Welcome home 2017 small

2017

COVER

Where young families get fit for success page 14

A working guide that bridges the gap between print and digital media with direct call and GPS navigation capabilities

WHAT’S INSIDE

COVER FEATURE

LANDMARKS

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

FitCo Health Club

A Magical Place

The Wait is Over

Where young families get fit for success

The Rose Theatre is one of Forsyth’s most loved places

The Forsyth, Monroe County Boys Club opens its doors

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• Welcome to Monroe County .........................page 8 • A Rich History ..................................................page 22 • Important Numbers .......................................page 24 • Public Safety .....................................................page 48 • Small Town Stories ........................................page 52 • Health Matters ..................................................page 58 • Growing Industry ............................................page 72 • Constructing Futures .....................................page 74 • Education ............................................................page 78 • Progress In Motion .........................................page 88 • Local Athletes ...................................................page 98 • Chamber of Commerce ................................page 104 • Business Directory .........................................page 105 DIGITAL DIRECTORIES

Scan the QR Code with any device to access the online digital directories with direct call options

• Health Matters ....................................................page 70 • Government ........................................................page 86 • Dining ....................................................................page 96 • Business Directory ............................................page 111 Page 4

Welcome Home 2017

Whistle Stop Café The

Juliette, Georgia

Come visaitt made h the cafeeetn tomatoes fried gramous! f

•Appetizers• Salads • Thirst Quenchers • Sandwiches • Dinners • Veggie Plates • Desserts The Whistle Stop Café is internationally known for its desired cuisine, southern flare and unique environment. The tantalizing fried green tomatoes, the truly mammoth size rooster strips, homemade sauces, salads, super stacked sandwiches and old-fashion entrees are what Grandma’s dreams are made of. Finish off your meal with our heavenly Southern Living award-winning desserts. So come on in for a spell.

We promise you won’t go away hungry!

Open seven days a week!

11:00 am - 4:00 pm

443 McCrackin Street Juliette, GA 31046

478-992-8886

thewhistlestopcafe.com

50 N. Jackson Street • Forsyth • 478-994-2358

Reporter the Monroe County

Will Davis

Richard Dumas

Trellis Grant

Diane Glidewell

Carolyn Martel

Brandon Park

Publisher publisher@mymcr.net

Business Manager business@mymcr.net

Advertising Manager ads@mymcr.net

News Editor forsyth@mymcr.net

Community Editor news@mymcr.net

Creative Director graphics@mymcr.net

Lobby Hours:

Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Drive Thru Hours:

Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The 2017-2018 Welcome Home magazine is a product of the Monroe County Reporter, in conjunction with the Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce

Internet Banking:

www.PersonsBankingCompany.com

Phone Banking: (478) 994-6995

Drive-up ATM Available 24 Hours 88 North Lee Street• Forsyth, GA

(478) 994-5146

Forsyth-Monroe Chamber of Commerce Cheri W. Sparks President / CEO

cwsparks@forsyth-monroechamber.com

Madeline Mathews Office Manager

admin@forsyth-monroechamber.com

Nadia K. Graveran Program Coordinator nadia@forsyth-monroechamber.com

10 W. Chambers • Forsyth • 478-994-9239

License # CN210324

Residential & Commercial • Locally Owned & Family Operated We Service All Brands • Licensed & Insured • Service Agreements Financing Available • Honest & Reliable Service • Experience You Can Count On

WELCOME TO MONROE COUNTY

Monroe County’s historic courthouse, shown at sunset, makes a picturesque backdrop to Forsyth’s growing courthouse square.

Below, Dusty Long and his daughter Livi at Monroe County’s premier event, The Forsythia Festival.

AT A GLANCE: FORSYTH - MONROE COUNTY POPULATION: Monroe County..................27,306 Forsyth..................................5,022 Culloden..................................227 (Source: U.S. Census, 2015)

The communities of Bolingbroke, High Falls, Juliette and Smarr are unincorporated Monroe County.

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Welcome Home 2017

We’re Glad You’re Here!

O

ne of the fastest-growing communities in Middle Georgia, Forsyth-Monroe County is the preeminent place to raise a family, start a business or enjoy your retirement years.

Photo by Chris Spence 4

This annual publication, Welcome Home, is designed to show you why that’s so. But please, just keep it between us because we don’t want the best-kept secret in the Peach State to be overrun by everyone at once.

This publication is designed to help you get everything you need to know about our charming neck of the woods. For new families and businesses, they’ll find how to set up utilities, when to register for school and what to do for recreation. For long-time residents, they’ll be reminded why Monroe County is a great place to live.

From the original Whistle Stop Cafe in the town of Juliette to the beautifully-restored 1896 courthouse, our county is alive with color and history. The Towaliga River at High Falls offers the perfect place for a romantic picnic lunch while avid antiquers will delight in the treasures that abound in the shops throughout our county. Whether you seek the thrill of world-class hunting in the woods around Smarr or are hot on

DID YOU KNOW? Monroe County occupies 397 square miles.

The population has grown 24 percent since 2000.

Monroe County is 73 percent white, 24 percent black and 2 percent Hispanic.

the trail of your own family history in Forsyth. Monroe County offers something for everyone.

Our area is a network of unique but interconnected communities each bearing its own distinctive personality and past, but all uniting in common strength as we look toward our county’s future. Here you will find the best of all worlds.

Our proximity to major centers such as Macon and Atlanta, as well as the ease of travel afforded by the major north-south artery of Interstate 75, ensures access to a wealth of “big city” amenities -- and yet we retain our “small town” sensibilities and values. Those who work in Atlanta or Macon often choose to live in Forsyth-Monroe County; they appreciate the easier pace of our communities, the friendliness of our citizens and our wide array of superb educational, medical and professional services.

Affordable property ensures commercial and residential prosperity Continued on Page 10

LOCATION:

Monroe County is located in central Georgia, approximately 50 miles south of Atlanta and 25 miles north of Macon. Located conveniently on I-75, the county prides itself on being in “The Middle of Everywhere”.

Surrounding counties include Bibb, Jones, Jasper, Lamar, Butts, Crawford and Upson.

Both Forsyth and Culloden are located along the Peach Blossom Trail that follows U.S. 41/341 from Jonesboro to Perry.

AREA CODE: 478 CLIMATE:

Monroe County enjoys the pleasure of a warm, mild climate. Spring temperatures approach the mid-80s (degrees F) by May with July and August high temperatures registering at nearly 91 degrees. Winter lows rarely drop below freezing. The county had a wet 2013 almost totalling its average annual rainfall of 60 inches per year by September. Spring and fall are generally the wettest times of the year.

Snowfall averages barely over a half inch annually, though the county did get 4 inches of snow in 2010.

(Source: Monroe County Extension Service)

Welcome Home 2017

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WELCOME TO MONROE COUNTY

Cassy Phillips, below right, is among the Monroe County students who have performed at the new Fire Arts Center.

and expansion even as we preserve the ambience of charm and neighborliness for which we are renowned.

Within these pages, you will find basic, but crucial, information such as numbers to call to get the utilities connected, information about Monroe County’s schools and health-care facilities, and more. We also offer you an overview of the economic strength of the area and suggestions for leisure-time activities from hiking in one

LIVING HERE:

of the state parks to dining and shopping opportunities.

Our goal is to ease your transition as you make your home or locate your business within our county.

Rest assured that the staff at the Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce will be happy to assist you with any questions about the area or to direct you to one of our member businesses who can best meet your needs.

We warmly welcome you to Forsyth-Monroe County.

As of 2016, Monroe County’s population is estimated at 27,.306 people. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 26 percent, adding 5,555 residents, according to the census. The median home cost in Monroe County is $157,200.

Monroe County’s cost of living is 7% lower than the U.S. average. The per student expenditure in Monroe County public schools is $8,200. There are approximately 17 students per teacher in Monroe County schools. Monroe County’s population is 73 percent white, 24 percent black and 3 percent other.

(Source: U.S. Census Bureau estimates)

Page 10

Welcome Home 2017

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As involved corporate citizens, Central Georgia EMC, Southern Rivers Energy and Oglethorpe Power are members of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce and participate in a variety of charitable and community activities every year. In addition, our operations, including the Smarr Energy Facility and the Robert W. Scherer Power Plant, put us among Monroe County’s highest taxpayers, employing numerous highly skilled professionals.

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w w w. S o u t h e r n Co m m e rc i a l Ti re. co m

COVER FEATURE

By Richard Dumas

F Page 14

Welcome Home 2017

itCo Health Club, a locally-owned fitness gym, has been serving the health needs of Monroe Countians for nearly a year.

FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

Where young families get fit for success

LOCATION:

833 Patrol Road Forsyth, GA 31029

CONTACT:

(478) 993-2202

The gym, which opened at 833 Patrol Road in November 2016, is co-owned by Monroe County natives, Stacy Bryant and Daniel Stickler, and managed by another local, Emily Crawford.

Crawford, who has worked in fitness gyms for a dozen years, said Bryant and Stickler are the best owners for which she’s worked.

“They’re extremely active,” Crawford said. “They’re here every morning and usually stop in one or two times in the afternoon. . . Daniel and Stacy do a wonderful job. As far as any business owners,

they’ve been the best that I’ve ever worked with. They’re open to ideas. Anything that involves the community, they’re up for. And they’re very involved, very hands-on. I’m very impressed.”

Continued on Page 16

Welcome Home 2017

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COVER FEATURE

FitCo opened under new ownership several months after the closing of another gym at the same 10,000 square-foot location. FitCo currently has 12 employees and is still growing.

Crawford said a typical day brings about 100 visitors to the gym, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Crawford said the facility, which is located right next to I-75 South has excellent visibility, and its close proximity to several public safety facilities, including the Georgia State Patrol office and the Georgia Department of Corrections, makes it especially popular with public safety workers.

Stickler said both he and Bryant were members of previous gyms at the same location and were regular workout partners. He said they de-

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Welcome Home 2017

cided fairly quickly after the last gym’s closing that they wanted to own their own facility. Stickler, an insurance salesman, said he and Bryant complement each other well as owners.

“The good thing about our partnership is we each bring a lot of pros to the table,” Stickler said. “Both of us are very customer-oriented, and we both want to give back to the community as much as possible.”

Stickler said the first year of the gym’s operation has gone well, but they’re still trying to attract more clients. Stickler said neither he nor Bryant have taken home a paycheck from the gym yet, instead using profits to pay back investors and put more money back into the gym.

“We’re holding well,” Stickler said.

SCHEDULE FOR SPECIALTY CLASSES: The Powerflex class taught by Rikki Johnson at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday The HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) class taught by Johnson at 5:15 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Friday Zumba class taught by Holli Shipman at 6:15 p.m. on Sunday and Thursday Yogalates (a combination of Yoga and Pilates) taught by Crawford at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

“We’re gonna keep pushing on.

Nov. 1 will be our one-year anniversary.”

Among FitCo’s equipment offerings, the gym has machines for every muscle group, cardio machines, cable machines, free weights and bumper plates. FitCo also has a group fitness room such offerings as ropes, fit balls, BOSU balls, sledgehammers and cycling bikes.

Numerous specialty classes are available each week. These include: the Powerflex class taught by Rikki Johnson at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, the HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) class taught by Johnson at 5:15 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, Zumba class taught by Holli Shipman at 6:15

p.m. on Sunday and Thursday, and Yogalates (a combination of Yoga and Pilates) taught by Crawford at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

“Our classes are extremely good,” Crawford said. “The instructors we have are awesome. They bring the energy with every class. Zumba seems to be our most popular right now and right behind that probably neck and neck would be our Powerflex class, which is basically a full body sculpting class, similar to Body Pump.”

Crawford, who oversees three personal trainers, said any gym members interested in personal training can add that to their Continued on Page 17

Personal Trainers & Group Fitness!

• Extensive Selection of Cardio & Selectorized Equipment FORSYTH 833 PATROL ROAD 478-993-2202 www.fitcohealthclub.com

• Group Exercise Classes Offered by Locals, Holli Shipman & Rikki Johnson • Free Weights • Women-Friendly Machines • Daycare • Tanning

open 24 hours a day

COVER FEATURE

membership package. She said all members are granted a free consultation in which Crawford tests their body fat, measurements and health history to identify the best health goals and exercise regimen. Crawford said when she hears the most common refrain that people want to lose weight, she often directs them toward resistance training.

“Everybody’s body is different, and everyone’s goals are different,” Crawford said.

“Everyone’s body responds differently to different types of exercise and diet. But generally one thing I do point out though is that a lot of times people say that they just wanna lose weight, I try to get them into what I feel is a healthier state of mind where you’re not actually as concerned about the pounds on the scale as you are about

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how you feel and how your clothes fit. So more about your body fat and your inches. But resistance training is usually the first thing I go to.

What it is basically is specializing in the use of resistance to induce muscular contraction, which builds strength and aerobic endurance and size of skeletal muscles.”

Crawford said in her consultations she tries to get as specific as possible about what people actually want to accomplish in their works.

For example, a newcomer saying they want to get “ripped” can have different meanings for different people.

“I’ve gotten in the habit of asking them to show a picture because you would not believe everybody has a different idea of what they consider to be ripped,” Crawford said. “So I ask

Welcome Home 2017

them to show me a picture of what their definition is first.

So if they want to look like a bodybuilder, first, if they had not been in the gym before, I would sit down and show them how to put the muscle groups together.

And give an example of a week run through of where they should start off with their workouts. Say come in Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

Monday, focus on chest and back and do your cardio afterwards, Wednesday, focus on legs, cardio afterwards, and then Friday, focus on shoulders, bis and tris. And you hit a plateau after like four to six weeks, so then you would just change it up.

So then you could start to just work chest one day. You could narrow it down a little bit.”

Crawford said it’s important that newcomers to a gym don’t overdo their workouts also.

“To give you an example, when you do resistance training, if you do just 30 minutes of resistance training, your body, after that 30 minutes, burns calories at a higher rate for two to three days afterwards,” Crawford said. “So your body has to go through that recovery time. You can actually get to a point where if you’re doing too much training, if you’re overtraining, you can start to break down the muscle and actually lose that muscle.”

For cardio workouts, Crawford said she typically recommends the elliptical machine over the treadmill.

“I suggest doing the elliptical just because it’s better on your joints,” Crawford said. “It’s not that constant pounding.

It’s more of a fluid movement and like a glide. And then any core workouts because that will help as well. And then strengthening the glutes and the hips and that area. Strong

glutes and hips make a fast runner.”

Crawford said another great thing about FitCo is its women-friendly environment.

She said about 40 percent of members are women, more than at many other facilities.

“Women feel very comfortable in this facility,” Crawford said. “We made sure to make it that way.”

FitCo recently raised $1,300 for the Monroe County C.A.R.E. Cottage in memory of fallen Dep. Michael Norris and is currently raising money for the Mary Persons Best Buddies program. One of the ways FitCo does this is by selling FitCo t-shirts. Other businesses can also promote their companies by advertising inside the gym, which is another alternate revenue source for FitCo. For more information about FitCo Health Club, call (478) 993-2202, visit FitCo Health Club on Facebook or e-mail at fitcoassistance@gmail.com.

Welcome Home 2017

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Spreading the Gospel by participating in global missions: China, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ireland

Children matter to us at NPBC because children matter to God! Whether it’s through family worship, our AWANA program or a variety of other family-focused activities, we seek to honor the Lord by serving families and children at New Providence.

Sunday Schedule

9:45 a.m….............................................Sunday School 11:00 a.m…...............................…Morning Worship 5:00 p.m……...................................Connect Groups 6:00 p.m……............................Celebrate Recovery

We have enjoyed the start of Connect Groups (Home Groups).

These groups meet in various homes around Monroe and Bibb County for fellowship, discipleship, and prayer. If you would like to know how to get involved into a Connect Group visit our website or call the church office.

The NPBC College Ministry meets Wednesday nights from 6:30-7:30 and Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:45. We enjoy fellowship and Bible study during both of these times. We also hold an event called “Ignite” once a month where the Singles class and College class come together for dinner, fellowship, and games.

Wednesday Schedule

6:30 p.m. ........Adult Bible Study/Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m. ........................Awana Children’s Ministry 6:30 p.m. ....................Youth Ministry (Jr. & Sr. High 6:30 p.m. .............................................College Ministry

YOUTH: Our Youth Ministry is divided into Jr. High and Sr. High. They meet on Wednesday nights from 6:30 pm-8:00 pm in the Upper Room. They will participate in Worship, Bible study, and Game time. Sunday morning Bible study is from 9:45 am-10:45 am in the Upper Room. Special events happen regularly throughout the year.

Connie R. Ham

MIDDLE GA REALTY 478-994-5900 www.middlegeorgiarealty.com 78 N Lee St Forsyth, GA 31029

WELCOME TO MONROE COUNTY

A Rich History T

he Georgia legislature created Monroe County in 1821 from a Creek Indian concession at Indian Springs. It is named for James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States, whose famed Monroe Doctrine claimed American right to fend off European meddling in the Western Hemisphere.

The Antebellum Years

In the antebellum period, settlers chiefly from older portions of Georgia moved into the raw but rich lands of the county, carving out for themselves farms and plantations. A significant number of them had or acquired slaves, so that the population of the county in 1860 was 5,753 free and 10,177 slave. After the creation of the county, the towns of Culloden and Forsyth were founded. Culloden achieved importance as a commercial center and an educational center. Forsyth had, for a while, the original Southern Botanico Medical College and the Monroe Female College, which became Tift College.

The Railroad

Perhaps the most significant development for the county in this period was the construction in 1838 of a railroad that first linked Forsyth to Macon. It was the first railroad in Georgia. Later the Macon and Western joined Forsyth to Atlanta. The rails provided an economical means of transporting cotton and of bringing goods into the town, both from Savannah to the south and Atlanta from the north.

Civil War

With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, the inhabitants of the county were engulfed in an unparalleled situation. As the Battle of Atlanta raged in 1865, thousands of wounded Confederates were shipped by train to Forsyth where locals scrambled to convert homes and even the Tift College campus into war hospitals. Monroe County served as the center for sick and wounded soldiers in the wake of General Sherman’s destructive march through Georgia. Forsyth, with its central location, proPage 22

Welcome Home 2017

FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

Changing with the South

The Confederate defeat brought a new reality to the inhabitants of the county. In time citizens of the county embraced the New South ideology that Henry Grady and his associate Joel Chandler Harris, a former resident of Forsyth, preached in the pages of the Atlanta Constitution. Business leaders began to build textile factories. The Heads and Newtons established Trio Manufacturing Company. The Ensigns established the Ensign Cotton Mills.

Today

In 1968 the federal government finished I-75 through Monroe County which would change the community significantly, putting it on the map so to speak. Monroe County has enjoyed growth with the rest of the South as its population has grown 26 percent to 27,306 between 2000-2016, and upscale residential neighborhoods cropped up in the northern and southern ends of the county.

Many young families are drawn to the community because of its top-notch school system and its family-oriented, Mayberrylike small-town charm. Through all of these decades, what happened in Monroe County reflected developments in other parts of the American South.

vided the most accessible hospital base for the nearly 20,000 injured soldiers following the epic battles in Atlanta, Stone Mountain and Jonesboro. Monroe County was spared much of the shattering physical violence of the Civil War, although a battle was fought in Culloden after the War had officially ended; word had not yet reached area troops that General Robert E. Lee had surrendered on April 9, 1865. The Battle of Culloden took place exactly 10 days after the surrender of the Confederacy.

Welcome Home 2017

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IMPORTANT NUMBERS DIRECT CALL: Using a smartphone, scan the code, push the call button

Chamber of Commerce 478-994-9239

Monroe County Reporter 478-994-2358

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office 478-994-7048

Forsyth Police Department 478-993-1005

Forsyth Fire Department 478-994-2040

Monroe County EMS 478-994-7004

Tax Commissioner 478-994-7020

Board of Commissioners 478-994-7000

Forsyth City Hall 478-994-5649

Culloden City Hall 478-885-2249

Board of Education 478-994-2031

Monroe County Hospital 478-994-2521

Monroe County Health Dept.

478-992-5082

Monroe County Probate Court 478-994-7036

Monroe County Magistrate Court 478-994-7018

Driver’s License Information 866-754-3687

Monroe County Library 478-994-7025

Forsyth Post Office 478-974-0776

Convention Center 478-992-8600

Monroe County Historical Society 478-994-5070

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Magi A cal LANDMARKS

Place

By Diane Glidewell

T

he Rose Theater is one of Forsyth’s best known, and most loved, downtown landmarks.

It is home of the Backlot Players, a not-for-profit community theater group that persists in entertaining everyone who accepts its invitation to come to the show. The Rose is a magical place where imagination takes control and the real world melts away for at least a couple of hours.

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Welcome Home 2017

Nipper & Abbie

BUNN LOCATION:

23 W Johnston St.

CONTACT:

(478) 994-0443

It is also magical in that it is powered completely by volunteers. No one is enriched materially by the effort and dedication he or she puts into the Backlot Players, but the dividends the investment of time and energy pays seem satisfying enough to keep a dedicated core of people involved. Many others flitter in and out of the glow at The Rose to bask in its enchantment by being on stage, in the audience or somewhere in the wings.

Over the years, the Backlot Players have attracted those with rich backgrounds useful in theater, be it directing, acting, singing, dancing, managing lighting and/or sound systems or painting sets or stitching costumes. Others have been attracted to the Backlot Players and uncovered talents they Continued on Page 30

Nipper and Abbie Bunn were founding members of the Backlot Players, part of those first dozen people who met in Bill and Ann Cummings’ home at the urging of Forsyth Presbyterian minister Andy Walton because they wanted the community to have an Arts Alliance with an emphasis on theater and drama.

Over more than two-and-a-half decades, Nipper and Abbie have stuck with the group, which has grown as large as 200 members at times.

Between the two of them, they have done whatever needed to be done to make a production a success or to keep the theater group alive and functioning. Their daughter, Chelsea, grew up with the local theater as a primary family pastime. Abbie said that Chelsea learned a lot about tools as she came along from building sets and other work details beginning when she was about six.

“I believe I have done it all, except play a musical instrument” said Abbie. “I have made costumes and scenery, built sets, got Dr. Bowen to smoke a cigarette on stage, baked food, shellacked, cleaned and fixed toilets and killed roaches.”

Nipper said that his favorite part of community theater has been getting timid, insecure kids on stage and watching them flourish. He also loves the positive feedback he hears on the street: “It was fantastic!”“I came back and brought my grandmother.”“It’s great to have quality theater in town.” He said that comments like these make all the hours working in the trenches worthwhile.

Abbie said that some of her favorite moments have come when she directed a production and the first show would go well. There would be some glitches, but the audience wouldn’t know.

“I do a lot more back stage now, and I love that,” she said.

Nipper operates Bunn Logging, Inc. and Abbie works full time as Monroe County 4-H coordinator. They are busy people even before they step into their whirl of responsibilities at the Backlot Players. But they got hooked long ago on the adrenaline of the theater and the fulfillment of working with talented and

dedicated people.

“It is such a great group of volunteers; the teamwork is incredible,” said Nipper.

“There is such a diverse and talented group of volunteers,” said Abbie. “There is a job for everyone. You can always help. And when the chips are down, we rally around each other.”

Abbie and Nipper have seen a lot of parents who became involved with the Backlot Players because their children were interested, and they have seen second generations become a part of the theater because parents or grandparents were involved first. They have seen some young people move from roles at The Rose to roles in school productions, and they have seen a few of the Backlot Players’ team go on to theater-related careers.

They pulled through the early years of moving performances, even of the same show, from place to place, and they have been through at least three renovations at The Rose and fundraisers to make renovations possible.

Their future hopes for the Backlot Players and The Rose: To preserve the theater and fill the seats. They would also like to see performances of some locally written plays.

“It takes a lot of sweat and time and love,” said Abbie. “I don’t know how many times I’ve pulled a rug out of the house or perused someone else’s house [for props]. I’ve re-covered old sofas with a glue gun and duct tape and repaired costumes that were stepped on. I’m not sure how many of us have finger prints left.”

She found it funny when someone who heard she had made drapes for a play called and asked her if she could make their drapes.

She said only if they wanted them done with staples and a hot glue gun.

Working on sets at 7 a.m. or 9 p.m., before or after rehearsals, is not glamorous. But Nipper and Abbie have found that all of their involvement with local theater has brought them an expanded family and has brought the two of them closer together by sharing experiences.

“Not a day goes by that we don’t repeat a line from a play,” said Nipper.

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LANDMARKS really didn’t know they possessed.

A number of leading roles have been claimed by those from surrounding counties, willing to drive back and forth for many nights of practices in order to be a part of the group. Recently the stage held the mayor of Forsyth and a council member at the same time. It has showcased local businessmen, teachers and attorneys, young children and seniors.

Professional dance teachers donate hours to teach amateurs how to move together on the stage at The Rose and captivate audiences.

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The Backlot Players bring five major productions to the stage during a season, each playing for two Friday and Saturday evenings and two Sunday matinees. The scripts are chosen carefully, and auditions, preparation, practice and planning go on for months before the lights dim, the curtain rises and the finished productions present themselves to be cheered or shrugged.

There are musicals, comedies, mysteries and drama.The 2017-18 season opened in late July with “Happy Days-A New Musical.” It had 17 cast mem-

bers plus an ensemble and played to sold out crowds on several evenings.

Next up was “Reserve Two for Murder” in late September, a dramatic comedy set in the future that will reportedly blur the line between the audience and the actors.

In January, “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” gives the youth group of the Backlot Players the spotlight in a comedy with a large cast. In March “Twelve Angry Jurors,” based on the Emmy winning TV movie, puts drama on the stage. And finally “Things My

FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

Mother Taught Me” closes out 2017-18 with comedy in May. The Rose holds about 150 audience members, with seats tiered so that all have an equally good view of the action on stage. The street entrance leads under the inviting marquee to a brightly lit lobby with friendly faces. Then it’s down a curving hallway filled with photos from years of successful productions to enter the theater proper near the stage before finding your seat for the evening.

The major seasonal productions are only a part of what happens at The

Rose. Although planning, auditions and practices fill the theater many evenings before the audience steps inside, there are also at least monthly meetings of the Backlot Players Guild, the Backlot’s Own Original Youth Actors (BOOYA) and the Children’s Theater Troupe (CTT).

There are special seasonal events that range from showcasing community choirs with programs of Christmas or patriotic music to hosting regionally or nationally known entertainers for performances. “A Christmas Musical

Showcase” is planned for Dec. 8, 9 and 10. Sometimes The Rose looks back to its roots as a movie house and lets down a big screen for films. It has become a tradition over the last few years to show a children’s Christmas classic at The Rose before lighting the tree on the Forsyth Square.

The building on the corner of N. Jackson Street and Johnston Street where The Rose now stands was reportedly Continued on Page 32

Welcome Home 2017

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built in 1904 and was a warehouse and grocery before becoming the community movie house from the 1940’s to the late 1950’s.

According to a 1974 article in the Reporter, Forsyth had a movie house at various locations from sometime before 1921 until doors closed in 1962. It was dubbed The Rose after it was bought by the Martin & Thompson chain of Columbus, Ga. when the previous owners, the Gaston brothers, left to join the military during WWII. Leaving its recognizable marquee as a legacy, the building was largely unused until it became an entertainment venue in the 1980’s. By that time, it did not have a roof, and at one point was reportedly known as the “Topless Bar.” Meanwhile, the Backlot Players organized in 1994 and gave plays at various locations without a permanent home. In 1999 Dr. and Mrs. William Cummings donated the location, and what there was of a building, to the Backlot Players.

The Rose was renovated in 2003 and in 2007, getting a new roof, new seating and lighting, sound and projection systems. It went from a temporary stage and fold up chairs for the audience to a state-of-the-art theater. Later, dressing rooms and waiting rooms were added for the actors back stage and space for storing costumes and props was expanded.

In March 2012 the popular Grits Cafe next door to the Rose burned, and, although protected from the flames by a fire wall, The Rose had to recover from Continued on Page 34

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Connie

Copelan Connie Copelan caught the theater bug even before the Backlot Players were organized in Monroe County, and she was one of the founding members of the group that started with meetings in Ann and Bill Cummings’ living room and encouragement from Presbyterian pastor Andy Walton.

Copelan and her children were involved with Macon’s Little Theater from about 1990-92. She was part of the Backlot Players’ early production of “Scrooge” at the Tift College auditorium.

“I just got hooked on it,” said Copelan.

She said she went from performing on stage to building sets to administration to fundraising. But she never entirely gave up any aspect of the theater even as she moved to a different emphasis. For example, Copelan’s reputation for creating sets is legendary among members of the Backlot Players and the community.

The one-time art major said that she learned how sets and designs for theater are more illusional than realitybased. She liked the opportunities it gave her to be creative.

“Directors don’t tell you how to paint the walls in their scripts,” said Copelan. “I love it; it’s my passion.”

She admitted that for a long time it was hard to see her creations painted over to get ready for the next play. But that’s part of theater. Working a full-time job, she would often paint sets before her work day began, having only two or three weeks to finish a set before a play.

Copelan taught many others how to build sets, but the word among Backlot Players is that she is still a guiding force behind the sets, creating a master plan so that others can “paint by numbers” to finish the set.

“We have some talented team members working on the sets,” said Copelan. “Leif Phillips has taken it on. Elizabeth Hunter and the youth team have done a fabulous job on sets.”

After beginning college as an art major at Middle Georgia, she finished her degree as a business major at Tift College.

She has used her business knowledge to the advantage of the Backlot Players and The Rose by helping with fundraisers from garage sales to capital campaigns.

There has been dinner theater at Forsyth United Methodist Church with lasagna and Shakespeare’s love stories, roses in glass cases, Divas & Desserts, picnic on the square, T-shirts, seat cushions and memorabilia for sale. Engraved tiles for the lobby sold at $100 each.

“The tiles are a great way to honor those who have been involved,” said Copelan.

Copelan headed the 300 Roses Campaign with the goal of getting financial commitments to retire the $300,000 mortgage on The Rose. It has been successful and is still ongoing.

Copelan has served as president of the Backlot Players more than once, and she continues to step up to fill in wherever she is needed, whether in the spotlight or the trenches.

Continued on Page 34

LANDMARKS

Dennis & Joy

SMITH Dennis and Joy Smith are relative newcomers to the Backlot Players, but they have quickly been drawn into the team of enthusiastic supporters and found themselves planning the other activities of their lives around events at The Rose.

They have both performed on the stage, and Joy has ventured into directing while the group has tapped Dennis’ talent for fundraising.

Dennis said that in about 2014, Tullye Ralph, a friend at his church, kept “bugging” him that she needed “a mean guy” for the production of “Gypsy” she was directing.

Dennis played the hotel manager. Then he took his grandson to audition for “The Lion, the

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Witch and the Wardrobe” and was asked to read for Mr. Beaver and found himself with the part. Joy was drawn into helping with the props.

“We like the people, and we like the organization,” said Dennis. “It’s dedicated to youth and to the spirit of people who made this reality.”

They prefer talking about the productions and the strides The Rose is making to talking about themselves. In fact, Dennis has put on the public relations hat for the Backlot Players and makes sure not only Monroe County but also surrounding counties know of the entertainment opportunities it offers.

He also writes at least monthly about entertainment in Monroe County for the Reporter, often featuring the upcoming productions at The Rose and the talented individuals who contribute to them.

smoke and water damage and a dip in attendance from those who paired dining at Grits with entertainment at The Rose until Grits re-opened a year later.

With those obstacles behind, The Rose embarked on the 300 Roses Campaign to pay off its mortgage by recruiting 300 supporters to each pledge $1,000. Members of the community continue to step up to sponsor play royalties so that the Backlot Players can choose from quality scripts.

The Children’s Theater Troupe has exploded in recent years, going from performing a few times a year in productions for Monroe County school children to being invited by surrounding communities to bring the shows on the road for their children. CTT actors now give dozens of performances to delight hundreds of children, introducing some of the youngest fans to what theater has to offer.

In June CTT performed “I Think I Can” and partnered with Lew-e the Clown to complete the program.

The play gave the message of overcoming the “can’t do it” attitude with characters, song and audience participation. In November, CTT will be ready to bring “Sleeping Beauty” to the stage for groups across Middle Georgia, including shows at The Rose for $5.

Other projects in the works for the Backlot Players include making a video to go with a cemetery tour planned for the fall, probably as part of the Historic Train Festival in October, and starting a regular showing of classic film series at The Rose on Friday nights when there is not a play.

“The talent in Monroe County is mindboggling. Every time I don’t think it can get any better, it does,” said Rhett McMurray, a long-time supporter of the Backlot Players and The Rose. “I am so proud of how we’ve pulled together and the number of people who have given time and money out of love for the theater and community.”

FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

Children’s Theater Troupe One offshoot of the Backlot Players that has taken on a life of its own, and is growing by leaps and bounds, is the Children’s Theater Troupe.

With the goal of making the theater experience accessible and meaningful for local children, it has gone from offering a couple of shows per year for Monroe County Schools to adding shows for the whole community and shows for groups from surrounding counties. It even takes the show on the road for children in Butts, Crawford, Bibb and Lamar counties.

Jane Walker has worked with the Backlot Players in many capacities, but the Children’s Theater Troupe (CTT) is particularly dear to her. She taught kindergarten and prekindergarten for 32 years, 20 of them in Monroe County. During those years, the school system had field trips to Atlanta for the children to see plays, but Walker saw that the trips were not only expensive but also so hurried and encumbered by travel to and from the destination that the intended experience was lost.

She talked to Marian McDougall about doing programs locally. They picked a show with a moral that would make children think and one that would include a lot of audience participation. CTT initially planned one show for the fall and one in the spring.

CTT provides the school with vocabulary words, activities and tips on theater etiquette so that this local field trip can be a learning opportunity beyond the time spent in the theater. The

actors and director answer questions from the children after the show.

Walker said there are always questions about how long they practiced to get ready and how they did their make up. In one production, children were intrigued with how they made a prince into a frog.

Walker said that one of her favorite audiences is Price Elementary School, which is part of a children’s home in Macon. Since the students were a little older than the CTT target audience, Walker had worried that they might not enjoy it, but the Price students turned out to be one of their most courteous and responsive audiences.

CTT has been able to perform for Price Elementary at no charge, and some Backlot Players members have sponsored home schoolers and Head Start children so that they could attend CTT performances free. Generally the troupe has to charge enough to pay for their scripts, sets, costumes and other production costs, like any play.

Sarah Reed currently co-chairs CTT with Walker. Steve Johnson is an essential part of the productions; he does the lights and sound. On their most recent schedule, they did 12 shows in five days, usually with 8-10 people involved. Walker said the group is primarily retirees since most of the shows are performed during the day and during the work week. She joked that the only problem with older actors is that it takes them time to remember

Jane

WALKER their lines.

They whittle the group down to three or four for the shows on the road. They have performed at the Butts County Library for the last three years to an enthusiastic audience. Lew’e the Clown has teamed up with them at The Rose to add to the show. They have found that musicals are well received by the young audiences.

Walker said that at one point it was suggested that the children from Monroe County schools could come into The Rose through the back door because it is easier for buses to unload there. Walker urged them to bring the children into The Rose through the front door to enhance the theater experience because that is part of what CTT is about. Then they can exit through the back door if more convenient.

“We hope they’ll come back and catch the bug,” said Walker. “In pre-K, we try to bring parents in.”

She said getting involved in a play teaches children the responsibility of keeping up with props, learning lines and being there when they are supposed to be.

“I’ve always enjoyed working with little children. Acting like a child keeps me young!” said Walker. “We’re just trying to bring the stories alive.

And we want to give them an opportunity to be creative themselves.

[Children’s Theater Troupe] is not just coming and going home. There’s a lot of learning involved.”

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Rhett

McMurray Rhett McMurray was not one of the original founders of the Backlot Players in 1994, but he got involved about a year later and has been an invaluable advocate of the group and member of the ‘family’ ever since. He can rarely be persuaded to step into the spotlight, but he is never far away during a performance at The Rose, ushering, selling tickets, handling concessions, helping with last minute needs with costumes, sets or music and always encouraging the performers.

McMurray retired from a military career in the public health service in 1994 and has made Monroe County his home since then. He went to see an early Backlot Players’ production of “Dearly Departed” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Dr. I.W. Bowen, a pastor and a professor at Tift College, encouraged McMurray to get involved with the theatrical group, and he was soon hooked.

“In the military I loved to go to productions in other cities. I was so impressed that a small town like Forsyth could pull together a theater company of this quality,” said McMurray. “And they are incredibly warm, friendly people.”

Early on he was cast in “Scrooge,” and he has been enticed into a few onstage parts with the Children’s Theater Troupe, but ‘actor’ is not the role McMurray felt he could best play with the Backlot Players. He has chipped in wherever he is needed. Some would

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say that his signature chocolatecovered peanuts and famous baked goods are the contribution to events at The Rose that overwhelm all of his other work.

But the countless hours McMurray has spent fundraising and overseeing renovations at The Rose are a major reason that the Backlot Players now have a permanent home and one that any town would be proud to claim as a landmark. He chaired the committee as the building/location at the corner of Jackson and Johnston Streets transformed from a roofless spot covered with weeds to a venue with stage, lobby, comfortable sloped seating, attractive front doors and a marquee.

Later renovations brought green rooms, bathrooms back stage, air conditioning, better lighting and more storage. Between the major phases of renovation, grants funded improvements to sound and additions like a screen and projector.

After initially facing estimates of up to $850,000 to renovate The Rose, McMurray explored incorporating a metal building into the space and found Drummond Construction of Thomaston.

Drummond created a beautiful theater for $350,000. The Backlot Players have reduced that debt to $200,000, in spite of maintenance expenses like a $16,000 roof repair last year that was possibly related to damage during the Grits Cafe fire.

McMurray said that many members of the community, even beyond the members of Backlot Players, have stepped up to make the Forsyth theater possible.

As phase 2 of renovations began, within a month all of the seats were donated at a cost of $200 each. He said the renovations would not have happened without the support of Monroe County Bank, especially bank officials Bill Bazemore and Karl Hill.

They gave the Backlot Players a mortgage and committed to the marquee with a historic design.

Other local businesses have been helpful, like Cash Liquidations donating special pieces of furniture and home accessories as stage props and Flowers By Helen creating special flower and plant arrangements for events at The Rose.

“Flowers By Helen always creates a beautiful piece for Community Appreciation Night at the Rose,” said McMurray.

McMurray said that he has been so involved with the Backlot Players over the last 15 years that he has decided to take the next year off, with plans to travel and visit some family and friends. He hopes that his absence will motivate new hands to get involved.

“There’s not any one person you can point to. It’s really a team effort,” said McMurray. “Everybody can’t be actors, but they want to be involved.

The beauty of this is there are so many ways to be involved.”

FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

Welcome Home 2017

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NEW OPPORTUNITIES

GREAT FUTURES START

HERE

By Diane Glidewell

O

ne of the biggest sources of pride for Forsyth and Monroe County in 2017 is the opening of a Boys & Girls Club. What was an item on a wish list for many in the area a few years ago became a reality on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

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FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

In a small town/rural demographic that is sometimes criticized for not having enough things for youth to do, the Boys & Girls Club will be a safe place to go from 3-7 p.m. every day for activities, help with school work, mentoring, snacks and a meal.

The community is particularly proud of the fact that the Boys & Girls Club came about through the cooperation of the city, county and board of education. A committee of interested individuals representing various components in these three entities and other groups in the county met and then visited two of the Boys & Girls Clubs in Macon.

Learning from Boys & Girls Club of Central Georgia CEO Phillip Bryant that it would take a commitment of $150,000 to get a Boys & Girls Club in Forsyth, the city government committed to fund one-third of the need and was quickly followed by the county committing to another third.

The school system learned from Bryant that the most successful clubs are those located near schools. It offered to provide an unused wing of Monroe County Middle School Hubbard

Two Men with Visions

JOHN HOWARD

Robert Grier

SEE THEIR STORIES ON PAGE 42

campus, including utilities and maintenance and some renovations, technology and furniture for the Club. The location is also close to Hubbard Elementary School.

The county and city then agreed to split the $150,000 needed to fund the first year operations to get the Club in Forsyth.

After the first year of operation, grants and other funding will be available. Joel Tolliver was named the unit director for the new Club

on June 12. He also helped start up Macon’s King-Danforth Club on Shurling Drive when it opened in June 2016 and was director there before accepting the position in Forsyth. Tolliver graduated from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania in 2010 and began working with Boys & Girls Club about a year later. He is familiar with Monroe County through membership at Mt. Zion Missionary

Baptist Church in Bolingbroke, where he works with the media ministry.

Boys & Girls Club of Central Georgia, which will oversee the Forsyth Club, operates five clubs in Macon, one in Warner Robins and one in Metter. Bryant said it serves 1,300 children, ages 5-18.

Tolliver said the Forsyth Club will serve as many children as want to come, up to the building capacity, which is about 300. He expects to serve 100-200 during the first year as more students and parents learn about the Club. He has been signing up students in the weeks before opening, as he interviews employees and volunteers and oversees the finishing touches on the campus.

The Club will be able to use Continued on Page 44

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FIRST CAME THE IDEA John Howard began advocating for a Boys & Girls Club in Forsyth during his term as mayor from Jan. 2012-Dec. 2015. It was a time when the $150,000 funding for the first year expenses seemed far out of reach. And there was no apparent site available for the Club, raising the prospect of additional expense of buying land and building or renting a site.

But Howard was convinced a Boys & Girls Club was something the city needed, not just for the youth who weren’t getting the support and opportunities they needed but for the economic prosperity of the area.

“When I was in office, my overall focus was

on business and a better place to live for everyone,” said Howard. “I came to realize how related the two are. A Boys & Girls Club is pivotal in economic development. It’s an investment in the future.”

Howard said that although Monroe County has a good Recreation Department and a great school system, it is not enough because there are children who are not finding interests and motivation to keep them out of trouble and to keep them from giving up their big dreams as they grow older.

Howard and council member Julius Stroud met with Central Georgia Boys & Girls Club CEO Phillip Bryant in the summer of 2014, and he laid out for them what would have to

happen to bring a Boys & Girls Club to Monroe County. Howard knew it would take a partnership with the county and the school system.

Howard tried to start the process of fundraising for a Boys & Girls Club by partnering with Forsyth Main Street to host the Mayor’s Ball as a fundraiser; it was very successful the first year but with changes at Main Street and in the council it did not continue after the second year.

“I felt it would eventually happen. I’m proud of this council getting it done and moving forward,” said Howard. “These kids need the Boys & Girls Club. If it becomes successful, you’ll see a big turnaround in how they think. It’s great for any community.”

A Boys & Girls Club is pivotal in economic development. It’s an investment in the future.

A JOINT EFFORT When Forsyth named Robert Grier to the new Monroe County Boys & Girls Club board of directors, he was the first one appointed to the board as the joint effort of the city, county and school system became reality. Grier said that he has not worked with a Boys & Girls Club before, but he knows there is a need for an organization like it in Monroe County.

“When I knew the city council was looking at it, I wanted to be a part from the grass roots,” said Grier.

Grier plans to be more involved than just a member of the board. He will offer his time as a mentor because he knows that young people need role models and need to know they are loved.

Grier has been volunteering at T.G. Scott Elementary for the last four years. For the first two years he was a one-on-one mentor for two young men. Last year he worked with the TGS Gentlemen’s Club, specifically with a group of five members.

Grier said he got a call from his nephew the day of this interview. His nephew graduated from Mary Persons four years ago, recently graduated from college and is now interviewing for jobs. Grier remembered when he talked to his nephew about the importance

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of a high school diploma, reminding him that even if you are succeeding at football, you still have to take care of academics. His recent conversation let him know that his nephew listened to some of what he told him as he was making decisions that guided his life.

“If we are talking with kids about their potential, we may get to see them on the other side,” said Grier.

He said that his nephew didn’t have a father in the house. Grier also grew up in a single parent household and understands that young people can be attracted to substitutes like gangs to replace love that’s not in the home environment. Grier is a father himself and knows what it is like to try to be available and involved in the lives of active young people as a parent.

He has been married for 20 years, and his daughters, Robbi and Rayna, who graduated from Mary Persons in 2013 and 2015, kept him busy getting to all of their softball games.

He said he wanted to be a part of everything that they were in. Robbi is now a student at Georgia State University, and Rayna is studying at Kennesaw State.

Grier grew up in Monroe County, graduating in the last class at Hubbard High School in 1970. He served in the U.S. Army for four years and came back to Middle Georgia in 1974.

He retired from Robins Air Force Base after 31 years of service as an aircraft mechanic.

“Now that I’m retired, I can give back in our community, and I want to give to an organization that has kids at heart,” said Grier. “I’ve got to serve, and for me it’s the youth. Kids are our future.”

Grier said that when he learned at T.G. Scott about the book bags packed with food for the weekends for students that might go hungry, it made him aware of some conditions that hadn’t dawned on him before.

“Kids bring baggage to school,” he said.

“Teachers don’t have time for those concerns.

I’ve come to learn through life that we’re called to serve.”

Grier said that through working with children, one can also make an impact on families and the whole community. He has seen that kids will listen to their peers but also to others who dedicate their time and energy to them.

“I wan t to put a positive spin: Don’t let your environment define you,” he said.

Grier said that he knows he will gain a lot by giving to the Monroe County Boys & Girls Club, just like he gained a better understanding of himself through parenting and being involved in his daughters’ lives.

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CONTACT: the gym on the campus each afternoon after 5:30 p.m. The gym is committed for middle school games, practices and other events before that time.

The main space, which is self-contained, separated from other parts of the school, has eight classrooms plus an office.

Everything is still being put in place, and the students will have a say in finishing everything off.

“We want to incorporate a sense of belonging, a sense of ownership,” said Tolliver.

The school system will provide free transportation to the Boys & Girls Club from the other schools’ campuses but students need to made their own arrangements for transportation home after 6:30 p.m. Students can become a member of the Boys & Girls Club at any time; they did not have to sign up at the beginning of the year. Tolliver had T-shirts for the first 100 to sign

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(478) 992-5605

up, and he needed students to register by Aug. 24 to get them on the transportation list.

There is a membership fee of $10 per year for elementary students and $75 for teens.

Elementary students also pay a $25 per month program fee, but there is no monthly fee for teens. Tolliver said he hopes to add at least quarterly Saturday programs as the Club grows. and Monroe County Boys & Girls Club plans to offer summer camps after the school year ends.

Tolliver says Boys & Girls Club looks for three big outcome areas: academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyle. The schedule for afternoons will start with a Power Hour of

Welcome Home 2017

Members of the Boys & Girls Club enjoy trying new games and hanging out with friends.

Members of the Boys & Girls Club arrive in the afternoon after school ready for Club activities.

FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

homework time; if students don’t have an hour of homework, they will find an academically focused activity.

“Everybody’s brain will be going at the same time,” he explained. “There will be a computer area with opportunities to get into some coding and another area for hands on engineering.”

A do-it-yourself STEM area will have material for science projects using everyday items like batteries, food, electricity, wires and soda bottles. Tolliver said Boys & Girls Clubs of America has curriculums set up and access to materials. There will be no homework on Friday.

“They’re fun days!” said Tolliver.

He said the Club members will break up by grade level, probably K-2nd, 3rd5th, 6th-8th and teens. Teens will be the Keystone Club, involved with leadership, community outreach, community

At the Grand Re-opening of the Forsyth Walmart on Sept. 22, Walmart Foundation presented a check to the new Boys & Girls Club for $1,750.

service and civic engagement.

“They will have a voice about how the teen program will look,” said Tolliver.

“They’ll be the go-to ones for the Club.”

The board of directors for the Monroe County Boys & Girls Club will not be complete until after students begin par-

ticipating because at least three parents will be recruited to serve on the board.

The city of Forsyth was asked to appoint two board members and chose Robert Grier and Tammie Pierson. Monroe County Commissioners chose Mary Frances Chambliss.

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PUBLIC SAFETY

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FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

Ribbon gets cut on state-of-the-art precision driving course

T

he Georgia Public Safety Training Center is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2017, and the state is training more law enforcement officers and firefighters than ever before in Forsyth. That’s good news for local restaurants and hotels.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal helped cut the ribbon for the state-of-the-art precision driving course in July.

An estimated 200 state law enforcement officers were present to see Deal, Georgia attorney general Chris Carr and GPSTC director Chris Wigginton cut the ribbon.

Wigginton said GPSTC’s continued success plays an important role in the economy of Forsyth-Monroe County. He noted GPSTC is one of the county’s largest employers while aiding the local tourism industry.

He said during GPSTC’s first full year in 1988, the center hosted 15,741 students as compared with just over 200,000 in 2017. This figure includes about 55,000 on the Forsyth campus

and 135,000 online.

Wigginton said, “We’ve made a pretty substantial impact in the public safety community in the state of Georgia and surrounding states.”

Wigginton said Georgia law enforcement officers deserve the best training possible the nation, and he believes they are moving further in that direction at GPSTC. Carr noted that GPSTC’s 30-year presence as the state’s “premier training facility”

Gov. Nathan Deal and GPSTC staff cut the ribbon of the new track.

Continued on Page 50

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PUBLIC SAFTEY

Testing out the new GPSTC track

makes it the longest-tenured state institution. Carr said his own tours of GPSTC have given him a better appreciation for what state law enforcement officers do each day. He said, “With each visit I leave thinking that one facility can offer so much and do it so well.” Deal said he was a state senator in 1984 when the first budget appropriation was passed for the building of GPSTC.

Deal said, “It has been a great initial effort, and it has been one that has continued to prove its worth throughout these three-plus decades.”

Deal noted that the new driving track will contribute not just to the enhanced safety for state law enforcement officers but also the safety of Georgia citizens. Deal joked that Wigginton told him he was going to take him for a spin on the new track but noted his wife Sandra said she’d ridden before with Wigginton, who formerly served on Deal’s security team, when he “drove real fast.”

After clipping the ribbon, Deal, Carr and their wives concluded the track’s opening ceremony by riding in the training vehicles.

At right, Gov. Deal said he was a state legislator when GPSTC was first funded.

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On-campus students for GPSTC courses

On-LINE students for GPSTC courses

January 2016 January 2017

4028 4353

January 2016 January 2017

12,939 20,548

February 2016 February 2017

4886 5847

February 2016 February 2017

10,711 16,318

March 2016 March 2017

5450 6187

March 2016 March 2017

8,669 14,500

SMALL TOWN STORIES

C

ountry star Miranda Lambert reminded us that everybody’s famous in a small town.

And in Monroe County, few people are more famous than little 3-year-old Catie Phillips. Her parents say she would not have made it this far without the help of their small town of Forsyth, Ga.

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FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

“It would’ve been a lot harder if we didn’t live here,” said is so rare that they know of only one person in the area who Catie’s dad Gregg Phillips, a sergeant with the Monroe County has it, a 16-year-old in Warner Robins. Basically, a ring forms sheriff ’s office. “Whether it’s the donations that came in when around her red blood cells that prevents nutrients from getshe was born so sick or people coming out for the biggest ting in and out of the cells like they should. As a result, Catie’s bone marrow drive organizers had ever seen…we can’t go hemoglobin frequently gets low, requiring regular blood anywhere that we’re not known and somebody doesn’t recog- transfusions from her doctors in Augusta about every three nize Catie.” weeks. Her parents say they know she needs a transfusion Most everyone in Monroe County knows that Catie was because she goes pale and just doesn’t feel good. Plus they can unresponsive and not breathing when she was born on April now test her hemoglobin at home. She’s had 79 transfusions 23, 2014 at the Medical Center in Macon. Nurses began as of September. The family says the nurses in Augusta are resuscitation to keep wonderful to Catie little 4-pound Catie and they go over so alive so she could be regularly that it’s no flown by helicopter longer stressful to to Augusta for more do it. intense care. Michelle Of course, the had to stay at the transfusions bring Medical Center to on their own recover from her C problems, leaving section but Gregg was Catie with high iron driving to Augusta levels. So she takes when the doctor medication daily to called. He needed get the iron out of permission to do her body, medicasurgery on little Catie tion which their inthat would include surance used to pay putting her on an for until the county ECMO machine, switched to Blue which bypasses the Cross Blue Shield. heart, lungs and liver Now, they pay $300 to keep patients alive. per month for the Gregg and Michelle Phillips with their daughter Catie.

“She’s extremely medication. Doctors small and our chancalso have her taking es aren’t great,” the doctor said grimly. “But we will try.”

B6 vitamin to help remove the iron from her blood.

Gregg, who said yes, arrived in Augusta as she was coming And now, doctors have revisited their original diagnosis, out of surgery, still fighting for her life. Over time she began to saying it appears Catie actually has Congenital Sideroblastic show signs of improvement. After three more weeks, doctors Anemia. were able to take her off a ventilator and she could breathe And the family has been in touch with doctors in Boston on her own. After seven weeks, they were able to take her who specialize in anemia and blood-borne issues to see if back to the Medical Center and then finally were able to take they can help Catie reduce the number of transfusions she her home. Briefly. Within two weeks, Catie’s red blood levels requires. dropped so low she nearly died, and she had to be rushed Meanwhile, Forsyth’s best known 3-year-old shows all the back to Augusta where doctors and nurses had to save her life signs that she’s a normal little girl. Catie loves Minnie Mouse again.

At first, doctors told Gregg and Michelle that Catie’s probContinued on Page 54 lems were caused by Diamond Black Anemia. The condition

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SMALL TOWN STORIES

Mommy

Daddy Page 54

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and Peppa Pig and just started school pre-K at Hubbard Elementary. The only issue Catie has besides her anemia is that she has a clouded cornea on her right eye. Michelle says sometimes other children will ask her what’s wrong with her eye.

“I always say ‘that’s the way God made her,” said Michelle. They don’t know whether the eye issue is related to her anemia or not.

Gregg and Michelle said they think Catie will be able to live a normal life, adding that she’ll probably go into the medical field given her vast experience. The only concern they have is that having so much iron in her blood can increase the risk of cancer.

Gregg and Michelle were nervous about her starting school but said it was so heart-warming to go to Open House and realize her parapro, Rebecca Arp, already knew all about Catie and was thrilled to have her in the class.

“Everybody has open arms and says ‘what can we do to help’.” said Michelle. “The teachers knew ahead of time that her immune system puts her at risk and they said they wipe everything down in the room every day. They know — and they go above and beyond.”

Gregg said it’s really not surprising how helpful the school has been after watching the community help them the past three years.

“We can’t go anywhere that we’re not known,” said Gregg. “I stopped at Ingles on the way home and someone shook my hand and asked ‘how is Catie?’. This is just a familyoriented, close-knit community and the proof is in the pudding — what

all we went through.”

In addition, Gregg and Michelle said their employers, Gregg at the sheriff ’s office and Michelle at the office of Dr. Bradshaw Ford, a Macon dentist, have been wonderful to give them the flexibility to take time off to tend to their daughter.

When they held a bone marrow donation drive at New Providence Baptist Church in January 2015, officials who handle the drives say it was the biggest they had ever had, with more than 400 people getting tested to see if they were a match.

While the community has been great, Gregg and Michelle concede it’s been a tough road, and note there are still a lot of limitations on them because of Catie’s condition.

But after nearly losing her early in life, they’ve learned to appreciate every day they have together.

“It sounds silly,” said Gregg. “But when you’re in the NICU standing there next to her just praying the Lord will take you and leave her, it kind of puts things in perspective.”

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HEALTH MATTERS

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FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

T

hanks to support from the taxpayers of Monroe County, visitors to Monroe County Hospital are expected to see marked improvements to the facility and its service in 2018.

By Richard Dumas

Monroe County voters approved in March 2017 a referendum in which citizens pledged up to $1.2 million in taxes to be used annually for the embattled local hospital. Due to that support, MCH leaders will be able to go through a large-scale remodeling beginning in early 2018 that will consolidate all hospital operations to the bottom floor of the facility.

The shrinking of the physical location will enable MCH to better utilize its resources and fit the needs of the local population. It will also allow MCH to rent out its top floor to another business, which could also bring in additional revenue it can put back into its patients.

MCH Hospital Administrator Lorraine Smith said, “The cost savings is in the overhead, not in Continued on Page 60

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HEALTH MATTERS the reduction of staff or even the reduction in beds. This smaller footprint, this more consolidated footprint, that’s where the cost savings is. It’s because we’re going to have shared overhead cost with the people who lease the second floor. And so right now it’s kind of like when you have a mansion for a family of four. The family of four can still live comfortably. They say, ‘How do we still stay in this mansion and pay for it? Well let’s rent out a few of the rooms.’ It’s that same concept of just reducing that overhead so that way we’re not spending so much money on it.”

The Hospital Authority of Monroe County approved plans for the estimated $2.5 million remodel on Aug. 9, and the plans have been sent for state approval. Smith said it should take about 60 days for the state to insure that the plans meet all fire and life safety codes.

She said once state approval is met, the plans will go out for construction bid.

Once a construction company has been selected, a groundbreaking will be held and several phases of construction will then take place.

Once operation on the second floor, which is currently the main outpatient entrance, ceases, the outpatient entrance will move down to the rear of the hospital on the bottom floor next to where the emergency room entrance is currently located. The ER entrance will remain in the same place with a ramp entrance to the outpatient area located just to the right of it. The current plan calls for only MCH’s gift shop to remain on the second floor.

Smith said the downstairs changes will include a full re-working of the ER area to make the patient flow better.

In addition, an entire unused area that is currently sand and gravel will be renovated to provide additional ER and patient room space. The new portion

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will include a centralized nursing station that will allow nurses to view all patient rooms from their desks. In turn, patients in need will have direct access to an ER nurse without being placed in a room down a long corridor far from

MCH administrator Lorraine Smith has brought a fresh outlook to the facility.

the nurses’ station.

Smith said of the changes: “Really this whole piece of the hospital will just be re-worked. Some of the rooms, some of the area, will be re-worked for better flow to better maximize some use of the space, consolidate areas and consolidate resources. If you’ve seen downstairs, the sand pit, and there’s also an area that is unfinished storage, will be the new

portion. There will be some excavating done on the sides of the building to allow for light to come in because each patient room needs to have light per code.”

MCH CEO Darren Pearce said the plans are subject to change based on cost. He said tentative plans have come in a bit over the $2.5 million budget and may have to be scaled back a little if necessary.

Smith said the main purpose in the changes is to decrease overhead costs, which will be achieved by reducing the hospital’s maximum number of beds from 25 to 8.

Smith, a Navicent Health employee who also oversees facilities at the Medical Center of Peach County, joined the MCH administrative staff in June.

Pearce, whose duties take him to several Navicent-managed facilities, said he wanted an administrator on-site daily to manage the construction process.

He tapped Smith, who had worked with him to rehabilitate Peach’s hospital several years ago. Smith said she’s never actually overseen a construction project like this one, but Peach County’s facility was in a very similar financial spot to MCH when Pearce and Smith began working there.

Smith said, “I worked with Darren closely at the Medical Center of Peach County when we basically brought that facility back to life, not just from a facility perspective. . . We’ve got a lot of good processes in place and quality systems at Peach, so it doesn’t need the day-to-day attention from Darren. At MCH we’re trying to create the momentum for change. We know how to cover each other well. The same way our CNO at Peach has stepped in to help cover me, I’ve stepped in to help cover Darren. . . We’re a good team.”

Monroe County Hospital’s financial

FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

fortunes have seen a rapid rebound since Navicent took over in 2016. The hospital recorded a loss of $2.6 million in 2016, which was trimmed in half to a projected deficit of $1.3 million in 2017. Pearce said MCH’s finances have particularly trended in the right direction over the past six months, and he anticipates things continuing to improve into 2018. Monroe County Hospital chief financial officer Judy Ware recently reported that over the 2017 fiscal year, which ended on Sept. 30, MCH brought total expenses down by 6.1 percent from the previous year while in contrast it saw its revenues increase by 8.6 percent.

Pearce said the positive changes that Navicent has brought to MCH would not have been possible without Monroe County’s support.

Pearce said, “We appreciate all the citizens of Monroe County for voting

for the hospital and all the physicians in the area for supporting the hospital to make it an opportunity for us to grow the hospital for a community that is in desperate need for health care.”

Another important recent change at MCH is the August hiring of a new physician group, the Schumacher Group, to staff the emergency room. Smith said the Schumacher Group has had an excellent history of training and providing quality doctors to man emergency rooms at other Navicent facilities.

“I think the success we’ve seen with Schumacher is that they manage the physicians well and give them good training and processes in place that allow them to be successful,” Smith said.

“Sometimes it’s not about the physicians. We’ve got good physicians, but do they have the resources to work as a team and to put all those processes

in place that make them not only good quality physicians but also efficient?

Schumacher is just going to be the group that ties the bow on the package, so we’re excited about them being on staff.”

Another enhancement that will occur even prior to construction is the installation of a pair of new air handling units to replace current ineffective ones that date back to the 1970s. The cost of the air handlers, which will cool the whole facility, will be about $900,000.

Smith said she hopes the construction process, which will begin with the movement of all beds from the top floor to the bottom floor, will take between six to nine months. She said it’s critical that the projects are done in manners

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Continued on Page 62

HEALTH MATTERS that won’t impact patients.

“The idea of course when we do the construction is people are sick in a hospital,” Smith said. “So we’re going to try to do things in a way that is as unobtrusive as possible. We’re going to wall off areas, and infection control is going to be a high priority for us to make sure that none of the debris or the dust gets tracked through the rest of the hospital.”

Smith said the public will be invited to view the construction plans and take tours prior to the beginning of work so that taxpayers will know exactly how their money is being spent.

“We want to keep the community up to date on the construction process and the things that we’re doing,” Smith said. “But I think the biggest thing is that when they come and they get good quality care, they’re going to come back. . .

We want it to really be a good hospital where people feel proud and want to come back and trust us to provide them good care. Then they tell a friend and they come back. They don’t feel like they need to go to another county to get good care.”

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Welcome Home 2017

This unfinished gravel area could be a major part of the new emergency care area.

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HEALTH MATTERS

Monroe County Philanthropists Advocate for Behavioral Healthcare Three Monroe County women are working to raise awareness for services

T

Dr. Priscilla Grant Doster

hree Monroe County women are working to advocate for behavioral healthcare in the community. Dr. Priscilla G. Doster, Martie Brown, and Roz McMillan serve on the Community Service Board for River Edge Behavioral Health. River Edge offers a full continuum of evidence-based mental health, substance use disorder, and intellectual and developmental disability services and supports to more than 10,000 Georgians annually. In Fiscal Year 2017, River Edge served nearly 400 Monroe County residents.

Dr. Priscilla Grant Doster, a Monroe County native, is a retired Monroe County educator and school admin-

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Martie Brown

istrator with 45 years’ experience in education. She has served on the boards of many community service organizations, including the State Advisory Board of Georgia’s 4-H Program; the Mary Persons High School FFA alumni group; the Monroe County Library Board; and the Monroe County Achievement Center Board. She is an avid local historian and coordinates the County’s Veterans Day program annually.

Doster has served on the governing board of River Edge since 2006 and The River Edge Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2010; she serves as secretary for both boards. “I have witnessed the positive impact of River Edge supports

Roz McMillan

for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and I am proud of the work River Edge does to make life better in Monroe County,” Doster said.

Roz McMillan worked in healthcare for more than 40 years, retiring from Navicent Health as the Assistant Vice President of Population Health in 2015.

In addition to serving on the Board of River Edge, she currently serves on the boards of The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Georgia, First Choice Primary Care, and St. Peter Claver Catholic School.

“I am passionately interested in what River Edge is doing to improve access to behavioral health services for those in

care, and treatment. It is mission work,” McMillan said. “Having had up close and personal experiences with addiction in my family of origin and having worked in a healthcare setting where mental health needs seemed often as acute as physical health needs, I am convinced of the immense need for behavioral health services that are accessible and affordable.

Residents of Monroe County are fortunate to have geographical and financial accessibility to the many behavioral health services provided through River Edge.”

Martie Brown, owner of RE/MAX Advantage, has lived in Forsyth for nearly 40 years. An advocate of individuals with special needs, Brown also volunteers for Monroe County Special Needs Club, Inc. “I believe in River Edge’s services because I have personally seen how it helps so many wonderful people in Monroe County,” she said. “I encourage everyone in the community to visit River Edge, find out more about the organization, and refer people to its services. It is here locally to serve our community.”

River Edge – Monroe County is located at 168 Old Brent Road in Forsyth. For more information about services, please call 478-803-7700.

River Edge Makes Life Better for Monroe County River Edge provides evidence-based treatment and support services for children, youth, adults, and families who experience mental illness, addiction, co-occuring disorders, or developmental disabilities.

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HEALTH MATTERS Hospitals Monroe County Hospital

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Coliseum Medical Center 350 Hospital Drive Macon, GA 31217 (478) 765-7000

Medical Center Navicent 777 Hemlock Street Macon, GA 31201 (478) 633-1000 www.mccg.org

Ambulance Service Monroe County Emergency Service (478) 994-7004 MedPro EMS 21 N. Lee Street Forsyth, GA 31029 (478) 974-6000

Health Department

SCAN THIS CODE Because Your Health Matters to Us

Monroe County Health Department (478) 992-5082

Spalding Regional Hospital 601 South 8th Street Griffin, GA 30224 (770) 228-2721

Upson Regional Medical Center 801 West Gordon Street Thomaston, GA 30286 (706) 647-8111

Scan the QR Code above, or visit www.MyMCR.net for a full list of health providers in Forsyth and Monroe County

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9am- 11am Kottage Kennels Bolingbroke, GA and 3pm- 5pm Spa Paw, Forsyth

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GROWING INDUSTRY

Encore Industries Expands

By Will Davis

T

he new owner of Encore Industries announced in 2017 that it will invest $18 million and add 20 jobs to the Forsyth facility to start producing roll-off garbage cans.

Encore was purchased by One51 through its North American subsidiary, IPL Inc. Daniel Corbeil, Vice President of Operations for One51, said Forsyth earned the business expansion. “While trying to determine the best location for the company’s growth, it was obvious Forsyth was open for business. The Development Authority of Monroe County, the City of Forsyth, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development were instrumental in ensur-

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FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

ing Forsyth was the best decision,” said Corbeil.

IPL is adding 8 new injection molding machines, including 4 big tonnage machines and state-of-the-art automation, which will more than double current plant capacity. Located in the Monroe County Industrial Park, IPL already makes 5-gallon pails, or plastic buckets, sold in stores like Lowe’s, and the new equipment will allow them to make large roll-out garbage cans as well.

That should add 20 jobs at the Forsyth location, which currently has about 40 employees. The Forsyth location beat out another in competition for the new product line. Bo Gregory, president of the Monroe County Development Authority, said Forsyth was very fortunate to win the business expansion, and said the proximity to I-75 helped as well.

The development authority plans to issue bonds to help IPL finance the new equipment.

Former development authority chairman Tiffany Andrews said locals wanting to apply for the new positions may go to Manpower’s website and create an account. Key positions are listed on the job site Indeed, and they will continue to add positions as they become available, said Andrews.

One51 CEO Alan Walsh said buying Encore, which will keep its name, is a good move for his company.

“The acquisition of Encore together with the [IPL] capital investment program represents a significant step forward in One51’s continued growth in the global plastic packaging market,” noted One51 CEO Alan Walsh.

James Vaughn of the Development Authority of Monroe County said, “The Authority and City had been

working with the previous owner on expanding their operations in Forsyth and remained committed to working with the new owners. This was a complex project. On one hand we were working with an existing industry, on the other we were courting a new industry. We are pleased with their decision and look forward to their success.”

“Existing Industry is the cornerstone of business. We are excited that One51/ IPL chose Forsyth for their investment.

It truly has been a pleasure working with the transition team on this project and the City looks forward to meeting Encore’s growing utility needs” said Mayor Eric Wilson.

With the additional jobs and need to

cross train existing employees, workforce training was a key component in the location process. As such, it was crucial to have the Georgia Department of Economic Development onboard to assist Encore with these training needs. “It’s a great day in Georgia when a company chooses to expand its North American footprint here,” said Candice Scott, Regional Project Manager with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “This is fantastic news for Forsyth, and we look forward to working closely with Encore and IPL as they establish a presence here.”

One51 said the Encore deal brings a high quality and complementary customer base with cross-selling opportunities for IPL and Encore. The two plastics businesses will have more opportunity for new product development and synergies in resin procurement, etc.

Encore’s origins date to 1977. It was owned by the Rathbun family since that time. IPL also was a family business for many years, under the leadership of the Metivier lineage until 2010.

Encore injection molds and thermoforms containers, paint trays, mixing containers and industrial pails for a variety of markets.

Encore’s production locations are in Cambridge, Ohio; Forsyth; and Remer, Minn.

IPL is headquartered in St. Damien, Quebec with two divisions’ retail packaging, bulk and environmental manufacturing operations, S. Damien, Edmundston, New Brunswick, and Lee’s Summit, Mo. It molds a wide variety of products for Retail packaging, materials handling and environmental markets. IPL’s products include wheeled waste and recycling carts.

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CONSTRUCTING FUTURES

Building Homes, Community and Hope Monroe County Habitat for Humanity putting God’s love into action

By Tammy Rafferzeder

M

onroe County Habitat for Humanity was formed in 1985, through the Monroe County Ministerial Association. We are a Christian 501c3 ministry “seeking to put God’s love into action, by bringing people together to build homes, community, and hope,” with the vision that “everyone” should have a decent place to live.

Habitat works toward our vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with people

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and families in need of a decent and affordable home and home repairs and modifications. Since forming, we have built 14 homes, rehabbed 1 home, and assisted with numerous repairs/modifications and ramp builds in the community.

For home builds, families are selected based on 3 simple criteria: the applicant’s level of need, their willingness to partner with Habitat, and their ability to repay a mortgage. As part of their willingness to partner, Habitat’s homebuyers invest

FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

Build families are selected on three simple criteria: 1. The applicants level of need 2. Their willingness to partner with Habitat 3. Their ability to repay a mortgage hundreds of hours of their own labor, called “sweat equity”, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners to build their home.

They are also required to achieve a dedicated number of hours in financial literacy education and home maintenance education.

Our home repair/modification program is designed to assist our lower income, aging citizens and the disabled in the community to remain in their homes.

By partnering with these families, we work together with community partners to provide repairs, ramps, and hand rails, or other modifications that will allow family members to remain at home for longer periods of time.

It is through the financial support of our community partners, whether individuals, businesses or other like-minded organizations, that Monroe County Habitat for Humanity will remain successful in realizing our vision. Please consider

Monroe County

Habitat

for Humanity®

supporting our program. Donations may be made to Monroe County Habitat for Humanity * P.O. Box 673 * Forsyth, GA 31029. Donations are tax deductible and 100% of the donation supports Monroe County. If you would like more information on how you can support Monroe County Habitat for Humanity or become a volunteer, please contact Tammy Rafferzeder, MCHFH Executive Director at 478-973-1819.

Monroe County Habitat for Humanity was formed in 1985, through the Monroe County Ministerial Association.

We are a Christian 501c3 ministry “seeking to put God’s love into action, by bringing people together to build homes, community, and hope,” with the vision that “everyone” should have a decent place to live.

It is through the financial support of our community partners, whether individuals, businesses or other like-minded organizations, that Monroe County Habitat for Humanity will remain successful in realizing our vision. Please consider supporting our program.

Donations may be made to: Monroe County Habitat for Humanity P.O. Box 673 • Forsyth, GA 31029 Donations are tax deductible and 100% of the donation supports Monroe County. If you would like more information on how you can support Monroe County Habitat for Humanity or become a volunteer, please contact Tammy Rafferzeder, MCHFH Executive Director at 478-973-1819.

Tammy Rafferzeder

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EDUCATION

#28

In The State!

CELEBRATE YOU’VE EARNED IT! Stories By Diane Glidewell

M

onroe County Schools got its annual report card from the state, and it did very well.

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SCHOOL DISTRICT

Monroe Houston Jones Pike Jasper Peach Butts Crawford Lamar Bibb Twiggs

STATE RANK

28 55 58 74 105 117 120 122 130 149 170

State rankings out of 179 school districts in Georgia

“It’s overwhelming how well we’ve done; a lot of hard work is paying off,” said Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman.

“We’re seeing growth in academics, athletics and even fine arts. We have a lot to be thankful for.”

Monroe County Schools ranked 28th out of 181 school districts in Georgia

FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

after information from Spring 2017 Milestone Assessments was released by the Georgia Department of Education on July 21, according to schooldigger.com, a website that ranks schools and districts throughout the country. The data applies to students in grades 3-12.

Monroe County Schools advanced three spots, up from 31 in 2016. Among cities, Forsyth ranked 83 out of 353 cities, with all five Monroe County schools being within the city limits. That was up from a rank of 87 in 2016.

Georgia changed to Milestones Assessments in 2014-15. These tests have open-ended questions intended to better gauge content mastery than the exclusively multiple choice tests of the previously used CRCT (Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests). High school students are evaluated with the state’s End of Course tests.

Statewide, Georgia Department of Education said scores increased or held steady in most areas, as students and teachers became more familiar with the Milestones Assessments. It ranks students in four groups: beginning learners, developing learners, proficient learners and distinguished learners, with the majority of students testing in the two middle groups. For example, in grades 3-12 English Language Arts, students testing at each level ranged from 16-30 percent, 30-35 percent, 26-43 percent and 6-12 percent in the four groups.

Hickman said that Monroe County administrators and teachers look not only at whether students score at least at the developing learner level, which is considered ‘passing,’ but at the increasing percentage of students scoring at more proficient levels.

“Any way you look at it, we’re leading [in Central Georgia]. It’s good news for everybody--for kids, for the school system, for the community,” said Hickman, who noted that Monroe County Schools expect increased enrollment this year fueled by families moving to the county to take advantage of the well-performing schools.

Continued on Page 80

Monroe County 2017 Teacher of the Year Leanna Linnenkohl celebrates receiving her new Chevy Mailbu.

Best of the Best

L

eanna Linnenkohl of Juliette, 3rd grade teacher at K.B. Sutton Elementary, was awarded a year-long loaner 2017 Chevy Malibu from Volume Chevrolet after being named Monroe County Schools 2017 Teacher of the Year.

Linnenkohl, who has been teaching for 12 years, represented Monroe County as a candidate for Georgia Teacher of the Year.

K.B. Sutton principal Becky Brown introduced Linnenkohl with a quote from her that “Every child is gifted.

They just unwrap their packages at different times.” Brown said that after earning a degree in business administration and working in the corporate world, Linnenkohl decided to return to school and pursue a degree in early childhood education. She completed her Bachelor’s at Mercer and Master’s at Wesleyan and has since obtained endorsements in gifted, math and science education.

Brown said that Linnenkohl credits her interest in being a teacher to watching her grandmother teach piano. As well as her work in the classroom, Linnenkohl volunteers to coach and help students in various after-school activities. She has also worked in after-school and summer school programs.

“She believes each child can and will learn in their own way,” Continued on Page 80

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EDUCATION “We’re excited,” said Assistant Superintendent Alicia Elder, whose duties include analyzing data from sources like the Milestones tests and working with principals, teachers and others in the school system to use the results to plan for the future. “It’s a team effort. Administrators, teachers and all the support staff, including bus drivers and nutrition workers--everyone who touches a child to create a nurturing environment--contributes to learning.”

Schooldigger.com ranked Mary Persons 128th out of 417 high schools in Georgia, down from 126th last year. It ranked Monroe County Middle School 150th out of 534 middle schools, up from 155th in 2016.

Out of 1,203 public elementary schools in Georgia, K.B. Sutton ranked 224th, T.G. Scott ranked 225th (up from 240th last year) and Hubbard Elementary ranked 652nd (down from 608th last year). Private schools were not used in determining rank.

Based on spring test scores, Monroe County schools at 28th in the state ranked far above surrounding counties: Houston County 55, Jones County 58, Pike County 74, Jasper County 105, Peach County 117, Butts County 120, Crawford County 122, Lamar County 130, Bibb County 149, Twiggs County 170.

Jasper County made the greatest gain over 2016, jumping 38 steps from 143rd to 105th. Jones County had the biggest decline

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since last year, going from 40th to 58th.

Forsyth County, sometimes confused with Monroe County because of the city names, ranked 4th in the state, holding the same rank it had last year. Not-so-far-away Oconee County moved up from third to second in Georgia.

Among high schools, Mary Persons (128) was outranked by three Houston County schools: Veterans (43), Houston County (48) and Perry (104) but far exceeded Warner Robins HS at 235. Jones County ranked 118, Peach County 152, Jasper County 184, Spalding County 220 and Howard HS in Macon 240.

Hickman said that schools across the state are getting better, making it significant that Monroe County Schools continue to excel even as competition is improving. Elder said Monroe County Schools are focused on continuing to improve the success of every student. One important way is by supporting professional learning for staff.

“We celebrate and then immediately begin working again,” said Elder. “We are trying to find continued ways to improve, to remediate and to accelerate learning.”

Hickman said Monroe County Schools are planning a special focus on literacy as the key to learning in all subjects, already making plans for a literacy camp next summer that will go beyond summer classes usually available.

Volume Chevrolet-Buick donates a car annually to the school system’s Teacher of the Year.

said Brown. The teachers and other certified staff members at each Monroe County school vote to select the Teacher of the Year to represent the school. These individuals complete an application including their philosophy of education, professional ideals, professional biography and professional preparation that is reviewed by a district level committee.

To Linnenkohl’s delight she was presented a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu LT to drive for the next year courtesy of Volume Chevrolet-Buick and owners Jason and Holly Connell. The car, marked as ‘Monroe County Teacher of the Year,’ was waiting for Linnenkohl right outside the auditorium “It is especially gratifying to be a part of this evening’s event,” said Holly Connell. “It is through your dedication that our children achieve.”

“We want to make sure that you arrive to your classroom in style,” said Director of Student Services Marcy Hunt-Harris.

Linnenkohl also received a Teacher of the Year ring from Josten’s, a framed certificate and flower arrangement. Coolers overflowing with gifts from sponsors throughout the community were presented to all five Teacher of the Year finalists .

“Thank you to my family; they are always there for me. And my friends are always there to support me. These [other four finalists] are all talented teachers. I accept for all teachers in this county,” said Linnenkohl. “I love teaching. I love what I do. I will always cherish this moment. It’s icing on the cake!”

Monroe County Schools “We believe students should have access to effective instruction, co-curricular opportunities, & extra-curricular activities that assist in shaping their lives to become successful men and women in a global society.”

—Monroe County Schools Guiding Principles

Monroe County School District 25 Brooklyn Avenue * P.O. Box 1308 Forsyth, GA 31029 478-994-2031 Fax 478-994-3364 www.monroe.k12.ga.us

EDUCATION

HIGHLIGHTS AND NEXT STEPS ACADEMICS:

• 2016-2017 Senior Class - 292 Graduates (previous high was 265) • Enrollment increased for Monroe County Schools in 16-17- Pre-K-12- 4,022 students • Students showed improvement in 20 of 24 tested areas on the Georgia Milestones Assessments (grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) • Addition of Army JROTC Program at MPHS - serving 125 students in Grades 9-12 • Industry Re-Certification for CTAE Programs: Technology/ Engineering, Healthcare Science, Business Education • Class of 2017 earned $1.96 million in student scholarships

ATHLETICS: • MPHS won the Director’s Cup for Region 2-AAAA this year by accumulating the most points based on overall performance of the athletic programs • MPHS won 4 Region Championships in 16-17; Football, Girls Softball, Girls Track and Boys Soccer • Athletic teams advanced in the state playoffs in multiple sports (with football advancing to the Final Four this past fall) • MPHS had two individual state champions in track this year, girls pole vault (Carson Dingler), and 300 meter hurdles (Olympia High)

CURRENT SYSTEM PROJECTS: • Parking for Fine Arts Center/Mitchell Field will begin this summer • Agriculture/Science Center construction on TG Scott property will begin in the fall • Renovation of Board of Education offices (old MP building) will begin next summer

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FINE ARTS: • Fine Arts Center opened in December and has hosted numerous school events and has already hosted professional acts including John Berry, Herman’s Hermits and Taylor Hicks.

• Each elementary school, the middle school, and the high school all performed a musical or play this year, first time ever • MPHS has over 550 students participating in chorus, band, drama, dance, and/or art • Increased quality with our fine arts programs - Two Region Champions in Chorus - Men’s Solo and Men’s Quartet- State champion this year in Men’s Solo, senior Jackson Harvey. Jackson will be attending the Juilliard School in NYC this fall on full scholarship

CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES: • ESPLOST- 2019-2024 - will be on November ballot, crucial for the continuation of needed capital projects to keep our schools and resources up to date • Major projects include the following priorities (as funds are available); Renovation of MPHS Main Campus, Construction of new Freshman Wing on the newly-acquired board property adjacent the board office, Addition of classrooms at MCMS-BSC to accommodate grades 6, 7, and 8 on one campus. Finally, we will be looking to make improvements to the football stadium (possibly new bleachers and space on the visitor’s side and work to open up the entrance areas to the stadium) • Alignment of student skills, training, and education of students graduating from MPHS to the needs of the workforce and opportunities available in our community and surrounding counties

FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

Developer Otis Ingram, middle, along with Howell Newton, left, reached a land deal with the BOE and superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, right, to expand the BOE campus. Ingram presented Hickman a painting found in the old home on the propety.

BOE Expansion Plans T he Board of Education last fall reached an agreement to buy 80-plus acres next to its new Fine Arts Center, football stadium and Mary Persons High School for $850,000. The purchase came after four years of negotiations and almost a condemnation in BOE efforts to add room with the construction of the Fine Arts Center, which opened in December 2016 School officials said that Howell Newton deserves much of the credit for the positive solution to the negotiations. Newton and his family agreed

to sell property fronting Hwy. 41 South to developer Otis Ingram for a senior living complex if Ingram would sell property where he had planned to build the complex to the school system.

Newton also sold a large tract to the school system so that there will be room to expand parking for the Fine Arts Center and the football stadium and for a vocational agriculture center, which was included in the last education sales tax (ELOST) approved

by Monroe County voters, as well as future instructional space. This land

makes it possible to expand facilities at Mary Persons so that one high school can continue to serve Monroe County for the foreseeable future even as the student population grows.

The Board had asked Ingram to sell about 12 acres next to its central office property on Brooklyn Avenue (Hwy. 41 S) before it began construction of the Fine Arts Center because it wanted to incorporate the space in its plan for the Center. Ingram Continued on Page 84

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Collaboration​​with City of Forsyth and Monroe County Commissioners

EDUCATION declined, saying the property had greatly increased in value because of his plan for a senior living complex on it. Twice the Board began condemnation proceedings to get the property from Ingram, but dropped them and proceeded to build the Fine Arts Center without the property.

But after the deal was reached, Ingram now has a few additional acres and a great deal more road frontage for his senior living complex, Forsyth Station, which is aimed at older citizens who want to spend time in many activities other than keeping up houses and yards.

School officials said that Newton became involved in negotiations on the property almost three years ago and, representing his family, helped broker the deal that resolved a logjam.

“We had a vision of a subdivision but decided it would be wonderful to work an agreement that would be beneficial to the school system and the community,” Newton told the school board upon singing the deal. “We finally reached a conclusion that will be a win for all, including senior citizens. This county is growing and it will certainly be beneficial.”

“This is a unique day. It’s hard to find a win between three parties,” added Ingram.

“We want to keep [only] one

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high school with facilities second to none… We began to brainstorm, and it was like the Lord opened up a window.”

Ingram presented the school system with a painting he found in the McCosh House on the property the Board bought. Mrs. McCosh worked for the school system for many years, and the painting has her signature. In accepting it, then-Board chairman J. Ray Grant said that Mrs. McCosh was his debate coach and French teacher and made a lasting impression on him.

The Board arranged financing through the Georgia Municipal Association and United Bank in partnership with the Georgia School Boards Association. In addition to the $850,000 to buy the land, Monroe County Schools borrowed $750,000 for construction of projects on the property. The financing vehicle is similar to that used to buy the former Monroe Academy property in 2009.

The Board began work immediately on the parking area that now serves the Fine Arts Center and the football stadium.

Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman thanked those involved in the agreement and included thanks to Don Carter, engineer; Ben Vaughn, attorney; and Jackson Daniel and Alicia Elder, assistant superintendents, for their work to reach a resolution.

As part of Board’s current action plan, we are committed to partner with the city and county on projects and initiatives in our community. We are working together to host the Boys and Girls Club next year. The city and county both budgeted $75,000 for the start up of the program. The school system will house the program at the William Hubbard Campus (the old 8th grade wing). We are upgrading the classrooms and will provide a computer lab and access to the new gymnasium for enrichment. We are thankful to the city and county for investing in a program that will help our students, our parents, and our community moving forward. We also look forward to more opportunities in the future to work with the city and county on projects that benefit our children and our community.

FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

Thank You for Your Contiuned Support of Monroe County Schools BOARD OF EDUCATION • (478) 994-2031 James P. Evans, Jr.

District 1 • Vice Chairman (478) 994-6773

Phil Walker

District 3 (478) 994-9232

Judy Pettigrew District 4 (478) 994-5416

Nolen Howard

District 5 • Chairman nolenhoward@bellsouth.net

Stuart Pippin District 6 (478) 957-2446

Eva Bilderback District 7 (478) 476-8681

District 2 - Vacant / TBA

Mary persons high school 300 Montpelier Avenue, Forsyth (478) 994-2812

MC Achievement Center 25-A Brooklyn Avenue, Forsyth (478) 994-7072

MC Middle school Banks Stephens 7th-8th Grade Campus 66 Thornton Road, Forsyth (478) 994-6186

MC Middle school William Hubbard 6th Grade Campus 66 Thornton Road, Forsyth (478) 994-6803

T.G. Scott elememtary 70 Thornton Road, Forsyth (478) 994-3495

Samuel Hubbard Elementary 558 Hwy. 83 S., Forsyth (478) 994-7066

K.B. Sutton Elementary Hwy. 83 E., Forsyth (478) 994-9906

Scan the QR Code, or visit www.MyMCR.net for a full directory for the Monroe County School system

Welcome Home 2017

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GOVERNMENT

MONROE COUNTY W H O ’ S W O R K I N G F O R Y O U ? FORSYTH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS County Offices: (478) 994-7000

City Hall : (478) 994-5649 ext 116

Gregory V. Tapley

Eric S. Wilson

Chairman

Scan This Code

Larry Evans District 1

Eddie Rowland District 2

Mayor

to connect to your elected officials

G. Dexter King Post 1

Chris M. Hewett Post 2

John Ambrose

Melvin A. Lawrence

To Be Announced

Gregory B. Goolsby

District 3

Post 3

District 4

Post 4

Julius Stroud, III Post 5

Michael E. Dodd Post 6

Scan the QR Code above, or visit www.MyMCR.net for local and state elected officials

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PROGRESS IN MOTION Fiber cable is speeding Monroe County into the 21st century

By Will Davis

M

onroe County’s fastestgrowing neighborhoods are growing even faster after AT&T added fiber cable recently to offer homes fast internet service.

“It’s a boon,” said River Forest property manager Jay Pace.

Pace said River Forest already had fiber AT&T lines to the ports in front of each of the neighborhood’s 210+ homes.

But he said those lines turned into cop-

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per wires from the ports to the homes.

That means River Forest residents were long stuck with Generation 2 DSL internet service, which Pace said got pretty slow when usage peaks as kids get home from school. And since AT&T is no longer adding new DSL customers, the past 30 new homeowners in River Forest had been unable to get any AT&T internet service. Pace said River Forest lost four home sales last year when buyers

discovered the neighborhood had poor internet service.

But crews added fiber capability at each home last year, giving River Forest residents the option to order much faster 1 GB internet speeds.

“It’s made a huge difference to us selling houses,” said Pace.

Pace said at first AT&T had said it wouldn’t upgrade its system there. What changed their minds? Pace said he

FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

thinks Google starting to set up Alphabet Cities with high-speed internet has AT&T hustling to keep its customer base. He also said he’s heard that AT&T’s Marconi pedestals are no longer made so it’s getting harder to repair them, a problem since River Forest is a magnet for lightning strikes, said Pace.

Pace noted that federal law requires AT&T to offer landline phone service to all homes.

AT&T has run fiber lines to the nearby Riata subdivision, as well as three other Monroe County neighborhoods, including Adamsville Park, that have fiber lines already to the curb. And it has added its first fixed wireless tower on Hopewell Road to offer area residents within 2.5 miles internet service there.

Meanwhile, Forsyth Cable says it’s also looking for ways to expand its internet service. The Reynolds-based company offers high-speed fiber internet service in the city and wireless internet to certain areas of the county through its PS Data service.

Forsyth Cable owner Jim Bond said

he’s always looking for opportunities to expand service, but said there has to be good population density to make it worthwhile because running fiber line is expensive.

“We look around the county and it’s hard getting there,” said Bond. He said a developer called him asking for internet service to his subdivision that has just six homes. He said it just doesn’t make sense for them to spend the money to do that.

Pace said Forsyth Cable wanted $1.5 million to run fiber to River Forest.

Some have reported that PS Data is no longer adding wireless internet customers, but Bond said he couldn’t say for sure.

Bond said his focus now is on upgrading its equipment so that existing customers can improve speeds from 30 MB to 100 MB per second.

Bond said city customers have already enjoyed much faster speeds since he bought the system from the city three years ago.

State Rep. Susan Holmes (R-Monticello), who represents northern Monroe County, has made improving internet service her No. 1 cause in recent months, holding public meetings on the issue. Holmes said she has learned that it’s going to take everyone, internet providers of all sizes, the state and city and county governments, to deliver internet service to rural areas.

Holmes said Monroe County actually has better internet service than some counties she represents because of its proximity to Macon and Atlanta, but said many people still need internet service.

“It’s taken me six years (in office),” said Holmes, “but I have found my passion.”

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PROGRESS IN MOTION

Out with old, in with new

By Will Davis

D

eveloper Tushar Patel has demolished the old Regency Inn to make way for a BP gas station and Huddle House as well as a Zaxby’s.

“There are a lot of good things going on in Forsyth,” Mayor Eric Wilson said of the development.

Patel said his BP station on Hwy. 83 will include nine pumps serving 18 vehicles at one time, while the Huddle House will be attached to the convenience store. He said he has sold an adjacent tract for a Zaxby’s franchise as well.

Patel demolished the motel at 325 Cabiness Road, which had been deemed a blighted property by the city.

He said he should be finished with construction of the gas station and Huddle House to open about 12 months from

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that. That hints at an opening date in the summer of 2018.

Patel recently took Wilson to tour a similar business he just opened near Griffin on exit 205, and he has others as well. But this will reportedly be Patel’s first project to be built from the ground up.

The Monroe County Development Authority reached a deal with the city and county to loan Patel $200,000 that will be repaid in new sales tax revenues from the businesses. Development authority president Bo Gregory said it’s a win-win.

Wilson noted the project will be the first big one on the north side of I-75, opening a new corridor for Forsyth. He said it has the added advantage of helping the city replace a blighted property with something brand new.

Vinson

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PROGRESS IN MOTION

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FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

A restored vision for one of Forsyth’s most historic buildings The two-story building has been an anchor for the courthouse square

By Will Davis

F

orsyth developer Otis Ingram has bought the former Prime Palate building with plans to convert the upstairs to loft apartments and the downstairs into a thriving restaurant.

“I get excited about another place for people to go in Forsyth,” said Ingram.

Ingram just recently purchased the former Ann’s Deli building, now the home of The Pickled Okra, owned by Greg Goolsby.

United Bank foreclosed on the Prime Palate property last year and Ingram was the high bidder. Ingram said his work crew will do a major renovation to the historic building. Ingram said the building needs a new roof, new plumbing and new electrical work.

Formerly the Royal Palm and before that as the Farmhouse Restaurant, the two-story building has been one of the anchors of the Forsyth courthouse square. Several previous owners have operated it as a bed and breakfast with several rooms upstairs.

Ingram said he plans to convert the upstairs into eight loft apartments, each with a bedroom, bathroom and living room area.

“You won’t be able to beat the view of the courthouse square,” said Ingram.

Ingram said Monroe County school officials have told him that younger

teachers hired in the county often live in Macon because there are no new apartments available for singles in Forsyth.

He said he’ll build an outside stairwell for entrance to the loft apartments, since currently the only access is from within the restaurant area.

As for the downstairs, Ingram said he has a sous chef who wants to open an Italian restaurant there.

Ingram said he plans to keep the large meeting room area available for the public and said the left side if you’re facing the building may also be an opportunity for a bar or pub area.

Forsyth historian Ralph Bass shared this history of the property: At the close of the 19th century, it was home to a two-story wooden building serving as headquarters for the famed Quitman Guards, which later became the local National Guard unit. Dr. J.O. Elrod bought the property and demolished the wooden building and built the larger, two-story brick building that still stands. The lower sections were used at one time for a dry good and grocery store.

In the 1920s, Greek immigrant Charlie Antonio and his wife, French immigrant Marie Antonio, opened the Royal Palm there. At the time, Hwy. 41 was a major highway for northern tourists bound for

Florida, and the Royal Palm capitalized on that patronage providing fabled food.

Both Antonios died in 1956. Experienced restauranteurs Lamar and Geneva Crutchfield continued a successful business there. Later Jack and Shirley Spillers operated the popular Farmhouse Restaurant there. The two most recent restaurants on site have not fared as well.

The sale closed in June and Ingram said he hopes to complete his renovations on March 31, 2018. For more information call Ingram Entities at 475-6901. Ingram is in a growth mode in Forsyth, recently breaking ground on a senior living complex, Forsyth Station, on Hwy. 41.

Opposite: Developer Otis Ingram

Welcome Home 2017

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PROGRESS IN MOTION

Scan this code to stay the night

Hotel, conference center coming soon

By Diane Glidewell A hotel and conference center is planned for Forsyth near I-75 Exit 187 where Tradewinds Motel once stood.

Owner of the property, Vishrut Patel, and engineer for the project, Mark Whitley, have won city approval for the projects.

The property in question was considered blighted, and the Tradewinds Motel was demolished.

Patel said he plans a hotel with 85-90 rooms and wants to build an event center of about 10,000 sq. ft. because a hotel of that size brings requests for space to hold meetings. His vision for the confer-

ence center is a two-story structure that will accommodate 200-250 people on the ground floor and about half that many on the upper level. The main floor will have tables and chairs; the top floor will have dividers to create smaller rooms.

“I want it as a selling point for the hotel,” said Patel.

He won a variance to build the hotel five stories high and 60’ tall. Patel said the landscaping and fence will be attractive because hotel guests do not want to look outside and see areas that are not landscaped.

Scan the QR Code, or visit www.MyMCR.net for a full hotel/motel directory Patel said it is too early in the planning stage to identify the hotel planned. He said he is involved in at least five other hotel projects, including in McDonough and Stockbridge and in Cobb County near the new Atlanta Braves stadium.

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(478) 216-9256 Page 94

Welcome Home 2017

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Shop Dickey Farms online all year long Peaches, Pecans, Jams, Jellies, Salsas & other peachy products and gifts Gift boxes and mail order available year round Let us help you with all gifts for your family, friends and clients Visit often on Facebook Instagram, and Pinterest

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5 North Street 5 North LeeLee 5Street North LeeLee Street 5 North Street O. Box P. O. BoxBox 1491 P.1491 O.P.Box 14911491 P. O. Forsyth, 31029 Forsyth, GAGA 31029 Forsyth, GA GA 31029 Forsyth, 31029 Assn. ofForesters Consulting Foresters Assn. of Consulting Assn. ofForesters Consulting Foresters Assn. of Consulting

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Heating & Air Conditioning STAN MALOY Service Manager

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55 NorNortthh LeeLee StStrreeetet P.P. O.O. BoxBox 1491 1491

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Open Mon-Fri 10-6pm • Sat 9-5pm • Closed Sunday

3131 Hwy 41 South • 478-796-2500 "Grow with Us"

LOCAL ATHLETES

1 st A nnual M onroe C ounty

SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY

By Richard Dumas

A

huge crowd of about 300 attended the first annual ForsythMonroe County Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Monroe County Convention Center on June 10.

The event capped off a thrilling day

celebrating Monroe County’s immense sports heritage, which began with an Opening Ceremony at the Monroe County BOE Fine Arts Center for the Smithsonian’s traveling Hometown Teams Sports Exhibit at the Conley Building.

MP alum and former NFL coordinator Bobby Jackson served as the keynote speaker at the Opening Ceremony, cracking up an audience of just under 100 with numerous one-liners. And it was Jackson who wrapped up the day as the last of nine local sports legends

2017 Hall of Fame inductees included: Oreatha Sewell (left), Dan Pitts (center) and Alvin Toles (right).

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FORSYTH • MONROE COUNTY RESOURCE GUIDE

Members of the 1980 Mary Persons football team (above) were honored at the inaugural ceremony, as was 2017 HOF inductee James Love (right).

enshrined into the Hall of Fame.

Among the living inductees were: former MP head football coach Dan Pitts, former MP running back and NFL first round draft pick Alvin Toles, former Hubbard High basketball standout Oreatha Sewell, former Hubbard High football standout Frank Redding, former Monroe Academy and UGA football star Jeff Harper, former MP head basketball coach James Love and Jackson.

All seven living inductees attended the ceremony, and all but the typically reserved Pitts offered up a speech. Jackson even jokingly offered to use Pitts’ three minutes to go along with his own three minutes.

The other two inductees were posthumous as Olympic gold medal rower Bill Fields and local baseball legend Joe Chambers were added to the Hall of Fame. Members of Fields and Chambers’ families attended the banquet and accepted their awards on their behalf.

13-WMAZ newscaster Frank Malloy served as the popular Master of Ceremonies while Forsyth-Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame chairman Jim Hardin handed out plaques to each of the award recipients.

Another well-known Middle Georgian, former Miss America Betty Cantrell, attended the Opening Ceremony, belting out a stirring rendition of the National Anthem after signing autographs and taking photos with locals prior to the event. Former MP football standout and retired United Bank president Bill Bazemore emceed the June 10 Opening Day festivities with additional speeches given by former MP football star Mario Harvey, former Monroe Academy tennis star Carla Maples, Hubbard High alum Aretha Neal, Arden Williams of the Georgia Humanities Council, Forsyth mayor Eric Wilson and Monroe County commissioner Larry Evans.

At the conclusion of the hour-long Opening Ceremony, persons in attendance who have participated in local sports through the years were recognized on stage. Then, about a dozen former MP athletes, including Forsyth councilman Julius Stroud, participated in an alumni flag football game on the MP practice field.

All of that merely set the stage though for the impressive banquet that is expected to become an annual tradition in Monroe County. Nominations are

already being solicited for the 2018 Hall of Fame class.

Five days after the Hall of Fame ceremony, former athletes and fans of the now defunct Monroe Academy traded war stories at Alderman Hall on June 15.

Guest speakers included former Mustangs head football coach Edgar Hatcher and Monroe alum and local golf standout Sonny Trammell.

A similar night featuring Mary Persons sports legends such as Pitts and current head football coach Brian Nelson was held at Alderman Hall on June 21.

2017 HOF inductee Jeff Harper (left) receives his plaque from HOF chairman Jim Hardin.

Welcome Home 2017

Page 101

Something for every Season...

• Forsyth Farmers Market • LIVE On The Square Concerts • Community Yard Sale • Historic Train Festival • Fall Festival • Tree Lighting • New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Visit our website for more details and all the exciting events happening in Forsyth!

www.mainstreet.cityofforsyth.net Visit us at the Welcome Center 68 N. Lee St. • Forsyth, GA 31029 • (478) 994-7747 Open Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. facebook.com/forsythmainstreet

FORSYTH FARMERS MARKET May thru October • Noon - 6 p.m.

Raising Quality You Can Count On

1045 Hwy 41 South • Forsyth, Georgia (478) 994-4503 W W W . D AY S P R I N G P C A . C O M Sunday: Sunday School………………………..........................9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship…………………………............…..10.45 a.m.

Home Bible Study Fellowship…………..............…….6:00 p.m.

Wednesday: Fellowship Meal……………………….............……….6:00 p.m.

Programs for Youth 5-K thru HS…………..............…6:30 p.m.

Prayer Time & Bible Discussion Groups…................6:45 p.m.

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The Bunn Agency, LLC 12 East Main Street • Forsyth, GA • (478) 994-9751 Agents J.T. Bunn & Eric Bunn

Come by the Welcome Center and pick up a free Visitors Guide for great shopping and dining experiences, local hotel information, and for things to see and do in Forsyth and the surrounding area!

City of Forsyth Welcome Center

68 North Lee St. • Forsyth, GA 31029 • I-75 exit 186 or 187

478.974.1460 • www.ForsythCVB.com

Offering Dance instruction in: • Ballet • Tap • Jazz • Creative Movement • Hip Hop • Lyrical and Pointe!

Simpy Dance

57 N. Jackson Street, Suite 101 • Forsyth, GA 31029

478-974-0037

Email: simplydanceforsyth@gmail.com

A Full Service Salon Offering the Latest Products & Styles

(478) 994-3313 PROFESSIONAL HAIR STYLISTS Kelly Hiers (Owner), Jamie Jones, Erika Long, Crystal Pastor, Mallory King, & Josie Allen

18 West Main Street Forsyth, Ga 31029 www.WestManeSalon.com

~ Amy Knight, Owner Fashions & Accessories for Women & Girls Forsyth Store: 19 N. Lee St • Forsyth, GA (On the Square) 478-992-8371 M-F 10-6 • Sat 9-5 • Sun 1-5 Macon Store: 6255 Zebulon Rd., Suite 210 Macon, GA 478-703-5043 M-F 10-7 • Sat & Sun 10-6

www.cotiqueshop.com

BUSINESS & SERVICE

DIRECTORY >>

Forsyth - Monroe County C h a m b e r

A national survey of 2,000 people reveals that being active in a local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy because two-thirds of consumers believe that such companies use good business practices, are reputable, care about their customers, and are involved in the community. It’s no surprise that the Chamber’s mission aligns with these attributes - to promote Community, Commerce and Tourism.

The study, conducted by The Schapiro Group, an Atlantabased strategic consulting firm, found consumer perceptions of chamber members to be positive in many ways: • When consumers know that a small business is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 80% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.

• Consumers show a 73% increase in awareness of a small business if it’s a member of a chamber of commerce.

• Companies enjoy a 68% increase in its reputation when consumers know they are a member of the chamber of commerce.

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Welcome Home 2017

o f

C o m m e r c e

T

he Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce strives to help its members in many ways. We provide programs designed to facilitate business relationships and opportunities.

This includes our monthly Eggs & Issues, Business After Hours, ribbon-cuttings to welcome new businesses and new members, and advocate on behalf of our members.

Our membership represents more than 300 diverse businesses, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. We have a dynamic, engaging, welcoming and interconnected business community, where the collective experiences of our members are leveraged for mutual advantage. Investing in Monroe County’s communities through Chamber membership supports a program of work that includes community development, education and workforce development, governmental affairs, membership development, as well as business attraction, retention, and expansion Small businesses represent the largest segment of the Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce’s membership and the study indicates that chamber membership has consistent and powerful benefits for small business members – if consumers are aware that the small business is involved with its local chamber.

We have many ways that you can let consumers know that you are a member of the Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce. One of the best things to do once you’ve joined the Chamber - or if you are a long-standing member who needs a refresher on all that your Chamber offers - is to attend a member orientation. We host these multiple times each year to give our members a full overview of the benefits of membership.

Scan This Code to contact and get more information

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Nipper Bunn Chairman

Steve Coleman Vice Chairman

Keith Anthony

Secretary/Treasurer

Mac Brown

Past Chairman

DIRECTORS Kelly Hiers Ben Thomason Tony Ussery Mike Corrigan Chrissy Ham Donovan Stewart Barr Michael Bittick

LOCATION:

10 W Chambers Street Forsyth, GA 31029

CONTACT:

(478) 994-9239 Toll Free: (888) 642-4628

Accounting/Tax Services Buckley & Hopkins LLP Mr. Albert Hopkins, CPA 68 N. Jackson St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-1820 McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co., LLP Jason Peacock 389 Mulberry St. • Macon, GA 31201 (478) 746-6277 jspinks@mmmcpa.com www.mmmcpa.com Wanda French Accounting Services Wanda French 4427 GA Hwy. 341 N. Culloden, GA 31016 (478) 885-2685 wanda@wfrenchaccounting.com www.wfrenchaccounting.com 1st Choice Accounting & Tax, LLC Julie Presley 10 E. Johnston Street - Forsyth, GA 31029 478-994-8075 Advertising/Marketing M & R Marketing Group, LLC Mr. Nick Rios 3985 Arkwright Rd., Ste. 104 Macon GA 31210 (478) 621-4491 Seven 5 Promotions Mr. Patrick Whitley 495 Holiday Circle • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 315-9944 The Creek 100.9 FM/11th Hour Mr. Tony Doolin 533 Cherry Street • Macon, GA 31204 (270) 227-2370 Agri-Business Dickey Farms, Inc. Rep. Robert Dickey 3440 Musella Rd • Musella GA 31066 (478) 836-4362 Hamlin Hills Farm Mr. Lee Hamlin 477 Dames Ferry Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 844-FUN-FARM

Brentwood Place Ms. Susie Jones 32 Brentwood Place • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-8118

SCT Pit Stop Mr. Jason St. Peter 109 Patrol Rd • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-6334

ZOOM 105.9/ 101.1 FM Mr. Dave Piper 208 S. Center Street • Thomaston GA 30286 (706) 647-7121

Ridgewood Apartments Ms. Carlene Morris 333 Freeman Avenue • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-8171

Southern Commercial Tire Mr. Jason St. Peter 8523 Rivoli Rd • Bolingbroke GA 31004 (478) 994-4700

cable Public Service Communications Forsyth CableNet Mr. Jim Bond 8 North Winston St • Reynolds GA 31076 (478) 885-4111

Watts Service Center Attorney Ms. Leane Watts Dillon & Vaughn, P.C. 324 N Lee St Forsyth GA 31029 campground/lodging Attorneys at Law 478-994-0254 Mr. Benjamin Vaughn Forsyth KOA AWARDS/Trophies/signs 20 W Main St • Forsyth GA 31029 Mr. Kennie Bowman (478) 994-8535 414 S. Frontage Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 English Signs & Awards 478-994-2019 Mr. Rick English Haygood, Lynch, Harris, 1726 English Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 Melton & Watson, LLP catering (478) 994-1736 Ms. Emily Gay 87 North Lee St. • Forsyth GA 31029 Ooh La La Catering BANK 478-994-5171 Ms. Amy Buice BB&T 151 West Main St • Forsyth GA 31029 Mincey & Mincey, LLC Mrs. Michelle Bogulski (478) 951-9134 Mr. Joel Sherlock 101 N. Lee St. • Forsyth GA 31029 16 E. Agency St • Roberta GA 31078 (478) 994-2700 HER MAJESTY, INC (478) 836-3148 Chelsia Ogletree Persons Banking Company AUCTION COMPANY Forsyth, GA 31029 Mr. Keith Anthony 504-570-0013 Hudson & Marshall 88 N Lee St. • Forsyth GA 31029 church Mr. Steve Slocumb 478-994-5146 10761 Estes Rd. • Macon GA 31210 Robins Financial Credit Union Christ United Methodist Church (478) 743-1511 Mr. John Flanders Reverend Keith Harris 76 East Johnston Street • Forsyth GA 31029 AUTO BODY & PAINT REPAIRS 417 N Frontage Road • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 322-7575 (478) 994-1232 Floyd’s Collision & Mechanical Mr. Ed Floyd United Bank First Baptist Church Dr. 198 Harold G. Clarke Pkwy • Forsyth GA Mr. Tony Ussery Hambric Brooks 31029 1 East Main St • Forsyth GA 31029 95 West Morse Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-1000 (478) 994-1840 478-994-5240 Tommy Campbell’s Collision Center, Inc. Mr. Tommy Campbell 6209 Hwy 41S • Bolingbroke GA 31004 (478) 994-2134 automobile sales & service Bellamy Strickland Chevrolet, Buick, GMC Mr. Chad Tyler 145 Industrial Blvd • McDonough GA 30253 (478) 731-7072

BEAUTY Magnolia’s Atlanta Medical Spa of Georgia Marlies Persinger 10 N. Jackson Street - Forsyth, GA 31029 478-993-2277 billboard advertising Willingham Outdoor Media Mr. Richard Willingham 600 Dames Ferry Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 256-8164

Forsyth Presbyterian Church Mrs. Marilyn Tucker-Marek 63 North Jackson Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2942 Forsyth United Methodist Church Reverend Darris Baker 68 W Johnston St. • Forsyth GA 31029 478-994-5706

New Providence Baptist Church Pastor Brian Moore 2560 Highway 41 South • Forsyth GA 31029 Broadcast (478) 994-2545 Willingham Farm, LLC Cumulus Media Mr. Lee Willingham Philadelphia Baptist Church Ms. Ellyn Ammann Volume Chevrolet Buick 590 Dames Ferry Rd. • Forsyth GA 31092 Pastor Rob Tinney 544 Mulberry St Suite 500 • Macon GA 31201 Mr. Jason Connell (478) 994-6745 3121 GA Hwy. 42 N • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 330-6200 909 Veterans Parkway • Barnesville GA 30204 (404) 314-5144 Ambulance service (770) 358-0246 iHeart Media Radiant Church Macon, Inc. MedPro EMS automotive services Ms. Sarah Clark Mr. Drew Winters Mr. Eric Wilson 7080 Industrial Hwy • Macon GA 31216 150 Essex Place • Forsyth GA 31029 Bryant’s Collision 25 North Lee St • Forsyth GA31029 (478) 781-1063 (404) 345-2044 Ms. Bridget Bryant (478) 974-6000 Majic 100 FM 177 N. Indian Springs Dr • Forsyth GA 31029 Rock Springs Church Antiques Mr. Mike Roberts (478) 974-0680 Mr. Cameron Shiftlett 3166 Old Macon Road • Forsyth GA 31029 219 Rock Springs Rd. • Milner GA 30257 High Cotton Uptown Buice’s Garage (478) 994-1800 (770) 229-8663 Mrs. Ann Bowcock Mrs. Sandra Buice 48 North Jackson St. • Forsyth GA 31029 WGXA - FOX24 / ABC16 Television 40 Town Creek Rd • Forsyth GA 31029 cleaning service (478) 993-7213 Mr. Adam Mines (478) 994-2335 599 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Carpet Cure Inc. apartments Roberts Automotive Macon GA 31201 Mr. Cory McCook Mr. James Roberts (478) 745-2424 115 Zebulon St. • Barnesville, GA 30204-1150 Betsy Lynn Apartments 7995 Rivoli Rd PO BOX 243 (478) 405-9138 Ms. Carlene Morris Bolingbroke GA 31004 369 N. Frontage Road • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-9442 (478) 994-8171 Paul’s So Easy Auto Sales Ms. Julie Paul 594 Indian Springs Dr. Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-5600

Jani-King of Macon Mr. John Harrison 544 Mulberry Street Ste. 418 Macon GA 31201 (478) 314-3940

cleanup and restoration Servpro of Thomaston, Forsyth and Ft. Valley Mrs. Deana Boone 211 Tift College Dr Ste. 204 Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 956-1214

clubs & non-profits Exchange Club of Forsyth Mr. Tommy Woodward 610 Old Popes Ferry Road • Juliette GA 31046 (478) 994-6489 Forsyth Womans Club Mrs. Karen Leverett PO Box 922 • Forsyth GA 31029 Forsyth-Monroe County Rotary Club Dr. Mike Hickman Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-5146 Friends of High Falls State Park Mr. Bud Queen 76 High Falls Rd • Jackson GA 30233 (478) 394-3743 Friends of Jarrell Plantation Ms. Judy Comer 711 Jarrell Plantation Rd. • Juliette GA 31046 (478) 986-5172 Hubbard Alumni Association Mr. Herbert Gantt PO Box 671 • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-9562

construction

dentist

employment agency

America’s Home Place Todd Phipps 4580 Sheraton Drive -Macon, GA 31210 478-474-9070

Ambrose Pediatric Dentistry Dr. John Ambrose 120 North Lee Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-6501

Certigy Inc. Mrs. Lisa Wheeler 180 Willingham Drive Ste. E • Juliette GA 31046 (478) 974-0086

American Craftsman Homes Mrs. Shawnee Williams 120 Park 42 Drive Ste.A & B Locust Grove GA 30248 (678) 776-7412

Forsyth Family Dental Dr. John O. Bowcock, Jr., D.D.S. 103 MLK Jr. Dr. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2070

Randstad Staffing Ms. Jennifer Frankum 207 Tom Hill Sr Blvd. • Macon GA 31210 (478) 757-0140

Southern Smiles Dr.Stanley J. Hickman, D.M.D. 275 N. Frontage Road • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-9104

engineers/architects

Hanson Aggregates Southeast LLC Mrs. Susan Williamson 4956 Highway 41 South • Bolingbroke GA 31004 (478) 994-3017 Hunt Development Inc. Mr. Donny Hunt 5877 HWY 41 • Bolingbroke GA 31004 (478) 256-5668 Renfroe Construction Company, LLC. Mr. Jimmy Melton 4611 Ivey Drive Ste. 400 • Macon GA 31206 (478) 471-9110 Upward Construction Ms. Wendy Sherlock 7250 Alexander Court • Bolingbroke GA 31004 (478) 994-6263 Vulcan Materials Company Mr. Barry Lawson 3582 Pea Ridge Rd • Juliette GA 31046 (478) 477-3833 convenience store/gas Walthall Oil Co. Mr. Phillip Sullivan 2510 Allen Rd • Macon GA 31202 (478) 781-1234

UGA Extension-Monroe County Ms. Caitlin Bennett 90 Martin L. King Jr. Dr. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-7014

Welcome Food Mart Mr. Sam Batiwala 37 South Jackson Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (404) 452-6238

Monroe County Habitat for Humanity Mrs. Tammy Rafferzeder 147 Circle Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-6411

dance studio/instruction

Monroe County Historical Society Mr. Ralph Bass 126 E. Johnston St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-5070

Dance With Donna Mrs. Donna Brown 108 Stonefield • Forsyth GA 31029 (770) 480-6712

computer services

Simply Dance Mrs. Katie Whitley 10 E. Johnston Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478)397-5746

Harbin Repairs Mr. Jordan Harbin 27 North Lee Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-3508

T & K Studios Ms. Kim Pitman 160 Mimosa Lane • Jackson GA 30233 (770) 775-1066

Infinity Network Solutions Mr. Brian Betzel 93 Gateway Drive • Macon GA 31210 (478) 475-9500

daycare

Najera Design + Marketing Mr. Larry Najera 401 Cherry Street Ste. 310 Macon GA 31201 (478) 361-4528

Little Angels Learning & Daycare Ms. Megan Moore 8197 Rivoli Rd • Bolingbroke GA 31004 (478) 994-9933 Little Angels Learning & Daycare at Smarr Mrs. Sarah Eidson 2329 Hwy 41 South • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-3096

development authority Forsyth Main Street & Downtown Development Authority Mr. Michael Norris 68 North Lee Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-7747 education Central Georgia Technical College Dr. Tatrabian Jackson 3300 Macon Tech Dr. • Macon GA 31206 (478)757-3400 Gordon State College Foundation Ms. Rhonda Toon 419 College Drive • Barnesville GA 30204 (678) 359-5739 K B Sutton Elementary Mrs. Becky Brown 1315 Hwy. 83 N • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-9906 Mary Persons High School Dr. Jim Finch 300 Montpelier Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2812 MCACE Monroe County Adult and Community Education Ms. Lisa Lee PO Box 712 • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-2880 Middle Georgia State University Mr. Albert Abrams 100 University Parkway • Macon GA 31206 (478) 471-2712 Monroe County Board of Education Dr. Mike Hickman 25 Brooklyn Ave. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2031 Monroe County Middle School Dr. Efrem Yarber 66 Thornton Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-6186 Rock Springs Christian Academy Ms. Jennifer Symmes 219 Rock Springs Road • Milner Ga 30257 (678) 692-0192 Samuel E. Hubbard Elementary Mr. Jay Johnston 558 Hwy. 83 South • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-7066 Thomas G. Scott Elementary Dr. Richard Bazemore 70 Thornton Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-3495

Carter & Sloope, Inc. Mr. Don Carter 6310 Peake Rd. • Macon GA 31210 (478) 477-3923 Fry Design Group Mr. Scott Fry 15 Stornoway Court • Macon GA 31210 (478) 737-3898 Harbin Engineering, PC Mr. Steve Harbin 41 West Johnston St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-9122 Kornegay Engineering, Inc. Mr. Garry Kornegay 363 Pierce Avenue • Macon GA 31204 (478) 745-6161 entertainment Charity’s Got IT! Contracting, LLC (dba INDNGRL Entertainment) Ms. Charity Atkins 1878 Richmond Hill Drive Lawrenceville GA 30043 (678) 680-8481 Meadows Gun Club and Shooting School Ms. Becky Rogers 1064 Rumble Road • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-9910 River Forest Golf Club Ms. Brittany Montgomery One Club House Drive • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 508.2596 enVIRONMENTAL Mitigation Management Mr. Matt Hughes 96 South Berner Avenue - Forsyth, GA 31029 770-363-5770 event facility Monroe County Conference Center Ms. Karinne Flemming 475 Holiday Circle • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-8600 The Gavi Estate and Barn Mrs. Kay Milliner-Kitchens 2845 Highway 42 N • Forsyth GA 31029 (470) 234-9745 financial/investments Bolder Investment Group, LLC Mr. Todd Tolbert 6501 Peake Rd Bldg 950 • Macon GA 31210 (478) 471-1035

Larry Burney Investment Advisor Mr. Larry Burney 142 Fairway Run • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-6867

Fitco Healthclub, LLC. Mr. Daniel Stickler 833 Patrol Road • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 993-2202

Raymond James Financial Services Ms. Dawn Vargo 8129 Rivoli Rd Box 508 • Bolingbroke GA 31004 (478) 994-0084

flooring

The Piedmont Group of Central Georgia Mr. Wes Cone 4931 Riverside Dr Ste. 300B • Macon GA 31210 (478) 960-0461 Wells Fargo Advisors Mr. Tom Baugh 1425 Bass Rd. Suite 100 • Macon GA 31210 (478) 471-1111 financial/lending 1st Franklin Financial Mr. David Davis 109 D Patrol Road • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-9911

Central Carpet Mrs. Angela Bullock 4492 Knight Rd • Macon GA 31220 (478) 471-0805 florist Flowers By Helen Mrs. Angie Ellis 9 W. Johnston St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2611 funeral services Monroe County Memorial Chapel Mr. Spanky Beck 86 West Main Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-4266 furniture

GENERAL CONTRACTOR Hunt Development Inc. Mr. Donny Hunt 5877 HWY 41 • Bolingbroke GA 31004 (478) 256-5668 Stroud Industries, dba Stroud and Company Mr. Charles G. Stroud 1161 5th Street • Macon GA 31201 (478) 743-5097 golf River Forest Golf Club Ms. Brittany Montgomery One Club House Drive • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 508-2596 government Allen Peake, State Representative Rep. Allen Peake 125 Plantation Centre Building 100 Macon GA 31210 (478) 474-5633

AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA Mr. Terrell Selph 620 N. Church Street • Thomaston GA 30286 (706) 647-8991

Cash Liquidations Mr. Alan Moore 684 Indian Springs Dr. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-9901

Security Finance Ms. Julie Peters 100 N Bennett St Ste 2 • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2505

garden center/landscaping

Office of Senator David Perdue Mr. Greg Ziesenhene 191 Peachtree Street NE Ste. 3250 Atlanta GA 30303 (404) 865-0087

Mossy Corner Nursery & Country Market Mrs. Barbara Woodward 3131 Hwy 41 South Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 808-0513

Office of the District Attorney, Towaliga Judicial Circuit Mr. Jonathan Adams 625 W. 3rd Street Ste. 8 • Jackson GA 30233 (770) 504-2407

fitness

Breathe Yoga Ms. Pegi Vaughn 293 Tift College Drive • Forsyth GA 31029 8/17 frameAD.qxp_Layout 1 8/24/17 3:54 PM Page 1 (478) 394-2353

Susan Holmes, State Representative, District 129 Mrs. Susan Holmes 692 College Street • Monticello GA 31064 (706) 468-6085 Grocery Freshway Mr. Wesley Littleton 171 N. Lee Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-8481 Hobo Joe’s Mr. Trey Brown 7231 Hwy 42 S • Culloden GA 31016 (478) 957-4487 Welcome Food Mart Mr. Sam Batiwala 37 South Jackson Street• Forsyth GA 31029 (404) 452-6238 GENERAL CONTRACTOR West Mane Salon Mrs. Kelly Hiers 18 West Main Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-3313 GENERAL CONTRACTOR Dodd Builders Supply, Inc. Mr. Mike Dodd 63 Harold G. Clarke Pkwy. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-6403 healthcare diagnostics Monroe - Navicent Health Ms. Cynthia Busbee 120 N. Lee Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 993-9900

Forsyth United Methodist Church

The Monroe County Special Needs Club, Inc.

In downtown–Just Off the Courthouse Square

For further Development of our local special needs adults in Life, Social, & Work Skills Working and Training As a Group Learning & Achieving goals together With Support

68 W. Johnston Street • Forsyth, GA 31029

S

(478) 994-5706 www.forsythumc.org “Enter as our guest, depart as our friend....

assy’s

“Voted Best Painter by the readers of the Monroe County Reporter 6 Years in Row!”

• Paint Interior & Exterior • Pressure Washing • Wall Paper • Small Repairs

478-957-8981 • Debbie Wilson, Owner & Operator

A private non-profit 501c3 organization Established in 2011

All Donations are tax deductible!

Contact Martie Brown to see if this Club might fit Your Special Needs Adult. reagent68@aol.com

GENERAL CONTRACTOR

hotel/motel

Home Instead Senior Care Ms. Shannon Bell 2940 Riverside Drive Ste 103 Macon GA 31204 (478) 477-5501

Comfort Suites Ms. Cathy Bannister 343 Harold G. Clarke Parkway Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-9774

Macon Occupational Medicine Ms. Breanna Bassett 124 3rd Street • Macon GA 31201 (478) 751-2900

Holiday Inn Express Mr. Ajay Patel 520 Holiday Circle • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-9697

Monroe County Hospital Mr. Darren Pearce 88 Martin Luther King Jr Dr. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2521

LaQuinta Forsyth Ms. Tressie Temple 400 Russell Parkway • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 885-2500

Pruitt Health - Forsyth Ms. Kim Herron 521 Cabiness Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-5671

New Forsyth Inn Mr. Arun Patel 130 N. Frontage Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-5161

Pruitt Health - Monroe Ms. Tammy Sullivan 4796 Hwy 42 N • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-5662 Royal Baby Doula Mrs. Chelsia Ogletree 113 Forest Overlook Dr. • Forsyth GA 31029 (504) 570-0013 heating and air Head Heating and Air Conditioning Mr. Greg Head 115 Industrial Park Road • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-0044 Kent Mechanical, Inc Ms. Charleen Kent 1095 W Main St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-1106 M & W Heating and Air, LLC Mr. Mark McCranie 8305 Eisenhower Parkway • Lizella GA 31052 (478) 935-3190 R & R Repairs and HVAC Mr. Eddie Rowland 500 N. Lee Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 974-0054 Starr Heating & Air Conditioning Mr. J.C. Starr 956 Juliette Rd • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-6127

Quality Inn Mr. Sunny Patel 951 Hwy 42N BU1 • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-9260 Super 8 Mr. A.J. Patel 436 Tift College Dr. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-5101 human resources Middle Georgia Consortium, Inc. Ms. Amy Varnum 124 Osigian Blvd Ste A Warner Robins GA 31095 (478) 953-4771 Precision Hiring and Development Mr. Larry Breed 3682 Johnstonville Rd • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-3219 individual George and Jeannine Berry Mr. George Berry 1961 Collier Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2754 Donald J. Daniel Mr. Donald Daniel 288 Blount Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-1312 Ham, Benson and Ruth Mr. Benson Ham PO Box 403 • Smarr GA 31086 (478) 994-6042

Residential • Commercial • Land • Rentals

500 N. Lee Street • Forsyth, GA 31029 Office: 478-874-0054 • Fax: 478-974-0055

Jim Jackson Mr. James Jackson 210 Bolingridge Dr. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-5118 John Cary Bittick Sheriff John Cary Bittick 327 Stokes Store Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0730 Michael Bittick Mr. Michael Bittick 104 Stonefield Dr. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 808-5658 William H. Trigg Mr. Bill Trigg 779 Dames Ferry Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 394-1109 insurance agency Alfa Insurance Daniel Stickler Agency Mr. Daniel Stickler 100 N. Bennett St Ste 3 • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2994 AllState - Jane Pennington Mrs. Jane Pennington 57 South Lee St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0850

Farmers Insurance The Megan Mays Agency Ms. Megan Mays 105 Patrol Road - Forsyth, GA 31029 478-974-1819 Health Planning Associates Mrs. Donna Davis 125 Plantation Center Dr. #750 B Macon GA 31210 (478) 471-1220 Modern Woodmen of America Ms. Montene Carroll 5263 Mt. Pleasant Church Rd. Macon GA 31216 (478) 361-8616 Owens Insurance Agency Mr. Rick Owens 16 E. Johnston St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-1515

Purchasing Alliance Solutions Mr. Steven Cole 736 Johnson Ferry Rd.,Bldg.C-200 Marietta GA 30068 (770) 579-1214 Secure Health Plans of Georgia Mr. Al Ertel 577 Mulberry Street Ste. 1000 Macon GA 31201 (478) 314-2420 State Farm - Charlie Pelt Mr. Charlie Pelt 12 E. Johnston Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-9600 State Farm - Tommy Johnston Mr. Tommy Johnston 281 Tift College Drive • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-9945 State Farm Insurance - Osborne Mr. Steve Osborne 80 MLK Jr Drive • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-1041 Tapley & Associates Insurance Mr. Greg Tapley 885 Wimbish Road • Macon GA 31209 (478) 471-7655 The Bunn Agency, LLC Mr. Eric Bunn 14 East Main St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-9751 Tolbert and Associates Mrs. Stacy Tolbert 6501 Peake Road • Bldg. 950 • Macon GA 31210\ (478) 471-1035 Landscaping Cedar Pond Nursery & Landscaping Mr. Ryan Davies 428 Forsyth-Yatesville Rd. • Culloden GA 31016 (770) 584-0102 Four Star Grounds, Inc. Mr. Rick Hopson 192 Barrystone Rd • Julliette GA 31046 (478) 477-6070 Middle GA Property Enhancement Mr. Phillip Bunn 459 Bunn Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 808-0691

Mt. Zion

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

See Kathy Rowland for all of your Real Estate needs.

Property Sales & Management, LLC

Isabelle Waldrep Tanner Mrs. Isabellle Waldrep Tanner 167 W. Main Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 957-4716

Kathy Rowland Real Estate Agent 478-808-9353

WE ARE...“The Country Church That Cares” Keith Harris, Pastor 40 Rumble Rd • Forsyth, GA 31029 • 478-994-9282 Sunday School 9:55 am • Worship 11am

lawncare Turf Magic, LLC. Mr. Jason Dorsey 506 River Overlook • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 342-1689 logging Bunn Logging, Inc. Mr. Nipper Bunn 274 Frank Bunn Dr • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 214-7045 machine shop

Towaliga Recovery Services Mrs. Patricia Gavel 130 Library St • Barnesville GA 30204 (770) 358-5029

Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia Ms. Vicki Mills 5171 Eisenhower Pkwy • Macon GA 31206 (478) 471-4842

mobile truck & tire service

Monroe County Library Ms. Kimberly Clayton 62 W. Main St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-7025

J & K Mobile Service, LLC Mr. Jeff Ayer 133 Harold G. Clark Parkway Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 955-1161 moving & storage

PMC Mr. Walter Alexander 240 Industrial Park Dr. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2848

Premier Moving by Pam Mr. Kevin Davis 18 Wadley Station Ct • Macon GA 31210 (478) 960-8615

Manufacturer/industrial

music

Encore Plastics Mr. Stan Hodnett 165 Industrial Park Rd • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0702

Lee’s Lessons Mr. Lee Anderson 44 E. Johnston St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 254-1259

Gresco Utility Supply Mrs. Kimberly DiPonzio 1135 Rumble Road • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 315-0850

newspaper

Pallet One of Florida, Inc. Mr. Delynn Dykes 3794 Old Macon Rd. • Smarr GA 31086 (478) 994-4060 Perdue Farms, Inc. Mr. Tim Little 133 Industrial Park Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-7800 Prim Industrial Contractors, Inc. Mr. David Prim 10724 Estes Rd • Bolingbroke GA 31004 (478) 742-0420 Southern Forest Industries, Inc. Mr. Matt Strickland 3794 Old Macon Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0000 Specialty Power Windows Mr. Robby Whitehead 140 Industrial Park Dr. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-9248 Transportation Services, Inc. Ms. Natalie Butler 10986 Hwy 87 • Juliette GA 31046 (478) 994-2188 martial arts Okinawan Karate School Mr. Michael Brewster 20 E. Johnston St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0160 mental health and recovery River Edge Behavioral Health Center Mrs. Vickie Welker 168 Old Brent Rd • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-7600 Towaliga Accountability Courts Towaliga CASA Ms. Patricia Gavel 130 Library St. • Barnesville GA 30204 (770) 358-5029

The Monroe County Reporter Mr. Will Davis 50 N. Jackson Street • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2358 non-profit Middle Georgia Fellowship of Christian Athletes - Landon Sparks Mr. Landon Sparks 3539 Dames Ferry Rd • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 770-8538 Monroe County Family Connection Ms. Vickie Nickel 90 Martin Luther King Jr Dr • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 508-4134 Monroe County Moose Lodge #2424 Mr. Joey Proctor 524 Cabiness Road • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2424 Monroe County Special Olympics Mrs. Anna Beth Shepard 558 Hwy 83 S • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 973-7910 Monroe Reads with Ferst Ms. Maggie Glennon P.O. Box 812 • Forsyth GA 31029 (706) 424-6127 Project Impact Community Development Organization, Inc. Mrs. Lareeta S Phinazee 3056 Old Atlanta Hwy • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0707 Anchor of Hope Foundation, Inc. Ms. Lindsey Hoyt 41 West Johnston St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0438 Community Care Council, Inc. Ms. Donna Davis 52 W Adams St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 471-1220 Ext. 302 Georgia Manufactured Housing Association Mr. C. Jay Hamilton 1000 Circle 75 Pkwy • Atlanta GA 30339 (478) 994-0006

Save A Pet, Inc. Mrs. Pat Corley 618 Maynard Church Rd • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-3882 party rentals Magical Mini Celebrations Tine Martin 195 Klopfer Rd • Juliette GA 31046 (478) 994-7387

pharmacy Castleberry Drug Company Mr. Scott Tyree 67 North Lee St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2051 U-Save-It Pharmacy, Inc Ms. Beverly Espy 25 West Johnston St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2015 photography Dylan Stephens Photography Mr. Dylan Stephens 172 Spurgeon Dr • Milledgeville GA 31061 (478) 387-8226

pavement consultant

Roaming Drone Solutions Mr. Chris Spence 10414 Estes Rd. • Macon GA 31210 (478)227-9445

The Miller Group Mr. Kimbel Stokes 914 Jenkins Rd • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 974-0009

Strikingly Dunne LLC Mrs. Jesica Dunne 108 Cedar Creek Dr • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 216-8464

personal home care assisted living facilities

physical therapy

River Place Mrs. Kim Moore 3492 Johnstonville Rd • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 993-1246 pest control Active Pest Control Mr. Scott Brown 5512 Thomaston Rd • Macon GA 31220 (478) 471-0236 Trammell Pest Control Mr. Sonny Trammell 1042 Ponder Trammell Rd • Juliette GA 31046 (478) 994-0134 pets/kennels/grooming Kottage Kennels & Suites, Inc. Ms. Tine Martin 195 Klopfer Rd • Juliette GA 31046 (478) 994-7387

Monroe Physical Therapy Dr. Dana Peterman 109 MLK Jr Dr • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-3390 physician Central Georgia Family Medicine Mrs. Mandy White 120 N. Lee Street Ste A • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0437 Internal Medicine Associates of Middle Georgia Dr. Craig Caldwell 97 MLK Jr. Dr • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-1010 ObGyne Consultants, Obgyne Birth Centers for Natural Deliveries Dr. Bola Sogade, MD 100 MLK Jr. Blvd • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 745-3014

plumbing Davis Plumbing Co., Inc. Mr. W. Ken Davis 48 Berner Avenue • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2027

Evergreen Propane Mr. Tommy Busbee 149 Macon West Dr • Macon GA 31210 (478) 994-2119

The Summit Group Mrs. Charity Boyer 4124 Arkwright Road Ste 1 Macon GA 31210 (478) 750-7507

El Tejado Mexican Restaurant Ms. Irma Pena 310 Cabiness Rd • Forsyth GA 31029 ( 478) 994-1425

public safety products

Pace & Pace, Inc. Mr. Jimmy Pace 566 N. Lee St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0550

Forsyth Country Cookin’ Mrs. Helen Walker 15 E Johnston St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0603

Plantation Hills Shopping Center Ms. Stacey Staton 6525 Shiloh Road, Suite D-200 Alpharetta GA 30000 (770) 643-4799

Grits Café Mrs. Leslie Waters 17 W. Johnston St. #1185 • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-8325

Harvey’s Plumbing & Irrigation, Inc. Mrs. Ansley Hunt 5877 Hwy. #41 • Bolingbroke GA 31004 (478) 994-2803

Interceptor Public Safety Products, Inc. Mr. Mac Brown 1110 Indian Springs Dr. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 974-0105

Johnson Plumbing & Contracting, Inc. Mr. Herbie Johnson 71 E. Chambers St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2387

Red Dog Public Safety Outfitters Mr. Wiley Crosby 1020 Indian Springs Dr. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-1862

portable toilets

Southern Safety Supply Mr. Jim Jones 2135 Broadway • Macon GA 31206 (478) 745-7018

Taylor Services of Georgia, LLC Ms. Angie Turner 705 Millerfield Rd • Macon GA 31217 (478) 743-0021 printing Federalgraphics, LLC Mr. Chris Howard 519 Bartlett St • Macon GA 31204 (478) 750-7444 ext. 2101 Panaprint, Inc. Mr. Rette Collins 7979 N E Industrial Blvd • Macon GA 31216 (478) 788-0676 T-Screens, Inc Ms. Dena Mason 14 E Johnston St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0051 promotional/marketing Apparel Authority LLC Mr. David Barwick 2081 Bethlea Ave • Macon GA 31210 (478) 361-7069 Lakeside Apparel Co. Mrs. Catherine Cappiello 94 East Adams St • Forsyth GA 31029 (678) 603-9147 Seven 5 Promotions Mr. Patrick Whitley 495 Holiday Circle • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 315-9944 propane gas equipment Donny’s Propane Gas Mr. Donny McKinney 8323 Rivoli Rd • Juliette GA 31004 (478) 992-8326

Ten-8 Fire & Safety Equipment of Georgia, LLC Mr. Jay Shelton 1591 Collier Rd • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-3235 real estate Connie R. Ham - Middle GA Realty Mrs. Connie Ham 78 N. Lee St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-5900 Ingram Entities, Inc Mr. Otis Ingram 6 E. Johnston St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 475-6901 Kelli Finch - Coldwell Banker SSK, Realtors Mrs. Kelli Finch 1501 Bass Rd • Macon GA 31210 (478) 955-7285 Pioneer Land Group Mr. Kyle Gable P.O. Box 340 • Douglasville GA 30133 (478) 257-3420 Sold-Sisters, Inc. Mrs. Chrissy Donovan 78 N. Lee St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 808-7281 The Brokery, LLC Mr. George Emami 10 N Jackson St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 420-0023

On Onbehalf behalfofof all allof of us us at at

H HARBIN ARBIN EENGINEERING NGINEERING,, P.C. P.C. CIVIL CIVIL&&ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS CONSULTANTS

we weextend extendaaheartfelt heartfelt 41 West Johnston Street Office (478) 992-9122 Forsyth, GA 31029 Fax (478) 994-0439 www.harbinengineering.com

THANK YOU YOU THANK

to Monroe County voting TheBest BestEngineering EngineeringCompany!

Company! to Monroe County forfor voting usus The We are honored to receive this recognition from our community!

We are honored to receive this recognition from our community!

R & R Property Sales and Manangement Mrs. Kathy Rowland 500 N. Lee St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 974-0054 Washburn & Associates Dale Washburn 3040 Riverside Drive Suite C-2 - Macon, GA 31210 478-477-2324

Marigold Stables Mr. Mike Leverett 75 Higgins Mill Rd. • Forsyth GA 31029 (678) 427-7570 Meadows Gun Club and Shooting School Ms. Becky Rogers 1064 Rumble Rd • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-9910 River Forest Golf Club Ms. Brittany Montgomery One Club House Drive • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 508-2596

Anvil Room Mrs. Bonnie Barker 50 N. Kimball St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-1281 Schuster Enterprises - Burger King Mr. Tom Wilson 179 N. Lee St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 563-3066 Captain D’s Mr. Aidan Dibble 149 N Lee St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-3851

Jonah’s on Johnston Ms. Bonnie Barker 26 E. Johnston St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-8844 Marco’s Pizza Mr. Jeremy Carrera 279 North Lee St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 974-5500

recreation

restaurant

Hong Kong Palace Chinese Restaurant Ms. Caroline Ling 465 Tift College Dr • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0973

Monroe County Dairy Queen Mr. Ronnie Daniel 200 N Lee St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-2560

Taco Bell Mr. Mike Bender 152 North Lee St • Forsyth GA 31029 (770) 251-9600 Whistle Stop Café Ms. Elizabeth Bryant 443 McCrackin St • Juliette GA 31046 (478) 992-8886 retail sales

Akins Outdoor Power Ms. Carol Smith 55 N. Lee St. • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-9010 Belk Shoppes at River Crossing Ms. Yolanda Grimes 5080 Riverside Dr • Macon GA 31210 (478) 474-1078 Cash Liquidations Mr. Alan Moore 684 Indian Springs Dr • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-9901

Thank You Monroe County for Referring Your Friends and Family to Me!

Martie Brown, REALTOR

RE/MAX First Advantage-Forsyth 44 E. Johnston Street, Forsyth, GA 31029

(478) 994-1118 office

(478) 957-9522 cell, Call Me Direct, Anytime! www.MartieBrownTEAM.com Voted 2017 Best Real Estate Company

Cotique Boutique Mrs. Amy Knight 19 North Lee St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-8371

BTV Systems Mr. Jimmy Shepard 2481 Rocky Creek Rd • Macon GA 31206 (478) 788-5281

Gottwals Books Mr. Shane Gottwals 2834 Riverside Dr • Macon GA 31210 (478) 477-9200

surveyor

Holiday Bottle Shop Mr. Pat Patel 471B Tift College Dr • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-8040 Rodan & Fields Mrs. Teri Barr 202 River Overlook • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 957-3342 Sage & Sparrow Mrs. Holly White 19 East Johnston St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 660-2348 Tractor Supply Company Mr. TJ Newberry 130 East Main St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-6630 Wal-Mart Mr. Dennis Kent 180 North Lee St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0163 security systems All Wired Up Mrs. Jennifer Simmons P.O. Box 5755 • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 755-9700

Steve Coleman & Associates, Inc. Mr. Steve Coleman 38 E Johnston St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 992-9900 tax service H&R Block Ms. Betty Jo Pope 138 North Lee St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0065 telephone services AT&T Georgia Mr. Terry Smith 10360 Georgia Ave Room 106 Macon GA 31201 (478) 741-7865 Cricket Wireless/Dolphin Mobile Ms. Crystal Williams 275 N Lee St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 993-2081 Macon Communications, Inc. Mr. Travis Ferrell 4470 Broadway • Macon GA 31206 (478) 788-6222

Oglethorpe Power Corporation Mrs. Diane McClearen 2100 East Exchange Pl • Tucker GA 30084 (770) 270-7535

theater Backlot Players, Inc. Mrs. Kristy Calhoun 23 W. Johnston St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-0443

Piedmont Electrical Services, Inc. Mr. Danny Newton 538 Cabiness Rd • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-1827

timber management Quality Forest Products, LLC Mr. Deck Trevitt 755 Hwy 83N • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-6385 tv & appliance sales/service Mid State Appliance Repair Mrs. Kathy Sharp 42 East Johnston St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-1147 utilities Atlanta Gas Light Co. Mr. Trevor Quander 5472 New Forsyth Rd • Macon GA 31210 (478) 476-2278 Central Georgia EMC Mrs. Christy Chewning 923 S. Mulberry St • Jackson GA 30233 (770) 775-7857 Georgia Power Co. Mr. Craig Stephens 10986 Hwy. 87 • Juliette GA 31046 (478) 994-0022 Georgia Transmission Corporation Ms. Holly Daniell 2100 E. Exchange Pl • Tucker GA 31086 (770) 270-7528

SCANA Energy Mrs. Helen Stembridge PO Box 26306 • Macon GA 31221 1-877-467-2262 Southern Rivers Energy Ms. Erin Cook 1367 Highway 341 South Barnesville GA 30204 (770) 358-1383 veterinarian Animal Medical Clinic of Forsyth Dr. Brandon Pinson 60 S. Jackson St • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-4986 Caldwell Veterinary Hospital, LLC Dr. Butler Caldwell 951 Highway 41 South • Forsyth GA 31029 (478) 994-8228 wholesaler CCN Distributing, Inc. Callaway Blue Mrs. Nancy Gradwell PO Box 99 • Bolingbroke GA 31004 (478) 992-5757

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GeorGe emami, mBa Broker/owner

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ESTATES & COMMERCIAL HOLDINGS

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