Houston County Living - Summer 2023

Daily Our

BREAD

THE LORD OFTEN PROVIDES HIS PEOPLE WITH JUST ENOUGH TO CONTINUE TRUSTING IN HIS PROVISIONS.

where great where great

J. Don Spillers Jr., DMD, MS

Spillers Orthodontics is where great smiles begin! Known for our friendly, well-trained team, we offer Invisalign, Smartclip selfligating 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.

Adam Gordon, DMD

Georgia's Most Experienced

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Dr. Viradia Dr. Covert Dr. Patel Dr. Prine Dr. VijayCasey Clark,

CONTENTS

94

Scoring Big in the Local Community

The local chapter of a nationwide club is doing its part to help educate young people so they can become productive members of society and continue the cycle of community involvement and altruism.

106

Putting Down Roots

Master Gardener Extension volunteers train through the Houston County Extension Office to help fellow community members who wish to put down some roots.

120

Picture Perfect

Trailer Flash provides the perfect way to capture memories of any special event.

134

Making History

One Event At a Time

Ian and Kevin passionately share the rich history of the house with the fondness of proud homeowners.

150

Dinner Made Easy

Toni Lesak, owner of My Dinner Tonite, talks about her passion for cooking that led her to create the business.

164

Simply Healthy Morph Health and Wellness owners, Dr. David Lawrence and his wife Caitlin, are driven by their own weight loss experiences to help you achieve your goals.

180

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.

Our 8th grandchild will be arriving within the next two months! We are rejoicing once again!

for around 8 or more years our daughter has awaited the day she could become a mother.

We have had the honor of watching our middle daughter, nikki, demonstrate an ongoing heart of gratitude while many years of waiting for this season.

thank God for her life and life. she looked for it in the tiniest detail and always managed to find it!

As her parents, we are beyond grateful for her ongoing example of always choosing to live a life of praise; even in the waiting, to the one who is truly Worthy!!!

Psalm 113

With thankful hearts,

Jay and Patti Martin

ales: (912) 654-3045

y@wyimpublications.com

houstoncountylivingmedia.com

Publisher With You in mind Publications

Jay and Patti Martin

Cr EA tiv E | D E si G n Caffeine Generated Graphics

stacey nichols

O ffi CE M A n AGE r nikki Guzman

Assist A nt M A n AGE r June Dixon

Dir EC t O r Of

Ph O t O G r AP hy tinika Bennett

Ph O t O G r AP h E rs Courtney Kitchens Photography

David Collins Media

tinika Bennett Photography

C O v E r Ph O t O Amy Goss and her granddaughter, taken by tinika Bennett

Photography

sA l E s Dorothy sichelstiel

Dottie hicks

mandi rhodes

Patti Martin

tinika Bennett

C O ntri B utin G

Wr iters Alexa tebben

David Pena

emily ellman

stephen Prudhomme

P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427

(912) 654-3045

All

By Emily Ellman

& I

faith flavor

In a world filled with adversities and uncertainties, some rise above their circumstances, fueled by an unyielding spirit and unwavering faith. Erical Hill, a culinary entrepreneur and founder of the thriving catering business, “Heaven on Earth Catering,” exemplifies the power of determination and the transformative force of faith. Her journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the guiding light found in the embrace of a supportive community.

Erical’s story starts with humble beginnings. Growing up in a house of five girls and three boys, Erical was often saddled with the task of cooking for the family, a responsibility that was less than favorable. “My siblings were active and athletic. They had big appetites,” she says. “I didn’t like cooking at first. It felt like a chore.”

Before Erical could fully embrace her newfound passion for food and entrepreneurship, she had to navigate a labyrinth of personal struggles and familial trauma. The presence of abusive figures in Erical’s life left deep wounds that were magnified when her mother left her and her siblings to fend for themselves. Fearing separation from her

Unleashing the Power of Faith and Flavor: The Journey of Chef Erical

family, particularly her twin brother, Erical worked multiple jobs in the 11th grade. She spent much of her school years silently shouldering the weight of responsibility.

It was during this challenging time that a compassionate teacher, sensing Erical’s distress, extended a helping hand, ensuring her well-being and providing the support she desperately needed. “I was a straight A student, but suddenly I was making C’s and D’s…not attending class, you know,” she says. “I’m so grateful that my teacher saw the signs.” Her teacher’s intervention, without a doubt, aided her in her ability to complete her education.

Life’s twists and turns continued to shape Erical’s path. As her brother urged her to join the military just as he did to set her on the road to success, Erical found herself at a crossroads; she was torn between military service and her dream of attending college. She notes that she “wanted to be a pharmacist, so the military wasn’t on my radar.”

Lost and seeking guidance to a path that would support her, she found herself in Guantanamo Bay, where cooking would once again discover her. Erical’s exposure to cooking and culinary arts during

| Photos by Tinika Bennett Photography and Photos provided by Higher Level Marketing

her military service ignited a spark within her. “I hated the food that was there, and there were only two restaurants to choose from.” As a result, Erical purchased a hot plate and began cooking whatever she could in her dorm, which didn’t take long for other people to notice. Before long, her colleagues began to line up outside of her room begging for a plate.

Erical eventually caught the attention of her commanding officers, who offered her a position to feed her higher-ups. Her time spent stationed in various locations broadened her culinary horizons and allowed her to explore different cuisines and techniques, which helped in curating her famous signature flavors as a chef. What was once a despised chore evolved into a passion, an art form even; cooking became therapy, a means of expression and healing from the wounds of her past.

The captivating journey of Chef Erical is living proof of the transformative power of faith and flavor. Her passion for cooking blossomed not in spite of hardship, but because of them. From the humble beginnings of cooking for her family to the pivotal moments that shaped her path, Erical’s story is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering trust in God’s guidance.

After returning home from being stationed overseas, Erical was accepted for an air traffic control spot with the military, a prestigious and hard-toobtain position. It seemed as though everything was falling into place and according to plan, until Erical found out she was pregnant. She was faced with a choice: pursue a sure-fire career and gain stability, or grapple with motherhood as a single parent with little outside help. Erical had a difficult decision to make, so for the first time in a long time, she turned to God. After much contemplation and prayer, she received an unmistakable sign which led her to the decision to have her son. “By the grace of God I had my child. I prayed to God and He answered.” she says. “He is my biggest motivator for

doing what I do.” Even through the phone, it is evident how wide she smiles when she speaks of him.

The idea of a catering business didn’t come from Erical, but from colleagues working at the hospital where she was employed. Though she was hesitant, Erical’s devotion to her craft and her unwavering determination led her to establish her own catering business, aptly named “Heaven on Earth Catering,” after she decided to make the courageous decision to part ways with her corporate job and embark on a journey of entrepreneurship. She said she “started to realize I had something special, a golden opportunity. I had to act.” With every event she hosted, Erical’s culinary prowess gained recognition, and her clientele grew exponentially. Hospital events turned into weddings, community gatherings, and corporate events. Her food became her canvasses to showcase

It was during this challenging time that a compassionate teacher, sensing Erical’s distress, extended a helping hand, ensuring her well-being and providing the support she desperately needed. “I was a straight A student, but suddenly I was making C’s and D’s…not attending class, you know,” she says. “I’m so grateful that my teacher saw the signs.” Her teacher’s intervention, without a doubt, aided her in her ability to complete her education.

her culinary creations. The positive feedback she received and the increasing demand for her services became a testament to her talent and hard work.

Just as her catering business began to grow, so did her faith. It wasn’t Erical herself who was initially interested in the church, but her son, Kamal, that became fascinated with finding his faith. The neighbor’s child would often ask if Kamal could attend church with him and his family. Erical was happy to let Kamal attend church, but was unsure if the path to salvation was right for her, even praying “Lord I don’t even know who You are but could You please show my son who You are?” Little did she know that

this leap would not only transform her son’s life, but also change her life for the better.

Not long after Kamal began attending church was he asking his mother to join him. Kamal was learning scripture and started asking questions that she couldn’t answer, so she took up studying the scripture, which led to her eventually attending the church herself. Erical and her son started learning about God on their own time at the same time. She had a hunger for knowledge because of her son, motivating her to pursue her personal faith.

Throughout her journey, Erical found solace, support, and a sense of belonging in her church community. Her church family, led by Pastor Dave Watrous and his wife, Pastor Kendall Watrous, embraced her with open

arms from the start and provided much-needed support during challenging times.

After only attending for a month, they not only showered her with gifts for her niece after Erical took her in, but also helped cover the funeral expenses when her mother passed away. “I knew that I was right where I needed to be. My church family changed my life.

It’s nice to know there are people there to support you when you’re going through something” She regards her church as her “found family,” a community she can call, talk and share everything with. She never told them of her trauma or how deeply she needed help, but they helped to catch her fall as if she were a sister. Erical realized that she had finally found the sense of belonging she desperately longed for.

Since then, Erical’s business has taken off far beyond what she expected. She is regarded as the Top Caterer in Warner Robins according to ezCater, nominated Best Caterer in Middle Georgia and for Best Business of the Year. Her Caribbean fusion soul food has attracted the

Erical’s story starts with humble beginnings. Growing up in a house of five girls and three boys, Erical was often saddled with the task of cooking for the family, a responsibility that was less than favorable. “My siblings were active and athletic. They had big appetites,” she says. “I didn’t like cooking at first. It felt like a chore.”

attention of multiple celebrities, including Greg “Pond Guy” Wittstock, CEO of Aquascape, Inc., and Shaquille O’Neal. Her talents have now garnered her many opportunities to travel across the United States.

“I even do ice sculptures now,” she jokes. “There really isn’t much that I can’t do.” Her dream doesn’t stop at catering. Chef Erical has pledged to dedicate her resources to give back to the community that supported her through her journey. She aided in the creation of “Boots to Culinary,” a program to help veterans start up their own businesses and kick-start their entrepreneurship just as she did. She even aspires to open an all-girls group home, called “Garden of Eden” for those affected by sex trafficking, to teach young women valuable skills like cooking and gardening. She wants to show disadvantaged youth that “life goes on, even through challenges. You can live, you can survive.”

The captivating journey of Chef Erical is living proof of the transformative power of faith and flavor. Her passion for cooking blossomed not in spite of hardship, but because of them. From the humble beginnings of cooking for her family to the pivotal moments that shaped her path, Erical’s story is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering trust in God’s guidance. HCL

WE LOVE MAKING YOU SMILE!

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.

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

compassion when you need it most

Pamela Groves, CFO

Elizabeth Moore, NP

Dr. Joshua R. Groves

Certified

Community A Strong Pillar Of The

After six decades of public service, attorney Larry Walker has been touching lives while making his impressive mark on the community.

By David

travel, and we leave our fingerprints on every heart we touch.” On March 9, 1942, a man was born who would go on to leave his fingerprints on the lives of countless folks in and around Houston County. Attorney Larry Walker has been practicing law in Perry since 1965 and has served an amazing 16 terms in the Georgia House of Representatives.

Foster Rhodes, a close friend of the Walker family, has known Larry for over 50 years. Foster was in the farm equipment business with Larry’s father for quite some time. “Physically Larry is just like his father, with a small stature, but he has a mighty big heart for others and has shown that throughout his career.”

Larry says that his childhood was an idyllic one. “I had two Christian parents who loved me and always wanted the best for me. Growing up in Perry

Pena | Photos by Tinika Bennett Photography

had a huge impact on me; you were expected to act in a Christian way.”

When Larry was just 12 years old, his father started taking him to work. This is where Larry says the “seeds” of his ambition and amazing determination were first sown. “My father was much loved and highly respected in the community; a simple country boy who became successful in the feed and seed business. He also chaired the local school board for 22 years, so I watched him and worked for him as well. I loved to listen to the older folks in town, and I learned a lot from them.”

Larry attended Perry High School, where he excelled at basketball and football. He married Janice, his high school sweetheart, in 1964. “Janice has been a great wife and mother, and I’m very blessed to

have her in my life. She’s probably the most popular woman in Perry,” he says with a smile.

As for Janice, she says that she knew early on that her world would be intertwined with Larry’s. “We started dating in high school, and we both knew this (relationship) was what we wanted,” she recalls. “After graduating, I went to college in Milledgeville, and he attended school in Athens, which seemed so far away at the time. We saw each other on weekends, and we ultimately married when he was in law school. Larry has got a real streak of wit and he’s lots of fun. However, he can be very competitive, whether it’s a game of tennis or a board game, he’s out to win, and that’s how he is with anything he’s passionate about; I think that has fared well for him in his professional life.”

Larry says that his childhood was an idyllic one. “I had two Christian parents who loved me and always wanted the best for me. Growing up in Perry had a huge impact on me; you were expected to act in a Christian way.”

Larry attended the University of Georgia, earning his law degree, as well as a degree in Business Administration. “I’ve always loved history, particularly the history of the South,” he says. “I graduated from high school in 1960, and by 1965 I was back in Perry practicing law. I wasn’t all that smart, but I was persistent,” he says with a laugh. “We have good people, and I’m really proud of the things we’ve accomplished over the years.”

In 1966, Larry was appointed as Perry’s first Municipal Court Judge at just 24 years old. Nine years later, he was appointed the city’s Attorney. He and his brother, David, along with several fellow attorneys, would hold this position for the next 40 years before stepping down due to demands at his law firm.

Just six years later in 1972, Larry was elected to the Georgia General Assembly, taking the seat formerly occupied by Senator Sam Nunn, and served until January 10, 2005. When he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, he won a whopping 79% of the vote. While in the House, he served on the Judiciary Committee for 32 years. He was ultimately elected to be House Majority Leader, where he would hold that position for 16 years. Larry was especially close to the House Speaker Tom Murphy, who called Larry “my right arm and a great Georgian.”

Larry also served from 1999 through 2002 as Chairman of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, a nationwide organization of state legislative leaders. Larry also served on the Georgia Department of Transportation Board from January 2007 through June 2009, representing Georgia’s Eighth Congressional District. In August

of 2009, Larry was appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue to the University System of Georgia Board of Regents as an at-large member until he resigned at the end of 2017.

During his tenure in the House, Larry was instrumental in bringing the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agriculture Center to Perry in 1990, as well as Frito-Lay. “These changes helped to breathe new life into the Perry economy,” explains Foster Rhodes. “Perry needed this center in order for young people to be part of those shows. In fact, like their father, Larry’s children also became very involved in the livestock shows.”

After retiring from the State Legislature, Larry returned to his law practice full-time, and was elected to the Georgia Transportation Board, where he served for over two years. He was also appointed by Governor Sonny Purdue to the University System of Georgia

Board of Regents, where he served for seven years. In over half a century of practicing law as a solo and small firm attorney, Larry has always tried to epitomize the ideals of being a small town lawyer by combining personal service with big law firm resources. Larry, who still goes each day to his office, says he loves people and retains a Southern wit. “I gave a speech once to the Georgia Legislature about changing the flag. I wrote it myself. I told them

Foster Rhodes, a close friend of the Walker family, has known Larry for over 50 years. Foster was in the farm equipment business with Larry’s father for quite some time. “Physically Larry is just like his father, with a small stature, but he has a mighty big heart for others and has shown that throughout his career.”

on a sea of southern accents, mine is probably the most pronounced.”

For his efforts, in 2014 Larry was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Bar Association. The award recognized small firm attorneys who are widely accepted by their peers as having “significant lifetime distinction.”

When he isn’t winning big cases in court (along with Chuck Byrd, Larry represented Georgia coach Ray Goff when he was fired), Larry loves writing and spending time at his farm. He wrote a quarterly article for James Magazine, as well as for the Macon Telegraph. He’s also written two books, Tales from Georgia’s Gnat Line, a book about life in the South, and Life on the Gnat Line, a compilation of Larry’s widely read columns about family life, politics and everything Southern.

Larry Horsting handles most of the day-to-day operations of the Walkers’ 450-acre farm, which boasts four fishing ponds, 20 cows and rows of pecan trees as far as the eye can see. “Thankfully, there’s no intensive farming involved,” he says with a laugh. “When I retired from the telephone company after 30 years, I started here at the Walkers’ farm. The Walkers are like family; for example, I’ve never had a boss or supervisor tell me that they love me, so the Walker family is very special to me.”

Although it’s great to look back, Janice says the future looks just as bright as the past. “We’ve had a great go of it, and hopefully we have many more years together. Larry and I have raised four wonderful children, and we now have a whole pile of grandchildren, so we’ve been blessed many times over.” Each of the couple’s four children, nine grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren all reside in the Perry area. Moreover, one of the couple’s children is State Senator.

For all of his personal and professional successes, Larry just seems to take things in stride. “Some things in life you need to take seriously, but most things are not worth worrying about in life,” he says. “Everyone is going to be faced with difficulties, so you have to roll with the punches. Janice and I both know that we have been really blessed, and we’re just happy to be still enjoying the ride.”  HCL

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

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.

matter your situation, McCullough Funeral

can and will help you.

GRACE GARDEN COMING SUMMER OF 2023!

Grace Garden at LifeSpring Community offers Meaningful Memory Care in a home-like atmosphere that is designed to foster independence and well-being of our residents. 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.

SHORT TERM REHABILITATION

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

• State-of-the-art Rehabilitation Facilities

• In-patient and Out-patient Rehabilitative Therapies

• Cardio-Pulmonary Procedure Recovery

• Orthopedic Surgery Recovery

• Post-Stroke/Neurological Recovery

• Dysphagia Therapy

• Wound Care

• New Private Rooms with Private Baths

• Private Dining Room

LONG TERM CARE

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

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

• Health Monitoring and Medication Management

• Physical, Occupational, Speech, and Restorative Therapies

• Nutrition Monitoring and Management

• Activities/Social Programming

www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare

FB.com/ChurchHomeLifeSpring

by ALEXA TEBBEN | Photos Provided by Korah Beth Clark

A WomanBraving the Field

Korah Beth Clark’s love for the game of baseball in childhood led her to a career as the first female Athletic Field Trainer for the Atlanta Braves

IIn an industry predominately run by men, it is refreshing to see a young professional female excel at her job and have fun doing it in the process. Korah Beth Clark, the first female Athletic Field Trainer for the Atlanta Braves, changed-up the industry when she joined the organization.

Growing up between her parents in Perry and Hawkinsville, Korah Beth discovered the game of baseball in childhood. “I found out what an athletic trainer was when I was 16,” she recalls. “I grew up playing baseball from 6-18 years old.” At Westfield High School, Korah Beth’s love for the game grew as she kept statistics for the baseball team.

Korah Beth points to Tim Hudson’s 200 careers win in Atlanta as a pivotal moment in her own journey with baseball. Watching that game as a sophomore in high school inspired her to pursue a career that led her as close to baseball as she could get.

When the position as the high school baseball manager became available, Korah Beth jumped at the opportunity. “I convinced one of my best friends to do it with me,” she says. “The head coach said, ‘Don’t be a distraction, do your job, and have the answers when I ask you the questions.’ He didn’t know how we would react in a dugout of high school boys.”

“It’s more than standing out there and watching, [We’re] looking for changes in patterns, looking for red flags that would be indication of strains or underlying issues and being available for anything.”

As their first game started, a lady walked in with a medical bag and said, “I’m here in case someone gets hurt.” Intrigued, Korah Beth observed this Athletic Trainer with fascination. “I said, ‘You’re a medical professional getting paid to watch baseball? That’s what I want to do,’” Korah Beth remembers.

After the game, Korah Beth looked up the job description on the website for The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society and knew that was the role for her. From that point on, Korah Beth worked towards goals to help her land the job of her dreams.

While studying athletic training at Georgia College & State University, Korah Beth’s college graduation was prolonged an extra semester after a minor setback. However, the extended education worked best in her favor.

During her extra semester at Georgia College, a professor connected Korah Beth to Eric Cressey, the co-founder of Cressey Sports Performance. “I applied for their internship and took it for that spring semester,” she says. “That was my first major exposure to professional baseball.”

At this internship, Korah Beth got her first taste of working hands-on with professional athletes and loved every moment. A woman of faith, she contributes this opportunity to the

Excellent performance is any player’s main objective, but Korah Beth tries to remind the men of the joy that led them to the sport in the first place. “It’s a kid’s game, five-year-olds play baseball,” she says honestly. “You weren’t born a professional baseball player; you were born a kid who liked playing baseball.”

Lord’s hand in her life. Although originally upset not to graduate on time, the connections she made during that extra semester set the course for her career as an athletic trainer.

Following her internship at Cressey Sports Performance, Korah Beth completed a Graduate Assistant position with the baseball team at Murray State University. Afterwards, she was brought on as an Athletic Training Intern with the Atlanta Braves organization in June of 2022. After successfully completing her internship, she was hired on with the Braves as the first ever female on-field personnel in October of 2022.

Working with the Atlanta Braves has been a dream come true. “Looking down and seeing this A on my shirt means so much to me,” Korah Beth says. She has followed the Braves since childhood and is indescribably grateful to work

alongside the organization.

Korah Beth talks about an athletic trainer’s responsibilities and the practices they implement to aid the players. “It’s more than standing out there and watching,” she says. “[We’re] looking for changes in patterns, looking for red flags that would be indication of strains or underlying issues and being available for anything.”

At any given time, Korah Beth is ready to assist players to ensure they are on top of their game. The training she uses to direct players in areas of their physical health keeps their bodies sharp and moving.

In addition to the medical aspect of athletic training, Korah Beth talks about the importance of building trust with the players. “A big thing in athletic training is very relational – getting to know the guys and letting them know that they

can talk to you about anything whenever.”

For Korah Beth, she has found the easiest way to get players comfortable sharing their physical needs with an athletic trainer is getting to know the person behind the uniform. “You can’t treat who you don’t know,” she says wisely. “Getting to know their names, know where they’re from, that’s the base that I start with.”

Using conversational skills gained from her time as a collegiate member of Kappa Delta Sorority, Korah Beth gets to know new players as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Over time, Korah Beth builds on the foundation of their working relationship until she knows the ins and outs of each player. “The more you know guys and the better you can read them in a sense, the easier it makes your job as an Athletic Trainer,” she says.

Korah Beth recognizes the importance of building good working relationships to excel as an athletic trainer. “There is a ton that goes into professional sports and it does revolve around the players because professional sports are a form of entertainment,” she explains. “At the end of the day, if the players aren’t here nobody has a job.”

A routine based sport in nature, Korah Beth shares the importance of helping players as much as she can to allow them to focus solely on their game. “If you need to pump the hydration, the best way to do that is handing them a cup of water,” she says simply. “Pitchers come straight off the field and they’re getting a towel and water. They don’t have to worry about getting it [themselves, they just] focus on their pitching.”

Additionally, Korah Beth sees baseball as a mission field for her faith. As a follower of Christ, she believes that she can show the love of God wherever she is – even in the dugout. “I’m here to serve Christ and His people and expand the kingdom,” she says firmly. “That’s my end goal and that’s been my guiding light through it all.”

Each day she shows up to work, Korah Beth brings her faith to the field so the Lord’s light might shine through her work with the team. Whether with a smile or a kind word, she aims to brighten each player’s day for the glory of the Lord.

Excellent performance is any player’s main objective, but Korah Beth tries to remind the men of the joy that led them to the sport in the first place. “It’s a kid’s game, five-year-olds play baseball,” she says honestly. “You weren’t born a professional baseball player; you were born a kid who liked playing baseball.” Similarly, Korah Beth’s love for the game in childhood led her to a career as an Athletic Field Trainer. When days get long and the job gets tough, she remembers the dream that inspired it all. With a glimmer in her eye, she says, “I hope I never lose that joy that comes with watching and being able to enjoy the sport of baseball.”

Growing up between her parents in Perry and Hawkinsville, Korah Beth discovered the game of baseball in childhood. “I found out what an athletic trainer was when I was 16,” she recalls. “I grew up playing baseball from 6-18 years old.” At Westfield High School, Korah Beth’s love for the game grew as she kept statistics for the baseball team.

financial move is doing nothing.

Your wealth plan should keep up with the changing circumstances of your life, as well as with the cycles in the financial markets. A new career, a new grandchild, a new business, a significant shift in your portfolio — any of these events could necessitate a fresh look at your strategy.

As Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors, we can work with you to develop a strategy and then help you manage your investments and assets through life’s changes. Call today to arrange an appointment. We’ll work together to plan for what may come.

John C. Walker IV

Senior Vice President Financial Advisor

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Sam Pearson Senior Vice President Financial Advisor

NMLS #1285049

Kathleen Cinnamon Financial Planning Specialist Financial Advisor

NMLS #2306054

Sandy R. Snow

Senior Client Service Associate

6055 Lakeside Commons Drive Suite 450

Macon, GA 31210 478-405-3341

The Walker Pearson Group at Morgan Stanley

L-R: John C. Walker IV, Kathleen Cinnamon, Sam Pearson, Sandy R. Snow

Our Bread Daily

Amy Goss, CEO and managing partner of Star Staffing Solutions, has found a unique avenue to serve those who God brings to her workplace. In 2022, Amy created Hayden’s Loaves of Love, a ministry that blesses others with homemade baked goods.

For years, Amy has longed to help those in the community that lack the resources to have daily necessities. “I lived downtown Macon for four years and that was always heavy on my heart – making sure everybody had some food,” Amy says. During this time, she would often take food and water to the homeless in her efforts to help.

While reaching out to others always makes Amy feel good, she admits it is easy to grow discouraged in the fight against hunger.

“You can get overwhelmed and feel like what you’re doing in your little spot is never

going to make a dent in anything,” she says. However, with the Lord’s help, she believes we can make a difference wherever we are.

When Amy and her husband, Chad, created Star Staffing Solutions Agency, she knew she wanted to use their business for the glory of the Lord. Being dedicated to finding employment for those in need, Amy decided to take it one step further.

Mere months after starting their business, Amy began baking homemade bread to give to the people coming through the doors of their business. From each person seeking employment to the mailman, everyone who walks through their doors receives a home baked good and a bottle of water.

Amy packages the baked goods with a Hayden’s Loaves of Love logo and the John 6:35 Bible verse. The encouraging words of

In times of need, the Lord often provides His people with just enough to continue trusting in His provisions.

Jesus say, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me will not hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst.” It is a beautiful reminder that God is our source of provision and the true giver of life.

“We want to give people what their body needs and their soul needs,” Amy says. Through this ministry, she is acting as the hands and feet of God as she serves the community in this unique way. Amy is blessed to see how this simple act is blessing the community one loaf of bread at a time.

When naming this initiative, Amy fondly turned to her granddaughter, Hayden, for inspiration. “When we started Hayden’s Loaves of Love, I wanted to make sure that the ministry was as pure and innocent as my two-year-old grandbaby,” she explains.

Amy packages the baked goods with a Hayden’s Loaves of Love logo and the John 6:35 Bible verse. The encouraging words of Jesus say, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me will not hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst.” It is a beautiful reminder that God is our source of provision and the true giver of life.

Amy’s daughter-in-law, Hayden’s mother, works for Star Staffing Solutions and often brings Hayden into the office. The little bundle of joy is described as a beacon of light that inspired Amy to bring that same light to others.

Shortly after starting this ministry, they created a Facebook page for Hayden’s Loaves of Love to share the good work the Lord is doing through their ministry. Through social media avenues and simple word of mouth, more and more people have learned of their ministry and the compassion in which they run their business.

Amy holds the words of God near to her heart believing Philippians 1:6…“God began a good work in you.

And I am sure that He will carry it on until it is completed. That will be the day Christ Jesus returns.”

Day in and day out at Star Staffing Solutions, Amy meets people in desperate situations that pull on her heart strings. “There are so many people that need positive hope and help,” she says. “We have such a need right here in this office – people that aren’t able to pay their bills and don’t know where their next paycheck is going to come from.”

Unfortunately, they cannot help employ every person that comes their way. But what they do leave them with is a delicious homemade goodie and a reminder of the Lord’s goodness. “We want to let them leave with hope and

Through these additional avenues, Hayden’s Loaves of Love have blessed children in back-to-school drives and contributed to church fundraisers. Since the ministry’s founding, Amy has expanded her baking to include delicious treats such as brownies, red velvet cake, banana nut bread, and rice krispy treats.

For years, Amy has longed to help those in the community that lack the resources to have daily necessities. “I lived downtown Macon for four years and that was always heavy on my heart – making sure everybody had some food,” Amy says. During this time, she would often take food and water to the homeless in her efforts to help.

nutrition – something to make them happy.”

When Hayden’s Loaves of Love first launched, Amy was giving away 25 loaves of bread a week. That number grows each month, but the Lord provides a way for Amy to meet the demand. The rapid growth of the ministry and the number of people they reach is a testament to the Lord’s faithfulness.

While their work primarily resides at Star Staffing Solutions, Hayden’s Loaves of Love works in any way the Lord provides. “We have been contacted by other entities in the community that say, ‘Would you be interested in donating goodies for kids?’” Amy shares.

Through these additional avenues, Hayden’s Loaves of Love have blessed children in backto-school drives and contributed to church fundraisers. Since the ministry’s founding, Amy has expanded her baking to include delicious treats such as brownies, red velvet cake, banana nut bread, and rice krispy treats.

Members of the community have expressed interest in donating to their cause, and a fellow business owner has supplied Hayden’s Loaves of Love with additional funding. Amy is touched by the generosity of all those involved.

Amy admits she was not an exceptional baker prior to starting this ministry. In fact, when the Lord gave her the idea, she doubted she was up to the task. However, God has been faithful in using her willingness for His good.

“As far as talents and abilities, God is going to take care of everything,” Amy promises. “There is not a time I have said, ‘Eggs are so expensive, maybe I shouldn’t do it for a couple of weeks.’ That has never entered my mind because I knew God would provide.” And He has.

Chad and Amy are confident that the Lord will continue the good work he started. As they draw up plans to expand Star Staffing Solutions, they intend to expand their ministry as well. “We are looking to open up a second location this year,” Amy says. “As we grow, Hayden’s Loaves of Love will grow.”

They are excited to continue trusting in the Lord’s will over their lives and the lives of those they seek to help. Every baked good they distribute serves to remind someone that the Lord is faithful, and He provides us our daily bread. HCL

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Co-owner

talks about the business and the joy he experiences in the diamond industry.

HelpingShine

Sam Satterfield

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but at Satterfield and Dempsey Jewelers diamonds are for everyone. Co-owner Sam Satterfield talks about the business and the joy he experiences in the diamond industry. However, it was an unexpected path that led him here.

Originally from West Virginia, Sam’s time in the Air Force led him to Georgia. “I joined the Air Force in 1984,” he says. “I spent four years at Robins Air Force base in the Fifth Communications Group.”

When his time with the Air Force came to an end, Sam decided to stay in Georgia. A natural people person, he became a car salesman for Nissan. However, Sam admits, “I didn’t really care for the car business.”

After a year selling cars, Sam learned of a seasonal opportunity with Strauther-Harris Jewelers. They were looking for extra help during their busy Christmas season, and Sam was eager to try it out.

by Alexa Tebben | Photos by Tinika Bennett Photography

“Prior to this job,” Sam says, “Honestly I didn’t know anything about jewelry. I didn’t know emerald was green, I didn’t even own a watch.” While he might have been an unlikely candidate for the job, his work ethic and ability to connect with customers served him well.

Sam’s performance was exceptional that Christmas season, and it became the turning point in his career. “I stayed on and eventually became Assistant Manager in 1990,” he recounts. “I began taking my Gemological Institute of America courses for diamonds to become a Gemologist. That’s on-going, I still take courses to freshen up.”

Sam stayed on with Strauther-Harris as they moved to the Galleria Mall and became manager when Van Dempsey left the company. A few years later, however, he was growing his family and struggled with the long mall hours. Having two small children at home, he decided to transition away from Strauther-Harris Jewelers.

“I reached out to Van and we decided to open up Satterfield and Dempsey Jewelers in 2000,” Sam says. Originally, their store was adjacent to the Galleria Mall before moving to its current location on Houston Lake Road.

As times continue to evolve, Satterfield and Dempsey work to keep up with consumer needs. “In today’s world you have to do all the social media, and the staff that we have now all participate and do a lot of posting and advertising which has helped tremendously,” Sam says.

Although it was an unexpected career path, Sam’s love for the diamond industry grew with each passing year. His natural-born talent for sales combined with his passion for helping others in what became a successful drive in his business dealings. Not surprisingly, Satterfield and Dempsey Jewelers has become a staple in Middle Georgia.

“We are a full jewelry retail store,” Sam says proudly. “We have children’s jewelry that starts at $50, and we have sterling silver and that type of price range. I specialize in diamond engagement rings, wedding sets, and solitaires – that’s our bread and butter so to speak.”

When starting Satterfield and Dempsey Jewelers, Sam desired for the store to cater to people of all calibers. His overreaching goal was to create an environment that welcomes

people of all markets, and he has done just that. Whether you are looking for an everyday piece of jewelry or the ring with which to propose a lifetime with your partner, Satterfield and Dempsey Jewelers is here for your every need.

“Everybody has a budget,” Sam says. They keep this in mind when stocking a variety of engagement rings to appeal to everyone. “We try to keep a good selection of everything so that regardless of what your budget is we can take care of it.”

Sam also performs appraisals for insurance purposes. He enjoys offering this service to help people understand the value of their possessions.

When asked where their diamonds come from, Sam shares that they purchase their product at jewelry shows and through traveling vendors. “The jewelry show does come to Atlanta twice a year, and there’s always a big show in Las Vegas once a year,” he says. “We have numerous vendors that come to us. They’ll have diamonds, jewelry and all kinds of bracelets that we go through and choose what we want.”

Sam prides himself on selecting jewelry that is unique to the market. “We try to keep a wide variety of things that are going to be different,” he says. “You’re not going to see it on everybody’s hand or wrist.”

Having served Middle Georgia since the 1990s, Sam has developed strong relationships within the

community. “We have folks that are bringing their children in to buy their engagement rings and we had sold their mom and dad their engagement rings 20 years ago,” he says proudly.

“Pretty much every time I go to a grocery store or church I’ll see people who are customers,” Sam says. “They will literally take their ring off their finger and say, ‘I’m missing a diamond off this ring, and can you take it with you?’”

Sam describes the joy it brings him to be trusted with people’s jewelry in this way. For him, this level of trust is more valuable than any precious stone. It is what drives him to continue serving others with honesty, integrity, and respect.

The jewelry business is special as it allows Sam and his team to take part in other people’s celebrations. Whether for an engagement, anniversary, or birthday, they help make people’s special day sparkle.

“We’re in the feel-good business,” Sam states. “Everything that we sell is a luxury. It’s not required for people getting married to have a wedding band; they want to purchase something to make themselves feel good.”

As such, Sam delights in steering customers to the diamond ring, bracelet, or earrings they love the most. His joy in the business has inspired his daughter, Olivia, to work alongside of him as Store Manager at Satterfield and Dempsey Jewelers. “It’s very rewarding getting to see

her and work with her every day,” Sam says sweetly.

As times continue to evolve, Satterfield and Dempsey work to keep up with consumer needs. “In today’s world you have to do all the social media, and the staff that we have now all participate and do a lot of posting and advertising which has helped tremendously,” Sam says.

They are prepared to continue serving the community with the same dedication they opened their doors with over 20 years ago. Whether you know exactly what you are looking for or need some serious guidance, Satterfield and Dempsey is there to help you navigate your way to the perfect piece. And by the time you leave the store, you will shine as brightly as a diamond.  HCL

Please

Please

Scott Malone, MDJeffrey Easom, DO

Derrick Phillips, MDDavid Wiley, MD

Making Haste for Clean Space

By Alexa Tebben | Photos provided by Darra McClendon

Your home is only as clean as your messiest room. Darra McClendon, owner of Simply Ordered Solutions, helps clients organize and simplify the messiest parts of their homes and businesses so they can be the best version of themselves.

While Darra started her business in 2018, her passion for order has been a large part of who she is since childhood. “Even as a teenager I was rearranging my room and maximizing my space,” she remembers. “I found that I enjoyed it.”

She talks about the day she realized her knack

for organizing held some weight in helping others. Darra was babysitting for a family from her church when the mom told Darra to feel free cleaning up the mess while she was gone.

“What I saw was clutter,” Darra says. “Stuff was everywhere and things didn’t really have a home. Without throwing anything away, I reordered and decluttered her space.” When the woman returned home, she was blown away by Darra’s work. At her praise, Darra began to think of her organizing capabilities as something more valuable than a hobby.

Darra McClendon, owner of Simply Ordered Solutions, helps clients organize and simplify the messiest parts of their homes and businesses so they can be the best version of themselves.

Originally from Atlanta, Darra attended Mercer University where she met her husband, Shaine. After graduation, they relocated to Warner Robins for Shaine’s job. It was not until she attended a professional organizing workshop in Perry that Darra decided to turn her talent into a career. “I got connected with NAPO, The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals,” she says. Finally doing what she loved, she soaked up everything she could learn and launched her business, Simply Ordered Solutions. Her company helps you organize anything from your kitchen pantry to your garage. No task is too small and no project too large for the talents of Darra and her team of organizers. To meet the growing demand for their services,

Darra has recently trained and hired four additional professional organizers. Together they help you tackle your chaotic confines and transform them into the calm, clutter-free spaces they were intended to be.

Darra also has valuable experience in professionally organizing homes on a larger scale. She is a contractor with Home Sweet Home LLC, a leader in providing stress relief to transferees of Fortune 500 and 100 companies all over the country. “We help them figure out what needs to go before they pay for this massive moving truck to relocate a family to another state or country. It helps people get the fresh start they need.”

On a smaller scale, Simply Ordered Solutions

can tackle one room at a time. Be it your nursery, pantry, garage, or home office, they stand at the ready to tidy up any space. They also service places of business helping them streamline and put systems in place to boost productivity and cut down on workplace stress. For those who are constantly on the go, they can help organize their car to give them the room to focus on other matters.

As a strategic partner with Keller Williams Realty Middle Georgia, Darra and her team love to connect with people seeking to sell their homes. Whether it is a move to increase space, downsize, or clear out the estate of a loved one who has passed, Simply Ordered Solutions cares.

Darra lost her parents in recent years and knows firsthand that loss of any kind is a journey. She and her team provide comfort to their clients during these times by helping to sort through and clear out personal items. Clutter is overwhelming enough, but clutter accompanied by grief can be devastating. “Going through that personally, my heart goes out to people who have their loved one’s things and don’t know where to start.”

You cannot help but to feel immediate comfort when talking to Darra. Her soothing voice and reassuring language slows the pulse of an entire room filling it with an air of peace. “I’m an encourager by nature,” she says. “I try to put clients at ease and let them know we are not judging them. Things get out of place and that’s just life.”

She reflects on a specific project where her experience equipped her with the compassion to help her client. “I worked with a client whose mother had passed away,” Darra says. “There was so much stuff, and the client had just suffered an injury and was limited as to what they could do.” Along with another organizer, Darra visited the house, set up a plan, and had things cleared out in record time. “Our client was so grateful and said they really couldn’t have done it without our help.”

Darra describes the joy she feels in helping ease her clients’ burdens. “It’s so rewarding for me because

when people are cluttered they become stressed, and sometimes that stress causes more clutter,” she says. “It piles up around us and it’s like this vicious cycle. I love that I can come in, intercept that and help people find their way out.”

Analyzing the root of these issues, Darra has identified common hurdles people face. Often, people try to accomplish everything at once. “We don’t get to things that are truly important, or we put too many things in one day,” she says. “When doing this, it is easy to fall behind in our goals and then become discouraged.”

While Darra started her business in 2018, her passion for order has been a large part of who she is since childhood. “Even as a teenager I was rearranging my room and maximizing my space,” she remembers. “I found that I enjoyed it.”

“If we organize and budget our time the same way we do our money or anything else, we can be more productive, save our energy, and feel good about ourselves knowing we are getting things done.” Darra works to help people achieve this through productivity consulting and coaching. She is happy to offer her professional insight into time management to help you maximize your valuable time.

Darra is a certified wellness coach and became so to offer additional encouragement to her clients. “I saw in my studies how stress affects our bodies more than we realize,” she says. “I wanted to [help] people live their lives without stress.”

You cannot help but to feel immediate comfort when talking to Darra. Her soothing voice and reassuring language slows the pulse of an entire room filling it with an air of peace. “I’m an encourager by nature,” she says. “I try to put clients at ease and let them know we are not judging them. Things get out of place and that’s just life.”

After a single conversation, you will truly feel understood as Darra’s genuine excitement to help you rolls right off her tongue. “Everyone always feels like their situation is the worst I’ve seen,” she says. “I’ve never walked in a situation where I’ve had to say, ‘I can’t help you.’”

The confidence she tackles each project with leaves no room for defeat. Darra uses the unique organizing skills she has fine-tuned to successfully restore your space to the efficiency it was designed for.

Darra and the entire Simply Ordered Solutions team are delighted to free up your space so you can focus your talents and time on what matters most to you. Only handle what you need to, and leave the rest to the professionals. HCL

To meet the growing demand for their services, Darra has recently trained and hired four additional professional organizers. Together they help you tackle your chaotic confines and transform them into the calm, clutter-free spaces they were intended to be.

Reel

Fair Favorites Downtown Dining

there are plenty of flavors to discover in Perry! Historic Downtown Perry offers a diverse array of restaurants and nightlife! From traditional Southern fare to international cuisine, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are looking for a casual brunch spot with friends, a romantic dinner destination, or a quick bite on the go, our Perry restaurants have you covered.

FUN MOMENTS

Perry is home to year-round events, from free festivals hosted in the heart of Historic Downtown Perry to the Georgia National Fair! Our events bring Georgia together and showcase the unique culture and spirit of our city. Come experience the warmth and hospitality of our wonderful city during one of our many special events!

Ride

Perry's parks and green spaces are the perfect destination for year-round outdoor fun! Take a ride on the Weeletka or bird watch from the boardwalk on the White Tail Trail. Cool off at the Creekwood Park Splash Pad or enjoy a pickup game of frisbee golf followed by a picnic at Rozar Park.

Connect

WITH CULTURE

Boasting one of the largest International Festivals in the Southeast, as well as an annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Festival and the Georgia National Fair's Concerito De Musica Latino, we invite you to discover the diversity that proudly makes Perry the community "Where Georgia comes together"!

SHOP

Historic Downtown Perry is conveniently located 1 mile from Exit 136 on I-75 and only 1.5 miles from the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter! Take a stroll through Historic Downtown Perry, where you can admire the beautiful architecture while browsing unique local boutiques.

Nestled in the heart of Georgia, Perry is conveniently located off of I-75, only 30 minutes south of Macon and 90 minutes south of Atlanta. Find a comprehensive listing of local restaurants, retailers, attractions and more at visitperry.com!

Carmel W. Sanders Attorney at Law

MiddlePremierGeorgia’sJeweler

Yelverton Jewelers has marked many significant moments in peoples’ lives, from birthdays and anniversaries, to marriage proposals. At Yelverton Jewelers we have the privilege of bringing you the very best customer service provided in a warm and comfortable family atmosphere.

Darrell Yelverton has been in the jewelry industry since 1984, and in 1997 Yelverton Jewelers, Inc. was established. He has worked in every aspect of the jewelry industry, from being a bench jeweler to creating one of a kind piece for clients all over Georgia.

Darrell has mastered the art of custom designing jewelry of all types. Customers describe an idea, then Darrell and his staff make their inspiration a reality. Darrell gives close attention to detail and uniqueness. Darrell has a state of the art Computer Aided Design (CAD) that will bring images to life. This tool is great for customers to visualize their designs in 3-D and take part in the design process.

Yelverton Jewelers caters to a loyal customer base with the

smallest needs to the larger orders, with clients all over the United States and around the world. As our customer move away from the area, they often want to have their jewelry repaired or custom made when they visit Warner Robins, many will email requests with purchases or items they want made.

Darrell has earned his diplomas in diamonds and color stone from (Gemological Institute of America) GIA. Darrell’s son, Gatlin Yelverton, has been working at Yelverton Jewelers for most his life, Darrell will be excited to have his second generation to carry on his legacy. Gatlin has also earned several degrees from GIA, pearls, diamonds, color stones and applied jewelry professional. His is also in the process of starting his Gemological degree.

Darrell belongs to the Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, and he is also on the board of directors of the H. A. L. O Group of Middle Georgia. Darrell belongs to Central Baptist Church and was involved with Champions for Children program with the Middle Georgia Easter Seals.

BY STEPHEN PRUDHOMME | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE KIWANIS CLUB

Scoring Big in the Local Community

TThree recent graduates from Houston County schools are pursuing higher education in Georgia. They’re seeking degrees in a number of challenging fields, ranging from exercise science to regenerative bioengineering. Helping them matriculate is a club back home that relies on clubs to score a financial windfall and set these young men and women on the right course toward success in school and life. The local chapter of a nationwide club is doing its part to help educate young people so they can become productive members of society and continue the cycle of community involvement and altruism.

The Perry Kiwanis Club held its third annual fundraiser golf tournament on April 18 at the Houston Lake Country Club. This year’s event featured 25, four-person teams. In 2022-2023, the

The local chapter of a nationwide club is doing its part to help educate young people so they can become productive members of society and continue the cycle of community involvement and altruism.

scholarship fund, maintained through gifts, donations and fundraisers such as the golf tournament, will pay over $21,000 to 12 local students. The money can be used for tuition, books, housing and other costs associated with college.

The selection criteria are based on scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities and need. The three latest recipients were selected by a panel of Perry Kiwanis Club members from 20 candidates and continued the tradition of excellence in school and the community.

Seth Andrews graduated from The Westfield School in May 2022. He’s majoring in exercise science at the University of Georgia and wants to attend physical therapy school. Seth enjoys racquetball, surfing and guitar. He gives high marks to the Perry Kiwanis Club. “I love the Kiwanis Club because of their genuine care for their community and desire to see all the people they support succeed,” he said. “I am so grateful they chose me as one of their people to support, and it has allowed me to worry less about money while motivating me to succeed in school.”

Trent Dowd, President of the Perry Kiwanis Club, said Seth had excellent grades while operating a lawn care business, serving as property manager for a 100-plus acre property, and selling fruits and vegetables during the summer. Trent noted that Seth’s leadership roles at school, sports, and church, further showed his excellent work ethic, adding his participation in several mission projects in the area also made Seth a clear standout.

Another standout is Margie Knapek, a graduate of Perry High School who followed Seth to the University of Georgia. Majoring in regenerative bioengineering, the college freshman aspires to work in product

development for either an animal pharmacy or biotech company. She said she loves being in a big city and exploring its restaurants. Margie, like Seth, cites the importance of Kiwanis in the community and her life. “Kiwanis’ involvement in this community is so vast, ranging from students to the professional level,” Margie said. “With their generosity, I’m able to experience so many incredible opportunities pursuing a degree I love, debt-free.”

Trent knows Margie well, as she and his daughter are friends and members of Future Farmers America (FFA). He described her as a very smart young lady and hard worker who

Trent echoes that sentiment, remarking that Kiwanis helps kids of the world, with each club focusing on the local community and its young people as they pursue an education. “The scholarship helps ease the burden of school costs. Hopefully they’ll come back to Perry, start a business, and be a good part of the community.”

will do good things. The selection panel concurred with Trent’s assessment, noting one of Margie’s recommendation letters stated she holds herself to the highest standards and refuses to settle for mediocrity. Not only did she maintain extremely high grades while holding several leadership roles (school, FFA, and livestock program), the panel stated, but she also has been an effective mentor for younger students who are following her path in the livestock show life.

Cadence Hall, the third scholarship winner, is staying closer to home by attending Kennesaw State University, where she’s majoring in psychology and has a career goal of specialist or PhD in educational psychology. With academics being very time consuming, Cadence values her free time and enjoys going to the gym, making new friends, and getting to know her fellow psychology major students. She said Kiwanis is a great organization that not only

focuses on the community and its needs, but also on students and their accomplishments. “I am thankful for that recognition and the generous scholarship that they are able to give me to help with furthering my education,” Cadence said.

As with the other recipients, Cadence had outstanding grades in high school while engaging in several extra-curricular activities, clubs, and sports, all while working part-time at a local restaurant. According to the selection panel, Cadence’s employer noted she juggles all her responsibilities while never missing a day of work. She further strengthened her candidacy with many hours of community service through the National Honors Society and such local organizations as the HALO Group.

The aforementioned trio is the beneficiary of a scholarship fund established in the early ‘80s by Dr. A.G. Hendricks, a longtime member of the Perry Kiwanis Club, who decided Perry needed a scholarship fund to assist young people wanting to further their education. Primarily through his efforts, an initial fund of $10,000 was established and a scholarship committee was formed that included Dr. Hendricks, L.C. Walker, Sr., Earl Lewis, Yates Green, and Tom W. Daniel. The first scholarship offered was $600 each for one year to a graduating student from Westfield Schools and a graduating student from Perry High School. The student had to maintain a B average in order to continue to receive installment payments.

In 1996, the Sally and J.O. Jacobs Trust Fund was made available to the scholarship

Seth Andrews graduated from The Westfield School in May 2022. He’s majoring in exercise science at the University of Georgia and wants to attend physical therapy school. Seth enjoys racquetball, surfing and guitar. He gives high marks to the Perry Kiwanis Club. “I love the Kiwanis Club because of their genuine care for their community and desire to see all the people they support succeed,” he said. “I am so grateful they chose me as one of their people to support, and it has allowed me to worry less about money while motivating me to succeed in school.”

committee for their management and for use of the income from the trust for scholarship purposes. This trust is not integrated into the Perry Kiwanis Scholarship Funds and is kept separate for accounting purposes. The generated income is specifically designed to be used for scholarships of the Perry Kiwanis Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship reflects the Kiwanis’ goal to give back to the local community and encourage altruism in the next generation. One of the founding scholarship committee members stated, “Because the future of our land rests on the shoulders of our young people, there is no greater calling for this club than to help our young people achieve all they can through education.”

Trent echoes that sentiment, remarking that Kiwanis helps kids of the world, with each club focusing on the local community and its young people as they pursue an education. “The scholarship helps ease the burden of school costs. Hopefully they’ll come back to Perry, start a business, and be a good part of the community.”

The Perry Kiwanis Club meets every Thursday at noon at The Perfect Pear Restaurant at 922 Carroll St., in Downtown Perry.  HCL

The Perry Kiwanis Club held its third annual fundraiser golf tournament on April 18 at the Houston Lake Country Club. This year’s event featured 25, four-person teams. In 2022-2023, the scholarship fund, maintained through gifts, donations and fundraisers such as the golf tournament, will pay over $21,000 to 12 local students. The money can be used for tuition, books, housing and other costs associated with college.

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Over 20 years ago, attorney Rob Fricks opened a small, real estate closing office in Warner Robins. Today, the Fricks Law Firm is the choice for closings in Middle Georgia!

Rob and his partners, Anna Usry Person and Tara D. Tourville, are all graduates of Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. The firm recently expanded its practice to include not only real estate, but domestic relations, corporate and probate law.

The Fricks Law Firm boasts an amazing staff, made up of a former bank manager, mortgage loan officers, loan processors, Realtors® and career real estate closing professionals. They understand the process from start to finish and work diligently to ensure your closing experience is an efficient, convenient and pleasant one.

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PUTTING DOWN Roots

BY ALEXA TEBBEN | PHOTOS BY TINIKA BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY

Master Gardener Extension volunteers train through the Houston County Extension Office to help fellow community members who wish to put down some roots.

Nurturing the earth through gardening brings life to any space and can connect people through mutual care for plants and people alike. Master Gardener Extension volunteers train through the Houston County Extension Office to help fellow community members who wish to put down some roots.

Morgan Grizzle, the Agricultural and Natural Resource Extension Agent for Houston County, is passionate about the Extension Office’s work and their community outreach through the Master Gardener Program. Morgan’s history with the Extension Office dates back to childhood. “I grew up in 4H and participated in the Extension Office through the 4H program through my youth,” she

recalls. “Then I started here as an employee in January 2022.”

Growing up, Morgan was fascinated with agriculture and desired to learn more. “I have family that has farmed and my mom has a great green thumb and can grow anything and make it beautiful,” Morgan says with admiration. “I was not as great at it as her, but I participated and I’ve always liked plants.”

In college, Morgan studied agribusiness where her love for nature deepened. She later received her Master’s Degree in Forestry. When Morgan joined Houston County’s Extension Office in 2022, she inherited the Master Gardener Program and her beloved Master Gardeners. “The Master Gardener

The Master Gardener Program is open to anyone who may be interested in expanding their gardening knowledge and helping others do the same. There is a sense of great comradery within this program, and they eagerly welcome newcomers with which to share their passions.

Program has been in Houston County for many years,” Morgan says. “Every county in Georgia has Extension but not every county has a Master Gardener Program.”

In total, Houston County boasts 60 active Master Gardeners and 17 trainees in their first year. Master Gardeners include adults from all walks of life who share a common love of gardening. “Everybody has a different reason for joining,” Morgan shares. “They do this after their career, they love plants and like working in their garden, or they like it but they’re not really good at it and want to learn more.”

The program offers education and advancement for people of all gardening backgrounds. It exists to train Master Gardeners to be readily available to help other community members who enjoy gardening. The volunteers are passionate about the program, and their eagerness to help the community shines through their work.

“What we do here at Extension is get information to people,” Morgan says plainly. “I have people come in all the time saying, ‘I just started a garden for the first time and I don’t know anything about it.’ My Master Gardeners help with those questions, site visits, or call-ins.”

If someone wants to start a home garden, community garden, or school garden, the Houston County Extension Office provides them with the resources they need to learn and what materials to use. Their connections with the necessary information enables community members to successfully grow the gardens of their dreams.

The Houston County Extension Office has ownership of three community gardens that they maintain. The garden at Sacred Heart Catholic Heart and School grows mostly vegetables to be donated to the food bank. Their garden in Hafley Park has a bit of everything and is used to host homeowner

classes. Their third garden is on Warner Robins Air Force Base and is focused on garden therapy.

Becoming a Master Gardener involves intricate training and active participation to maintain involvement. It begins with a 12week course that runs an all-day class one day a week. In this course, volunteers learn from both on the field specialists and those at UGA. They gain knowledge to help the community in all their gardening ventures. A new course occurs every February through April. After a successful completion, volunteers earn their official Master Gardener titles. As Master Gardeners, they are required to serve 50 hours of volunteer work in their first year and 25 hours every following year. While these hours stipulate active membership in the program, Morgan says most of the volunteers far surpass this requirement.

The Extension Office provides additional services for the public including soil samples and plant lab testing. “We can send part of a plant to our labs and see if it has a fungus or some type of disease,” Morgan explains. Seeing what is going on underneath the microscope allows them to instruct gardeners and farmers on what their plants need to thrive.

“They work a lot more than 25 hours a year and it’s all out of the goodness of their heart,” she says.

Morgan attributes the Master Gardeners help to a smooth transition into her role as Agricultural and Natural Resource Agent. “They really helped me network in the county,” she says. “I grew up here but they got me more involved quicker than I would have.”

Master Gardeners bring their ideas to Morgan, which often bloom into successful ventures. They bring enthusiasm and joy to the program keeping it running as well as it does today.

Christine Kelly, the program assistant, has been head of the Master Gardener Program for several years. Christine learned ample things about the Master Gardener Program under the agent before Morgan. She has proven to be a valuable tool in the continued success of the program.

One of the many hats Morgan wears as the Agriculture Agent includes assisting farmers in

Becoming a Master Gardener involves intricate training and active participation to maintain involvement. It begins with a 12-week course that runs an all-day class one day a week. In this course, volunteers learn from both on the field specialists and those at UGA. They gain knowledge to help the community in all their gardening ventures.

maintaining their crops. It brings her great joy to visit their farms and help answer their questions to improve the conditions of their land. “If I can help figure out what might be affecting their crops so they’re not losing their income, that’s definitely rewarding.”

The Extension Office provides additional services for the public including soil samples and plant lab testing. “We can send part of a plant to our labs and see if it has a fungus or some type of disease,” Morgan explains. Seeing what is going on underneath the microscope allows them to instruct gardeners and farmers on what their plants need to thrive.

“The biggest thing with the Master Gardeners and Extension in general, there is something for everybody in the county,” Morgan states. No matter the need, the Extension Office has the resources to help educate and assist you in your endeavors. From youth involvement to consumer sciences and everything in between, you can find your niche one way or another.

Though Morgan’s work seems unique to many, it is the most natural thing for a member of her family. “My husband, Gordon, is from north Georgia,” she says. “We met in school and he’s a forester. My brother is a vet, my sister is starting a cut flower business, and my brother-in-law is an Ag teacher.”

Morgan’s three children enjoy time among plants as well. At ages three, five, and seven, Morgan says, “They love going out to the garden with me and they will definitely be involved as they grow up.”

The Master Gardener Program is open to anyone who may be interested in expanding their gardening knowledge and helping others do the same. There is a sense of great comradery within this program, and they eagerly welcome newcomers with which to share their passions..  HCL

a journey toward health

DDuring his tenure as a collegiate baseball player, Shane Valigora experienced a multitude of injuries. Born and raised in St. Clairsville, Ohio, his experiences as a ball player, combined with his unwavering faith in God, prompted a deep desire to serve his community with the utmost integrity and respect. Shane envisioned an outpatient physical therapy clinic where each patient is treated like family. Since March of 2018, he and his staff at Pinnacle Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine have helped each of their patients reach their highest physical potential while providing a warm, welcoming environment where they can comfortably heal.

“Through my own experiences, I am able to truly empathize with my patients’ pain and injuries,” he says. Recognizing each patient’s individuality, Shane cares deeply about their progress during recovery while helping to meet their therapeutic needs. Moreover, he and his staff routinely focus on developing and maintaining great patient relationships.

“Shane is very knowledgeable, uses a wide variety of approaches to healing, and he genuinely cares about helping people feel better and getting them back to normal function,” says client Tammy Strickland.

“At Pinnacle you are not a number; you’re a part of our family,” explains Shane’s wife Amy, who is also the practice’s

office manager. “Our success is wholly dependent upon your success, and we have a highly experienced physical therapist who offers specialized treatment services for any pain or injury.”

If you are searching for genuine patient care in a familyoriented atmosphere, Pinnacle Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine is your premier choice when embarking upon your physical therapy journey. Call their office at (478) 302-5111 to schedule an appointment, and the staff at Pinnacle will be happy to meet with you and create a plan for your journey toward health, healing, and pain management.

PicturePerfect

Trailer Flash provides the perfect way to capture memories of any special event.

David

IIn the modern business world, there seems to be an ever-constant demand to come up with innovative ideas that truly help to transform the way we live. Thus, over the last three years, the number of entrepreneurships has predictably soared, and some of the most successful entrepreneurs seem to all have one thing in common: innovative thinking. These forward thinkers always possess the ability to come up with a truly game-changing idea and then use it as the basis for their startup business. Local photographer Courtney Kitchens, along with her mother Erin, seems to have found a niche in the entrepreneurial world in a very unique way and entertaining way.

Their business, which is aptly named Trailer Flash, is a mobile photo booth comprised of a 1968 vintage camper that has been restored and renovated to include a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera, which boasts very high-resolution photos. Their unique mobile photography studio provides an innovative and fun way to celebrate weddings, birthdays, reunions, and corporate events.

While no stranger to being her own boss, Courtney says that being a graphic designer and traditional photographer didn’t provide the social outlet that she felt she needs.

“I’m an extrovert by nature, and with my previous contracted work, it would usually entail me sitting alone at my computer, editing photos.

By

Pena | Photos by Tinika Bennett Photography, Trailer Flash & Courtney Kitchens Photography

“I had been a professional photographer and graphic designer both locally and in Nashville for over 10 years,” explains Courtney, who also has a degree in photography. “I had unfortunately been dealing with some health issues, so I was thinking about adding a photo booth as a separate business. I spent a good deal of time trying to come up with different ways to house it; there are open air photo booths and 360s, so I was researching which way to go when the idea of a vintage camper came up.”

As luck would have it, a friend gave Courtney a camper in 2021 when their own idea to renovate it for another business had been scrapped. “Thankfully, the camper had already been gutted, so my mother and I discussed the idea of finishing the renovations,” she says. “She soon was able to help me find someone to do the job, and it all started from there.”

Renovations on the camper began in October of 2021, and the entire process took about six months to complete. Then it was time to come up with a name for the business, which came about at a Christmas dinner. “We were debating about our name, and a friend came up with Trailer Flash, so it stuck and we think it fits us perfectly,” recalls Erin.

Erin is excited about the shear innovation of their new business. “I love that it’s such a fresh and unique idea. People who want great photos who may not want to hire a photographer can come to us, or we can provide entertainment while the wedding party is being photographed

Erin, who is an artist herself, prides herself on being very hands-on with the business. From helping set up each shot, to suggesting costume or prop changes, she gets involved in every photo session while helping her clients to capture memories which will last a lifetime. “People thought I was crazy to start a new business after retiring from the school system after 30 years. However, now I’ve learned to hitch and unhitch a trailer, pull it in and then go to work. Courtney is more of the IT person, while I tend to do the grunt work.” she says with a chuckle. “I’m very impressed with what Courtney can do; she is so talented

with a computer.”

The photo booth itself is contained within a box that was built specifically for it inside the air-conditioned camper. There is a DSLR camera mounted at the top, complete with a touch screen tablet that clients interact with to help guide them through the picture taking process. “They get four photos total, with a few seconds to set up each shot in between the pictures with a number of the props we’ve made. People really have a good time with it!” says Courtney with a smile. The software then instantly prints out the pictures on 4 x 6 photo print, which

is tailor-made for the event itself, either with a specific design or a logo. After the photos are taken, you have the option to email a digital copy to yourself in addition to the hard copy printed at the event.”

Although based in Warner Robins, the dynamic duo is not limited by geography. After all, it IS a mobile photo booth. “We’ll travel anywhere, but we do charge after 40 miles. And we do any and all events: birthday parties, weddings, corporate events, you name it. In fact, we just finished a cast wrap party for a drama club, and we’re now preparing to do an awards banquet for a high school.”

Suzanne Smith Knight, whose wedding photos were taken by Courtney and Erin, says, “I will cherish the joy captured in these photos forever, and I want to thank Trailer Flash for these memories. Their photo booth was one of the highlights of our wedding.”

Erin is excited about the shear innovation of their new business. “I love that it’s such a fresh and unique idea. People who want great

Their business, which is aptly named Trailer Flash, is a mobile photo booth comprised of a 1968 vintage camper that has been restored and renovated to include a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera, which boasts very high-resolution photos.

Erin, who is an artist herself, prides herself on being very hands-on with the business. From helping set up each shot, to suggesting costume or prop changes, she gets involved in every photo session while helping her clients to capture memories which will last a lifetime.

photos who may not want to hire a photographer can come to us, or we can provide entertainment while the wedding party is being photographed. Everywhere we go, people tell us what a cute idea this is, so we’re very excited to be able to bring it to them.”

While no stranger to being her own boss, Courtney says that being a graphic designer and traditional photographer didn’t provide the social outlet that she felt she needs. “I’m an extrovert by nature, and with my previous contracted work, it would usually entail me sitting alone at my computer, editing photos. Trailer Flash now allows me a lot more interaction, and I get to spend time with my mom, which has been a real blessing. We both started this adventure together with prayer, and God has continued to be with us every step of the way. We are excited to see what blessings He will continue to bring us.”

If interested, contact Erin or Courtney through Trailer Flash’s Facebook and Instagram pages or email them at trailerflashpb@gmail.com. HCL

Darryl Hodson, MD Mark Bonner, MD

Tamika Chester, FNP

Jim Lekas, PA-CKelly Miller, FNP

Huntley Sanders, PA-C

James Farmer is excited to open his event space, The Courtyard on Carroll, in Spring 2022. Nestled in quaint Downtown Perry, Georgia, The Courtyard on Carroll features an outdoor event space perfect for intimate gatherings. From private dinners to bridal showers, Courtyard on Carroll will surely be the backdrop of the most lovely memories.

Mara L. Moncrief, M.S., CCC-A Natalie P. Gibbs, Au.D

Mary Beth Wood Photography

Making History ONE EVENT AT A TIME

By

W

Where southern hospitality meets historic small town charm, a picture-perfect space exists to fulfill your grandest dreams. Owners Ian Brown and Kevin Kirkland have newly renovated The Grand Magnolia House and expanded the wedding venue to include events of all calibers.

The Grand Magnolia House’s carefully crafted elegant intricacies provoke nostalgia at every turn. Ian and Kevin passionately share the rich history of the house with the fondness of proud homeowners. Built in 1862, it was originally

owned by the Nixon family and located in Oglethorpe, Georgia.

“The original family was one of the six founding families of Marshallville,” Ian says. “The husband passed away so the wife moved the house by horse around 1906 and then added the second story.” Research of the area reveals that an outbreak of smallpox overtook the city of Oglethorpe. This may have been a driving reason for moving the house to its current location in Marshallville.

At some point after the move, The Grand Magnolia House switched hands as

Ian and Kevin passionately share the rich history of the house with the fondness of proud homeowners.

Alexa Tebben | Photos by Tinika Bennett Photography

Many of their bookings are out-ofstate couples seeking a quaint historical wedding venue.

“We’ve had two couples who want to relocate to Perry because they fell in love with the area after having their wedding here,” Ian says. It brings Ian and Kevin great joy to be part of each couple’s journey as they start their lives together.

the Lee family took ownership of the house and land. “The original daughter, Mary Lee, was born in the house and she had her wedding reception in the house,” Kevin says. “We have her wedding album, and a lot of her pictures are framed in the house.”

Ian and Kevin took care to preserve these precious photographs, and they enjoy displaying images of the first wedding ever held at this venue. The Lee family owned The Grand Magnolia House until the 1980s, and 40 years later Ian and Kevin acquired it in 2022.

The pair attended a wedding at The Grand Magnolia House in 2016 and immediately fell in love with the space. While the beauty of the property was striking, the idea to buy the house did not manifest that first visit.

In December 2021, they attended another friend’s wedding in Macon where they learned that The Grand Magnolia House was for sale. At the time, Ian says, “My full-time job was for the trucking industry, but I had been doing weddings on the side for friends. Kevin was a district manager in retail. We were living the city life and everything was good but we just weren’t happy with it.”

“We purchased it as a wedding venue but we have branched out and done more,” Ian says.

“As long as we don’t have a wedding, we’ll do anything.” These events include things like baby showers, bridal showers, reunions, and prom dinners.

Ian and Kevin were living in Atlanta where they met and married in 2017. For some time, they had been looking to run their own business. They had never considered acquiring a wedding venue until the opportunity presented itself, and once that door opened there was no going back.

“We were at the wedding on that Saturday and the following Wednesday we put in an offer without even coming to look at it because we loved it when we were here,” Ian says. They closed on the house in January 2022 and officially took over The Grand Magnolia House wedding venue business.

Originally from Kathleen, Ian graduated from Houston County High School and was familiar with the area. Kevin grew up in Vidalia and was excited to move closer to home.

Originally from Kathleen, Ian graduated from Houston County High School and was familiar with the area. Kevin grew up in Vidalia and was excited to move closer to home. Their time in Atlanta was exciting, but they were eager to leave the hustle and bustle of the city for a slower, more meaningful way of life.

Their time in Atlanta was exciting, but they were eager to leave the hustle and bustle of the city for a slower, more meaningful way of life.

However, the transition was not a seamless one. When they first acquired The Grand Magnolia House, they were driving back and forth from Atlanta three times a week. “It was a madhouse because we were doing a lot of cosmetic renovations and redecorating and cleaning up,” Kevin recalls. “We took it room by room so we weren’t overwhelmed.”

While the couple did not have professional experience with renovations and design work, Ian has had a passion for it for years. “I’ve always loved design and the southern look,” he says. “Now with The Grand Magnolia House I can do it with my own space.”

In May, they bought the house next door to The Grand Magnolia House and officially transitioned out of the city to be closer to their business. Once they finished work on the interior of the property, they tackled the exterior.

“We added brick columns, a hedge wall, and are constantly adding more plants to the garden,” Ian says. “If we have to repair something, we can’t go to Home Depot or Lowes, you have to really do research to repair the house.”

Ian and Kevin are committed to maintaining the integrity of the house by taking extra precautions in all the work. To preserve the history, they have kept the original front door, screen door, transom windows, and the light fixtures in the parlors.

Before long, they were booking weddings at their newly renovated venue. But for the first time in its history, The Grand Magnolia House is available for a wide variety of events under Ian and Kevin’s ownership.

“We purchased it as a wedding venue but we have branched out and done more,” Ian says. “As long as we don’t have a wedding, we’ll do anything.” These events include things like baby showers, bridal showers, reunions, and prom dinners.

“We also have the house listed on Airbnb,” Kevin adds. “It stays pretty booked up. You book it by the room so it’s very affordable.”

Wedding parties can rent the house for a night or two before or after the wedding for convenience sake. Bridesmaids will stay the night before and celebrate the bride with breakfast on the veranda, or the couple will stay on their first night as newlyweds once the party is over.

Additionally, they offer a variety of packages to cater to the needs of their customers. Couples can choose the small elopement package with a limited number of guests, the DIY package which allows you to bring in your own vendors, or the all-inclusive package where everything is done directly through the venue.

“Often,” Ian says, “couples come here for a small walk through elopement and they call us the next day to book the all-inclusive because they fall in love with the place just like we did.”

Many of their bookings are out-of-state

couples seeking a quaint historical wedding venue. “We’ve had two couples who want to relocate to Perry because they fell in love with the area after having their wedding here,” Ian says. It brings Ian and Kevin great joy to be part of each couple’s journey as they start their lives together.

Since relocating to Marshallville, Ian and Kevin have found great joy in a slower paced lifestyle. At the heart of their business, they seek to create the most memorable experience for their customers to cherish for a lifetime.

Kevin says, “You don’t just come for a wedding and leave. We make you feel like our family and we treat you like family to make sure your day is going to be the perfect day.”

Each wedding is specially tailored to the vision of the bride and groom to ensure their utmost happiness on their first day of forever… because at The Grand Magnolia House, your future begins right here. HCL

& SLAPPEY ANIMAL HOSPITAL

With over 60 years combined experience our veterinarians and staff understand the importance of providing the best care possible to your pets. That is why we offer the most qualified experienced staff around, innovative medical treatments, and extensive business hours.

“The staff and doctor were friendly and professional. There was not much wait time. Everything was clearly explained to me and my questions were answered.”

“Had a great experience for my eye appointment. Everyone was friendly. Love Dr. Grahl.”

“Would not go anywhere else. They make you feel like family.”

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

Dinner Made Easy

By Alexa

fFiguring out what to make for dinner, taking the time to grocery shop, and spending an hour in the kitchen is more of a burden than a pleasure for most people. My Dinner Tonite provides customers with pre-made home cooked meals for the busiest days of your week. All that is required of you is to heat them in the oven and savor every bite.

Toni Lesak, owner of My Dinner Tonite, talks about her passion for cooking that led her to create the business. Since she was 10 years old, Toni has been cooking for a full-sized family. “I grew up on a pig farm,” she says. “My dad had four daughters, and we had to work in the barn all summer long. Anybody who cooked lunch or dinner got to go in first.” While cooking provided a way out of farm work, Toni quickly fell in love with the creativity she expressed in the kitchen. As a student, she

Tebben | Photos by Tinika Bennett Photography

Toni Lesak, owner of My Dinner

Tonite, talks about her passion for cooking that led her to create the business.

earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science from the University of Illinois before getting her culinary degree at The Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley.

Following her education, Toni took a position with the University of Connecticut in their student union where she cooked for thousands of students. She attributes her time there to learning how to cook large quantities of food.

After this, Toni worked at Ken’s Dressings. “I was a food scientist for [them] and I wrote those dressing recipes,” Toni says of her time there. She tested recipes for well-known establishments that were later showcased on their menus. Once, Toni recalls, “I made a jalapeño pepper glaze at my house because I had peppers in my garden. Then I made it in the food scientist lab and our corporate chef demonstrated it on Golden Corral’s Mahi Mahi.”

The jalapeño pepper glaze paired well with the dish, and executives at Golden Corral elected to use it as their dressing. Toni describes the sheer thrill at seeing her homemade dressing in a successful chain restaurant. “It’s fun to see something you make go nationwide.”

Around then, Toni’s husband left his part-time position with the National Guard for a full-time posting in the Air Force which brought their family to Georgia. Because of the move, Toni left her job with Ken’s Dressing and became a stay-at-home mom before teaching culinary classes at Helms College part-time.

Toni admits she missed her work as a food scientist. “I was [teaching] but the whole time I felt like there was something more useful. I was trying to figure out how to balance having a family with this four-year degree.”

Toni is thankful for the comradery of business owners in the local area. The cupcake store owner’s willingness to share their space was crucial in setting the foundation for a successful business. She now operates out of her very own location.

Between her five children’s baseball and softball practices, track meets, and youth bowling league games, she struggled to find the time to cook dinner every night. Toni began asking herself, “If I went to school for this and it’s still a struggle, how does the rest of the world even start dinner every night?”

Determined to provide busy families an easy dinner option, she came up with My Dinner Tonite. In 2018, Toni tested this business plan. “I did one batch out of my home and I gave it away for free to my kid’s teachers,” she says. “Along with their three meals, I gave them a survey.” Toni asked questions to gauge how their families enjoyed the meals, if the quantity was enough to feed them, and how much they would be willing to pay for the product.

From the beginning, people highly favored these meals. “I had overwhelming feedback that they

thought there was a ton of money’s worth of food, a large grocery value, and it saved them a lot of time,” Toni says.

Encouraged by these responses, Toni decided to get her business plan off the ground. A professional culinarian, she knew the right way to conduct this business was in a certified kitchen. Because of this, she sought a sublease from other community businesses. “I went into every bar, coffee shop, and café in town and I was like, ‘Hey, are you using your kitchen? Would you sublease it?’”

Soon, Toni found a cupcake store that was only utilizing their kitchen on weekday mornings. “I subleased their kitchen in the afternoons and all day Sunday and Saturday,” she says. “I did that until I figured out if this concept was doable.”

Toni is thankful for the comradery of business owners

Toni admits she missed her work as a food scientist. “I was [teaching] but the whole time I felt like there was something more useful. I was trying to figure out how to balance having a family with this four-year degree.

in the local area. The cupcake store owner’s willingness to share their space was crucial in setting the foundation for a successful business. She now operates out of her very own location. Since becoming fully operational, Toni has seen exponential growth in My Dinner Tonite. “This week we’re making 250-300 family-sized dinners that all serve six people,” she says. “It’s like every week we’re catering a 4,000-person wedding. It’s almost harder because we cool it and then we lid it and plate it nicely and put directions on each container.”

At this capacity, Toni needs extra helping hands. She keeps two employees on staff that work just under full-time hours. To provide opportunities for the youth, she employees high school students to help with lidding, labeling, and cleanup.

Cooking such a large quantity of food every week requires methodical planning. Toni shares her method of operation, which includes prepping

all freezer meals early in the week. “We chop all our vegetables and make sauces or sandwich breads on the finished product so when we’re ready to cook Sunday we spend all day cooking.” This system runs like a well-oiled machine, and Toni is delighted to have found a rhythm that works for her.

With all the ease of new inventions, Toni expresses wonder that people still cook daily meals. “Starting from scratch in the kitchen can be time consuming,” she marvels. If making family-sized meals is not your passion, leave it to the pros. My Dinner Tonite exists so you can go back to doing what you love.

Customers express great appreciation for the ease and deliciousness of My Dinner Tonite meals. One customer boasts to her peers that she has her own personal chef. The feedback has been extraordinary, and it shows in the rapid growth of orders.

To give back to the community, Toni partnered with central Georgia outreach services in feeding homebound individuals during Covid-19. When the initiative ended, she refocused that time into making leaner, low carb fitness meals for Max Fitness. These meals include macro labels for convenient macro tracking and can be preordered on mymacromeals.com.

“I couldn’t do the My Dinner Tonite without My Dinner Tonite,” Toni says ironically. While running the business and raising five children, she enjoys the feasibility of the homemade meals. Thanks to My Dinner Tonite, Toni only cooks at home once or twice a week. When she does, she admits, “A lot of the things I cook at home will end up on my menu the following week.”

With their meals, you are feeding your family the very ingredients and recipes a professional chef makes for hers. Just heat it up, set the table, and dig in. HCL

While cooking provided a way out of farm work, Toni quickly fell in love with the creativity she expressed in the kitchen. As a student, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science from the University of Illinois before getting her culinary degree at The Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley.

New bachelor’s degree leads to high-demand career paths, including software developer, computer analyst, and systems analyst.

Concentrations in:

• Human-Computer Interaction

• Teacher Education Certification (K-12)

• Cyber Security

Now enrolling for Fall 2023

Simply Healthy

BY ALEXA TEBBEN | PHOTOS BY PAIGE KNUDSEN AND THE LAWRENCE FAMILY

EEmbarking on a journey towards better health does not have to be overwhelming or stressful. Morph Health and Wellness owners, Dr. David Lawrence and his wife Caitlin, are driven by their own weight loss experiences to help you achieve your goals.

In September of 2022, the couple turned their passion into their business when they created Morph Health and Wellness. The modern new age telemedicine company offers weight loss therapy, peptide therapy, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, testosterone therapy, sexual

Morph Health and Wellness owners, Dr. David Lawrence and his wife Caitlin, are driven by their own weight loss experiences to help you achieve your goals.

wellness and hair restoration.

Their entire team of professionals is passionate about improving the health of their patients. Since starting Morph Health and Wellness, they have produced groundbreaking results that have drastically altered patients’ lives for the better.

While it has grown to help hundreds of people nationwide, Morph Health and Wellness began as a lifestyle change for Dr. Lawrence and Caitlin. “It was never necessarily intended on being a business, we really did it for ourselves and our family,” Caitlin shares.

Through their friends and family, word began to spread on the incredible results this process produced. Those who witnessed the life changing improvements in Dr. Lawrence and Caitlin’s health encouraged them to pour their knowledge and expertise into a business to help others. Before long, they were up and running as Morph Health and Wellness.

Dr. Lawrence shares details of his personal health journey that ultimately inspired them

Dr. Lawrence and Caitlin are thrilled by the number of people whose lives are

to start their practice. An ER doctor by trade, Dr. Lawrence was thrown into action with the rise of COVID-19. For their health and wellbeing, Caitlin took their baby boy to live with her parents during the height of the pandemic.

“[There was] a lot of pain, suffering, a lot

tears, as well as a lot of eating and weight gain for everybody across America,” Dr. Lawrence says. While everyone took to the indoors, many people became more sedentary which led to a decline of people’s health. Dr. Lawrence and Caitlin experienced this firsthand.

After a time, Dr. Lawrence decided to regain control of his health. “We needed to get back to ourselves, so I decided that getting healthy [would become] a big part of my life,” he says. Together, the couple set out on a quest to better their health and well-being.

What Dr. Lawrence explains is that today’s medicine in the US is tailored to patching up people’s health problems as opposed to attacking the issue at its core. “Our healthcare systems are not built to encourage weight loss or preventative medicine,” he says. “They’re built to fix a problem, but it doesn’t fix the root cause analysis.”

When taking control of his own health, Dr. Lawrence shifted his focus to address the root issue of his weight gain which helped him shed the weight and maintain his health. On weight loss therapy, Dr. Lawrence lost 118 lbs. in eight months and has maintained his weight with continued peptide therapy. These astounding results catapulted him into the healthier

Along with his genuine customer service, Dr. Lawrence values certain practices proven to prolong health. One of his greatest passions is the practice of preventative care. “My goal is to get you off your medications and feeling the best that you can,” he says.

lifestyle he was seeking, and it is the same practice he uses with his patients.

“We’re able to put together medicine to handle obesities, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, optimize testosterone levels for each patient, and assist in antiaging from the inside out,” he says. They treat patients with peptide therapy which utilizes natural, non-invasive supplements to help with healing, promote weight loss, and assist in anti-aging.

With their advanced sets of lab work, peptide therapy can adjust the hormone levels of a 60-year-old patient back down

to an 18 to 30-year-old patient in merely six months. With this treatment, their patients are gaining renewed youthful energy alongside the improvement of their overall health.

When they launched their business, Dr. Lawrence and Caitlin considered the many benefits of a virtual practice. In offering telemedicine, they can serve more people nationwide. This has allowed for rapid growth in the first year of the practice.

“We have eight providers on staff, plus Dr. Lawrence,” Caitlin says. “We’re credentialed and certified in 33 states and growing,” Dr.

shed the weight and maintain his health. On weight loss therapy, Dr. Lawrence lost 118 lbs. in eight months and has maintained his weight with continued peptide therapy. These astounding results catapulted him into the healthier lifestyle he was seeking, and it is the same practice he uses with his patients.

does an excellent job making them feel special.”

Dr. Lawrence echoes his wife’s sentiment. “You are not a number, you’re an actual human being and we care about you,” he says sincerely. Their commitment to providing the best personalized care sets them apart from other practices.

Along with his genuine customer service, Dr. Lawrence values certain practices proven to prolong health. One of his greatest passions is the practice of preventative care. “My goal is to get you off your medications and feeling the best that you can,” he says.

In the world of advanced medicine, there seems to be a pill for everything. But this begs an interesting question: Are all the pills worth it?

Dr. Lawrence offers his professional insight on this topic. “Pills are designed to treat the problem, but they’re not the solution,” he says. “We want to treat people before they ever require the medications that the world is riddled with.”

In doing so, they help patients avoid catastrophic health declines commonly seen among other individuals. This reduces patient’s reliance on pills and helps them maintain an active lifestyle in a natural manner.

Caitlin discusses the importance of patient education. At Morph Health and Wellness, consultations go beyond identifying the problem and finding the fastest solution. They help patients learn how to be the best version of themselves, whether it is through medication or lifestyle and diet change.

Dr. Lawrence and Caitlin are thrilled by the number of people whose lives are changing because of these practices. But this is just the beginning. They plan to add more providers to their team to meet the growing demand for their business.

“We are a testimony to the program,” Caitlin says. “We want others to get the feeling of yourself back and we care to make that happen for you.” They have been in your shoes, and they are here to help you attain the life and health that you deserve.  HCL

Through their friends and family, word began to spread on the incredible results this process produced. Those who witnessed the life changing improvements in Dr. Lawrence and Caitlin’s health encouraged them to pour their knowledge and expertise into a business to help others. Before long, they were up and running as Morph Health and Wellness.

4

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