Albany Living Magazine - Spring 2023

inspire To grow AND

Emily Whatley’s walk with the Lord has given her a strong desire to serve others in His name.

A Voice for Freedom

Rutha Mae Harris, leader of The Albany Civil Rights Institute Freedom Singers, shares the incredible story of her youth that helped change the course of history.

12

Home Grown Beauty

In a world of faster is better and time is money, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as stopping to smell the roses.

44

From Small Plates to Big Dreams

Rob Michie, owner of Corks Wine and Charcuterie, was so passionate about cooking that he opened a restaurant for fun.

62

Apparel with a Purpose

No matter your circumstances, the Lord can turn any situation into a beautiful representation of His grace at work.

76 To Inspire and Grow

COVER STORY

Emily Whatley’s walk with the Lord has given her a strong desire to serve others in His name.

ON THE COVER

Emily Whatley

DAVID PARKS PHOTOGRAPHY

Jay Houston is devoted to bringing awareness to what kids in the foster care system are like and how much support is available for those who decide to open their homes to parent a displaced child.

They say practice makes perfect, but sometimes, it does even more.

88

A Conduit For His Creator

Camping can be a break from daily responsibilities of life and a little relaxation. Not to mention, it’s an affordable way for families to vacation.

Artist Jon Meshanko is answering a higher calling through his artwork. “By art alone we are able to get outside ourselves. Instead of seeing one world, we see it multiplied, and as many original artists as there are, so many worlds are at our disposal.”

(Proust)

Publisher With You in mind Publications

Publisher With You in mind Publications

ExECuti VE EditorS Jay and Patti martin landon and mandi spivey

Cre A tiv e | Desi G n Caffeine Generated Graphics, LLC stacey nichols

CrEAtiVE | dES iGn robin harrison mandi spivey

relative media and marketing

O ffi C e M A n AG er nikki Burkhalter Guzman

Stacey nichols

o ffiCE m An AGE r laura mcCullough

Assist A nt

M A n AG er June Dixon

A SS iStAnt mA n AGE rS June dixon nikki Burkhalter

SWWhile reading through our cover story, i was reminded friendships. Along with our family, true friends can offer us encouragement, perspective, confidence, hope and love. two of our greatest assets in this life truly are people and our faith! Albany is full of strong friendship ties and strong faith! What a great recipe for success!

to “Just Keep Swimming.” Seriously, she ran into obstacle after obstacle and it seemed her mission was impossible, yet she kept finding the strength to just keep swimming.

spring symbolizes a time of growth, renewal and new beginnings. A time of warmer weather and nature coming back to life. Brown leaves giving way to green. A reminder to us that we can live vibrant lives. Waking every morning to the brand new mercies that have been set before us!

i was truly overwhelmed when reading these stories in this issue as the theme was so clear. not quitting or giving up was the message time and again when so many of these heroic people suffered huge life devastations and made the ChoiCe to not give up. What truly brought me to tears was the fact that not just one of these stories, but every single one that experienced some sort of trauma, chose to turn their pain into love and give to others from that place. that is what life is all about. so many of these pages are filled with our friends and neighbors who turned love into action.

We pray bountiful blessings on you our friends in this very special season.

relationships matter and is what our hearts are made for. Connection to those around us is our purpose. there are always rainbows after rain, growth after Winter, hope after trial. We get the opportunity to choose what we do with every single day.

isaiah 43:19

A dear friend of ours recently shared these thoughts with us about Albany: “the heartbeat of Albany is strong! We’ve weathered many storms together and it positioned us to stand together even through a tough political climate. What you see on the news is not the case in our city. People smile, they are gentle with one another. We’ve had enough heartbreak and you can sense that nothing is going to incite division. People are the heart of this city. it’s a beautiful community!” Well said our sweet friend!!

sharing these inspirational messages through these pages brings me the greatest joy and i am truly honored to present this issue. Please take the time to go through the names of generous business owners on page 192 that give this community such a gift at no charge. We are so thankful for each one of our readers and each one of these sponsors.

Behold, i will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? i will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

With much love and blessings from our family to yours!

We love you Albany and we are so honored to be a part of this incredible family in the good life city!

Contact us at (912) 654-3045

Contact us at (912) 654-3045

Ph O t O G r AP hers David Parks Photography millie mac Photography smitts Photography

Photo Gr AP hErS Cox Photography

david Parks Photography millie mac Photography

Katie

Perry revell

relative media and marketing

rosemary West Photography

Co ver Photo emily Whatley, by David Parks Photography

shae Foy Photography

shannan blanchard Photography

CoVEr Photo Brandy dew, Photo by david Parks

Photography

sA les Kasi Wilkerson mandi rhodes

Patti martin

sA les Keisha Cory mike lane

C O ntri B utin G

sA

Patti martin landon spivey

Wr iters Alexa tebben

Contri B utin G

David Pena

Patti martin

Writers Jahnae nelson

Kimberly Blaker

Jessica Fellows

John stacy Worth

rebekah McLeod

Karen Cohilas

Kate deLoach

David Pena

Keisha Cory

Ladonna ulrick

Kimberly blaker

rachel Price

rachel Price

Albany living magazine© is published semi-annually by With You in mind Publications. www.withyouinmindpublications.com

P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 (912) 654-3045

Albany living magazine© is published semi-annually by With You in mind Publications. www.withyouinmindpublications.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.

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THEWynfield EXPERIENCE

When spring begins, Wynfield transforms from a first-class hunting plantation into the true definition of southern charm and hospitality waiting to host your outdoor event. Let us help create your custom-tailored wedding, party or corporate function with our full-service catering and bar packages. Wynfield also offers private cabins to keep your guests close to the main event. Give us a call for available dates!

BY ALEXA TEBBEN | PHOTOS BY DAVID PARKS PHOTOGRAPHY

beauty Home

Grown

In a world of faster is better and time is money, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as stopping to smell the roses.

“I’ve never felt so driven to do something,” Joy says. “I can see myself doing this as long as I can walk and talk.” The joy of this experience has made a lasting impression on her. With each flower Joy plants, she is reminded that the hardships and trials we face ultimately lead us exactly where we belong.

JJoy Holway, owner of Joy’s Cut Flower Farm, never fully appreciated the beauty and warmth flowers can add to one’s life until she needed it the most. Having grown a vegetable garden for most of her adult life, she did not see purpose in anything that did not provide physical sustainment. “Why would I grow something I couldn’t eat?” she would ask herself. “Why waste time on something that wasn’t edible? But now, I don’t want to grow anything but flowers.”

When she suffered a personal loss, she found solace surrounded by fresh air and new life. “It’s been through a period of emotional sadness that this was born,” Joy admits. “Flowers are healing. When you’ve had

When starting her business, Joy admits, “I was foreseeing all this negativity and bracing myself for it, and I haven’t had any of that. I’ve only had encouragement, appreciation and admiration for what I’m doing.” The community has embraced Joy’s Cut Flower Farm in a way she could have never predicted, and the outcome is overwhelming.

a loss and you plant a seed, there’s hope. That is what gardens represent for me.” In the summer of 2020, the flower garden became a place of beauty that Joy nurtured and comforted through her own suffering and pain.

In addition to working as a dietitian consultant for Skilled Nursing Facilities, Joy teaches barre and roller classes at a local yoga studio. Wanting to share the beauty from her garden with others, Joy began taking fresh flower bouquets into the yoga studio. “The studio owner would lay them on the front counter,” Joy says. The fresh arrangements sparked many conversations with yogis, and soon people were requesting to buy Joy’s bouquets.

“It was practice for me and it was a way to try different things, make mistakes, see what lasted,” Joy says. Excited by this new prospect, she quickly got to work and arranged beautiful bouquets on demand. Before long, Joy’s Cut Flower Farm had blossomed into the beautiful business it is today.

With the sky as her limit, Joy planted flowers she had never even heard of before. “When I began looking into what you could grow, it was so different,” she shares. “I planted seeds I had no idea what they were going to look like when they bloomed because I’d never seen them before.”

Joy loved the novelty she found with every new flower she grew. She planted scabiosas, perennials, zinnias, dahlias – you name it.

“What’s really fun about this area is you can plant seeds in the fall,” Joy explains. When she plants flowers in October and November, they grow slowly over the winter months and bloom in the early spring. “You barely have to weed; you barely have to look for pests,” she

says. Once bloomed, these flowers continue production through the summer. “I got an extra three months of flower production because I planted in the fall,” she tells me.

Joy adds her own unique touch to the garden. Each day, customers are greeted by an adorable sign that welcomes them into Joy’s Cut Flower Farm. They enjoy browsing her plants and walking the beautiful, fragrant grounds. Many customers select a fresh bouquet for their own enjoyment or that of a loved one. Joy sells her bouquets for a flat rate of $30 and customers love the consistent quality of each one.

In addition to a single purchase, Joy offers bouquet subscriptions for those wanting

To make her flowers accessible to the public, she enjoys participating in local farmers’ markets. “I have been to Tift Community Market selling hand-tied bouquets,” she says of the spring time Saturday market. “People seemed to enjoy when I had all the individual flowers in a bucket and arranged the bouquets live in front of them.” Through this market, she has made valuable friendships with local shoppers and other vendors as well.

more than one arrangement…with the option of a fresh arrangement once a week for a month, once a month through the growing season, or once every other week, customers can enjoy a constant flow of fresh beauty in their homes. “With the seasonality of flowers, I can cater color choices to light and pastel to dark and moody tones,” Joy says.

However, she adds, “I prepare people that their selection of choice is limited to what is growing.”

Committed to selling the best flowers of the moment, Joy says, “I only use what is most beautiful in bloom in that week. In two or three weeks, it will be another flower that is beautiful and primed.” Her customers appreciate this level of dedication and trust her to make a wonderful arrangement.

In addition to a single purchase, Joy offers bouquet subscriptions for those wanting more than one arrangement…with the option of a fresh arrangement once a week for a month, once a month through the growing season, or once every other week, customers can enjoy a constant flow of fresh beauty in their homes. “With the seasonality of flowers, I can cater color choices to light and pastel to dark and moody tones,” Joy says.

To make her flowers accessible to the public, she enjoys participating in local farmers’ markets. “I have been to Tift Community Market selling hand-tied bouquets,” she says of the spring time Saturday market. “People seemed to enjoy when I had all the individual flowers in a bucket and arranged the bouquets live in front of them.”

Through this market, she has made valuable friendships with local shoppers and other vendors as well.

When she suffered a personal loss, she found solace surrounded by fresh air and new life.

“It’s been through a period of emotional sadness that this was born,” Joy admits.

“Flowers are healing. When you’ve had a loss and you plant a seed, there’s hope. That is what gardens represent for me.” In the summer of 2020, the flower garden became a place of beauty that Joy nurtured and comforted through her own suffering and pain.

While passionate about what she does, Joy is not unaware to the woes of working in the garden. “Gardening is not fun,” she admits. “Gardening is sweaty, dirty, extra laundry, dirty shoes.” However, the reward comes when the flowers bloom. “The best part is sharing the flowers and seeing the look of people’s faces when they see my bouquets.”

While gardening is not an exact science, Joy explains she is constantly learning and growing as a gardener.

“If a plant doesn’t work out, that’s just normal,” she says breezily. “It’s okay. Try again, do some research and find out what that plant likes.” Her candid approach to gardening creates a calming atmosphere that draws people to her business.

In addition to local vendors, Joy speaks highly of florist and business owner Diane Goff of Way’s House of Flowers. “She’s been doing this, I think, 30 years,” Joy says. “She has been so supportive of my locally grown flowers.” Joy is thankful for the graciousness of others that continue to support her throughout this process.

When starting her business, Joy admits, “I was foreseeing all this negativity and bracing myself for it, and I haven’t had any of that. I’ve only had encouragement, appreciation and admiration for what I’m doing.” The community has embraced Joy’s Cut Flower Farm in a way she could have never predicted, and the outcome is overwhelming.

Through a time of uncertainty and loss, Joy channeled her energy towards healing and chose to grow through the pain. Her dedication to fostering new life is a beautiful representation of the beauty that can be found through every stage of life.

“I’ve never felt so driven to do something,” Joy says. “I can see myself doing this as long as I can walk and talk.” The joy of this experience has made a lasting impression on her. With each flower Joy plants, she is reminded that the hardships and trials we face ultimately lead us exactly where we belong.ALM

M. Hill INTERIORS

The Of Kindness

Albany Air Conditioning operates with the same values and objectives that it has since its founding in 1949

A three-generation family business, Albany Air Conditioning operates with the same values and objectives that it has since its founding in 1949.

Owner Clint Newsome talks about his role in the family business and the importance the work has played in his life. “I went to Georgia Tech and graduated in 2002,” he recalls. After graduating, Clint says, “I worked for an HVAC distributor for six years. Dad didn’t want me to come back [to the family business] right after school, and I was of the same mindset.”

After working on the distributor side, Clint decided Albany Air Conditioning was where he truly belonged. He

gladly came back to work for the family business where he has been since 2008.

“I was named the president in 2019, and then I became owner in 2022,” Clint says proudly. When Clint bought the company from his father, Ed Newsome, Ed stepped into the role of Vice President in addition to being a Dougherty County Commissioner.

Clint talks about the all-encompassing services they offer their customers. “We do residential and commercial service work. We do residential new construction and residential installation. We do all forms of commercial air conditioning and mechanical work and we have a commercial plumbing department as well.”

Being licensed in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama allows them to commercially service anywhere in these three states. Residentially, they primarily service Southwest Georgia but are not confined to that area.

Albany Air Conditioning boasts one of the largest service departments in Southwest Georgia which often allows for same-day servicing. However, their energy savings agreement ensures even faster response times for current customers.

“If the customer on the residential side has one of our energy savings agreements, they are considered a priority customer so they will automatically be put to the front of the line over somebody that does not have that agreement,” Clint explains. Additionally, those who have the agreement receive a discount on parts and labor in future repairs.

Part of their commitment to offering the best service to their customers includes remaining up to date on the evolving technology and improvements within the industry. To ensure this, they host regular training courses in their conference space for employees to learn new systems and changes within the industry.

“We don’t have as much turnover as one would expect in our industry,” Clint says proudly. “Sixty-five percent of our employees have been with us for four years or more.” This allows the management team the opportunity to develop and maintain good working relationships with every employee.

“As a third-generation family business, we always strive to treat everybody that walks through the door with respect. Whether it be a customer, potential customer or employee, we treat them as we would [our own] family.”

Clint says his dad and grandad ran the company with this same mindset, and he has learned the value of treating others in this way. “We’re all in this together,” he says definitively.

This tried and true business model enables their family to continue helping yours.

more than

just a pet

Westover Animal Hospital is committed to the health and happiness of their furry patients.

From the receptionist to the doctors, each person at Westover Animal Hospital is committed to the health and happiness of their furry patients.

Dr. Trey Newell talks about his heart for helping animals. “I knew early on that I wanted to be a doctor of some sort,” he recalls. “I enjoyed horses and animals quite a bit, and I thought ‘Why not put that love together and become a veterinarian?’”

As a teenager, Dr. Trey worked at Westover Animal Hospital where his passion for veterinarian medicine took flight He earned his masters at University of Georgia and went on to Tuskegee University for veterinarian school. When he finished his studies in 2005, he moved back home to Albany and joined the Westover Animal Hospital team as a doctor.

While they primarily treat small animals, they are also equipped to treat a wide variety of exotic pets. These include sugar gliders, ferrets and rabbits. The proud veterinary hospital for Flint River Aquarium, they often treat reptiles as well.

An avid horse rider himself, Dr. Trey does a good amount of equine work for his clients and friends. “One time I worked on the elephants for the circus that came through town. I don’t think there’s anything we can’t handle here,” Dr. Trey says confidently.

Between the four veterinarians on staff, Westover Animal Hospital operates with over 100 years of experience. “That’s what makes this place great in my opinion,” Dr. Trey says. “I haven’t seen it all, nobody has seen it all. But there’s a lot that we have seen.”

The team collaborates to better serve and improve the health of each patient. “I think the service and the doctors are top notch. And if we can’t help you with something, we’ll put you in the hands of somebody that can.”

In February, they opened a satellite clinic in Dawson to cater to the rural community in need of veterinary care. “It’s not full service yet, it’s mainly outpatient medicine. But if we can’t do something there, we’ll get you here in Albany,” Dr. Trey says.

Westover Animal Hospital of Dawson is a wonderful resource for people in that area. The doctors rotate servicing that location with the same proficiency and care they bring to Albany.

Over time, Dr. Trey has witnessed the changing relationship between people and their pets. “Dogs and cats used to be outside, and that has developed so that now they are like children that sleep in their owners’ beds.”

Because of this, owners have become more in tune with their animals allowing them to catch an illness faster than before. “Preventative medicine is easier and cheaper than it is to treat a disease. Getting your animal in to your vet for a regular checkup at least once a year is ideal,” Dr. Trey says.

With routine lab tests and annual exams, their team can catch what is wrong before it is too late. All so those tails can keep on wagging for many years to come.

Story by Alexa Tebben | Photos by Smitts Photography

Voice for Freedom a

More impactful than a scream is a whisper. More effective than a gun is a song.

Rutha Mae Harris, leader of The Albany Civil Rights Institute Freedom Singers, shares the incredible story of her youth that helped change the course of history. An original Freedom Singer of the Civil Rights Movement, she moved hearts with the power of her voice and continues to inspire others to do the same.

Rutha had just completed her first year at Florida A&M University when the Civil Rights Movement began in Albany. “I came home for the summer of 1961,” Rutha remembers. “The

Freedom Singers group was organized here in Albany and I was asked to become one of the singers.”

Rutha was eager to contribute her musical talent to this incredible movement. “I promised my mom if she would let me go travel with the group that I would come back and finish my education.” With this promise, she set off to make her mark on history.

Alongside Cordell Reagon, Bernice Johnson Reagon and Charles Neblett, Rutha began the adventure of a lifetime. In nine months, they traveled over 50 thousand miles through 46 states singing and raising funds for the Student NonViolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). “We sang at high schools, colleges and universities. We did lawn singing – whatever we were asked to sing,” she says.

Rutha explains the origin of freedom songs and the impact they had on the Civil Rights Movement. “Freedom songs came from spirituals, rhythm and

Rutha Mae Harris, leader of The Albany Civil Rights Institute Freedom Singers, shares the incredible story of her youth that helped change the course of history.

blues, and gospel. All you have to do is change the lyrics to fit whatever the occasion is.” For example, they would change the lyrics from, “I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus,” to, “I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Freedom.” These slight alterations allowed spectators to easily join in the singing of these well-known songs.

As an original Freedom Singer, Rutha met many influential individuals. Pete Seeger’s wife, Toshi, personally organized their first tour when Rutha was just 21 years old. The group had their first concert at YM/WCA in Illinois and later performed at the City Opera House in Chicago. In 1963, Rutha sang proudly at the March on Washington alongside Martin Luther King. “It was indescribable,” she says. “It was a wonderful experience to be able to sing praise with Martin Luther King and Mahalia Jackson.”

While making history was incredibly amazing, it was not always a walk in the park. Those involved in the Civil Rights Movement maintained non-violence while anticipating resistance from the other side. Rutha says they attended workshops that

prepared them for the firehose and dog attacks. These workshops taught them how to protect themselves with brace positions, and the men were instructed to cover the women.

“A lot of things happened to people in the Civil Rights Movement,” Rutha shares. “People were killed, were beaten, but I was one of the blessed ones. I wasn’t beaten, I was dragged up the steps.” Limp as her training had taught her, Rutha was arrested and quite literally dragged to jail.

Despite this, Rutha says with absolute certainty, “I’m glad I had that experience.” Every act of hateful force they faced was further confirmation of the importance of their cause. Peacefully fighting against the injustice was an enriching experience that she’ll always treasure.

Throughout her time with the Freedom Singers, Rutha was arrested three times and spent a total of 14 days in jail. She was jailed in Dougherty County twice and Lee County once. “I had a wonderful time in jail,” she says jovially. “I hadn’t done anything wrong.

I had a purpose in being there and I didn’t feel any way sad.”

In jail, Rutha often sang for the chief of police and the others that had been arrested. “That’s what we did, sing and pray,” she says. They used every moment as an opportunity to inspire change by fighting the cause with resilience and grace –something they mastered quite well.

When her time with the Freedom Singers ended, Rutha honored her promise to her mother and returned to school. “In 1967, I enrolled in Albany State – it was college then, now university – and I completed my studies in 1970.” Naturally, Rutha studied music and became a teacher at her alma mater, Monroe High School.

The freedom songs that the Civil Rights Movement birthed never lost their effect. After 25 years of teaching, Rutha brought Freedom Songs

back to life in Albany. “The reason I organized The Albany Civil Rights Institute Freedom Singers in 1998 is because I didn’t want the songs to die,” Rutha explains. To honor the movement, The Albany Civil Rights Institute Freedom Singers have been performing every second Saturday of the month.

“I also organized a group of young people that I call The Albany Civil Rights Institute Junior Freedom Singers, ages seven through high school,” Rutha says proudly. She enjoys helping children explore their musical gifts and cherishes every moment of influence she has with them.

In 2003, Rutha retired from her teaching job of 30 years. However, life did not slow down with retirement. Instead, she recorded her first CD, I Am on the Battlefield, the very next year. “I did it with the Freedom Singers that I organized here in

1998. I did three freedom songs and the rest were hymns.”

Since then, Rutha has enjoyed her continued involvement in The Albany Civil Rights Institute Freedom Singers and their regular performances. Her lifetime devotion to music speaks for itself. Countless students have flourished under Rutha’s mentorship growing ever passionate with her as their guide.

As our time together ends, Rutha unexpectedly belts out the first few lines of her favorite song, Wade in the Water. The power behind her lungs stops me still and brings me to chills. With these few notes, I suddenly understand the impact of a song. Her compelling voice bears her soul and creates an emotional energy that is entirely palpable.

I close my eyes and see her in front of thousands, silent as they stand in awe. There could not have been anything better than a voice so rich for a movement so important.  ALM

In 2003, Rutha retired from her teaching job of 30 years. However, life did not slow down with retirement. Instead, she recorded her first CD, I Am on the Battlefield, the very next year. “I did it with the Freedom Singers that I organized here in 1998. I did three freedom songs and the rest were hymns.”

From Small Plates to

Big Dreams

Rob Michie, owner of Corks Wine and Charcuterie, was so passionate about cooking that he opened a restaurant for fun.

nNot many people can honestly say they love their work even more than their time off. Rob Michie, owner of Corks Wine and Charcuterie, was so passionate about cooking that he opened a restaurant for fun.

“My family has been in the restaurant business for generations.” Rob’s father owned multiple restaurants where Rob recalls spending the bulk of his childhood. As a high schooler, Rob gained some regular customers. “These guys used to come in and tip me $50,” he recalls. “In 1993, that was huge money.”

WRITTEN BY ALEXA TEBBEN | PHOTOS BY SMITTS PHOTOGRAPHY

One day, the men told Rob they worked at the car dealership down the road and offered to get Rob into the business. Needing a break from the family business, Rob took the men up on their offer. “I’ve been in the car business ever since,” he says.

While building his career in the automotive industry, Rob maintained his passion for food. He attended Florida Culinary Institute, now the Lincoln Culinary Institute, where he gained practical knowledge about cooking. “My passion has always been cooking and sourcing great products and making those products come to life,” Rob tells me.

However informative Rob found culinary school to be, he did not love it. Comprised of terms, menu design and food cost calculations, the schooling lacked the creative expression Rob craved most in the process of cooking.

“It was a lot of book work,” he says. “It gave me all the fundamentals to be successful in business and to learn to cook, but it was never as challenging as I would have hoped it would have been.” Feeling limited in the culinary realm, he completed his education but determined to cook for pleasure from then on.

Rob shares his dreams for Corks and the excitement of what is up ahead. “We’re hoping to move to a bigger location soon – the sky’s the limit.” He wants customers to know how genuinely happy he is to offer the community this incredible dining experience.

Rob says. From cancer patients to single parents, they bless others with a warm, home-cooked meal. In 2021, they gave away 130 turkeys at Thanksgiving and 100 Boston butts at Christmas. “We’ve been very blessed and as much as we can give back, we do.”

Corks has received incredible recognition for nearly every possible aspect of the restaurant you can think of. From best steak to best place to take out-of-town guests, they surpass competitors by a landslide. “We won The Best of the Best for Southwest Georgia for Albany Heralds Readers’ Choice Awards,” Rob says proudly. They won a total of 25 categories, an outstanding achievement for any restaurant.

Around 20 years ago, Rob met his wife, Melissa Thompson, in the motorcycle industry. Rob and Melissa worked together for a decade before dating and then got married in 2021.

Melissa shares Rob’s enthusiasm for food and wine, and together they dreamed of turning their hobby into a business. “Some people buy a boat or a jet ski, I buy a restaurant,” Rob jokes.

Corks, the upscale wine bar, opened on New Year’s Eve 2019. “It

“Every year, we cook turkeys for people who can’t have a holiday,”

the cost of excellence

An interesting aspect of their business methods is Rob’s approach to food cost. Because Corks is not the primary source of Rob’s income, he can run the restaurant more liberally. Instead of working intently to scrounge every penny, they can focus on providing quality food and elevated service. “If my food cost runs 50-60%, then so be it,” Rob says. “People got an amazing meal, they’re talking about us and they love us to death.”

“We have the largest wine selection in Georgia and we offer the largest, by the glass, wine selection in the country,” Rob says proudly. They boast 250 different wines available by the glass on any given day. The variety of options includes products of local wineries, as well as imported wines from across the globe.

Within their first year of operation, Corks expanded to include a full dinner menu. Their ingredients are locally sourced, deliciously flavored and hand-picked with love. “Everything I source, I source locally for that week,” Rob explains. “We’ll go Friday and hand pick all the vegetables for the week and I’ll touch every one of them to make sure we’re getting a good quality product.”

With no freezer on sight, customers are guaranteed to receive the freshest product possible. In addition, Rob arranges for the seafood to be flown in from the coast the day he adds it to the menu. He mentions that Corks is the only restaurant in town with an in-house pastry chef. Every dessert is hand-crafted on site and served fresh. They are also the only restaurant that carries prime beef within 100 miles. To keep it even more interesting, Rob says, “We change our menu every week. I don’t know what I’m doing for the weekend until I know what I can get my hands on to know it’s going to be the best product.”

In addition to their deliciously fresh food, their dedication to quality service is second to none. “We’ve got about 12 people that we keep on staff,” he says.

Employees undergo extensive training that fully equips them to provide the best experience possible for each guest. The moment you walk through the door, a member of the team will greet you with a welcoming smile and the utmost attentiveness. Once seated, they will ask if you are new to the establishment and then provide you with valuable information about the evening’s menu and the origin of the ingredients.

atmosphere of elegance for their customers.

Employees undergo extensive training that fully equips them to provide the best experience possible for each guest. The moment you walk through the door, a member of the team will greet you with a welcoming smile and the utmost attentiveness. Once seated, they will ask if you are new to the establishment and then provide you with valuable information about the evening’s menu and the origin of the ingredients.

“We bring live music in every Friday and

Within their first year of operation, Corks expanded to include a full dinner menu. Their ingredients are locally sourced, deliciously flavored and hand-picked with love.

“Everything I source, I source locally for that week,” Rob explains. “We’ll go Friday and hand pick all the vegetables for the week and I’ll touch every one of them to make sure we’re getting a good quality product.”

Saturday and then again when we do our Sunday brunch,” Rob says. Customers enjoy the ambience this live music creates for their special outing.

An interesting aspect of their business methods is Rob’s approach to food cost. Because Corks is not the primary source of Rob’s income, he can run the restaurant more liberally. Instead of working intently to scrounge every penny, they can focus on providing quality food and elevated service. “If my food cost runs 50-60%, then so be it,” Rob says. “People got an amazing meal, they’re talking about us and they love us to death.”

With hearts of service, Rob and Melissa are committed to using their business to support their local community. “Every year, we cook turkeys for people who can’t have a holiday,” Rob says. From cancer patients to single parents, they bless others with a warm, home-cooked meal. In 2021, they gave away 130 turkeys at Thanksgiving and 100 Boston butts at Christmas. “We’ve been very blessed and as much as we can give back, we do.”

Corks has received incredible recognition for nearly every possible aspect of the restaurant you can think of. From best steak to best place to take out-of-town guests, they surpass competitors by a landslide. “We won The Best of the Best for Southwest Georgia for Albany Heralds Readers’ Choice Awards,” Rob says proudly. They won a total of 25 categories, an outstanding achievement for any restaurant.

But for Rob and Melissa, providing a consistently incredible dining experience for the members and visitors of their community is reward enough. “That’s the best feeling in the world, to be able to walk out of the kitchen after creating the dish for the weekend and going out there and just look around.” When he is not in the kitchen preparing a dish, Rob is visiting with his guests, introducing himself and seeing what else he can do to make their evening even better.

Rob shares his dreams for Corks and the excitement of what is up ahead. “We’re hoping to move to a bigger location soon – the sky’s the limit.” He wants customers to know how genuinely happy he is to offer the community this incredible dining experience. “It’s not done by a corporate company. It’s done by a guy who just got done working a 10hour day somewhere else who came to his business to make sure your experience is amazing.” And he would not have it any other way.  ALM

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No matter your circumstances, the Lord can turn any situation into a beautiful representation of His grace at work.

“I was an insurance agent and made six figures every year for ten years,” he shares. Married with two twin boys, the family looked like a picture of perfection. But the strain of Eric’s addictions was too much. “It feels like overnight, after separating from my wife and not being able to see my kids and a downhill spiral, I lost everything. I went completely broke with nowhere to live and a bag of clothes.”

When Eric recognized that he had a problem, he knew something had to change. But it was not that simple. “I tried a million ways but I could not break loose,” he says. He went in and out of rehabilitation

facilities only to reach for the bottle as soon as he got out.

“The night before I went to that last detox facility, I heard the words, ‘One more time,’” Eric recalls. Having unwillingly attended church services as a teenager, Eric admits he did not actually know the Lord. “All I knew was selfishness,” he says. “I accused God whenever something didn’t go right.”

But this time was different. At his lowest of lows, Eric says, “God showed up that night and I chased after Him. I know now it was Him and He

meant check into one more facility one more time. This time, I fully surrendered.”

On January 24, 2019, Eric checked into his last rehabilitation program. One week later, he walked out a clean and forgiven man.

Eric talks about the incredible healing the Lord provided him. “He completely removed the desire, and in three and a half years I have not had one urge to drink anything,” Eric testifies. A changed man, Eric was invigorated by his freedom from the addiction that had controlled his life for far too long.

But being free from addiction did not immediately solve all his problems. Shortly after leaving rehab, Eric says he was invited to Grace City Church where he immediately fell in love with the preaching, worship and people. “The church really got me planted in a solid foundation in Christ.”

It was not long before God started calling Eric to share his story. As he got back on his feet, he decided to use his story of healing and redemption to encourage others. “I’m not special,” he says candidly. “He changed my life, but He’ll do it for anybody.” No matter your circumstances, God sees you. He sees the hurt, the anguish, the internal struggles, and He will help you if only you will let Him.

Eric is excited to see where the Lord takes Auti Love. Already, they are planning to launch in a dozen other states shortly and will expand from there. No matter where this journey takes them, Eric will always remember how it began. “If I had to describe the journey, it’s a comeback story for the love of God and His endless grace, and how He can take what’s meant for evil and turn it for good.”

“I was an insurance agent and made six figures every year for ten years,” he shares. Married with two twin boys, the family looked like a picture of perfection. But the strain of Eric’s addictions was too much. “It feels like overnight, after separating from my wife and not being able to see my kids and a downhill spiral, I lost everything. I went completely broke with nowhere to live and a bag of clothes.”

Eric explains that addiction can come in many forms. “It doesn’t have to be drugs or alcohol; we can prioritize many things in front of Him.” Once you recognize what you are prioritizing over the Lord and determine to let it go, your life could be incredibly sweet and glorifying to the One who made it.

“The church calls me whenever they have somebody that comes to them that suffers from addiction. I work with a lot of individuals and I lead small groups at the church.” Eric also teaches weekly at The Anchorage, a men’s addiction facility. Through serving others in this way, Eric uses his experience to advance the kingdom of God.

When Eric’s twin boys, Ryke and Beck, were two years old, they were diagnosed with autism. Eric admits he did not know much about autism before the diagnosis, but he quickly learned. Through the process, Eric says that God did something incredible. “He filled my heart with a love and passion for special needs children – obviously because of mine, but really for all of them.”

It was through his daily walk with the Lord that Eric was inspired to create a meaningful business venture. He started Auti Love to support children on the autism spectrum. Complete with a brand mascot, ARBBee the T-Rex, Auti Love represents the endearing quirkiness of autism.

As Auti Love grew, Eric added Thomas Chandler and Jay Joiner as business partners. Eric and Thomas were brought together by similar struggles and had built a bond like brotherhood. The pair met weekly and conducted a bible study that they continue to this day. “Thomas was able to strengthen his relationship with Christ and he is doing phenomenal things in the community now,” Eric says proudly.

Jay has been Eric’s friend and business mentor for 12 years. While Eric was battling with addiction and away from his sons seeking help, Jay checked on the boys weekly. “He has always been a protector, a strong family man and, most importantly, a man of God,” Eric says. “At Auti Love, everyone has their own unique story and reasons for the passion they share towards children on the autistic spectrum.”

Eric and the entire Auti Love team is excited for the future of the business. “We eventually want to be printing everything ourselves,” he says. “We want to employ special needs children and get them in there, maybe a café or something where we print and produce [our product].”

He credits the business itself and every bit of its success to the Lord. “He gave me a business and I tell you, I love it. But about three months in, He stopped me and reminded me it’s a ministry. I have got to remember that.” Eric actively works to view his company as a tool that the Lord has given him to bless others thereby advancing the kingdom of God.

In using Auti Love for the Lord’s work, they donate a portion of all proceeds to those with autism while

another portion of the proceeds goes to ministry. Eric is still listening to the Lord and obeying His word over his life. While it is hardly ever easy, he knows it will be rewarding and beautiful in the end. “The one thing I’ve learned over three years is…if He says move, I’ve got to move.”

Eric is excited to see where the Lord takes Auti Love. Already, they are planning to launch in a dozen other states shortly and will expand from there. No matter where this journey takes them, Eric will always remember how it began.

“If I had to describe the journey, it’s a comeback story for the love of God and His endless grace, and how He can take what’s meant for evil and turn it for good.”  ALM

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Inspire and Grow To

BY ALEXA TEBBEN | PHOTOS BY DAVID PARKS PHOTOGRAPHY

I

In 2022, it was not common or easy to loudly live out your faith in everyday life. But for author and student, Emily Whatley, there is no other way to live. “My faith was always part of my life,” Emily says easily. As a young girl in Vacation Bible School, she remembers, “I realized I was a sinner in need of a Savior and gave my life to the Lord then.”

A few years later, Emily says she learned that, “Being a Christian is not just a title, it’s about having a relationship with the Lord.” With this

Emily Whatley’s walk with the Lord has given her a strong desire to serve others in His name.

epiphany came a stronger walk with the Lord and a desire to serve others in His name. “I got involved in bible studies and mission trips,” she recalls. “As I got to high school, my faith became so important to me that I had the desire to do ministry for the rest of my life.”

In the ninth grade, Emily began attending Sherwood Baptist Church where she fell in love with children’s ministry. With this passion for children, Emily sought similar serving opportunities as she moved on to college. She attended Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee where she received her bachelor’s degree in business management. Currently, Emily is pursuing her Masters of Arts in Christian Education at Dallas Theological Seminary.

During college, she found her church home at First Baptist Cleveland. However much she loved children’s ministry, her heart was pulling her in another direction. “There was just something missing,” she says. The summer before her senior

In today’s world, Emily is a “diamond in the rough”. Unafraid to swim against the tide, she lives only to please the Lord and inspire

year, Emily worked at WinShape Camps for girls. “Here,” she says, “I worked with high school girls and just fell in love with that age group.” The following spring, she interned with the girl’s ministry at First Baptist Cleveland and has been there ever since.

Through these serving opportunities, Emily realized the value of her impact on young women. Challenged by the word of God to be a light unto the world, she felt called to lead by example and inspire others to love one another.

To follow the Lord when it is not popular is challenging for anyone – let alone the younger generation. Knowing this, Emily stresses the importance of loving people as we are called to without conforming to the ways of the world.

“It can be so easy to be surrounded by the world and want to be part of it, but learning to walk hand-in-hand with the Lord has been so helpful.” She encourages those around her to find strength in their daily walk with the Lord as well, because she has tasted how much sweeter life is with Him.

A couple of years ago, Emily started writing Christian

Emily knows that her relationship with Will does not complete her, but she sees the value in their union. “We are two people who could do great things alone for the Lord, but when we’re together we are even more powerful – able to achieve goals for the Lord and give Him more glory than when we are apart.”

devotionals. “I’ve always been interested in creating something for people,” she shares. As a child, she loved to read and write. However, she did not grow up longing to be a writer. During the lockdown of early 2020, Emily realized, “I had so much time on my hands, I wanted to give this back to the Lord. It wasn’t anything I had been thinking about, I would just sit and write.”

By January 2021, Emily was officially launching her first published book, 30 Days of Growth. The devotional is a daily guide of how to grow your faith and be rooted in the word of God. “I love to write resources for people. Part of why I did the devotional is, ironically, devotionals are what sparked my faith. Because it was such a big moment for me realizing that we needed to spend time in the Word, I wanted to create a space where people could spend a month in the Word to create that habit. By the end of the devotional, readers will have read passages of Scripture for a whole month and will be encouraged to continue doing so.”

When asked about her target audience, Emily says, “The picture in my head was for it to be towards middle and high

school girls. I could kind of see it like I was writing to my sixth-grade self. But it’s also for women in general.” The devotional serves as a resource for anyone looking to strengthen their walk with the Lord.

In the fall of 2022, Emily published her second book, Prayers from the Heart. This one is a one year weekly prayer journal designed to help believers develop a consistent prayer life. The journal is complete with a weekly scripture reference, a prayer by Emily, a place for readers to write their own prayer, and a space to record prayer requests and answered prayers.

“By the end of the year, hopefully people will see growth in their prayer life, but it’s also a way to be looking for ways to pray for people and bring people to the Father.”

Emily hopes her readers find encouragement when they look back at their prayer requests and see how God answered them.

When it comes to relationships, Emily has a healthy outlook and a solid grasp on how to keep God in the center. In 2017, Emily started dating her fiancé, Will. “He’s from Albany as well,” she says. “We grew up together at Sherwood Christian Academy and got to know each other in high school.”

The Lord’s hand was over their relationship from the very beginning. Emily prayed for Will to pursue her “just like Jesus pursues us.” But while the Lord blessed their relationship, Emily continued to learn lessons along the way.

“In high school, one’s love life is really important – and it was important to me. But

A couple of years ago, Emily started writing Christian devotionals. “I’ve always been interested in creating something for people,” she shares. As a child, she loved to read and write. However, she did not grow up longing to be a writer. During the lockdown of early 2020, Emily realized, “I had so much time on my hands, I wanted to give this back to the Lord. It wasn’t anything I had been thinking about, I would just sit and write.”

I realized that the love one is looking for is only found in the Lord,” Emily admits. Once Emily’s perspective shifted, her love for others became much sweeter.

“I was now looking to the Lord to love me unconditionally. Because of that, I could love Will better because I wasn’t putting expectations on him that no human could ever meet.”

Emily knows that her relationship does not complete her, but she sees the value in their union. “We are two people who could do great things alone for the Lord, but when we’re together we are even more powerful – able to achieve goals for the Lord and give Him more glory than when we are apart.”

With joy, Emily commits every aspect of her life to the Lord knowing that He is profoundly interested in her talents, passions and hope for the future. A daughter of the King, she clings to His promises in full surrender to the plans He has predetermined over her life.

In today’s world, Emily is a “diamond in the rough”. Unafraid to swim against the tide, she lives only to please the Lord and inspire other young girls to do the same. “Start now,” she urges. “Whatever it looks like in your personal life and the passions and goals you have, when we offer ourselves as a willing vessel, the Lord will bless that.”.

A Conduit For His Creator

Artist Jon Meshanko is answering a higher calling through his artwork. “By art alone we are able to get outside ourselves. Instead of seeing one world, we see it multiplied, and as many original artists as there are, so many worlds are at our disposal.” (Proust)

R

names conjure up images of greatness and a total mastery of artistic form. However, it has been said that God is the greatest artist of them all. Every one of His creations, from the tiniest insect to the nebulae of the universe, is truly a work of God’s art. Thus, it can be argued that any artistic endeavor can actually become a vessel for God’s vision and a testament to the beauty of creation. In fact, such luminaries like Vincent Van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci have expressed, through both their work and their words, the spiritual motivation that helped to forge their creativity.

Rembrandt. Picasso.

Like these great artists, Albany native Jon Meshanko says that he has also been expressing his faith through his art for most of his adult life. “I believe that God is the Ultimate Creator, and He has

WRITTEN BY DAVID PENA | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JON MESHANKO ORIGINALS

Renoir. These

expressed His glory and creativity in the physical world and the creatures that inhabit it. My goal is to reflect upon God’s handiwork through my art as merely a (type of) secondary Creator,” says Jon.

The 26-year-old artist recalls that his journey into creativity began at a very young age when his father would take Jon’s simple drawings and show him how to make them actually come to life. “My dad has always had an affinity for art, and I was constantly drawing as a kid. I can vividly remember always having crayons and paper around,” he recalls. “For some reason, I was obsessed with drawing planes, although none of my current art reflects that. My dad would look at my work and encourage me to make them more realistic. As an industrial engineer, he is really attuned to proportions, so I took his words to heart, and it definitely helped me to begin to grow as an artist.”

Jon continued to hone his artistic skills throughout his middle and high school years, always with the encouragement and support of his father and other local artists. “One of my heroes is an artist named David Lanier, who is also an Albany native. I take a lot of inspiration from him, as well as from the wildlife in South Georgia, where I grew up.”

In 2018, Jon graduated from the University of Georgia with a double major in anthropology and religion. Oddly enough, art was not his focus while attending UGA. “I was in the humanities, but didn’t take any classes dealing with art. I’ve really had no formal training, other than a couple of art classes in high school, but that’s about it. However, I revisited my love for art while I attended college as a way to relax and manage stress. That’s when I realized I truly have a talent at it, and it would be a waste not to pursue it.”

Along with divine inspiration, most of Jon’s work is inspired by the beauty of wildlife and the great outdoors. He feels that his work is reminiscent of “hyperrealism,” a genre of painting and sculpture that closely resembles a high-resolution photograph. “As I’ve been developing my skills over the years, I’ve really tried to hone in on the Southern hunting culture – birds, hunting dogs, fish, and natural landscapes. I’m a hunter myself, and hunting trips on the weekends with my father are some of my most vivid and treasured memories. I guess that’s why I’m currently interested in developing that genre.” So far it seems that folks are responding favorably.

Today, what began as a therapeutic hobby has now turned into a passion for Jon, and he continues to create beautiful pieces of art by continuing to develop and grow as an artist.

John Williams, owner of Knights Apparel and Gifts, had heard about Jon’s talents through his manager and another employee who had attended high school with him. “Jon and his father came to me while he was still in college, and he showed me some of his work,” John says. Impressed, he commissioned the young artist to paint a picture of a shoal bass. “I told him that if we liked the picture, we’d print it on a t-shirt. We’re a family business that’s been around for 42 years now, so we try to support budding local artists. Needless to say, we were impressed when he and his father brought the painting in.” John then had it printed on some of the store’s Flint River t-shirts to be sold. “That’s basically how our relationship began.”

Jon’s prints and the clothing that bore his works soon proved to be a big hit at both the Dawson and Leesburg locations…so much that John commissioned even more pictures, including a painting of the store’s mascot, a golden retriever named Cooper. “Jon

agreed to do an oil painting of my dog, which was only the second time he had painted with oil,” recalls John. “He brought it back about three weeks later, and it was magnificent.” John decided to add Cooper to Jon’s t-shirt collection as well. “The Meshanko Collection has been very popular at our store, so we’ve also had some other prints made that Jon signed.”

“John Williams has really encouraged me to grow as an artist; he’s been like a mentor to me over the years,” explains Jon. “In addition to the wildlife and landscapes I’ve done for him, I’ve also done some collegiate designs as well. It’s truly been a great personal and professional partnership.”

After graduation, Jon worked in a ministry in Augusta for a few years before he and his wife, Isabel, settled in Stuart, Florida earlier this year. Although his works are still available at Knights Apparel and Gifts, he now works with an artist based out of Jupiter, Florida. “At Farano Fine Art, we do all the printing and framing of his works in-house,” he says. “I’m really excited to be part of his production team. Our focus deals more with world of sports, so there are some high-end clienteles that we cater to.”

Today, what began as a therapeutic hobby has now turned into a passion for Jon, and he continues to create beautiful pieces of art by continuing to develop and grow as an artist. “I hope to have my own studio someday. Isabel has been really supportive and has encouraged me to pursue this dream, so I credit her with giving me the incentive to chase my dreams. We’re both just dreamers at heart.”

“Jon is unique because of his humility and generosity, and he creates his art because of the joy it brings to others,” says Isabel about her talented husband. “Our dream is to own a beach front art studio and be able to travel the world. I hope our future consists of seeing more of God’s creations so that Jon can paint His masterpieces, and I can hike, surf, and climb the landscapes that he paints. Then maybe one day we can have artistic surfer babies!”  ALM

The 26-year-old artist recalls that his journey into creativity began at a very young age when his father would take Jon’s simple drawings and show him how to make them actually come to life. “My dad has always had an affinity for art, and I was constantly drawing as a kid. I can vividly remember always having crayons and paper around,” he recalls.

written BY ZACK SHEN | photos Courtesy of ArienCo

growing gains

Potter Motor Company, a family-owned and operated outdoor power equipment dealer in Albany, Georgia, celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Turning fifty is a big deal in anyone’s life. It’s a time to reflect on accomplishments and look to the future. For a business, reaching half a century is also an achievement worthy of celebration. It reflects a firm’s dedication to its customers and its people.

For Potter Motor Company, a family-owned and operated outdoor power equipment dealer in Albany, Georgia, celebrating its 50th anniversary meant cutting the ribbon on a new location — its second. After serving landscaping business owners and residents in Southwest Georgia for more than five decades, opening a new facility

Tis a just reward for a company that always puts people first.

Billy Tedrick, VP of Potter Motor Company, explained why, after all these years, the company is opening a second location.

“In the last four years, we’ve grown a lot, and it’s to the point that we couldn’t grow anymore without some wall knocking,” he said.

Potter Motor Company’s new location will expand its business reach to a larger group of local landscaping customers, both residential and commercial. Tedrick is confident the new store will boost the company’s business in the years to come.

“We have roughly 60 commercial landscaping companies within the range of our new location on Gillionville Road. Eight of them are within a half-mile radius of the building,” Tedrick said. “The new location will be super convenient for them to request our professional support for their Ariens and Gravely lawn mowers.”

Potter Motor Company upholds high standards of customer service, which according to Tedrick is the determining factor in their success of the past 50 years.

“Attitude is what sets us apart from our competitors,” he explained. “Our people have a

better attitude. They greet you when you walk in the door. They are not mad if you show up with a brokendown lawn mower.

A good attitude is about showing the customers our willingness to help them. In return, the customers will help our business.”

With an outstanding attitude and excellent service, Potter Motor Company has built solid customer relationships through the years. For Tedrick, these relationships are the motivation that keeps the company moving forward.

“We have great folks from all

walks of life. I’ve been working at Potter Motor full-time for more than 30 years, and the customers are really the reason I continue to do it,” he said. “I get the enjoyment of meeting new and old customers alike. To me, customers’ requests mean everything. If you take care of the customers, you can watch your business grow exponentially.

An Exclusive Partner

The family business was started by Jim Potter, a former mechanic at

a Harley-Davidson dealer, who bought the company he worked at in the early 1950s. It began as an all-motorcycle dealership, then Potter Motor Company transitioned into outdoor power equipment in the 1960s after witnessing the rapid growth of the local landscaping sector and that’s been the focus for the company ever since.

Joe Potter, Jim Potter’s son, continued his father’s work and expanded the business with the help of his cousin, Tedrick. In the 1990s Potter Motor Company took its next step forward by starting its relationship with AriensCo.

“From the beginning, Potter Motor Company was actually a dealer for a different lawn equipment manufacturer, and that put us in the lawn mower business in the 1960s,” Tedrick said. “Our relationship with the previous company lasted until the 1990s when I got my hands on a Gravely. I fell in love with the machine and decided to work with Ariens and Gravely lawn mowers.”

Potter Motor Company has a strong devotion to the AriensCo brand — it’s been an exclusive Ariens and Gravely dealer for the past 30 years. Tedrick points out that selling only one range of products is an advantage, as it focuses the salesperson on a targeted selection of equipment, yielding better results.

“We adopt a one-horse strategy. We believe that instead of having two or three lines, a salesman can outsell anybody with one line because he has the exclusive attention and devotion to one company.” Tedrick explained. “If you put all your effort into one set of equipment you love, you can better demonstrate the benefits. If you have four or five companies, you won’t be a hero to anybody. We passionately believed we could count on AriensCo when we started our relationship with the company 30 years ago and it has been a fruitful journey.”

Runs In The Family

Another reason for Potter Motor Company’s steadfast loyalty to AriensCo is the shared family values that run in both companies’ DNA. Potter Motor Company

takes pride in its heritage, which has shaped the company’s identity as a reliable and trustworthy partner to its customers.”

We chose to work with AriensCo for its family traditions. From the outset, the company conveyed a sense of belonging,” Tedrick said. “This family atmosphere encouraged us to continue the relationship with them for decades. I know we are getting bigger just like they are, but no matter how time has changed, we are still treated like close family.”

AriensCo’s years of dealer support have given Potter Motor Company a leg up in its growth and prosperity, encouraging and partnering with them in their success over the decades.

“I feel like AriensCo is the best company to be with as far as caring for the dealers.” Tedrick said. “AriensCo has a responsive customer support team that answers all our questions and provides technical training. Our long-lasting partnership with AriensCo has served us well and we are looking forward to the continued partnership for the decades to come.”

Looking back at Potter Motor Company’s past 50 years of growth and expansion, the work ethic, family heritage and support from AriensCo have helped the company build the most solid of foundations. As Potter Motor Company heads into an exciting new chapter in its history, you can be sure that AriensCo will be right by its side, through whatever the future holds — into the next 50 years of success and beyond.

For Potter Motor Company, a family-owned and operated outdoor power equipment dealer in Albany, Georgia, celebrating its 50th anniversary meant cutting the ribbon on a new location — its second. After serving landscaping business owners and residents in Southwest Georgia for more than five decades, opening a new facility is a just reward for a company that always puts people first.

The Best Kind of Investing

WWhen you think of the words foster care, what ideas come to mind? Do you think, “No way, I could never do that,” or “Our foster care system is broken; I don’t have time to get involved in the red tape.” How about, “The children will be too damaged or too difficult to care for,” or “People only get into that for the money.”

Many myths surround foster care. No one knows this better than Jay Houston, mother of six and Director of Resource Development and Marketing for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Albany. Jay, 37, is devoted to bringing awareness to what kids in the foster care system are like and how much support is available for those who decide to open their homes to parent a displaced child. “I want to help the community understand that children in Foster Care are just normal, typical kids like the kids you know,” Jay asserts. “They are in these situations by no fault of their own.”

The issue is personal for Jay, who, at a young age, was abandoned by her biological mother, who had struggled with addiction for most of her life. “I believe addiction is a disease and not a choice,” says Jay, when asked about her mother. “Her body craved drugs more than her heart craved motherhood.” Despite the addiction, her mother would have five more children after Jay, none of whom had the opportunity to grow up together in the same home.

Jay Houston is devoted to bringing awareness to what kids in the foster care system are like and how much support is available for those who decide to open their homes to parent a displaced child.

Story by Rebekah McLeod | Photos by Smitts Photography

At age five, Jay was taken in by her great aunt on her mother’s side, Gwen Baugh, who lived in Jacksonville, Florida, with her husband, Jim, a newly retired veteran who was working as the President of a private Christian school. The Baughs had quite a heart for children in need, having added to their two biological children two adopted children from Thailand and two more from the U.S. foster care system. Jay entered her new family as the youngest of seven. “Foster care and adoption has been my norm my whole life,” says Jay.

When Jay was finishing Kindergarten, Jim Baugh and the family relocated to Luverne, Alabama, where Jim took a job pastoring a church. Tragedy struck just two years later when, at age 50, Jim died of a massive heart attack. One year after his passing, Jay’s adoption was finalized. Gwen, who eventually went back to school and then to work, proceeded to raise seven children on her own.

Jay graduated from the Luverne School System in 2002, and in July, met her husband, George Houston, at a church

“Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany never turns anyone away for their inability to pay and is one of our community’s greatest allies. Everyone is welcome. Clubs keep our kids safe, provide them with a healthy meal every day and empower them to believe that whatever they dream, they can achieve. Club staff nourish members’ bodies and minds with the intention to provide all children in our community with an opportunity to experience these life-changing programs for themselves,” according to Jay.

camp. Jay relocated to Albany, and within two months, she and George were engaged. They married in January 2003 and welcomed a daughter, Sarah Jane, in December of the same year. Two years later, Jay began working as a family and wedding photographer. It wasn’t until 2011 when their second child, Raleigh, was two years old that the Houstons decided to begin the process of becoming foster parents.

After a long 18 months working with DFCS, in February 2013, a sibling group of three young boys, ages two, three and four, were placed in the Houstons’ home. Jay recalls the busyness of that season: “All of a sudden we had five kids…

two two-year-olds, a three-year-old, a four-yearold and an eight-year-old. I really don’t know how we did it. We had a pool at the time and we played outside a lot...it was a wild and crazy time.” Seven months later, they officially became a family of seven when George and Jay adopted the three boys.

Jay thought their family was complete, but she received a call about another boy—an infant— needing a home in 2016. “We weren’t able to say no, because...who says no?” Jay asks with a hint of sarcasm. In September, just a week before the baby’s first birthday, the Houstons welcomed Eli into their family. According to Jay, “the older

boys just adored him from the time he got here, and Eli fit right in...he didn’t even realize he was five years younger.”

While George worked as a Regional Director for Zaxbys, Jay continued with her photography business, which took her away from the family on evenings and weekends. In 2018, Jay decided to look for a job with more predictable daytime hours, and she accepted a position as a recruiter at Necco, a non-profit whose mission is to provide support and resources for foster parents. In her role, Jay found herself back inside the Foster Care system, this time as an advocate and supporter. Some of what Jay witnessed working for Necco was heartbreaking.

Children are most often removed from their families by DFCS due to neglect, physical abuse, and abandonment; drug and alcohol abuse are commonly involved. Unfortunately, many kids experiencing abuse suffered, without advocates, during the Covid-19 lockdowns. A study done by Georgia Tech Public Policy researcher, Lindsey Bullinger, suggests that the financial effects of the pandemic increased all the risk factors for child abuse. Similarly, research at the University of California shows that during 2020, reports of child abuse from teachers and day-care workers dropped from the normal rate of 33% down to 16.4%.

When abuse is reported and homes are not available locally, kids will be forced to change schools, leaving behind family, friends and all of their grounding connections. The goal is

always re-unification with the child’s family of origin, if the family is healthy. That often depends on whether or not the biological parents comply with the court’s list of requirements for receiving the child(ren) back into their homes. If they fail to do so over time, the child(ren) becomes available for adoption. When re-unification is not possible, and a suitable home with a biological family member cannot be located, many foster parents end up adopting, but not all; some couples decide

to provide short-term care only.

Jay is most passionate about keeping sibling groups together, as it can buffer the detrimental effects on a child when transitioning to a foster home. “If you have one room in your house, maybe you could put bunk beds in and take two children. In my opinion, it can sometimes be much easier to take two foster children than one...if you have one, they feel alone in a new place, but if there are two, they have

each other.” Jay knows what it feels like to be separated from her biological siblings, and, as a foster parent herself, has seen first-hand how keeping siblings together is important for their long-term emotional well-being.

One of the fears potential foster parents have is that they will get too attached to their foster child. “Children in Foster Care need people to get attached,” Jay maintains. “Kids need attachment to develop and grow properly. As a community, we need to rally around our kids and show them that they’re valued and important and loved. The thing I want most in this world is for children in need to know there are people in their corner who will meet those needs, no matter what they are.”

Jay’s love for children ultimately led her to Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany in May of 2022 where she currently serves as the Director of Resource Development & Marketing. Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany is a locally funded non-profit that exists as a safe haven for children in Southwest Georgia while providing afterschool and summer care for more than 1,000 children from ages 6-18 in nine

Jay’s personal favorite data talking point is that 93% of members say that they feel safe being themselves at the club, according to a clubwide survey taken by the members themselves. “Providing children with somewhere that they feel safe enough mentally, physically and emotionally that they feel free to be themselves is something we are really proud of.”

different locations including Macon County & Plains.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. “Being at Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany is an opportunity that I don’t take for granted,” says Jay. “In our current times, children and teenagers today face more challenges and stress than ever before. It’s incredible to be a part of a place that offers a sanctuary away from those things, while also providing opportunities for positive guidance, support and so much more.”

According to recent data from Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany, 95% of their members expect to graduate from high school, and 88% of those members expect to complete some kind of post-secondary education. 82% of the club’s teen members volunteer in our community at least once per year and 95% of club members have abstained from alcohol and drug use. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, since 2018, more than 75% of members are listed on A/B Honor Roll.

Jay’s personal favorite data talking point is that 93% of members say that they feel safe being themselves at the club, according to a club-wide survey taken by the members themselves. “Providing children with somewhere that they feel safe enough mentally, physically and emotionally that they feel free to be themselves is something we are really proud of.”

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany, children are

exposed to nationally awarded programs that teach them things like health and wellness, drug and substance abstinence, character and leadership, financial literacy, the arts, and education and career development. This year, the teens at Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany were given the opportunity to tour colleges in multiple states and had more than $15,000 in scholarships awarded to them to help

“Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany never turns anyone away for their inability to pay and is one of our community’s greatest allies. Everyone is welcome. Clubs keep our kids safe, provide them with a healthy meal every day and empower them to believe that whatever they dream, they can achieve. Club staff nourish members’ bodies and minds with the intention to provide all children in our community with an opportunity to experience these life-changing programs for themselves,” according to Jay.

Award winning speaker and best-selling author, Josh Shipp, says this, “Every child is one caring adult away from a success story.” Jay Houston couldn’t agree more, which is why she consistently issues this call to action: “I think everyone would agree that the youth of today are the future of tomorrow. The children in this area are worth investing your time, energy and talents into. I invite everyone in our area to get involved in the lives of our local children whether that be through Foster Care or the Boys & Girls Clubs. These kids will teach you so much and remind you what life is all about at the same time.”

To find out more information about foster care visit www.necco.org.

To learn more about how you can get involved with Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany, visit www.bgcalbany.org or reach out to Jay directly at (229)439-0196.

Online Sources: https://iac.gatech.edu/news/ item/638403/school-public-policy-researcherexplores-covid-19-impact-child-welfare and/or https://www.edweek.org/leadership/child-abusecases-got-more-severe-during-covid-19-couldteachers-have-prevented-it/2021/06  ALM

We are constantly striving to reinvent the standard of banking. Most importantly, we build valued relationships while investing in your future and celebrating your life.

We are constantly striving to reinvent the standard of banking. Most importantly, we build valued relationships while investing in your future and celebrating your life.

We would love the opportunity to serve you and exceed your expectations.

We would love the opportunity to serve you and exceed your expectations.

Team work the

Makes Dream Work

BY ALEXA TEBBEN | PHOTOS BY SMITTS PHOTOGRAPHY

TThe Albany Good Life basketball team, which was formed in fall of 2022, began with an incredible first season. Owned by 1891 LLC, the Albany Good Life was formed to bring semi-pro basketball to the local community of Albany.

PR Director Yaz Johnson talks about the team’s founding and their first season in the game. “Albany had a couple of basketball teams, but the last one was more than 10 years ago,” he says. “We need fun,

They say practice makes perfect, but sometimes, it does even more.

This willingness to serve the community proves that although basketball is a great source of fun, life is about more than a game – it is about the lasting effect we can make in other’s lives. For in basketball as in life, there is no limit to what we can accomplish when we work together.

family activities so people can go out and just have a good time and support the community.”

The team, which is led by Club Manager Mike Jones and Head Coach Tracy Brown, has provided the community a weekly event to rally behind in true sportsmanlike fashion. Rigorous tryouts began in October to determine who would make the cut. With 15 players that made it through the grueling trial, Albany Good Life began.

Yaz speaks of the players saying, “The team is comprised of local talent as well as talent in surrounding counties. A couple of them are friends, and we have some brothers on the team as well.”

In fact, several of the players grew up playing high school basketball in Albany. After years of high hopes for the hoops, joining the Albany Good Life was as natural as stepping onto the court.

But regardless of their experience prior to this season, each player shares a passion for the game that fuels each play in a beautiful rendition of passionate sportsmanship. Teamwork defines each successful moment that leads the team one step closer to victory.

Despite being put together close to the start of the season, the Albany Good Life team found their rhythm quickly. “The team has an awesome record, especially for their first year playing,” Yaz says. The Albany Good Life competed against teams in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama with a 6-0 undefeated record until January 7, 2023 losing by 1 point to their Florida competitors.

Their outstanding performance in the first half of the season secured their spot in the Final Four

tournaments. The tournament, which takes place every year in March, will be held in Albany March 10th-12th.

Their home games, which are held at Lockett Station Community Center on Sundays at 4 pm, are open to the public for all to enjoy. For away games, the team journeys together in a travel van to their opponents in Alabama, Florida, and other parts of Georgia.

The excitement of the crowd, along with the energy of the Albany Good Life cheerleading team, amps up the atmosphere of every home game. Family, friends, and community members alike enjoyed supporting the team throughout their first season.

Some of their early projects include reading books to students at local schools, visiting nursing homes, cleaning the community, and feeding those in need. The team is eager for their presence in the community to have a lasting impact on those who need it the most.

Local businesses have quickly taken up position to engage the community at these games. Fans have won furniture from Brooks Furniture, $200 gift cards from YAZ Photography, jewelry from Star Jewelers, Chick-fil-A gift cards, and free car wash and details from Pop’s Detail Shop.

On January 17, 2023, the Albany Good Life basketball team was introduced to the city commissioners. The formal meeting with city commissioners was a landmark event where the team was officially recognized by the City of Albany. A defining moment for the team, it signified the beginning of the long-anticipated community team.

Yaz expresses the team’s enthusiasm at this official

But regardless of their experience prior to this season, each player shares a passion for the game that fuels each play in a beautiful rendition of passionate sportsmanship. Teamwork defines each successful moment that leads the team one step closer to victory.

standing. The coaches and players are thrilled by the team’s quick progress both on and off the court. Their love for the game is what drives their motivation in practices, games, and community outreach.

While the players are dedicated to the sport, most of them balance families and full-time jobs in addition to the game. Some players are still in college and manage a commitment to the team on top of their full-time class load. Yaz attributes the players’ love for basketball as the driving source of this extra energy.

As their mission statement goes, “We pride ourselves on HONOR, INTEGRITY, COMMITMENT & COMMUNITY.” With these values, each player works to better themselves, better the team, and better the lives of those they reach through their presence in the community.

Yaz personally wears many hats within the Albany community that allows him the ability to reach many community members. In addition to being the PR Director for Albany Good Life basketball, Yaz is the Pastor of Walk by Faith Ministry and the host of the “Let’s Talk Radio Show” on Praise 105.5. He has also been a photographer for 32 years.

“I’ve been a community leader since I was in my teenage years, and it was always a passion of mine to give back to the community,” Yaz says. Because of this, Yaz shares the team’s hopes for community outreach with extreme vigor.

PR Director Yaz Johnson talks about the team’s founding and their first season in the game. “Albany had a couple of basketball teams, but the last one was more than 10 years ago,” he says. “We need fun, family activities so people can go out and just have a good time and support the community.”

The Albany Good Life team has exciting plans to impact the community in a positive light. “As a team, we will be visible in the community throughout the year helping to make a difference in the good life city,” Yaz says.

Some of their early projects include reading books to students at local schools, visiting nursing homes, cleaning the community, and feeding those in need. The team is eager for their presence in the community to have a lasting impact on those who need it the most.

With an attitude of expectancy, the team is looking forward to the off season as much as they are getting back into the game in their second season. While basketball remains their focus, they feel it is equally important to use the avenues available to them to make a great impact in the community as they do on the court.

This willingness to serve the community proves that although basketball is a great source of fun, life is about more than a game – it is about the lasting effect we can make in other’s lives. For in basketball as in life, there is no limit to what we can accomplish when we work together.  ALM

We offer both commercial and residential heating and air conditioning service, repair, replacement, and new Carrier installations in Southwest Georgia.

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WE MAKE EVERY BUSINESS & HOME THE COMFORT

Make the Most of Your Getaway

Camping is the ultimate in outdoor family fun and is loaded with benefits for parents and kids alike. It provides adventure and unlimited opportunities to experience the great outdoors. It’s also an excellent way for kids to learn about nature, from plants and animals to the weather and skies. Historical landmarks and different regions offer lessons in history. And parents get a break from daily responsibilities of life and a little relaxation. Not to mention, it’s an affordable way for families to vacation.

What’s the best way to camp?

Your family can choose from a variety of camping options. If you love the experience of roughin’ it, pitch a tent, and haul the bare necessities. Tents come in many sizes and styles, some with dividers for separate sleeping quarters. When purchasing a tent, remember capacity doesn’t include luggage space. If you plan to keep belongings in your tent,

By Kimberly Blaker

Camping also helps keep other vacation expenses to a minimum. Many families prefer cooking over the campfire to eating out. Additionally, most outdoor camping activities are free or available for minimal cost.

Camping can be a break from daily responsibilities of life and a little relaxation. Not to mention, it’s an affordable way for families to vacation.

Don’t overlook the option of a cozy cabin in the woods. Cabin rentals are sometimes found at campgrounds or in national forests at cabin resorts. Cabins range from basic single room shelters containing only beds to completely furnished three or four room units, including kitchenettes. When reserving a cabin, ask what is supplied before you go so you’ll arrive prepared while avoiding unnecessary packing. And don’t forget to ask about electricity, lights, and water.

opt for a larger size. Most importantly, don’t forget padding or a blow-up mattress to insulate against the cold, hard ground.

If you like the idea of roughing it, yet want some of the comforts of home, a pop-up camper is the best of both worlds. The canvas sides and pullout sections of pop-ups are surrounded by screens and give the feeling of sleeping in the fresh outdoors. Pop-ups

come in several sizes and often include an icebox or mini-refrigerator, heater, air conditioning, portable toilet, shower, kitchen sink, stove, cabinets and storage space, dining table, and other necessities.

Some families prefer going in style. Travel trailers and motor homes offer a luxurious nighttime retreat after a day of outdoor fun. The ease in loading and unloading these shelters is excellent for moving

If you like the idea of roughing it, yet want some of the comforts of home, a pop-up camper is the best of both worlds. The canvas sides and pullout sections of pop-ups are surrounded by screens and give the feeling of sleeping in the fresh outdoors. Pop-ups come in several sizes and often include an icebox or mini-refrigerator, heater, air conditioning, portable toilet, shower, kitchen sink, stove, cabinets and storage space, dining table, and other necessities.

from campsite to campsite, making crosscountry camping less work. Motor homes and travel trailers often have a full-size kitchen, living room complete with sofa and chairs, and separate bedrooms for comfort and privacy.

Don’t overlook the option of a cozy cabin in the woods. Cabin rentals are sometimes found at campgrounds or in national forests at cabin resorts. Cabins range from basic single room shelters containing only beds to completely furnished three or four room units, including kitchenettes. When reserving a cabin, ask what is supplied before you go so you’ll arrive prepared while avoiding unnecessary packing. And don’t forget to ask about electricity, lights, and water.

Experienced campers with older kids might try a hike-in shelter for a real wilderness experience. Check with state and national parks for shelters that are sometimes set up along extended trails. After a day of hiking, roll out your sleeping bags under one of these small shelters for a dry night’s sleep under the stars.

Camping costs

The cost of travel can make family vacations a rare treat. But the affordability of camping may allow for frequent getaways. Overnight fees range from a free night’s stay at some state park rustic sites (no showers, toilets, electricity, or water) to $50 or more per night at many of the top KOA and Jellystone Camp ParkResorts. These top of the line campgrounds are loaded with amenities from built-in swimming pools to live entertainment.

State park campgrounds vary from state to state. Still, these are often the best deal for families interested in experiencing all that nature has to offer. Fees for overnight accommodations in state parks typically range from $15 to $40. Many state parks

have modern facilities, including flush toilets, showers, grassy or gravel sites, playgrounds, park stores for firewood and ice, and more. Furthermore, state parks frequently offer extensive wooded hiking or biking trails, natural wonders, historical sites, and more that isn’t found at private camp resorts.

Camping also helps keep other vacation expenses to a minimum. Many families prefer cooking over the campfire to eating out. Additionally, most outdoor camping activities are free or available for minimal cost.

Fun camping activities

Whatever your family’s interests, there is plenty to see and do. Trails offer ample activities such

as collecting rocks, leaves, or insects, scouting for wildlife, learning about plants and trees and practicing survival skills. You can also go on hiking excursions, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

Lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams offer fishing, swimming, row boating or canoeing, sunbathing, and more.

Wildlife viewing is often a highlight. Look for animals early in the morning or at dusk on dirt roads and trails, in open fields surrounded by woods, and near water. Be patient, walk slowly and quietly, and don’t forget binoculars.

Other activities include nature programs, nature centers, and historical sites, flying kites, rollerblading or bicycling on paved trails, and more.

When you’re ready to relax, light a campfire, and

Your family can choose from a variety of camping options. If you love the experience of roughin’ it, pitch a tent, and haul the bare necessities. Tents come in many sizes and styles, some with dividers for separate sleeping quarters. When purchasing a tent, remember capacity doesn’t include luggage space. If you plan to keep belongings in your tent, opt for a larger size. Most importantly, don’t forget padding or a blow-up mattress to insulate against the cold, hard ground.

enjoy reading or storytelling, play cards or board games, watch the sunset, stargaze, and roast marshmallows.

What to take

Buy a couple of large plastic totes with lids to carry and store your camping supplies. The following are some of the basics you’ll want to take.

• Reusable plastic cups (labeled to save on washing)

• Silverware

• Plates and bowls

• Paper towels, food storage bags, and tinfoil

• A cooking source such as a one or two-burner stove

• An aluminum pot and skillet

• Cooking utensils and can opener

• Coffee pot

• Tablecloth

• Ice chest, food, and drinks

• Drinking water and large water container

• Dish soap and dishcloths

• Insect repellent and sunscreen

• Folding chairs

• Backpack

• Radio, flashlight, and batteries

• Lantern and matches

• Firewood (unless available near your campground)

• Knife and hatchet

• Rope and twine

• First-aid kit

• Sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows

• Air mattress or padding

• Personal hygiene items and toilet paper

• Towels and washcloths

• Bikes, rollerblades, balls, fishing, and other sports equipment

• Camera and binoculars

• Clothing for all types of weather, rain gear, and walking shoes or hiking boots

What not to take

Don’t get carried away with packing, or camping will become a chore. Make a list, then weed out items you don’t really need. Portable televisions detract from outdoor fun, so leave yours at home.

Camping is the ultimate in outdoor family fun and is loaded with benefits for parents and kids alike. It provides adventure and unlimited opportunities to experience the great outdoors. It’s also an excellent way for kids to learn about nature, from plants and animals to the weather and skies. Historical landmarks and different regions offer lessons in history. And parents get a break from daily responsibilities of life and a little relaxation. Not to mention, it’s an affordable way for families to vacation.

Think it through before taking your pet. Some campgrounds don’t allow pets, and even if they do, pets cannot be left unattended. A pet can hinder many activities, including beaches, where dogs often aren’t allowed.

Easy camp foods

There are many ways to cook. Buy a gas or liquid fuel camping stove. If electricity is available, a crockpot or electric griddle works well. You can also carry a charcoal or small gas grill or cook over an open fire.

Keep meals simple to minimize packing, preparation, and clean up. Easy choices include hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, steak, sandwiches, eggs, bacon, sausage, crockpot meals, sweet corn, baked potatoes, canned foods such as baked beans, tuna, chicken, spaghetti, ravioli, and soup, fresh fruit, vegetables and dip, bagels, English muffins, cereal, fruit juice, and hot cocoa.

On the other hand, if you enjoy cooking and tasty meals are one of the highlights for your family, then make the most of mealtime. With all the options for cooking, you can easily enjoy a gourmet feast.

Camping tips

Camping is often a learn-as-you-go experience. But the following can alleviate hassles and keep your family safe.

Protect your food from animals and animals from your food by blocking access. Animals can find their way into nearly anything. Raccoons are known to lift lids right off coolers to snatch hot dogs and other treats. A cooler that

latches is usually a safe bet. Any food that isn’t tightly contained should be stored in your vehicle overnight. Poor weather can strike at any time, and insect infestations can also make for a miserable experience. Make additional shelter such as a screen tent or tarps and rope part of your camping gear.

Arrive at your camp destination ahead of the crowd. Every campsite is unique, and early arrival can assure a site that satisfies your needs.

When selecting a site, look for proximity to restrooms, the playground, electricity, and water. If you have young kids, make sure the site isn’t close to a river or lake. The amount of shade you’ll want may depend on the weather forecast. To avoid mud in the event of rain, choose a grassy or rock site. Also, stay away from a site that backs up to outhouses, which can smell in the heat and wind.

Know what animals are found in the area and teach your kids animal safety. Wild animals usually want to avoid humans as much as we want to avoid them. Still, they can pose risks. In the West, mountain lions have been known to snag children and even small women. In bear country, those accustomed to people sometimes get too close and result in injury. Even small animals that feel threatened may attack.  ALM

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