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Little Ocmulgee River
Quality of life
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Welcome to the Midstate While the culture in the Midstate is traditionally Southern, the presence of Robins Air Force Base and the numerous colleges and universities insures an influx of national and international residents whose influences create a more eclectic lifestyle than many Southern cities. There’s rural or urban, country or classic, Southern or International, historic or contemporary, casual or upscale, educational or recreational in Midstate. We have just about everything for everyone. Macon and Warner Robins are big enough to offer most amenities associated with city life but still small enough to escape the hassles. For example, the city of Atlanta has 3,161.1 people per square mile while the Midstate’s most populous county, Bibb, only has 622.3 people per square mile. This statistic demonstrates something else we don’t have besides snow - traffic. Other area cities such as Forsyth, Perry, Dublin, Hawkinsville and Fort Valley have charming historic downtowns with all the advantages of small-town life but within minutes of the dining, shopping and entertainment venues in Macon and Warner Robins. It’s hard to think about the South without thinking about barbecue, fried chicken and biscuits slathered in gravy. The Midstate has plenty of local restaurants serving traditional home-style cooking. One of the most famous is the Whistle Stop Café in Juliette where the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes” was filmed in 1991. But there is also fine dining options and ethnic fare. Innovative Southern cuisine is featured at Forsyth’s Grits Café. Authentic French cuisine is served at the Back Burner in Macon. Also in Macon are two regionally acclaimed Italian restaurants, Marco and Natalia’s. Downtown Macon also has the Tic Toc Room, featuring contemporary continental cuisine, and the more traditional Downtown Grill, which is carrying on the standard of fine dining at its tucked-away location where a string of popular restaurants have thrived for years. You will find restaurants serving Indian, Greek, Thai, Japanese, Mexican, French, Italian, Chinese and American. Macon’s Nu-Way Weiners has been serving its famous hot dogs since 1916 and has been featured in numerous national magazines and television shows
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Monticello Historic District including being rated as one of the top 10 hot dog joints in America by Gourmet magazine. Ingleside Village Pizza is another local legend in Macon with their hand-tossed pizza and the largest selection of imported beers in the area. The classy-meets-casual Market City Cafe offers a variety of lunch and dinner options and unbelievably decadent desserts. Entertainment options are bountiful as well. The Grand Opera House has a full season of nationally touring Broadway shows and concerts. The Macon City Auditorium, the Macon Coliseum and the Georgia National Fairgrounds are the venues for popular entertainers including Alan Jackson and Blake Shelton and the JaneDear girls this fall. Music lovers have their choice from Macon Symphony’s classical to Bragg Jam’s rock/ folk/alternative to Georgia National Fair’s country stars, and the Cox Capitol Theatre in downtown Macon is an increasingly popular concert venue. Midstate residents also love the theatre and there are six amateur theatre groups as well as college productions.
Antiques & Outdoors With so much history in Midstate, it’s no surprise at the number of antique shops. The Monroe County community of Bolingbroke 14 l Midstate
Milledgeville has a cluster of antique and specialty gift shops as does Ingleside Village in Macon. Byron has Big Peach Antiques, an antique mall with more than 200 dealers. Most major retailers have a presence in either Macon or Warner Robins and many have stores in both cities. The Shoppes at River Crossing is the newest major retail development. This 750,000-square-foot open-air center has two department stores, five mid-size anchor stores, numerous restaurants and more than 40 specialty shops. Also in Macon is a mammoth Bass Pro Shops that has a replica water wheel and an 8,000-gallon aquarium
stocked with native fish. And there are enough fishermen, boaters, hikers, campers and hunters to keep the doors of Bass Pro Shops swinging open. Besides the Ocmulgee River, Laurens County has the 109-acre Hugh M. Gillis Public Fishing Area, Jones County has Lake Juliette and Bibb County has Lake Tobesofkee for dangling a line. Hikers enjoy the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge in Jones County and the fascinating trails to the top of prehistoric American Indian mounds at Ocmulgee National Monument in Bibb County. Staying physically active is easy in the Midstate. The climate is perfect for yearround golf, tennis, running and biking. There are 20 golf courses, and 14 of those are in Houston and Bibb counties. The Macon Tennis Association has been coordinating tennis leagues and tennis lessons for nearly 40 years and frequently hosts USTA regional tournaments. Runners would wear out their shoes if they tried to compete in all of the local races. Macon Tracks and Robins Pacers running clubs help runners stay informed of events such as the Museum of Aviation Marathon in Warner Robins and the Labor Day 10K in Macon. Pulaski County’s Southern Hills Golf Club has been named one of the top five courses in the United 2011/2012
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States for value and service. Just as recreational opportunities are plentiful, so are educational opportunities. There are eight post-secondary educational institutions offering everything from doctoral degrees in medicine to associate degrees in carpentry. If you don’t want to earn a college degree but would like to explore new interests, there are classes in a wide variety of subjects such as creative writing, interior decorating, blogging and bird watching as part of continuing education programs. Museums provide intellectual stimulation as well. The Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins is one of the nation’s largest aviation museums with more than 100 aircraft as well as interactive displays of Air Force history. The Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon has a planetarium, observatory, live animal programs, rotating art exhibits and an interactive Discovery House specially designed for children. Macon’s downtown Museum district is home to the Georgia Children’s Museum, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the Tubman African American Museum. In a way, the entire area is a museum. Sherman’s troops left this part of Georgia almost completely intact during the Civil War. Macon has more than 5,500 structures and 11 districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are architectural examples of Victorian, neoclassical, renaissance, Greek revival, Italianate and bungalows. Founded in 1840, Rose Hill Cemetery is also listed on the National Register as one of the oldest surviving public cemeteries and final resting place of over 1,000 Confederate and Union soldiers. Other Midstate towns have historic districts as well. Dublin’s Commercial Historic District includes architectural samples dating from 1875-1974. Forsyth, Perry, Hawkinsville and Fort Valley have similar historic downtowns. The Old Clinton Historic District in Jones County has 12 homes built between 1808 and 1830 and is included on the Georgia Antebellum Trail.
Affordable Housing In addition to historic neighborhoods, contemporary residential developments are also available at surprisingly affordable rates compared to state and national averages. The two biggest counties, Bibb and Houston, have median house values at $115,200 and $128,400 respectively. These values are well under the state of Georgia’s median value of $160,100 and the United State’s value at $185,400. Affordable real estate is one of the many reasons people choose to relocate here. 2011/2012
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Serving All Middle Georgia Real Estate Needs! Warner Robins 478-953-8595 Jimmy Ballard
Macon Milledgeville 478-745-3991 478-453-4200
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
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Associate Broker Graduate, Realtors Institute Certified Residential Specialist (478) 745-3991 EXT 268 OFFICE (478) 737-0119 800-283-2449 malloryjones@cbssk.com
1501 Bass Road Macon, GA 31210 www.cbssk.com
www.maconrealtor.com
Donna Bass REALTOR®
Multiple Realtors Working for You!
(478) 365-9092 CELL dbass@cbssk.com 1501 Bass Road Macon, GA 31210
Sharon Falls REALTOR®
(478) 745-3991 EXT 253 (478) 951-2612 CELL sfalls@cbssk.com
Middle Georgia’s Winning Team Members of 3 MLS’s
Michael Walker, GRI REALTOR®
(478) 745-3991 EXT 332 (478) 972-0522 CELL mwalker@cbssk.com
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(478) 745-3991 EXT 253 OFFICE (478) 972-9057 CELL (800) 283-2449 EXT 253 TOLL FREE shall@cbssk.com
Rita Schrader
Associate Broker, REALTOR® (478) 745-3991 EXT 269 (478) 808-5696 CELL rschrader@cbssk.com
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Linda Hamm
Associate Broker, REALTOR® (478) 745-3991 EXT 260 (478) 808-7622 CELL lhamm@cbssk.com
1501 Bass Road Macon, GA 31210 www.coldwellbankermacon.com
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Broker Associate Lifetime Million Dollar Club
REALTOR®
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Same day loan decision or we pay you $250. We guarantee you close on time. (478) 7318613 (478) 9979454 NMLS #: 151343 NMLS #: 151959 sherry.gay@mortgagefamily.com
1501 Bass Rd. Macon, GA 31210
karen.camarota@mortgagefamily.com
470 S. Houston Lake Rd. Warner Robins, GA 31088
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Another reason is convenient, quality healthcare. The medical community in Macon numbers over 15,000. Bibb County has 37 doctors per 10,000, which is considerably higher than the state average of 10 per 10,000. Macon is the home to the region’s only level one trauma center and dedicated children’s hospital. As the geographic middle of Georgia with interstates 75 and 16 bisecting the region, there is easy accessibility to Atlanta’s international airport and the ports of Savannah and Brunswick. Central Georgia has become popular as a transportation, distribution and manufacturing hub. There’s another great advantage to our location. Vacations! It’s not just companies that have easy accessibility to transportation, we do too. HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport is only 80 miles from Macon. The Atlanta airport serves 151 U.S. destinations and 80 international destinations, which translates to a lot of direct flights for Midstate residents. Beaches? Georgia’s barrier islands have a myriad of towns and resorts for sandy holidays and travel time is around three hours. Mountains? The southernmost part of the beautiful Appalachian mountain range in north Georgia is within a four-hour drive. It’s hard to ignore our Southern summers they’re hot. But that’s why air conditioning was invented. What we sacrifice in the summer is well worth the delightful temperatures we enjoy the rest of the year. We have enough climate change to produce brilliant fall foliage and explosions of spring blossoms. In fact, spring is so gorgeous that we have festivals to celebrate. Macon has more than 300,000 Yoshino Cherry trees to turn the town pink during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Forsyth aptly celebrates with the Forsythia Festival and Perry has a Dogwood Festival. Although we do experience short bouts of belowfreezing weather in the winter, we can also have temperatures in the 60s, which makes Midstate golfers very happy. There is great weather, notable architecture, quality education and healthcare, cultural events, recreational outlets and business opportunities. It’s a place where you can catch a prize-winning striped bass in the morning and see a Broadway show at night. You can run a marathon and then celebrate at a French restaurant. Or maybe you would like to sit on the front porch of your 100-year-old Victorian home and share a glass of wine with your neighbors on a mild October evening. Here, we something for everyone – except snow and traffic. 2011/2012
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Education
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Midstate boasts variety of choices to fit any student Even before the Federal No Child Left Behind (NLB) Act of 2001, Georgia’s Governor Roy Barnes signed into effect the A Plus Education Reform Act in 2000. This legislation provided for an independent office in the education system to develop state-wide testing standards for K-12 students. Schools and school systems are graded on Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) based on these achievement tests. Beginning in 2005, the state’s curriculum received a major overhaul in order to meet national standards. Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) increased the coverage of key content areas and emphasized steady progression in skills. The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, an education research group, rated GPS as the fifth-best curriculum in the nation. GPS also provides teachers with guidelines and activities to enhance the classroom experience. Georgia launched a state lottery in 1993 to fund educational programs. The Hope Scholarship provides Georgia students with tuition, mandatory fees and a book allowance when they attend Georgia public universities, colleges or technical schools. To be eligible for the scholarship, students have to earn a 3.0 grade point average in core curriculum classes. More than $6.6 billion in lottery proceeds have been allocated to more than 1.3 million college students. Also funded by the lottery is Bright from the Start, Georgia’s nationally recognized pre-k program. State-funded pre-k centers provide high quality pre-school experiences to prepare children for elementary school. This state-wide program has spent $4 billion on 1.1 million children. The Midstate is well represented with 88 state-funded pre-k sites. Midstate counties have followed the state of Georgia’s lead in committing resources to providing quality education. In 2009, Bibb County voters approved the extension of an Education Special Purpose Local Options Tax (ESPLOST) to fund future
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facilities improvement projects. The funds raised from the 2005 ESPLOST allowed the Bibb County Board of Education to construct new school buildings and remodel existing facilities. One of the recently completed projects included the new Northwoods Academy, an early childhood learning center. Bibb County is Midstate’s second largest school district with approximately 24,000 students. Serving more than 25,000 students in 38 schools, Houston County is the area’s largest school district. Students consistently perform above state average in SAT scores and have a much higherthan-state-average graduation rate. Monroe County, another Midstate county, was proud to announce that 100 percent of its schools met Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2009 and 2010. Midstate families also have the option of several excellent private schools. Montessori of Macon, First Presbyterian Day School, Stratford Academy, Tattnal Square Academy and Central Fellowship Christian Academy are located in Macon. Westfield Schools in Perry, Monroe Academy in Forsyth and Trinity Christian School in Dublin also offer high quality educational experiences in Midstate. For those seeking Catholic parochial schools, Macon has St. Joseph’s School, St. Peter Claver School and Mount de Sales Academy. Sacred Heart serves students in Houston County. St. Joseph’s School has the distinction of being the oldest primary school in the area. It opened in 1872 as part of St. Joseph’s Church. For students who need an individualized educational environment, Woodfield Academy is an independent, non-profit school in Macon that serves the Midstate by providing individualized instruction for students in grades 2 through12. Woodfield was established in 1997 by a concerned group of parents whose children struggled with learning differences and were not being effectively served. Their goal was to create a safe and supportive environment where their children could be successful. The school is accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission, and is a member of the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA).
Colleges & Universities Midstate is home to three historic universities. Wesleyan College in Macon opened in 1836 and was the first college in the world to offer degrees to women. Established in 1833 in Macon, Mercer University has a long tradition of academic excellence including the Walter F. George 24 l Midstate
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Fort Valley State University I Fort Valley
Macon State College I Macon
Mercer University I Macon 26 l Midstate
Wesleyan College I Macon
Georgia College and State University I Milledgeville 2011/2012
Excellence Never Rests Since itS founding in 1960, Stratford Academy’s core purpose has been to provide superior prepara-
tion for our students to excel at college and in life. So what does a school recognized throughout the southeast for excellence in college preparation provide a student? The Class of 2011 was accepted to over 70 colleges across the U.S. and will matriculate at 28 colleges and universities including out-of-state choices Harvard, Wake Forest, Northwestern, Texas Christian University, Mercyhurst, Washington and Lee, Notre Dame, Auburn, Universities of North Carolina and South Carolina, as well as in-state favorites such as University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Emory, Mercer and Georgia Southern. These graduates’ experiences at Stratford have not only prepared them for admission to these schools, but will continue to prepare them for excellence at this level and beyond. This is why Stratford believes that Excellence Never Rests and it is our purpose to educate students for the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Stratford academy 6010 Peake Road, Macon, Georgia 31220 • (478) 477-8073 • www.stratford.org
123,745 3,378 1982 1,232 949 422 176 99.9
Student community service hours since 1989 Alumni in 50 states and 12 countries Year that Stratford first received SACS accreditation Years of teaching experience for Stratford’s full-time faculty Students currently enrolled Students named AP Scholars since 1997 Athletic state championship titles in 10 sports Percent of students matriculate at four-year colleges and universities
51 33 26 18
One-act play and literary teams recognized at state competition Years that the Stratford Debate Team has won the state title. For 30 years, a Stratford student has been named the top debater in the state and the Debate Team has qualified for the National Tournament of Champions. Percent of Stratford students who received AP Scholar designations in 2010 compared to the national average of 18% Number of Stratford students since 1997 who have been named National Merit Semi-finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Program
100 percent of the Stratford Academy Class of 2011 will matriculate at 28 colleges and universities.
What do you call a historic statE univErsity that fEEls likE an ElitE privatE collEgE?
closE to pErfEct.
Visit gcsu.edu/admissions to schedule a campus visit, get more info and apply!
facebook.com/GaCollege • twitter.com/GeorgiaCollege • (478) 445-2774 2011/2012
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Oconee Fall Line Technical College I Dublin
Middle Georgia Technical College I Warner Robins
GCSU I Macon
Central Georgia Technical College I Macon
Mercer University I Macon 28 l Midstate
Macon State College I Macon 2011/2012
School of Law, one of the oldest law schools in the country. In Peach County, Fort Valley State University was founded in 1895 to offer education to African Americans and is one of three historically African-American colleges in Georgia. In addition to these revered institutions, students can further their education at several excellent state colleges and technical schools.
Mercer University 1400 coleman Avenue, Macon 31207 • (478) 301-2650 • www.mercer.edu For 12 consecutive years, US News and World Report has ranked Mercer University as one of the top ten schools in the South. The Princeton Review named Mercer’s business and law programs among the best in the nation. Approximately 8,000 students are enrolled in 11 different fields of study including business, engineering, education, nursing, law, medicine and music. The School of Medicine opened in 1982 with a commitment to serve the health care needs of Georgia’s medically underserved areas. Only legal residents of Georgia are accepted into the program. Mercer’s Townsend School of Music is nationally recognized for its state-of-theart facilities, award-winning students and outstanding faculty. Mercer also has campuses in Atlanta and Savannah.
Wesleyan College 4760 Forsyth Road, Macon 31210 • (800) 477-6610 • (478) 757-5139 • www.wesleyancollege.edu Founded in 1836, Wesleyan College was the first in the world to offer degrees to women. Wesleyan College continues the tradition with 31 major and 26 minor programs for Bachelor of Arts degrees for undergraduate women as well as 8 pre-professional fields of study. The Master of Education and the Master of Business Administration programs are open to both women and men. Wesleyan is consistently recognized for academic achievement and is regarded as one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the nation. In 2011, the Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan College as the 9th “Best Value” Private College in the country. The campus features stately white-columned Georgian-style buildings surrounding a classic quadrangle and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 2011/2012
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Mercer University is nationally ranked above the competition. Giving our graduates a competitive edge is what we do best. Schedule your campus tour at mercer.edu/bear. Š2010 Mercer University
2011/2012 MERCO 3386.indd
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Tattnall is a PK-12th grade college preparatory Christian school, accredited by SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) and SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools).
www.tattnall.org
Fort v valley State University 1005 State University Dr., Fort Valley 31030 • (478) 825-6211 • www.fvsu.edu This historically black college was founded in 1895 as Fort Valley High and Industrial School. It has continued to grow to offer undergraduate degrees in more than 50 majors and Master’s degrees in Education, Counseling and Public Health. FVSU became affiliated with the University System of Georgia in 1939. One of the school’s most unique fields of study is the cooperative development energy program that prepares students for careers in the energy industry. FVSU maintains an enrollment of about 3,500 students. Campus life is very active, with students participating in more than 70 organizations and clubs.
Macon State College Highest achieving Math team among Macon public and independent schools (2008 - 2011) Graduates attending UGA, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, Mercer, Auburn, and NYU Mission projects beginning in Pre - K through 12th Grade Over 10,000 hours of service to the Macon area annually 10 Advanced Placement Courses
111 Trojan Trail, Macon 31210 | 478.477.6760
100 College Station Drive, Macon 31206 • (478) 471-2700 • www.maconstate.edu Founded in 1968 as a junior college with 1,100 students, Macon State has grown to an enrollment of more than 6,200 students offering 18 bachelors of science and arts degree programs. With an enrollment increase of 75% in the last 12 years, it has one of the highest growth rates in the University System of Georgia. Macon State specializes in professional programs that benefit the economic vitality of Central Georgia including Nursing, Early Childhood Development, Information Technology and Health Services Administration, with campuses in Macon and Warner Robins and facilities at Robins Air Force Base. Macon State began a new era in 2010 with the opening of College Station, an on-campus housing community. Resident students enjoy a traditional college experience in the specially-designed apartment suites.
georgia College & State University 231 W. Hancock St., Milledgeville 31061 • (478) 445-5004 • (800) 342-0471 • www.gcsu.edu gCSU Macon Center for graduate & professional Learning Thomas Jefferson Building 433 Cherry St., Macon 31206 • (478) 752-4278
gCSU Robins Center 620 Ninth St., Ste. 113, Robins AFB 31098 • (478) 327-7376
Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville offers 36 undergraduate degrees and more than 25 graduate programs in four colleges: the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education and the College of Health Sciences. Founded in 1889, the campus is a part of Milledgeville’s historic downtown and 32 l Midstate
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tECHnICaL COLLEgES Technical colleges offer students the opportunity to learn marketable skills to meet the needs of local employers in fields such as health care, information technology, industrial trades and public services. The Technical College System of Georgia operates 28 technical colleges throughout the state, with three in the Midstate.
Central georgia t technical College 3300 Macon Tech Dr., Macon 31206 • (478) 757-3400 • centralgatech.edu This two-year public commuter college with an enrollment of more than 10,000 students offers academic programs and services, adult education, continuing education and customized business and industry services. CGTC has education centers in Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Jones, Monroe, Putnam and Twiggs counties and campuses in Macon and Milledgeville. CGTC is a member of Georgia Virtual Technical College which offers courses and programs online.
Oconee Fall Line t technical College (Formerly Heart of Georgia Technical College)
560 Pinehill Rd, Dublin 31021 • (478) 275-6589 • (800) 200-4484 • www.oftc.edu On July 1, 2011, the Heart of Georgia Technical College and the Sandersville Technical College merged to form the Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) serving 11 counties in western Georgia. Heart of Georgia Technical College opened in Dublin in 1967. The new college will have campuses in Sandersville and Dublin, as well as Louisville, Sparta and Helena.
www.mountdesales.net
features Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion, one of the finest examples of Greek revival architecture in the country. GCSU has two satellite campuses. The Macon Center for Graduate and Professional Learning, located downtown, offers more than 25 graduate degree programs. The Warner Robins Graduate Center and Logistics Education Center is located on Robins Air Force Base.
OPEN HOUSE Sunday, November 13 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 9 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
135 Years of Excellence in Catholic Education Grades 6-12 851 Orange Street Macon, GA 31201 478.751.3240
first for women Being a Wesleyan woman means never having to apologize for your intellect, values, drive, and commitment to success. – Sarah Hudson ’11
Middle georgia t technical College 80 Cohen Walker Dr., Warner Robins • (478) 988-6800 • (800) 474-1031 • www.middlegatech.edu This two-year postsecondary college provides instruction in business and technology, health care and human services and specialized industrial technology. Middle Georgia Technical College (MGTC) also provides adult literacy programs for Houston, Peach, Pulaski and Dooley counties, its service area. MGTC offers more than 100 courses in traditional classrooms and online. 2011/2012
At the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women, First for Women isn’t just a claim to fame – it’s a philosophy that separates our learning community from all others. Find out more! Macon, GA 800.447.6610 wesleyancollege.edu Midstate i 33
Health Care
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Midstate residents are fortunate to have access to excellent medical care. In addition to general medicine, highly specialized services are also readily available such as comprehensive cancer treatments, Level 1 Trauma, advanced cardiac surgeries and Level III neonatal intensive care. One reason Midstate’s health care systems are so extensive is because five of the area’s postsecondary educational institutions offer degrees in the medical field. Mercer University’s School of Medicine uses the Medical Center of Central Georgia as its primary teaching hospital. MCCG also offers residency-training programs in general surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology. With a steady influx of new doctors, nurses and other health care providers, Midstate hospitals are able to offer a wider range of specialty medicines than are typically found in comparable population centers. Hospitals are located in Bibb, Houston, Peach, Monroe and Laurens counties.
Medical Center of Central georgia Macon, bibb county 777 hemlock street Macon, Ga. 31201 478-633-1000 www.mccg.org The oldest hospital in Midstate, the Medical Center of Central Georgia, opened in 1895 with four private rooms and 16 ward beds. It has grown considerably since then and is now the second largest hospital in the state of Georgia. MCCG is a full-service, acute care hospital licensed for 637 beds serving 30 counties in Central Georgia. Part of the Central Georgia Health System, MCCG is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation owned by Macon-Bibb Hospital Authority. There are only three Level 1 Trauma centers in Georgia outside of metro Atlanta and one is located at MCCG. Serving the entire central Georgia region, MCCG has a fleet of 40 ambulances and treats more than 120,000 patients annually with its three urgent care centers. The Georgia Heart Center of MCCG opened the Albert Luce Jr. Heart Institute in 2008. This new $87 million building was specially designed for comprehensive treatment of cardiac disease including diagnostic testing rooms and surgical procedures. The Georgia Heart Center performs approximately 750 open heart surgeries annually. Founded in 1987, The Children’s Hospital at The Medical Center of Central Georgia treats over 45,000 children from 29 primary counties and 55 secondary counties in Central and South
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Medical Center of Central Georgia i Macon
Coliseum Health System i Macon
Houston Healthcare i Warner Robins and Perry 36 l Midstate
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Georgia each year. This 112-bed facility has a 34-bed general pediatric unit, 22-bed pediatric critical care unit, 42-bed neonatal intensive care unit and a 14-bed Level II Nursery. The Children’s Hospital Outpatient Services (CHOPS) unit provides a variety of outpatient procedures to include X-Rays, MRIs, CAT Scans, endoscopies and sickle cell transfusions. Hope for Kids is a childand family-friendly outpatient oncology and hematology center for treatment and support.. The Cancer Life Center uses a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment and management of cancer specializing in breast, gastrointestinal, colorectal, lung and pediatric oncology. Central Georgia Rehabilitation Hospital partners with MCCG to provide an 58-bed rehabilitation center.
Coliseum Health System Macon, Bibb County
Forsyth Street Orthopaedics – Middle Georgia’s most trusted name in Orthopaedic Care for over 30 years
Coliseum Medical Centers 350 Hospital Drive Macon, Ga. 31217 (478) 765-7000 www.coliseumhealthsystem.com Coliseum Northside Hospital 400 Charter Blvd. Macon, Ga. 31210 (478) 757-8200 Coliseum Center for Behavioral Health 340 Hospital Drive Macon, Ga. 31217 (478) 741-1355 Coliseum Health System includes Coliseum Medical Center, Coliseum Northside Hospital and Coliseum Center for Behavioral Health in Macon. Coliseum has been serving the Midstate for over 40 years and provides many special medical services to the community including emergency medicine, oncology, diabetes management, wound treatment, neonatal intensive care unit Level III and joint replacement rehabilitation. Committed to embracing the latest technologies, Coliseum uses the da Vinci Surgical System that allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgeries. Coliseum is the only hospital system in Macon to offer all private rooms and wireless internet for patients and families. Emergency room wait times are posted on the Web site or can be accessed by text messaging. The Coliseum Cancer Institute specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer including lung, prostate, colorectal and breast. The Coliseum Breast Center has been nationally accredited by the Accreditation Program for Breast Centers of the American College of Surgeons. The Coliseum Orthopedic and Spine Institute provides intensive physical therapy and rehabilitation for joint replacement patients. Coliseum has been named a “Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery” by the Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia. 2011/2012
Getting Better Together We continue to serve generations of families because we take the time to listen and work together as a team. From your diagnosis and treatment through your rehabilitation, we know the importance of compassion and communication. It’s all about your experience at Forsyth Street Orthopaedics – and we want it to be a good one, every step of the way!
Our referring physicians and patients trust us and we’ve worked hard to develop and maintain that trust. So, when you’re looking for orthopaedic care, call Forsyth Street Orthopaedics – Middle Georgia’s most trusted name in Orthopaedic Care for over 30 years.
Getting Better Together Forsyth Street Orthopaedics • Surgery Center • Rehab Center • Imaging Center 1600 Forsyth Street (corner of I-75 & Forsyth St) in Macon • 743.3000 • www.forsythstreetortho.com ( l-r top: Drs. Slappey, Beringer, Pope, Stapleton; l-r bottom: Drs. Hattaway, Kelly, Richardson)
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Medical Center of Central Georgia i Macon
volunteer Clinics For those who need medical care but are uninsured and don’t qualify for public assistance, there are two volunteer clinics in Midstate. they offer primary medical care, laboratory tests, x-rays, limited eye exams and dental care, and non-narcotic prescription medicines. All services are free of charge. Patients must be residents of that clinic’s county, uninsured, employed, between the ages of 18-64 and have a valid social security number. there are also income limits. Macon v volunteer clinic opened in February 2003 and has already served 1,750 patients and volunteers have donated 4,318 hours in direct care and support. houston county v volunteer clinic opened in January 2005. The physicians, nurses, technicians and administration staff volunteer their time to provide these services.
Macon volunteer Clinic 376 rogers Ave. Macon, Ga. 31204 (478) 755-1110 maconvolunteerclinic.com
Houston County volunteer Clinic 125 Russell Pkwy. Warner robins, Ga. 31088 (478) 923-9730 www.hhc.org/volunteer 38 l Midstate
Coliseum Center for Behavioral Health provides treatment for adults with psychiatric and addiction issues including inpatient care, outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, chemical dependency services and the Senior Center. The Family Ties Birthing Center includes family-centered childbirth assisted by expert medical and nursing staffs as well as the 13-bed Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Other specialties include the Coliseum Advanced Wound Care Center and the Diabetes Management Center.
Houston Healthcare Warner robins & Perry, houston county Houston Medical Center 1601 Watson blvd. Warner robins, Ga. 31093 www.hhc.org (478) 922-4281 perry Hospital 1120 Morningside drive Perry, Ga. 31069 (478) 987-3600 With 2,100 employees and 150 physicians, Houston Healthcare serves the medical needs of the fastest growing county in Midstate. More than 300,000 patients a year are treated or examined in Houston Healthcare’s group of hospitals and health centers. Houston Medical Center in Warner Robins is a 237-bed facility that is also home to The Surgery Center, the Houston Heart Institute, the Houston Pain Treatment Center, the Women’s Center, and Health Connections Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Houston Health Pavilion on Carl Vinson Parkway in Warner Robins includes the Pavilion Rehabilitation Center, Pavilion Diagnostic Center, Pavilion Med-Stop, and Educare Community Health Education. At the Health Connections Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center, patients are given an individualized exercise regimen by qualified exercise physiologists and are supervised during their sessions by registered nurses and respiratory therapists using advanced
EKG and Pulse Oximetry monitors. Patients may begin exercise rehabilitation two weeks after discharge from the hospital and valet parking is provided for them. The Women’s Center features birthing suites that allow new mothers to labor, deliver and recover in the same family-friendly room. The rooms are equipped with Skytron lights and fetal monitoring systems. Perry Hospital is a 45-bed facility that also offers the Surgery Center for laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures. Hospice of Houston County operates Serenity Gate at Perry Hospital. This center has six patient suites, a family kitchen and a staff experienced in hospice and palliative care. Houston Healthcare also provides three convenient Med-Stop locations for minor injuries and illnesses.
Fairview park Hospital dublin, laurens county 200 Industrial blvd. dublin, Ga. 31021 (478) 275-2000 www.fairviewparkhospital.com This 190-bed facility provides a 24-hour emergency room, acute-care, inpatient and outpatient surgery options and rehabilitation services for the residents of Laurens County and neighboring communities. Fairview Park treated over 75,000 patients last year and had more than 32,000 emergency visits. While serving the community with basic medical care is the primary function of the hospital, it also provides several specialty services. The Same Day Surgery Facility offers a wide range of outpatient surgical procedures including orthopedic, thoracic, obstetric, and urologic. The Sleep Center, accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, diagnoses and treats patients with sleep-related illnesses. The Fairview Fitness Park is a fullservice exercise center that blends traditional fitness with preventative care.
Monroe County Hospital Forsyth, Monroe county 88 Martin luther King Jr. drive Forsyth, Ga. 31029 (478) 994-2521 www.monroehospital.org When Monroe County Hospital opened in 1957, registered nurses were paid $270 a month. A lot has changed since then including the original location. A new building was constructed in 1976 and now has 25 beds, a 24-hour emergency room, radiology and laboratory services, surgery and endoscopy, physical therapy and diabetes support. In addition to standard acute care, Monroe County Hospital also offers skilled nursing care, or the Swing Bed program. This option is suitable for patients that require sub-acute care while recovering from surgeries or injuries and are receiving physical therapy and IV medications. 2011/2012
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Carl vinson va Medical Center dublin, laurens county Carl vinson va Hospital 1826 veterans v blvd. dublin, Ga. 31021 (478) 272-1210 www.dublin.va.gov Macon cboc 5398 Thomaston Rd. Macon, Ga. 31220 (478) 476-8868 Perry cboc 2370 s. houston lake road Kathleen, Ga. 31047 (478) 224-1309 Coliseum Health System i Macon Services include emergency, surgery, radiology and a cardiac rehabilitation and wellness program. Peach Regional Medical Center also offers extended care to patients requiring rehabilitation services. In June 2011, Peach Regional Medical Center announced a partnership with Central Georgia Health Systems to enhance health care services to Peach County residents. One of the goals of the center’s partnership with Central Georgia Health Systems is the construction of a new facility to replace the aging building that is currently being used.
peach Regional Medical Center Fort valley v , Peach county 601 blue bird blvd. Fort valley v , Ga. 31030 (478) 825-8691 www.peachregional.org This 25-bed, acute care hospital was designated a Critical Access Hospital by the Office of Rural Health Policy and was awarded the Gold Seal of Approval by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
Opened in 1948, approximately 800 employees provide comprehensive health care to veterans in Middle and South Georgia. Services include cardiology, mental health, pharmacy, primary care, general surgery and women’s health. There are 34 medical and surgical beds, 161 nursing home care beds and 145 domiciliary care beds including the Homeless Vet Program. Mental health services are available for posttraumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and general psychiatric care. In addition to the main hospital in Dublin, the Veteran’s Administration operates two community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC) in Macon and Perry.
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Meeting the Health Care Needs of Our Community
Houston Medical Center
Perry Hospital
1601 Watson Boulevard, Warner Robins (478) 922-4281
1120 Morningside Drive, Perry (478) 987-3600
Houston Heart Institute • The Surgery Center • Pavilion Diagnostic Center Pavilion Rehab Center • Houston Lake Rehab Pavilion Med-Stop • Houston Lake Med-Stop • Lake Joy Med-Stop Health Connections Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab • Physician Referral & Health Information
www.hhc.org 2011/2012
CONNECTING PEOPLE, COMMUNITY & CARE Midstate I 41
Retiring
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MIDDLE gEORgIa
Beautiful weather, affordable living & friendly neighbors Deciding on where to retire depends on personal likes and dislikes. Some people have to see the ocean every day and others can’t stand the heat. There are people who want to travel the world and others who want nothing more than to play a daily round of golf. Regardless of personal preferences, there are criteria that are generally important to everyone, and these factors can make an area more attractive to retirees. Some of these include convenient medical services, affordable housing and opportunities for recreation, adult education, culture, entertainment and travel. Beautiful Middle Georgia offers all this and more for retirees.
HEaLt L H CaRE Lt Having convenient, adequate medical care is important to the quality of life of retirees. Bibb County is home to three hospitals including the Medical Center of Central Georgia, which is the second-largest, full-service hospital in Georgia. The Medical Center has one of only three Level 1 Trauma centers outside of metro Atlanta. Coliseum Medical Centers offer two private hospitals in Macon with a range of services from cardiac care and orthopedics to cancer and obstetrics. The Carl Vinson VA Hospital in Laurens County provides comprehensive medical care for veterans living in Middle Georgia and has community-based outpatient clinics in Macon and Perry. Houston County Hospital is a full-service facility in Houston County. Hospitals are also located in Laurens County, Monroe County and Peach County.
aFFORDaBLE HOUSIng Many Midstate communities are proud of their charming historic districts with beautiful
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old homes. Living in an old house brings back memories of long ago summers sitting on the porch and sipping lemonade. But that’s not the only option for housing. All of the Midstate communities also have contemporary housing developments at a variety of price points. Whether retirees want a home with plenty of land for their prize rose garden, or they hate yard work and would prefer a townhouse, The Midstate has affordable real estate options. The United States median house value is $185,400. Compare that to Houston County at $128,400, Jones County at $124,400, Bibb County at $115,200 and Laurens County at $88,400. There are also several, beautiful retirement communities that offer independent living, assisted care and continuing care.
RECREatIOn Golf and fishing always comes to mind when retirement is discussed and Midstate has ample opportunity for those pastimes. But it also has hunting, boating, tennis, bridge club, and yoga classes. There are 20 golf courses in the featured Midstate counties with 14 of them located in Bibb and Houston. The quiet, serene Lake Juliette offers one of the best fishing holes in the area and is known for prize-winning striped bass. There’s also numerous other lakes and streams for dangling a line. Lake Tobesofkee has 1,800 acres of water perfect for boating and skiing. Macon Tennis Association provides year-around tennis with USTA sanctioned leagues and tournaments. Macon and Warner Robins have duplicate bridge clubs with games scheduled nearly every day of the week. Regular exercise is important for retirees and the Midstate offers a wide range of fitness and rehabilitation facilities with programs specific to seniors. The Wellness Center in Macon offers the Silver Sneaker Fitness Program and a range of aquatic exercise classes as well as yoga and ball room dancing.
aDUL EDUCatIOn aDULt With four universities and several technical colleges, anyone in the Midstate can go back to school and study for a real estate license or take a photography class or learn French or learn how to design their own website. Whatever interests or hobbies retirees would like to explore in their leisure time, the postsecondary schools in Midstate can help.
CULt UL URE & EntERta ULt t InMEnt ta Retirees here can enjoy a national touring production of a hit Broadway show one weekend and then browse through the arts & 44 l Midstate
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Warm Springs
Lake Oconee
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Macon
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Baldwin County
Monticello
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crafts at a festival the next. They can listen to Beethoven played by the Macon Symphony Orchestra one night and enjoy a free jazz performance in the park the next morning. They can also star in a show. There are five community theater groups in Midstate that welcome new actors. Art galleries, museums, concerts and movies are all readily available.
Forest Pointe
“An Address of Distinction”
tRavEL Whether it’s a quick trip to visit grandchildren or a two-week jaunt through Europe, having easy access to interstates and airports is important. The Atlanta International Airport serves 151 United States destinations and 80 international destinations and is only an hour’s drive away. With Interstates 75 and 16 located in Midstate, travelers can make quick weekend trips to the beaches on the east coast or the mountains in the north.
COSt OF LIvIng The state of Georgia is friendly to seniors with the Georgia Retirement Income Exclusion Act Legislation that allows Georgia residents, 62 years and older, to exclude some of their retirement income from taxation. In 2011, taxpayers can exclude $35,000 of unearned income (interest, dividends, capital gains, pensions and annuities) and $4,000 of earned income (salary and business income). This exclusion will increase yearly until 2016 when there will be unlimited exclusion of all retirement income. In addition to this, some Georgia counties offer seniors tax breaks on ad valorem taxes for educational purposes. The proximity of Robins Air Force Base is a real advantage for military retirees. There are special services for retired military personnel including some medical services and lower cost of goods at the Commissary and AAFES department store.
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a SEnSE OF COMMUnIty Most of the Midstate cities have been around for a long time, which means not only beautiful historic architecture but also well-established civic groups and churches. For the retirees who want to get involved, there are numerous charities in the Midstate that welcome volunteers. Some are national organizations such as Red Cross or Habitat for Humanity, but there are also local groups such as Jay’s Hope, an organization that helps the families of children fighting cancer. Southerners are not just friendly to visitors; they are also welcoming to new neighbors. For retirees who choose to move to the Midstate, they’ll find the warmth is not just from the weather but from the people as well. 2011/2012
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Turner Field i atlanta
Day Trips
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What are you in the mood to do this weekend? Maybe you’d like to hike a section of the Appalachian Trail or would you rather splash in the Atlantic Ocean? Do you want to ride a rollercoaster or is wandering through a butterfly garden more your speed? One of the best aspects of living in the Midstate is that it’s in the middle of everything that’s fun to do. There are mountains in the north, beaches in the east, history all around and enough undeveloped land to enjoy natural attractions. Of course, it’s also just a quick drive to metro Atlanta and all it has to offer. Here are just a few suggestions of places to visit for day trips or quick weekend getaways.
appaLaCHIan MOUntaInS The Appalachian Mountains are some of the oldest mountains on the planet. They cross through north Georgia and run all the way to Canada. The famous Appalachian Trail has its southern trailhead at Georgia’s Springer Mountain. The mountainous terrain creates some incredibly beautiful scenery especially in the Amicolola Falls State Park in Dawsonville. These are the tallest falls in the Southeast with water cascading 729 feet. Another state park with breathtaking views is nearby. Tallulah Gorge State Park offers hikers amazing trails along the rim of the two-mile-long gorge. Limited hiking is allowed into the 1,000-footdeep canyon.
nORtH gEORgIa Also in north Georgia is the city of Dahlonega, the site of the first major United States gold rush in 1828. That was two decades before the rush in California. Dahlonega’s carefully preserved downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has evolved into a thriving arts community. In Helen, visitors enjoy a little piece of Bavaria. This remote mountain community reinvented itself in the 1960s to become a replica Alpine Village. Shops, restaurants and festivals make Helen a top tourist destination in north Georgia. Their Oktoberfest celebration lasts from mid-September through October.
gEORgIa BEaCHES Of Georgia’s 13 barrier islands, only Jekyll, St. Simons and Tybee are developed and connected to the mainland by bridges and causeways. Cumberland Island is managed by the National Park Service and accessible by ferry from St. Mary’s. Visitors will find something unique about each island, and it’s worth the time to see each one.
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Ruby Falls i Chattanooga, tenessee
CUMBERLanD ISLanD Cumberland Island is the largest and southernmost of the islands. It features pristine maritime forests and undeveloped beaches. The National Park Service operates a ferry service from St. Mary’s. Once on the island, there are campsites available or luxurious lodging at the Greyfield Inn, an original Carnegie mansion. Although there are several historic sites to tour, the main reason people visit Cumberland is to revel in the natural beauty and to observe wildlife. Feral horses, armadillos, wild turkey and Loggerhead sea turtles are just some of the animals that make Cumberland their home.
JEkyLL ISLanD Jekyll Island was purchased in 1886 for the purpose of becoming an exclusive winter retreat for some of America’s wealthiest families including the Rockefellers, Morgans, 50 l Midstate
Historic Downtown i savannah, Georgia
Pulitzers and Goulds. Known as the Jekyll Island Club, their historic island homes are now part of a National Historic Landmark. The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is an elegant vacation resort. Jekyll Island is also home to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a rehabilitation, research and educational facility that’s open to the public.
St. SIMOnS ISLanD Of the barrier islands, St. Simons Island has the most extensive selection of lodging, restaurants, shopping and golf, yet it still retains a relaxed and casual atmosphere. After a day at the beach, visitors enjoy strolling around the Village, looking for dolphins from the fishing pier, climbing to the top of the lighthouse and playing in Neptune Park. St. Simons has many historic sites including Fort Frederica National Monument dating from 1736.
tyBEE ISLanD Tybee Island is the closest to the Midstate and only a few miles from Savannah. It has one of America’s most intact historic lighthouses. Still active, the Tybee Island Light Station has been guiding ships for more than 270 years. Tybee boasts a wide, three-mile long beach, as well as, Fort Pulaski National Monument and plenty of restaurants and lodging choices.
CaLLaW aWa aW Way ay gaRDEnS Callaway Gardens, between Thomaston and Columbus in west Georgia, was opened more than 50 years ago by Cason Callaway and his wife, Virginia Hand Callaway. The Callaways wanted to provide an environment where families could enjoy the beauty of nature. Today the 13,000-acre park has the world’s largest azalea display and one of America’s biggest butterfly conservatories. The gardens 2011/2012
Okefenokee Swamp i Waycross, Georgia
have diversified into a multi-faceted resort with an environmental theme including the birds of prey show offered by Earthquest, a nonprofit foundation that rehabilitates and trains injured raptors. Lodging, conference space and recreational facilities are also available.
WaRM SpRIngS Near Callaway is the Little White House in Warm Springs that was Franklin D. Roosevelt’s private retreat. Roosevelt first visited the naturally heated springs in 1924 hoping for a cure from polio-related paralysis. While he didn’t experience a complete cure, the springs did improve his condition. He built his modest six-room house in 1932 while the governor of New York. Roosevelt socialized and relaxed at the Little White House. He died there on April 12, 1945 after suffering a stroke. The house is operated by the National 2011/2012
Six Flags i atlanta, Georgia
Park Service as a museum house and historic site.
OkEFEnOkEE SWa W Mp Wa Okefenokee Swamp, located near Waycross in south Georgia, is one of the oldest and bestpreserved freshwater systems in the United States. This 402,000-acre refuge straddles the Georgia and Florida state line and is home to an estimated 12,000 American Alligators. Inside this National Wildlife Refuge is the Stephen C. Foster State Park with facilities for camping, boating, fishing and guided tours. The park also includes an interpretive museum.
SavannaH Savannah should be on everyone’s bucket list. Established in 1733 by Gen. James Oglethorpe, Savannah is considered America’s first planned city. The streets were
laid out in grids with small parks placed at regular intervals. Of the original 24 public squares, 22 are still in existence and many of these shady green spaces have fountains and statuary. Savannah’s elegant historic architecture is surpassed only by the city’s vibrant cultural community. There are more than 200 festivals each year including celebrations for seafood, jazz, art, Greek, film and even heirloom tomatoes. The coastal city’s big celebration is St. Patrick’s Day, which draws thousands on revelers who flood River Street and enjoy green beer.
a Lanta at Atlanta is a major metropolitan area and as such features everything you’d expect a major city to offer. There are professional sports teams, theater, amusement parks and all of the shopping and dining imaginable. And best of all, it’s only an hour away. Midstate i 51
Arts
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Historic theaters, broadway shows and local talent Since 1985, more than 92,000 people have experienced the magic of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet in the fabulous Grand Opera House in Macon. Each year, The Nutcracker of Middle Georgia combines professional guest artists with local talent and an army of volunteers to achieve a quality production that is unsurpassed in mid-sized cities. The very same stage has been tapped on by “Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance” and will soon be pounded on by “Blast.” Other shows in the upcoming Broadway series included “Damn Yankees,” “Rain,” “Fiddler on the Roof ” and “In the Heights.” In addition to nationally touring Broadway productions, the Grand is home to the Macon Symphony Orchestra and Grandkids, an arts education program offered by Mercer University. Each year, Grandkids exposes music, dance and theater productions to more than 6,000 elementary school children in Middle Georgia. While the Grand has a full and varied calendar of shows and performances, it only represents a small portion of the arts that are available in Midstate. In addition to flashy Broadway musicals, there are several local community theatre groups, and the Macon Symphony Orchestra is not your only option to hear live classical music. As for other music genres, there are options as varied as seeing a top country star at the Georgia National Fair in Perry or listening to alternative rock at Bragg Jam. The visual arts are well represented as well in exhibits and galleries. Even the cinematic arts are available at the annual Macon Film Festival as well as regular showings of award-winning films at the Douglass Theatre. Macon Little Theatre, the longest performing area community theater group, will present its 78th season this year with productions including “Harvey,” “The Shadow Behind the Flame” and “Oklahoma.” Also in Macon, Theatre Macon has been performing since 1985 and is known for interspersing thoughtprovoking and edgy shows into its schedule. Houston County has the Perry Players and the Warner Robins Little Theatre to provide lively entertainment. Monroe County enjoys its Backlot Players in downtown Forsyth in the renovated Rose Theatre. The Backlot Players and Theatre Macon
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nurture student talent with separate youth companies that perform in addition to the regular season shows. The Macon Symphony Orchestra has been a cultural treasure since 1976 and continues to delight audiences with a full season of classical, pops, family and special concerts. The Ocmulgee Symphony Orchestra formed a few years ago to serve communities along the Ocmulgee River and has already grown to 50 musicians. For intimate recitals, the Little Carnegie of the South in Macon provides a unique setting in an elegant Victorian home for classical performances. Its outside stage is set for jazz, rock, folk and bluegrass shows. Mercer University’s Townsend School of Music is nationally recognized for its performance venue, the Neva Langley Fickling Hall and for the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, which is rapidly building an international reputation. Student and instructor recitals are scheduled throughout the year and many are open to the public and free. However, there is much more to the music scene. After all, Macon was the home of Capricorn Records and the town where Otis Redding, “Little Richard” Penniman, James Brown and the Allman Brothers Band got their start. Jazz, alternative rock, bluegrass and country bands are playing in some venue almost every night of the week. The highlight of the year in Macon is Bragg Jam when as many as 30 acts perform on stages around Macon in one night. In this unique concert crawl, people pay one admission price and roam among the venues to catch their favorite bands. The music ranges from soulful folk to rowdy rock with many alternative genre blends as well. The Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Arts Council also sponsors a full season of events, with a variety of musical acts performing each year at the historic and elegant Opera House, which underwant a $1.7 million renovation in 2000. Among this season’s acts are pianst Joe Chapman and The Nashville Sound Revival. The visual arts are well represented by the Macon Arts Alliance, the Monroe County Arts Alliance, the Fort Valley Arts Alliance and the Houston Arts Alliance. These nonprofit groups support and coordinate artists’ shows, exhibits and classes. Macon Arts and Monroe County Arts have galleries featuring rotating exhibits. Macon Arts also sponsors Fired Works, a regional exhibit of functional and sculptural ceramic art. The Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon has a strong visual arts program including rotating exhibits and art education for adults and children. Also in Macon, the Tubman African American Museum specializes in traditional, 54 l Midstate
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contemporary and folk art with African American influences. This museum also has a special exhibit gallery with new exhibitions several times a year. One of the best ways to experience what the Midstate has to offer in the arts is during Friday Fest in downtown Macon. Each Friday, t restaurants, shops and galleries stay open later for people to enjoy a festivallike atmosphere. Live music, art exhibits, theater production, cinema screenings and children’s activities are available. Several times a year during Friday Fest, the Contemporary Arts Exchange opens to the public. These artists’ studios occupy two stories of an historic building in the downtown area. Not only is it fascinating to see the eclectic artwork on display, but it’s also interesting to watch the artists at work in their own environment. Although relatively new, the Macon Film Festival has grown tremendously in six years. Created to celebrate the cinematic arts and to introduce independent films to Central Georgia, the festival (known as “MaGa” locally) screened more than 100 films over a four-day period at the Cox Capitol Theatre, the Douglass Theatre and the Marriott City Center in 2011. The festival also offers workshops and Q & A sessions with the filmmakers. During the rest of the year, cinema aficionados can get their fix at the Douglass Theatre. Once a month, the Macon Film Guild screens award-winning foreign and independent films which are usually unavailable at major movie theaters. Keeping track of all the events throughout Midstate is actually easy. Macon Arts Alliance promotes, supports and advocates for more than 50 arts and cultural organizations in 12 Central Georgia counties. The most comprehensive calendar of events is on the Macon Arts Web site at www.maconarts.org. 2011/2012
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The Austin Theatre I 119 Main St., Fort Valley • www.theaustintheater.net • (478) 951-4828 This building first was used as a theater in 1917. It closed in 1968 and was used for various businesses for the next 25 years including a discount department store. It reopened after extensive renovation in 2007 and is operated by the Fort Valley Arts Alliance as a performing arts and special-event venue.
Douglass Theatre
355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Macon • (478) 742-2000 • www.douglasstheatre.org This historical African American theater was the center of black entertainment in Macon. Otis Redding, Little Richard and Lena Horne are just a few of the stars who performed on its stage. The Douglass closed in 1972 after 52 years of concerts, movies and vaudeville. It was restored and then reopened in 1997. Today, the Douglass serves all races and cultures with live entertainment and movies. The Macon Film Guild offers monthly screenings at the Douglass.
Cox Capitol Theatre
382 Second St., Macon • (478) 257-6391 • www.coxcapitoltheatre.com Originally opened in 1916, the Capitol Theatre was closed in 1976 and was neglected for nearly 30 years. Restoration began in 2003 and was completed in 2006. Cox Capitol Theatre now operates as a cinema and live entertainment venue and is home to the Macon Film Festival.
Theatre Dublin
The Rose Theater
314 Academy Ave., Dublin • (478) 2775074
Located in the historic square in downtown Forsyth, the Rose Theater has a striking art deco facade. The building was renovated and reopened in 2005 as the home of The Backlot Players, a nonprofit community theater group.
Built in 1934 and renovated in 1996, Theatre Dublin serves as the community’s performing arts center.
23 West Johnston St., Forsyth • (478) 994-0443 • www.therosetheater.org
The Opera House I 100 Lumpkin St., Hawkinsville (478) 783-1884 www.hawkinsvilleoperahouse.com
The Grand Opera House 651 Mulberry St., Macon • (478) 301-5460 • www.thegrandmacon.com
Originally called the Academy of Music, this elegant concert hall was built in 1884. Its stage was the largest in the Southeast. It was saved from destruction in 1967. After many renovations over the decades, it has been restored to its former glory. Now the official performing arts center of Mercer University, this 1,000-seat facility offers a Broadway Series of national touring productions and is home to the Macon Symphony Orchestra and The Nutcracker of Middle Georgia.
Built in 1907 and designed by W.R. Gunn, a noted Macon architect and theatrical designer, he guaranteed it would have perfect acoustics and each seat would have a clear view of the stage. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, was renovated in 2000 and now serves as a performing arts center, featuring a full calendar of events.
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Historic Theaters 2011/2012
gpb.org
worth sharing GPB is Georgia’s home for great high school sports including the GHSA State Football and Basketball Championship Games. Visit gpb.org/sports to view upcoming sports programming.
C h an n el 29 M ac on How Do You Get GPB? For a complete list of stations, programming information or GPB membership questions, visit www.gpb.org, email ask@gpb.org or call GPB Member & Audience Services at 1.800.222.4788 or 404.685.4788 in the Atlanta area.
Dauset Trails Nature Center I Jackson
Visitors
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Leisure & Recr
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Long summer seasons mean fun year round The Midstate has one very valuable asset in particular that makes it an amazing place for hunting, fishing and sports. It has land. Consider this statistic: Fulton County in metro Atlanta has 1,741.3 people per square mile compared to Jones County with 72.8 or Monroe County with 68.8. The acres upon acres of forests and fields are perfect for hunting, golf courses and baseball fields; not in the same place, of course. When you add the area’s natural resources of lakes and rivers to the equation, Midstate becomes a sportsman’s paradise. Weather is also an asset. Short, mild winters translate into long outdoor recreational seasons.
SpORtS
ecreation 2011/2012
Regardless of your sport of choice, the Midstate has something for you. There are so many road races in the area that if you ran them all, you’d wear out your running shoes. Macon Tracks and Robins Pacers are active running clubs that sponsor or assist races throughout the year. The two biggest races are the Museum of Aviation Marathon and Half-Marathon in Warner Robins and the Labor Day 10K in Macon. Both are run on USATF-certified courses and can be used as qualifiers. Southerners love baseball and softball. Warner Robins is the home of the Southeast Regional Little League Headquarters. Dedicated in June 2010, this $5.5 million complex includes a 2,500seat stadium, batting cages, concessions stands, gift shop and an administration building. The regional headquarters serve eight states in the Southeast. Warner Robins also is home to the 2010 and 2009 Softball Little League World Champions and the 2007 Baseball Little League World Champions. In addition to vibrant youth leagues, there are numerous adult leagues as well. There are almost as many soccer fields as baseball fields in the Midstate. The Central
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Tree climbing I atlanta
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Georgia Soccer Association and the Macon Soccer Club both offer recreation, academy and select programs for youth and recreation leagues for adults. Founded in the early 1970s, the Macon Tennis Association has a current membership of approximately 1,200 members on more than 85 teams. This tennis association has received national and regional recognition as a Community Tennis Association of Excellence. Besides offering lessons for youth and adults, the association also hosts several statewide and regional tournaments each year. The area’s open spaces and gently rolling terrain make for excellent golf courses. There are more than 20 golf courses in the seven Midstate counties with 14 of those in Bibb and Houston. Less than an hour’s drive will get you to the Lake Oconee resort area and the Golf Club of Cuscowilla and Great Waters at Reynolds Plantation. Both of these great courses made Golf Digest’s list of Top 100 public golf courses in the country. Pulaski County’s Southern Hills Golf Club has been ranked with those in Reynolds Plantation and Sea Island Golf Club on St. Simons Island as one of the state’s top courses. Believe it or not, there’s also ice skating. The Macon Centraplex offers limited ice skating sessions from November through February.
HUntIng Hunting is so popular in the Midstate that many wedding dates are chosen so they don’t conflict with the beginning of deer season. In addition to deer, other game animals include turkey, bear, feral hog, dove and quail. There are several state-owned wildlife management areas including Rum Creek WMA in Monroe County, Cedar Creek WMA in Jones County, Oaky Woods WMA in Houston County and River Bend WMA in Laurens County. Federal hunting areas include the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge in Jones County, Bond Swamp NWR in Bibb County and the Oconee National Forest in Jones and Monroe Counties.
FISHIng Laurens County has the Hugh Gillis Public Fishing Area, a 109-acre lake stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish and crappie. The Miller Lake Recreation Area in Jones County is a 12-acre lake within the Oconee National Forest with picnic sites, fishing piers and hiking trails. Lake Juliette in Monroe County also is known as a prime fishing hole especially 2011/2012
Lake Tobesofkee Recreation Area
Enjoy two beautiful campgrounds, beaches, 1,750-acre lake, fishing, boating, playgrounds, 18-hole disc golf and swimming.
6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day
Donn Rodenroth Photography
6600 Mosely Dixon Rd., Macon (478) 474-8770 www.laketobo.com
Discover the World!
Art & Science Exhibitions Mini Zoo Discovery House Planetarium Nature Trails Family Days & Events Museum Store
Adults: $8 • Seniors & Military: $6 Ages 12 - 17 & Students w/ID: $5 Children 2 - 11: $4 Museum Members & Infants under 2: Free Group Rates available; call for details. Exhibition, Discovery House & Museum Store Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Sunday: 1 - 5 p.m. Call ahead for daily program schedule.
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for prize-winning striped bass. Bibb County has Lake Tobesofkee and Houston Lake is near Perry. The Ocmulgee River is an obvious choice to dangle a line as well as the numerous other lakes and streams throughout the area. For expert advice and complete information about Georgia’s lakes and stream, the Go Fish Education Center in Perry offers “Reel Tips” on how, when and where to fish in Georgia. This center is operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and includes interactive educational exhibits designed to help visitors learn more about Georgia’s diverse aquatic wildlife and natural habitats. A stocked fish pond and hatcheries will open soon.
Hiking & Biking One of the most interesting hiking trails is through the Ocmulgee National Monument in Macon. Trails take visitors past the historic Indian temple mound constructed between 900-950 A.D. and then traverse emergent wetlands on boardwalks near the Ocmulgee River. Also along the Ocmulgee River is the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail. The main section of the trail is in downtown Macon and features wide paved paths perfect for biking, jogging and walking. Eventually the trail will connect to the Amerson Water Works Park. This 180acre park features wooded trails, generous riverfront areas, a prehistoric lake, a canoe launch and the only handicap-usable playground in Central Georgia. Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge is a particular favorite with hikers and birdwatchers. The refuge has miles of trails winding alongside the park’s creeks and lakes and is one of the few surviving habitats of the red-cockaded woodpecker.
Camping Hikers in High Falls State Park get to follow the Towaliga River to a scenic waterfall. High Falls State Park also offers more than 100 campsites within its 1,050 acres of woodlands. Public campsites are also available at Rum Creek and Cedar Creek wildlife management areas. Rocky Creek ATV Trail is not for pedestrians. With jumps, mud, creeks and more, these 19 miles of trails in Monroe County offer the ultimate challenges for ATV and motorcycle riders. Lake Tobesofkee Recreation Area in Bibb County offers complete facilities for RV and tent camping on the shores of the 1,800acre lake. Sandy beaches, picnic pavilions, playgrounds and boat launches make this an attractive family recreation destination. 2011/2012
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Hay House i Macon
Culture & History
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THe ALLMAN BROTHeRS BAND MuSeuM AT THe BIG HOuSe 2321 Vineville ave., Macon (478) 741-5551 www.thebighousemuseum.com the allman Brothers Band formed in 1969 and moved to Macon after signing with Capricorn Records. Barry Oakley and his wife Linda rented an 18-room tudor-style mansion built in 1900. the house was affectionately called “the Big House” and was the hub of band life from 1970 until 1973. dickey Betts wrote “Blue sky” in the living room and “Ramblin’ Man” in the kitchen. Now the Big House is a museum featuring an extensive collection of allman Brothers Band memorabilia.
CANNONBALL HOuSe MuSeuM & GARDeN 856 Mulberry st., Macon (478) 745-5982 www.cannonballhouse.org struck by a cannonball during the Battle of dunlap Hill in 1864, the antebellum Greek Revival home built in 1853 is on the National Register of Historic Places. the home features authentic period furnishings and is home to alpha delta Pi and Phi Mu founders’ museum rooms. Guided tours began on the half hour and self-guided tours are available.
GeORGIA SpORTS HALL OF FAMe 301 Cherry st., Macon (478) 752-1585 www.gshf.org the largest state sports hall of fame in the country, this 43,000- square-foot museum blends the rich legacy of Georgia sports with high-energy activities. More than 3,000 sports artifacts are on display. the facility offers football, basketball and NasCaR racing interactives and is available for private events.
HAy A HOuSe Ay 934 Georgia ave., Macon (478) 742-8155 www.hayhouse.org the Hay House is considered the finest residence in america from the antebellum period. this National Historic Landmark was built between 1855-1859 in the italian renaissance revival style. Containing 18,000 square feet in 24 principal rooms, the house has been featured on ““america’s Castles” on the a&e channel. itt ffeatures 18th and 19th century furnishings, italian carerra marble fireplaces, trompe l’oeil marbleizing and exquisite stained glass. it’s operated as a museum house by the Georgia trust and is available for tours and private events.
2011/2012
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The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House i Macon
MuSeuM OF ARTS AND SCIeNCeS
ROSe HILL CeMeTeRy
4182 Forsyth Road, Macon (478) 477-3232 www.masmacon.com
1071 Riverside drive, Macon (478) 751-1919 www.historicrosehillcemetery.org
the he museum off offers rotating science and art exhibits, a planetarium, observatory, live animal programs, nature trails and a museum store. the discovery House features three floors of interactive exhibits exploring art and science. the planetarium will soon be undergoing an extensive renovation.
One of the oldest surviving public cemeteries/parks in the U.s., Rose Hill was founded in 1840 and is the burial place of more than 1,000 Confederate soldiers, three Georgia governors and duane allman and Berry Oakley of the allman Brothers Band. Rose Hill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is known for its gardenlike setting, unusual plants and the terraces overlooking the Ocmulgee River.
OCMuLGee NATIONAL MONuMeNT 1207 emery Highway, Macon (478) 752-8257 www.nps.gov/ocmu the visitor center features the new Ocmulgee National Monument Museum with artifacts dating back 12,000 years as well as interactives, photos and a documentary film. the park has five and a half miles of trails winding around indian mounds, the earth lodge and emergent wetlands along Walnut Creek and the Ocmulgee River.
RIveRSIDe CeMeTeRy 1301 Riverside drive, Macon (478) 742-5328 www.riversidecemetery.com established in 1887, this private cemetery is the final resting place for more than 17,000 people including Civil War veterans from both sides. the grounds feature notable historic Civil War earthworks used as field fortification to defend the city against sherman’s March to the sea. 68 l Midstate
SIDNey LANIeR COTTAGe MuSeuM 935 High st., Macon (478) 743-3851 www.historicmacon.org step back in time with a guided tour of this 1840 Victorian cottage, renowned as the birthplace of poet, musician and soldier, sidney Lanier (1842-1881). Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Cottage is a Landmark of american Poetry and a Landmark of american Music.
TuBMAN AFRICAN AMeRICAN MuSeuM 340 Walnut st., Macon (478) 743-8544 www.tubmanmuseum.com Named for Harriet tubman, the museum ffeatures permanent exhibits including a Folk art gallery, the inventors’ Gallery and a wall mural, “From africa to america.” the special exhibit Gallery has rotating art and history exhibits. 2011/2012
The Grand Opera House A Performing Arts Center of Mercer University
2011-2012 season
Destination: BroaDway
October 3-4, 2011
November 1-2, 2011
Riverside Cemetery i Macon
MuSeuM OF Av A IATION
DuBLIN-LAuReNS COuNTy MuSeuM
Highway 247 & Russell Parkway, Warner Robins (478) 926-6870 www.museumofaviation.org
311 academy ave., dublin (478) 272-9242 http://laurenshistory.org
One of the largest aviation museums in the United states, the Museum of aviation has more than 100 aircraft, missiles and cockpits on display including a World War ii hangar. there is also 200,000 square feet of indoor exhibit and education space, a gift shop, café and outdoor picnic area. the museum is home to the Georgia aviation Hall of Fame, the Middle Georgia Youth science and ttechnology Center and the tteacher Resource Center. admission is free.
THe JARReLL pLANTATION 711 Jarrell Plantation Road, Juliette (478) 986-5172 www.gastateparks.org/info/jarrell this original plantation is a state historic site with 20 buildings dating between 1847 and 1945. the plantation has one of the most complete collections of original family artifacts of this time period in Georgia. seasonal programs include demonstrations on spinning, weaving, woodstove cooking and blacksmithing.
Operated by the Laurens County Historical society, the museum is located in the old Carnegie Library. Between 1883 and 1929, approximately 1,700 libraries were built around the United states with money donated by andrew Carnegie. dublin’s library was built in 1903 and 1904. Laurens County’s history exhibits include early inhabitants, Native americans and local Confederate soldiers.
November 19-20, 2011
January 25-26, 2012
March 20-21, 2012 April 5-6, 2011
OLD MILL MOTORCyCLe MuSeuM 436 McCracken st., Juliette (478) 992-9931 www.oldmillmuseum.com this museum showcases 22 vintage Harleydavidsons, hand-restored by Les White. the models date from the 1930s to the 1960s and are now worth between $20,000 and $35,000 each. the Old Mill building was once the home of the world’s largest waterpowered grist mill.
April 7 & 9, 2012
season perks SeriouS SavingS exchange PrivilegeS FirSt acceSS Priority ticket PurchaSeS excluSive DiScountS
MASSee LANe GARDeNS
ticket rePlacement Service Payment Plan
www.jonescounty.org
100 Massee Lane, Fort Valley (478) 967-2358 (877) 422-6355 www.camellias-acs.com
Clinton was the original seat of Jones County and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is included on the Georgia antebellum trail. as a site of historical interest, it features 12 homes built between 1808 and 1830.
One of the world’s finest collections of camellias, this 150-acre site is home of the american Camellia society. the Massee Lane Gardens also feature the abendroth Japanese Garden and the scheibert Rose Garden.
OLD CLINTON HISTORIC DISTRICT
2011/2012
@TheGrandOpera
/TheGrandOperaHouse
Get Season Tickets: (478) 301-5470 TheGrandMacon.com
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Georgia State Fair I Macon
Festivals & Events
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2011 Hambone Jam I
sept. 10-11
Fort Valley, Peach County. Held in downtown Fort Valley, this barbecue contest is recognized by the Georgia Barbecue association as the state Championship Barbecue Competition. this event is always held the first weekend after Labor day. • More info: www.hambonejam.com
Ocmulgee Indian Celebration I
sept. 17-18
• More info: www.nps.gov/ocmu/planyourvisit/events
Possom Hollow Arts & Crafts Festival I
sept. 23-24
dexter, Laurens County. this weekend event starts with a country music show on Friday night. saturday has arts and crafts exhibits, antique cars and children’s activities. • More info: www.possumhollowfair.com Oct. 1
Macon, Bibb County. the event at Central City Park is billed as “Macon’s Big BBQ Competition” and is part of the Memphis Barbecue Network. itt also ffeatures live music, pumpkin painting as well as food and family fun. • More info: www.leveefest.com
Georgia National Fair I
Oct. 6-16
Perry, Houston County. Held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and agricenter, this 11-day event has airconditioned exhibition halls, concerts, an enormous midway, horse and livestock shows, a circus and other live entertainment. Over 400,000 people attended the fair last year. • More info: www.georgianationalfair.com
Mossy Creek Barnyard Festival I
Oct. 15-16
Houston County. this prestigious fair is held every fall and spring in the piney woods between Perry and Warner Robins. itt ffeatures nationally acclaimed artisans and craftsmen with an emphasis on traditional skills. Country foods, magicians, storytellers, music and children’s activities complete the experience of an oldtimey fair.
March
dublin, Laurens County. started in 1966, this festival has grown so much that they can’t fit all the activities into just one day so they celebrate all month. Named one of the ttop 20 events in the southeast by southeast t ism society, the festival includes a Balloonfest, the tour Leprechaun Road Race, Main street Munchies, arts and crafts show and the st. Patrick’s day parade. • More info: www.saintpatricksfestival.com
Peaches to Beaches Yard Sale I
March 9-10
Perry, Houston County to Brunswick, Glynn County. People all along the Golden isles Parkway (U.s. 341) set up their booths for one of the south’s largest yard sales. it starts in Perry in the peach-growing area and goes all the way to the sandy beaches of the Georgia Coast in Brunswick. • More info: www.peachestothebeaches.com
Forsythia Festival I
March 10-12
Forsyth, Monroe County. Celebrating the bright yellow forsythia flowers that bloom around the historic town square, this festival is in its 25th year. activities include a 5K run, golf tournament, classic car show, beauty pageant and children’s activities. the arts and crafts show is juried and only handmade artistic goods are exhibited. Faithfest, a faith-based singing contest, is held saturday night. • More info: www.forsythiafestival.com
Cherry Blossom Festival I
March 15-25
Macon, Bibb County. each spring, this town turns pink with blossoms. Macon has more than 300,000 Yoshino Cherry trees and is known as the “Cherry Blossom Capital of the World.” For 10 days, Macon celebrates with concerts, blossom tours, parades, carnival rides, fireworks, animal shows and children’s activities. some favorite events include tunes & Balloons, the street Party and the Bed Race. • More info: www.cherryblossom.com
• More info: www.mossycreekfestival.com
Dogwood Festival I
Green Tomato Festival I
Perry, Houston County. Motorcycle Poker Run, Perry idol, and the dessert Contest are just three of the exciting events during the 24th annual dogwood Festival. Of course, there are also arts & crafts, great food, entertainment and children’s activities.
Oct. 22-23
Juliette, Monroe County. Celebrating Juliette’s movie fame and the Whistle stop Café, the town hosts a weekend of arts and crafts exhibits, music, children’s activities and of course, fried green tomatoes. • More info: www.juliettega.com
Macon Film Festival I
Feb. 16-19
Macon, Bibb County. Nicknamed MaGa, the film festival celebrates filmmaking and seeks to introduce
april 14-15
• More info: www.perrydogwoodfestival.com
Fired Works I
2012
2011/2012
• More info: www.maconfilmfestival.com
St. Patrick’s Day Festival I
Ocmulgee National Monument, Bibb County. More than 200 Native people from several nations including Creek, Cherokee, Choctaw and seminole gather every third weekend in september to share history and culture through music, dance, storytelling and craft demonstrations.
Levee Fest I
independent films that rarely appear in theaters in Middle Georgia. screenings are held at the historic Cox Capital theatre, the douglas theatre and the new Macon Marriott City Center, all in the downtown area. after ffter only seven years, this film festival has grown rapidly in number of screenings and attendance.
april 13-22
Macon, Bibb County. this is the seventh year of Georgia’s largest exhibit of functional and sculptural pottery. this unique show features artists from around the state of Georgia with select guest artists from the Midstate i 71
southeastern region. There are also studio tours, demonstrations and workshops. • More info: firedworksmacon.com, maconarts.org
Mossy Creek Barnyard Fest. I
April 21-22
Houston County. Also held in October, this prestigious craft fair exhibits works from nationally acclaimed artisans and craftsmen and features family-friendly activities. • More info: www.mossycreekfestival.com
Pan African Festival I
April 21-22
Macon, Bibb County. This weekend community event celebrates African influences from around the world. Local artist Chi Ezekwueche founded the festival in 1997 to promote unity and foster appreciation of African-influenced art and culture. The festival features music, dance, art, poetry and children’s activities. • More info: www.tubmanmuseum.com
Old Clinton War Days I
May 4-5
Clinton, Jones County. For two days in May, this small historic hamlet in Jones County becomes the site of a re-enactment of the Battle of Sunshine Church and the Battle of Griswoldville. • More info: http://scvcamp1399.org
Battle of Byron I
May 5
Byron, Peach County. It’s a festival of challenges including a bed race, mud volleyball, a pie-eating contest, tricycle races, a car show and a motorcycle show. It’s hard to tell who has more fun, the participants or the audience. • More info: www.battleofbyron.com
Daylily Festival I
June 1-2
Gray, Jones County. 100 craftsmen and vendors gather in the shade of a pecan orchard for this festival. It also features a Teddy Bear parade, car show, horseshoe
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Cherry Blossom Festival I Macon tournament and a daylily flower show. • More info: www.gsbht.com
Peach Festival I
awards in events such as the Hubcap Hurl, Armpit Serenade and Bobbin’ for Pig’s Feet. • More info: www.summerredneckgames.com
June 2 & June 9
Byron and Fort Valley, Peach County. The first Saturday of this event is held in Byron with Fun on the Midway and fireworks. The festivities move to downtown Fort Valley for the second Saturday featuring live music, a parade, crafts and the world’s largest peach cobbler. • More info: www.gapeachfestival.com
Summer Redneck Games I
July 7
East Dublin, Laurens County. What began as a goofy way to raise money for charities and a spoof of Atlanta’s 1996 Olympic Games, this one-day event has become a summer favorite and has been seen on “Good Morning America” and “The Tonight Show.” The games begin with a ceremonial lighting of the grill then competitors vie for top
Bragg Jam I
July 28
Macon, Bibb County. The signature event of Bragg Jam is the Concert Crawl on Saturday night. Over 35 musical acts perform at venues around Macon. Music lovers buy a single armband to have access to any of the performances. Free trolleys take concertgoers from venue to venue so they can catch their favorite bands in action. During the day, Bragg Jam sponsors Arts at the Park, a free family-friendly event with magicians, balloon sculptors and art-centered children’s activities. Money raised from Bragg Jam is donated to local charities, mainly the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, in honor of Brax and Tate Bragg, two local musicians and brothers that were killed in a car accident. • More info: www.braggjam.org
2011/2012
Counties
2011/2012
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bibb county
Cherry Blossom Festival: Balloon Glow I Macon
Did you know? “Little Richard” Penniman, James Brown, Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers Band all got their musical start in Macon. The first commercial agricultural flying company Huff Daland Dusters, was formed in 1924 in Macon. This crop-dusting company later became Delta Airlines. 74 l Midstate
B
ibb County lies between north Georgia’s mountains, south Georgia’s cotton fields and Georgia’s beaches.
The hustle and bustle of Atlanta is close but not too close and the quiet peace of rural life is just a stone’s throw away. Bibb is the Midstate’s urban center of history, higher education, culture, entertainment, health care and commerce. Founded in 1823, Macon is one of the oldest incorporated cities in the Midstate. Macon respects and honors its long history. Through the efforts of the Historic Macon Foundation, 5,500 structures and 11 districts have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are dozens of excellent examples of antebellum homes as well as complete neighborhoods with turn-of the century Victorians and early suburban bungalows. One of the most notable is the Hay House, a museum house operated by the Georgia Trust. Built between 1855-1859 this 18,000-square-foot Italian renaissance revival mansion was called the “Palace of the South.” However, nothing is quite as historical as the Indian mounds at the Ocmulgee National Monument where archeologists have found evidence of human habitation dating back 12,000 years.
Higher education has also had an historical presence in Macon. Wesleyan College was founded in 1836 and was the first college in the world to grant degrees to women. Mercer University was established in 1833 and its law school was established in 1873, making it one of the oldest law schools in the country. Macon State College and Central Georgia Technical College are also located in Bibb County giving the community a student population of nearly 30,000 and producing a diverse and flexible workforce. Having several colleges also produces a diverse and vibrant cultural scene in Macon. Live music is available almost every night of the week from local rock bands performing in cozy downtown venues to the Macon Symphony Orchestra performing at the fabulous Grand Opera House. The Grand also is home to traveling Broadway shows and the annual Nutcracker Ballet. Macon Arts Alliance serves as an umbrella for the arts. Throughout the year, the organization sponsors exhibits and shows including Fired Works, one of the South’s largest exhibits of artistic pottery and sculpture. Rotating exhibits are found at the Museum of Arts and Sciences and the Tubman African American Museum. Theater is popular in Macon as well. The community supports a full season of shows at Theatre Macon and Macon Little Theatre as well as college productions. Recreational opportunities are bountiful as well. Bibb 2011/2012
Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce 305 Coliseum drive PO Box 169 Macon, Ga. 31202 (478) 621-2000 www.maconchamber.com population: 156,060 (source: http://quickfacts.census.gov, based on 2000 census)
COST OF LIvING Median house value: $84,400 (source: http://quickfacts.census.gov based on 2000 median)
Sales Tax: 6 percent Median household income: $40,857 (source: http://quickfacts.census.gov)
uTILITIeS electricity: Georgia Power Company, (888) 660-5890, www.georgiapower. com Gas: scana energy, (877) 467-2262, www.scanaenergy.com; Gas south, (877) 332-5442, www.gassouth.com Water: Macon Water authority, (478) 464-5600, www.maconwater.org Garbage: City of Macon Public Works department, (478) 751-9123, www.cityofmacon.net; Bibb County engineering department, (478) 6216660, www.co.bibb.ga.us Telephone: at&t, tt, (888) 757-6500, www.att.com Cable: Cox Communications, (478) 784-8000, www.cox.com/middlega voter Information: Bibb County Board of elections, (478) 621-6622, www. co.bibb.ga.us pet Information: Macon Police department animal Control, (478) 751-9200, www.maconpd.com; Bibb County sheriff’s department animal Control, (478) 746-9441, www. bibbsheriff.org Car tags: Bibb County tag t department, (478) 621-6600, www.co.bibb.ga.us Driver’s licenses: Georgia department of driver services, (478) 751-6031, www.dds.ga.gov education: Bibb County Board of education, (478) 765-8711, www.bibb. k12.ga.us Library: Middle Georgia Regional Library, (478) 744-0800, www.co.bibb. ga.us/library 2011/2012
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County has seven golf courses, two public tennis facilities and more than 35 parks. Lake Tobesofkee Recreation Area includes sandy beaches, campgrounds and boat launches. One of the most popular parks is the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, a walking/ jogging/biking trail along the Ocmulgee River. The most recent addition to the parks system is Amerson Water Works Park, a 180acre expanse on the bend of the Ocmulgee River with the region’s only handicap-usable playground. Bibb County serves as the center for healthcare for Midstate. Macon is home to Central Georgia’s only level 1 trauma center and the region’s only dedicated children’s hospital. The Medical Center of Central Georgia is the second largest hospital in Georgia. The other major hospital group is the Coliseum Health System, which operates Coliseum Medical Center, Coliseum Northside Hospital and Coliseum Center for Behavioral Health. Bibb County’s strategic location on I-75 and I-16, proximity to the Atlanta airport and the ports of Savannah and Brunswick make it an attractive location for distribution centers. Several major companies have constructed centers in Bibb County in recent years including Kohl’s, Sara Lee and Bass Pro Shop. A central location also makes Bibb County the perfect place for conventions and
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Central City park I Macon meetings. The Macon Centreplex is the largest convention facility outside of metro Atlanta. It boasts 30,800 square feet of exhibition space and a 9,252-seat entertainment venue that has hosted such big name acts as Disney on Ice, The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Billy Joel and Elton John. In 2009, the 220-room Macon Marriott City Center opened next to the Centreplex providing visitors upscale and convenient
accommodations. Macon is historical, cultural, educational and commercial but most of all, it’s beautiful. Every March, the city turns pink as more than 300,000 Yoshino cherry trees bloom. Spring’s beauty is celebrated with the Cherry Blossom Festival, which features concerts, carnival rides, parades, arts and crafts, tours and shows. Bibb County is easy to get to and easy to enjoy.
2011/2012
robins air force t
he headquarters building with the flags of 50 states fluttering in front is an eye-catcher. so is the fighter jet pointing skyward on a pedestal in the foreground. Just up the highway, the airplanes, hangars and flight line come into view.
Without reading a sign, travelers can easily decide the large fenced area on U.S. Highway 247 is an Air Force installation. Uniformed men and women, fast and powerful weapon systems and a worldwide national defense mission are a certainty. For more than 70 years, Robins has enjoyed a special partnership with its neighbors. The slogan, “Every Day In Middle Georgia Is Armed Forces Appreciation Day” – the world’s longest acronym, EDIMGIAFAD, adorns many area signs – is a way of life here. The transient nature of military life just doesn’t seem to apply. If you’re at Robins, you’re a Middle Georgian. Call it Southern hospitality. Call it patriotic pride and respect. To locals, it’s just natural. Neighboring communities embrace the people, units, organizations and missions of Robins like no other military community in the world. The atmosphere is so comfortable for the men and women in uniform that more than 6,000 Air Force retirees reside here. People who have been around the globe decide this is home. It’s just always been that way here. Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the base was born in 1941 as a repair and supply depot for the Army Air Corps. From World War II, through the creation of the U.S. Air Force, to Vietnam, Desert Storm, Kosovo and the current operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, the men and women of Robins have upheld a proud heritage of excellence in logistics support for the nation’s fighting forces. Since the beginning, aircraft maintenance has remained a constant. Today, the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, one of only three major logistics centers in the Air Force Materiel Command, accomplishes that mission and more. The center has worldwide management and engineering responsibility for the repair, modification and overhaul of the F-15 Eagle, the Air Force’s premiere air superiority fighter. Over the years, Robins has solidified a reputation as the airlift center of choice, maintaining the venerable C-130 Hercules and the massive C-5 Galaxy and in partnership with Lockheed Martin providing modification, maintenance 2011/2012
Robins Air Force Base Midstate i 77
Robins Air Force Base
and logistical support for the C-17 Globemaster III. The center also manages the famed U-2 surveillance aircraft, all Air Force helicopters and special operations aircraft and supports Air Force tactical missiles and general-purpose computers, avionics and electronics systems on most Air Force aircraft. The Warner Robins Air Logistics Center is the largest of 60 organizations at Robins. Among those are the 116th Air Control Wing, which flies battlefield surveillance missions in the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft or Joint STARS; the 5th Combat Communications Group of the 689th Combat Communications Wing provides mobile command and control communications and air traffic control systems worldwide; and the worldwide headquarters for the Air Force Reserve Command. Getting the job done at Robins is a work force of more than 23,000 people – more than 6,600 active military and 13,000 contract, private and nonappropriated fund civilian personnel. The base contains every amenity and necessity a city would provide for its citizenry. Robins has two-, three- and four-bedroom homes inside the gates, as well as 370 new and renovated housing units constructed under a privatization initiative. Furthermore, 76 new units were constructed on base. Nine dormitories accommodate more than 674 single enlisted members. Also, hundreds of bed spaces are available in temporary 78 l Midstate
Robins Air Force Base
Learn more online: www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil This Web site is a great resource for newcomers to Robins Air Force Base. Going to the Web site and clicking on the military installations link allows you to link to information regarding the multitude of resources on the base. The Robins link currently lists 54 resources as well as providing an installation overview, map views and weather information. The resource directory contains information on everything from beauty/barber shops to DoD schools, emergency relief services, golf courses, new parent support program, welcome/visitors center and everything in between. Each resource link contains addresses, phone numbers, maps and directions as well as Web site links for the particular resource on base.
lodging. Two childcare centers are available, as well as a family childcare program. The base operates various health-care clinics – comprehensive, dental and occupational medicine – and a pharmacy. Veterinarian services are offered for family pets.
A full slate of helpful programs is offered by a thriving Airman and Family Readiness Center, including the Air Force Aid Society, family readiness education and assistance, personal financial management assistance, family life education, family member employment resource service, relocation assistance, transition assistance and more. The Robins AFB Georgia Key Spouse Program, also called “Trained Spouses in Action,” is managed through the Airman and Family Readiness Flight on base. Key Spouse is a formal unit program that offers informal peer support to families. A Key Spouse is a trained volunteer who is interviewed and chosen for a minimum one-year commitment to provide peer-to-peer wingman, or buddyto-buddy, support to Airmen and families. As a role model and a communication link offering assistance to families during crisis or difficulty, the Key Spouse is a vital link for families of deployed members and provides information and referrals to military, local and national resources. Educational opportunities abound for the people of Robins. The Education and Training Office provides quality educational and training opportunities in support of mission readiness and professional and personal development for both the civilian and military populations. The office is responsible for administering all U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense education programs and offers undergraduate and graduate courses through several area 2011/2012
21st Century Partnership
Staying prepared... Shaping the future
Museum of Aviation
colleges and universities. An array of facilities and services are available at Robins for community enjoyment. There’s a modern, state-ofthe-art fitness center and various sports programs. Outdoor recreation facilities include five swimming pools, a track and a running/walking course, a nature center, horse stables, a skeet range, numerous picnic areas, lakes, fishing, hunting and camping areas. The Pine Oaks Golf Course is a 6,059yard, 18-hole, par 71 course open seven days a week, complete with a driving range and putting green. There’s a community center, movie theater, bowling center and a library. A wide range of services is offered on base by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service including shopping in a modern mall built in 2000, which includes the main exchange, military clothing sales and a food court. AAFES also runs a Class Six/Shoppette, a car care center, furniture store, Burger King and Church’s Fried Chicken. A commissary provides every grocery shopping need, as well as a bakery and full-service deli. A base restaurant prepares a varied menu of meals, and a newly constructed dining hall serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and a midnight meal for enlisted troops. Dining also is offered at Horizons (formerly the officers’ club) and the Heritage (formerly the enlisted club). 2011/2012
There’s plenty to see and do here in Middle Georgia. But ask anyone familiar with Robins AFB, and they’ll tell you the real attraction here is the relationship the base enjoys with the local community. Of course, the base is a great provider for the area. As Georgia’s largest industrial employer, Robins AFB is the economic cornerstone of the Midstate. The annual payroll is more than $1.56 billion. The estimated economic impact for the entire state hits $3.953 billion. But the relationship works in more personal and dynamic ways. Military and civilian members alike give of themselves and their time for the good of the Middle Georgia community. Charitable contributions of base people and organizations include annual toy drives, Christmas teddy bear donations, community cleanups and Habitat for Humanity house constructions. Community people open their arms and homes to military members. Coupons, discounts and special community programs are regularly provided military members, especially spouses of deployed troops. Here is where Southern traditions of making everyone feel at home combines with unshakeable beliefs in patriotism and a deeply rooted history of support for the nation’s defense. These ingredients have made the base-community partnership at Robins AFB legendary and known throughout the Air Force as the best in the world.
Middle Georgia... a fantastic place to work, live and play. From affordable housing and real estate, to incredible school systems, to unequalled Southern hospitality, to booming businesses, the area is a true treasure. And it’s all the Robins Region! Our treasure cornerstone is Robins Air Force Base. A large multimission installation, Robins is host to more than 65 military units, each playing a vital role in our nation’s defense posture. More than 26,000 including Airmen, Soldiers, Marines, Department of Defense civilian employees and contractor personnel call Robins Air Force Base home as they execute these vital defense missions. The host and largest unit at Robins is the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, which is also the largest industrial complex in the state of Georgia. The economic impact of Robins across the state is a staggering $4.1 billion a year. The 21st Century Partnership is proud to be the community partner of Robins Air Force Base. Our mission statement is simple: along with the Middle Georgia Military Affairs Coordinating Committee, orchestrate the community support required to make Robins as conducive as possible for the execution of military missions. That includes ensuring no operational restrictions, maintaining the capacity to grow, forging new basecommunity partnerships and providing quality of life amenities second to none. It is the people of Middle Georgia who make the difference. Whether you work on the base or not, you play a vital role in keeping the base strong. And a strong base is precisely what our proud warriors serving our great nation need – and deserve! Being a viable defense community is a full-time job. If you live in Middle Georgia, you are part of our defense community and a vital part of our Robins Region. The 21st Century Partnership is a non-profit organization composed of elected and non-elected members who are united to ensure EDIMGIAFAD: Every Day in Middle Georgia Is Armed Forces Appreciation Day. We believe we live in THE best defense community in America! We welcome all Robins Region stakeholders (that would be you, too, no matter what you do in the Midstate) to join our team. Find out more by visiting our Web site at www.21stcenturypartnership.com. Patriotically yours, MaryTherese Grabowski-Tebbe Executive Director, 21st Century Partnership Midstate I 79
houston county
Museum of Aviation I Warner Robins
Robins Elementary School I Warner Robins
H
ouston County is a tale of two cities. There’s burgeoning Warner Robins, a city established in 1943 adjacent to the newly constructed Robins Air Force Base and there’s historic Perry, the county seat, which has been a favorite travelers’ resting place for nearly two centuries.
Although the two cities differ in qualities, together they have made Houston County a desirable place to live and work. One of the fastest growing counties in Georgia, Houston has seen a 25.7 percent increase in population in the last 10 years. The main growth has occurred in Warner Robins. Robins Air Force Base, the largest industrial complex in Georgia, plays a key role in the economic vitality of Houston County. Employing approximately 26,000 active military, civilian personnel and defense contractors, RAFB is the largest employer in the region and has an estimated economic impact of $4 billion. Because of the special relationship between Houston County and the base, the community has a saying “Every Day in Middle Georgia is Armed Forces Appreciation Day.” The slogan is shortened to “EDIMGIAFAD” which can be seen on signs and billboards around the city. The Museum of Aviation is adjacent to Robins. The second largest museum in the Air Force, this facility displays more than 100 aircraft and missiles and numerous special exhibits including a World War II 80 l Midstate
Hangar, the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame and an exhibit honoring the Tuskeegee Airman. Since the museum opened in 1984, it has received more than 11 million visitors from all over the world. Houston County has developed an excellent education foundation. The Houston County school system recently surpassed Bibb County as the largest school system in the area with more than 27,000 students in 38 schools. In spite of its rapid growth, Houston County schools continue to exceed state averages in test scores and graduation rates. For post-secondary education options, Middle Georgia Technical College offers a variety of degree and certificate programs and several colleges have satellite campuses in Warner Robins including Macon State College, Georgia College and State University and EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University. Houston County has a wide variety of recreational opportunities including six golf courses, hunting and fishing. However, the area is probably best known for youth sports. The Southeastern Headquarters of Little League International is located in Warner Robins. Warner Robins is proud to claim the title of Little League World Champions in softball for the 2009 and 2010 seasons and for baseball during the 2007 season. Lying a few minutes south of Warner Robins is the lovely, historic town of Perry. Founded in 1821, the town is called the “Crossroads of Georgia” because it’s located at the intersections of highways U.S. 341, U.S. 41, state Route 127 and alongside of Interstate 75. Perry has been playing host to travelers since the days of the stagecoach. 2011/2012
Warner Robins Area Chamber of Commerce 1420 Watson Blvd. Warner Robins, Ga. 31093 (478) 922-8585 www.warner-robins.com Perry Chamber of Commerce 101 Gen. Courtney Hodges Blvd. PO Box 592 Perry, Ga. 31069 (478) 987-1234 www.perrygachamber.com Robins Air Force Base (478) 926-1110 www.robins.af.mil www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil (click on the “Military Installations” link at
the bottom left corner of the home page and select “Robins AFB”)
Population: 135,715 (source: http://quickfacts.census.gov, 2000 census) COST OF LIVING Median house value: $120,900 (source: factfinder.census.gov) Sales Tax: 7 percent Median Household Income: $67,473 (source: factfinder.census.gov) UTILITIES Electricity: Georgia Power, (888) 660-5890, www.georgiapower.com; Flint Energies, (478) 988-3500, www.flintenergies.com
Georgia National Fair I Perry
Today, tourism is still an important industry in Perry. The city continues to provide respite to weary travelers, but it has also become a destination. The Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter opened in 1990 and have since grown to over 1,100 acres with state-of-the-art facilities and convention center. The fairgrounds host more than 260 events a year including the Georgia National Junior Livestock Show and the Georgia National Rodeo. The largest event is the 11-day Georgia National Fair, which had more than 400,000 visitors last year. The newest attraction in Perry is the Go Fish Education Center, which opened in October 2010. Operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the center is designed to educate visitors about the Georgia watersheds and native aquatic wildlife. With all of the events and fairs happening at the Fairgrounds, historic Downtown Perry provides a charming, casual respite with specialty shops, dining and community entertainment. The downtown comes alive in December with Christmas at the Crossroads, a full month of music and activities. In the Spring, the downtown area blooms again for the Dogwood Festival. With the small town charm of Perry and the bustle of booming Warner Robins, Houston County has the right mix of assets and qualities to make it attractive to visitors and residents. It’s no surprise that in 2010, www.businessweek.com called it the best place in Georgia to raise kids. 2011/2012
Gas: City of Perry, (478) 988-2743, www.perry-ga.gov; City of Warner Robins, (478) 929-1144, www.warner-robins.org Water: Houston County, (478) 542-2120, www.houstoncountyga.org; City of Perry, (478) 988-2743, www.perry-ga.gov; City of Warner Robins, (478) 929-1144, www.warner-robins.org Garbage: Houston County, (478) 987-4280, www.houstoncountyga.org; City of Perry, (478) 988-2700, www.perry-ga.gov; City of Warner Robins, (478) 929-1144, www.warner-robins.org Telephone: AT&T, (888) 757-6500, www.bellsouth.com; ComSouth, (478) 987-0172, www.comsouth.net Cable: Cox Communications (Warner Robins, Bonaire, Centerville, Kathleen, Robins AFB), (478) 784-8000, www.cox.com/middlega; Watson Cable (Centerville, Warner Robins, Robins AFB), (478) 922-9440, www. watsononline.net; ComSouth (Perry), (478) 987-0172, www.comsouth.net Voter Information: Houston County Board of Elections, (478) 987-1973, www.houstoncountyga.org Pet Information: Houston County Animal Control, (478) 542-2033, www. houstoncountyga.org; Warner Robins Animal Shelter, (478) 929-7280, www.warner-robins.org; Perry Animal Control, (478) 988-2800, www. perry-ga.gov Car tags: Houston County Tax Commissioner, Warner Robins (478) 5422110, Perry (478) 218-4940, www.houstoncountyga.org Driver’s licenses: Georgia Department of Driver Services, (478) 929-6774, www.dds.ga.gov Education: Houston County Board of Education, (478) 988-6200, www.hcbe.net Library: Houston County Public Libraries (three branches), Perry (478) 987-3050, Warner Robins (478) 923-0128, Centerville (478) 953-4500, www.houpl.org Midstate I 81
These poles stand for something. They bring us reliable, affordable electricity. They also carry a vision that began back before the 2nd world war. These poles rose above the dust of the Great Depression, through blood, sweat, and tears. Cooperatives brought light to darkness, and electrified this country. poles are pillars that were founded on THESE POLES HAVE ROOTS. These principle by people with principles. Neighbors banded together, and communities came together to share ownership of the electricity that would advance everyone. Today, these poles are yours. They come to you with a history. And they come to you with a responsibility. By saving energy, we can continue to build on a dream that started decades ago. And we can ensure that the spirit on which it was built continues for generations to come. Reliable, affordable electricity, for all.
TOGE T HERW E S AV E .COM
82 l Midstate
2011/2012
peach county Y
es, Peach County grows peaches. In fact, they produce more than half of Georgia’s total annual crop.
Peach County is also known for producing school buses, college graduates and camellias, but it would’ve sounded funny to name it after any of those. Agriculture has always been a prime industry for Peach County. Before peaches and pecans, it was cotton. In order to transport the crops to market, the railroad came to Fort Valley in 1871 and a thriving downtown developed around it. During the busy summer peach season, trains ran 24 hours a day taking fruit to the New York markets. There has never The nearby been a fort in town of Byron Fort Valley, grew up around a and its name railroad refueling is somewhat station and was of a mystery. incorporated in One theory is 1871. that the name The state of was intended Georgia is a to be Fox major producer of Valley but post peaches with only office officials California and in Washington, South Carolina D.C., misread producing more. the handwriting. Two family farms, Big 6 Farm and Lane Southern Orchards, are still thriving today after a century. The Pearson family has been growing peaches and pecans for more than 100 years on the same land in Peach and Crawford counties. They farm 1,500 acres of peaches and 2,000 acres of pecans. During their sorting process, the most delectable peaches and the most perfect pecans are used for their mailorder business that has been recommended by Gourmet magazine. Lane Southern Orchards has also been a family business for more than 100 years. There are 2,500 acres of peach trees and 2,000 acres of pecans. Lane Southern Orchards has a gift shop and café featuring peach and pecan delicacies and offers tours of the orchards and packinghouse. Peaches are at their peak in June, and that’s
Did you know?
2011/2012
when Peach County celebrates the Peach Festival. The event begins in Byron with fun on the midway and fireworks on the first weekend and then moves to Fort Valley the second weekend. The festivities there include a parade, live music, craft show and the world’s largest peach cobbler. Besides peaches and pecans, Fort Valley is also known for school buses. Founded in 1927, the Blue Bird Corporation is one of the world’s leading bus manufacturers. Blue Bird’s more than 1,000 employees deliver thousands of school buses, commercial buses and luxury recreational vehicles to the market each year. In 1895, during the heyday of peach production and the railroad boom, a school was established to provide education to African Americans. Originally called the Fort Valley High and Industrial School, the institution grew and evolved into Fort Valley State University, part of the University System of Georgia. Today Fort Valley State University is one of the state’s historically black colleges with an enrollment more than 3,000 undergraduate students earning bachelor’s degrees in more than 50 majors. Fort Valley is also home to the American Camellia Society headquartered at Massee Lane Gardens. Over 1,000 varieties of camellias are on display in this beautiful 100acre botanical garden, which also includes the Abendroth Japanese Garden and the Scheibert Rose Garden. A designated Main Street City, Fort Valley is involved in a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the downtown business district. Using the Main Street Four-Point Approach originated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Fort Valley Main Street organization recently completed a major renovation of the Austin Theatre. Peach County’s other city is Byron, located next to interstate 75. Byron’s historic downtown still reflects its railroad ties. In addition to many historic residences, downtown Byron has a renovated 1870 railroad depot and caboose that is now used as a museum. Because of its convenient location near the interstate, Byron has become a center of commerce including Big Peach Antiques with more than 200 dealers and Mid State RV, the world’s largest Coachman dealership. With a solid economy based on agriculture, manufacturing, education and retail, Fort Valley and Byron offer a comfortable, smalltown life in lovely historic cities. This should go without saying but we’ll say it anyway; living in Peach County is just peachy.
Peach County Chamber of Commerce 201 Oakland Heights Fort Valley, Ga. 31030 (478) 825-3733 www.peachchamber.com Population: 27, 247 (source: quickfacts.census.gov) COST OF LIVING Median house value: $113,700 (source: http://factfinder.census.gov)
Sales Tax: 7 percent Median household income: $41,868 (source: http://factfinder.census.gov)
UTILITIES Electricity: City of Byron, (478) 956-3600, www.byronga.com; Flint Energies, (800) 3423616, www.flintenergies.com; Fort Valley Utility Commission, (478) 825-7701, www.fvutil. com; Georgia Power, (888) 660-5890, www. georgiapower.com Water: City of Byron, (478) 956-3600, www. byronga.com; Fort Valley Utility Commission, (478) 825-7701, www.fvutil.com Gas: City of Byron, (478) 956-3600, www. byronga.com; Fort Valley Utility Commission, (478) 825-7701, www.fvutil.com Garbage: City of Byron, (478) 956-4483, www. byronga.com; City of Fort Valley, (478) 8252615, www.fortvalleyusa.com Telephone: AT&T, (888) 757-6500, www.att. com; Windstream, (800) 501-1754, www. windstream.com Cable: Cox Communications, Byron (478) 7848000, www.cox.com/middlega; Valley Cable, Fort Valley (478) 825-3626; Comcast, (866) 8044303, www.comcast.usdirect.com Voter Information: Peach County Board of Registrars, (478) 825-3514, www.peach county.net Pet Information: Fort Valley Police Department, (478) 825-3383, www. fortvalleyusa.com; Peach County Sheriff’s Department, (478) 825-8269, www. peachcounty.net; Byron Animal Control (478) 956-1817, www.byronga.com Car tags: Peach County Tax Commissioner, (478) 825-3161, www.peachcounty.net Driver’s licenses: Georgia Department of Driver Services (closest full-service office is in Perry), (478) 929-6774, www.dds.ga.gov Education: Peach County Board of Education, (478) 825-5933, www.peachschools.org Library: Byron Public Library, (478) 956-2200, www.peach.public.lib.ga.us; Thomas Public Library, Fort Valley (478) 825-1640, www.peach. public.lib.ga.us Midstate I 83
jones county
Jones County Courthouse
Did you know? Established in 1809, Clinton was the first county seat and became a booming town of pioneers. A large cotton-gin factory boosted the economy and the population exploded. In 1820, Clinton was the fourthlargest city in Georgia. During the Civil War, the factory in Griswoldville was contracted to make revolvers for Confederate troops. In 1864, Sherman came through Georgia and burned the town of Griswoldville to destroy its factories. Jones County was the home of the King of Soul, Otis Redding. 84 l Midstate
Ocmulgee River
A
scenic river, rural roads, gurgling streams, quaint historic towns and picturesque forests are just a few of the reasons residents love Jones County.
The fact that Jones County is within an hour’s drive of Atlanta, 15 minutes from Macon, 20 minutes from Milledgeville and only three hours from the coast is another reason for its increasing popularity. Between 2000 and 2010, the population of Jones County has risen by 21.3 percent. Obviously, lots of people are discovering its charms. Established in 1807, Jones County is one of the oldest counties in Georgia and one of the larger ones with 395 square miles. Nearly one quarter of the county is covered in the federally-owned forests of the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge and the Oconee National Forest. While the northern section of the county is
mostly wooded, the southern section is more developed and enjoys some metropolitan influences of Macon such as the Shoppes of River Crossing and Bass Pro Shops. Because of so much wilderness area, Jones is a sportsman’s paradise. Hiking, fishing and hunting are popular pastimes for residents and visitors. The 35,000-acre Piedmont Wildlife Refuge is a particular favorite with birdwatchers. While there are dozens of species of birds in the refuge, the most sought after is the red-cockaded woodpecker. The refuge is one of the few remaining habitats of this rare species. Except for short seasons of deer and turkey hunting, the refuge is open year-around for hiking, fishing and bird watching. Besides Gray, the county seat, there are several quaint communities and hamlets such as Griswoldville, Haddock, East Juliette, Round Oak and Clinton. Established in 1809, Clinton was the first county seat. Twelve of the original houses, built between 1808 and 1830, are part of the Old Clinton Historic District 2011/2012
Jones County Chamber of Commerce PO Box 686 161 West Clinton St. Gray, Ga. 31032 (478) 986-1123 www.jonescounty.org Population: 27,740 (source: quickfacts.census.gov, 2009 estimates)
COST OF LIVING Median house value: $91,200 (source: quickfacts.census.gov based on 2000 median)
Sales Tax: 7 percent Median household income: $51,708 (source: quickfacts.census.gov)
UTILITIES Electricity: Georgia Power, (478) 986-3174, www.georgiapower.com; Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation, (478) 986-8100, www. tri-countyemc.com Gas: Eatonton Natural Gas, Gray (706) 485-3311, www.eatonton.com; Monticello Natural Gas, outside Gray (706) 468-8834, www.monticelloga.org Water: City of Gray Water Department, (478) 986-5433, www.cityofgrayga.net; Jones County Water Department, (478) 743-3211 Garbage: City of Gray, Advanced Disposal Systems, (478) 986-5433; Jones County Clean Rite, (478) 9944233; Southland Waste Systems, (478) 746-7230
Clinton
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The houses were built around a central square and depict the influence of the New England settlers. Old Clinton is included on the Georgia Antebellum Trail. Every May, the village is the site for civil war re-enactors to recreate the Battle of Griswoldville and the Battle of Sunshine Church. Another historic place is the Jarrell Plantation. This state-owned site is an original plantation with 20 historic buildings dating between 1847 and 1945. Part of the exhibit includes one of the most complete collections of family artifacts from this time period. Educational programs are offered seasonally and include demonstrations on weaving, woodstove cooking and blacksmithing. Gray became the county seat in 1905, the same year the courthouse was constructed. The renovated courthouse has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Gray Station Better Hometown organization promotes the downtown area through special 2011/2012
events and activities. The Daylily Festival is held the first weekend of June and includes live music, food, entertainment, a Teddy Bear Parade and craft show. Gray Station Better Hometown’s current long-term project is to transform an old football field into Turnerwoods Park. The new green space would include walking trails, a dog park, recreation areas, picnic sites and a handicapaccessible playground. Jones County Development Authority has been promoting the assets of the county, especially the new 962-acre industrial park, which is close to Interstate 16 and has direct rail access to the Port of Savannah, making it perfect for light manufacturing or distribution. Currently, the Jones County economy is mainly supported by the timber and rock-quarry industries. With its small town charm, historic nostalgia, natural beauty and convenience to metropolitan areas, Jones County is great place to live.
Telephone: AT&T, (888) 757-6500, www. bellsouth.com; Windstream, (800) 5011754, www.windstream.com Cable: CommuniComm, Gray area (800) 554-3235, www.netcommander.com; Cox Communications, area near Bibb County (478) 784-8000, www.cox.com/ middlega; Klip Interactive, Haddock (800) 388-6577, www.klipia.com Voter Information: Jones County Board of Elections, (478) 986-3222 Pet Information: Jones County Animal Shelter, (478) 986-1427 Car tags: Jones County Tax Commissioner, (478) 986-6538 Driver’s licenses: Georgia Department of Driver Services, (closest office is in Macon), (478) 751-6031, dds.ga.gov Education: Jones County Schools, (478) 986-6580, www.jones.k12.ga.us Library: Jones County Library, (478) 9866626, www.co.bibb.ga.us/library Midstate I 85
laurens county
Market St. patrick’s on Madison Day I dublin I dublin
St. patrick’s Day parade I dublin
t
he county seat of laurens is dublin. can you guess what kind of festival is celebrated there every March? that’s right, st. Patrick’s day.
Did you know? Dublin was named by the area’s first postmaster, Jonathan Sawyer in 1811. he chose the name of his wife’s ancestral homeland. dublin may have been the smallest town ever created. The original legal description read: “the incorporation shall extend to and include all the inhabitants living within 250 yards of Broad Street and within 400 yards of the court house.” In 1944, the teenage Martin luther King, Jr. gave his first public speech at the First African baptist church in dublin. 86 l Midstate
Except Dubliners don’t celebrate for just one day, their festival lasts the whole month of March. Some of the most popular activities include the Leprechaun Road Race, a golf tournament, a balloon fest, a parade and the world’s biggest Irish stew. This event was first held in 1966 and has since become one of the premier St. Patrick’s celebrations in the South. It has been named a Top 20 Event in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. Some of the St. Patrick Day events are held in Dublin’s charming historic downtown. The town was incorporated in 1812 making it one of Georgia’s oldest cities. The Dublin Commercial District includes examples of historic architecture dating between 1875 and 1974. One of the most striking buildings in downtown is the Carnegie Library (1903-
1904). Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the old library is home to the Dublin-Laurens Museum operated by the Laurens County Historical Society. The downtown area also is home to Theatre Dublin. Built in 1934 and renovated in 1996, it now serves as the town’s performingarts center. Located near Theatre Dublin is Market on Madison, a farmers’ market featuring fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers and handmade crafts, homemade jams and baked goods. The city hosts events to bring the community together including “First Fridays” with live entertainment. For those who love the outdoors, the Hugh Gillis Public Fishing Area offers a 109-acre lake surrounded by 640 acres of countryside. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish including bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish. Dubliners do value their history but they also keep their eyes on the future. Community leaders work hard to promote Lauren County’s qualities. More and more businesses are realizing how advantageous the county’s location is with its convenient 2011/2012
Dublin-Laurens Chamber of Commerce 1200 Bellevue Ave. Dublin, Ga. 31040 (478) 272-5546 www.dublin-georgia.com Population: 48,295 (source: http://quickfacts.census.gov)
Cost of Living Median house value: $73,900 (source: http://quickfacts.census.gov)
Sales Tax: 7 percent Median household income: $38,676 (source: http://quickfacts.census.gov)
Utilities Electricity: Georgia Power, (478) 272-5252, www.georgiapower.com; Little Ocmulgee Electric Membership Corporation, (478) 2752788, www.littleocmulgeeemc.com; Oconee Electric Membership Corporation, (478) 274-2442, www.oconeeemc.com; Altamaha Electric Membership Corporation, (800) 8224563, www.altamahaemc.com Gas: City of Dublin Gas Department, (478) 277-5048, www.cityofdublin.org
Historic home I Dublin
interstate access to Atlanta’s international airport and the port cities of Savannah and Brunswick. In addition to major employers such as Flexsteel Industries, YKK AP America and SP Newsprint, Laurens County recently became the home to the North American headquarters and production plant of MAGE SOLAR, a part of the globally operating MAGE GROUP. Laurens County also has quality health care and a strong educational system. Fairview Park Hospital, a 190-bed acute-care facility, provides general health care, a 24-hour emergency room, inpatient and outpatient surgeries, and rehabilitation therapy. Serving the veterans living in Middle Georgia, the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center provides extended care, primary care, mental health, pharmacy and women’s health. This VA hospital was opened in 1948 for the long-term care of naval personnel. Today, the facility has 340 beds and more than 800 employees. The Oconee Fall Line Technical College contributes to Lauren County’s skilled workforce. It offers more than 100 associate degrees, diploma and certificate programs. 2011/2012
OFTC was formed in July 2011 from the merger of the Heart of Georgia Technical College in Dublin and Sandersville Technical College in Sandersville. Having a technical college was one of the reasons Laurens County was designated as a Certified Work Ready Community of Excellence in 2009. The combination of employment opportunities, historic architecture, healthcare, career training, community events and recreational facilities has led to several awards and distinctions. Dublin was chosen as a City of Excellence by Georgia Trend Magazine in 2000 and selected as a Signature Community in 2007 by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Dublin’s most recent award, the AARC Seal of Approval, was given by the American Association of Retirement Communities. The city was selected based on quality of life, available health care, housing, recreational amenities and cultural, civic and economic vitality. Dublin was the first community in Georgia to earn this award. Dublin’s motto, “Green and Growing,” seems to be well-chosen and deserved.
Water: City of Dublin Water Department, (478) 277-5050, www.cityofdublin.org Garbage: City of Dublin Sanitation Department, (478) 277-5016, www. cityofdublin.org; Laurens County Solid Waste Management Authority, (478) 676-3963, www.laurenscoga.org Telephone: AT&T, (888) 757-6500, www.att. com; Progressive Rural Telephone, (478) 9844201, www2.progressivetel.com Cable: Charter Communications, Dublin (888) 438-2427, www.charter.com; Klip Interactive, Laurens County (800) 388-6577, www.klipia.com Voter Information: Laurens County Board of Registrars, (478) 272-2841, www. laurenscoga.org Pet Information: Laurens County Animal Control, (478) 277-2943; Dublin-Laurens County Humane Society, (478) 272-534, www.dublinlaurenshumanesociety.org Car tags: Laurens County Tax Commissioner, (478) 272-6994, www.laurenscoga.org Driver’s licenses: Georgia Department of Driver Services, (478) 275-6600, www.dds. ga.gov Education: Dublin City, (478) 272-3440; Laurens County School, (478) 272-4767, www.lcboe.net Library: Laurens County Library, (478) 2725710, www.laurens.public.lib.ga.us Midstate I 87
monroe county
Monroe County Courthouse I Forsyth
Did you know? the Monroe railroad company completed a 26-mile rail line between Forsyth and Macon in 1838. It was the first railroad to carry passengers in Georgia. Although Monroe County was spared much of the violence of the civil War, a small battle did take place in culloden. Ironically, it happened after the war was over. Word of General lee’s surrender to General Grant had not yet reached all areas of the south. ten t days after the surrender, a small unit of Georgia militiamen fought with a Union force marching on Macon. Monroe County was established in 1821 and named after James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States. It was once much larger than it is now but parts of the original county were pared off to create Pike, upson, bibb, butts and spalding counties. 88 l Midstate
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onroe county very aptly calls itself the “Middle of Everywhere.”
Bisected by Interstate 75, Monroe is only an hour to Atlanta, 20 minutes to the shopping centers and entertainment venues in Macon, and less than three hours to Savannah. This allows residents to enjoy small-town life and still be close to urban amenities. Forsyth, the county seat, might be a small city but it’s not a sleepy one. It’s undergoing a cultural renaissance, and the charming historic downtown square has become a center of dining and entertainment. Grits Café, located on the square, offers sophisticated, Southern-inspired cuisine in a comfortable, eclectic atmosphere. It has been featured in Southern Living and Georgia Trend magazines. Dinner and a show anyone? Forsyth’s community theater group, the Backlot Players, offers seasonal shows in the restored Rose Theatre. The new Forsyth Welcome Center occupies the old City Hall building. Built in 1897, this two-story brick belltower building went through a $1.1 million renovation.
Forsyth’s square turns positively stunning each spring as the bright yellow blossoms of the Forsythia burst into bloom. The town celebrates with the Forsythia Festival during the second weekend of March. This year will be the 25th anniversary of the festival featuring arts and crafts, 5K run, live music, a beauty pageant and a faith-based singing competition. Fans of the 1991 movie “Fried Green Tomatoes” enjoy visiting the Whistle Stop Café in the town of Juliette. The restaurant still serves fried green tomatoes as well as Southern barbeque, fried chicken and homemade peach cobbler. Juliette has a fall festival in honor of the movie. The Green Tomato Festival occurs the fourth weekend of October and offers arts and crafts, entertainment and, of course, fried green tomatoes. Juliette was once home to the world’s largest water-powered grist mill. The mill was abandoned for nearly 50 years before Les White turned the decaying structure into an antique motorcycle museum. The Old Mill Motorcycle Museum showcases more than 20 vintage Harley Davidsons, hand restored by White. The models date from the 1930s to the 1960s and are worth $20,000 to $35,000 each. 2011/2012
Forsyth/Monroe County Chamber of Commerce 68 North Lee st. Forsyth, Ga. 31209 (478) 994-9239 (888) 642-4628 www.forsyth-monroechamber.com population: 25,425 (source: quickfacts.census.gov) COST OF LIvING Median house value: $103,600 (source: quickfacts.census.gov, based on 2000 median)
Sales tax: 7 percent Median household income: $52,114 (source: quickfacts.census.gov)
uTILITIeS electricity: City of Forsyth, (478) 994-5649, www.cityofforsyth.net; Central Georgia electric Membership Corp., (800) 222-4877, www. cgemc.com; Georgia Power Company, (888) 6605890, www.georgiapower.com; Lamar electric Membership Corporation, (770) 358-1383, www. southernriversenergy.com Gas: scana energy, (877) 467-2262, www. scanaenergy.com; Commerce energy inc., (877) 226-5389; Coweta-Fayette eMC Natural Gas (877) 746-4362; Gas Key, (877) 427-1539; Georgia Natural Gas services, (877) 850-6200; infinite energy inc., (877) 483-4684; shell energy services, (877) 677-4355; southern Company Gas, (866) 7626427; Vectren source, (866) 200-5693; Walton eMC Natural Gas, (866) 936-2427
On a map of Georgia, if you run your finger along Interstate 75, you will find Forsyth and Monroe County, right in the middle of Georgia. Monroe County offers something for everyone: lip-smacking food, unique shopping, charming Southern towns, exciting history, natural beauty, and even a touch of Hollywood. Come join us right here in the “middle of everywhere.” 888.642.4628
themiddleofeverywhere.com
Water: City of Forsyth, (478) 994-5649, www. cityofforsyth.net; Monroe County, (478) 992-5089, www.monroecountygeorgia.com Garbage: Forsyth sanitation department, (478) 994-2381, www.cityofforsyth.net; Monroe County Recycling Waste Collection, (478) 992-5049, www. monroecountygeorgia.com; Forsyth Recycling Center, (478) 922-8677 Telephone: at&t, tt, (888) 757-6500, bellsouth.com Cable: Forsyth CableNet, Forsyth area (478) 992-5096, www.forsythcable.com; Reynolds Cable, Bolingbroke area (800) 822-8650, www. reynoldscable.net voter Information: Registrar’s Office, 560 North Lee st. (Pace & Pace Building), Forsyth, (478) 9947622 pet Information: save a Pet inc., (478) 994-3882, www.saveapetinc.com Car tags: Monroe County ttax Commissioner, (478) 994-7020, www.monroecountygeorgia.com Driver’s licenses: Georgia department of driver services (closest full-service office is in Macon), (478) 751-6031, www.dds.ga.gov education: Monroe County Board of education, (478) 994-2031, www.monroe.k12.ga.us Library: Monroe County Library, (478) 994-7025, www.monroecountygeorgia.com 2011/2012
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High Falls
Juliette
Forsythia Festival I Forsyth
Forsythia Festival
Forsythia Festival 90 l Midstate
Forsythia Festival
The small town of Bolingbroke is known for its antique shops. The hamlet of Culloden is the oldest community in Monroe. It was first settled in the 1700s by William Culloden, a Scotsman. Forsyth received an economic boost in Fall 2010 when the Georgia Department of Corrections relocated its headquarters from Atlanta to the recently renovated campus of historic Tift College. Approximately 400 DOC central staff employee positions were moved to the new State Offices South at Tift College. The new headquarters joins another major state law enforcement facility in Forsyth, the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. Georgia Power is another large employer in the area. It operates Plant Scherer in Juliette, the fifth largest electric generating plant in the United States. Even with the thriving city of Forsyth, Monroe County is still basically rural. Only 66.8 persons per square mile inhabit Monroe County as compared to the state average of 167.3 per square mile. In fact, Monroe is known for the beauty of the Rum Creek Wildlife Management area and Lake Juliette, a 3,600-acre lake that was created by the damming of Rum Creek. The lake has a development-free shoreline and motorboat restrictions to maintain the natural peacefulness. High Falls State Park is also nearby with a scenic waterfall, campsites, swimming and hiking. While Monroe County is in the “Middle of Everywhere� and convenience to other cities is a plus, residents would argue that is not the only reason they choose to live there. Small-town life, undeveloped natural areas, economic stability and quality education are more likely their reasons. The secret of Monroe County is getting out. According to the 2010 census, Monroe County has seen a population increase of 21.5 percent to 26,424 people making it one of the fastest growing counties in middle Georgia. 2011/2012
pulaski county B
enjamin Franklin was in Paris in 1776, recruiting volunteers to fight in America’s Revolutionary War, when he came upon Polish officer Count Casimir Pulaski. Poland and Britain being bitter rivals, Pulaski jumped at the chance to fight against his country’s enemies. After several battles on American soil, Pulaski proved himself such a valiant soldier that he earned the commission of Brigadier General of the entire American Cavalry. In 1779, Pulaski was mortally wounded in the Battle of Savannah. The county of Pulaski was created in 1808 and named in his honor. Although not a battlefield site itself, Pulaski County was the campground of Gen. Andrew Jackson and his troops as they traveled to Florida to fight the Seminoles. A boulder with a bronze tablet inscribed “General Jackson’s Trail 1818” is at the corner of Broad and Jackson streets in Hawkinsville as a memorial to the military campaign. At one time, Pulaski County came within one vote of being the site of Georgia’s new capital. It has been said that many of the disappointed residents attributed the loss to one man who cast his bait in the river instead of his vote at the polls. Before it was a Georgia county, the area was the capital of the Creek Indian Confederacy. Attracted by abundant wildlife and the Ocmulgee River, the Creeks lived there until the turn of the 19th century when treaties declared it an American territory. The city of Hawkinsville was named after the U.S. agent to the Creek nation, Benjamin Hawkins, also a member of the U.S. Senate. The Hawkinsville Opera House was built in 1907 and designed by W. R. Gunn, a noted Macon architect and theatrical designer. He guaranteed the building would have perfect acoustics and all 576 seats would have a clear view of the stage or he would refund his fees. He was not asked for a refund. It was placed on the National Historic Register in 1973. Thanks to a $1.7 million renovation of the Opera House in 2000, Hawkinsville continues to be a bustling center of cultural events just as it was 100 years ago. The HawkinsvillePulaski County Arts Council sponsors a full season of events bringing in nationally known acts such as BJ Thomas, Chuck Leavell, Jim Brickman and Mustang Sally. But don’t be fooled by Hawkinsville’s modest 2011/2012
size, the city is actually nationally renowned. Known as the Harness Horse Capital of Georgia, the city began its long association with harness racing in 1894. It has served as the winter training ground for northern and Canadian horsemen since the 1920s. Georgia’s red clay and mild climate make Pulaski County an ideal place for training young trotters. In fact, several Hawkinsville trainees have gone on to win world championships. Pulaski County celebrates its annual Hawkinsville Harness Festival in April. In addition to the harness races, the festival offers concerts, carnival rides, fireworks, dances, an arts and crafts show and a golf tournament. The golf tournament is held annually at the Southern Hills Golf Club, one of the most beautiful courses in Georgia. Given four and a half stars out of five on Golf Digest Magazine’s 2006-07 list of places to play, it also is named in the top five courses in the U.S. for value and service. After 18 months of construction, the club was opened in 1997 and has been ranked with Reynold’s Plantation in Greensboro and Sea Island Golf Club on St. Simons Island as one of the top courses in Georgia. Designed to incorporate the rolling terrain, the course has challenging elevation changes and water hazards on nine of the 18 holes. In the fall, residents leave the lush green of the course in exchange for the cool metal of stadium seats. High school football is an institution here. Hawkinsville High School has won numerous region and state football championships. The Hawkinsville football winning streak began back in 1948, when Robert Gentry signed on as coach. Singlehandedly leading the team to three state football championships and seven region titles during his career, Gentry was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2005. Hawkinsville High’s football stadium, which you’ll find packed with students, parents and fans during the fall season, is named in Coach Gentry’s honor. The Hawkinsville Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce was pleased to announce that Hawkinsville was one of 41 communities named “Entrepreneur Friendly” by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Approximately two-thirds of Pulaski County employees work in the service sector with most of the remainder working in government. The largest employers in the county are Taylor Regional Hospital, Elder Care Pharmacy and the manufacturing firm Hollingsworth and Vose.
Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce PO Box 300 108 Lumpkin St. Hawkinsville, Ga. 31036 (478) 783-1717 www.hawkinsvillechamber.org Population: 9,897 (source: http://quickfacts.census.gov, 2009 estimate from 2000 census)
Cost of Living Median house value: $75,400 (source: www.georgiastats.uga.edu, based on 2000 median)
Sales Tax: 7 percent Median annual household income: $35,027 (source: www.georgiastats.uga.edu) Utilities Electricity: Georgia Power Company, (888) 660-5890, www.georgiapower.com; Middle Georgia Electric Membership Corporation, (800) 342-0144, www.mgemc. com; Ocmulgee Electric Membership Corporation, (800) 342-5509, www. ocmulgeeemc.com Gas: City of Hawkinsville Utilities Department, (478) 783-9244, www. hawkinsvillega.net Water/Sewer: City of Hawkinsville Utilities Department, (478) 783-9248, www. hawkinsvillega.net Garbage: City of Hawkinsville Public Works Department, (478) 783-9250, www. hawkinsvillega.net Telephone: AT&T, (888) 757-6500, www. att.com; ComSouth Telecommunications, (478) 783-4001, www.comsouth.net Cable: ComSouth Telecommunications, (478) 783-4001, www.comsouth.net Voter Information: Pulaski County Registrar’s Office, (478) 783-0828, www. pulaskico.com Pet Information: City of Hawkinsville Animal Control, (478) 783-1212, www. hawkinsvillega.net Car Tags: Pulaski County Tax Commissioner, (478) 783-2811, www. pulaskico.com Driver’s Licenses: Georgia Department of Driver Services, (478) 929-6774, www.dds. ga.gov Education: Pulaski County Board of Education, (478) 783-7200, www.pulaski. k12.ga.us Library: M.E. Roden Library, (478) 8923155, www.pulaskico.com Midstate I 91
Ma
92 l Midstate
2011/2012
Macon People I Macon Culture I Macon Living I Macon Experience I Macon Community
Media Kit for advertisers
our mission Macon Magazine takes a positive but clear-eyed look at our community, highlighting the many wonderful aspects of living in Macon. We strive to be honest, accurate and astute in our writing and reporting, to support local organizations that promote Middle Georgia whenever possible and to conduct all of our business with the highest professional standards. We also believe in the value of partnership. With Macon Arts Alliance, we produce Ovations, a publication dedicated to the local arts, and we print annual reports for local nonprofits including the community Foundation of central Georgia, the college hill commission and Community Health Works. These organizations know they reach an affluent, intelligent and involved audience with Macon Magazine, and we are able to provide our readers with interesting and important content. With the exception of special advertising sections, Macon Magazine does not sell content. Our stories are to the best of our ability unbiased, fair and factual, written by paid freelance writers.
25 years serving Middle Georgia.
50+ awards for innovation & journalistic excellence.
I local arts I college hill corridor I annual homes & gardens I holiday recipes I community involvem
our calendar a year in Macon Magazine will expose your brand to our loyal readers with targeted editorial content. along with interesting features in each issue, regular themes and special sections during the year include:
December & January
February & March
april & May
A New You in the New Year
Wedding Guide & Cherry Blossom
Annual Homes & Gardens
Kicking off the new year with a focus on health, happiness and a new you
Stories of beautiful brides and a guide to the annual Cherry Blossom Festival
Macon’s new and historic homes and gardens with inspirational projects and design tips
June & July
august & September
October & november
Women in Business
5 Under 40 & Local Leaders
An annual presentation of local businesswomen, their stories and business advice
Holiday Gift Guide & Food & Wine
Young and local leaders with a focus on the future of our city
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+
+
Stress less over the holidays with gift ideas, treats and family fun
MIDStatE annual A Newcomers & Visitors Guide to Middle Georgia Everything you need to know when you visit the area or call the Midstate home printed: Every fall Circulated: Throughout the year
in every issue: In addition to our special sections and seasonal content, these features can be found in every regular issue of Macon Magazine:
bits & pieces faces hot tickets dining guide last bite
newsworthy items you’ll want to share who’s who at downtown and local gatherings entertainment you won’t want to miss the city’s most scrumptious eateries fun, easy & healthy recipes for the season
ity involvement I profiles I dining I historic renovations I ovations I hot tickets I mercer music I
our readers Macon Magazine serves a well-educated and upper-income audience. our readers enjoy a healthy amount of leisure time and disposable incomes. They shop with our magazine’s advertisers. Here’s a quick look at the audience you’ll reach as an advertiser in Macon Magazine. $75,000 - $250,000 80% 80% 48,000 + 31210, 31204 & 31201
Annual income range hold professional or managerial jobs Invest in stock portfolios Average readers per issue Zip codes with the highest number of subscriptions and counter sales, Macon’s most affluent neighborhoods
48,000+ average readers per issue. 15%
24%
undergraduate
86%
renters
homeowners
55%
graduate degree
30%
high school
Home ownership
single
25%
75%
ages 25-55
35%
Level of education
age of readers
18-25, 55+
65%
married
Marital status
Information is based on a subscriber survey conducted by HHB Advertising.
I living green I women in business I middle georgia I cherry blossom I tech talk I for the love of fo
our circulation Macon Magazine is available on newsstand racks at these locations: Arts on the Avenue barnes & noble booksellers the bird store books-A-Million cannonball house chichester’s on vineville Avenue and hartley bridge road Fountain car Wash Frames & Art Ginger Michelle hay house In Good taste Ingles in Gray Ingleside village Pizza on Ingleside Avenue Joycine’s Gifts & Jewelry Kroger grocery stores in Macon, Perry and Warner robins Lawrence Mayer Florist Macon Arts
33%
paid subscribers
30%
newsstand sales
17%
hotel & inn distribution
10%
waiting room distribution
10%
event participation & sponsorships
48,000
average number of readers per issue
10,000 average number printed per issue
Market city cafe Museum of Arts & sciences Payne city Antique Mall Publix grocery stores in Macon, Kathleen, Perry and Warner robins sidney lanier cottage Walthall convenience stores in Macon, bolingbroke and byron
Why magazines? readership
Four out of five adults read magazines. Since the social media boom, magazines have gained more than 1 million young adult readers.
credibility
readers consider advertisements in magazines to be more trustworthy and inspirational than TV or online ads.
buzz
Magazine readers are more likely than consumers of other media to influence friends and family on products across a variety of categories. Source: Monroe Mendelsohn Research Study
the love of food I holiday gift guide I health & fitness I faces I 5 under 40 leaders I entertaining I
our rates provided by Macon Magazine at no additional charge:
SCan ME!
• Layout and design of ads based on information and materials provided by the client. *After second revision, $75 will be charged per revision and new proof. • One color or black-and-white scan per ad. • Clients with six-issue contracts for ads that are 1/3-page size or larger will receive a free link on our Web site. • Clients with six-issue contracts for ads that are 1/3-page size or larger may receive a free Qr code supplied by Macon Magazine linking readers directly to your Web site. Scan our QR above with your phone to see how it works.
rates are available upon request for inserting brochures, annual reports and other promotional material into the magazine.
additional charges:
•
• Photo shoots will be billed at $60 per hour with a one-hour minimum. • Guaranteed position in the magazine is an additional 10%. • There is a $100 minimum charge to supply ads created by Macon Magazine to other publications.
15% disount
for ads submitted digitally.
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3-issue rate
6-issue rate
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$1,850 $1,320 $1,090 $760 $630 $415 $260
premium positions I Price per issue Inside Front Inside Back Back Cover Page One
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$2,800 $2,610 $3,245 $2,700
$2,325 $2,160 $2,650 $2,250
ad rates and charges may vary for special advertising sections.
I restaurants I young leaders I local arts & music I downtown development I new year, new you
P
our specs Digital file submission checklist:
•
• Documents should be e-mailed to your account executive as press-ready PDFs. We support Adobe CS5 software applications. • If using custom or uncommon fonts, include the font files with the document. If unable to do so, convert the document text to outlines (in Illustrator) or to smart objects (in Photoshop) and flatten the document before exportpUBLICatIOn SpECS ing to PdF. Finished size: 8.375” x 10.875” Printing: 4/4 color process, Web press binding: saddle stitched
production Schedule I
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These are approximate dates that vary slightly each year.
Issue
Space reservations
Ad Materials*
Digital submissions**
Feb/Mar Apr/May Jun/Jul Aug/Sep Oct/Nov Dec/Jan
Jan. 4 March 1 May 1 July 2 Sept. 4 Nov. 1
Jan. 9 March 5 May 3 July 5 Sept. 5 Nov. 2
Jan. 11 March 7 May 7 July 9 Sept. 11 Nov. 7
Ad Size
(Pictured below)
* Copy/materials deadlines for ads to be designed by Macon Magazine ** Ads not designed by Macon Magazine (Submitted by advertisers)
1/6 H Full Page
Full Page Bleed
2/3 V
1/2 V
Dimensions (Horizontal x Vertical)
Full
7.375” x 10”
Full Bleed*
8.625” x 11.125”
2/3-V
5” x 9.875”
1/2-H
7.375” x 4.85”
1/2-V
4.85” x 7.375”
1/3-SQ
4.8” x 4.8”
1/3-H
7.375” x 3.2”
1/3-V
2.3” x 9.875”
1/4-V
3.55” x 4.8”
1/6-H
4.85” x 2.35”
1/6-V
2.35” x 4.85”
1/8-H
3.6” x 2.35”
* Allow 0.125” on all sides to be cropped during production
1/3 V 1/2 H
1/6 V
1/3 Sq. 1/4 V
1/8 H 1/8 H
1/3 Sq.
1/3 H
, new you I local businesses I historic homes I beautiful brides I hot tickets I annual food & wine I
1/6 V
top 5
1
Reasons to advertise
2
3
4
5
Reader focus
Subscriptions
Wide audiences
Consumers
Local credibility
When consumers read magazines, they are much less likely to engage with other media or non-media activities compared to the users of tv, radio or the Internet.
Macon Magazine readers pay for their subscriptions. Free magazines are significantly less likely to be read and valued than paid magazines in affluent communities.
the number of magazine readers is growing, with more than one million new young adult readers in the last 5 years. While most of our readers are in Middle Georgia, we have subscribers in 48 states.
Multiple studies show that 56% of all readers act on magazine ads. this is a trend that has increased more than 10% in the past five years.
In its 25th year of publication and operated by longtime local residents, Macon Magazine has proven its credibility and committment to improving the Macon and Middle Georgia community.
Sources: Monroe Mendelsohn Research Study & HHB Advertising
2208 Ingleside Ave., Macon, Ga. • (478) 746-7779 office • (478) 743-4608 fax • www.maconmagazine.com
om