Houston County Living - Summer 2024 by With You In Mind Publications

CAMPERS

STUDENTS AND TEACHERS FROM THE GEORGIA ACADEMY FOR THE BLIND HAVE A BLAST AT ANNUAL SPACE CAMP

THE FUTURE, NOW

Robotic Surgery in Houston County, GA

Houston Healthcare recently welcomed two additional da Vinci Surgical Systems to our Warner Robins and Perry campuses to expand local access to high-tech surgical options.

“We are committed to being a leader in providing patients with minimally invasive treatments. Investment in this technology is another way Houston Healthcare is working to provide our community with exceptional care ‘at home’ in our county.”

- Charles Briscoe, President & CEO, Houston Healthcare

Spillers Orthodontics is where great smiles begin! Known for our friendly, well-trained team, we offer Invisalign®, Smartclip™ self-ligating braces, and much more. Our office is filled with the latest orthodontic technology including 5D intraoral scanning, 3D digital X-ray, 3D imaging, 3D printing and remote treatment monitoring to ensure than every patient achieves a healthy and beautiful smile.

• Georgia’s Most Experienced Invisalign Provider

• Complimentary Evaluation

• No Referral Needed

J. Don Spillers Jr., DMD, MS | Adam Gordon, DMD | Trey Spillers DMD, MS

Heavenly Road to Recovery

Founded by Pastor Terry in 2017, Recovery Way is a 90-day recovery program that has helped hundreds of people to face their addictions and get their lives back on track.

What an Honor

Local Vietnam veterans fly high with special flight to Washington, D.C.

A Superior Selection

The Butcher Shop carries a fine selection of premium meats that you cannot find at just any grocery store.

Happy Campers

Students and teachers from the Georgia Academy for the Blind have a blast at annual space camp.

166 102 A Leap of Faith

Liz Miller and Julie Balducci are making a significant impact on the lives of women and children facing vulnerabilities in Houston County.

122 The Art of Historical Preservation

Because of the Perry Area Historical Society, the public has been made privy to countless pieces of Perry’s unique history that tell the story of the early days of our beloved town.

138 Commitment to Improving Literacy

The Rotary Club’s commitment to improving literacy is an inspiring reminder that we can all make a difference.

150 Turning Pain into a Purpose

Sheldon Hudlin mother’s passing served as the impetus for Sheldon’s work with the Alzheimer’s Association.

180 Playful & Faithful

At Perry Presbyterian Playschool, it is their mission to touch the lives of children with God’s love.

Scenes of Houston

Around every corner in our amazing community, there are treasures that lay awaiting discovery. Beauty is indeed all around us and in endless supply. Take a look at a few more reasons why we love Houston.

At the other end of the age spectrum are veterans that are flown and escorted to Washington, D.C., to visit the capital of the united states. these heroes are treated with the respect that they have earned.

these articles are but two of the reasons that houston County is special. Please find a comfortable chair in the air conditioning with a glass of sweet tea and enjoy the rest of the articles about great neighbors and special places in houston County.

As you flip through the pages, you will see the many sponsors that make the magazine possible. Please thank them when you see them!

John 10:10

Jay and Patti Martin

tinika Bennett Photography

Photography

Dottie hicks

Mandi Martin

Patti Martin

David Pena

stephen Prudhomme

tayler Willis

houston County living© is published semi-annually by With You in mind Publications. houstoncountylivingmedia.com P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 (912) 654-3045

ales: (912) 654-3045 y@wyimpublications.com houstoncountylivingmedia.com

CARE COMMITTED TO

AAt Moss Medical Clinic, the dedicated staff of professionals is committed to providing top-quality healthcare services to all their patients. A native of Houston County, Dr. Michael Moss is a graduate of Northside High School as well as a Navy veteran. Together with his wife Rachel, who is an adult gerontology nurse practitioner, they have a combined 46 years of healthcare experience. They also understand the importance of having a trusted healthcare partner who knows your history and can guide you through important healthcare decisions.

“We are a primary care clinic that offers physical exams, preop testing, chronic care management for diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, asthma, and arthritis, among other conditions,” explains Rachel.

Their clinic also offers treatments in medical weight loss, infusion therapy, as well as hormone replacement therapy. “Bio-identical hormone replacement helps men and women improve their sleep and anxiety levels as well as libido and sexual function,” says Rachel. “For men, the treatment increases muscle mass, libido, work performance, and helps to treat ED. Women see an improvement in the areas of mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, reduced libido, and weight gain.”

With their medical weight loss program, the clinic offers patients an individualized plan that helps change the way they view their relationship with food. Patients receive routine support and direction from the providers in every step in their

Our experienced team of healthcare professionals is committed to helping you achieve optimal health and wellness.

weight loss journey. The clinic uses semaglutide or tirzepatide that not only aid in weight loss, but also offer additional health benefits. At Moss Medical, you will receive continued support and direction from the providers in every step of your weight loss journey.

Moss Medical’s IV therapy offers everything from simple rehydration to various vitamin and mineral infusions. These treatments offer superior absorption over traditional oral supplements. The infusions also aid in immune strengthening, anti-aging, metabolism enhancement, headache relief and brain fog.

The clinic is also proud to be partnered with GeneSight® in order to help determine the pharmaceuticals that will be the most effective for you and your mental health. If you need immediate care for a minor illness or injury, they offer same-day and next-day appointments to make getting the care you need very easy and convenient.

The team of professionals at Moss Medical Clinic is committed to helping you achieve your optimal health and wellness. Their mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of each patient by providing high quality, compassionate care and exceptional service in a convenient and accessible manner.

Call them at (478) 666-3377 for an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome and telehealth visits are also offered. 530 South Houston Lake Rd | Warner Robins, GA 31088 mossmedicalclinic.com | (478) 666-3377

Story by Alexa Tebben |

BeautifulInside and Out

Ashley Horne believes that a fresh hair style can boost people’s confidence in a way that reflects the beauty and light inside of them.

Photos by Tinika Bennett Photography

hHello Beautiful Salon is celebrating ten years of operation with their beloved clients. “Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” owner Ashley Horne says. In March, she organized a celebratory event at the Muse as a way to give back to clients and thank them for their loyalty.

Ashley opened the salon in March 2014. When she started, Ashley’s salon consisted of two stylists including herself and a handful of clients. Now ten years later, her client pool has grossly expanded and she boasts 11 stylists including herself to keep up with demand.

Their services range from men’s to women’s cuts and include a variety of customizable options for any type of style. They provide beard trims, hand tied extensions, lived in color, fashion color, blonding services, balayage, smoothing services, spray tanning, and waxing. Clients enjoy the plethora of choices Hello Beautiful Salon offers.

While she has been a salon owner for ten years, Ashley’s cosmetology experience dates even further back. “I had been doing hair probably about nine years before I opened my salon,” she recalls. But even as a child, Ashley was primed for a future in cosmetology.

“I’ve grown up in the hair industry my whole life,” she says. Ashley’s mom was a hairdresser. Additionally, her grandmother often brought

Ashley falls more in love with cosmetology and the joy it brings people every day. “I just have a true passion for this industry, and I love it,” she exclaims. The entire Hello Beautiful Salon teams shares her enthusiasm for their work. They find great joy in the opportunity to touch the lives of their clients by taking care of their styling needs.

Ashley to her friend’s home salon where Ashley would help out. “My job as a kid was to pull the hair dryers down over the ladies getting their shampoo sets. At five and six years old, that was a pretty big job.”

Ashley treasured those early days in the salon, but becoming a hair stylist was not her dream job. When she graduated high school in 2004, Ashley wanted to pursue a career in animal science. However, she decided to take her mom’s suggestion and see if a career in cosmetology would be a better fit.

When Ashley studied cosmetology at Middle Georgia Technical College, she knew it was the right decision. “I fell in love with it,” she says. “I fell in love with the connection that you make with clients.”

Newly graduated from the cosmetology program, Ashley started her first hair stylist job at Dale’s House of Styles in Perry. Ashley attributes her success as a hair stylist to those early years at Dale’s House of Styles. She says that opportunity helped build who she is today by giving her the confidence to excel in the industry.

Hello Beautiful Salon is celebrating ten years of operation with their beloved clients. “Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” owner Ashley Horne says. In March, she organized a celebratory event at the Muse as a way to give back to clients and thank them for their loyalty.

As her passion for cosmetology blossomed, Ashley considered an entrepreneurship venture. “My thought had always been to open a salon one day,” she shares. When a rental space became available, she decided the time had arrived.

In the beginning, Ashley shares that she maintained practical goals. “I started off small and I just prayed to God, ‘Lord, provide me with what you see fit for me in my life.’” In those initial days, Ashley believed she would work alone at the salon. However, pretty soon the Lord brought another hair stylist to her door and the two of them worked there together before welcoming a third stylist.

Ashley drew inspiration for the name Hello Beautiful Salon from conversations with her friends. “I’ll answer the phone when they call saying, ‘Well, hey beautiful,’ or ‘Hello beautiful.’ It makes people smile; you can hear it through the phone.” It was an

easy decision to create this same feeling of adoration for her clients in the name of her business.

The first space she rented was less than one thousand square feet and held three spaces. Ashley looks back on it with much fondness, but the growth she experienced was a welcome change. After three years, Hello Beautiful Salon outgrew the original space and moved next door. They moved again in 2016 to their current location on Jernigan St. This building is 2500 square feet and accommodates Ashley and her growing team.

Since the beginning of this venture, Ashley has been committed to creating a joyous atmosphere both for the clients and the stylists. “I want it to be familyoriented, I want us to be close,” she says of the team. “We are a family and we work to help each other out.”

The ladies share a group chat thread where they send each other silly pictures and life updates to brighten their day. Ashley truly values the ladies’ team

spirit adding that they offer one another constant support, encouragement, and motivation.

“I’ve grown up in the hair industry my whole life,” she says. Ashley’s mom was a hairdresser. Additionally, her grandmother often brought Ashley to her friend’s home salon where Ashley would help out. “My job as a kid was to pull the hair dryers down over the ladies getting their shampoo sets. At five and six years old, that was a pretty big job.”

“I don’t call them my co-workers because they’re my sisters and that’s what they are to me.” Ashley can often be found referring to the ladies as Boss Babes further adding a sense of empowerment to the group.

These practices of hyping one another up translate into the way they treat their clients. “It’s not always about hair to us, it’s about investing time with our clients and building relationships that will last a lifetime,” Ashley says.

Many of Ashley’s clients have been seeing her since the start of her career twenty years ago. As such, she has walked alongside of them through life’s ups and downs getting to know more of their hearts each time they sit in her chair. She equates their visits to her salon to catching up with a good friend.

Last spring, Ashley added Hello Be-youTUFF-ul Boutique to the salon. The boutique contains hair accessories, jewelry, women’s clothing, and purses. Clients enjoy perusing these products and choosing pieces to complement their fresh hair styles.

The boutique is very dear to Ashley’s heart for sentimental reasons. “Seven and a half years ago I gave birth to a little boy named Tuff,” she shares. “He was the strongest baby I’ve ever seen. From eight to twenty-four weeks, he showed the world how tough and strong he was, but the Lord had plans for him and called him home to Him.”

Not a day passes that Ashley does not think about her precious little boy and the short time they had together. She honored his memory when she named the boutique after him and is constantly reminded of his strength. “You yourself have to be tough in every situation and trust in the Lord,” Ashley says.

In addition to the boutique, Ashley has decided to branch out into the permanent makeup industry and is opening Beautifully Inked PMU. There she will offer microblading, nano brows, lip blushing, powder brows, and combination brow services. “I’ll also be teaching the certification and teaching artists that are interested in this field.”

Ashley’s shares her gratitude for her husband Josh’s support and involvement in the salon. “He’s my voice of reason and I’m thankful for that. He calms me,” she says. Josh plays an active role on the construction side of the salon. Ashley says they enjoy spending their free time with Makayla, her nine-year-old stepdaughter.

“I want people to see themselves the way I see them,” Ashley says. A fresh hair style can boost people’s confidence in a way that reflects the beauty and light inside of them. HCL

HAPPY HEALTHY Smiles Crafting

IIt’s a sobering statistic, but at least one person in the U.S. dies each hour due to oral cancer. For the last four decades, unfortunately, this statistic has not changed. However, when the cancer is detected in its early stages, the vast majority of these patients can be saved.

To aid in the fight against cancer, the team of professionals at Hayslip Family Dentistry utilize the VELscope™ for screening and early detection of the disease. It is an FDA-approved, specially designed light that immediately identifies any unusual tissue in the oral cavity. “We use this on every patient to detect cancer at the earliest stage,” explains Dr. Curtis Hayslip, DMD. “It is a

quick, painless procedure that could truly save a person’s life.”

Dr. Hayslip, DMD has spent many years perfecting his skillset and expanding his expertise by completing numerous advanced certifications and degrees including Post-Graduate education and training in Advanced Anterior and Posterior Aesthetic Dentistry, a Diplomate in Surgery and Implantology from the International Dental Implant Association, and a Masters in Sleep Medicine from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Along with cancer screenings, Dr. Hayslip excels in both cosmetic and general dentistry as well as restorations, implants, and the treatment of sleep apnea. With more than 35+ years of clinical experience, he is also one of a few dentists in Georgia who provides the Solea® Laser treatment. It is a single, non-surgical treatment that takes only minutes to administer and is used to tighten tissue in the soft palate, thereby reducing the vibrations that cause patients to snore. “Laser dentistry also allows patients to get fillings without injections or drilling,” explains Christa Byrd.

“I really love helping those in need, and I use dentistry as part of my tithing,” says Dr. Hayslip. “For example, I help with the ‘Give Back a Smile’ program, which gives battered spouses the chance to smile again. I have also provided free dentistry to single mothers (who don’t have) the means to pay. It is just engrained in my soul that this is what I was put on Earth to do.”

In the last year, the practice has added another provider to the team, Dr. Bob Vlahos, DDS, who has practiced dentistry for well over two decades. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Dr. Vlahos also specializes in general dentistry and had his own practice in Florida before moving with his family to the area about a year ago. “When a patient says they want to smile again, I get fulfillment by helping them do just that,” he says. The addition of Dr. Vlahos has reduced the amount of wait time for appointments, thus allowing the practice to see patients more frequently.

The friendly and experienced team of dental professionals at Hayslip Family Dentistry is dedicated to making your dental experience an exceptional one. They believe in providing quality care while also ensuring their patients’ comfort. They also offer financing plans that spread the cost of treatment over time.

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

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

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

HEALING GRIEVING HEARTS ONE

Family AT A TIME

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

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

Still family owned and operated, ours is a history of unmatched integrity and we strive to maintain our reputation through quality, sincerity, and trust. We will never forget that our mission is one of service. No matter your situation, McCullough Funeral Home can and will help you.

a comfort to the community

Equine Associates and Baker Animal Hospital, work harmoniously to create an experience you and your animals deserve.

DDr. Baker started Equine Associates and Baker Animal Hospital in 1990 and has treated countless animals throughout his 34 years of practice. His long-standing presence in the community has been a source of comfort to the many people who rely on his veterinary expertise.

Originally from Hawkinsville, Dr. Baker attended Wake Forest College before continuing at UGA for veterinary school. While trained and equipped in all veterinary regards, Dr. Baker specializes in sports medicine, lameness, and reproduction. They do laser therapy, extracorporeal shock therapy, and acupuncture.

Dr. Baker attended Chi Institute where he learned his acupuncture skills. “It’s an alternative side to classic medicine that has allowed us to help our

patients in ways that we couldn’t otherwise.”

Following veterinary school, Dr. Baker worked for a mixed animal hospital before opening his own practice. Dr. Baker speaks of those early years with fondness as he acknowledges how far the veterinary clinic has come since then. Initially, Dr. Baker performed from his mother’s garage including an ambulatory care on an outpatient basis with the use of his truck. In 1992, he built the first building on its current property in a crucial step towards building more permeance.

While Dr. Baker has always had a unique interest in horses, he fully transitioned to equestrian medicine in the late 1990s. He practiced as Equine Associates and dedicated many years to this specialized field. In 2015, he broadened his practice

to include a mixed array of animals and rebranded as Equine Associates and Baker Animal Hospital.

In 2023, Dr. Gentry joined the team to help meet the needs of the community. While Dr. Baker primarily focuses on horses and small animals, Dr. Gentry cares for cattle and small animals. Their partnership greatly benefits the wide variety of animals they treat.

Their team is comprised of several technicians, front office staff, and a business manager. Some employees have been with Equine Associates and Baker Animal Hospital for up to fifteen years. Dr. Baker’s wife, Patsy Baker, serves as the practice manager. “She’s the glue, she holds everything together,” Dr. Baker says lovingly. Patsy has over forty years of veterinary experience and has been with Equine Associates and Baker Animal Hospital for nine years.

Dr. Baker speaks of the people he has served throughout the years with great affection. “My clients have been quite loyal,” he says. “It has been a blessing.” Many of his clients travel from all over the southeast to bring their animals into his trusted care. Some of these places include Chattanooga, Tennessee, Charleston, South Carolina, Montgomery, Alabama, and Gainesville, Florida.

He is touched by his client’s loyalty to his practice and the opportunity to treat animals from all over. “The practice is built on a family concept,” Dr. Baker says. “We treat people like family and our clients’ animals like they were ours.”

At Equine Associates and Baker Animal Hospital, they are pleased to create a welcoming atmosphere for all their clients. Their friendly service and professionalism work harmoniously to create an experience you and your animals deserve.

Our hand-cut, premium Certified Angus Beef, exquisitely prepared entrées, side dishes, fresh salads, dips, and desserts always meet the highest standards.

Creating A Smile That Comes From The Inside

Helping you live healthier, with a smile you are happy to share!

AAt Perry Dental Associates, 2024 is the year for a threefold celebration. Not only does this summer mark Dr. Louis Shelton’s 30th year of providing dentistry in his hometown of Perry, but it is also the 25th anniversary of the formation of Perry Dental Associates with his twin brother, the late Dr. Thomas Shelton. Added to these significant milestones is the welcoming of the next generation of dentists as Dr. Grant Shelton joins the family business to continue his father’s legacy.

Dr. Louis Shelton remembers the joy of practicing dentistry alongside his brother. Together they served their community with an equal passion for promoting oral health in the town they have always called home. He reminisces about this time as he shows his nephew and new colleague Dr. Grant Shelton an early edition of Houston County Living with a 2005 article highlighting the twin dentists.

Dr. Louis, as he’s lovingly called by many, says the addition of his nephew to the practice has been worth

the wait. “I’ve missed my brother and see in Grant the same love for dentistry and for serving our patients that Thomas and I shared when we formed Perry Dental Associates in 1999.” Dr. Louis continued by proudly sharing the achievements of Dr. Grant, who was the recipient of many awards throughout his education, honors such as the 2023 Michael Davenport Award of Achievement and the Academy of Operative Dentistry Outstanding Achievement Award.

If you ask Dr. Grant why he chose the dental field, he has a ready answer. “Dentistry is more than just a career choice for me; it’s a passion fostered from a young age by my dad. When we were boys, he would bring my brother and me to the office to watch him work. It was at his side that my interest in dentistry first took root, observing his calm demeanor with patients and his careful attention to detail as he served each one. For him, dentistry was more than a job. It was a ministry; it was a hobby; it was art. My love for this field reflects that same mission.”

Both Dr. Louis Shelton and Dr. Grant Shelton are dedicated to staying at the forefront of ever-evolving dental technologies that offer better outcomes for their patients. Along with preventive care, their services include 3D imaging, scanning, and modeling, with the opportunity for same day crowns as a convenience to their patients. They also provide advanced implant technology for patients who have lost one or more teeth and need to restore dental integrity. To keep their patients’ smiles radiant, they provide Invisalign and Zoom whitening.

Dr. Louis, who holds modern dental technologies in the hands of thirty years of experience, excitedly looks to the future of Perry Dental Associates with the addition of Dr. Grant to the team. Both doctors agree the goal for Perry Dental Associates is to continue to serve their patients in a way that demonstrates an appreciation of their community for the next quarter century and beyond.

The Heavenly Road

to Recovery

Founded by Pastor Terry in 2017, Recovery Way is a 90-day recovery program that has helped hundreds of people to face their addictions and get their lives back on track.

TTika Johns is a woman who truly loves her job. As the assistant manager of Fried Green Tomatoes, a popular Warner Robins eatery, Tika is an energetic and beloved employee who loves pleasing her customers with a courteous smile with the warm familiarity of an old friend.

Two years ago, however, things were very different for Tika. Unbelievably, she was living behind a dumpster near Lowe’s as a prisoner of her drug and alcohol addiction. “I had been addicted to methamphetamine for years,” she recalls, “and my life just took a downward spiral. It actually had gotten to the point where I didn’t want to live anymore.”

Her life would drastically change when she met two pivotal people: Pastor Terry Theus of Celebrate Recovery Ministries and Susie Robinson of The Well, a transitional house for women. “After I met Pastor Terry and Miss Susie, I told them that I wanted (the joy) that they had. I really didn’t want to continue to chase a feeling that I was never going to find with drugs, and they helped me to find Jesus.”

“Recovery ministry is where I belong. With the Lord’s help and grace, I was set free from my own addiction, and I’ve been paying it forward ever since,” explains Terry proudly. “These folks come to us, and they’re oppressed and depressed from their addictions. Most of them have no direction or hope for the future, so we give them a purpose and a direction; that’s the best gift you can give someone. I find the most fulfilling thing is seeing their lives transformed, and that’s more powerful than any drug.”

One of the programs that helped Tika overcome her addiction is called Recovery Way. Founded by Pastor Terry in 2017, it is a 90-day recovery program that has helped hundreds of people to face their addictions and get their lives back on track. The group meets every Monday at 7 pm in room 101 of the worship center at The Assembly Church. The Assembly offers a Christcentered, loving environment for those who are struggling with pain or addiction of any kind.

Terry, who has been a pastor at Celebrate Recovery Ministries for the past 8 years, says, “I love helping people to come out of their hurts, habits and hang-ups; it has become my true

With well over 200 graduates thus far, Terry couldn’t be happier or more proud. “He’s an amazing supporter for people with addiction,” says Tika, who also serves as a leader in the program. “Pastor Terry always believed in me and loved me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.”

Terry soon put his curriculum into an easy to follow workbook, and folks began contacting him about joining. Recovery Way even has its own choir, which performs at local retirement homes. On Tuesdays the group hosts Celebrate Recovery, a chip ceremony honoring those who have managed to stay clean. “We had close to 300 people at our last meeting,” says Terry with a smile.

calling in life. I’ve been where they’ve been, so I know what they’re going through.”

The 62-year-old Houston County native found his calling by ‘walking the walk,’ as it were. “I came from a broken home, and my parents divorced when I was six. We moved here, and my mother had to work hard in order to provide for her three children.” When he was around, which was seldom, Terry’s father would constantly tell him that he was a mistake and that he would never amount to anything. “At school, the teachers would affirm this because I simply wouldn’t do my work.”

To fight the pain and to also emulate his older brothers’ habits, Terry began

to start using drugs around the age of 12. Like millions of addicts, he first started using drugs recreationally before going down a darker road of addiction. “My drug of choice was meth, and it became my master. Because of my addiction, I became a thief and liar; I was even stabbed three times and almost lost my life at one point.”

However, a pivotal point in Terry’s life came when he was in his early twenties. “I had been on a binge and was driving on Russell Parkway, and the police pulled me over into the Oakland Baptist Church parking lot.” The officer told Terry on the way to jail that if he didn’t change his ways, he’d end up dead or in prison.

Two years later, Terry was sitting on a park bench waiting for a drug deal, and a stranger walked by and asked him a simple but penetrating question. “He asked me if I was a Christian. I told him yes, and he said, “Good.

We all need to serve God.’ Then he walked off. It was a lie since I didn’t grow up knowing anything about God, but his question made a huge impact on me.”

Inspired by this strange encounter, he urged his friends to take him home, where he found a Bible. Terry then asked God to show him the scripture that would ultimately change his life. “Up to that point, I was a liar and thief, so I didn’t think God would have anything to do with me,” he explains, “but I promised Him I would change my life if He helped me.” Terry then began to read Romans 10:13, which states, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” It was at that point that Terry was saved; he gave up his partying ways for good and began putting his faith into practice.

“The first thing I did was preach the Bible to his drug-dealing friends,” he says with a laugh, “but they told me that although they were excited for me, they didn’t want to hear it and suggested I go find a church.”

He then found himself at Christ United Methodist Church and was scheduled to be baptized by its pastor, Buddy Cooper. “He asked me to meet him at Oakland Baptist Church for the baptism, the very spot where I was arrested years ago.” Terry’s life had indeed come full circle.

Now as a pastor himself at the Assembly, along with lead pastor Darrell Yarbrough, Terry is heavily involved in prison ministry, a program for teens called Teen Challenge, and filling in for other pastors from time to time. However, he views Recovery Way as his true purpose.

The origin of the ministry actually involved an employee at Terry’s floor covering business. “Around 3 years ago, one of my workers was struggling with addiction, but he couldn’t go to a long term treatment program since he had to support his family. So I designed a program for him based on my own experiences, and I told him that if he followed it, he’d be free from his addiction. Within a month, his life had radically changed for the better, so I figured that I’d make my program available to more people.”

In February one of Celebrate Recovery’s participants was Adrian Waters, who celebrated two years of sobriety. “My daughter gave me my two year chip, which was a surprise, and I was overcome with pride,” she says.

“Recovery ministry is where I belong. With the

Lord’s help and grace, I was set free from my own addiction, and I’ve been paying it forward ever since,” explains Terry proudly. “These folks come to us, and they’re oppressed and depressed from their addictions. Most of them have no direction or hope for the future, so we give them a purpose and a direction; that’s the best gift you can give someone. I find the most fulfilling thing is seeing their lives transformed, and that’s more powerful than any drug.”  HCL

Come see Ogden Automotive for all your gas and diesel repair needs including diagnostics, A/C repair, engine and transmission replacements,

Bonaire Tire Company is a full-service automotive maintenance and tire shop located in Kathleen. Specializing in a wide range of services, including brakes, tires, alignments, oil changes, tune-ups, and more!

We are proud to be a family-owned and veteran-owned business.

Ogden Commercial Fleet services specialize in comprehensive fleet vehicle repairs, offering a wide range of services tailored to meet your business’s needs. Whether its DOT inspections, engine rebuilds, routine maintenance, or factory software updates, their team of ASE certified technicians have you covered.

WE KNOW PEST CONTROL

National Exterminating takes pride in creating a safe, pest-free space for your family to enjoy.

FFor half a century now, National Exterminating has built a solid reputation of going above and beyond to serve their customers. From termite treatment to fullservice pest control, the family-owned business has remained committed to guaranteeing professional service and successful results every time.

The company’s founder, the late Jim Hegwood, truly enjoyed helping people. Since he already had experience in the industry, he decided to pursue his dream to start his own pest control company in 1974, when Jim’s son Roger was finishing his studies at the University of Georgia.

“Granddaddy always considered my father to be a cofounder,” says Roger’s daughter Hilary. “He was going to wait until my dad finished at UGA. However, (Roger)

decided to sell his motorcycle to pay for his last quarter so that Granddaddy could start the business.” Roger sold his bike for $750 and began working for his father on the Monday following graduation. The two Hegwood men worked side-by-side for the next four decades, building a company that still upholds the same values that it was founded on.

“At the time I just needed a job,” recalls Roger with a laugh, “so I started doing the termite control for my father. We started our business with only three employees, so our first ‘marketing strategy’ was to go have coffee at Manor Pharmacy in order to get to know local businessmen.”

Hilary also began working for the business during summers while she attended college. After she received

her MBA in Business Management from Piedmont College, Hilary expressed interest in permanently joining her father and grandfather. However, Roger first said there’d be a prerequisite. “He told me that if I passed the Mosquito Control test first, I’d be hired,” she says with a smile. This exemplifies the family’s commitment to offering the best service possible.

In 2013, Hilary officially joined her father’s company and now acts as its Vice President, with Roger as President. “It’s really been an honor for me to work here because my family put a lot of hard work into building this company before I came,” she says. “For example, we have employees that have been with us for as long as 30 years, and that’s not easy to do.”

Today, Hilary and Roger run the business together and are committed to continuing the legacy of the Hegwood family. Now with over forty employees, National Exterminating’s service area has expanded to serve much of the Middle Georgia area, which includes Warner Robins, Macon and the surrounding areas within a 75-mile radius.

“We have provided a service that protects our customers’ health and property,” explains Roger, “so I’m pleased to have been able to do that all these years. Each one of our employees is punctual, professional and courteous, and we’ve always tried to just outwork our competition. I think that’s why we’ve been in business for this long.”

National Exterminating is located at 107 Westcliff Blvd in Warner Robins. Call them at (478) 922-1410 for all your pest control needs.

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Financial Planning Specialist

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6055 Lakeside Commons Drive Suite 450 Macon, GA 31210

478-405-3341

dedicated to healthcare

Our staff consistently goes above and beyond to provide you with the care you deserve and expect and will settle for nothing less. Our services will also provide you comfort and ease knowing that all of your information is kept safely in one place.

FFor the past 40 years, Macon Medical Group has been dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare services to every one of their patients in a compassionate and safe environment. The medical practice began serving the community in 1985, treating all kidney and hypertension-related needs. Founded by Dr. Ludwig Cavaliere and Dr. Azmi Kabbani, their core values focused on providing services with an individualized, patient-centered approach while always working in their best interest of every patient.

Now after four decades, the staff still has that same commitment to ensuring that each patient’s health is the top priority. The staff of physicians, nurse practitioners, as well as a physician’s assistant all help to treat as well as educate patients and their families about kidney and hypertension-related conditions. They are: Dr. Swathi Singanamala, M.D., M.R.C.P.; Dr. Ahmad Kabbani; Dr. Natalie Guinn; Adam Rhoades, PAC; Heather Self, FNP-BC; Christopher Chang, AGACNP-BC; Catherine Faircloth, FNP-C; and Kamilah Griswold, FNP-C.

Macon Medical Group not only takes great pride in providing the best care, but it’s also about building a community of support and compassion. “We love our community and believe in giving back to those who need

it most, which is why we offer free kidney screenings to anyone outside our offices,” says Kendell Floyd, Marketing Director for the practice. “We also believe that everyone should have access to comprehensive care, regardless of the source of payment; this is why we accept all insurances, including self-pay.”

In August of last year, Macon Medical Group added another location in Warner Robins. With an office at 309 Osigian Boulevard, Macon Medical Group can now serve all of Houston County and provides multiple ancillary services at both locations.

Diagnostic services include an in-house laboratory and ultrasound, which serves to provide our patients with same day results from routine lab work such as venipuncture and urinalysis. Therapeutic services consist of nutritional counseling, “Kidney Smart” classes, as well as anemia management. In-office ancillary services provide more rapid diagnoses with quicker initiation of treatment during office visits.

“Our knowledgeable providers pour their hearts into every patient interaction, creating a bond of trust and understanding that goes beyond medical treatment.”

Call Macon Medical Group at (478) 745-5455 to set up your appointment today.

The medical practice began serving the community in 1985, treating all kidney and hypertension-related needs.

Founded by Dr. Ludwig Cavaliere and Dr. Azmi Kabbani, their core values focused on providing services with an individualized, patient-centered approach while always working in their best interest of every patient.

Dr. Ahmad Kabbani

Dr. Swathi Singanamala

Dr. Natalie Guinn

By Stephen Prudhomme

GGrant Fossum served two tours of duty as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. For the past 18 to 19 years, he’s been a volunteer at the Aviation Museum in Warner Robins.

In mid-March, the flying theme continued for Grant, 80, who took part in a special flight to Washington, D.C. There, he joined with fellow Vietnam veterans to remember the past and those who didn’t make it home and for some to share experiences they’ve kept private for more than a half century and heal in the process. Through the trip, their emotions ran the gamut, from exhilaration to sadness.

The veterans participated in the Middle Georgia Honor Flight Network program, flying from Middle Georgia Regional Airport to Baltimore-Washington Airport (BWI). Boarding a tour bus, they visited a number of war memorials and other sites March 16 before returning home. The group included 14 Vietnam War veterans, a number of whom live in Houston County, their guardians, and four staff members.

What an honor

Local Vietnam veterans fly high with special flight to Washington, D.C.

Another local veteran onboard the Honor Flight was Jimmie Simpson, 80, a retired Air Force senior master sergeant who served from 1961 to 1980. A member of VFW Post 6126 in Perry, he was accompanied by his grandson and guardian, Chris Smith.

The Middle Georgia hub offers six flights a year, three in spring and three in the fall, to wartime veterans, with those serving during World War II given top preference due to their age. Next are Korean War veterans followed by those who served during the Vietnam War and terminally ill veterans. There are some 250 individuals on the typical one-year waiting list. Ben Sandifer, director of communications for the local program, said they base flight passage on age and health.

The Honor Flight Network started in 2005. Middle Georgia is one of 128 hubs around the country and began in 2018. The 501(c)3 organization relies on donations and sponsorships to cover the cost of the $15,000 flight. Its annual golf tournament cleared $16,000. The trip is free for the veterans.

During the March trip, the veterans visited the Vietnam Wall, World War

II, Korean War, Air Force, Marine and Navy memorials, the Women’s Military Memorial and attended the Changing of the Guard at Arlington Cemetery. “It was a full day,” said Ben, who did not go on this flight but went on previous ones. “We do as much as we can. It was the first flight of the year and went very well.”

One person who went on the March flight was Roger Jennings, who cofounded the Middle Georgia hub with Bobby Long and is president of the group’s board. He’s gone on12 flights and shares the flight commander position with Long.

“Every trip is amazing,” said Roger, who retired from the Air Force and started the Middle Georgia hub with Bobby, a fellow civil defense worker at Robins Air Force Base, as a way of giving back and recognizing veterans for their service. “It’s an emotional trip. One veteran opened up on this flight and said that’s exactly what he needed. It helped him get closure.”

The Middle Georgia hub has sponsored over 300 veterans on 19 flights since 2018. Each veteran is accompanied by a guardian. Once they arrive in Washington, D.C., they’re accompanied by various military volunteers. Roger said he and Bobby started the program after the latter’s father went on an Honor Flight and spoke highly of it. “It’s gratifying to give back and see the look of gratitude on their faces,” Roger said.

Grant is one of those grateful veterans. The Warner Robins resident is a retired Army lieutenant colonel who served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot; he also was in the Air Force for five years. His two daughters convinced him to go on the Honor Flight

after he had promoted it as a volunteer at the Aviation Museum and accompanied him on the trip.

“It was fantastic,” Grant said. “It was a very moving experience, especially visiting the Vietnam Wall. We all had people we knew on the wall. We looked at one another and realized we had service that most people won’t experience. It was neat to talk about our experiences.”

Grant had gone to the Vietnam Wall previously but said this was the most special of visits. He went to the World War II Memorial for the first time and described it as fantastic and very impressive. Grant said he was even more impressed with the Korean War Memorial and seeing the names of those who perished in that conflict.

Likewise citing the Women’s Military Memorial and Navy and Air Force memorials, along with the beautiful weather, Grant said the trip had the perfect ending when they were greeted by 100-plus volunteers, including Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, upon their return to the Middle Georgia Regional Airport. “I thought the Honor Flight was a great program before I went,” Grant said. “Now I know it is.”

Jeff Miller and Earl Morse created Honor Flight 19 years ago to honor the nation’s veterans by bringing them to Washington, D.C., so they can visit the memorials that commemorate their service. Miller is a small business owner and the son of a World War II veteran and nephew of a B-24 pilot killed during the war. Morse is a retired Air Force captain who worked at a Veterans Affairs office in Ohio. They established separate volunteer flight programs to bring veterans to Washington, D.C., after the unveiling of the World War II Memorial in 2004 and eventually merged the two to create the Honor Flight Network.

The program initially focused on America’s World War II veterans but eventually expanded to include Korean War and Vietnam War veterans. Additionally, Honor Flights are also available to critically ill veterans from any service era. The Lone Eagle program serves veterans who live in areas with no local hub. Honor Flight has 128 hubs in 44 states. Over 275,000 veterans have flown on Honor Flights since the program’s inception. Crucial to its success are thousands of volunteers.

Another Warner Robins veteran who went on the March Honor Flight was Tim Mullis, 77, who served as a jet crew chief during the Vietnam War. His son, who is a missionary, encouraged him to go on the trip and served as his guardian.

“It was wonderful, an honor,” Tim said. “It was more than I expected. We shared a lot of war stories on the plane, especially coming back after we had gotten to know one another. I was the supervisor for one of the veterans when we worked together at Warner Robins. It was good all the way around and made my heart feel good.”

Remarking he enjoyed seeing all the memorials and other sites in Washington, D.C., Tim said the Korean War Memorial was especially moving. “It’s hard to accept all those people died in that war,” he said. “I knew a number of people who died.”

When Tim came home at the end of his four years in the Air Force, he didn’t claim to be in the military due to the unpopularity of the war. It was different more than 50 years later. “There was a sign at the airport (BWI) welcoming us home,” Tim said. “The military volunteers who accompanied us on the tour in Washington took off their Saturday and rode around with us. The female medic was so nice, and the Army guys would help us around and make sure nothing bad happened.”

The guardians for the veterans are often family members who provide invaluable support and encouragement as an insider and witness how meaningful the experience is for their loved one. Such is the case with Keri Marie Anderson, whose father, Donald Patterson, went on the trip.

“I feel honored to have been able to accompany my dad as his guardian for this Honor Flight,” said the Warner Robins resident. “We actually had an active

duty soldier, SPC Essex, who was part of a volunteer group who met up with us in Maryland. My dad and SPC Essex immediately hit it off. SPC Essex pushed my dad around all day, talked with him, made sure my dad had everything he needed. My dad enjoyed SPC Essex as much as SPC Essex enjoyed my dad. It was the first time SPC Essex had been to Washington and he said he was so honored to spend the day with my dad.”

Keri said the trip was so well organized from the moment she dropped her father at the door before parking the car at the airport in Macon. She noted someone was there to help him into a wheelchair and they were given three meals, snacks and drinks. Witnessing the Changing of the Guard at Arlington Cemetery was outstanding, according to Keri, adding that seeing all the memorials was a once in a lifetime opportunity for the both of them that she could never have coordinated on her own given her father’s mobility issues. As a Navy veteran, Donald especially

enjoyed visiting the United States Navy Memorial, Keri noted.

The flight home featured a mail call for all veterans. Keri said her dad really enjoyed reading cards and letters from family, friends and well wishers from around the country. “We had well wishers sending us off and greeting us throughout the day and that really impressed my dad,” Keri said. “He never expected all the love and warmth shown by so many people. My dad was a bit reluctant to sign up when we did but so glad he did. I would suggest any veteran who hasn’t had a Honor Flight to get on the list. You won’t regret it.”

Her father certainly didn’t regret it. A 21-year Navy veteran who spent all his time on submarines and retired as a senior chief electronics technician, Donald Patterson, 81, opted for a seat high above the clouds rather than under the waves in his most recent “military operation.” He said the Honor Flight was one of the best experiences he’s had. “The volunteers were amazing,” said the Warner Robins resident. “I could not have asked for better care. We were all treated with respect and dignity.”

Donald said the flight and tours of the D.C. monuments were excellent, adding that a highlight of the trip was having a Medal of Honor recipient accompanying them. Now a veteran of an Honor Flight, Donald is encouraging fellow veterans to follow suit.

“I can’t recommend a Honor Flight enough for any veteran,” he said. “I’m sure it would be a highlight of their lives. It is certainly something I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life.” He echoed his daughter’s comments about mail call, saying that receiving all those letters from family, friends and acquaintances was heartwarming.

Bud Cooling worked with missiles in the Army from 1958 to 1979. Although he served during the Vietnam War, Bud was not sent to fight in that campaign. For that reason, he was reluctant to go on the Honor Flight.

“There are too many people who went to Vietnam who are in worse shape and more deserving,” he said. “There are Purple Heart winners, disabled, sick… I get about, go places and do things. I don’t depend on the VA for anything.”

After two years of “bugging” him, Roger Jennings finally convinced Bud to go on the Honor Flight. Returns on the trip were positive. “It was good,” Bud said. “I enjoyed it. I’m glad I finally decided to go. The best part was coming home and seeing a sign, ‘Welcome home Sgt. Cooley.’” Robert Henderson remembers people throwing rocks and spitting at him when he returned from Vietnam for the first time. He also was called a baby killer. The reception he received when returning home from the March 16 Honor Flight was totally different.

“People were smiling and holding up signs and saying welcome home,” said the 76-year-old Warner Robins resident. “It melted my heart.”

Robert served in the Air Force from 1967 to 1989 and worked in aircraft maintenance at a base near Vietnam. He

retired as an E-8 senior master sergeant. Some 24 months ago, Robert went online and signed up for the Honor Flight after his wife told him about it. His guardian was his son, a local fifth grade social studies teacher.

“It was awesome to have my son along,” Robert said. “Seeing all the history is good for him as a teacher.” It also was good for Robert as a veteran.

“It definitely was a good experience,” he said. “I enjoyed the whole range of things. The Korean War Memorial was well, well done. It was the first time I saw the Air Force Memorial. The women’s memorial was quite nice too. It was outstanding to talk to people who were in the maintenance field or had experiences common to us. It was fantastic to share the back and forth with other veterans. I highly recommend the Honor Flight.”

in Health Care Creating a Brighter Future

Health Care Career Academy offers a wide range of clinical classes and health care certificate programs designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in the ever-growing field of health care.

QQuality education is an invaluable asset in the medical field. At Health Care Career Academy, they make it their mission to equip students with the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in the industry.

Sisters Mandi Collins and Deidra Payne started developing Health Care Career Academy in 2023 and fully launched the program in early 2024. They are incredibly passionate about their students. “Our motto is, ‘Their success is our success,’” Deidra says. “Whatever we have to do to make them comfortable and proficient in their field, that’s what we’ll do.”

While healthcare is ever-changing, their carefully curated lesson plans aim to properly educate students with the most current practices. Their nationally accredited and certified program encompasses a variety of courses to assist students seeking certifications in any number of specializations.

They offer courses for phlebotomy, certified nursing assistants, certified medical assistants, certified medical laboratory assistants, patient care technicians, EKG technicians, CPR, and First Aid. They pride themselves on their flexible course schedules which makes it possible for working professionals to join their class Additionally, they offer free child care services which their students greatly appreciate.

Mandi and Deidra are extremely qualified and well versed in their areas of expertise. Mandi has been a nurse for over fifteen years and currently serves as regional manager for Southern Health Partners where she manages the medical department for fourteen different correctional institutions. Before that, Mandi worked in home health, hospice, as a school nurse, and in the nursing department of both Perdue and Tyson chicken plants.

Like her sister, Deidra wears many hats in the medical field. She has worked in the medical department of numerous hospitals both rural and urban. Deidra has worked in management at the Central Georgia Cancer Care as well as in laboratories and clinics throughout Georgia. She owns a consulting business where she manages and consults doctor’s office laboratories all over the state. Additionally, Deidra has her own laboratory of which she acts as laboratory director.

Their collective 30 years of experience in the field has inspired them to share their knowledge with others by bringing the medical field to life inside their classrooms. Deidra says, “We are very much an interactive class atmosphere. The more interaction I have from my students, the more I like it.”

They encourage students to actively participate and speak up if they need further explanation of the materials. In doing so, they foster an environment that helps students feel comfortable learning.

They are committed to offering the best instruction they can to prepare each student for a better career. Both sisters work to ensure their students succeed in the classroom so they will flourish in the health care industry.

Mandi and Deidra are well connected in the medical community and are happy to help their students grow their network. It is their joy to connect the medical professionals they train with the job that best suits their skillset. Join Health Care Career Academy to journey towards a brighter future in health care.

Tan-Loc Nguyen, MD

Ashley Williams-Hernandez, MD

Make Room

for Life

G

Graceland Portable Buildings is a nationally recognized brand that has made its way right here to Warner Robins. They specialize in luxury outdoor sheds designed for customers of all interests.

Owners Kapil and Amy Patel opened Graceland of Warner Robins in December 2023. “We’ve sold buildings to people that are currently in the process of turning them into a restaurant, pool houses, barber shops, and a photography studio,” Amy shares. “Whatever you imagine, you can turn it into. The possibilities are endless.”

Graceland knows the importance of making your space your own. Because of that, they offer seventeen different styles ranging in size from 6’x12’ up to 16’x40’. While you can purchase these pre-built buildings straight off the lot, they also come custom built. When custom building, you can choose things like your own roof color, paint color, trim color, and number and location of doors and

windows to truly make it your own.

Each purchase includes free delivery within 50 miles. If custom built, it will be delivered straight from the manufacturer to your property. They also anchor down and set up the buildings at the time of delivery.

The integrity of these premier quality buildings sets them apart from others. They are constructed with hurricane screws that can withstand 150mph winds, 16” on-center studs and floors, and a patent ventilation system to ensure cooler temperatures during the summer months. The durability of these buildings is second to none. They include a seven-year warranty on the building itself and a 25-year warranty on the roof.

Kapil and Amy genuinely care to provide customers with outstanding service to match their amazing product. “Our mission is to take care of the customer 100%,” Amy says. They are excited to share these high-quality buildings with the local community.

A Superior Selection

Story by Alexa Tebben | Photos by Tinika Bennett Photography

The Butcher Shop carries a fine selection of premium meats that you cannot find at just any grocery store.

FFinding high quality meats is made a whole lot easier with a local butcher shop you can rely on. In Warner Robins, The Butcher Shop carries a fine selection of premium meats that you cannot find at just any grocery store.

While The Butcher Shop has been in the community for many years, David and Amy Dean took ownership in 2014. “Our story is a little unique,” Amy says. “I have always been in the business world, but I don’t think I ever realized that I wanted to own my own business.”

Amy has over 25 years’ experience in office management but has always had a heart for food. Prior to becoming owners of The Butcher Shop, David had a construction business. He and Amy have always loved to BBQ and frequently catered for family and friends over the years. When the previous owner asked if they would be interested in taking over the business, they happily jumped at the opportunity. The Deans bring many years’ worth of expertise

to the store. With ample business experience and a pre-existing passion for catering, they are the perfect people for the job. In ten years of operation, they have grown the business to provide customers a premium product that quenches any appetite.

The Butcher Shop boasts nearly 30 in-house sausages with a range of carefully curated flavors designed to stimulate your palette and keep you coming back for more. Some of these include

Whatever you come in for, you can be confident that The Butcher Shop’s friendly team is there to help you along the way. Their premium, high-quality meats will easily elevate your home dining experience. From savory sausage to smoked dog bones, there is something there for everyone. Stop in for a unique shopping experience and allow your taste buds to thank you later.

Amy talks about her customers with immense gratitude for their business and friendship. At The Butcher Shop, they care deeply for each person and family they serve. “We want our customers to know how much we appreciate them,” she says.

beef sausage, turkey sausage, chicken sausage, duck sausage, Boudin sausage, and chorizo. Each in-house sausage uniquely works to create delectable sensations you will never forget.

Head Butcher Shain Fricke is a mastermind when it comes to originality. He created their most popular sausage, Kristy’s Hawaiian Mafia. This specialty sausage is named after Shain’s daughter who loves pineapple pizza. “When you bite into it, you feel like you’re biting into pineapple pizza,” Amy says. “It’s got pineapple to make it sweet, bacon, and a little bit of heat.”

They carry the highest quality of beef you can find, and they proudly grind it themselves. While they are not configured to fully butcher

a cow or hog, they cut and trim the meat by hand. Everything is fresh not frozen, and it certainly shows.

In addition to their hand-crafted sausages, they carry pork chops, ribs, sirloin, and a full line of chicken.

“Everything that we sell in the store can either be marinated, we can put a rub on it, and we can actually vacuum seal your product,” Amy says.

“On the catering side, we have a few pre-selected menus,” Amy explains. Customers can choose more unique catering like a taco bar, an Italian theme, or their famous Low Country Boil. “The Low Country Boil is a pretty unique option because we come on site and serve that out of a boat. We set the boat up on saw horses, line the boat with plastic, and then dump the Low Country Boil into the boat.” This less-traditional eating experience is a playful focal point for any gathering.

Their vacuum sealer machine extracts all of the oxygen out of the bag so that you can freeze your meat for up to six months without risking freezer burn. Customers love that they can stock up on protein for many months to come.

In addition to their premium quality meats, the sell a medley of spices and sauces so customers can prepare these fine meats to their individual taste. They run monthly specials and offer an assortment

of side dishes in their market to complete your dinner ensemble. From breads, appetizers, and salads to homemade dessert, they act as a one stop shop for all your needs. Pick up fresh casseroles, dips, stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped asparagus, or any number of delicious items to enhance your meal.

The Butcher Shop teams knows the importance of excellent customer service. “When you have an exceptional product, you also need to have exceptional service. We also want our customers to be treated with the highest service they can get.”

Amy continues saying they value each customer’s experience when they walk into The Butcher Shop. “That is one thing that I take pride in; we want people to feel like they are the only person in the world when they come into the store,” she says. Their friendly staff stands at the ready to answer your questions and assist you in making the right selection for your needs. Though their shop is located near competing grocery stores, they have no shortage of customers. Amy explains this is because of their brand angus certified beef and extraordinary service, neither of which can be found elsewhere.

“I want our employees to have a good experience working with us, too,” Amy says. She and David are committed to creating a positive work culture for every team member they welcome onboard. They employee both full-time and parttime employees in all walks of life. “We do employee quite a few high school students which I count as a blessing because I love being able to help mold their future career,” Amy says.

While David and Amy know that The Butcher Shop might not be every employee’s forever career, they love the time they have with each team member. They value their ability to have a positive impact on younger employees during their journey towards a bright, exciting future.

The catering side of their business is highly lucrative as well. They are outfitted to cater events like wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, graduations, reunions, and birthdays. Customers can pick up catering from The Butcher Shop, set up delivery, or have onsite service.

The Deans bring many years’ worth of expertise to the store. With ample business experience and a pre-existing passion for catering, they are the perfect people for the job. In ten years of operation, they have grown the business to provide customers a premium product that quenches any appetite.

menus,” Amy explains. Customers can choose more unique catering like a taco bar, an Italian theme, or their famous Low Country Boil. “The Low Country Boil is a pretty unique option because we come on site and serve that out of a boat. We set the boat up on saw horses, line the boat with plastic, and then dump the Low Country Boil into the boat.” This less-traditional eating experience is a playful focal point for any gathering. Amy talks about her customers with immense gratitude for their business and friendship. At The Butcher Shop, they care deeply for each person and family they serve. “We want our customers to know how much we appreciate them,” she says. Whatever you come in for, you can be confident that The Butcher Shop’s friendly team is there to help you along the way. Their premium, high-quality meats will easily elevate your home dining experience. From savory sausage to smoked dog bones, there is something there for everyone. Stop in for a unique shopping experience and allow your taste buds to thank you later.  HCL

The Butcher Shop boasts nearly 30 in-house sausages with a range of carefully curated flavors designed to stimulate your palette and keep you coming back for more. Some of these include beef sausage, turkey sausage, chicken sausage, duck sausage, Boudin sausage, and chorizo. Each in-house sausage uniquely works to create delectable sensations you will never forget.

Homestyle Southern Standards

O

Oil Lamp Restaurant has been a staple in the community for over 30 years. Blake and Brandon Doles took ownership of Oil Lamp Restaurant in February 2024 when the previous owner, Judy Wenger, retired.

“Brandon and I have been doing professional BBQ and catering for 18 years a piece,” Blake tells me. Their extensive experience helped the brothers prepare them for running a restaurant, and it has been an adventure from day one.

They consistently provide fresh, flavorful food to quench any appetite. “Our menu changes every day, but we have staple items like roast beef that are every day.”

Blake goes on to say that their rotating menu consists of items like smothered smoke chicken, fried pork chops, pineapple glazed ham, and country fried steak.

Some customers dine here on a daily basis, and they especially enjoy the variety offered on any given day. Blake says of these regulars, “We have developed really good relationships with our customers. We trust them and they trust us.”

Blake and Brandon are from the local area having grown up in Fort Valley and attended The Westfield School in Perry. Running a small business in their home town has been a joy and a blessing. Every

day they delight in serving the community members that are at the heart of Houston County.

“[We] both enjoy going out and speaking to everyone when we can,” Blake says. They have cultivated an atmosphere that is equally as enjoyable to work in as it is to eat. Their employees’ welcome customers with smiling faces and southern hospitality to elevate your dining experience from the moment you walk through the door.

They also offer catering, gift vouchers, and merchandise. Stop by for your next delicious meal and see for yourself what all the rave is about.

WE LOVE MAKING YOU SMILE!

S. Michael Loden, DMD & Amy S. Loden, DMD

We are a team of health care professionals dedicated to improving the lives of our patients by establishing relationships based on trust, compassion, and commitment.

Our goal is to become a partner with our patients to help them achieve and maintain optimum health, beauty, and comfort for a lifetime.

Serving the community one meal at a time.

TThere is nothing quite as comforting as a warm, home cooked meal. There is also nothing more cumbersome than having to cook one yourself. At Acres & Oak Kitchen, you can get a quality, home cooked meal for the whole family and only worry about pre-heating the oven.

Owners Justin and Afton Collins are passionate about serving the community one meal at a time. From classic casseroles to family favorites, their extensive supply is guaranteed to satisfy any number of your cravings.

While Acres & Oak Kitchen has served Perry since its opening in 2019, Justin and Afton took ownership in January 2024. They speak highly of Evan Acres who built up the Acres & Oak Kitchen brand. They express immense gratitude for the opportunity to continue growing the company on the same values it was founded.

What surprised them most about their customer base is the generosity of those they serve. The majority of customers

use Acres & Oak Kitchen to bless their friends and family through various walks of life. Whether mourning the loss of a family member or bringing home a new baby, there is nothing quite like receiving quality food made with love.

Justin and Afton have a heart for service and doing what they can to help others.

“It’s never been about what we do or what we sell, it’s about what we can do to show people that we love and care about them,” Afton says.

Their business is their ministry, and they see every customer served as a life touched. Justin echoes this concluding, “We pay attention to detail in everything we do, and we center all of it in our love for community and our love for Christ.”

MACON, GEORGIA

478.757.0074

4420 Forsyth Road Suite 180 Macon, Georgia 31210

Monday – Saturday 7am-7pm

PERRY, GEORGIA

478.224.0044

1030 Ball Street

Perry, Georgia 31069

Monday – Saturday 10am-7pm

www.acresandoakkitchen.com

happy

campers

Students and teachers from the Georgia Academy for the Blind have a blast at annual space camp

EEvery year, students from the Georgia Academy for the Blind in Macon expand their horizons by attending a fall camp in Alabama. They’re chosen by their teachers as part of an annual tradition that’s been going on for 20-plus years.

Both students and teachers have a blast while enjoying a truly out of this world experience. The Georgia Academy for the Blind contingent will attend the NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. The camp started in 1982 and has more than 700,000 alumni. It features NASA astronaut training focusing on teamwork and leadership skills. It has worldwide appeal, with attendees from all 50 states, U.S. territories and more than

150 countries. The space, aviation and robotics camps are offered to children 9 to 18, adults, families and educators.

One educator who has gone to the space camp is Dr. Neel Bennett, a high school science teacher at the Georgia Academy for the Blind. He and his wife, Tinika, Director of Photography for Houston County Living Magazine, have four children and reside in Perry.

Story By Stephen Prudhomme | Photos by Tinika Bennett Photography and provided by Georgia Academy for the Blind

“At the end, even though they learned a lot of science and math and independent living skills away from home and loved every experience, the most enjoyable thing of all was the social aspect.”

University, Neel worked at Houston Medical Center in the pharmacy department while attending nursing school.

His career path and life changed after meeting Tinika. Neel decided to pursue a teaching career, and his first job was as science teacher at Central High School in Macon. He stayed there for two years before going to Georgia Academy for the Blind in the same capacity. Over the next several years, Neel settled into his job and became certified to teach visually impaired students through Missouri State University. A fellow employee suggested he reinstate the annual space camp trip to Huntsville, AL noting the high school teacher who previously organized the outing would attend and help chaperone the weeklong event. In 2013, Neel went to the space camp with the GAB contingent for the first time, starting an annual tradition he and the students truly enjoy.

Every year they attend the camp, Neel said, they bring a new group of students there for the first time and he looks for the individual who blossoms the most away from school. He noted there’s always at least one student they’re worried about because they have an additional disability other than vision loss, they’re academically or socially behind at school, or they’ve never traveled outside of Georgia. Those worries are forgotten once the student gets acclimated to his new surroundings.

“When they get used to the camp,” Neel said, “you would have never known they had these struggles in school. They succeed and thrive in the academic and social aspects of camp. What helps in the social aspect is that all students bring pins from their home state or country to trade with the other students. That’s an awesome icebreaker.”

The teachers also exchange pins, and Neel said they generally trade with other teachers who work with blind students. Being among a group of chaperones who return every year, he said they’ve developed bonds and friendships with teachers from all over the world. That bond, Neel explained, gives them the knowledge

A few years after the space camp started, a group of individuals from West Virginia introduced the idea to take blind and visually impaired students to Huntsville for a week.

That became a reality in 1990. One of the chaperones was Dan Oates, who subsequently became coordinator and director for the annual event that was later named Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCIVIS). More than 30 years later, Oates still heads up SCIVIS.

The space camp was established more than three decades ago to provide the general public with the opportunity to experience astronaut training simulations and complete various missions in the space shuttle. With the retirement of the space shuttle program in the next few years, the focus

and comfort they can guide and assist one another’s students in a reciprocal manner so the latter can have the most rewarding experience.

The friendship bonds extend to the space camp crew trainers and other employees. Neel said the employees love the unique week and spend a couple of weeks preparing for it and providing many accommodations for the missions and activities and barriers to safe travel.

“There are a lot of 3D models printed or built to demonstrate to the students what they’re about to do,” Neel said. “Retired or former employees and chaperones do what

they can to try and come back and volunteer or try to work just to be with us this week. It is just a very rewarding experience for all involved.”

The impetus to attend space camp came after Neel and several other faculty members took six GAB students to the Aviation Challenge camp, where they completed military missions as a team in jet simulators. Along with taking part in a number of simulated activities, they learned the history and science of flight and aviation along with the development of jets and planes over the last half-century from actual jets parked around all over the campsite.That positive experience led to attending the space camp on their next trip and exploring a new and exciting orbit.

“At the end, even though they learned a lot of science and math and independent living skills away from home and loved every experience,

the most enjoyable thing of all was the social aspect,” Neel said. “They were able to meet and befriend blind and visually impaired students from all over the U.S., from the East to West Coast, and even from all over the world, from Ireland to Australia. A couple of years later, I got Cheryl Moore, the new middle school science teacher, to be one of the chaperones. She absolutely fell in love with it, was all in from the start, and has been helping me coordinate the annual trip ever since.”

Cheryl and Neel have followed similar career paths and share a passion for the space camp. Growing up in Detroit, Cheryl dreamed of joining the military and following a family tradition. She met her husband, Tony, while serving during Desert Shield/Desert Storm and decided to leave the military after getting

married to start a family; the couple has six children, one of whom is a daughter, Danielle, a teacher at GAB, and live in Warner Robins.

Cheryl decided to pursue higher education in science after her children were in school full time and attended Georgia Military College and Wesleyan College. While in school, she met someone who worked at GAB and applied there following graduation.

Cheryl was hired and worked as a paraprofessional the first year before getting her own classroom. She started out teaching early childhood education art while attending Missouri State University and working toward a master’s degree in visual impairments and special education.

After teaching the younger students for several years, Cheryl switched to the middle grades to teach social studies and science and has taught the latter for the past nine years. In the interim, she also accepted Neel’s invitation to attend the space camp and every year eagerly awaits the

opportunity to travel to Huntsville with the GAB contingent.

“It was a new experience, and I was excited to meet people from all over the world,” Cheryl said. “The first trip to the camp changed me in so many ways. Watching our students overcome so many obstacles in one short week was overwhelming, emotional, eye-opening and fulfilling. Watching these students learn about space and flight and how to work as a team, to trust others and to change, is a wonderful thing to see evolve.”

By the end of the week, Cheryl noted, students who were afraid to take one step and let go are climbing a 30-foot pole, patrolling in the woods,

St. Louis Lighthouse of the Blind and Northrop Grumman from Texas also provide other scholarship opportunities for those who qualify, according to Neel, adding that all these groups accept donations and base the number of scholarships on the contributions they receive. Neel noted GAB also accepts donations to its student fund to help pay for students to attend the space camp.

One educator who has gone to the space camp is Dr. Neel Bennett, a high school science teacher at the Georgia Academy for the Blind. He and his wife, Tinika, director of photography for Houston County Living Magazine, have four children and reside in Perry.

zip lining, building fires, learning water safety and rescue, and gaining knowledge and having fun. Meeting visually impaired children from around the world, she added, is an extra bonus since many haven’t traveled outside the United States. “Neel and I have traveled to Alabama for quite a few years now and it has been a new learning experience every year for us and our students,” Cheryl said.

A few years after the space camp started, a group of individuals from West Virginia introduced the idea to take blind and visually impaired students to Huntsville for a week. That became a reality in 1990. One of the chaperones was Dan Oates, who subsequently became coordinator and director for the annual event that was later named Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCIVIS). More than 30 years later, Oates still heads up SCIVIS.

The cost to attend the camp is $1,500 per person. With many parents unable to afford this amount and schools not footing the entire bill, Neel and Cheryl considered alternative finance options and learned about the Delta Gamma Foundation. Students write an essay and letter to the foundation to be considered for scholarship opportunities.

“They usually end up being able to pay close to half of the total tuition,” Neel said. “They can do more if people donate. Our school is more appreciative of the donations and is more likely to pay the remaining balance. Delta Gamma saves GAB thousands.”

Growing up in Woodstock, GA, Neel came from a family in the medical profession and considered a career, at different times, in physical therapy, pharmacy and nursing. Moving to Warner Robins after graduating from Mercer University, Neel worked at Houston Medical Center in the pharmacy department while attending nursing school.

St. Louis Lighthouse of the Blind and Northrop Grumman from Texas also provide scholarship opportunities for those who qualify, according to Neel, adding that all these groups accept donations and base the number of scholarships on the contributions they receive. Neel noted GAB also accepts donations to its student fund to help pay for students to attend the space camp.  HCL

A Better Life Starts With A Beautiful Smile

W

When it comes to your oral health, Family Dental Associates is committed to providing you with exceptional care to keep you smiling for years to come.

Owners Joseph Pierce, DMD and Jack Bell, III, DMD both knew they wanted to pursue a career in dentistry early on in life.

Dr. Pierce is a second-generation dentist and Dr. Bell is a thirdgeneration dentist, both of whom have been practicing dentistry since 2012.

The two men have a mutual passion for serving the community they grew up in together. The friends-turned-business-partners are enthusiastic to continue the work of their fathers before them.

Family Dental Associates offers top of the line technology and amenities to ensure an elevated experience for their patients. They make all their parts in-house which is uncommon in dentistry. Because of this, they seldom refer patients elsewhere which adds convenience to their patient’s overall experience.

Additionally, Dr. Pierce says, “We do all procedures from children with fillings up to folks needing advanced implant

Owners Joseph Pierce, DMD and Jack Bell, III, DMD both knew they wanted to pursue a career in dentistry early on in life. Dr. Pierce is a secondgeneration dentist and Dr. Bell is a third-generation dentist, both of whom have been practicing dentistry since 2012.

dentistry.” With the expertise of their six dentists in their TEAM, they are equipped to fulfill any of your dental needs.

At present, Family Dental Associates boasts two locations in Warner Robins and Kathleen with a third being built in Perry. They also acquired the practice of William L. Toler, DMD when he retired this year. They strive to continue meeting the demands of their successful and rapidly growing practice.

In addition to their phenomenal care is their longstanding presence in the community. “We have multigenerations of patients from grandparents all the way down to grandkids that have been going starting with my dad and Dr. Bell’s dad,” Dr. Pierce says proudly.

The trust and rapport they have secured with their patients over the years is invaluable, and they are excited to build on that foundation as their practice grows.

Call Today! 478-971-7701

Grace Garden at LifeSpring Community offers Meaningful Memory Care in a home-like atmosphere that is

to foster independence and well-being of

Grace Garden provides an engaging environment and care plans unique to each individual, creating a safe and positive experience for each resident. Our memory care neighborhood is designed to enrich residents’ lives by promoting choice and evoking pleasant memories through familiar schedules and surroundings.

Our staff consists of Certified Dementia Practitioners who have been trained to better understand dementia and are equipped to assist residents as they strive to maintain the highest quality of life possible.

LONG TERM CARE

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Committed to Excellence in Patient Care

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

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Derrick Phillips, MDDavid Wiley, MD

William Wiley, MD

Story by Tayler Willis

a leap of

faith

Liz Miller and Julie Balducci are making a significant impact on the lives of women and children facing vulnerabilities in Houston County.

LLiz Miller and Julie Balducci are two compassionate women from Houston County dedicated to seeing lives transformed in their community. Through fostering meaningful connections and providing essential support, they are making a significant impact on the lives of women and children facing vulnerabilities in our county.

Both Warner Robins High School graduates, these best friends said yes to the calling of the Lord to return to Warner Robins, GA in 2020. Liz and Julie had moved away over twenty years ago and vowed to never return. “The Lord laughed for He knew that He would be calling us

back to fulfill His assignment on our lives and the lives of those that we would touch,” shared Julie.

In 2019, Liz had an ATV accident that left her neck broken in two places. That is when she began a journey of discovering God’s unfailing love for her. “I grew up as a Christian, but for many years I did not know how to fully surrender myself to God and have a relationship with Jesus,” Liz shared. “This resulted in living a life full of bad decisionmaking and staying in destructive relationships to fill the void.”

It was a long road to recovery. She began to pray for what she was being called to do. In response, she received only one phrase, “woman at the well.”

At the time, Liz was unfamiliar with the story of Jesus approaching the Samaritan woman retrieving water from the well. She searched the phrase on the internet and read the biblical story in John 4. “I asked in prayer what the story meant for me,” Liz

says. “He told me, I was the woman at the well and to go find other women at the well and bring them to the feet of Living Water.”

Liz reached out to Julie, her best friend of thirty years, to ask for prayer for the new direction, but Julie quickly felt the call to do more than pray. Both women took a leap of faith returning to Houston County to answer the calling they felt to minister to the women in the community. Liz and Julie were amazed to see God’s provision in their lives as they left their comfort zones. They began to reach out to local churches and speak with others about the vision they had for Living Waters. Their ministry began as they connected to people in need of the kind of support and guidance they felt led to give.

The Living Waters Ministry has a specific but open-ended mission: To take women and children who are experiencing brokenness, and are ready for change, and bring them to the feet of Jesus through individualized biblical education and mentorship. Since its inception, The Living Waters Ministry has supported women and children with housing and discipleship, providing

The Living Waters Ministry has secured a fifteen and a half acre property to open a self-sustaining homestead with separate wings for women and children. They are preparing and praying for the opportunity to make this dream a reality. The vision includes closing the housing gap for women who are ready for change, to get back on their feet in a safe family setting, offering their children mentorship and support as well. The long term goal for the property is to build an agricultural program in which residents would have the opportunity to contribute produce and products to the community. “

custom care to each person they minister to. Each of the ministry’s graduates has begun a new life full of hope, including being accepted into higher education programs, actively serving in the community, and reconciling with their children. Each of these women had unique circumstances, and The Living Waters Ministry was able to tailor programs to help them get on their feet and experience living free from emotional and physical abuse and bondage. These women now live a life truly transformed by Jesus, the Living Water.

The Living Waters Ministry continues to build relationships with women in need of healing and freedom. The ministry started by connecting with local churches, and their collaborative spirit has only gotten stronger. “The first three years of the ministry have been foundation laying” stated Julie. “We have seen Godinspired transformation in the women and children that we have helped thus far. Now, we see an even fuller picture of collaborating with other nonprofits and organizations to provide these women and children resources for trauma healing, long term housing, and education and employment training, just to name a few.”

In the spring of 2022, The Living Waters Ministry partnered with Evergreen Family Fellowship in Warner Robins, launching a weekly youth program that continues to serve upwards of 100 children from local neighborhoods. Each week, kids ranging in ages from infant to their early 20s flock into the sanctuary of this long-standing church to learn biblical truths and receive mentorship.

“The relationships we have with these youth go deep,” stated Liz. “They have become like family to us in a lot of ways, and Living Waters comes alongside the parents to support

In 2019, Liz had an ATV accident that left her neck broken in two places. That is when she began a journey of discovering God’s unfailing love for her. “I grew up as a Christian, but for many years I did not know how to fully surrender myself to God and have a relationship with Jesus,” Liz shared. “This resulted in living a life full of bad decision-making and staying in destructive relationships to fill the void.”

the many hard situations their children are facing.” After church on Sunday, members of the youth group can be found hanging out and cooking meals together in her kitchen. “For now, we make due with the resources we have,” Liz stated. “We serve local teens in our homes regularly and cherish the opportunity to connect and influence them in such a vulnerable season of their lives.”

The Living Waters Ministry is gearing up to start a trauma therapy program for the youth and women they serve later this year. This program will offer individual and group therapy focused on processing traumatic experiences in turn leading to healing and forgiveness. They are currently working on securing funding to launch this program in fall 2024. “The Lord has highlighted these children as the next world-changers,” emphasized Julie. “Our job is to help remove the false identity that trauma, economic disparity, and cycles of addiction have placed on them and empower them to walk in their true identity.”

The Living Waters Ministry has secured a fifteen and a half acre property to open a self-sustaining homestead with separate wings for women and children. They are preparing

It was a long road to recovery. She began to pray for what she was being called to do. In response, she received only one phrase, “woman at the well.” At the time, Liz was unfamiliar with the story of Jesus approaching the Samaritan woman retrieving water from the well. She searched the phrase on the internet and read the biblical story in John 4. “I asked in prayer what the story meant for me,” Liz says. “He told me, I was the woman at the well and to go find other women at the well and bring them to the feet of Living Water.”

and praying for the opportunity to make this dream a reality. The vision includes closing the housing gap for women who are ready for change, to get back on their feet in a safe family setting, offering their children mentorship and support as well. The long term goal for the property is to build an agricultural program in which residents would have the opportunity to contribute produce and products to the community. “We see this home with intentional programming as a unique and powerful way to demonstrate the gift of giving back,” explained Liz. “This in turn restores

students’ confidence and gives them a feeling of fulfillment in their work.”

The Living Waters Ministry hopes to continue building new partnerships as they grow, believing that the job of the Church is to fulfill the unmet needs of the area. Liz expressed the importance of The Living Waters Ministry working closely with other organizations. “While the need is great, Houston County is blessed with diversity and a heart for our community. We are excited for what the future holds and the many lives that will be transformed.” The amazing women at Living Waters Ministry have dedicated their lives to loving people as Jesus did, serving the broken with open arms, hearts, and homes. We thank them for their work and are inspired to do the same. To learn more about The Living Waters Ministry and how to partner, please visit their website https://www.livingwatersministryga. com/.  HCL

The Living Waters Ministry continues to build relationships with women in need of healing and freedom. The ministry started by connecting with local churches, and their collaborative spirit has only gotten stronger. “The first three years of the ministry have been foundation laying” stated Julie. “We have seen God-inspired transformation in the women and children that we have helped thus far. Now, we see an even fuller picture of collaborating with other nonprofits and organizations to provide these women and children resources for trauma healing, long term housing, and education and employment training, just to name a few.”

• Georgia’s Most Experienced Invisalign Provider

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Creating a brighter, safer future.

PPremier South Electrical offers superior service to propel your home or commercial space into the optimal expanse it was created to be. Owners Matthew Guillory and Justin Peacock started Premier South Electrical in 2022 with great aspirations for the impact their work could have on the community.

The pair met working alongside one another in 2014 at a company where they spent five years building a foundation of what would later become their own great business partnership. Over time, Matthew and Justin sharpened their craft and pursued other electrical opportunities before teaming up to go into business.

“We wanted a company where we would treat our employees in the field the way we always wish we had been treated,” Matthew says. “In committing to this, we provide our employees with insurance, pensions, and above-average wages.”

For our customers, we work tirelessly to provide a seamless experience that far surpasses their expectations. We pride ourselves on speedy response times and efficient work, all conducted in a timely manner. We offer electrical service work, home additions, new construction, remodeling, and repair.

We run a team with four additional electricians who are highly trained and skilled in the field. “Whether it be a home, commercial building, or industrial, there’s really nothing out there that we can’t do between the two of us,” Justin says. “If it has a wire going to it, we can do it.”

We hold ourselves to a higher standard than other companies to ensure our customers’ satisfaction. “You’re going to get quality work,” Matthew says. “And if there’s an issue with it or something went wrong, we’re back to fix it without charge. If it was on us, we’ll always make it right.”

We offer the community honest service, reliability, and outstanding professionalism they can count on.

Explore our entire calendar of events, plus information on dining, shopping, and lodging in Perry at visitperry.com!

Perry International Festival

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

With representation from over 30 countries, discover diversity at one of the largest free multi-cultural festivals in the Southeast at the Perry International Festival! Hosted annually since 2020 in Historic Downtown Perry, the Perry International Festival promotes the preservation of heritage and tradition through cultural education and entertainment!

Georgia National Fair

OCTOBER 3-13

For over 30 years, the Georgia National Fair has remained a beloved tradition for both locals and visitors alike! Hosted annually in October, the Georgia National Fair is much more than cotton candy, concerts, and carnival games - it’s a spectacular celebration of Georgia’s vibrant culture, arts, and agriculture!

Beer, Bourbon & Barbeque

OCTOBER 18

Hosted in the heart of Historic Downtown Perry, the inaugural Beer, Bourbon & Barbeque event will serve as a vital fundraiser for the preservation of Historic Downtown Perry and feature tastings of a variety of beers, bourbons, and a guest appearance by 5-Time World Champion and Winningest Man in Barbeque, Myron Mixon!

Perry Buzzard Drop

DECEMBER

Mark your calendars for the biggest New Year's Eve celebration in Middle Georgia featuring live music, food trucks, and dancing with Bob the Buzzard! With exciting cheers and bursts of confetti cannons, the free "Kiddie Countdown" offers an opportunity for families to celebrate together without having to miss bedtime!

Perry Welcome Center

Visit the Perry Welcome Center in Historic Downtown Perry to stock up on complementary local and regional information including upcoming event guides, area maps, postcards, and more!

808 Carroll Street | 478-988-8000 Monday - Friday | 8:30 AM - 5 PM

Tinika Bennett

Carmel W. Sanders Attorney at Law

The Art of Historical Preservation

STORY BY ALEXA TEBBEN |

Because of the Perry Area Historical Society, the public has been made privy to countless pieces of Perry’s unique history that tell the story of the early days of our beloved town.

Discovering the history of one’s hometown is like uncovering an age-old secret. Because of the Perry Area Historical Society, the public has been made privy to countless pieces of Perry’s unique history that tell the story of the early days of our beloved town.

The Perry Area Historical Society was founded in 1981 by a group of local citizens who desired to educate the community on Perry’s rich history. Today, the organization operates with a president,

PHOTOS BY TINIKA BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY

From local community members to out of town visitors, the Perry Area Historical Society welcomes everyone to learn more about the quaint town of Perry. Allow them to transport you back in time as you embark on a journey through the history of the charming city of Perry, Georgia.

vice president, four board members, a secretary, treasurer, and many volunteers.

President Ellie Loudermilk explains, “In the early days, they didn’t endeavor to take on large preservation projects.” Since that time, Ellie says they have expanded the Perry Area Historical Society to identify, protect, and preserve the history of Perry while providing educational resources and programs to interested community members.

Ellie has served as president since 2000 and has helped the organization become what it is today. Vice President Jim Lay has served almost ten years, and together they tell me of the exciting objectives they have undertaken throughout the years.

“Those projects include renovating Springhill School, the last one-room school in Houston County,” Ellie says proudly. “That is where we have our meetings and other programs.” Restoring and now using the historical school room to help educate the community has brought the history of Perry full circle.

“We also renovated a 1931 gas station so that our military history could be showcased.” This restored Depression Era gas station is near Evergreen Cemetery where all five branches of the military are represented. The Sinclair Station includes an exhibit to showcase how the gas station would have run in that time. It is a

Jim speaks fondly of the history of Perry and the joy he has in his continued education on the area. “Every time I turn around, there’s something I find out that fascinates me even more,” he says. He admits to enjoying the tangible aspects of history like old relics and artifacts the most. The Perry Area Historical Society is pleased to provide the community these unique treasures.

unique way to honor the history and highlight the ways in which our society has evolved. Additionally, they have spearheaded a project to preserve historical stop signs in the historic district of Perry. In 2009, they opened the Perry Historical Museum to further highlight the local history. In regards to the volunteers that help make this a possibility, Ellie says, “People are involved in lots of different facets of the programs. We have researchers, receptionists, tour guides, and interviewers who go out into the community and record the history.”

The museum is a crowd favorite in Perry. The site of the museum is an old home that consists of eleven

rooms and is 1907 square feet in total. Jim tells me that each room has a theme, some of which include education, community, dining, and genealogy. In the hallway, they showcase their local artists and authors.

To accommodate larger parties, they split off into more intimate groupings and spend an allotted seven minutes in each room. During this time, tour guides share the unique history of Perry and allow guests to observe the historical artifacts they have acquired. The museum attracts visitors from all over the world to include the 50 states and 16 foreign countries.

Every aspect of the Perry Area Historical Society, including the Perry Historical Museum, is supported by

sponsors and volunteers. Generous donors help keep the local history alive by supporting the organization. Volunteers give of their time and energy to help educate others. Ellie expresses her sincerest gratitude for the pure hearts of these people.

To keep sponsors up to date on their progress, Ellie says, “At the end of the year, I write a newsletter recapping all the activities that we have had from the previous year and the plans that we have for the forthcoming year.”

This allows donors to see exactly how their contributions help the Perry Area Historical Society year after year.”

Additionally, they endeavor to fundraise through some unique activities. “We participate in the Mistletoe Market every year which is sponsored by the Balvaunuca Club,” Ellie says. For this event, the Perry Area Historical Society operates a booth where they showcase historical documents and notecards. This

The Perry Area Historical Society was founded in 1981 by a group of local citizens who desired to educate the community on Perry’s rich history. Today, the organization operates with a president, vice president, four board members, a secretary, treasurer, and many volunteers.

provides exposure to those in the community that are unfamiliar with their presence. They also sell their books and solicit new members.

In 2023, they were awarded the Governor’s Award for Arts & Humanities. Ellie shares that no one else in Perry or the surrounding communities has been recognized with this award. They are honored to have been recognized for their efforts to preserve the community’s history in this way.

The City of Perry was founded in 1824, and the Perry Area Historical Society has dedicated this year to celebrating the Bicentennial. From Perry’s very own birthday party to tram tours of the historic district, the community is invited to partake in these unique events throughout the year to commemorate the founding of the beloved city.

Ellie tells of the fashion show and luncheon they held in May. For this show, models dressed in period clothing reminiscent of bygone days. They incorporated modern

fashion featuring two local stores in downtown Perry. Spectators enjoyed the period costumes showcased as well as the fashion of today. The event included a luncheon, music, and the sale of small craft items.

In the summer, the Perry Area Historical Society will participate in the city’s July 4th parade. This fall, they will organize cemetery tours where actors will present the stories of those who are buried there. Over Christmas, they will have educational tours that are holiday themed. This year, they are selling Bicentennial lapel pins and writing pens made out of Perry dogwood. They also have Christmas ornaments made out of Perry dogwood that are lasered with ‘Perry, Georgia’.

“I have done podcasts for the Bicentennial telling the history,” Ellie says. “I’ve chosen different topics like movie theaters, early hotels, and old houses. It gives us the opportunity to recount our history in a verbal form.”

Ellie is extremely passionate about reaching people in different ways and making Perry’s history accessible through various means.

“I want to see the history recorded. That is

President Ellie Loudermilk explains, “In the early days, they didn’t endeavor to take on large preservation projects.”

Since that time, Ellie says they have expanded the Perry Area Historical Society to identify, protect, and preserve the history of Perry while providing educational resources and programs to interested community members.

my ambitious quest, to get it recorded in all kinds of mediums,” she says. “We have digitized all the pictures and information that we have received. I have published books, created these podcasts, and provided tours.”

They have recovered some historical memorabilia which the public is welcome to enjoy. Additionally, they have the history of many people who have lived in Perry. As such, they help people with local ancestry to learn more about their family. They have made a name for themselves in this regard having helped people who live as far away as Australia to research their ancestry. Jim speaks fondly of the history of Perry and the joy

he has in his continued education on the area. “Every time I turn around, there’s something I find out that fascinates me even more,” he says. He admits to enjoying the tangible aspects of history like old relics and artifacts the most. The Perry Area Historical Society is pleased to provide the community these unique treasures.

Nathan Poole State Farm Insurance Agent

104 Whiting Way | Warner Robins, GA

150 South Houston Lake Rd, Suite 1100

478-333-2088

Warner Robins, GA

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478-333-2088

nathan.poole.yzsc@statefarm.com

Story by TAYLER WILLIS

Photos by Tinika Bennett Photography

commitment to improving literacy

The Rotary Club’s commitment to improving literacy is an inspiring reminder that we can all make a difference.

RReading success at a young age is a surprisingly strong indicator of life outcomes. Many studies have shown that a student’s ability to read on grade level by the end of third grade is an important predictor of high school graduation and career success. In fact, students who can’t read by the end of third grade are four times less likely than their peers to graduate high school. According to United Way of Central Georgia, this is because students learn to read from kindergarten to third grade, but by fourth grade they are expected to read in order to learn.

Current data shows that 44% of Central Georgia students are not able to read proficiently by the end of third grade. These students are left further behind year after year as they struggle to succeed academically. Students who grow up in low income households are disproportionately affected by this challenge, and low literacy rates end up contributing to a generational cycle of poverty.

Children born into poverty are exposed to fewer books at home. By the time they enter school, they are behind their peers. If their parents or guardians are unable to read with them at home, they struggle to catch up and read at the expected level. Students then struggle to succeed through middle and high school, and they find themselves unable to create a better economic situation for themselves as adults.

As Felix Smith explains, it’s a sad and vicious cycle, and third graders find themselves in the position of being left behind through no fault of their own.

Felix is a member of The Rotary Club of Perry, a local chapter of the international service organization, and he served as the District Governor for Rotary Club District 6920 for the 20232024 term. He was shocked to hear these statistics on literacy on a visit to the Centerville Rotary Club, which began partnering with United Way on their Read United Club back in 2019. “We do have wonderful teachers and administrators in Houston County, and they’re doing everything they can,” Felix says. With that in mind, he believes the literacy problem is too big to expect teachers alone to solve it.

For many different reasons, some students are just not able to receive the reading support they need at home. This is where volunteers can make a huge impact. In January of 2023, The Rotary Club of Perry partnered with United Way to provide mentoring to third graders in need of extra reading practice. Participating students meet with their tutors twice a week. “Just spending time with the kids and letting them know that you care makes a big difference,” Felix says. Students are able to practice their skills and gain confidence thanks to individual attention, which then helps them to succeed in the classroom. Waylon Smith, member of the Centerville Rotary Club and current District Literacy Chair, emphasizes the importance of a relationship and showing students that it matters whether they can read. For some students, “you might be the first adult that cares if they can read,” he says.

Local volunteer programs have proven successful in increasing reading scores. In the first year of Centerville Rotary

Thanks to the success of the Read United partnership, clubs in Houston County and throughout Middle and Southeast Georgia have taken on many other literacy initiatives in recent years. These include summer reading programs, little “libraries” in parks for people to take and leave books for free, handing out books to new mothers in hospitals, and even placing book vending machines in schools.

Club’s partnership with Read United, 82% of participating third graders met their target by the end of the year, and 44% performed above their target levels by the end of the year. In comparison to the state average of 66% performing on target at the statewide level, Read United students were very successful in meeting their goals.

In addition to improved scores, volunteers have seen remarkable improvements in students’ confidence. Waylon Smith tells the story of a young boy, Mekhi, who he mentored two years ago as a third grader. When Mekhi entered the Read United program, Waylon recalls that

seemed to be struggling to read things that he really shouldn’t have struggled with. Over time, it became clear that the problem was not that he couldn’t read, but that he was shy and reserved. The Read United program and a mentorship with Waylon helped Mekhi to become more sure of himself, and his reading improved significantly. Recently, Mekhi stood up as a fifth grader at the United Way Annual Banquet and gave a speech thanking Waylon for his support and mentorship. Waylon beams when talking about Mekhi and the excellent young man he is growing into.

Thanks to the success of the Read United partnership, clubs in Houston County and

throughout Middle and Southeast Georgia have taken on many other literacy initiatives in recent years. These include summer reading programs, little “libraries” in parks for people to take and leave books for free, handing out books to new mothers in hospitals, and even placing book vending machines in schools. The vending machines seem to be a hit. They are used as incentives, and students get very excited about being rewarded with a brand new book. Rotary Clubs all over the region are doing their part to improve literacy, and a more literate society will be better off all around.

Volunteer service organizations like Rotary Club make a huge difference in the community through their service projects. Felix recalls joining the Perry club during their Big Indian Creek cleanup project, which resulted in the beautiful Rotary Centennial Park. If you’re interested in joining, you’re invited to attend a Perry club meeting held on Mondays at noon at Rozar Park or visit the Rotary Club’s website to find a club that works for your schedule. If you’d specifically like to serve as a mentor in the reading program, you do not have to be a Rotary Club member to volunteer. The Rotary Club’s commitment to improving literacy is an inspiring reminder that we can all make a difference.  HCL

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Middle Georgia State University

Perry Historical Museum

Story By David Pena | Photos by Tinika Bennett Photography

turning pain into a Purpose

Sheldon Hudlin mother’s passing served as the impetus for Sheldon’s work with the Alzheimer’s Association.

TThe first signs are often subtle, almost unnoticeable - a forgotten word, a repeated phrase, a confused stare. The symptoms gradually escalate into drastic mood swings and a loss of the ability to perform everyday tasks.

For Joyce Boone and her family, her episodes began in the most benign ways back in 2014. Joyce’s youngest son, Sheldon Hudlin, recalls, “We noticed that when Mom spoke, she’d become forgetful, but we chalked it up to her age. Then she began hiding her belongings, like her purse or keys.” Joyce would even concoct very vivid stories, tall tales that her family knew to be untrue. She would also become increasingly anxious and frustrated throughout the day.

“There would be days when she would not quite recognize who we were; something was turning our mother into someone else entirely. That really made me and my family become emotionally exhausted and broken.”

In 2016, Joyce was diagnosed with dementia, and, needless to say, the diagnosis came as a complete shock to her family. “At first we were confused,” recalls Sheldon. “Our family was still unfamiliar with the disease, and we only viewed our mother as the happy, energetic woman she’d always been. She was so full of life, and she was healthier than anyone we knew. When she started to decline, it just didn’t seem possible.”

Although Sheldon and his family were shocked, the statistics weren’t in Joyce’s favor. Among black Americans aged 70 and older, over 20% are living with some type of dementia. Black people are also twice as likely as white people to have the disease. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive illness that causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to eventually die. Of the 55 million people with dementia worldwide, nearly 70% are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly two thirds of Americans suffering with Alzheimer’s are women.

Sheldon recently attended 2024 Community Leadership Summit as well as the AIM (Alzheimer’s Impact Movement) Advocacy Forum 2024 in Washington D.C. in order to advocate for legislation that would make the Alzheimer’s Association a national priority. “The trip was very successful,” he says with a smile. “Congressmen and senators were very receptive to our needs.”

Sheldon began to use social media as well as his own company to get the word out. Sheldon even changed the logo of his company First Class Cleaning Service to include a purple ribbon and hashtag in honor of his late mother. Sheldon also received extensive training as an educator by the Alzheimer’s Association to spread the word throughout the community. “I would speak at local churches and businesses to make our cause a priority.”

As was the case with Joyce, milder symptoms of the disease incrementally start to appear after age 70, but eventually they grow severe enough to interfere with performing basic daily tasks. The symptoms can include withdrawing from social activities, misplacing objects, difficulty in speaking and writing, as well as changes in mood. Sheldon felt that he needed to learn more about his mother’s illness, so he jumped at the chance to join the Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraiser when invited by a friend in 2017. “I really wanted to help raise awareness of this disease while generating funds to fight it, mainly for my mom.” The walk turned out to be one of the biggest fundraisers for the local Alzheimer’s Association.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization related to Alzheimer’s care. The group’s ultimate goal is to put an end to the disease and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. The organization works on both national and local levels to provide care and support for all those affected by Alzheimer’s as well as other dementias. In 2023, for example, the Association invested a record-breaking $100 million in research initiatives.

In April of 2018 Sheldon got the call that he always expected but never wanted. “My mom was found unresponsive. When I got there, she looked so peaceful. I was emotionally broken, but I knew my mother was now healed.”

Later that year, Sheldon had become so immersed in the cause that he became the Committee Chair for the organization’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s for all of central Georgia. “I took the lead on getting sponsorships as well as volunteers to make it our largest fundraiser. I helped coordinate with

local businesses and individuals to help donate to our cause.”

Although extremely tragic, his mother’s passing served as the impetus for Sheldon’s work with the Alzheimer’s Association. “I’ve always been a ‘Momma’s boy,’ so I didn’t want anyone else to feel as helpless as I did when my mother was diagnosed. Because of what she went through, I now use my voice to make Alzheimer’s not only a local but a national priority.”

Sheldon began to use social media as well as his own company to get the word out. Sheldon even changed the logo of his company, First Class Cleaning Service, to include a purple ribbon and hashtag in honor of his late mother. Sheldon also received extensive training as an educator by the Alzheimer’s Association to spread the word throughout the community. “I would speak at local churches and businesses to make our cause a priority.”

In August of 2023, Sheldon became part of the Board of Directors for the Georgia chapter of Association. “We take the local concerns and put it on a state wide scale.” As a board member, Sheldon is now part of the

decision-making process in terms of marketing, advocacy, and budget as well as logistics and fundraising. He has also served on Walk to End Alzheimer’s committee for the last 7 years and currently serves as the 2024 Chair. The Macon office hosts the Walk every year to raise awareness of the disease. The next Walk is slated for October 19, 2024 at the Middle Georgia College State campus.

In addition, Sheldon created and grew an Alzheimer’s Facebook group to over 20,000 members, dedicated to and inspired by his mother. “More than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, which kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined,” explains Sheldon somberly. “This awful disease has been near and dear to my heart, so I just have to keep fighting in my mother’s memory. I truly think it has given me a real purpose.”

To learn more about Alzheimer’s Association, visit their website at alz.org or call their hotline at 1-800-2723900. HCL

Darryl Hodson, MD

Mark Bonner, MD

Tamika Chester, FNP-BC

Jim Lekas, PA-C

Kelly Murray, FNP-BC

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Around every corner in our amazing community, there are treasures that lay awaiting discovery. Beauty is indeed all around us and in endless supply. Take a look at a few more reasons why we love

Houston.

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Tinika Bennett Photography

written By Alexa Tebben | Photos by Tinika Bennett Photography

Playful AND Faithful

At Perry Presbyterian Playschool, it is their mission to touch the lives of children with God’s love.

FFor many Christians, there is no greater joy than sharing the word of God with precious children and providing them with a foundation of faith. At Perry Presbyterian Playschool, it is their mission to touch the lives of children with God’s love.

Director Lynn Watts attests that this is their highest calling. She says, “If children can know the basic truths that God made us and God loves us, they are set on a firm foundation for all of their lives.”

The entire team at Perry Presbyterian Playschool is dedicated to teaching the word of truth to the little ones in their care. They strive to equip children with the knowledge and power of God’s love so they can confidently go into the world sharing their faith with others.

Founded in 1958 by Joan Moore, Lynn shares, “Playschool began as a preschool called Wee Wisdom Kindergarten in downtown Perry. At some point it transitioned over to our current church property, and we’ve had it [here] ever since.”

Lynn joined the team in 2005 as a substitute teacher and has maintained steady involvement ever since. “I wore several different hats because my kids were younger at the time,” she recalls. She transitioned to teaching one day a week before coming on full-time about 10 years ago.

Before Lynn stepped into the role, Jane Shepley was the playschool’s long-standing director for 40 years. Her passion for children and dedication to her work helped shape the playschool into what it is today. Lynn speaks with gratitude for the road Jane and other past directors paved through the years.

To this day, the playschool operates with the same faith-based principles on which it began. The program runs from early September through mid-May and operates Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 8:30am to 11:30am. “We have two three-year-old classes and one four-year-old class,” Lynn says.

Children must have turned three or four-yearsold by September 1st to enroll in the program.

The love they show the children in their care is entirely invaluable and life changing. “Hiding God’s word in these kids’ hearts through everything we do is the cornerstone of our program,” Lynn says joyfully. “We know that it is only by God’s faithfulness, protection, and provision that we have been blessed with the honor of serving so many children for decades. We give all glory, honor, and thanksgiving to Him.”

The age requirement has been strategically set for several reasons. Regarding the three-year-old’s program, Lynn says, “As this is often a child’s first school experience, we strive to instill more independence and self-confidence while children begin learning how to interact within a group setting. At this stage, sharing, listening skills, and interactive play are encouraged while early preschool academic skills are also introduced.”

In the four-year-old program, the teachers continue to emphasize the social, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth of each child while also academically preparing them to be successful in their next school year.

One way they incorporate God’s word into the children’s lives is by teaching them the nativity story around Christmas and celebrating Christ’s resurrection around Easter. “Our playschool kids present the Christmas program in December where family members and friends are invited,” Lynn says. The children perform Christmas songs they have learned and the four-yearold class presents the nativity play.

The program is built to encompass playtime, Bible time, crafts, language arts, and music. Teachers incorporate scripture and memory verses into much of their curriculum. When reviewing a particular Bible story, they will often include that material into the day’s crafts and language arts. This helps the children retain the information in a hands-on manner.

Music plays a large role in the playschool. The teachers believe that music can be extremely influential, and they love teaching the kids uplifting songs that glorify the Lord. Many of the songs are based on scripture which allows God’s word to be planted in the children’s hearts through music.

While there are many academic benefits to the program, implementing interactive playtime helps the children hone fine and gross motor skills to increase their development. “We truly are a playschool which means that we’re emphasizing playtime and kids interacting with each other,” Lynn explains. In doing so, they foster a spirited environment that encourages creativity and fellowship.

In regards to the people whose hard work fuels this program, Lynn boasts in the kindhearted women who make it all possible. “The list is far too long to mention the names of every teacher and director who has left their mark on Playschool. We are so grateful for the faithful legacy that these former teachers and directors have left for us.”

In total they are currently operating with six full-time teachers and several substitutes. Lynn is grateful for those that help on occasion saying, “They keep us afloat whenever any of us need to be out for any reason.”

As many of the teachers have been involved for ten years or more, they have developed strong friendships amongst each other. “They really do become your closest friends because

you are spending a lot of time with each other,” Lynn says. “It’s a strong sense of family and

Most of the team are long term if not lifelong members of the Perry community. As such, they are extremely passionate about the children in their care. Additionally, the teachers are all members of Perry Presbyterian Church who share a collective mission to bring the Lynn speaks of the inspiration they gather from scripture that drives them each and every day. “One of the commands of Jesus himself was to train up a child in the way he should go,” she says. “We certainly wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t our passion to reach these kids and ultimately show them God’s love.”

This past December, Playschool children were invited to be a part of the Perry Presbyterian Church’s Service of Lessons and Carols. This Sunday evening service welcomes the congregation to gather for scripture reading and carol singing that celebrates Christ’s birth. Lynn shares that having the children perform a

few Christmas songs was a highlight of the service.

Throughout the school year, parents are invited to join the children for many celebrations including Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter. In May, they host a play day to celebrate the end of the academic year. A highly anticipated event, the party includes inflatable bounce houses, playground time, and ice cream.

“In February, we hosted a parents’ night out where parents could drop off their children and we entertained them with games, crafts, and pizza.” This allowed the parents to enjoy an evening alone and was a huge success. Lynn anticipates this will become a recurring event.

And finally, before parting ways for the summer, they hold a graduation to commemorate the past year’s achievements. Lynn says of the graduation program, “[It is] a time for the kids to share what they’ve learned throughout the year.” It is a beautiful day of reflection that the children, teachers, and families enjoy.

Because of their long-standing presence in the community, they often see children whose parents attended the playschool when they were little. “We’ll have parents say, ‘I want my kids

to come because I came as three or four-year-old.’ We love to get recommendations from alumni,” she adds, laughing. The love they show the children in their care is entirely invaluable and life changing. “Hiding God’s word in these kids’ hearts through everything we do is the cornerstone of our program,” Lynn says joyfully. “We know that it is only by God’s faithfulness, protection, and provision that we have been blessed with the honor of serving so many children for decades. We give all glory, honor, and thanksgiving to Him.” HCL