Houston County Living - May 2017

summer 2017

Family Owned & Operated!

YOUR DEALER FOR LIFE SUMMER 2016

Family Owned & Operated!

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HAMBY AUTOMOTIVE NETWORK, INC.

800.992.2941

YOUR DEALER

FOR LIFE!

478.987.2122 | www.hamby.com | I -75 Exit 134 in Perry

Heart and soul This renovation project has been one that is near to Kerri and Bob Moore’s hearts.

The Nurse Angel Mrs Hazel Colson is a true blessing to so many people.

A Meadowdale Fairy Tale A legacy of loving and learning.

Falling into Place Mitzi and her family’s journey can be compared to a giant jigsaw puzzle.

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

1101 Washington Street Perry, GA 31069 Residential (478) 987-0763 Commercial (478) 218-2600

1271 S. Houston Lake Road Warner Robins, GA 31088 (478) 218-8052 Residential (478) 218-2600 Commercial

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Robbins & Free Realty

NEW CONSTRUCTION

s. michael loden, dmd & amy s. loden

RELOCATION SERVICES

Each office is independently owned and operated Donald Free

information@robbinsfree.com

www.robbinsfree.com

The Donald Free School of Real Estate is located in Warner Robins, Georgia.

We offer online & In class courses

 75 Hour Salesperson Pre-license  65 Hour Broker Pre-license  Post license courses  Continuing education are approved by the Georgia Real 1271 S. Houston Lake Road  All courses To receive special offers from Coastal Empire Plastic Surgery, Estate Commission Warner Robins, 31088 app and scan this ad. simply download theGA LinkReader  Active Duty, retired and honorably discharged 478-955-5986 veteran—AskScan for your discount to go$100 behind the scenes rickifree@robbinsfree.com To make this ad interactiveon and licensing of courses! our patient photo shoot and receive special offers, download receive a very special offer. the LinkReader app.

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1267 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins · www.lodendental.com · Offic 478.923.0253 | www.lodendental.com | 1267 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, Georgia

a dedicated team of aWaRd-WinninG middle GeoRGia oRthopaedic phySicianS Derrick D. Phillips, MD * David H. Wiley, MD * William B. Wiley, MD * P. Jeffrey Jarrett, MD Jeffrey C. Easom, DO * Daxes M. Banit, MD * K. Scott Malone, MD

3051 Watson Boulevard Suite 400 & 525 Warner Robins, Georgia 31093

478.953.4563 | 478.953.4611 | www.mgo.md

Hometown Living At Its Best

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EVEN THREE IS A CROWD.

NEVER OVERLOAD OUTLETS. Helping members use electricity safely, that’s the power of your co-op membership.

Learn more from the experts themselves at TogetherWeSave.com.

Flint Energies is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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We couldn’t be happier to open our second Houston County location within 18 months! At Morris Bank, we oer a common sense approach to banking with local decisions driving the process. Stop by and see George Slappey or one of his team members to see how easy banking can be with Morris Bank!

464 S. Houston Lake Road Warner Robins, GA 31088

(478) 953-6828

1041 Highway 96 Warner Robins, GA 31088

(478) 333-7070

George Slappey Houston County Market President

www.morris.bank Hometown Living At Its Best

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contents 10

Falling into Place

Mitzi and her family’s “business” journey can be compared to a giant jigsaw puzzle that God has placed the pieces together!

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A Meadowdale Fairy Tale

A Legacy of Loving and Learning.

64

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Making the World a Little More Beautiful

Carmen Davey has found a hobby that not only makes a little extra money for her family, but also provides a full sensory experience.

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Connecting to the Future

Central Georgia Technical College is well postured to serve anyone looking for an opportunity to enter the health services field.

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Heart and Soul

The renovation project has been one not only important to the growth and expansion of Kerri Moore interiors, but also one that is near to Kerri and Bob’s hearts.

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Building with the Best of Both Worlds

Luke Yoder credits his New Order Amish upbringing for his success at his own business, Luke Yoder Construction.

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About the Cover

The cover photo features a beautiful display at Kerri Moore Interiors. Turn to page 64 to read about how they have given new life to an old gas station built in the 1950s. The photo was taken by Mary Jane Kinnas Photography.

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Surgical Associates

OF WARNER ROBINS

1701 Watson Blvd, Warner Robins, GA 31093 | (478) 923-0144 | surgicalassociatesofwarnerrobins.com

Advanced Laparoscopy Newest Techniques In Breast Cancer And Breast Cancer Surgery Traditional Hernia Repair Methods Comprehensive Endoscopy And Colonscopy Sice 1976, We’ve been committed to providing

excellent surgical care.

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Painting the Town

Christi Flores shares her love of art with her family and the community with her DIY art studio in Perry.

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The Nurse Angel

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Mrs. Hazel Colson is a true blessing to so many people and it is because God placed her where she needed to be!

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The Standard Bearer

For the last 37 years students, parents and staff alike in Houston County have looked up to Ag teacher Argene Claxton who is preparing students for a future in agriculture.

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Golden Opportunities

Transitioning from a military life to a civilian one can be daunting.

The Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center (VECTR) helps support our veterans as they create a new life after service.

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Best Value

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The Airman’s Attic, run by the Robins Enlisted Spouses Club, offers a way for airmen and their families to provide for their basic needs at little to no cost.

A Life’s Pursuit for Health

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A Taste of Home

The Oil Lamp Restaurant has been a staple in Perry for over 20 years.

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That Store

Victor’s years of travel have helped him acquire a treasure trove of unique items for his Warner Robins shop.

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Celeste (Cece) Murdock Mitchell has shared her passion for health with others from a very young age.

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From the Publisher

Houston County living

P u b l i s h e r With You In Mind Publications Jay and Patti Martin

C r eat i v e | D e s i g n Eric S. Love Stacey Nichols Ryan Sichelstiel Mandi Spivey Makayla Sweeney

o f f i ce M a n age r Nikki Burkhalter

R

Recently our family was blessed with the arrival of a beautiful new granddaughter, Kinsley! Oh my, what joy and happiness one little person can bring into our lives!

Holding her has been a gentle reminder to be completely in the moment! Not allowing the distractions of this modern world to keep us from being available and tuned in to those who matter most. Giving ourselves permission to put away our cell phones and turn off devices and live totally immersed in the here and now. I have never forgotten the feeling I had while meeting once with a very important person. His phone beeped and he quickly reached in his pocket, silencing the distraction without ever deviating his attention away from our conversation. No one seemed as important to him at that moment but the one in front of him. I have never forgotten how that felt.

Let’s honor those around us. Living each day with grateful hearts instead of an attitude of entitlement! I read somewhere recently “Today is your happily ever after – don’t delay it one more day!”

While reading over the articles in this issue of Houston County Living, I am reminded of the amazing people that have chosen to do just that! Seizing the moment while blessing others along the way with love, hugs, talents, resources and sharing life!

We are blessed to call you friends!

Blessings,

Jay and Patti Martin Psalm 91

Sales: (912) 654-3045 Email: jay@wyimpublications.com www.hometown-living.com 8

houston county living

A s s i s ta n t

June Dixon Julie P. Braly M a n age r s

P h otog r ap h e r s Anna Mobley Gail Dixon Jessica Martie Photography Kelly McDonald Photography Mary Jane Kinnas Ronnie Babitt Photography Sonya Sanders

C ov e r P h oto Kerri Moore Interiors, by Mary Jane Kinnas Photography

Sale s Dottie Hicks Patti Martin Dorothy Sichelstiel

Contributing

Wri t er s Gail Dixon

Hilary Hilgers Mary Jane Kinnas Mike Klug Sherri Martin Anna Mobley

Houston County Living Magazine© is published semi-annually by With You in Mind Publications. www.hometown-living.com P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 (912) 654-3045 All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice.

D M D elivering

iracles

A

t Houston Medical Center, we are committed to quality and delivering miracles daily—in fact, we average more than 2,100 miracles a year!

We celebrate each miracle, and consider it a privilege and a blessing to care for them and their families.

We are proud of our state-of-the-art maternity center and the personal attention that our staff gives to each family.

T

he Women’s Center is a great place to start a family...

Offering...

Obstetrics and Gynecology Physicians on staff at Houston Medical Center: Chinenye Adimora, MD Mark A. Lafferty, MD, FACOG Tan-Loc Nguyen, MD David Stephen Quang, DO Thekkepat G. Sekhar, MD, FACOG Manoj H. Shah, MD, FACOG Susan Ann Thomas, MD Vijaya Vella, MD, MRCOG, DGO Colleen Wells, DO Alison Wright, MD, FRCS For more information on our physicians, please call HealthSource at 923-9771 or visit the online physician directory at www.hhc.org/physician-directory.

h Highly trained staff h Spacious birthing suites h Advanced technology h Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery h Childbirth and Breastfeeding education classes

The Women’s Center www.hhc.org

aily

1601 Watson BoulevardWarner Robins, GA 31093

Mitzi and her family’s “business” journey can be compared to a giant jigsaw puzzle. Read on to find out how God makes the pieces fall into place in this huge puzzle!

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Story by Gail Dixon

Photos by Mitzi Galason & Kelly McDonald Photography

Have you ever met a person who is full of energy and just loves life? This is one way to describe Mitzi Galason. When I sat down to interview Mitzi for this article, it was as if I had known her forever. Mitzi and her family’s “business” journey can be compared to a giant jigsaw puzzle. Read on to find out how God makes the pieces fall into place in this huge puzzle!

The first piece of the “puzzle” begins when, Ken, Mitzi’s husband asked if she would like to design a leather handbag line, and she “jumped” right in! They began working in Leon, Mexico, producing leather goods for Legacy and the business industry. From this one business, numerous opportunities began to grow. Mitzi says, “God positioned us in front of so many people, people who were able to guide us in what we needed to do! We truly believe that God is the author of our story and our hearts desire is to do what pleases Him.” The second puzzle piece is Mountain Mindset Manufacturing, owned by Mitzi and Ken. They will be setting up production at Pulaski State Prison in Hawkinsville. The women inmates will receive weekly paychecks under their employment with Mountain Mindset. Mitzi has a much bigger vision than just producing products, she has partnered with Melody McKinney who is the founder of Redefined, a 501c3 nonprofit.

“Melody’s heart is exactly what the women in Hometown Living At Its Best

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The first piece of the “puzzle” begins when, Ken, Mitzi’s husband asked if she would like to design a leather handbag line, and she “jumped” right in! They began working in Leon, Mexico, producing leather goods for Legacy and the business industry. From this one business, numerous opportunities began to grow.

Mitzi says, “God positioned us in front of so many people, people who were able to guide us in what we needed to do! We truly believe that God is the author of our story and our hearts desire is to do what pleases Him.”

our factory need,” Mitzi stated, ”and I believe God brought us together for such a time as this!” Melody McKinney, the volunteer coordinator, will be one of the mentors for the program. They will be using Jobs for Life, that will teach the women to write resumes, balance a checkbook, learn computer, communication, and parenting skills. (Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, and her team want to be part of this program.) The long-term vision is to employ, teach, and help these women transition back into society under healthy living environments and work with several other businesses within the community to help with job placement. Upon their release, these women will receive a step by step process of transitioning back into society. “As long as they do their part, we can do our part in helping them, our desire is to see the women functioning in a healthy living environment and making choices Hometown Living At Its Best

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that are pleasing to the Lord.� No matter what choices these women made yesterday or years ago, they can choose to redefine their future now.

The third puzzle piece is the Africa New Life Ministries (ANLM), an organization started by Rwandans to reverse the downward trajectory of the thousands of children and young people impacted by the Rwandan genocide in 1994;

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that tragedy is still felt today and Rwanda is still struggling to pick up the pieces. Through ANLM, Mitzi and her family sponsor two children and began building a relationship with them. Mitzi says, “We learned that children who have lived in extreme poverty rarely get the chance to be a child and truly play.� In 2013, at Dream Daycare, on a small patch of grass in Rwanda, the Lord told her

to build a playground and she replied, “No way! You’re crazy!” Mitzi and the Lord argued about this for several months. Addison, Mitzi’s daughter, began saving her money. Riding down the road one day, she told her mama that she wanted to take this money and build a playground in Rwanda.

The Lord provided everything needed through the community and they were able to buy three playgrounds.

People from all over the world came together and built these playgrounds at 3 campuses for Africa New Life Ministries in Rwanda. Mitzi expressed, “There are still 3 campuses that need playgrounds, and Lord willing, they will have them!!!” Mitzi

Riding down the road one day, she told her mama that she wanted to take this money and build a playground in Rwanda.

The Lord provided everything needed through the community and they were able to buy three playgrounds. People from all over the world came together and built these playgrounds at 3 campuses for Africa New Life Ministries in Rwanda.

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The last piece of the puzzle is called Collaboration, a group of 150+ youth Mitzi and her friend, Jill Olf, have come together to help and support. The group meets once a month, at Central Georgia Technical College and “we forge these relationships so that they know they have our love and support no matter what life throws at them. High school students come in and talk about Jesus,” relates Mitzi. “As these kids navigate junior high and high school, one of the best things they can learn is that this world is not about them.

We would like to help them understand the value of investing their time into the lives of others. We hope to see them support others in the same way that we try to support them.”

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and Ken will be leading a team of 25 people back to Rwanda in the summer of 2017. If you wish to find out more or to donate to their team you can visit the “Our Story” page for more details. www. oakrivercompany.com The fourth puzzle piece is known as the Abba House and Grace Village, located in Perry. Abba House is a recovery ministry and shelter for women and children who have lived in abusive situations. Grace Village is a transitional housing ministry for women who are released from prison. “Coincidence, I think not,” Mitzi stated. “This is the hand of God and His faithfulness over

our desires to please Him,” she added.

Because playing outdoors and making good memories is a healthy part of childhood, Oak River formerly known as Legacy, has joined together with the community of believers to raise funds to build a playground for the women and children of Abba House and Grace Village. Mitzi believes that the women of Abba House and Grace Village deserve the opportunity to spend time with their children on this playground because time=love and love=Jesus.

What better way to express Jesus than by giving the women and children a place to feel embraced by the Creator Himself, a place to spend time and be embraced by the love of the community!

The fifth puzzle piece is known as Lizzy’s Legacy. Lizzy Roberts was a dear friend of the Galason family. Mitzi explains, “She [Lizzy] was born with aortic stenosis (narrowing of arteries) and her condition progressed until she passed away at the age of 18. Lizzy was a giving person to the core; even in her death she was able to save a man’s life by donating her liver. Everything about her precious life communicated her love and care to those around her. We will continue her legacy by donating to projects in her honor.” One of the playgrounds in Rwanda was dedicated to Lizzy.

The last piece of the puzzle is called Collaboration, a group of 150+ youth Mitzi and her friend, Jill Olf, have come together to help and support. The group meets once a month, at Central Georgia Technical College and “we forge these

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relationships so that they know they have our love and support no matter what life throws at them. High school students come in and talk about Jesus,” relates Mitzi. “As these kids navigate junior high and high school, one of the best things they can learn is that this world is not about them. We would like to help them understand the value of investing their time into the lives of others. We hope to see them support others in the same way that we try to support them.”

Mitzi and her family live in Warner Robins, Georgia. She is the CEO/Visionary of Legacy Design Group, a business major with an incredible gift for design and is enrolled in the Interior Design Continued Education Program. Ken, Mitzi’s husband, is the COO

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and the navigator for Oak River, Mountain Mindset Manufacturing, and Legacy Design Group and is a business extraordinaire. He has over 20 years of experience in consulting, manufacturing, and business infrastructure.

They have three children...Addison (14), Kaden (12), and Isaiah (8). They have also adopted two children from Rwanda...Rebecca, who was an orphan, and Jonathan, who has eight brothers and sisters and wants to be a preacher.

Mitzi explains, “When I think of my hometown in Mississippi, I think of its oak trees. It’s not an accident that one of my favorite verses speaks of God comforting those who are afraid by turning them into ‘oaks of righteousness’. I get that imagery.

Oak trees aren’t afraid of any season. They’re

Because playing outdoors and making good memories is a healthy part of childhood, Oak River formerly known as Legacy, has joined together with the community of believers to raise funds to build a playground for the women and children of Abba House and Grace Village.

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strong enough to weather most storms, especially the trees whose roots extend deep into a river. When I started Oak River I wanted to leave a legacy. I wanted to create products that reflect on my American heritage and those images that remind me of strength, purpose, and grace. Not only does that commitment extend to creating high-quality goods, but a commitment to giving back.”

At the end of our interview, Mitzi says, “May the Lord be glorified in everything we say and all that we do.

May He receive ALL the glory, honor, and praise! We are just willing to go when He says go! Keep praying for us!” To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. ~ Isaiah 61:3 Note: Mitzi designs a line for Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman. You can find these designs on her site and in her store. Mitzi says, “Ree Drummond and her staff are amazing people and they love Jesus! They are such a delight to work with and I would say that what you see is what you get with Ree!” To see Mitzi’s designs for Ree, please visit: www.themercantile.

Legacy bags are featured at Miss Dottie’s, located in the Publix Shopping Center, in Kathleen, Georgia.  HCL

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205Abilene S. Pleasant Hill Road Warner Robins GA 478.922.5845 www.magnoliaparkcemetery.com Living Magazine

XX

Hometown Living At Its Best 25 Hometown Living At Its Best XX

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Story by Hilary Hilgers | Photos by Kelly McDonald Photography

Fairytale

A Meadowdale

A Legacy of Loving and Learning

W

With footie pajamas on, teeth brushed and your favorite stuffed animal snuggled close to your side, we all know it’s story time. Now this story is 60 years in the making and has been passed down for three generations. Donna Williams of Meadowdale Learning Centers says this story is “a legacy of thankfulness, striving to honor God in caring for our children.” A story that doesn’t start with “Once upon a time…” but instead starts “with a precious grandmother”…

In 1957, Vera Dunagan opened Meadowdale Day Nursery on Meadowdale Drive with the intent to love and cherish the children of Middle Georgia. Little did she know that she was soon starting a story that would be woven into the Middle Georgia community for years to come. “I love the word ‘legacy’, because this is our family’s story passed through generations.” Meadowdale Learning Center has been family owned and operated since 1957 and is deemed as the oldest childcare provider still in operation in the area. Since day one

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Every fairytale needs knights in shining armor, and the knights found in Middle Georgia seem to be from either the past or present staff of Meadowdale.

the “first priority has always been love – love these children,” keep them safe and teach them while they are away from their families. With this mission, Meadowdale has grown from a small child nursery on Meadowdale Drive in Warner Robins, to day care facilities operated by the late (Olen) and Pat Williams, to child care learning centers with a strong impact on the community, owned and operated by Wade and Donna Williams and Kelly and Michelle Williams.

Meadowdale “is truly a ministry of love when serving our families.” Meadowdale has always strived to be a place to support families with their children. “This is so much more than just routine care of children… we are more of a family than a

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business,” Williams beams. “Our family wishes to thank the Middle Georgia community for supporting Meadowdale through the years. It truly is a powerful thing to entrust another with your child, but Meadowdale continuously works for a higher quality of care for our families.”

Every fairytale needs knights in shining armor, and the knights found in Middle Georgia seem to be from either the past or present staff of Meadowdale.

“We have such dedicated childcare professionals… that represent higher marks in standards of care for children.” Our well-trained and well-educated staff is the vital link to the families we serve. This passion, for many of the childcare professionals, is because they themselves were written into the Meadowdale

story when they were young, as children who also went to Meadowdale. The honor one feels when representing something that has impacted them for years is what makes our loving staff shine bright.”

Williams says the force behind the past, present and future of our centers is the children. “Their honesty is so amazing, and they are a constant reminder not to take life too seriously and that there is always something new to learn. No single day is alike! I love that we as a team, get to make a positive impact in the lives of children.”

The kingdom of Meadowdale stands tall because of its continuous passion to go above and beyond the regulations of the state of Georgia. “We strive for higher staff to child ratios, higher levels of staff education, a more developmentally appropriate environment and better health and safety provisions.”

Through the years, Meadowdale has earned the highest of accreditations including NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and

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“Their honesty is so amazing, and they are a constant reminder not to take life too seriously and that there is always something new to learn. No single day is alike! I love that we as a team, get to make a positive impact in the lives of children.”

- Donna Williams

NECPA (National Early Childhood Program Accreditation), has received the Georgia Centers of Distinction Award and more recently among its accolades has become a Quality Rated center in Georgia. Just like the children that have grown here, Meadowdale Learning Center has grown into an incredible piece of the community that holds the title of “Best of the Best” (The Telegraph, 2015). Williams describes their goals as consistently “pushing towards a moving target of quality”. Meadowdale has grown into five locations in Warner Robins and Perry offering quality care for children ages six weeks to 12 years. Meadowdale has been a GA PreK provider for 4-year old children for over 20 years; the centers offer before and after school

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services transporting children to and from all elementary schools in middle Georgia; and administers the federal, healthy, nutritional program.

Meadowdale Learning Centers have told stories to thousands of children, although not knowing that they would be a part of this growing legacy. Since its early years of nurturing with Vera Dunagan and Olen and Pat Williams, Meadowdale has blossomed into a fantastical world that the children of Middle Georgia have and will continue to enjoy for years to come.

Meadowdale Learning Centers have sparked creativity, imagination and education in the lives of many, many children of our community. Through its incredible history, passionate staff and unforgettable education, Meadowdale Learning Centers glitter as a welcoming, family-friendly environment here in Houston County.

The families of Meadowdale truly do live happily ever after. ď • HCL Hometown Living At Its Best

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Story By Gail Dixon | Photos by Kelly McDonald Photography

Shawn “I was lucky to get to go there; everyone felt like family. Because of their faith, beliefs, and educational influences, a lot of us got started on the right path early in life.”

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Buchanan

S

Shawn Buchanan owns an insurance and investment business in Warner Robins and attended Meadowdale when he was just a small child. Shawn says, “I came from a broken family, my parents were divorced, and I had no stability at home. I was not raised in church, but I remember the ladies teaching us to sing Jesus Loves Me. It meant a lot to me because I wasn’t taught that at home.” Another thing that stands out in Shawn’s mind is the fact that he learned how to swim, but there was no swimming pool at Meadowdale. The children were taken to Mrs. Pat’s home because she had a swimming pool and that’s where Shawn learned to swim. They had a St. Bernard, named Bama, that would jump in the pool and swim with the children. “To this day, I still have friends from there and we keep in touch.

When Mr. Olen passed away, I went to the funeral and it was like seeing family again. I always thought the world of them,” recalls Shawn. “I was lucky to get to go there; everyone felt like family. Because of their faith, beliefs, and educational influences, a lot of us got started on the right path early in life.”

WELCOME TO

Warner Robins RANDY TOMS, MAYOR

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

Southwood

A AN N II M MA A LL H HO O SS PP II TT A A LL

2523 Moody Road • Warner Robins, GA 31088 • 478.923.0118 2523 Moody Road • Warner Robins, GA 31088 • 478.923.0118

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478-953-2922 | bolandpoc.com

Story by Sherri Martin

Photos by Sonya Sanders

The work of an oncology nurse, by its very nature, can be stressful and trying. So it helps for a nurse to have an outlet; a way to get away from a job that looks death in the face every day.

For Carmen Davey of Warner Robins that outlet is her goats and the beautiful soaps and other skincare products she makes with their milk. Her side business, A Girl and a Goat, has been a way to turn a hobby into a self-supporting venture.

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She uses all natural ingredients like herbs, spices, clays, honey (from her own bee hives), and essential oils to add to her soaps and other skin care items to make different “flavors” and colors. But it is the goat milk that makes the products so good for the skin.

“It is high in lactic acid and vitamins and minerals,” she explains. “It is closer to our skin’s natural pH, so it makes for a more natural bar of soap.”

“Having a medical background, I take into consideration everything I put into my products I think people do want natural products.”

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She has owned goats since she was 16 and says, “Goats have a special place in my heart. I don’t think they get enough credit for their human interaction. Especially if you bottle raise them, they bond with you and follow you like a dog.”

When she started looking into turning this love into something productive, about the time her children were becoming more selfsufficient and she had more time for herself, she first considered

making cheese. “I love to cook,” she says, “and I love skin care.”

Skin care won out. Her nursing degree had something to do with that choice. “Having a medical background, I take into consideration everything I put into my product,” she says. “I think people do want natural products.”

She uses all natural ingredients like herbs, spices, clays, honey (from her own bee hives), and essential oils to add to her soaps and other skin care items to make different “flavors” and colors.

But it is the goat milk that makes the products so good for the skin. “It is high in lactic acid and vitamins and minerals,” she explains. “It is closer Hometown Living At Its Best

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to our skin’s natural pH, so it makes for a more natural bar of soap.”

In addition to the soaps, she makes lip balm, bath bombs, body cream, natural deodorant, pain salve, natural “Vaseline,” and lotions. “I’m always experimenting,” she explains. “I’m always thinking of new products. I stay up at night thinking of them!”

She learned to make the products through “a lot of research and a lot of trial and error.” This was about four years ago and at that point she knew she had found her hobby. “I enjoyed it so much, but I needed to sell it to keep doing it,” she says.

In addition to the soaps, she makes lip balm, bath bombs, body cream, natural deodorant, pain salve, natural “Vaseline,” and lotions.

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The venture into the soap business was not without the support and help of her family. Her husband, Shawn, who works in IT at Navicent Health in Macon, where she also works part time, actually does the milking of their three Saneen goats. “He wasn’t into any of this when we got married,” she laughs. Now, when the goats are “in milk,” he milks them once a day.

They freeze the excess for later use as needed for soap.

Shawn also worked to fix up a storage building where Carmen can make, cure, and store the soaps. She moved into the shed about a year ago and says, “I got my dining room back and my guest bedroom back, although nobody [in the family] complained.”

Her 19-year-old daughter, Chandler, helps with packaging and selling.

“She’s the person I ask, ‘Does this look okay?’”

What better way to find a little stress relief than to spend time with her goats and to be creative, developing natural products to make her corner of the world a little bit more beautiful.

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The venture into the soap business was not without

the support and help of her family.

Carmen’s fifteen-year-old son, Griffin, helps with loading and unloading, as she goes to the International City Farmers Market in Warner Robins nearly every Thursday. She also sells through her Facebook page, A Girl & a Goat, and on Etsy.

When she’s not at the hospital – she has worked about 20 hours a week ever since her children were born - or at the market, she is probably in the shed making soap. “I usually make it several times a week,” she explains. “I make about 22 pounds of soap each time.”

She also appreciates finding out what products

people like. “I enjoy getting customer feedback,” she says. “I like to find out what is working, what people enjoy. I am always thinking of ways to make it better without making it more expensive, to pass on the savings to my customers.”

Carmen Davey has found a hobby that not only makes a little extra money for her family, but also provides a full sensory experience. The scents of the soaps swirl around as one enters the shed and Carmen mixes the creamy colors of her soaps to make them a beautiful bar for the buyer.

“I just try to swirl them and make them different

Hometown Living At Its Best

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each time, make them unique,” she explains.

“It’s just a win-win, if you can find something you enjoy to do, and make a little extra with it,” she adds.

For Carmen, it gives her a creative outlet and a break from her more stressful job. She says of her work on the oncology floor, “At times it can be emotionally taxing, and at times it can be very rewarding. It gives me an appreciation of life on a daily basis. These patients are dealing with death. I think about death and life every day.”

What better way to find a little stress relief than to spend time with her goats and to be creative, developing natural products to make her corner of the world a little bit more beautiful.  HCL

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Meeting The Health Care Needs of Our Community With a dedicated staff offering all of the services you and your family may need: Behavioral Health & Psychiatry Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Labs Emergency Department Electronic Intensive Care Unit (eICU) Inpatient & Outpatient Laboratory Inpatient & Outpatient Surgery Inpatient Hospice & Palliative Care Unit Inpatient Transitional Care Level II Neonatal ICU - Neuro-Sleep Center Pain Management - Pediatrics Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging Services Sleep Lab - The Women’s Center With locations designed to fit your needs: Houston Heart Institute The Surgery Center - Pavilion Diagnostic Center Pavilion Family Medicine Center Pavilion Rehab Center Houston Lake Rehab - Houston Lake Med-Stop Lake Joy Med-Stop - Pavilion Med-Stop Health Connections Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab Physician Referral & Health Information Houston Medical Center1601 Watson Boulevard, Warner Robins, GA478-922-4281 Perry Hospital1120 Morningside Drive, Perry, GA478-987-3600

www.hhc.org

Building Warner Robins

SUPPLY CO. Since 1947

Your One Stop Headquarters for all your Building Needs!

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Summerhill

Senior Community

Your COMPLETE continuum of care!

20 Private Rehab Suites Viritual Rehabilitation Model Home Setting Individualized Therapy Programs

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500 Stanley Street, Perry, GA | 1.478.987.3100

summerhillseniorcommunity.com

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Watson-Hunt Funeral Home is your choice for Stability

Serving Houston County for nearly 75 years

Professionalism

Member of NFDA - National Funeral Directors Association GFDA - Georgia Funeral Directors Association CANA - Cremation Association of North America

Price, Service and Products Competitive Pricing Specialized Personalization Various Cremation Options

Experience

Draper Watson – Licensed Funeral Director for nearly 45 years Larry Gray—Licensed Funeral Director for over 55 years Lisa Hays – Licensed Funeral Director, Licensed Life Insurance Agent for 10 years, The Only NFDA Certified Pre-Planning Consultant in Middle Georgia Brenda Stokes – Nearly 10 years as the loving and compassionate Hostess for our families Ken Smith—Licensed Funeral Director for 22 years Kim Waters—Licensed Life Insurance Agent, Family Service Counselor

Location

Located in Downtown Perry Serving families “In the atmosphere of your own home”

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s. michael loden, dmd & amy s. loden, dmd

LODEN DENTAL ASSOCIATES 路 General & Restorative Dentistry 路

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.

478.923.0253

1267 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins 路 www.lodendental.com 路 Office Hours by Appointment Hometown Living At Its Best

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Story by Mike Klug

Photos by Anna Mobley & Kelly McDonald Photography

A new facility and program at the Warner Robins campus of Central Georgia Technical College are helping to meet the need for skilled medical care in the Middle Georgia Area and throughout the state.

As the population of Middle Georgia continues to grow, so does the need for skilled medical professionals.

Growing access to healthcare across the country has resulted in a continued high demand for nurses, medical technicians and EMTs; however, the highly skilled and complex training required to enter these fields can sometimes be hard to come by.

Middle Georgia has a deep pool of talented and motivated individuals who want to enter the health care field, but, until recently, there was very limited educational opportunities for them to make the connection to their intended career.

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CGTC offers health sciences programs leading to careers in the fields of physical therapy, paramedics, medical assistants, radiological technicians, surgical technicians, hematology, clinical laboratory technicians, nurse aids, LPN and now RN.

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Recognizing this need, as well as the educational capacity present at Central Georgia Technical College, Houston Healthcare Systems, under the leadership of Roy H. “Sonny� Watson, donated seven acres of land along Cohen Walker Drive in Warner Robins to enable construction of a new health services training facility.

The goal was to enable a generation of local health sciences specialists to meet the needs in Middle Georgia.

Upon receipt of the gift, the College undertook a year-long design process in collaboration with architects Azar+Walsh.

The College wanted to ensure that their new facility would support all the education and training requirements their students would need to make a smooth and effective transition to the workforce.

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The faculty and staff of CGTC are dedicated to providing a quality education that helps put Georgians to work, here in Houston County and across the state. They welcome prospective students to visit their campus in Warner Robins and discover how CGTC can connect you to your future career.

Construction began in 2014, guided by the general contracting expertise of Parrish Construction. Almost a year after the official groundbreaking, construction was complete on the 78,800 square foot building and the College moved in over Christmas break of 2015.

The new Roy H. “Sonny� Watson Health Sciences Building became an instant landmark in central Georgia with its inspiring and modern architecture of brick and glass.

The construction blends seamlessly with the adjacent College legacy facilities while visually and functionally pulling the community into a more modern and forward leaning future.

Not only visually stunning, the new facility is built to the most modern standards of energy efficiency and sustainable development. Low energy LED lighting tied to motion sensors is used throughout the building to reduce energy consumption in unoccupied areas.

High efficiency variable refrigerant flow air conditioning is also designed into the structure to provide maximum comfort cooling and heating with minimal energy use and cost. The building makes extensive use of daylighting throughout the classrooms and common areas.

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Ms. Willcox observes that “there will always be a big demand for healthcare professionals and we are here to meet that need.�

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The design pulls in natural light to create a visually expansive and inviting indoor environment while minimizing the need for supplemental lighting.

The building design and construction is so efficient that it has earned the CertifiedOne Peach designation under the Georgia Peach Green Building Rating System. This certification recognizes buildings owned or managed by the state that optimize energy performance, increase the demand for materials produced in Georgia, improve the environmental quality, and conserve energy.

Inside this magnificent facility are three floors of laboratories, classrooms and offices uniquely configured and equipped to provide

the faculty and students an immersive and holistic learning experience.

Classrooms are equipped to provide both on-site and remote instruction through available “telepresence” instruction – allowing faculty to conduct classes across multiple campuses from a single location.

However, education within the Health Sciences building is not just a classroom activity. The students are encouraged, and required, to complete hands-on practice of the skills and techniques associated with their profession. Training spaces include a physical therapy room, complete with a hydrotherapy pool equipped with an underwater treadmill. The Emergency

Classrooms are equipped to provide both on-site and remote instruction through available “telepresence” instruction – allowing faculty to conduct classes across multiple campuses from a single location.

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However, education within the Health Sciences building is not just a classroom activity. The students are encouraged, and required, to complete hands-on practice of the skills and techniques associated with their profession. Training spaces include a physical therapy room, complete with a hydrotherapy pool equipped with an underwater treadmill.

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Medical Technician skills lab is equipped with a full motion, full-scale ambulance simulator so the students can become familiar with the constraints inherent in working in a confined and unsteady workspace.

The medical assistant laboratory replicates a neighborhood doctor’s office including everything from the exam tables down to containers of cotton balls, while the surgical technician skills lab exactly duplicates a hospital operating room. Students have the opportunity to practice every aspect of preparing for and assisting during surgery, from initial set up to final instrument cleaning in a setting that

exactly imitates actual hospital facilities.

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Nurses Aid, and Registered Nurse (RN) students have two full hospital bays in which to practice their skills. These areas, totaling 19 hospital beds, include multiple state-of-the-art simulators that allow students to practice everything from venipuncture to delivering a baby with high tech mannequins. The College medical advisory committee works with the instructors to make sure the lessons and equipment mirror the practices and procedures currently used in the hospitals and doctors’ offices that are waiting to hire program graduates.

Jessica Willcox, Registered Nursing Program Director at CGTC, is particularly proud that the new facility has enabled the College to start an RN training program. This program is specifically designed to meet the critical national demand for highly skilled nurses and prepares graduates for the rigorous Georgia State Board exam for Registered Nurses. Currently there are 34 students enrolled in the RN program at the Warner Robins campus with an expected completion date in May 2018.

The next RN candidate cohort will begin classes in January 2018 with open applications available throughout the year.

Ms. Willcox observes that “there will always be a big demand for healthcare professionals and we are here to meet that need.”

CGTC offers health sciences programs leading to careers in the fields of physical therapy, paramedics, medical assistants, radiological technicians,

surgical technicians, hematology, clinical laboratory technicians, nurse aids, LPN and now RN. With the College’s wide variety of programs, small class size, hands-on training opportunities, low cost and flexible class schedules, Central Georgia Technical College is well postured to serve anyone looking for an opportunity to enter the health services field.

The faculty and staff of CGTC are dedicated to providing a quality education that helps put Georgians to work, here in Houston County and across the state. They welcome prospective students to visit their campus in Warner Robins and discover how CGTC can connect you to your future career.  HCL

The new Roy H. “Sonny” Watson Health Sciences Building became an instant landmark in central Georgia with its inspiring and modern architecture of brick and glass. The construction blends seamlessly with the adjacent College legacy facilities while visually and functionally pulling the community into a more modern and forward leaning future.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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CORNERSTONE MEDICAL ASSOCIATES, LLC

C

ornerstone Medical Associates is a multi-specialty group of physicians organized to offer quality management, medical billing, administrative and compliance services for its members.

With these essential elements of a medical practice centralized and administered by employees with years of experience, our physicians are available to offer quality medical services to their patients.

PEDIATRICS ASSOCIATES 116 South Houston Road Warner Robins, GA 31088 478-923-0131 Kim T. Blevens, MD, FAAP Helen-Louise Moore, MD, FAAP, FACP Amer AI-Rafati, MD Debbie West, MD Mygleetus Wright, MD Monica Evans, CPNP PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES- SOUTH 1275 S. Houston Lake Road Suites 1 & 2 Warner Robins, Georgia 31088 478-987-1100 Helen-Louise Moore, MD, FAAP, FACP Amer AI-Rafati, MD Elaine Caraway, NP-C Stephanie Gibbs, PNP-C INTERNAL MEDICINE 1023 Keith Drive Perry, GA 31069 478-988-1100 Gerald K. Brantley, MD Terry E. Ham, MD PEDIATRICS 1024 Keith Drive

Perry, GA 31069 4 78-987-3445 Larry D. Stewart, Jr. MD, FAAP Cathy Tedder, FNP-C Sally Velasquez, FNP-C FAMILY PRACTICE 200 South Houston Road Suite B Warner Robins, GA 31088 4 78-953-1800 Titus A. Taube, MD Kimberly Wahl, FNP-C WELLSTON BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE 404 Corder Road Suite 100 Warner Robins, GA 31088 478-322-1113 Sallyanne Pyle, DO Richard E. Ellis, MD Christopher Pyle, LCSW Jason Hobbs, LCSW, M. Div. Karen Richardson, LPC Judith Lilley, LCSW CENTRAL BUSINESS OFFICE 300 Margie Drive Warner Robins, GA 31088 478-751-2580

Please visit our new website at www.cstonemed.com

478.987.1938

933 Carroll Street

Perry, Georgia 31069

The

Swanson

Serving Lunch & Dinner Catering Available Hometown Living At Its Best

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THAT STORE

MID CENTURY & MORE

4088 Watson Blvd. Suite 100 | Warner Robins, Georgia |(478) 333-3836 62

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Salon Fusion 405 Hwy 96 Suite 900 | Bonaire, GA 31005 | salonfusionspa.com Hometown Living At Its Best

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Story and Photos by Mary Jane Kinnas

Heart and soul Step into 1026 Macon Road, and you will notice beautiful fabrics, lamps, pillows, and uniquely made wooden trays, frames, and furnishings, surrounded by glimpses of cast-iron tire racks, exposed brick peering out of old plaster, and even window panes of a garage door. Once a full-service gas station built in the 1950s but vacant for the past decade, this space has been transformed and given life again by its new owner, Kerri Ware Moore.

As the owner of Kerri Moore Interiors, Moore spent several years looking at this vacant downtown building when needing to relocate to a larger space for her growing retail and interior design business. At the time, the building was only available for rent, and she wanted a building to purchase.

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“We knew it was a great location, right in the heart of downtown. It was a great space with over 6,000 square feet that would provide what I needed,” she said. “I wanted to keep the bones of the building and the overall look, but restore it to the vision we had in mind. I could see that it was the perfect location.”

Moore’s husband, Bob, agreed. “We knew it was the right size and a great location, but it needed a lot of work. When we first went inside, we could barely walk in; and I could see that the roof was going to be the first project we would have to tackle. Kerri had a vision from the start, and she knew where this project was going. She has a passion for what she does. I just didn’t know what it would take and how much it would cost.”

This old service station building was one that was very familiar to Bob as a child and teenager growing up in Perry. “I had a lawn service with my older brothers back in the 1970s and 80s, and this is where we brought our lawnmowers to have them serviced. I never imagined that one day my wife and I would purchase it for her business.”

Throughout Moore’s career as an interior designer, one of her greatest inspirations has been her father, Adiel Ware. Together, they collaborate on designs for tables and furniture to make sure that they meet the needs of her clients. Unique wood picture frames and trays, custom made by Ware and finished by Moore, are favorites among customers at Kerri Moore Interiors. Additionally, Ware creates fresh terrariums available for sale in the shop. When she began considering a new business location, she engaged her father for advice.

Kerri laughed, “I brought my parents to the building, and they were very quiet. Neither said a word. They just looked around.”

Ware added, “All we could see was an old building with broken windows that was really an eyesore. It was full of junk. But I knew Kerri could do it. I know it is popular to take old buildings and renovate them so that they are updated but still look old. I knew she had in her mind exactly what it was going to look like for her business.”

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Looking back on 1026 Macon Road

Once a full-service gas station built in the 1950s but vacant for the past decade, this space has been transformed and given life again by its new owner, Kerri Ware Moore.

Built in 1956 and owned by the Beckham family, the 1026 Macon Road location originally housed a service station and tire business owned and operated by Dan Nelson and Clifton Turk. They later added a parts store and garage, along with a car sales lot in the 1960s. Nelson and Turk moved to a new location on Main Street next to Perry Elementary School in 1977. The building was then occupied by Henry Arnold and his son, Thomas Arnold, who operated Arnolds Auto Service, a service station and auto repair business, until they moved to the former Nelson and Turk location on Main Street in the 1980s. The Macon Road building then served as the location for Otis Stocks’ auto repair business until he moved over to the Main Street location operated by the Arnolds. In 2007, the building was purchased by a developer who considered redeveloping the property for residential, in-town living. The plan never came to fruition, and the property remained vacant until it was purchased in 2015 by Kerri and Bob Moore.

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Throughout Moore’s career as an interior designer, one of her greatest inspirations has been her father, Adiel Ware. Together, they collaborate on designs for tables and furniture to make sure that they meet the needs of her clients. Unique wood picture frames and trays, custom made by Ware and finished by Moore, are favorites among customers at Kerri Moore Interiors.

Additionally, Ware creates fresh terrariums available for sale in the shop. When she began considering a new business location, she engaged her father for advice.

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The Moores purchased the property and began the renovation journey.

“Truly, I was so overwhelmed with it all, but I wanted it to work. I knew it was going to be the right location,” she said. “The building had great bones and structure. I wanted to give the building new life without changing its character and history.”

The project began with a new metal roof and the replacement of all the exterior windows. Moore explained that they originally hoped to keep the three existing sets of garage doors so that they could open them; however, they found that it was not functional and would prevent chandeliers and lighting fixtures being hung in the ceiling throughout the building. To maintain the overall look of the garage doors, they framed out the front

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of the building and installed new windows exactly into the space of the original garage doors.

The building was entirely rewired, and central heat and air were added. The lifts were removed, and the floor in the center of the building was raised to alleviate safety concerns. The ceiling was raised throughout the building. Inside, vintage seeded glass panes had to be replaced because the glass was not safe. Moore found a seeded glass to replace the old panes, maintaining the interior’s original look and feel.

“The workers who helped on this job all wanted to take out the existing tire racks, but I wanted to keep them in to maintain as much of the character and history of the building as possible,” Moore explained. “We cleaned

them and left them in their original place.

Customers find them very interesting, and it gives us a chance to share a little bit about the building’s history.”

Both Kerri and Bob praised the artisans who worked on the project and shared her vision for keeping the character of the building intact. “It was a very tough renovation job as we discovered issues that had to be dealt with and added more cost to the project, but everybody was excited to be a part of something like this downtown,” Kerri shared. “Because this building had been vacant for a long time and was in need of so much work, people wanted to take on the challenge and be a part of the project -- and something that would benefit Perry.

We are grateful for the contractors who were involved in the renovation including Marty Myers (Myers Construction), Parrish Construction, David Prim (Prim Industrial Services), Southern Glazing Services, Inc., and LAF Design.”

While the renovation often brought along challenges and delays both in construction and in gaining approvals from the Mainstreet Advisory Board, many surprises were blessings in disguise. “Kerri had a crew to come in and start pressure washing the old plaster,” Bob shared.

“Some of the plaster started to fall off, and we discovered brick behind it. The brick was in great shape. When we started to tear out the ceiling so that we could raise it, we found a beautiful wood ceiling which we left exposed. All of this really added to the overall character and the look that Kerri wanted.”

After a full year of renovation since the building purchase, Kerri Moore Interiors moved into the transformed Macon Road location in August 2016. “It’s really a family business,” she shared. “Bob handled so much of the business part of the renovation, and my parents continue to help me and inspire me every step of the way.

Our sons, Micah and Matthew, played a key role in moving from our Carroll Street location into the new space before they headed off to college. We could not have done it without them. It’s been great for them to be a part of this and helped them really understand what a family business is all about.”

After a full year of renovation since the building purchase, Kerri Moore Interiors moved into the transformed Macon Road location in August 2016. “It’s really a family business,” she shared. “Bob handled so much of the business part of the renovation, and my parents continue to help me and inspire me every step of the way.

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Now open in the new space, Kerri Moore Interiors has expanded its inventory, offering larger pieces of furniture and upholstery, a new outdoor furniture showroom, and a new line of custom made furniture.

Additional space is available for decorative items, lamps, rugs, planters, candles, and more.

In January 2017, Kerri and Bob Moore received the Golden Nail Award given by the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce to honor their renovation efforts and investment in the Perry business community.

Now open in the new space, Kerri Moore Interiors has expanded its inventory, offering larger pieces of furniture and upholstery, a new outdoor furniture showroom, and a new line of custom made furniture. Additional space is available for decorative items, lamps, rugs, planters, candles, and more. The business has seen a marked increase in customers, visibility, and sales. “There’s a tremendous amount of traffic in downtown Perry.

We are so blessed in our small community to have some really talented designers with storefronts downtown and a lot of great shops and restaurants.

People are coming to Perry from all over and spending the day shopping,” Kerri added. “Locals walking or driving by who watched our renovation 74

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for the past year have enjoyed seeing what we’ve done and have stopped in to shop with us. We couldn’t be happier with the move.”

Truly, the project has been one not only important to the growth and expansion of Kerri Moore Interiors, but also one that is near to their hearts.

Both Kerri and Bob agree that it was not only a business investment, but also an investment in the community where they grew up and came back to raise their family.

“This is home,” says Bob. “We graduated from Westfield together in 1984, went away to college, married, and left Atlanta in 1998 with two toddlers to come to Perry to live and work in this community. To be able to invest in her business and put our heart, soul, and money into it and our community was important to us. It’s been a blessing. Everything just finally fell into place, and this is the perfect location for Kerri Moore Interiors.”  HCL

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

CENTRAL GEORGIA HEART INSTITUTE, LLC Accreditations in Echocardiogram (ICAEL), Nuclear Medicine (ACR) & CT (ACR)

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

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

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Dog

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Hometown Living At Its Best

XX

YOUR DEALER YOUR YOUR DEALER DEALER FORLIFE! LIFE FOR FOR LIFE!

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SUMMER 2016 SUMMER 2016

Family FamilyOwned Owned Family Owned &&Operated!

Operated! & Operated!

BUILDING WITH THE

best of both worlds Luke Yoder credits his New Order Amish upbringing for his sucess at his own business, Luke Yoder Construction.

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R

Right at the western edge of Houston County, just off Highway 224 southwest of Perry, is a 16-acre piece of land that is a work in progress. One day in the near future it will have a house on it, but for now it is the perfect getaway spot for Luke and Denice Yoder and their children, Josh and Jordyn, and their friends and family.

A cabin sits to one side of the property, an upscale one-bedroom cabin with a loft. The porches open to a small pond, and a path leads to a gazebo that sits at the edge of the water. It is the spot for cookouts and football or NASCAR viewing parties. A deck has a diving board and a second story slide for kids and the young at heart, and a zip line stretches across the pond.

The work on each aspect of the land and buildings, the attention to detail, has everything to do with how Luke was raised and who he is today.

Yoder credits his New Order Amish upbringing

Story By Sherri Martin | Photos by Kelly McDonald Photography

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“Growing up at home, my dad was the type never to get anything done for him.

My dad taught us how to do whatever needed to be done,” {LUKE YODER}

with providing him with the skills to be successful in his business now. The same work ethic he learned in his daddy’s fabrication shop is what he applies to his own business, Luke Yoder Construction.

“Growing up at home, my dad was the type never to get anything done for him. My dad taught us how to do whatever needed to be done,” he explains. From the time he was eight, he remembers coming home from school and working all afternoon, either in the fabrication shop, where they built dairy equipment, or in his own wood shop.

Growing up Amish in Kentucky and North Carolina meant no cars, no radio, and no television. They had electricity and small tractors, but none of the other things a young teenage boy might find interesting. “I was always a little bit of a rebel,” he says, explaining that he installed a television and radio in his buggy. His choice in music trended towards rock, and his horse had a tendency to slow down its pace when a certain band came on the radio, so that Luke could hear the whole song before he got home.

By the time he was 21, he knew he was ready for a change.

“When I grew up, I wanted to do something different,” he explains. “I was ready to leave the Amish.”

He emphasizes that leaving the Amish world had nothing to do with his faith, except that he was losing interest in what he considered to be a works-based religion rather than one based on grace.

However, the decision was hard on his family. “I literally left my family. It was hard on my parents. It took them

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about two years to kind of get over it,” he says, adding that his parents, one brother, and four sisters are all conservative Mennonites now.

“I have no reservations that I was Amish, and I have no reservations that I’m not Amish,” he says.

So at the age of 21, he came to Montezuma, Georgia, where he had friends he had made through his father’s business. He began Kauffman’s Gazebos, borrowing the name from his brother-in-law in Tennessee who had the same business there. He would sell that business and then, because he wanted to learn how to snow ski, he and some friends moved to Breckenridge, Colorado, to work at a ski resort.

He worked as a ski lift operator and hit the slopes, forgoing the free ski lessons offered through his new job in favor of figuring it out on his own. “Everything I’ve done, I’ve just kind of learned,” he explains, through observing and doing.

(This can-do attitude also manifested itself in the fact that he was driving a race car just a few months

after leaving the Amish world with no driver’s license.

He loves NASCAR and helped get Speedfest in Cordele started. He no longer races, but still stays involved in that world.)

And although he learned how to ski just fine, he did break his leg two weeks after getting to Colorado.

It was on one of his trips back home from Colorado that he met Denice through mutual friends. She is originally from Statesboro, and says she had no concept of the name “Yoder” or anything about the Amish. “It was so foreign to me,” she explains.

However, something “just kind of clicked” between them, and a relationship grew as they kept coming into contact with each other when he would come back locally to visit. They would eventually marry and move to Perry in 2004, and Denice says his family has been very accepting of her although she was raised differently.

It was when Luke came back from Colorado after two years that he got back in to the building industry.

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“I have a very strong faith that God gives us talents and it’s our responsibility to use them and go out and apply them.” {LUKE YODER}

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He applied his talents to the details of the cabin on their property, where Luke and Josh spent many hours doing the work themselves.

He began building log cabins, and then was in business with a friend, Merle Diem, building houses for a few years. Now he is on his own, running Luke Yoder Construction. He mostly erects steel buildings, including agricultural buildings, shops, and commercial buildings, and occasionally will build a house. And when he gets to do special woodwork, his talent really shows.

“Sometimes you just have a God-given talent,” Denice proudly says about her husband.

“His craftsmanship is amazing.”

Luke is very quick to give glory to God for what He has done in their lives. “We are very grateful for what God has done for us.

Everything we have is because of what He has given us,” he says. “I have a very strong faith that God gives us talents and it’s our responsibility to use them and go out and apply them.”

He applied his talents to the details of the cabin on their property, where Luke and Josh spent many hours doing the work themselves.

Passing on to his children the work ethic he was raised with is important to Luke and Denice, although he admits it is hard in a technologydriven world. Still, they have a great example in how their father does business. “When you do good, honest work, word of mouth gets around,” Denice says. “Even in the downturn of the economy in 2008, he was turning work away.”

Denice just hopes being so busy will not keep him from building their dream home on their land out in the country. They know that one day they will make the move permanent.

In the meantime they will enjoy the work Luke has already accomplished there, taking advantage of the life they have built together, where their different worlds converge to make an excellent one. HCL

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Story By Anna Mobley Photos by Kelly McDonald Photography and Anna Mobley Photography

Painting Town THE

Christi Flores shares her love of art with her family and the community with her DIY art studio in Perry.

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The Peach Palette is an art studio where anyone and everyone can come in and paint.

You have the freedom of choosing your own piece, colors, and design. They pour your paint, bring it to you and even do the clean up!

“We are just a fun little paint shop,” says Christi Flores about the Peach Palette in downtown Perry on Carroll Street. “For those people who want to stop by and paint with us, we don’t judge. We are just grateful that you came to make a memory.”

The Peach Palette is a DIY art studio that was purchased by Mrs. Christi Flores in September of 2015. Christi says she worked for the Peach Palette part-time for a couple of years before asking one day if she could purchase it. She explains, “It was such a spur of the moment thing! Right after I asked, I said to myself ‘OMG, what did I just get myself into?!’”

However, Christi had a strong role model to guide her in being a small business owner. Her grandmother, affectionally known as “Nanny,” had her own business as a beautician, where Christi spent a lot of time as a child. When you think about it, doing hair and makeup is also a form of art to express yourself. Another small business role took place while working nearly ten years just across the street, where the pottery

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shop is today, doing custom framing and embroidery.

Christi explains, “It’s who I am… art is who I am and all I’ve ever been.” She says it’s her way to express herself. “It’s how to be five years old again and just have fun.”

The Peach Palette is an art studio where anyone and everyone can come in and paint.

You have the freedom of choosing your own piece, colors, and design. They pour your paint, bring it to you and even do the clean up! Pottery is shipped out of North Carolina and the door hangers are cut by her husband, Victor. There are no extra sitting fees, so you are welcome to stay until closing. If it takes more time to finish your piece, you can leave it at the shop and you will have one more chance to stop by to complete.

Christi holds several events in her shop, from birthdays to ladies’ nights, daycare classes, church groups and several more.

She invites all of the community to partake in something she feels very strongly about,

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and to maybe make a strong impact in someone else’s life by doing the one thing she has always loved.

Growing up, Christi says all she ever wanted to do was “doodle”. She always had some sort of artwork on her assignments in class and, with being a selftaught artist, she says she has to “prove herself” more to others than most people do. “Art was always my favorite subject in school.” She says, however, that’s not what she went to school for, but it was always on the back of her mind. Whether sewing, baking cookies and cakes, or painting, she is completely self-taught.

Even though Christi didn’t come from an art background, she has always had an amazing support system. Her parents

Growing up, Christi says all she ever wanted to do was “doodle”. She always had some sort of artwork on her assignments in class and, with being a self-taught artist, she says she has to “prove herself” more to others than most people do.

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Her main goal is for everyone to stay self-guided and keep your artwork your own. “I want everyone to come in and feel completely at home… but be different. That’s what it’s all about.”

always supported her in everything she did, whether that be an artist, small business owner, or whatever else she wanted to do, they always backed her up. It is the same with her husband, of seventeen years, Victor Flores, who hand makes the wood art pieces. He has always believed in her no matter what she wanted to do. “I have the best when it comes to my family,” Christi says.

Christi was a stay-at-home mother before owning the Peach Palette. She has two daughters: Ava who is thirteen, and Lola who is seven. She says her daughters love to come into the shop after school and let all the stress be relieved. “Ava is very literal, but Lola…. not so much, she is just very creative.” Her daughters have several paintings in the shop.

She is proud of everything they do and wants them to be proud of themselves too. She also holds pieces of work she has done in memory of her nanny and papa.

Her main goal is for everyone to stay selfguided and keep your artwork your own. “I want everyone to come in and feel completely at home… but be different. That’s what it’s all about.”

Her daughters are very active in her career and that is exactly what she wants. Christi says that Lola inherited her “doodle” trait, which is very noticeable. Looking at Christi’s desk, you can see exactly everywhere that Lola has been.

From her notes to her call log, to just pieces of paper on her desk, her daughter is very much so like her mother with art. “She just wants to express herself.. which is fantastic with me.

I believe art is very important in growth and development.”

Christi spoke on her point of view from the loss of art class, over the years, in schools.

She feels very strongly that art is a pathway to using and never losing your imagination, no matter your age, and a building block for development. “It is an outlet for children and adults of all ages.” She believes students and young people can grow from doing something completely on their own and bigger than themselves.  HCL Hometown Living At Its Best

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On February 17, 1927, in Wilkinson County, God blessed this Earth with a very special angel, Hazel Jones Colson. Hazel, the fourth of five children, grew up on a 150-acre farm around mules, cows, pigs, chickens, and goats. The family tended their land, raised all of their food except for sugar and coffee, and cotton was their money crop. They didn’t have electricity, running water, or a phone, but they had lots of fun. The girls’ bathtub was a #2 washtub and the boys’ was a #3 washtub, which were filled with water and warmed in the sun. Hazel’s family had a wood stove and she recalls that her parents encouraged respect. The town had one newspaper, Wilkinson County News, and they had to walk one mile to go to church.

When they were growing up, Hazel and her siblings had cats and dogs. When she was four-years-old, Hazel remembers, “Our dog, Spotlight, was run over by a wagon wheel and it broke his leg. I took two sticks and made a splint for his leg. The leg healed, but it was a little

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On February 17, 1927, in Wilkinson County, God blessed this Earth with a very special angel, Hazel Jones Colson. Hazel, the fourth of five children, grew up on a 150-acre farm around mules, cows, pigs, chickens, and goats. The family tended their land, raised all of their food except for sugar and coffee, and cotton was their money crop.

They didn’t have electricity, running water, or a phone, but they had lots of fun.

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Mrs. Hazel celebrated her 90th birthday, February 17, at the Heart of Georgia Hospice where she has worked for 30 years, volunteering for two years before she began working with them. She has been in nursing for over 70 years.

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crooked. This was my first nursing job!” Another memory was when she was in the 1st grade; Mrs. Beulah Everett was her teacher. The children had to march in a straight line to the Principal’s Office to get shots. “I saw that nurse with that white uniform and white cap and knew then what God wanted me to do. Nursing is God’s calling and it is a calling.”

During her senior year, May 1944, Hazel received a letter from Uncle Sam. “They needed

nurses and would pay for my schooling if I would go anywhere Uncle Sam needed me to go. I talked to Mama and she was okay with it. Then, I had to talk to Daddy and I knew that wouldn’t be as easy.

After some time, Daddy put his arm around my shoulder and said, ‘Baby, you would have to bathe old men.’ Back in those days it wasn’t proper for young girls to be put in this position. Well, God gave me the words...they will teach me how. After

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that, my daddy agreed for me to go.”

Hazel attended the University of Georgia for three months, passing all of her classes. She said, “I weighed about 90 pounds and I had to take a PE class.

They signed me up for fencing and I knew I would make an A because I knew how to climb a fence!” One of the things that made this interview so easy and so much fun was the fact that Mrs. Hazel would be telling her story and then add a good laugh!

Hazel, 18-years-old, attended the University of Augusta for five years.

She worked eight hours a day for Uncle Sam and then went to school for two or three hours a day. “I was taught how to bathe people. My first patient was a woman and while I was bathing her, her leg went limp. I started crying and the Head Nurse told me that I had done nothing wrong; this lady had cancer.

This was the first time I had heard of cancer. The next morning, I went to check on a patient and he was blue. I said, ‘He’s dead!’ and started crying again. The Head Nurse told me that he was old and it was okay because he needed to go ‘home’. This was the first time I had been around death.”

During class, the 21 girls had to work on each other...there were no men in nursing at that time. They practiced on each other and gave each other shots.

“I was sitting in class one evening and I was worn out. I had to sit in the front where I knew I would have to pay attention. I got sleepy and tired and I fell out of my desk. I got up, sat back down, and listened as best I could.”

The girls stayed in a Dorm Nursing

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Home and one day Hazel got a call from the Director of Nursing. “She told me that I didn’t open the door for a respected nurse. We didn’t know who was higher up than us, so we didn’t know who we should open doors for. My punishment was to wash her shoe strings and polish her shoes for a week.”

In 1950, Hazel married Jay Colson who worked on Base. They moved to Macon and, “I got a call to help at Mercy Hospital when I could. I would walk to work.” In July 1952, they moved to Warner Robins and she worked for Dr. Goldstein in his clinic. In 1954, Dr. Talbot opened his first clinic and Hazel worked for him beginning the 5:00 PM shift. Her husband would work during the day and keep the children at night so that she could work. She was responsible for anything that happened between 5:00 PM and 3:00 AM. “One night a cab driver (age 50) pulled up and I (age 27) had to deliver a baby in the cab. I asked the cab driver to help me get mama and baby on the stretcher and inside.

He did and then I looked over at him and he had fainted. I woke him up with ammonia.” In July 1960, the hospital opened and Hazel worked there at night.

Hazel says, “In all my years, I have seen and done most anything in nursing!” She helped doctors open their first practices and helped with a 10-year cancer research project. In 1985, Hazel saw a note in the paper where Heart of Georgia Hospice was looking for volunteers.

At the time, she was still working and would volunteer for them on the weekends. In 1987, she went to work for Hospice full-time. “I started in the cotton fields to delivering babies and then I had the honor of helping so many at the end of their lives. Some of those I helped at the end of their lives were ones that I helped bring into this world.”

Hazel never made it to WWII because it ended before she finished her training. “God has always prepared me. Only three out of 21 graduated from Nursing School and we went to swim to celebrate. I drowned and was taken to University Hospital. I woke up with blankets on me and being given oxygen. I didn’t want to come back to the real world because I had seen a little piece of Heaven. I saw one of my friends that had died and I saw a young man that had died of pneumonia. I woke up. This was another of

“Nursing is truly a calling. I have never been burned out. I can calm patients because I almost live it with them. My job is to deal with death and dying and to make these people as comfortable as possible. I give all the praise to God because He gave nursing to me. My life is helping others.”

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If you know Mrs. Hazel, you know what I mean when I say, “It was a blessing to be able to meet with her and hear some of her life’s stories. She blesses everyone she meets and always gives a hug.” Although Mrs. Hazel is known as “Huggin’ Hazel,” she told me that she would like to be known as “happy, humble, huggin’ Hazel, Heart of Georgia Hospice, Heaven bound!” As we finished the interview, Mrs. Hazel stated, “It is not who I am, it is whose I am!” She is a true blessing to so many people and it is because God placed her where she needed to be!

God’s tender ways of showing me how I would be dealing with death.”

“Nursing is truly a calling. I have never been burned out. I can calm patients because I almost live it with them. My job is to deal with death and dying and to make these people as comfortable as possible. I give all the praise to God because He gave nursing to me. My life is helping others.” Hazel’s husband passed away 16 years ago. She has three children and two grandchildren.

Mrs. Hazel celebrated her 90th birthday, February 17, at the Heart of Georgia Hospice where she has worked for 30 years, volunteering for two years before she began working with them. She has been in nursing for over 70 years.

If you know Mrs. Hazel, you know what I mean when I say, “It was a blessing to be able to meet with her and hear some of her life’s stories. She blesses everyone she meets and always gives a hug.” Although Mrs. Hazel is known as “Huggin’ Hazel,” she told me that she would like to be known as “happy, humble, huggin’ Hazel, Heart of Georgia Hospice, Heaven bound!” As we finished the interview, Mrs. Hazel stated, “It is not who I am, it is whose I am!” She is a true blessing to so many people and it is because God placed her where she needed to be!  HCL “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” Pablo Picasso

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CHEROKEE PINES CHEROKEE PINES Golf & Fitness Club

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SMALL CLASS SIZES. BIG OPPORTUNITIES. At SGSC you get: •Quality •Affordability •Modern On Campus Housing Experience the Hawk life for yourself.

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CHEROKEE PINES CHEROKEE PINES Golf & Fitness Club

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the important things in life are right in front of you.

Suddenly, your priorities change. It’s all about kids and family.

And you begin searching for that great town where your family can thrive. Look no further than Perry, Georgia. Perry is family oriented and built on the idea of community. In fact, we bill ourselves as where people come together. Commutes are easy.

Cost of living is low. Schools are excellent. Quality of life amenities abound. Throw all of that on top of our unique shopping and dining experiences and you’ll see why Perry is the heart of Middle Georgia.

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THE

STANDARD BEARER

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Story By Sherri Martin | Photos by Kelly McDonald Photography

For the last 37 years students, parents and staff alike in Houston County have looked up to Ag teacher Argene Claxton who is preparing students for a future in agriculture.

T

The saying “they broke the mold when they made that one” does not really apply to Perry Ag Teacher Argene Claxton. For one thing, he followed in his father’s footsteps, and practically mirrored his career. For another, he is responsible for influencing a new generation of Ag teachers now working across the state.

Perhaps it is better to say that Argene Claxton is the perfect mold for what an Ag teacher should be. He has had 37 years of teaching in Houston County to prove it - 37 years of influencing young people and the Ag education world.

“Argene Claxton is the standard bearer for

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what an Ag teacher should be.” – Dr. Clay Walker, Veterans High School Ag Teacher Growing up in Hazlehurst, “Claxton,” as he is fondly called, even though it would be more accurate to call him “Dr. Claxton,” watched his father teach agriculture at the high school, and knew that was what he wanted to do as well. He was in the Future Farmers of America organization in high school, and enjoyed showing hogs and cows.

He recalls the year he was State FFA Vice-president, and current Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black was the State FFA President. He

“They don’t come any better than Argene Claxton. I student taught under him. We’ve had a really successful program at Warner Robins Middle School because of him and Phil Gentry.”

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remembers his Hazlehurst team beating Black’s Commerce team, but losing to Perry High. It was pretty clear that Ag education and the FFA would be his future, although he had no way of knowing Perry High would be as well.

“Argene’s my best friend. We met at ABAC in 1976, standing in line at registration.” – Phil Gentry, Houston County Young Farmer Coordinator He earned his degrees at ABAC, the University of Georgia, and Argosy University. It was in Athens that he ran into two teachers from Perry, Bill Eaves and Jake Redmon. He had previously met Eaves at FFA camp when he was in seventh grade; little did he know Eaves would be instrumental in getting him his first job, to fill the position left by Redmon when he went into business with Sonny Perdue.

“They don’t come any better than Argene Claxton. I student taught under him. We’ve had a really successful program at Warner Robins Middle School because of him and Phil Gentry.” – Tripp

Tolleson, WRMS Ag Teacher When Claxton started teaching in Perry, only Perry High and Perry Junior High had agriculture programs. Now, all five high schools and all eight middle schools in Houston County have Ag. Hanging on the walls of one of his classrooms are portraits of previous Ag teachers Cohen Walker and Earl Cheek. He mentions a great mentor, Hervia Ingram, who was at Perry Junior High. He gives much credit for those who lay the groundwork for his job. “Lots of men and women helped to plant the seeds that those of us who are teaching here are now harvesting,” he says. “The man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.”

He also credits the development of the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Ag Center with helping make his programs successful, as they were able to hold county-wide and state-wide livestock shows and other activities there. “When I started teaching, after eight years or so, they built the Ag Center in

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my backyard. How lucky can you get?” he laughs.

“Argene Claxton is one of the best, most honest people you will ever meet. He is a father figure to a lot of people.

There’s definitely nobody else teaching who loves his job like he does.” – Emily Booth, Perry High Senior and FFA Member Claxton’s love of teaching is evident in how he interacts with his students, and in how he remembers past students. A conversation about the FFA has him sprinkling in the names of former students, and saying where they are now and what they are doing. He also remembers when awards were won by various teams, from Forestry to Nursery/Landscaping, to Floriculture and Meat Judging. He is especially proud of having a National FFA President in his program, Hillary Smith, who served in 1997-98. And he knows where his former students are now teaching. “It’s pretty pleasing when

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former students teach Ag,” he says. “I probably have 11 or 12 teaching now.”

“Mr. Claxton, when he didn’t have to, spent a lot of time with me. He taught me not just to be normal, but to strive to be something better. And in the end, he’s the reason why I wanted to teach.” – Jeff Wilson, Veterans High Ag Teacher Whether he is teaching about the importance of agriculture to the nation, or working in the school’s greenhouse, or helping trim hogs at the school’s farm in preparation for a livestock show, Claxton is full speed all the time, working to teach, build up, and help his students.

“Dr. Claxton was my advisor in high school. I saw his passion. Watching him transform children’s lives made me want to go into Ag education. Argene Claxton is Perry FFA.” - Ashley Whiddon, Perry Middle Ag Teacher

“Argene Claxton is one of the best, most honest people you will ever meet. He is a father figure to a lot of people. There’s definitely nobody else teaching who loves his job like he does.”

– Emily Booth, Perry High Senior and FFA Member

Perry and Houston County FFA and Ag education is integral to Claxton’s life, and his family is integral to the program. His wife, Sandy, teaches at Kings Chapel Elementary School.

“She’s the best teacher in the family,” he insists. She also helps out in the summer at the canning plant that he runs at the Perry High School for the community.

His two children, Katie and Tyler, were in the program when they were in high school. And in addition to influencing numerous former students, he influences two of his nieces by marriage, Ashley Whiddon, who teaches Ag at Perry Middle School, and Ashley Denton, who

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teaches Ag with him at Perry High.

“There’s no man in this world that loves children and teaching more than Argene Claxton. He loves the art of teaching and loves storytelling. There’s not a greater storyteller to teach kids about life than Argene Claxton.” – Philip Gentry “Building relationships is the most important thing,” Claxton says about teaching. “Kids don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

He constantly pushes his students to be better. “I want them to continue to raise the bar,” he says. “I tell them, ‘there are three kinds of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened.’”

Claxton encourages each of his students to be someone who makes things happen.

“Argene Claxton – the man, the legend. He’s just

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a great man. Dr. Claxton is a humble man. He’s not going to brag on himself. The Houston County community is better because Argene Claxton has been here.” - Dr. Chris Brown, Veterans High Principal Through the years, Claxton has been named to the Georgia Agriculture Education Hall of Fame and AGHON, the Ag Honor Society at UGA, and has been honored with the Outstanding Educator Award presented by the ABAC Alumni Association. Most recently, he received the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Alumni Award of Excellence. “I don’t really like to talk about it,” he says. “I feel like sometimes I get recognized because of the work of other people.”

“The humility is what draws everyone to Claxton.

There definitely will be a void when he is gone, not just in Houston County, but in Georgia Ag Ed.” Ashley Whiddon.

“The humility is what draws everyone to Claxton. There definitely will be a void when he is gone, not just in Houston County, but in Georgia Ag Ed.” - Ashley Whiddon.

Claxton’s daddy taught for 38 years. Claxton says he always thought he would never teach that long, but he has taught 37 years. His daddy “kept the books” for the basketball team all of those years. “I’m never going to do that,” Claxton thought growing up. He’s been the “water boy” for the football team for 36 years.

After retirement, the senior Claxton served on the Board of Education. “I’m never going to do that,” Claxton says with a grin, knowing he has thought that before.

Argene Claxton will retire at the end of this school year. He will leave his classrooms, his desk, his greenhouse, and his canning plant for one last time as the Perry High Ag teacher. But he will leave a legacy of excellence, of investing everything into the lives of students, and of caring about something bigger than himself.

While he says he looks forward to retirement and hopes to have a nursery at home and more time to spend with his two grandchildren, Lilla and Wyatt, it is hard to imagine that he will stay away from the program that he has influenced for so long.

If the tears that well up in his eyes as he talks about his career are any indication, it is easy to believe that he will be close by, ready to help, to encourage, and to share a story any time he is needed.

He says about his long career, “I’ve been blessed, no doubt.”

It is pretty obvious that he has been the bigger blessing to those he has come into contact with through the past 37 years.

They don’t need to break that mold. The world needs more Argene Claxtons. HCL

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Give us a call and get your FREE Quote today!

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Story by Sherri Martin Photos by Anna Mobley and Kelly McDonald Photography

Suppose a young member of the Air Force relocates cross-country to Robins Air Force Base. He and his family do not need to cart all of their belongings, and besides, it is time for the baby to get out of the crib and into a big-boy bed. His other children have outgrown their shoes, he has been promoted and needs new uniforms, and his wife needs a dress for the upcoming military ball.

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All of this is to help support the airmen and their families, as they serve to support the nation. In a time when the nation’s economy makes saving money especially important, the Attic can fill in the gaps in an alreadystretched thin budget. “We hope the airmen are being smart with their money,” Byerly says.

“They need to be taking advantage of this program and not racking up debt.”

These needs can be overwhelming, in addition to the responsibilities of being a member of the military in this time of unrest and terror. Yet on Robins, there is a program and an organization that offers help.

Tucked away in an unassuming storefront in the city-within-a-city that is Robins is the Airman’s Attic. And running this staple Air Force base installation is the Robins Enlisted Spouses Club.

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the Airman’s Attic,” says Victoria Byerly, a member of the small but busy group of women.

The club itself became active again a little over four years ago, after being defunct for a time. Now, they have monthly socials for members and quarterly socials as membership drives, and also participate in various fundraising activities on base, such as offering Christmas wrapping at the Base Exchange and selling Valentine roses.

The volunteers especially work to sort the donated items. “We want to make sure all our enlisted get nice stuff,” she adds. This could mean quality clothes for children who constantly need the next size, or outside play toys, or appliances and furniture.

But running the Airman’s Attic is a big endeavor for the volunteer club. “Before, it was run by an appointed person,” explains Byerly, “a liaison appointed by the command chief.”

The Attic actually has three distinct parts: the Military Closet, the Airman’s Attic, and Cinderella’s Closet, which has always been run by the club.

The Military Closet offers quality, used uniforms to all ranks, including the Air Force Reserves and the Air National Guard. This is valuable in instances of promotions or just simple wear and tear. The uniform closet fills one area with nearly any size or style of uniform needed, all donated by fellow service members who have either changed rank, retired, or been discharged.

The other two parts of the facility are only open to those with a rank of E5 (staff sergeant) and below and their dependents, and O1 and O2 (first and second lieutenants) and their dependents. The Airman’s Attic offers household goods, furniture, clothing, and toys, and everything is free of charge. The Attic relies on donations from within the base, although some items are donated by nonmilitary corporations, such as Weyerhaeuser, which donates diapers.

“We operate by donations only and by

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volunteers only,” Byerly explains. The volunteers especially work to sort the donated items. “We want to make sure all our enlisted get nice stuff,” she adds.

This could mean quality clothes for children who constantly need the next size, or outside play toys, or appliances and furniture.

“When we get furniture donated, it immediately goes out,” Byerly says.

All of this is to help support the airmen and their families, as they serve to support the nation. In a time when the nation’s economy makes saving money especially important, the Attic can fill in the gaps in an already-stretched thin budget. “We hope the airmen are being smart with their money,” Byerly says.

“They need to be taking advantage of this program and not racking up debt.”

Cinderella’s Closet, holding court in a more private area of the facility, is very different in style of clothing from the Military Closet; its racks are filled with formal gowns of all shades and sizes and sequins, as well as several wedding gowns.

“Anyone can borrow any of the dresses for an event, such as a promotion,” Byerly says. Or, obviously, a wedding.

“It would be nice if more people

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So, that young airman, the one who had so many needs after relocating to Robins? He and his family make a visit to the Airman’s Attic. He finds uniforms, the kids try on shoes and find some new clothes for school, they find a big-boy bed and a couple of bicycles, and his wife finds a dress good enough for Cinderella at the ball. And he can concentrate on doing his duty, without the burden of extra financial strain.

donated and knew about it,” she adds.

The only caveat for borrowing a dress is that the borrower must pay for dry-cleaning the item. Local Stratos Cleaners partners with the Enlisted Spouses Club to clean the clothing, then keeps the pieces until a member can pick up the items to return them to Cinderella’s Closet.

This little bit of glitz and glamour on a military installation is just another way the Airman’s Attic is meeting the needs of airmen and their families, and another way the Robins Enlisted Spouses Club is serving their community on base.

“I like being out with the women and helping the enlisted,” Byerly adds. “It’s so rewarding.”

So, that young airman, the one who had so many needs after relocating to Robins? He and his family make a visit to the Airman’s Attic.

He finds uniforms, the kids try on shoes and find some new clothes for school, they find a big-boy bed and a couple of bicycles, and his wife finds a dress good enough for Cinderella at the ball. And he can concentrate on doing his duty, without the burden of extra financial strain.

Then his wife joins the Enlisted Spouses Club, and the cycle of giving continues.  HCL

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2067 Watson Blvd. • Warner Robins, GA • 478-328-0344

Over 60 Years of Exceptional Dental Care Laser Dentistry - TMJ/TMD - Invisalign® - Cosmetic Dentistry Gum Disease - Root Canals - Sedation Dentistry - Implants - Oral Surgery We have been providing exceptional dental care to residents of Warner Robins, Georgia and the surrounding areas now for over 60 years! We invite you to come and experience excellence in dentistry with a personalized touch and look forward to helping you and your family achieve optimum dental health.

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478.923.6926 | 1001 Young Avenue | Warner Robins, GA 31093 478.922.6117 | 1734 Watson Boulevard | Warner Robins, GA 31093

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DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY SPECIALISTS, P.C. Proudly Serving Middle Georgia since 1987 • Specializing in the management of all skin cancers and medical dermatology

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Allen’s Tree Service Serving Middle Georgia Since 1978 140

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808 Carl Vinson Pkwy.

Centerville, GA 31028

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The Oil Lamp Restaurant has been a staple in Perry for over 20 years.

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Story by Sherri Martin Photos by Kelly McDonald Photography

The key lime pie is worth a trip to the Oil Lamp Restaurant all by itself. But key lime is just one of the flavors of pie that Judy Wenger makes for her restaurant, including four different chocolate pies, chess pie, and coconut cream. She starts early each morning to make the 33 or so pies to feed the customers who keep coming back to the Oil Lamp for delicious home cooking.

The Oil Lamp has been a staple in Perry for over 20 years, first in a small building at one location on General Courtney Hodges Boulevard, and since 2009 at its present location, in the former Mandarin House restaurant, at 401 General Courtney Hodges. The restaurant closed last Christmas for three weeks for a full remodel and is now open for business serving comfort food each weekday.

Wenger grew up Mennonite on a farm in Indiana and always enjoyed cooking.

She worked in a restaurant there, also named the Oil Lamp, from which she would eventually borrow the name, with permission, for her own restaurant.

Keep Coming Back The key lime pie is worth a trip to the Oil Lamp Restaurant all by itself.

But key lime is just one of the flavors of pie that Judy Wenger makes for her restaurant, including four different chocolate pies, chess pie, and coconut cream. She starts early each morning to make the 33 or so pies to feed the customers who keep coming back to the Oil Lamp for delicious home cooking.

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“I know I just cook for people, but it just gives me satisfaction knowing that people enjoy it. I enjoy what I do.”

However, it was a move to Montezuma, Georgia that really got Judy into the restaurant business. Her sister Linda had married a local man, Johnny Yoder, and moved to Montezuma where they started a family. Judy came to help her sister with the babies and also began working at the popular Yoder’s Deitsch Haus, more familiarly known as the Mennonite Restaurant. She worked there 10 years learning how to run a successful business.

She and a friend opened a bakery briefly in Montezuma and for three years she had a restaurant in Fort Valley. Judy then took a break from all of the cooking before opening the Oil Lamp in 1996. She has also since opened a sandwich place, now Yoder’s Sandwich Shop, owned and run by Johnny and Linda.

Although she learned much at the Mennonite Restaurant she says her food is different from that served in Montezuma.

She cooks to taste, and will change recipes as she feels the need. She says her food is “good country cooking – comfort food,” and also says it is “Southern cooking.” Because even though she grew up in Indiana, she has lived in Georgia most of her life, and has learned to cook the foods people love here.

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“At first, I didn’t like turnip greens,” she says. “Then I opened my first restaurant, and thought, ‘I’ve got to learn to like these.’ So I cooked them until I found a way I liked to eat them.”

For Judy, the seasoning of the food is very important. “I use top quality seasonings, and I still do all of the seasonings, except when (nieces) Stephanie and Diana are here. Then I let them do the seasoning,” she explains.

Linda’s four daughters, Stephanie, Diana, Malinda, and Amanda, have all helped their aunt with the business at various times. “At one point, all four nieces were working with me, but then I

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lost all four in one year because of babies!” she explains. However, they still work with their aunt as their family responsibilities allow.

It takes Judy working with 16 employees to serve up the delicious meals for which the Oil Lamp is known. “We cook fresh daily, and don’t reheat. We use fresh frozen foods, and rarely use anything canned, or as little as possible. We use butter, not margarine,” she says. She makes the homemade yeast rolls, cooked in muffin tins so they will not take as long to bake, while others are responsible for making the biscuits and cornbread. And she makes the pies and cakes, which are especially popular as special orders for the holidays.

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The Oil Lamp is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They serve a cafeteria-style menu each day with items such as fried chicken, roast beef, ham, fried catfish, and vegetables for lunch and for the dinner menu.

As a special treat, on Thursday and Friday evenings, they take specialty orders for ribeye steaks, grilled pork chops, sirloin steaks, fried oysters, and fried shrimp.

Judy also does some catering, and will deliver in Perry or to nearby areas for an extra fee.

“I enjoy the cooking, and I enjoy the people too. I’ve enjoyed knowing customers through the years,” she says.

Everything On the Menu The Oil Lamp is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They serve a cafeteria-style menu each day with items such as fried chicken, roast beef, ham, fried catfish, and vegetables for lunch and for the dinner menu. As a special treat, on Thursday and Friday evenings, they take specialty orders for ribeye steaks, grilled pork chops, sirloin steaks, fried oysters, and fried shrimp.

She certainly has a loyal customer base as the Oil Lamp has been named the “Best Cafeteria Restaurant” in a contest run by the Macon Telegraph, not just once, but three times. Some of those loyal customers include football teams, who come to eat before games, as well as many locals. But then, she says she has a good location.

“Perry is a nice, quiet town. People come together when they need to. They are very supportive. The Georgia Ag Center is a good source of new people coming in and helping the economy. As a rule, I’m always busy,” she says.

“I know I just cook for people, but it just gives me satisfaction knowing that people enjoy it,” she adds. “I enjoy what I do.”

Just like you would enjoy a piece of that key lime pie.  HCL

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My Father’s Place Where Families Get Together

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Organizing Your Home and Office Closets Kitchens Bedrooms Offices Photographs S erving Middle Georgia Andi Willis, Professional Organizer 478-550-1969 www.goodlifeorganizing.net 150

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Market on Margie

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PET ST P ®

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Dr. John Hutchens, DVM, Veterinarian

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Story By Anna Mobley | Photos by Anna Mobley and Kelly McDonald Photography

That 156

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Store

Victor’s years of travel have helped him aquire a treasure trove of unique items for his Warner Robins shop

T

That Store is owned by Victor Dunigan on the west side of Watson Boulevard in Warner Robins. It’s an intriguing store that is based off of his beloved Betty Boop, and shows years of his traveling.

Victor Dunigan is just a small town boy from Carwell, Missouri.

He was raised on a cotton farm as the middle child of five with his mother and father. “Growing up, I was always stranded on the farm, so it led me to always think outside the box. I just wanted to get out and see the world, so I did... I saw the world.”

As soon as Victor graduated high school he went straight into the Army. He went to Fort Knox for basic training in Kentucky, and then “everywhere imaginable”. From Colorado Springs all the way to Europe... he was beside himself with all of the things out there in the world he had never seen or heard of.

Victor’s MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) in the Army was not always the same… He went from being an Armored Tanks

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“I just wanted to get out and see the world, so I did.. I saw the world.”

- Victor Dunigan

specialist to being an MP (Military Police) and linguistics. “My jobs were exciting! I was a single guy who got to go practically anywhere and enjoy myself while getting paid to do something that was completely enjoyable.”

After being in the Army for eight years, three active and five inactive, Victor got a job with R.S. Thomas as an estate manager to travel all over South Florida and the Bahamas on a private yacht with Thomas and his staff. The yacht would pick up Thomas’ closest friends and family and the staff would cater

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A Dream Come True Not only was Victor living the life he had always dreamed of, but he was also starting the business he had always dreamed of: a completely authentic store of his own inventory.

to absolutely anything they needed. “We were a Jack of all trades,” Victor said. “We did anything from cooking, to taking the guests on excursions, to cleaning the bathrooms.” Not only was Victor living the life he had always dreamed of, but he was also starting the business he had always dreamed of: a completely authentic store of his own inventory.

As Victor was traveling he would purchase one thing, just one “cool” thing that sparked his attention. “No matter if it was a yard sale on the side of the road or if it was just a neat little vintage store, I always brought something back with me.”

“I brought back everything from furniture to a vintage looking penny… anything that I liked the most I grabbed.”

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Even after Victor’s time on the yacht with R.S. Thomas, he still collected things on every vacation he went on... Still with the same principal, “If I liked it I got it.” Victor says he spent nearly twenty years collecting antiques from the mid-century to go along with his store.

Once he no longer worked with Thomas on his yacht he went to the Institute of Ultrasound in Pensacola, Florida and graduated in 2002. He worked as a Medical Ultrasound tech for several years until Hurricane Ivan came and destroyed his home in Florida. “I thought that it was going to be a change, but an amazing change at that. I wanted to move north so I guess that was the push I got.”

“I came to Warner Robins mainly because it was a military town. I love the feel of a military town and everyone here is so friendly. When someone walks in, you’re more than likely going

A Unique Place Victor owns everything from couches and chairs, to jewelry and pottery, to all things Betty Boop, and even air plants! “My main goal is to have a place no one else has... something completely different and unique.

Somewhere you can come in and just relax and look at everything we have!”

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to know them before they walk out and I love learning about other cultures, backgrounds and history.” Victor says that he never would’ve picked a military town if he wasn’t prior military himself.

Victor now manages several of the Medical Ultrasound clinics in Macon, Georgia with his business partner. He always knew that something in the medical field was more up his alley than anything else. “It just took me a while to know that ultrasounds were what I wanted to specifically do.”

In February 2016, Victor leased the building he is now in to start his dream of owning an antique vintage store of his own. He said the first sale he had was the beginning of May so he put a lot of time and effort to start it up. “I was so excited to finally see everything coming together!”

Victor owns everything from couches and chairs, to jewelry and pottery, to all things Betty Boop, and even air plants! “My main goal is to have a place no one else has... something completely different and unique. Somewhere

you can come in and just relax and look at everything we have!”

Victor has plans to expand his store to so much more.

He would like to have wine tasting and even a restaurant.

He wants people to be able to show off their art work in his shop and maybe even an open mic night.

“This is more or less a hobby,” Victor says. “I can open and close my doors whenever I want to. I’m the only one here, so if I want to go on vacation for two weeks in the Caribbean, I will… I’m going to have my cake and eat it, too.”

Victor’s store hasn’t got anything but the best reviews.

“Everyone who comes in loves everything I have and it makes me feel so good, because I worked really hard to get here.”

That Store is open 11 to 5 Wednesday through Saturday and everyone is welcome to come and have an experience that will make you believe you’re part of the Brady Bunch.  HCL

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Raccoon

Stone And Tile Works raccoonstoneandtile.com

2347 Hwy 247 C Byron GA 31008 | 478.956.2222 | stoneguy31@aol.com

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Cochran Coach Works, Inc

YOU WON’T FIND A BETTER BODY SHOP IN MIDDLE GEORGIA 514 General Courtney Hodges Blvd. Perry, GA 31069 | (478) 987-7740 | cochrancoachworks.com

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Myers Industrial Construction Railroad Maintenance & Repair Through Out Georgia 1303 FOREST HILL DRIVE | PERRY, GA 31069 | 478-987-4824 | FAX – 478-988-8325

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Homestyle Southern Standards

Oil Lamp Restaurant

401 General Courtney Hodges Blvd, Perry, GA 31069 | (478) 988-2643

Lashley Insurance Agency, Inc.

Quality service, strength and satisfaction Customers count on outstanding financial strength and superior claims service to help protect what they value most. Allstate delivers on their promise. Let us help you get the appropriate level of protection and make it easy to do business with Allstate.

Home, Life & Auto Insurance Call Us Today For A Quote

1112 Russell Pkwy, Ste A | Warner Robins, GA 31088 | (478) 922-3211 | kevinlashley@allstate.com Hometown Living At Its Best

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Golden Opportunities for Veterans and Their Families 166

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Transitioning from a military life to a civilian one can be daunting. The Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center (VECTR) helps support our veterans as they create a new life after service.

Story By Gail Dixon | Photography By Joe Richardson, Kelly McDonald Photography & Ronnie Babbitt Photography

VECTR The Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center (VECTR) at Middle Georgia State University is a state-wide center supporting Georgia’s veteran initiatives.

F

For many, the military is a way of life. Recruiting begins in high school and continues to all ages. The military career involves a lot of commitment, moving a lot (state-to-state and overseas), and bonding with the ones you are around. Spouses and children of the military have to make sacrifices too! Have you ever thought about what happens to those in the military once they retire? Do they go out and find another job not related to the military, do they work from home, or do they live out their retirement one day at a time? Transitioning from military life to civilian life doesn’t always come easy for men and women who have served our country.

The Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center (VECTR) at Middle Georgia State University is a statewide center supporting Georgia’s veteran initiatives. VECTR serves as a gateway for veterans and their families transitioning into Georgia’s public institutions of higher education and the civilian workforce and provides a one-stop-shop of other resources

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A TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN LIFE VECTR serves as a gateway for veterans and their families transitioning into Georgia’s public institutions of higher education and the civilian workforce and provides a one-stop-shop of other resources through collaborations with federal, state, and community partners.

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through collaborations with federal, state, and community partners. Their mission is to successfully transition veterans and their families into Georgia’s public colleges, universities, and the state’s workforce.

Dr. Joe Richardson was born in the projects of Chicago. His parents were divorced and he had four brothers and two sisters. They left Chicago, when Joe was little, and moved to Lima, Ohio.

Joe went from the projects of Chicago to the Air Force with no degrees. “Taking a nontraditional path in the military, I joined the Air Force at the age of 18, I served 26½ years, 22½ years active duty and four years at the Air Force Academy.

My transition out of the military was one week,” which he says, “was not enough.” Joe currently works on the staff of the Office of the President at Middle Georgia State University and serves as the Assistant Director of the VECTR Center in Warner Robins.

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“I have always been a veteran first,” says Joe. In 1990, he graduated with military distinction after holding the top-ranking position, Cadet Wing Commander, of the 4417 student body. “I was a member of the United States Air Force (enlisted and officer), honorably retiring in 2009 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. While in the military, I served as an aircraft instructor and evaluator navigator/defensive systems officer on board the KC-135, EC-135, and E-8C JSTARS, completing over 3500 flight hours with combat time over the skies of Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan.”

Joe continues, “I wish something like VECTR had existed during my transition from behind the lines. The military is our community and very seldom do you interact and mingle with the community outside the gate unless you’re in a position of leadership that allows you to be able to do that. It was very difficult to have a network to tap into.

Many veterans feel lost and alone. The only thing they have are the networking and connections that are within the confines of

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HELPING WITH NEEDS VECTR tries to help as many veterans as they can, not only with job placement but others needs too.

the gate. VECTR makes the connections with higher education, as well as business and industry leaders, helping the veterans make the transition.

We have all kinds of resources so that we can help any veteran.”

VECTR tries to help as many veterans as they can, not only with job placement but others needs too. Joe shared a few examples...one lady, a former Army diesel mechanic, lived in Florida, was displaced by Matthew, and was homeless.

VECTR worked to get her employed, back on her feet, and in a home. “People come in with their backs against the wall and their lives in shambles; we want to help them get stability in their lives and make them feel loved and wanted.” Another elderly disabled veteran needed a heating/air unit.

There was a company that was willing to help in any way it could, even if it meant replacing the old unit. VECTR called this company and the repairman said a new unit was not needed, but repairs would be between $700-$800. Because a new unit was not needed, VECTR was allowed to find another veteran that needed a new unit.

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“Although we’re not a social service agency, sometimes we have to focus on the immediate needs first and then focus on the education and training.

Education and training is a game changer for these veterans.”

VECTR is an organization for veterans and their families. Spouses support their veterans to empower them. Because of moving around, they have to put together a career with several different colleges. They have to make sacrifices along the way. Lyndsay, Joe’s daughter, had to attend multiple schools (Georgia, Virginia, and Colorado) because of military moves. “Moving from state to state increases width and depth of their [children] understanding of other people. Lyndsay’s personality is more globally focused than regionally focused.”

If you have ever had the opportunity to meet or talk with Lyndsay, you will understand that statement.

Lyndsay is not a pageant girl. Just for fun, she did one pageant at Veterans High School and won the talent competition and was 4th Runnerup. Participating in the pageant gave her a boost.

Lyndsay says, “My dad told me about the Miss Warner Robins Pageant and asked if I wanted to

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participate. I wasn’t sure I wanted to do the pageant and so I told him I would think about it. I talked with my friends and I didn’t have anything going on in July, so I decided I would do the pageant. Why not? It wouldn’t hurt me to try again and I might even win the talent competition. My dad helped me prepare for the interview. Dad and I are very similar and I would get frustrated and walk off, but then I would go back and we would work together some more.”

The pageant day arrived and Lyndsay was ready.

She won overall interview and the talent portion.

When it came time to announce the winners, Lyndsay thought, “What if I actually win? No, no, no, that’s not gonna happen.” Winning names were called...4th Runner-up, no...3rd Runner-up, no...2nd Runner-up, no...1st Runner-up, no…time to announce the winner and Lyndsay knew she was not going to win, “but maybe by some freak accident,” she says, “Lo and behold, I was crowned Miss Warner Robins 2017.”

Lyndsay, a junior at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, is now preparing for the Miss Georgia Pageant to be held in June. She

Lyndsay feels that VECTR is a wonderful idea. She knows from first-hand experience how difficult things can be for a military family in transition. She says it is admirable that VECTR is taking on the issue of helping people that served our country and are trying to transition back in.

says she will do her best and see what happens, maybe even win an award or two. Lyndsay’s platform is “Mentoring through Music”. When her older brother passed away in February 2009, at the age of 19, she was in the 7th grade. Middle school was hard enough, but she really had a hard time making it through the rest of the year.

Jeremy Williams, Lyndsay’s Choir Director at the time, would give his students inspirational speeches about how much he cared about them, how they were capable of anything they set their minds to, and that he would always be there for them. Those little reminders were just what Lyndsay needed. He also taught them to take whatever emotions they were struggling with and put them into the music they were singing. He urged them to leave their problems at the door of the choir room, put everything they had into the music, and when they left, their problems at the door were a little bit easier to pick up. “The care that my teacher took and how he taught us to deal with our struggles through music is what inspired me to want to become a Music Education major as well as inspired my platform.

This platform has allowed me to help the children

that I mentor, to use music as an outlet, and as a way to cope with struggles of everyday life,” Lyndsay explains. She believes that music has the ability to move people in a way that nothing else can.

Lyndsay feels that VECTR is a wonderful idea.

She knows from first-hand experience how difficult things can be for a military family in transition. She says it is admirable that VECTR is taking on the issue of helping people that served our country and are trying to transition back in. She also says they are a big help to the family of those veterans. It was very fitting that Lyndsay sang the National Anthem at the VECTR Center’s Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening!

In addition to Lyndsay, Joe and his wife, Felicia, are the proud parents of Ryan (deceased), and Nathan (15 and a multi-activity freshman scholar at Veterans High School in Kathleen). He and his family are members of Southside Baptist Church in Warner Robins.

Thank you, Dr. Richardson for serving our country. Lyndsay, congratulations on winning Miss Warner Robins 2017; good luck as you compete in the Miss Georgia Pageant in June. May God richly bless you and your family.  HCL

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LOCALLY OWNED HARDWARE | NURSERY GARDEN CENTER | ANIMALS

Houston Hardware & Garden Center LLC | 602 GA-247, Bonaire, GA 31005 | (478) 923-9707 174

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Est. 1987

SOUTHERN LIGHTING 478.929.0624

Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 5:30pm Saturday: 10:00am- 2:00pm www.southernlightingga.com We take VISA, MC, Discover & AMEX 2508 Moody Road | Warner Robins, GA 31088

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Here is a great place to call home.

If home is where the heart is, then we must be home. Here is where we’re glad to be your friend, your neighbor and your bank. So, turn to us anytime for all the financial services you need. Together, we are all part of this wonderful community and there’s no other place we would rather be.

478.929.1004 | synovus.com Banking products are provided by Synovus Bank, Member FDIC. Divisions of Synovus Bank operate under multiple trade names across the Southeast.

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1117 GA-96 #104, KATHLEEN, GA 31047

(478) 988-0112 176

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CONNECT TO YOUR CAREER 200+ Programs of Study

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80 Cohen Walker Drive, Warner Robins, GA 31088 478.988.6800 | www.centralgatech.edu A Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) Accredited Institution A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia • Equal Opportunity Institution

A Better Way To Sleep

3815 Mercer University Drive in Macon | 478-405-0679 3070 Watson Blvd Warner Robins | 478-971-1220

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Caring Animals

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Landscaping Design & Installation Renewal Pruning Custom Container Planting 2032 N HWY 341| PERRY, GA 31069 478-987-1514

400 Perry Pkwy, Perry, GA 31069 | (478) 987-8910

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703 S Houston Lake Rd | Warner Robins, GA | 478.971.1812 178

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

It’s National Eye Care Month!

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Full Service Salon & Day Spa 203 Byrd Ct, Warner Robins, GA 31088 478-953-0899 | tibidabospa.com

LOCAL SERVICE that MAKES A DIFFERENCE

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

Dorothy Sichelstiel 478.396.2447 dorothysichelstiel@yahoo.com

Local service that makes a difference…

that’s Moore Insurance.

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

478-987-1832 1009 Jernigan Street • Perry, GA 31069 Hometown Living At Its Best

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A Life’s Pursuit For Health

Celeste (Cece) Murdock Mitchell has shared her passion for health with others from a very young age.

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Story By Gail Dixon | Photography By Kelly McDonald Photography

C

Celeste (Cece) Murdock Mitchell was born in Highland Park, Illinois, but was raised in Bethesda, Maryland. She was the youngest of four children born to her parents, Jim and Leigh.

Her sister, Margo, is almost 12 years older than she and her brothers, JB and Jim, were 15 and 17 years older. By the time she was five, her siblings had moved out to start lives of their own, so she was basically reared as an only child.

Cece’s mom became very sick when Cece was only six years old. Initially, the doctors thought she had the flu, and, at that time, Anita Bryant was the Florida Sunshine Orange Juice spokeswoman that had commercials on television telling everyone that orange juice was really healthy! So, Cece kept giving her mom orange juice to drink. Doctors figured out that her mom didn’t have the flu, she was a diabetic and they said the only thing keeping her mom from going into a diabetic coma was the orange juice that Cece had been giving her.

Her mom never took any prescription

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medications for her diabetes because it was controlled with diet her entire life and that diet became like a religion in their home.

“Mom never cheated except for her Merlot wine,” says Cece. “I suppose that was when learning the power of healthy eating habits and nutrition started in my life. (Not that I didn’t go to friends’ houses and sneak cookies, cakes and sodas because that’s what kids do. Back then we didn’t know and I was too young to understand how bad ‘junk food’ truly was.)”

At the age of four, Cece’s mom put her on a horse and that’s where her love story with horses began. At the age of 12, she was teaching horseback riding. Horses were always in her life. (Sadly, she had to put her 35-year-old Arabian down last year; and yes, Cece gave her horse natural supplements to keep her healthy.)

Going to Grier, a private girls’ high school in Pennsylvania, she was able to continue horseback riding almost every day. Grier is where she “fell in love” with biology because she had an incredibly awesome biology teacher named Maddie Kelly. After high school, Cece went to American University for a couple of semesters to continue her love of biology until she realized that not all teachers were like Mrs. Kelly and college was not the best method of learning for all students. For a few years after college, Cece continued to teach horseback riding and working for her father in communication electronics and doing other jobs in the service industry.

A Family Tradition Celeste’s great-grandfather, John Benjamin (JB) Murphy, was a big influence in her life as far as the medical and health aspects. She was also named after his youngest daughter, Celeste. Even though he was a doctor/surgeon in the late 1800’s, his story was always fascinating to her and part of the reason for doing what she does today! Over the course of his career he was renowned as a surgeon, a clinician, a teacher, an innovator, and an author.

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“Pharm is a play on words because under the name of my store the tag line is ‘Alternately Caring for Yourself’ so it spells pharmacy.”

- Celeste (Cece) Murdock Mitchell

In late 1980, her sister’s son, Sean, died at the age of 10 of juvenile diabetes. Cece’s sister invited her to move to Georgia to live with her and her daughter, Kim. Cece says that she moved to save her own life. She had become very unhealthy in her eating and drinking; in 1981, she packed up her car and headed to Georgia. Not long after moving to Georgia, she met her husband, Doug. In November, they will have been married for 33 years and have a son, Chris, who is 29.

Cece was a stay-at-home mom when her son was young. Where they lived there were very few children,

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so she chose to put him in a day care for a couple of mornings a week. This allowed Chris to socialize with other children while she had time to spend at the local health food store, where she shopped for her herbs and supplements. One day the owner of the shop asked her if she knew of anyone looking for a part-time job. Cece replied, “Would I do?” She claims the rest is history and she spent the next 3½ years learning as much as she could from her boss, Rosemary.

Murdock’s Herb Pharm, Inc. is a nutritional health food store Cece opened in November of 1996. She says, “Pharm is a play on words because under the name of my store the tag line is ‘Alternately Caring for Yourself’ so it spells pharmacy. Through this business, I found that I really enjoyed helping and teaching people about their health. I liked being a ‘detective’ and really loved doing the research required to try to figure out what was really going on with their bodies, to find the natural remedies that they could use to get better. But I also let them know that they had the responsibility of changing

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their lifestyles and that there are no miracle pills.”

Cece became pretty good at figuring out her customers’ health problems by asking them questions.

She asks questions about their symptoms, eating habits and prescription drugs they take. Then, if necessary, she sends them back to their doctors with the right questions to ask. She would give the doctors the information they needed to properly diagnose their patients, her customers. Cece says, “All I have is time and unfortunately, time is something doctors just don’t have enough of with their patients.”

“I find that a lot of the time my customers’ problems are food-related and can be helped just by keeping a food journal and a rotation diet to connect the dots and figure out what foods are making them hurt and sick so they can stop eating them (or not, but at least they would know why they feel terrible). It is always their choice. Sometimes their problems are actually side effects from the prescriptions they are taking and, if they had more than one doctor or pharmacy, they could be on

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A Small Business Struggle

Being a small “Mom and Pop” shop is not easy for Cece. She doesn’t have a big corporation backing her and paying all of the bills and she isn’t buying for multiple stores. Because of this, the larger chains can sometimes under sell even her wholesale cost, which is very frustrating since it was the small shops that made the supplement manufacturers successful in the first place. She says she will never understand why they can’t discount the same for everyone; the small owners are the ones that need the help and the big stores do not.

multiple prescriptions and the ‘right hand didn’t know what the left hand was doing’ and the snowball effect was set in motion,” explains Cece. “The difference I make as a nutritional health food store owner is the information I give my customers by staying on top of all the latest information. It is a full-time job and then some. There’s so much good and not-so-good information out there now (the same with supplements too). Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and it is not always easy to figure out. I am more than willing to jump in and get my feet wet. Because natural remedies (and supplements) have become so popular, it has become a multi-billion-dollar market. You are bound to find some charlatans out there that just want to make their money and run. They don’t care about the quality of their products or the people that trust them with their health and sometimes, their lives.”

Being a small “Mom and Pop” shop is not easy for Cece. She doesn’t have a big corporation backing her 186

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and paying all of the bills and she isn’t buying for multiple stores. Because of this, the larger chains can sometimes under sell even her wholesale cost, which is very frustrating since it was the small shops that made the supplement manufacturers successful in the first place. She says she will never understand why they can’t discount the same for everyone; the small owners are the ones that need the help and the big stores do not.

Murdock’s Herb Pharm, Inc. is a retail store that has been in business for over 20 years and sells quality herbs and supplements because Cece saw there was a need for this service and because she uses them for her own health and the health of her family and friends. In closing, she says, “I want to take this opportunity to thank all of my customers. I am so blessed and lucky to have the best and most loyal customers and they have helped Murdock’s by being the best advertising and bringing in new people to make sure I can keep my doors open.”  HCL

Jane McCullough

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(478) 224-4148 824 Hwy 247 | Bonaire GA Hometown Living At Its Best

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912 CARROLL STREET | PERRY, GA 31069 (478) 988-0200

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Joe Shuttlesworth 215 Walton Chase, Perry, GA 31069 / (478) 256-3917 Hometown Living At Its Best JWS Construction.indd 1

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The Houston County area is growing and steadily becoming a central marketplace. You can find great retail shopping, restaurants and services around each corner. If you haven’t done so lately, take the time to look around and discover all the wonderful things there are to find.

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norvell professional Sunless Tanning 150 S Houston Lake Rd. | Warner Robins, GA | 478.953.9368

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Index of Sponsors

10 Cent Title Pawn ……...........................................................… 178 Abreanne’s …......................................................................…… 191 Allen’s Tree Service ……..........................................................… 140 Antique Theatre ……...............................................................… 111 Bamboo Nails & Spa …….......................................................… 188 Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate ……..............................… 162 Bigo’s Bistro ……....................................................................… 101 Bob White Self Storage ……...................................................… 189 BoBo’s Dance Supply ……......................................................… 117 Boland Prosthetic & Orthotic Center ….................................…… 35 Camp John Hope …….............................................................… 100 Canine Clubhouse ….............................................................…… 76 Carlyle Place ……….................................................................... 114 CB&T Bank of Middle Georgia …….........................................… 175 Central Georgia Heart Institute, LLC ..................................……… 75 Central Georgia Technical College ……...................................… 177 Cheri’s Good Food & Catering ................................................... 111 Cherokee Pines Golf & Fitness Club …................…… 111, 115, 127 Church Home LifeSpring ....................................…..........…… 22-23 City of Perry …......................................................................…… 116 City of Warner Robins ……................................................… 33, 190 Clifton, Lipford, Hardison & Parker, LLC .............................…… 189 Cochran Coach Works, Inc. ..............................................……… 163 Coldwell Banker ….........................................…… Inside Front Cover Coldwell Banker - Amanda Fiebig ……....................................… 188 Colony Bank ……....................................................................… 153 Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Inc. …..............…… 188 Computers ETC …................................................................…… 191 Cool Beach Tanning .........................................................……… 191 Cornerstone Medical Associates ………............................... 60, 190 Davis Dental Care ……............................................................… 130 Dermatologic Surgery Specialists, P.C. ……............................… 140 Do It Best Houston Hardware & Garden Center …................…… 174 Easy Living Garden Center ………............................................... 178 El Bronco Mexican Restaurant …........................................…… 138 Evergreen Propane ……..........................................................… 154 Family Dental Associates …................................................…… 138 Flint Energies ….......................................................................…… 2 Forest Hill Park ……................................................................… 115 Genesis Weight Loss and Body Sculpting ……........................… 152 Georgia Artisan Center …......................................................…… 99 Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center …....................…… 164 Glass Doctor ……....................................................................… 151 Good Life Organizing …….......................................................… 150 Green Acres Baptist Church …............................................…… 128 Hamby Automotive Network, Inc ……....................… 79, Back Cover Hampton Inn …...................................................................…… 126 Heart of Georgia Hospice …….................................................… 174 Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory ….................…… 77 Houston County Galleria …..................................................…… 131 Houston County Living - Dorothy Sichelstiel …….....................… 179 Houston County Living Subscription ............................................ 98 Houston Healthcare ….......................................................…… 9, 45 J. Andrews Salon …….............................................................… 191 JWS Construction …............................................................…… 189 Kerri Moore Interiors ........................................................……… 141 Lashley Insurance Agency, Inc. - Allstate ................................... 165 Lasseter Implement Company …….........................................… 112 Loden Dental Associates .....................……… 49, Inside Back Cover Macon & Robins Bed & Mattress ……….................................... 177 Magnolia Park Cemetery & Mausoleum ……............................… 24 Market on Margie ……............................................................… 151 McCalls Tastes to Remember ……..........................................… 191 McCullough Funeral Home & Crematory …...........................…… 25

MeMe’s Boutique .........................................................……… 188 Microtel Inn & Suites …....................................................…… 176 Middle Georgia Orthopaedics …...........................................…… 1 Mike’s Tree Service & Landscaping …..............................…… 154 Mobley Furniture & Bedding ….................................…… 100, 163 Moodie’s On Site …............................................................…… 96 Moore Insurance Agency …..............................................…… 179 Morris Bank …......................................................................…… 3 My Father’s Place ….........................................................…… 150 Myers Construction Company ..........................................…… 130 Myers Industrial Construction ….......................................…… 164 OdoBan Eliminates Odors ……….............................................. 21 Oil Lamp Restaurant ….....................................................…… 165 OrthoGeorgia ..................................................................……… 78 Paul Anderson Youth Home …….............................................… 97 Pearson Farms ..................................................................……… 7 Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry ……...............................… 127 Pellicano Construction ….................................................…… 139 Perry Drug …….....................................................................… 113 Perry-Houston County Airport ….......................................…… 129 Perry Memorial Gardens ….................................................…… 88 Pet Stop …........................................................................…… 152 Phillips Furniture ……..........................................................… 139 Physicians For Women, PC ……............................................… 117 Planters First Bank …….......................................................… 129 Pool Orthodontics ….........................................................…… 101 Raccoon Store and Tile Works ……......................................… 162 Robbins & Free Realty ….............................…… Inside Front Cover Salon Fusion ...................................................................……… 63 Servpro of Houston County ……...........................................… 187 Smith Animal Hospital …..................................................…… 178 South Georgia State College …….........................................… 114 Southern Dynamic Realty …….............................................… 187 Southern Lighting ….........................................................…… 175 Southwood Animal Hospital …...........................................…… 34 Spillers Orthodontics ………...................................................... 87 Spotless Cleaning Service Inc. …........................................…… 86 State Farm - Kevin Barry ………............................................... 187 Summerhill Senior Community …….......................................… 47 Summer’s Landing of Warner Robins ……............................… 131 Surgical Associates of Warner Robins …...............................…… 5 Tangerines Tanning & Oxygen Bar …….................................… 155 That Store ..........................................................................…… 62 The Bank of Perry …..........................................................…… 189 The Butcher Shop …….........................................................… 116 The Eyewear Boutique …...................................................…… 191 The Floor Store …..............................................................…… 141 The Local Marketplace ................................................... 190-191 The Swanson …...................................................................…… 61 The Vapor Shoppe ….........................................................…… 176 The Westfield School ……....................................................… 113 Tibidabo Spa ................................................................……… 179 Upshaw General Contracting& Roofing …........................…… 190 Vision Savers …................................................................…… 179 Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services ……....................… 187 Walker Rhodes Tractor Co .............................................……… 178 Warner Robins Building Supply Co. .......................................... 46 Warner Robins E.N.T. Associates …..................................…… 128 Warner Robins Property Management ……............................… 89 Warner Robins Rehabilitation Center …............................…… 153 Watson-Hunt Funeral Home ……............................................… 48 We Care Heating & Air …..................................................…… 126 Westmoreland & Slappey Animal Hospital ……...................… 155 Your Grill Cleaner ……..........................................................… 112

Please thank these sponsors for making this publication possible!

192

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1101 Washington Street Perry, GA 31069 Residential (478) 987-0763 Commercial (478) 218-2600

1271 S. Houston Lake Road Warner Robins, GA 31088 (478) 218-8052 Residential (478) 218-2600 Commercial

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information@robbinsfree.com

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The Donald Free School of Real Estate is located in Warner Robins, Georgia.

We offer online & In class courses

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1267 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins · www.lodendental.com · Offic 478.923.0253 | www.lodendental.com | 1267 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, Georgia

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HAMBY AUTOMOTIVE NETWORK, INC.

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478.987.2122 | www.hamby.com | I -75 Exit 134 in Perry

Heart and soul This renovation project has been one that is near to Kerri and Bob Moore’s hearts.

The Nurse Angel Mrs Hazel Colson is a true blessing to so many people.

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Falling into Place Mitzi and her family’s journey can be compared to a giant jigsaw puzzle.

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