on two original performances each year. For the past four years, they’ve added a pop-up murder mystery dinner theater to their roster.

They’ve also been able to branch out and perform their original material at other venues.

Warner Robins Little Theater recently wrapped a revival of “Two Mamas Too Many,” which garnered rave reviews from audiences and performers alike. “In theater, there can be a lot of drama, because of the big personalities, but we have such great camaraderie, there’s none of that,” Michael says. “People said it’s a breath of fresh air not to have a soap opera going on backstage.”

The sometimes-edgy material in Michael’s plays has been the subject of some isolated instances of pushback. “Our plays are about

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Diane Kinsley wanted to find a way to contribute to her church home, Perry United Methodist Church, but she didn’t sing in the choir or play hand bells, and she wasn’t too keen on making casseroles for the bereavement committee. A veteran community theater performer and past drama director at Houston County High School, she had a passion for the stage, so when the church granted her permission to start an adult drama ministry, Diane was elated.

52 houston county living

flawed people,” says Diane, “and in a church sometimes people don’t want to see flawed people; but that’s real life. We want to present something real, and something funny – because heaven knows we need laughter these days.”

“The play ‘Saddle Sore’ was about four prostitutes who become missionaries, and people didn’t like that there were prostitutes in the show,” says Michael. “But there were prostitutes in the Bible! We respectfully accept the criticism, but the positive feedback far outweighs the negativity. People respond to the subject matter of our shows. So, we’ll keep doing what we’re doing.”

The Kinsleys reached out to church members and contacts from their community theater days to be part of CenterStage, and built a core group of creative powerhouses who quickly bonded over their shared enthusiasm for performing and for the

CenterStage for Christ performed for the first time in 2006, putting on a corny little murder mystery, complete with spaghetti dinner, in the church’s fellowship hall. The room was illequipped for theater, but the troupe made it work. The drama bug bit, and soon they were searching the Christian catalog for material for their next show.

underlying message in Michael’s plays.

Actor Mark Blankenship says, “Through these shows, what we’re doing is planting a seed. Michael writes scripts that are about a family, or a crisis, or about grief or addiction. Whatever it is, it’s something people can relate to. We know we’ve done our job when people keep coming back for more. People who weren’t raised going to church and who might be uncomfortable in that atmosphere see us onstage having a good time and dancing to disco songs

by Neil Diamond, not being straitlaced or judgmental, and that plants a seed. There’s a message in that.”

“It’s all about reaching people where they’re most comfortable to be reached,” says actor Anita Williams, who has been with the troupe since their very first show.

“And that doesn’t just refer to our audience – the people who come together to put on these shows support each other, and people come here when they need a place to fit in, to be creative, to feel included. We all believe in the mission; we’re doing it to contribute to the community.”

CenterStage found the community willing to contribute right back. Corky Powell, after seeing two of their plays, contacted them to ask if they needed help building sets for upcoming shows, and he’s been doing just that ever since – plus taking on the occasional acting role.

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The sometimes-edgy material in Michael’s plays has been the subject of some isolated instances of pushback. “Our plays are about flawed people,” says Diane, “and in a church sometimes people don’t want to see flawed people; but that’s real life.

We want to present something real, and something funny – because heaven knows we need laughter these days.”

“One thing I love is sitting and talking with Michael about the sets for new plays,” says Corky.

“These plays have never been done before, so there’s no existing design. I have to pull it out of my head. It’s a challenge and a blessing. And it’s one of the reasons we’re so appealing to actors. They’re playing characters that have never been portrayed onstage before, so they’re able to make it their own and really let their talents shine.”

In 2011, after seeing a CenterStage production, Fred Cusick offered his services as tech director, a position he holds at a sister church in Warner Robins. “The first play we did, Michael wrote in a part for me,” Fred says.

Laughing, Michael interjects, “I didn’t know he would do the tech without a part, that’s why I wrote

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him in. I found out later he would’ve done it either way.”

Fred still heads up sound and lights for CenterStage, but limits his onstage participation to smaller parts. Once he played the voice of God, and another time he was a DJ, with his sound booth costumed as a DJ booth. “My memorization skills aren’t the greatest,” laughs Fred, “so I’m better if the script can be in front of me while I’m reading.”

Elaine Moncrief reached out to the troupe via the contact info in one of their playbills, and wound up acting in “Saddle Sore” for her CenterStage debut. “I absolutely loved it,” she says. “Diane’s an amazing director. She pulled a good performance out of me.”

The play was set in the wild wild west, and

“It’s all about reaching people where they’re most comfortable to be reached,” says actor Anita Williams, who has been with the troupe since their very first show. “And that doesn’t just refer to our audience – the people who come together to put on these shows support each other, and people come here when they need a place to fit in, to be creative, to feel included.

We all believe in the mission; we’re doing it to contribute to the community.”

during rehearsals, Elaine found herself enjoying the job of set dresser, searching her home for unique props and loving the creative outlet of set design. “I didn’t know it at the time, but I am a hoarder,” she laughs. “I’ve inherited tons of things from my parents.” Over time, Elaine also took on the mantle of stage manager.

Gale Bryant, an actor who met the Kinsleys via the Perry Players, says, “I can’t say enough about these two. They give us so much positive feedback; they share their time, energy, praise, instruction and encouragement. In theater, you become a family with each new show, but this is different. This family doesn’t separate – it’s always there. When new people come into the fold to work with us, they’re often nervous, but it doesn’t take them much time to calm down and realize they’re in a safe, nonjudgmental place.”

All this positivity radiates throughout the community in waves of goodness. “We have a very large outreach, which is something not every church can do,” says Michael. “We attract both members and people who have never stepped foot inside a church, and we draw in people from Perry, Warner Robins and Macon.”

Most shows draw an audience of between 700 and 1,000, and all ticket proceeds go directly to charities like the HALO Group, the Methodist Home and Family Promise, who were able to buy a much-needed van with the $9,000 received from CenterStage.

Michael recently completed his 32nd original script, entitled “One Mississippi,” tentatively scheduled for fall 2020. This time,

he’s branching out into drama, and the troupe is perfectly poised to branch out along with him. Because of their high standards and loyal core group of actors and crew members, the Kinsleys say that their performances are 100 percent on par with those from community theater. They’ve been able to revamp Perry United Methodist Church’s fellowship hall with new seating, lighting and a new stage, and they’re always looking for ways to innovate and improve.

“This is the most can-do group of people I’ve ever been around,” Diane says about her CenterStage for Christ family. “I’m unworthy of the sacrifices they make for us. There’s no pay; it’s all volunteer and it’s a lot of work. We build everything from the ground up, every performance. I didn’t expect it to get this big, but I am so glad God had bigger plans for us. When I think of the lives this ministry has touched, I’m in awe. It’s so humbling to know we’re part of serving our community in ways that we probably don’t even know about. We are so grateful.”  HCL CenterStage for Christ: https://perryumc.org/ministries/centerstage-for-christ You can find them on Facebook as well.

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Carlyle Place is a vibrant life plan community that offers independent living in spacious garden homes and apartments. Enjoy exciting fitness, cultural and educational activities, as we are a proud sponsor of a lifelong learning program at Wesleyan College. Situated on 62 lush acres, the campus features ponds and woodlands, walking trails and numerous amenities.

As a life plan community, we also offer a full range of care services, if or when needed. Having a plan in place for future needs offers priceless peace of mind. As a resident of Carlyle Place, you have access to personal care, memory care, skilled nursing and rehab, all conveniently located on our campus. Whether you want dining, space for hobbies, or a maintenance-free lifestyle, we invite you to visit.

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Welcomes Houston County’s First Female Orthopaedic Surgeon, Zaneb Yaseen, MD Hand • Spine • Sports Medicine

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Foot & Ankle • Total Joint

Hand • Spine • Spine Sports •Medicine Foot Hand • Spine •• Sports • Foot &•asFoot Ankle Hand • Spine • Sports Medicine •& Foot &a & Ankle Hand •Medicine Sports Medicine • Ankle Foot Ankle Hand Spine •Medicine Sports & Ankle Dr. Yaseen is a board-certified orthopaedic mother decided family to move to Houston Walk inWalk Orthopaedic Urgent Care Center • Diagnostic Center • Physical & Occupational Therapy Walk in Orthopaedic Urgent Care Center • Diagnostic Center • Physical & Occupational Therapy Walk in Orthopaedic Urgent Care Center • Diagnostic Center • Physical && Occupational Therapy in Orthopaedic Urgent Care Center • Diagnostic Center • Physical Occupational Therapy Walk in Orthopaedic Urgent Care Center • Diagnostic Center • Physical surgeon fellowship trained in sports medicine.

County. SheUrgent is excitedCare to haveCenter left&theOccupational “Arctic Tundra”Therapy Walk She in Orthopaedic has particular interests in arthroscopy of the knee, of the north for warmer and sunnier days and southern Diagnostic Center shoulder, and hip, as well as joint replacement of hospitality.

Dr. Yaseen looks forward to working with Physical &E.Occupational Therapy Todd E.Todd J.Brian Todd E. E.Todd E.Robert W. P. Brian J. J.Brian Robert E.Robert William W. Elliot P. Elliot Robert William W.W.W. Elliot Elliot P. P. P. Todd E. E. Brian Brian J. J. Robert E. E. William William Elliot William the shoulders and knees.

Dr. ToddBrooks, Kinnebrew and Dr. Brian Ludwig M.D. and getting Kinnebrew, M.D. Ludwig, M.D. Kinnebrew, M.D. Kinnebrew, M.D. Ludwig, M.D. Ludwig, M.D. Kinnebrew, M.D. Robinson, Blackwell, M.D. M.D. Ludwig, M.D. Robinson, M.D. Blackwell, M.D. Brooks, M.D. M.D. M.D. M.D. Kinnebrew, M.D. Robinson, M.D. Blackwell, M.D. Brooks, M.D. Ludwig, M.D. Blackwell, Robinson, M.D. Blackwell, M.D. Brooks, Brooks, M.D. Robinson, Dr. Yaseen enjoys working with athletes at all involved in the Houston County community. levels of competition. She has been an assistant team physician for several college teams and even assisted with professional teams, including the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. Most recently she was the team physician for Cornell University before moving to Warner Robins for an opportunity to return back to the South and join a highly respected and reputable practice.

Dr. Yaseen earned a Bachelor of Science and Todd E. of Science in electrical William W. Brianengineering J. Elliot P. Masters with a Robert E. Kinnebrew, M.D. Blackwell, M.D. Brooks, M.D. Ludwig, M.D. Robinson, M.D. concentration in Biomedical Engineering from The George Washington University. She received her Medical Doctorate degree from the University of Tennessee and completed her orthopaedic residency program at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Dr. Yaseen additionally completed a sports medicine fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

After practicing in New York for 4.5 years, Dr. Yaseen, her husband, five-year-old twins and her Ryan E. Tosin J. Dustin Zaneb Yaseen, M.D. Zaneb Schnetzer, M.D. Ojo, M.D. Hoffman, MD Yaseen, M.D.

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Something no one else has From NFL players to Little League champions, Coach Mark Taylor brings out the best in his athletes.

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Kirby Smart. Nick Saban. Dabo Swinney. Dan Mullen.

Those aren’t the names that ordinary people have saved in their phone’s contact list. Add others, like former NFL player Willie Reid and current college standouts Giles Amos and Tyrique McGhee, and you’re looking at the phone of Coach Mark Taylor.

The mastermind behind some of Houston County’s fastest young athletes, Coach Taylor owns Speed Edge Sports, a training program that improves speed, agility and performance across multiple sports.

“When choosing the name, I knew I wanted something with the word ‘speed,’ because we’re fast. And I’m always telling my guys you got to have the edge on somebody. You can’t be average,” Coach Taylor said. “I cover all sports

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S t o ry By R e n e e C o r w i n e | P h o t o g r a p h y by T i n i k a B e n n e t t P h o t o g r a p h y a n d C o a c h Tay l o r

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The mastermind behind some of Houston County’s fastest young athletes, Coach Taylor owns Speed Edge Sports, a training program that improves speed, agility and performance across multiple sports.

that involve quickness, not just football: soccer, girls’ softball, the Warner Robins American Little League team that won in ‘07, baseball and lacrosse. Even Cole Brannen who played with the Boston Red Sox comes some Sundays and does speed training with me.”

Since starting the business in 2007, Coach Taylor takes pride in what he’s able to do for his athletes – and that means more than just making them run faster. Several of the young people he’s worked with have been signed to athletic programs at major universities around the Southeast. Some have gone on to play professionally. Opportunities such as these are what Coach Taylor is all about.

“I had good coaches in high school and college,

and then I had a passion for giving kids an opportunity to get scholarships, ones who otherwise couldn’t afford college, to give them a chance to get a degree,” he said.

“I’m not bragging, but I’m good at what I do because I’m passionate about what I do. I do it because I care about these kids.”

Growing up in Warner Robins, Coach Taylor ran track and played football at Northside High School. After graduating in 1982, he played football for the University of Georgia, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education. He went on to get his master’s from Mercer University, and came home to Warner Robins to teach at Tabor Middle

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Since starting the business in 2007, Coach Taylor takes pride in what he’s able to do for his athletes – and that means more than just making them run faster.

Several of the young people he’s worked with have been signed to athletic programs at major universities around the Southeast.

School in 1992. After that, he moved to teaching economics and coaching track and football at Northside High, then Warner Robins Middle and High schools. He was named the region coach of the year in track for six years straight.

During that time, he took a personal interest in helping his students get to college, and he’d take them to visit schools they were interested in.

“When I started coaching at Northside, man we had great players then, and they’d get invited to come on college visits, and I’d always take them.

Over that time, which started in 1992 – wow that’s 28 years ago – coaches would call me and ask for certain players to come visit. So, I would bring

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them. I got to know these coaches and have had relationships with them now for more than 20 years.

Some of them were coaching at Florida five years ago and now are at Tennessee. I see them move all over the place, and I keep in touch,” he said.

From South Carolina and Alabama to Tennessee and Georgia, Coach Taylor’s reputation runs deep, and he’s respected in the athletic community: “Drew Hughes, the director of player personnel at Tennessee, offered me the best compliment in front of my wife a couple weeks ago. He said, ‘I’ve known Coach Taylor over 20 years. He’s never asked me for anything. All he does is bring us good football players. If he puts his name on them, it’s good enough for us.’ ” One of the first big names Coach Taylor “put

his name on” is Willie Reid. Willie was a star running back at Warner Robins High in 2001. He got a scholarship to Florida State, but was red shirted after he broke a bone above his ankle.

The next year, to get his speed back, he came home during the summer and did speed training with Coach Taylor.

“I had some good guys here at that time – Brandon King from Houston County High who went to Perdue then to the Detroit Lions, Laron Scott from Warner Robins High who went to Georgia Southern then to the Saints and Giants – I was still teaching and coaching at the time,” Coach Taylor said. “During his senior year in college, Willie got invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and ran 40 yards in 4.35, the fifth

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“I had good coaches in high school and college, and then I had a passion for giving kids an opportunity to get scholarships, ones who otherwise couldn’t afford college, to give them a chance to get a degree,” he said. “I’m not bragging, but I’m good at what I do because I’m passionate about what I do. I do it because I care about these kids.”

fastest time. He was doing his interviews and talked about training with me and my phone blew up. I had Clemson and Florida State calling me wanting me to come do speed clinics. UGA wanted my resume, saying they had strength coaches, but no speed coaches. So, I retired teaching and coaching in 2007 and opened my own business.”

Willie’s career also blew up. Drafted out of college by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. About Coach Taylor, Willie said, “His impact on my career was huge. He’s a good motivator. The training is really difficult, but you don’t want to quit. He knows how to joke, but as he gets to know you, he knows exactly what to say to rile you up, and that makes you want to work harder.”

Standing on the field at New Hope International church off Russell Parkway on a recent Thursday night, dozens of young athletes were smiling and chatting before training began.

“It’s really tough, but he makes it fun. And I work harder when I’m having fun,” said Houston County High softball player Alice Thomas.

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Speed Edge Sports has been training on the fields at New Hope for three years. Pastor Jordan Poole was a former student of Coach Taylor’s and offered him the space after he outgrew the fields at North Peach Park in Byron, where he first started his business. Now, with room to host four training sessions a week for 15 to 30 kids at a time, he regularly has athletes drive from across Georgia to attend training.

The training varies by the day, but all the exercises are geared to make athletes faster, quicker, more agile and explosive.

“I incorporate a lot of old-school exercises, like pulling tires, which is the same thing Herschel Walker did when he was young. I have a sand pit like the one Mark Richt brought to Georgia in ‘01. I go to speed clinics at Clemson and other places and add what I know and have learned over the years and incorporate that into one training tool,” he said.

In the Speed Edge Sports program, Mondays and Tuesdays are for resistance training, like pulling tires, running in the sand pit and building explosive power. Thursdays are for assisted speed training, using bungees to help train muscles to move fast.

“On Sundays we bring it all together with drills they may do at camps, and we time it, match them up and compete. I want to get them used to competing,” he said.

On any given Sunday, that competition may include some real-life college football heroes in the shapes of men like Tyrique McGhee, Logan Byrd and Giles Amos.

“All the kids train together, girls and boys, 8 years and older,” Coach Taylor said. “Imagine being a 12-year-old and on one side of you is an NFL player, on the other side is a college player, and you would think they’d be cocky and arrogant but I’ll look over and they’ll be giving the kids encouragement and tips.”

One of those inspiring college players is Alabama tight end Giles Amos, whose advice for the youngsters is “don’t give up; keep pushing.” Coach Taylor was key to helping Giles land at Alabama, even though it took time and a lot of hard work.

“God works in mysterious ways,” said Giles. “Coach Taylor was instrumental in getting my name out there. If I had never been with him, I don’t know that’d I be where I am today.”

Giles, who will be a redshirt senior in the fall, said he loves coming back home to Perry and training with Coach Taylor.

“I still go back in the summer and there’s always other college players there, too. It feels just like a reunion, getting to see everyone and working with Coach Taylor.

He’s the best in the business, especially in Middle Georgia,” Giles said. “Of all the training I’ve done,

Coach Taylor’s workouts were the closest to what we do at the University of Alabama, and what got me most prepared for Alabama.”

Training sessions always finish with a 300-yard shuffle, which Coach Taylor said, “challenges them to last all four quarters. They have to outlast the competition and keep playing strong.” Outlasting the competition is what gets you noticed by college recruiters. Well, that and a seal of approval from Coach Taylor.

“When we go to camps this summer, there will be 900 kids there sitting around putting cleats on. I take my guys right up to Nick Saban, and tell him these are my guys and the ones you want to watch. He’ll write down their numbers and I’ll see him watch them,” he said. “I get them on the radar early, because, as a coach at his level, you just can’t see them all. But I have that one-on-one connection.”

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“Watching these kids succeed, watching them dream big is why I do this.”

The young athletes work hard for that personal seal of approval as they dream big of securing spots with topranked programs. Looking at the names of the 30-plus athletes who’ve gone on to live those dreams, what they all have in common is a commitment to work.

“The kids who show up once and I don’t see again for two weeks, they aren’t going to be at the elite level. But the kid who comes every time, that’s the kid who will outwork their competition. When you start to outwork your competition, you separate yourself from average. Average is what will graduate and work at Walmart,” he said. “When I see the kids who come and want to work, and who have that hunger and drive, those are the kids who will stick with me, and I’ll stick with them.”

When Coach Taylor says, “stick with them,” he doesn’t just mean figuratively. He will, quite literally, stand by them as he personally introduces them to college football elite.

“If someone wants to get better, especially get faster, in any sport, I highly recommend Coach Taylor,” former NFL player Willie Reid said. “And he does so much else, too, like taking kids to colleges and giving them the opportunity to get seen by major programs. He just has something that no one else has.”

Frequently in the fall, you’ll find Coach Taylor with a few athletes in the car, driving for hours on a Saturday to visit colleges across the Southeast. “The kids ride with me and I don’t charge them anything, won’t even let them help with gas money. It’s a lot of my time. I get home at 1 a.m.

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sometimes, but when I have these kids end up in the NFL, that’s why I do it,” he said.

Fortunately, Coach Taylor has been blessed with a wife who loves these kids as much as he does. “My wife, Angela, she loves them, too. A lot of the kids, in the fall, if I’m taking a group to a college game on recruiting trip, we may have to leave here at 6 a.m., so sometimes the night before, especially if they are in late from a game, they stay at my house. In my upstairs bathroom they all have toothbrushes with their numbers on them,” he said with a laugh. “People ask my wife how many kids she’s got and she’ll laugh and say about 25 or so.

She’d adopt every one of them. They’re great kids.

I’ve been blessed to have good athletes, but they are even greater people when you get around them.”

In addition to all those adopted athletes, Mark and Angela have two grown daughters, and Angela has two grown sons, who are Mark’s step-sons. At 55, Coach Taylor said he has no plans to slow down any time soon. There’s a great nephew who’ll be

college age in about 18 years, and he wants to help the future superstar succeed on the field. In his minimal downtime, Coach Taylor enjoys golfing, cooking and working out – and thinking about his athletes. He sends them texts with encouragement, training schedules and nutrition advice – even after they’ve moved away.

“He still comes to games and spring practices, and he always keeps in contact with me. That goes a long way for an athlete, especially being away from home for the first time like I am. It’s like seeing family when he comes. You can tell he genuinely cares about his athletes,” Giles said.

“Watching these kids succeed, watching them dream big is why I do this,” Coach Taylor said. “Watching them follow their dreams and get signed to major schools and get scholarships. I want to be the one to believe in them. I push these kids because I know that to play at that next level the bar is high, and I refuse to lower it.”  HCL

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Heavyweights with 80

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story By Traci Burns | Photos By Tinika Bennett Photography

Boxing is a wonderful full-body workout, a powerful stress reliever and a great way to bring people together – especially at Kingdom Boxing, Warner Robins’ only boxing gym.

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Mention boxing, and most people initially think of “Rocky,” Muhammad Ali and big Madison Square Garden fights – but boxing doesn’t have to be as intimidating as that. It’s a wonderful full-body workout, a powerful stress reliever and a great way to bring people together – especially at Kingdom Boxing, Warner Robins’ only boxing gym.

Their website reads, “This is a place for the youth and adults of the local community to come and not only work out and learn the sweet science of boxing, but a place

“This is a place for the youth and adults of the local community to come and not only work out and learn the sweet science of boxing, but a place where you can find positive like-minded people of all colors, shapes and sizes supporting each other and making each other better!”

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where you can find positive like-minded people of all colors, shapes and sizes supporting each other and making each other better!”

Kingdom Boxing opened its doors Feb. 1, 2018, fulfilling a need in the community that had been present since the city’s only other boxing gym closed nearly a decade ago. Co-owners Kevin “KD” Miniano and Sergio Anguiano Jr. had been training together on a one-onone basis, with KD learning the art of boxing from Anguiano.

“We’d train anywhere we could find space – backyards, apartment gyms, anywhere we could hit the pads,” KD said. People who saw the two of them training were curious and interested, and KD and Anguiano began to envision opening a boxing gym of their own as both a good business opportunity and a way to help out locals who wanted to learn more and keep fit.

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“We’d train anywhere we could find space – backyards, apartment gyms, anywhere we could hit the pads,” KD said. People who saw the two of them training were curious and interested, and KD and Anguiano began to envision opening a boxing gym of their own as both a good business opportunity and a way to help out locals who wanted to learn more and keep fit.

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“Boxing programs give people another option to stay in shape, live a better lifestyle and learn a form of self-defense,” KD said.

In addition, boxing programs are an excellent outlet for youth in the community. They offer young people positive influences in the form of coaches and peers, and promote self-respect and good self-esteem. “They have the option to come to our gym instead of being in the streets and possibly getting into trouble,” KD said.

Noemi Warren, whose son is training at Kingdom Boxing, said, “I absolutely love them.

They are great coaches who care a lot about the kids they teach and support them in all aspects of life. My son is growing into a strong young

man with the help of Kingdom Boxing.”

Currently, more than 50 youth ranging in age from 7 to 17 are involved with the programs at Kingdom Boxing, and more than 30 adults participate in training and competition – or show up to work out at one of their boxing fitness boot camps.

Youth classes are available Monday through Thursday at 5 p.m., with the beginner youth classes on Tuesday and Thursday being the most popular. Adult boxing classes are held Monday through Thursday at 6 p.m., with boxing boot camp at 6:30 p.m. Every day from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., there’s a “Lunch Time Grind” workout happening at the gym.

The gym is staffed by head coach John D. Brown Jr. and several others, all of whom are USA Boxing certified. Many of the coaches, including co-owner KD, are military veterans,

In addition, boxing programs are an excellent outlet for youth in the community.

They offer young people positive influences in the form of coaches and peers, and promote self-respect and good self-esteem.

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If boxing always has been intriguing to you, don’t be intimidated!

Let one of the experienced coaches at Kingdom Boxing show you the ropes. “If you’re living and breathing, you’re a good candidate to learn boxing.”

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and many also have experience training in multiple sports other than boxing, including wrestling, Muy Thai and MMA. Kingdom Boxing hosted their first USA Boxing tournament in November 2019. The Wartown Boxing Classic featured 25 fights – including matches for men, women and youth boxers – and all proceeds from the event went to local charities that fight hunger.

The event sold out, and it was such a rousing success that their second tournament, the Wartown Showdown, was planned for May 9 of this year. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wartown Showdown has been postponed, but KD is hopeful that it will be rescheduled for November.

Kingdom Boxing has currently closed its doors and suspended all classes due to the pandemic. Follow their social media for updates on reopening, and for the daily home workout routines they post as a way for their family of clients and visitors to keep up morale and stay sharp and disciplined. Even while socially distancing, Kingdom Boxing is finding ways to maintain connection with – and provide inspiration to – their community.

If boxing always has been intriguing to you, don’t be intimidated! Let one of the experienced coaches at Kingdom Boxing show you the ropes. “If you’re living and breathing, you’re a good candidate to learn boxing,” said KD. “Boxing is for anyone who wants to push themselves mentally and physically – from elementary school kids all the way up to senior citizens.”  HCL Kingdom Boxing 112 Constitution Dr., Warner Robins GA 31088 Follow them on social media: @KingdomBoxing478 478-213-5083 kingdomboxing478@gmail.com

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A Picture Of Success

I

From an early age Nichole knew what she wanted to do and that was to be a hair stylist.

It has been said that “Success is best when it’s shared”. This has been the motto for Nichole Brewer from the very beginning of her career as the owner of B. Monroe Salons. Nichole knew early on in her life what she wanted to do and that was to be a hair stylist. Her determination, at times, challenged her parents, but they learned early on that Nichole had her sight set on going to cosmetology school and not the traditional route of college; she has not looked back since. Two mega salons and one fashion boutique later, her businesses are successful and deeply rooted in the communities where they are located.

The entrepreneurial spirit runs strong in Nichole’s family. Her parents own Morgan View Farm, a beautiful wedding event facility in Bolingbroke, Georgia, and her husband, Steven, has his own accounting firm. She feels blessed to have strong people around her, including a business coach that she gives a lot of credit to for helping her expand and grow her businesses into what they are today.

The entrepreneurial spirit runs strong in Nichole’s family. Her parents own Morgan View Farm, a beautiful wedding event facility in Bolingbroke, Georgia, and her husband, Steven, has his own accounting firm.

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In 11 years, B. Monroe’s staffing has gone from five to fifty. As mentioned earlier, she and her husband own two mega salons and a fashion boutique in downtown Macon. I use the term mega salons because there are over 20 stylists in each salon, compared to a much smaller number of maybe five to eight stylists. These salons also have a fashion boutique in them as well.

Nichole saw early on in her career that the area was missing a full-service salon that offered the luxury experiences that many salons were offering in areas like Atlanta. She opened her first salon in 2008 in a leased space, outgrew that facility, and then built her first salon, from the ground up, in 2014 off Bass Road in Macon. This past year she opened her second mega

salon location in Warner Robins at B. Monroe Station. Nichole had been looking for the perfect location to build her next salon for a while. By happenstance, she had a doctor’s appointment one day in the Warner Robins area and decided to drive around, when she realized that was the area she wanted to break ground for her next salon. She not only opened the Warner Robins location, but purchased the land that the salon is on and built a shopping center known as B. Monroe Station. This has provided other entrepreneurs opportunities at running their own businesses by leasing out space from the Brewer’s.

Now to the core of Nichole’s success…

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In 11 years, B. Monroe’s staffing has gone from five to fifty. As mentioned earlier, she and her husband own two mega salons and a fashion boutique in downtown Macon.

I use the term mega salons because there are over 20 stylists in each salon, compared to a much smaller number of maybe five to eight stylists.

traditionally, hair stylists rent space in a salon, but B. Monroe is staffed with employees. In 2014 Nichole started using the “commission based” model. This truly has been a win-win for all, as she now has a young stylist making over six figures and a few more coming up the ranks. You may wonder how this is possible. Well, there are a lot of working parts to make this come to fruition. With assistance from various business coaches, Nichole has developed a business model of training levels for her stylists and continuing education programs that allow for their success. It is not often you hear that a salon has educators, mentors, and an internal associate program; Nichole is very proud of the associate program. This program takes newly minted stylists and those that would like more mentoring, and provides them with one-on-one training with salon educators to build confidence as they journey through their career.

There is really no area of business that Nichole has not thought about. In today’s world of business, technology is part of the fabric of success. B. Monroe Salon can be found on all social media platforms and they take advantage of every opportunity. They do regular postings on Facebook and Instagram and live feed videos on FB showing their products and services on a regular basis. This is not an

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easy task, but true to form, Nichole has someone to monitor and execute that part of the business as well.

With all this success Nichole will be the first to tell you there have been failures. She has had to make some challenging decisions and she takes every decision personally, as she has also built her business around a culture of family. One major decision she made this past year was to close a smaller salon and boutique in downtown Macon, which is now solely a fashion boutique. This salon was successful, but after surveying her employees, she realized that they did not feel they were part of the family culture of the other larger salons. Nichole did not hesitate and decided to downsize the salon to a fashion boutique and move the stylists to her other salons. A bold move, but the saying, “The greatest asset of a company is its people”, is something

Now to the core of Nichole’s success…traditionally, hair stylists rent space in a salon, but B. Monroe is staffed with employees. In 2014 Nichole started using the “commission based” model. This truly has been a win-win for all, as she now has a young stylist making over six figures and a few more coming up the ranks.

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that B. Monroe Salons thrive on. She also includes her customers as part of the family because they have been a huge part of her success as well. B. Monroe Salon prides itself on ensuring that the luxury experience for their clients starts at the front door.

Nichole continues to strive for a balance of work life and personal life. She and her husband have two beautiful daughters, ages one and two. To add to the mix, they reside on a lovely little farm that includes two horses and two dogs. One of the horses is her childhood horse that she showed all around

the country and now is retired in the front pasture of the farm. Her equestrian memories are conjured back lovingly everyday as she drives by her parent’s farm, which is located down the road from her own home.

She hopes to one day get back into riding once her busy life allows it.

When asked what the most gratifying part of owning her own business is, she will always go back to her employees. Most important to her is creating an environment that allows people to grow and succeed as she has done. She teared up a few times during our

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“The greatest asset of a company is its people, success is best when shared.�

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There is really no area of business that Nichole has not thought about. In today’s world of business, technology is part of the fabric of success. B. Monroe Salon can be found on all social media platforms and they take advantage of every opportunity.

They do regular postings on Facebook and Instagram and live feed videos on FB showing their products and services on a regular basis. This is not an easy task, but true to form, Nichole has someone to monitor and execute that part of the business as well.

interviews, every time she talked about her work family. Nichole will continue to follow the motto, “Success is best when shared”, because her passion for business and her employees is clearly what keeps her moving forward.

In 2020 she has claimed that she will take a breather and slow down on big projects, but for those who know her, that is not likely to happen just yet. She is always thinking ahead and hopes to expand in Houston County. Nichole and her stylists would love to meet you and provide you with the B. Monroe experience at one of their two locations…B. Monroe Station in Warner Robins or off Bass Road in Macon.

If you are a stylist and looking to maximize your potential behind the chair, contact B. Monroe Salon.  HCL Website: https://www.bmonroesalon.com/ FB page: https://www.facebook.com/ bmonroesalon

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Tinika Bennett Photography Natural Light & On Location Photographer | tinikabennettphoto@gmail.com

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Story By Alexa Tebben | Photos By Tinika Bennett Photography

The Agent That Cares

Overcoming a devastating accident, Bobby Ryals was determined to find a fulfilling career path, and did so through insurance.

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I’ve never been excited to talk about insurance until I had a conversation with Bobby Ryals. With a passion for his work and a heart for his customers, Bobby makes what is usually an overwhelming discussion about your insurance seem like a pleasant afternoon chat. With 20 years of experience in the field, he is well equipped to inform you of your options and help guide you through each decision. “Unfortunately, a lot of people in today’s time find out what their insurance does for them

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With a passion for his work and a heart for his customers, Bobby makes what is usually an overwhelming discussion about your insurance seem like a pleasant afternoon chat. With 20 years of experience in the field, he is well equipped to inform you of your options and help guide you through each decision.

after the fact,” Bobby says. “The general public is not well versed on insurance – they know they have got to have it, the state requires them to have it… that’s about all they know. It’s really satisfying when you’re able to help somebody and they say, ‘Nobody has ever explained that to me.’” However, it is not just his work ethic that sets him apart from other insurance agents. His unique life experiences have shaped the way he lives and works, driving his passion to help each person he encounters.

Bobby grew up in South Georgia where sports played an active role in his young life. He played football

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and baseball in high school before continuing baseball in college. At 19-years-old with a promising athletic career ahead of him, he was involved in a car accident that left him instantly paralyzed. “My accident was the best and worst thing that could have happened to me,” says Bobby. He explains that having his talent for sports suddenly ripped from his grasp was devastating, but says, “Being 19 and truly understanding how fragile life is and knowing that I should have died, the fact that I’m 43 and I’m still here is icing on the cake.” Bobby is quick to tell you it is his trust in the Lord that enabled him through this trying time. “Faith is something that builds because

of these moments where we can’t rely on ourselves anymore and we have to rely on Him – and He proves Himself over and over again.” It’s a beautiful reminder of how perspective, when coupled with faith, can alter your attitude about your circumstances.

After his accident, Bobby was determined to find a fulfilling career path that he would love just as much as sports. With the encouragement of friends in the insurance business, he took a licensing class that he describes as incredibly challenging. However, despite having no prior knowledge of the business, he knew he could learn anything and was determined to try. At the

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Bobby grew up in South Georgia where sports played an active role in his young life. He played football and baseball in high school before continuing baseball in college. At 19-years-old with a promising athletic career ahead of him, he was involved in a car accident that left him instantly paralyzed. “My accident was the best and worst thing that could have happened to me,” says Bobby.

end of the course, Bobby was one of two out of the entire class that passed the certification exam on their first try. Qualified and eager, he stepped into the insurance field confident about the road ahead. After eight years in insurance, he took a break to work as a senior account manager with Dell in Nashville, Tennessee. Bobby speaks of his time in Nashville with fondness. However, like many people around 2008, he was greatly affected by the financial crisis that hit the economy.

He faced the same struggles that many of his peers, along with the rest of the country, experienced. It was a difficult time that led to his move back home to Georgia where the familiar world of insurance welcomed his return. Although not every day on the job was as fun as a baseball game, he decided to use his work as an opportunity to impact the lives of each person he came across. “It’s not really about

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insurance,” he says. “It’s about being able to help people. That’s what I like to do.”

Like most of us, Bobby wants to make a difference in the world and fears reaching the finish line of life with nothing to show for it. After spending the afternoon in his office, I can attest that he truly leaves his mark on this world. He has a heart for helping people and enjoys developing relationships with his customers. Bobby likes sitting down face-to-face with his customers, lending a listening ear and a sincere interest in their lives. During our interview, a customer walked into the office and I got to witness the interaction first-hand. Bobby greeted the customer by name, warmly invited him into his office and took care of business while making inquiries about the man’s dog. The entire exchange felt like a friendly visit rather than a business encounter.

When the customer left, Bobby admitted he enjoys the personal interactions more than the insurance work itself. “That’s one thing that keeps me doing it: you get the opportunity to talk to them, to know them. When they go through heartbreaks, you go through them right along with them. But it’s cool to see the other side when things go well for them and you get to share in that too.” He is a natural at

After his accident, Bobby was determined to find a fulfilling career path that he would love just as much as sports. With the encouragement of friends in the insurance business, he took a licensing class that he describes as incredibly challenging.

However, despite having no prior knowledge of the business, he knew he could learn anything and was determined to try.

building rapport with his customers, and they leave his office knowing he genuinely cares for their happiness and well-being.

Bobby has an infectious spirit and an approach to life that causes you to see your own struggles as opportunities to help and impact others. No matter what trials life throws our way, Bobby believes in using one’s struggles to glorify God. He strongly believes that the talents we have are not for our own use but rather gifts from God to be used for the good of others. “Every job has the potential to be a mission field,” he says. “We were created to be His [God’s]

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Like most of us, Bobby wants to make a difference in the world and fears reaching the finish line of life with nothing to show for it. After spending the afternoon in his office, I can attest that he truly leaves his mark on this world. He has a heart for helping people and enjoys developing relationships with his customers. Bobby likes sitting down face-toface with his customers, lending a listening ear and a sincere interest in their lives.

instruments. If we allow Him to use us, He will take us to amazing places.” The Lord has used Bobby as a light to touch the lives of people throughout his insurance career, and it’s clear after one conversation with him that he lives to be the hands and feet of God. His perspective reaches far beyond daily struggles, transcending to the overall purpose and meaning of our time on this earth. Bobby recognizes when things do not matter in the grand scheme of things and can value and cherish the things that do.

He holds his family in high regard, deeply caring for both his wife and eight-year-old stepdaughter. When telling me of his family, Bobby spoke with adoration for his loved ones saying he is blessed with the people in his life. “I am a family man,” Bobby says proudly, “trying to make a living, trying to take care of my family. I have the same concerns that [my customers] do. I am the same guy that they are, and I truly want to help people. I genuinely do.” I’ve never been more convinced of someone’s deep-seated desire to help others. You can be assured that Bobby will go above and beyond when taking care of his customers, because he sincerely cares for each one of them.  HCL

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A Church

Reborn

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Story By Alexa Tebben | Photos By Tinika Bennett Photography

Wayne and Debbie Holcomb took a leap of faith when they took on Elko Baptist Church, and the Lord could not have chosen two better people for such a task.

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Elko, Georgia is a small town made up of charm, character and a close-knit community. In 1891, three years after Elko was established, the town “birthed” its first church, Elko Baptist Church. The church began with nine members, five males and four females. They were a small bunch, but they nurtured the church through the first few years of what was only the beginning of a flourishing history. For over 100 years, the growing congregation met and worshipped the Lord within the walls of this small space. It wasn’t until 2010, when Pastor Harold Lee Moore passed away at 91 years old, that the happenings of Elko Baptist fizzled away. Without a pastor, the members of the church stopped attending services, which caused Elko Baptist to go out of commission.

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Four years later, Pastor Wayne Holcomb and his wife, Debbie, experienced a transition in their ministry. They had been pastoring another church for almost 10 years when they felt led to step out of their current role. In the same weekend that they announced their transition to their congregation, the opportunity to visit Elko Baptist arose. Wayne and Debbie were unaware of the extensive history and current state of Elko Baptist before they saw it, but they were interested in its potential from the start. Wayne tells me, “It took some doings to find one of the younger descendants of some of the founders of the church.” When they located her, they set up an appointment to view the church. Wayne and Debbie describe the condition of the church after four years of neglect, and it is quite shocking.

The steeple, full of wasps, was unsealed with cracks between the boards allowing the wasps free access into the church.

The blinds, originally installed in the 1800s, were rusty and

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The church began with nine members, five males and four females. They were a small bunch, but they nurtured the church through the first few years of what was only the beginning of a flourishing history. For over 100 years, the growing congregation met and worshipped the Lord within the walls of this small space.

It wasn’t until 2010, when Pastor Harold Lee Moore passed away at 91 years old, that the happenings of Elko Baptist fizzled away.

Wayne and Debbie were unaware of the extensive history and current state of Elko Baptist before they saw it, but they were interested in its potential from the start. Wayne tells me, “It took some doings to find one of the younger descendants of some of the founders of the church.� When they located her, they set up an appointment to view the church. Wayne and Debbie describe the condition of the church after four years of neglect, and it is quite shocking.

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Having visited Elko Baptist and feeling led by the incredible timing of the Lord, Wayne and Debbie stepped up to bring the church back to life. Debbie tells me, “The girl that met us here that day told us we could move in and pick up where they left off, but she also said, ‘I just ask that you don’t change the structure of the church – the look on the outside. Don’t tear down walls and stuff like that.’”

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barely concealed the window panes that were falling out behind them. The carpet and pew cushions were outdated and caked with dust, desperately needing to be replaced. Examining the rest of the church, Wayne and Debbie saw the full condition of the building and knew that restoring the church would be a big project.

Not only was the church in an unkempt condition, Wayne and Debbie tell me it had the physical appearance of abandonment.

Debbie says, “The last time the four or five people met here, they just left and never came back. That Bible up there was opened up on the pulpit and there was money in the collection plate.” Wayne says of its previous pastor, “He was preaching here as long as he could. When we came in here to look at the church for the first time, that stool was right there and his cushion was still in it.” It was as

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if the church’s operation ceased to exist in a single unknowing moment. Despite all this, the Holcomb’s trusted that the Lord would bless whoever set out to restore His church.

Having visited Elko Baptist and feeling led by the incredible timing of the Lord, Wayne and Debbie stepped up to bring the church back to life. Debbie tells me, “The girl that met us here that day told us we could move in and pick up where they left off, but she also said, ‘I just ask that you don’t change the structure of the church – the look on the outside. Don’t tear down walls and stuff like that.’” Honoring her request, they set out to improve the church’s condition without shedding it of its long-standing character. Wayne, a carpenter and general contractor by trade, was more than equipped to head up this project. The process of renovating the church was one of continued assurance that Wayne and Debbie were doing the Lord’s work.

A current member of the restored church stepped up

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during renovations and contributed by replacing the old windows with new vinyl windows. Wayne speaks of him, along with everyone who volunteered their time, money and resources to seeing the project through, with thankfulness and gratitude. In addition to fixing the steeple, repainting, and replacing things like the windows, carpet and pew cushions, they upgraded the extension on the back of the church.

They renovated the kitchen, installed new cabinets and floors, and redid the bathroom. They also bought new tables and chairs. With the help of members, donators and hired help, the church was restored back to life. If you didn’t know its history, you would never guess what the church had endured.

In addition to the renewed building, the Lord blessed Wayne with a whole new congregation.

He speaks highly of the people the Lord brought to Elko Baptist referring to them as, “Some of the best people in the world.” Wayne says, “I prayed

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In addition to the renewed building, the Lord blessed Wayne with a whole new congregation. He speaks highly of the people the Lord brought to Elko Baptist referring to them as, “Some of the best people in the world.” Wayne says, “I prayed when we came over here, send me people with a heart to worship and that want to be part of something that can make a difference in people’s lives.”

The Lord did just that.

when we came over here, send me people with a heart to worship and that want to be part of something that can make a difference in people’s lives.” The Lord did just that. Wayne feels blessed to have the congregation he has and is increasingly thankful to have been called to this church.

Musically inclined members of the church play instruments such as the electric guitar, mandolin and banjo during the services.

Wayne adds, “My lifelong association with musicians gave me an inside track on some of the bands that come here several times a year and perform for us live.” One member that plays the guitar during services is Jeff Walker. At 92 years old, he is full of life, energy, and has a heart for people. Jeff lights up the room with his signature dance that he calls, The Elko Shuffle. It is genuine folks

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like Jeff that occupy the space of Elko Baptist and welcome newcomers with outstretched arms.

Wayne and Debbie took a leap of faith when they took on this church, and the Lord could not have chosen two better people for such a task. To this day, Wayne is still in awe of the perfect timing of when this opportunity arose. He compares it to a spiritual aligning of events and circumstances like one would find in a Guideposts magazine.

“For lack of a better description of it, it was one of those times in the church’s life and in our lives…

God just dropped this church in our lap. No strings attached.” Wayne also says, “God wanted this church to come back to life. Since He brought me here, five and a half years ago, He put his stamp and his blessing on this unlike anything else in my life. It has been a dream, really.” The Holcomb’s are living proof of what the Lord can do when you walk in faith towards your calling, and they will continue nurturing this congregation so long as the Lord sees fit.  HCL

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Story By Renee Corwine | Photography by Tinika Bennett Photography

It’s a

Wonderful Life

From growing up in South Georgia and serving in the military to marrying his boss’ daughter and coping with cancer, Tom has a lifetime of knowledge to share.

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At 72-years-old, Tom Williams has a slight tremble in his voice and a thick Southern accent. The owner of Houston Hardware and Garden Center for the last 37 years, Tom is a lover of plants and people. He calls it a gift from God. In talking with Tom, it’s evident that God is the most important person in the room, and he credits Him for all the blessings in his life – and what a life it’s been. From growing up in South Georgia and serving in the military to marrying his boss’ daughter and coping with cancer, Tom has a lifetime of knowledge to share.

We sat down with Tom in his hardware store on a rainy Wednesday afternoon to learn more about his life.

He shares it here in his own words.

sister passed away with Leukemia. My other sister worked with us for quite a few years. She’s now retired and lives in Kathleen.

Where were you born and raised?

I’ll just say this, I grew up in Seminole County, that’s down there in Donalsonville, in the southwest corner of Georgia. I got drafted in 1966, and went into the military. I’ve got one brother and two sisters. My oldest

Did you go to Vietnam?

No. I was very fortunate. Of course, when I finished tech school in Amarillo, Texas, I had orders. I was the only one out of my class of 25, the only one to have orders to go on an 18-month tour.

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What branch of service?

The Air Force. Instead of going to the Army, I went to the Air Force because we just buried two of my first cousins in Vietnam. In fact, all three of us were going to go together and join, and I came down with pneumonia, and they went – and we buried them. I got stationed here and I’m a Vietnam vet, and I was blessed to work on the C-141 cargo planes. We brought them to Warner Robins, which is where I served my four years.

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“I just love helping people. A lot of times we get took advantage of, but I look at it this way: They got to answer to Him, not me. Now, He might be letting me sit with Him when they come through the gate. Maybe God’ll say, ‘Tom, do you know this guy right here?’ ... Well, we might need to let him walk down the road a little piece!”

In talking with Tom, it’s evident that God is the most important person in the room, and he credits Him for all the blessings in his life – and what a life it’s been.

A week before we graduated, my commander asked to see me. My brother was in Seoul, Korea, they plotted a place that President Johnson was supposed to come in. Well, he didn’t show up there, it was someplace else, but the bombs went off there anyway. My brother got hit pretty good.

My commander was telling me all this, and he says, ‘You and your brother are the only two boys in your family. I can give you a choice. Go to Vietnam or to a base close to your parents.’ And all my buddies came here, and all I knew was Robins. ‘Course my brother survived.

What happened after you got out of the Air Force?

I was offered a big job and I turned it down. I didn’t like the traffic. When you grow up on a farm, and your nearest neighbor was 2 miles away, it puts something in your blood.

But there’s one good thing about being like that. There’s a lot of days, you look at nature. And back then I talked to nature.

If someone came up to me, they thought I was crazy. But the Lord has given me a gift of identifying trees and a whole bunch of stuff. Really, back then, He was paving my way to own a hardware store. That’s the way I look at it. I was a certified welder, brick layer, was building houses – matter of fact I built my house and ran my store at the same time.

I went to work with Richard Talton on a farm and earned $100 a week, for seven days a week. The old saying is, ‘Work from can to can’t.’ Well, if you run a farm and a dairy, over 2,000 acres, it’s hard work. So, I decided to go work with Wall Tire on Green Street, this was in the early ‘70s. They put me on the road selling, and I ain’t never sold nothing in my life. So, I got out. I guess I loved my family too much.

I put my application in at Continental Can and went to work there as an instructor teaching the other guys how to make aluminum cans. When I got through, after about six years, they decided to put me over maintenance, and if something goes wrong, they call you and you gotta go. It got to the point I hated to go down there.

Then I came down sick and had both thyroids taken out, that was in ‘82. They thought they were cancer, and they

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could have been. Matter fact, the guy who took them out, his name was Dr. Tom Williams. He told all the nurses, ‘We better take extra care of him! It ain’t every day I get to operate on Tom Williams!’ I was fortunate, everything came back benign.

How did you come to open Houston Hardware?

There’s a guy named Frank Mallett and his wife, Vera. They bought the store that was here before this one. It was an Ace Hardware, the first Ace in Middle Georgia. There are people even now who call and ask if this is Ace Hardware. A lot of folks still call us that and it’s fine – that don’t matter.

After having my thyroids out, the first day I could drive, I took my daughter to school, and I stopped here.

And Frank says, ‘Tom, I found you a business you need to buy.’ And I said, ‘What is that?’ He says this place.

Well, six weeks to that day my wife and I unlocked the door. It was July 19, 1982. I’ll never forget that date.

What was remarkable, my first employee was Frank and Vera’s handyman high school boy, Eddie Causey.

Eddie worked with me all the way through school and college. He was my first employee. Me and my wife, Janie, had three girls and we adopted a girl.

Eddie, he’s my boy I never had.

How did you meet your wife?

She is from West Liberty, Kentucky. Her father, Elmo, was my boss. He came out of Vietnam to Robins. He was a jet engine specialist – that’s what I was, too. I was a crew chief on a number 2 engine, and I had just popped the cowling on one side. You know frogs get all up in there, and there was a big one in there. I caught him and had him in my hand.

Donny Boyd, who at that time was my boss, was walking Elmo around introducing him to us. I was up on that number 2 stand, and Donny says, ‘Let me introduce the new boss.’ And Elmo stuck his hand out to shake my hand, I had that frog and I put that frog right in his hand. He threw it near across the room and pointed at me said, ‘I’ll be back.’ This was my boss and future father-in-law!

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I was offered a big job and I turned it down. I didn’t like the traffic. When you grow up on a farm, and your nearest neighbor was 2 miles away, it puts something in your blood. But there’s one good thing about being like that. There’s a lot of days, you look at nature. And back then I talked to nature.

About an hour later, he comes back with two cups of coffee and he said to come on to our break area outside.

We got out there and he said, ‘I heard you were the guy I need to talk to if I love to hunt and fish.’ Me and Elmo hit it off. I didn’t even know he was married, and turns out he had five young’uns.

We hunted and fished and one day he asked me to go squirrel hunting in the morning, saying his wife was going to make him an egg omelet. I said, ‘What’s an egg omelet?’ I’d never heard of an egg omelet. He said, ‘You come over here in the morning and I’ll have Lou fix you an egg omelet’ – and I did. When I walked in the door I

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After having my thyroids out, the first day I could drive, I took my daughter to school, and I stopped here. And Frank says, ‘Tom, I found you a business you need to buy.’ And I said, ‘What is that?’ He says this place. Well, six weeks to that day my wife and I unlocked the door. It was July 19, 1982. I’ll never forget that date.

saw Janie. She was a senior, and back then the girls used orange juice cans to roll their hair. She had a head full of orange juice cans, and I thought she was the prettiest thing I ever seen.

So, you asked her on a date?

No, back then I was a shy person. But Elmo and them got me in a bowling league. We were bowling and Janie and her girlfriends came out to get money from her daddy, and I saw her again and thought man, she’s pretty! That summer, Elmo said he was going to take a week off for family camping down on Lake Seminole where I grew up. I was down there, too, and they taught me how to water ski. We were on the water skis and I asked Janie, ‘What are you doing tonight?’ She said, ‘Sitting by the camp fire, I guess.’ I said, ‘Want to go to the movie?’

So, we were going to see a movie called ‘Love is a Many-Splendored Thing,’ and we never did get there.

We went by my cousin’s place on the lake first. They have a dock with a shelter and we went and sat out there and talked and talked. She wouldn’t even let me kiss her! We decided the movie should be over by now, so I took her back. It was history then. We got married on Dec. 6, 1968. By the way, fishing is great on Lake Seminole – in case you didn’t know.

And you had a bunch of daughters?

Yes, we had Amanda Lee, and seven years later we had another daughter, Allison Lindsey, and about 19 months later, we had a third girl. We named her Anissa Luann. And every one of their initials is ALW – we didn’t plan that. When Anissa was 11 or 12, we adopted a girl, their first cousin, Heather. Everybody told me I was off my rocker. Now, I have plenty of grandsons, one granddaughter and a great-grandson. I hope we have more great grands in the future.

Your family has clearly grown, but how has the business grown over the years?

When I bought the store, Frank said he’d stay with Hometown Living At Its Best

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me two weeks to introduce me to people. The first week, he said, ‘You don’t need me!’ But he stayed, and then me and my wife took it by the horns. It was tough. Back then, interest was 18 percent. I went to every bank in this county. My CPA was searching, and the Bank of Fort Valley came over to visit and they came at a bad time, ‘cause they couldn’t hardly get a parking place! They asked to see my books and I showed them and it looked so good to them, they carried me and my CPA to Atlanta and walked the SBA loan through. And they laughed at these banks around here all day. We financed it for 10 years, paid it off in six.

But this wasn’t our first location. We built this building and moved into it. And if you were here when we moved, that evening, from the old store, I had over 100 customers show up to help us move. It just blew my mind. We are so appreciative of Houston County and the surrounding counties for supporting us over the years. Also, we’ve had a lot of great employees over the years that have helped us greatly.

Why were they so willing to help?

Well, I’m bad about trying to help people. If you came in this store and you needed something, or if you needed money to buy something to eat, if I had it, you’d get it.

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If I didn’t have it, you tell me where you lived and I’d go buy you something and carry it to your house. I’ve done that more times than you have fingers. And when I do that, I never, never look for payback.

It’s important because that’s what He put us here for. I try to set an example for the people that I meet. If you come in with a frown on your face, if I can make that frown go away and get a smile, money can’t buy that. God owns this place; I’m just his proprietor. But I’m gonna tell you something, God puts His people together. It might not be today, might not be tomorrow, but He puts His people together.

How have you seen that happen?

I’ve seen it in this store. I’m blessed. I’m blessed for what he’s provided – my family and friends. Let me tell you something I started way back yonder. You’ve heard of Cajun cooked turkeys? I started it in Middle Georgia in 1983. I cooked two. A dear friend, Foster Goff, his family on his mother’s side are from Gonzales, Louisiana, fullfledged Cajun. They came over and taught me how to do a Cajun fried turkey.

I’d do it over there in the old store. I’d just give it to my customers and let them try it. If anyone was sick or needed money, didn’t matter who – black, white, no difference – I started fundraisers selling turkeys. Well, once I wanted to

We were on the water skis and I asked Janie, ‘What are you doing tonight?’ She said, ‘Sitting by the camp fire, I guess.’

I said, ‘Want to go to the movie?’ So, we were going to see a movie called ‘Love is a Many-Splendored Thing,’ and we never did get there. We went by my cousin’s place on the lake first. They have a dock with a shelter and we went and sat out there and talked and talked.

auction off turkeys to help a young girl with cancer and needed to find an auctioneer. One Saturday, I was here and an older couple pulled up and they got out and we were talking, and she said they drove up from Albany. I asked him what he did. He said, ‘I’ve been an auctioneer but I’m retired.’ I said I need someone the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to auction off turkeys and pies and cakes and I told him why. He says, ‘I’ll be here’ – and he came.

Are you still cooking turkeys?

The turkeys got out of hand. Last time we fed 1,500 people. I cooked 156 turkeys. I started about 2 o’clock in the morning.

You’re 72, how’s your health holding up?

In February of 2016, I had a spot on my pancreas.

I went and had the MRI, and they thought it might be cancer. But it was the first stage of it. They operated on me and took out over half my pancreas and my spleen, and my gallbladder.

There’s a guy down home, a retired Methodist preacher named Richard Traywick. I’ve known him all my life. He said, ‘At 2 o’clock I woke up and sat up by the bed, and I don’t normally get up at that time. A voice told me I need to go see Tom. It was just as plain as day.

I jumped off that bed and was looking to see who was in the room with me’ – and it was Him.’ Well, they left that morning and drove up here. I was just out of surgery and Richard came in there and went straight to me and he put his hands on my head. When the palms of his hands touched my ears, I can’t even begin to tell you the feeling of God that went threw me! I know it was Him. I told my wife, I ain’t done yet. God’s got something else for me to do.’

Now, I got cancer in my bladder. I found out about a year ago. They took two tumors out. But let me tell you something, and one day you’ll understand: If He calls, be ready. It goes a long way.

So, no plans to slow down and retire?

No! People who retire start laying around the house, and that’s when they start watching too much television, eating too much popcorn and drinking too many soda pops – and they die. You got to stay active – and that’s me. My wife works here, too, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Hopefully, one day soon, our daughter Anissa will be taking over the business.

What are some life lessons you want to share with the next generation?

Be careful of the person you talk to today. That will draw some question marks. Another way to look at it, you don’t know the person you’re talking to. He might be your boss next week – or your father-in-law!

I just love helping people. A lot of times we get took advantage of, but I look at it this way: They got to answer to Him, not me. Now, He might be letting me sit with Him when they come through the gate. Maybe God’ll say, ‘Tom, do you know this guy right here?’ ...

Well, we might need to let him walk down the road a little piece!

One last thing: I’ve been so blessed with good friends during my journey – they know who they are!  HCL

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THE FLOOR STORE Warehouse & Showroom & Cabinet Shoppe

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SenseAbilities:

Offering crucial support for special needs families since 2012

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Story By Traci Burns | Photography by Tinika Bennett Photography

Robin Bray, Lisa Hall and Kristi Rigdon started SenseAbilities, a pediatric therapy clinic offering crucial support for special needs families since 2012

I

In August 2012, three friends made a leap of faith and started SenseAbilities, a pediatric therapy clinic that has grown to be a beacon of encouragement, help and support for more than 1,000 special needs children and their families in Houston County and the surrounding area.

Robin Bray, Lisa Hall and Kristi Rigdon had bonded because of some intense similarities: They all taught in special education classes and they all had special needs children of their own who required some combination of different therapies to help them thrive.

These included occupational therapy to help with sensory issues and functional life skills, speech

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therapy for communication challenges and physical therapy for developing strength and movement. But Warner Robins didn’t have a comprehensive center that offered those therapies.

“I was having to take off work every Wednesday to drive my son to Perry for one therapy, and to Macon for another,” says Kristi.

“I was losing pay, and he was missing so much school. Something had to give.”

Though none of the three moms were especially well-versed in business matters, they felt compelled to step up to meet the needs of the community they knew so well. So, SenseAbilities opened its doors in 2012 with a small handful of part-time therapists on staff. Within a year, referrals were pouring in.

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Robin Bray, Lisa Hall and Kristi Rigdon had bonded because of some intense similarities: They all taught in special education classes and they all had special needs children of their own who required some combination of different therapies to help them thrive.

“We knew this was necessary, but we didn’t know the extent of it,” says Lisa. “We had families who were driving an hour or more from rural areas for services. There’s not a lot available for those families – sometimes not even in those smaller school systems.”

Soon, SenseAbilities had added so many new therapists and patients that they outgrew their initial office-complex location – even after expanding to include a second office space next door.

“I was in my small group at church, and asked them to put on the prayer list that we needed a new building, because we really had no idea what we were going to do,” says Kristi.

That same day, a member of her small group took her aside to tell her about a new freestanding building he’d just purchased.

He’d intended it to be his office, but after hearing Kristi’s prayer request, he knew its true purpose.

“He was in there gutting it and designing it before we knew what was happening,” Kristi says with a laugh. “It was like he knew it was meant to be.”

In 2014, SenseAbilities moved to its current location, 905 Arrowhead Trail in Warner

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Robins, where they were able to add more therapy rooms, an occupational therapy gym and a physical therapy gym. They’ve been growing steadily ever since, even though they’ve never advertised.

“We’ve gotten this big just based on word of mouth from doctors, teachers and the community,” says Lisa, adding that they now have more than 20 therapists on staff to serve 1,000 children and their families.

Providing a nurturing, caring environment for children and parents alike has been their biggest goal, and according to area families, they’ve always gone above and beyond. Ann Gilleland’s son, Garrett, has occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy at SenseAbilities.

“He loves it there,” Ann says. “The office staff is very pleasant and friendly. He loves his therapists

Though none of the three moms were especially well-versed in business matters, they felt compelled to step up to meet the needs of the community they knew so well. So, SenseAbilities opened its doors in 2012 with a small handful of part-time therapists on staff.

Within a year, referrals were pouring in.

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and is always excited to see them. He usually can’t wait to get started, and is running to his therapists’ door when we first arrive. The therapists are handson with him and encourage and praise him for his efforts. They’re always trying new things with him in clinic or making suggestions that we can do at home. We’ve been very pleased with them!”

In addition to providing a one-stop shop for pediatric therapy, SenseAbilities also prides itself on offering other much-needed support for the local special-needs community.

“A lot of families – especially military families in the area – don’t have extended family nearby, or don’t have anyone they feel comfortable leaving their children with,” says Lisa.

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Once a month, SenseAbilities offers Parents’ Night Out, where for a small fee, parents can leave their children (clients of SenseAbilities and their siblings) in the capable hands of therapists and other volunteers while going out to enjoy a stressfree meal, pedicure or some other self-care.

Every holiday season, SenseAbilities offers a Breakfast with Santa for clients and their families, and every summer they offer a variety of summer camps geared toward special needs children. Last summer’s themes included art, music, robotics, sensory and social.

They participate in the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk each year, offer several sessions of handwriting workshops per year, and recently

have teamed up with Mercer University in Macon for the Go Baby Go program. In this program, engineering students from Mercer modify battery-powered toy cars to fit the specific needs of children with limited mobility and other issues.

Navigating the sea of paperwork necessary for insurance, Social Security and other purposes can be daunting for a special-needs family, so SenseAbilities is happy to lend a helping hand with that – just ask. And in order to meet more of the needs of people in our area, they now have two fluent Spanish-speakers on staff – one member of the office staff and one speech therapist.

“My eyes have really been opened to the growing number of kids with special needs,” says Lisa. “We’re always trying to figure out the best ways to support our clients and our community.”

“On any given day, if you go sit in our waiting room and listen to the parents talking to each other, it’s like a therapy session,” says Kristi. “And I love that. We parents need that. It makes you feel okay, like other people have bad days, too. There’s no judgment, just support. And that’s the reason we’re here. This is our happy place. We love being here. It makes you feel good to know you’re helping somebody.”  HCL SenseAbilities 905 Arrowhead Trail, Warner Robins information@senseabilities.net 478-333-6363 Hours: 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday Facebook: facebook.com/SenseAbilitiesGA

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Story By Michael W. Pannell | Photography by Tinika Bennett Photography and Provided by Chief Stoner

H

Fire Chief Christopher Stoner follows in the footsteps of his mentor, Jimmy Williams

Have you met Houston County native Christopher Stoner? Chris is the county’s still-new fire chief and director of emergency management services. That puts him in the top spot of the county’s volunteer/fulltime fire department and at the center of its emergency preparedness and response efforts.

The Houston County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Chris as chief in April 2019, just over a year ago,

and not quite two months after his mentor and former chief at the department, Jimmy Williams, succumbed to cancer.

Jimmy left the commissioners a glowing recommendation regarding Chris. With a year of service, officials maintain that glow still shines like the brass bell of a county fire engine. That’s what Tommy Stalnaker thinks, anyway. Tommy is the long-time chairman of the Houston County Board of Commissioners.

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“ W e’re fortunate to have someone of Chris’ caliber leading our fire department and emergency management agency.”

“We’re fortunate to have someone of Chris’ caliber leading our fire department and emergency management agency,” Tommy said. “Of course, Chief Jimmy Williams did an outstanding job for so many years and built a great foundation for the future. Maybe one of the best things he did for us long-term was grooming Chris and moving him up through the ranks. Chris is doing such a great job building on that foundation, and he’s proving the hopes Chief Williams had for him as a firefighter and leader were warranted.

Jimmy invested a lot in Chris and it’s proving a good investment.”

Before being diagnosed with cancer, Jimmy gave Chris increasing responsibility, with Chris ultimately being named assistant chief. Once diagnosed, Jimmy depended more and more on Chris as he was less able to lead the department. Tommy said projects Jimmy initiated or dreamed of are being carried out by Chris. Plus, he’s adding his own.

“Chris is an asset, no doubt,” Tommy said. “For example, he’s gotten busy and applied for and won grants and funding from outside the county to buy equipment. That builds the department but takes some of the burden off our taxpayers. We recently approved applying for a grant he came up with for new firefighter air packs. That kind of thinking really helps.”

Larger projects Chris has taken over or completed include new facilities throughout the county. A new fire station and

The Houston County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Chris as chief in April 2019, just over a year ago, and not quite two months after his mentor and former chief at the department, Jimmy Williams, succumbed to cancer.

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Houston Emergency Management Agency (HEMA) center on Lake Joy Road are nearing completion.

The HEMA complex also will include an ambulance with emergency medical technicians, firefighters and administrative fire and emergency management offices.

Administration offices and emergency operations are now in cramped spaces at the county’s 911 call

center. The move allows greater space and a high-tech infrastructure where county, municipal and other crisis management leaders can operate more effectively during emergencies. The center will be named in honor of Jimmy.

If such efforts help reveal Chris as a leader, what is there to know about him personally? Chris said his

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Before being diagnosed with cancer, Jimmy gave Chris increasing responsibility, with Chris ultimately being named assistant chief. Once diagnosed, Jimmy depended more and more on Chris as he was less able to lead the department.

Tommy said projects Jimmy initiated or dreamed of are being carried out by Chris. Plus, he’s adding his own.

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family lived off White Road in his earliest years and later moved to Warner Robins. He’s lived here all but one year of his life when his parents, federal employees, relocated briefly to an out-of-state Air Force assignment. That in itself is a true Houston County-style story.

Chris began his career as a volunteer firefighter shortly after graduating from Warner Robins High School in 2004. He said he’d already been hanging around county fire stations for a year prior but couldn’t meet volunteer certification requirements until he turned 18.

“Houston County is a great place to grow up,” he said.

“I went to Shirley Hills Elementary and Warner Robins

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Larger projects Chris has taken over or completed include new facilities throughout the county. A new fire station and Houston Emergency Management Agency (HEMA) center on Lake Joy Road are nearing completion. The HEMA complex also will include an ambulance with emergency medical technicians, firefighters and administrative fire and emergency management offices.

Middle. But if you really want to know about me as a kid we have to talk baseball. I spent so much time playing baseball – school ball, summer ball – that I must have spent 60 or 70 percent of my time at the old American Little League field that was by Warner Robins High School. I loved it and made lasting friends playing ball. There were so many people who poured so much into my life that I can never repay. It was something I enjoyed and my family supported me in.”

Chris met his wife-to-be, Crystal, as a sophomore at WRHS. They were in the

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school’s Junior Air Force ROTC program and now have two children, Gabriel and Jack.

“We put a priority on family, even though I have a demanding job,” Chris said. “We enjoy things like fishing, but mostly we’re pretty old fashioned and the kids just like being out doing stuff in the yard – typical kid stuff. We have some video games but they’re on our Wii, not Nintendo-type games. Our kids have cousins living nearby so they love getting together and hanging out.”

What more is there to say about the Stoner

“I guess my desire to be in the military was about wanting to serve and take care of others.�

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What more is there to say about the Stoner family’s Houston County life? “It’s a little different from most but not unlike others,” Chris said.

“My oldest was diagnosed with autism at age 3 or 4. My wife knew something earlier. She quit her job to take care of him and I took a second job as an emergency medical technician to make ends meet. That was a good thing in the long run for my career. Today, our son is a straight-A student and you’d hardly know he deals with autism. I credit my wife and the Houston County school system and their special needs programs.

They’ve done wonders.”

family’s Houston County life? “It’s a little different from most but not unlike others,” Chris said. “My oldest was diagnosed with autism at age 3 or 4. My wife knew something earlier.

She quit her job to take care of him and I took a second job as an emergency medical technician to make ends meet. That was a good thing in the long run for my career. Today, our son is a straight-A student and you’d hardly know he deals with autism. I credit my wife and the Houston County school system and their special needs programs. They’ve done wonders.”

Chris said he never thought about raising his family anywhere other than Houston County – apart from his one-time desire to serve in the military. That was when he first left high school and began studying engineering at Mercer University. But, a full-time job offer from Jimmy changed everything.

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Chris easily talks about his firefighting and leadership principles, many of which came from Jimmy or situations in which Jimmy put him. Tommy said one he sees is that Chris leads by example.

One Chris often mentions is to not over-guard your turf due to ego, because the more people there are who understand and know how to do your job the better off everyone is.

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“He gave me my opportunity, that’s the best way to put it,” Chris said. “I was in school but had gotten married, so the idea of a regular job with good benefits was appealing, especially a job doing what I loved and knew I wanted to do.”

Chris said that before the offer, Jimmy quizzed him to discover if he was serious long term. His passion apparently shone through.

Chris said he also believes his drive to do things right played into it, along with the fact that he’s the kind of guy who “measures 15 times then does the cutting.”

Chris took the job and in time Jimmy gave him more projects and responsibilities – small at first, then larger. Jimmy let him run with them, but kept his door open to offer advice and direction. Chris said Jimmy

“Houston County is a great place to grow up,” he said. “I went to Shirley Hills Elementary and Warner Robins Middle. But if you really want to know about me as a kid we have to talk baseball.

I spent so much time playing baseball – school ball, summer ball – that I must have spent 60 or 70 percent of my time at the old American Little League field that was by Warner Robins High School.

I loved it and made lasting friends playing ball. There were so many people who poured so much into my life that I can never repay. It was something I enjoyed and my family supported me in.”

became a true mentor, something he expresses appreciation for regularly. Chris’ advancement put him in contact with state and national fire and safety personnel and agencies, which are particularly useful now.

Chris easily talks about his firefighting and leadership principles, many of which came from Jimmy or situations in which Jimmy put him. Tommy said one he sees is that Chris leads by example. One Chris often mentions is to not over-guard your turf due to ego, because the more people there are who understand and know how to do your job the better off everyone is.

Actually, wanting everyone to be better off is probably Chris’ hallmark motivation, whether it’s his staff and volunteers or the Houston County residents he’s charged to protect.

“I guess my desire to be in the military was about wanting to serve and take care of others,” he said. “But I’ve found that’s what I get to do as a firefighter and as chief.

Chief Williams deserves no end of credit for what he did here and how he taught all of us to work toward excellence. Now, it’s my time to move forward and build on what he did.”  HCL

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“We should be about more than just selling chicken. We should be a part of our customers’ lives and the communities in which we serve.”

- S. TRUETT CATHY | 1921—2014

Chetaun Smith MBA, Realtor® Multi-Million Dollar Producer Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®)

Bonaire 790 GA-96, Bonaire, GA 31005

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Galleria Mall 2922 Watson Blvd.

Centerville, GA 31028

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Warner Robins 1867 Watson Blvd.

Warner Robins, GA 31093

114 Constitution Dr, Ste 700 | Warner Robins, GA 31088 | 937-838-4224

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.

New Firm: Same people you trust.

CLH CPAs,LLC Certified Public Accountants and Consultants

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

WARNER ROBINS OFFICE 468 S. HOUSTON LAKE RD. | WARNER ROBINS, GA 31088 (478) 953-0125

Dog Boarding and Doggie Daycare FOR ALL YOUR

UPHOLSTERY AND CARPET CLEANING NEEDS

We Offer Military Discounts | Like Us On Facebook 478-952-7578 | meansteamcarpetcleaning@gmail.com

606 Ball St., Perry | canineclubhouseperry.com | 478-224-2640

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Kevin Barry State Farm

Schedule Your Eye Exam Today

Kevin Barry State Farm Ride with the #1 insurer in Georgia

Providing Insurance and Financial Services 3520 U S Highway 41 N | Suite 1005 | 478-333-3377

WWW.KEVINBARRYINSURANCE.COM

VisionSavers

Monday - Friday - 9:00 - 6:00 | Saturday 9:00 -12:00 6011 Watson Blvd, Suite 320, Byron, GA |478-328-3937 (New Publix Shopping Center)

Warner Robins Foot and Ankle Hospital Affiliations:

Medical Center of Central Georgia Navicent Health Houston Medical Center

Board Certified by The American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery

SURGERY OF THE FOOT & ANKLE Dr. Larry Goldstein 1200 Russell Parkway • Warner Robins, GA 31088 www.warnerrobinsfootandankle.com | 478-328-2008

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2507-D Moody Rd | Warner Robins | 478.293.1880

Kamerin Bazemore Keller Williams Realty Middle GA

Let me show your family the way home.

Mike Wells Mike Wells Towing LLC.

O:478.333.5050 C: 478.542.1111 F: 478.333.5060 kamerinbazemore@kw.com

TOWS | STORAGE BUILDINGS | JUMPSTARTS TIRE CHANGES 302 VALLEY DR, PERRY, GA 31069 | OPEN 24 HOURS | (478) 987-7311

Your Mortgage, Your Terms.

Photo By Christina Elmore photography

4851 Russell Parkway | Ste. 800 | Warner Robins, GA

My Father’s Place Where Families Get Together

KIM HARLEY | KIM.HARLEY@NAFINC.COM LOAN CONSULTANT, NMLS#1502078

100 STILLWATER CIRCLE STE A | BONAIRE, GA 31005 (678) 608-3127 | NAFHOMES.COM/KIMHARLEY Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee, License # 22564; NMLS#1502078. Corporate Oce 14511 Myford Road, Suite 100, Tustin CA 92780. Phone (800) 450-2010.

PIZZA WINGS SALADS SUBS DINNERS DESSERTS

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

Hometown Living At Its Best

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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

Bill O’Neal CIC Life • Auto • Home Farm • Business 1109 Washington Street | Perry, GA 31069 InsureWithONeal.com | 478-987-1951

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

Healthy Eyes. Healthy Lives.

DR. Lauren Grahl | Dr. Matt Dixon | Dr. Brittany Wright-Ennis

Two Locations! 1105 Morningside Drive, Perry | 770 GA Hwy 96, Suite 255, Bonaire 478-987-2020 | www.advancedeye2020.com 190

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

478.333.5549

lcorley@goldenkeyrealty.net GoldenKeyRealty.net

Corley - LH.indd 1

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

4/11/2019 1:18:19 PM

917 Carroll St, Perry, GA 31069 | (478) 987-0970 | sugarplumtree.com Hometown Living At Its Best

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Index of Advertisers Advanced Eye Care …...............................................……………… 190 AF Realty Group …………...................................……… 79, Back Cover Alfa Insurance - Amy Harmon …...............................……………… 120 Allen’s Tree Service, Inc. ……….......................................………… 122 Annie T Photography ….............................................……………… 156 Arrowhead Tool & Equipment ……….................................………… 90 Ashley’s Business Solutions ………....................................………… 57 Bob White Self Storage ………….........................................……… 190 Bodega Brew ……........................................................…………… 155 Boland Prosthetic & Orthotic Center ………......................………… 75 Bonnie “Michelle” Smith Attorney at Law ………….............……… 136 Braswell Family Dentistry ……….....................................………… 123 Bridals by Gilbert ………..................................................………… 135 BurgerIm ……...............................................................…………… 157 Canine Clubhouse …………................................................……… 187 Carlyle Place …………...........................................................……… 59 Central Georgia Heart Institute, LLC ………….......................……… 42 Chick-fil-A ………….............................................................……… 186 Church Home LifeSpring …………...................................……… 10-11 City of Centerville ………....................................................………… 26 City of Perry ……….............................................................………… 40 City of Warner Robins ……..............................................…………… 21 Clark, Smith & Sizemore LLC …………..................................……… 73 Clean Control | OdoBan ….........................................……………… 58 CLH CPAs LLC ………….......................................................……… 187 Coldwell Banker Free Realty …………......……… 41, Inside Front Cover Colony Bank ………….........................................................……… 169 Computers ETC …….....................................................…………… 188 Cornerstone Medical Associates, LLC …….....................…………… 89 Country Financial - Shawn Buchanan| Jackie Whitley …..………… 77 Cruz Lawn Care & Landscaping ……….............................………… 110 Do It Best | Houston Hardware & Garden Center ………….……… 152 Enjoy the Journey Boutique at Merle Norman ………………........… 169 Flint Energies …........................................................……………… 109 Float Robins ………………..........................................................… 141 Geico - Jesse Warren ……….............................................………… 166 Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center …………….........…… 122 Golden Key Realty - Lisa Corley …….............................…………… 191 Griggers Wealth Management …………................................……… 93 Heart MD …………..........................................................……… 22-23 Heart of Georgia Hospice ........................................………………… 88 Hello Beautiful Salon …………............................................……… 111 Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory ……………......…… 92 Homestar Financial - Garrett Bennett ………...................………… 135 Houston County Galleria ……….......................................………… 119 Houston County Living - Dorothy Sichelstiel ……………..........…… 140 Houston County Living - Website Pages …........……………… 106-107 Houston ENT Associates ……….........................................………… 78 Houston Healthcare …………..........................................……… 56, 78 Houston Vascular Associates …..................................……………… 78 J Auto Ranch ...........................................................………………… 27 JWS, LLC ………...............................................................………… 190 Keller Williams Realty - Jennifer Cosby | Georgia Brooks ……..… 111 Keller Williams Realty - Kamerin Bazemore ………..........………… 189 Kingsland Farm ……….........................................................………… 7 Lasseter Tractor Company …….....................................…………… 170 Liberty Medical, Inc. …………….............................................…… 184 Lifeguard Pediatrics …………..............................................……… 142 Loden Dental Associates …………........................................……… 44 Logic4Design …….......................................................…………… 186 Magnolia Park Cemetery & Mausoleum ….................……………… 24 Maximum One Platinum Realtors - Chetaun Smith ……..………… 186 McCullough Funeral Home ….....................................……………… 25 McNair, McLemore Middlebrooks & Co …………………................ 191 Mean Steam Carpet Cleaning ……...............................…………… 187

Mike Wells Towing LLC. …………........................................……… 189 Mike’s Tree & Landscaping …..................................……………… 155 Moore Insurance Agency ………......................................………… 187 Morris Bank ……..............................................................…………… 5 Mossy Pond Retrievers ……...............................................……… 108 Moving Through Life LLC. …......................................……………… 143 My Father’s Place ………….................................................……… 189 New American Funding - Kim Harley ………........................……… 189 New American Funding - Melissa Gibson ………….............……...… 72 Oil Lamp Restaurant ………….............................................……… 171 O’Neal Insurance …………..................................................……… 190 OrthoGeorgia Orthopaedic Specialists ………...................………… 60 Parrish Construction Group …………...................................……… 2-3 Paul Anderson Youth Home …..................................……………… 191 Pearson Farm ….......................................................……………… 123 Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry …………….......................…… 171 Pellicano Construction ……….........................................………… 138 Perry Drug Company …….............................................…………… 140 Perry Hospital ………….........................................................……… 56 Perry Memorial Gardens ………….........................................……… 76 Pet Stop ……...............................................................…………… 167 Phil Brannen Ford ………….................................................……… 121 Platinum Roofing …………….................................................…… 184 Pool Orthodontics ……………................................................…… 137 Posh Paws Pet Grooming ….....................................……………… 154 Promise of Hope ……...................................................…………… 167 R. Jason Kent Physical Therapy …………….............................…… 138 Salon Fusion …………….........................................................…… 121 Sanders Law, P.C. ………...................................................………… 46 Satterfield & Dempsey Jewelers ……...........................…………… 166 Sheridan Construction ……............................................…………… 45 Southern Bridge Inc …………..............................................……… 170 Southern Crush Boutique ………….....................................……… 141 Southern Lighting ……….................................................………… 143 Spillers Orthodontics ……................................................…………… 1 State Farm - Connor Suttles …….................................…………… 153 State Farm - Kevin Barry .......................................………………… 188 Sugar Snapz Photography ……………....................................…… 185 Sugarplum Tree ……………....................................................…… 191 Summer’s Landing of Warner Robins …………...................……… 152 Summerhill Senior Living Community …….....................…………… 47 Sumrall Family Dental ……………..........................................…… 157 SunMark Community Bank …………..................................……… 137 Surgical Associates of Warner Robins ……………..................…… 168 Synovus Bank …….......................................................…………… 119 Tangerines Tanning & Oxygen Bar …………….........................…… 139 The Auto Glass Guy …………...............................................……… 154 The Butcher Shop …………….................................................…… 168 The Casserole Shop ………................................................………… 61 The Floor Store ………….....................................................……… 156 The Sandbox ………...........................................................………… 74 The Swanson ..........................................................………………… 43 The UPS Store …….......................................................…………… 110 The Westfield School …………............................................……… 120 Tinika Bennett Photography …………...........................……… 91, 105 Total Computer Solutions ……….....................................………… 153 Turner’s Furniture ……………............................…… Inside Back Cover Vira ……….......................................................................………… 185 Vision Savers ………........................................................………… 188 Warner Robins E.N.T. Associates …………..........................……… 136 Warner Robins Foot and Ankle - Dr. Larry Goldstein ……….……… 188 Watson-Hunt Funeral Home …….................................…………… 104 Westmoreland & Slappey Animal Hospital ……………...........…… 139 Wholesale Tire ………......................................................………… 142 Women’s HealthCare ………................................................………… 9

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Hometown Living at its Best S u m m e r 2020

A Church Reborn

Wayne and Debbie Holcomb took a leap of faith when they took on Elko Baptist Church

Building on a Legacy

HOUSTON COUNTY LIVING

Fire Chief Christopher Stoner follows in the footsteps of his mentor, Jimmy Williams

Success A PICTURE OF

FROM AN EARLY AGE NICHOLE BREWER KNEW WHAT SHE WANTED TO DO AND THAT WAS TO BE A HAIR STYLIST.