Check out an interview with Newnan’s new mayor on page 6 inside.
Look for the latest Coach Corby column on page 7
There’s a Coweta Senior Services Calendar on page 3
A Sports Calendar on page 19 and an Upcoming Events Calendar on page 18
Check out Kris Youman’s Music Events on page 16
There’s lots more. Turn the page …
There’s lots of upcoming events (see page18) but check out …
Bridging the Gap Glow Run 26 is set for January 24
The Newnan Songwriters Festival kicks off on Friday, January 30 at 7pm at the Wadsworth Auditorium with the Kris Youmans Band and John Hensley opening and Kevn Kinney headlining. After that, the whole weekend is packed with incredible national and local songwriters — and some new voices. There’s music all day around town on Saturday. Look for Hunter Callahan, KIT + CHAR, Carina & Morgan Crumbly, Raley Montana, Tzayla, Mary Martin, Sweet Grass Sally, and many more… Saturday night at the Wadsworth - Adam Wright is featured with Doug Kees opening. Get your tickets newnansongwritersfestival2026. eventbrite.com
Upcoming in Februray is ELEVATE Coweta’s Feb. 13th Be Mine for Dinner and KNB’s Feb. 21 Paint Recylcing. Look on page 17 for more info.
Piedmont NEWNAN
As New Year Resolutions Begin, Physicians Encourage Physicals and Screenings for a Healthy Start
As Georgians set health and wellness goals for the new year, Piedmont physicians are urging adults and families to prioritize annual physicals and preventive screenings—simple steps that can help identify health issues early and support longterm wellbeing.
“If you don’t have a primary care doctor, this is the perfect time to establish that relationship,” said Matthew Roberts, D.O., Family Medicine, Piedmont Physicians at White Oak. “Annual physicals allow us to understand where your health is today and how to help you reach your goals.”
During an annual visit, physicians review vitals, immunizations, medical history, and medications. Lab work may also be ordered to check cholesterol, blood sugar, kidney and liver function, and other markers that can detect early signs of conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
For families preparing for spring sports, physicians also encourage scheduling sports physicals early. These visits evaluate vitals, joint health, flexibility, and overall fitness, with particular attention to cardiac conditions that could affect safe participation.
Men and women are encouraged to stay on schedule with age-appropriate screenings. Recommendations include:
Men: Lung cancer screening for adults 50–80 with a significant smoking history; colorectal cancer screenings from 45–75; PSA discussions for prostate cancer screening beginning at 55—or earlier for Black men due to higher risk.
Women: Annual heart and blood pressure screenings beginning at 40; mammograms every two years for ages 40–74; Pap smears every three years for ages 21–65; and colorectal screenings starting at age 45.
To schedule a physical or find a primary care provider near you, visit www. piedmont.org
Piedmont is empowering Georgians by changing health care. We continue to fuel Georgia’s growth through safe, cost-effective, high-quality care close to home through an integrated health care system that provides a hassle-free, unified experience. We are a private, not-for-profit organization with more than 12,000 donors annually that for centuries has sought to make a positive difference in every life we touch in the communities we serve. Across our 2,171 physical locations we care for more than 4.5 million patients and serve communities that comprise 85 percent of Georgia’s population. This includes 27 hospitals, 115 immediate care locations, 1,875 Piedmont Clinic physician practices and more than 3,600 Piedmont Clinic members. Our patients conveniently engage with Piedmont online, as they scheduled more than 560,000 online appointments and over 120,000 virtual visits. With nearly 50,000 care givers we are the largest Georgia-based private employer of Georgians, who all came for the job, but stayed for the people. In 2024 and 2023, Piedmont has earned recognition from Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and also as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. In 2022, Forbes ranked Piedmont on its list of the Best Large Employers in the United States. Piedmont provided more than $607 million in community impact in Fiscal Year 2024. For more information, or to book your next appointment, visit piedmont.org.
Piedmont Newnan welcomed the first baby of 2026
Piedmont Newnan welcomed the first baby of 2026 at 1:39 a.m. on January 1, 2026. Parents Tatyana Thompson and Artemius Heard from Fairburn, GA, welcomed a healthy baby boy, Tahj, who weighed 7 lbs. 2.3 oz and was 19 inches long.
What started as a normal New Year’s Eve, just doing cleaning for the new year, turned into a day of contractions for mom. After putting her other children to bed, and contractions getting closer together, it was time to head to the hospital. While not due until January 7, baby Tahj arrived pretty quickly.
“I was surprised at how fast the whole process was and to learn he was the first baby of 2026,” said Thompson.
His brother, 6, and sister, 1, came to visit baby Tahj in the hospital and the family is now all home together.
Save the Date! Piedmont Rocks! returns on March 21 at Newnan Centre Amphitheater
Save the date for Piedmont Newnan’s Piedmont Rocks! featuring the musical talents of Yacht Rock Schooner! Proceeds from Piedmont Rocks! will support oncology services at Piedmont Newnan, including patient care programs, facility upgrades, new technology, and the Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness Center. For more information, including available sponsorships, please visit give.piedmont.org/piedmontrocks.
About Piedmont
The family is pictured with their labor and delivery nurse, Yuli Riscajche, RN.
In-Home Care Talk with Beth Dow of Home Helpers, 10:30 am
MADRAS PARK COMMUNITY CENTER
2355 Hwy. 29 North, Newnan
Tuesday, Jan. 27
Line Dancing Class, 10-11:30 am
LEROY H. JOHNSON COMMUNITY CENTER
6646 Hwy. 16 East, Senoia
Tuesday, Jan. 27
All-Levels Yoga Class, 10 am
Wednesday, Jan. 21
Health & Wellness Series with Olivia Handley, 10:15 am
Thursdays, Jan. 22, 29
Line Dancing Class, 10 am
Fridays, Jan. 23, 30
All-Levels Yoga Class, 10 am
Wednesday, Feb. 4
In-Home Care Talk with Beth Dow of Home Helpers, 10:15 am
CANONGATE COMMUNITY CENTER
30 Pete Road, Sharpsburg
Tuesday, Jan. 27
All-Levels Yoga Class, 10 am
Wednesdays, Jan. 21, 28
Line Dancing Class, 11 am
GUIDE PROGRAM
n Are you or a loved one living with dementia?
You may qualify for care and support benefits through Medicare’s Guide Program.
n What is GUIDE?
The GUIDE Program was developed to improve the quality of life for individuals living with dementia by enabling them to age safely at home while reducing the burden on unpaid caregivers.
n Who is eligible?
Traditional Medicare beneficiaries who are not enrolled in Medicare Advantage, hospice, or PACE programs, and are not living in a skilled nursing facility.
n What’s included?
Benefits include care navigation and caregiver support, up to $2563 a year for respite care, and 24/7 telehealth access to 125+ specialty providers.
Call 678-876-5118 to set up a free consultation or visit homehelpershomecare.com/newnan-ga.
VETERANS BENEFITS FOR HOME CARE
n Who is Eligible for VA Home Care Benefits?
Your loved one may qualify for financial assistance to cover in-home personal care if they meet certain requirements:
• They served in active duty in the military, naval, or air service and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Members of the Reserves or National Guard may also qualify if they were called to active duty by a federal order (not for training purposes) and completed the full term of their service.
Veterans may be eligible for benefits under the VA’s Community Care Network (CCN) program or the Aid and Attendance program.
n How Our Care Services Support Veterans
Home Helpers is proud to assist veterans who wish to age in place by offering professional in-home care services. Our caregivers provide support with: Personal care tasks, such as bathing, grooming, and dressing; Household chores, including light cleaning, laundry and meal preparation; Assistance with mobility and toileting needs.
n Get Started with a Free Consultation
We’re here to help you navigate your loved one’s care options, including determining eligibility for VA benefits. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how our personalized care services can support your family and the veteran in your life.
Call 678-876-5118 to set up a free consultation or visit homehelpershomecare.com/newnan-ga.
Notes from Perry Street
My dad died nine days before Christmas 2025.
The COWETA S HOPPER S
Staff
John A. Winters, Publisher, Editor john@wintersmedia.net
Corby Carlin Winters, Ambassador at Large corby@wintersmedia.net
Seth Winters, Sales/Business Development 404.314.3024, seth@wintersmedia.net
We drove 12 hours straight to Tulsa, Oklahoma to see him at the hospital. He recognized us, said our names, squeezed my hand and would not let go. He died the next day.
John Otis Winters, he went by Otis, was 93. He was married to my mom for 67 years. They had four boys and 12 grandchildren. He publicly and proudly followed Jesus Christ and spoke at many National Prayer Breakfast events.
He was a successful businessman. His company oversaw the bankruptcy of Bunker Hunt decades ago, at the time the largest private bankruptcy in the country. He had another company that tried to buy a much bigger one. Call it a David versus Goliath business deal. The Goliath was Enron, and after the deal fell through, Enron soon went bankrupt.
And dad had no concept of the term “golfing.”
Dad had quite a history with the game of golf. His dad, my grandfather, was one of five founding members of Southern Hills, where many major golf championships were played, including nine PGA championships, the most at any course.
He won the Junior Club Championship there in 1947. His history there is legendary, starting as a young fore-caddie on the seventh hole for the USGA Women's Amateur Championship held in 1946 and won by Babe Zaharias. His last official position was as the Honorary Chairman of the USGA Women's Amateur Championship in 2024 held at his favorite course.
Dad was a member of three of the most prestigious clubs in the country - Augusta National, Pine Valley, and Cypress Point, where he won the club championship. He was captain of the Stanford University golf team when they won the national championship.
I bring his golf background up to let him serve as an expert witness. Despite what all the pundits, sportscasters and others say, “golfing” does not exist. One plays golf. One does not go golfing.
Example, Georgia and Florida or Alabama or whomever do not go footballing against each other. They play football against each other.
My precious wife learned this while in a car with my dad and me. The LBD mentioned something about us going golfing and … There was dead silence. And dad politely used the terms soccering, tennissing and baseballing. The Paper Girl has never forgotten.
My dad checked off all the boxes of life. He was married to the same woman for 67 years. He was successful in business and well known for his love of the game of golf. And most important, on Dec. 16, God welcomed him into heaven saying, “well done, my good and faithful servant … Let’s celebrate together.” (NLT translation)
There is one final box to check. Please share this column with everyone you know and help rid the world of the term “golfing.” Now, that would be a legacy!
Until next time.
Levi Winters, Social & Visual Media levi@wintersmedia.net
The Coweta Shopper is published by Winters Media & Publishing, Inc., P. O. Box 757, Newnan, GA 30264
John A. Winters, President Corby Carlin Winters, Vice President
The Coweta Shopper first appeared in 1989. Over the years, the name changed to The Shopper and then The Weekly. The newspaper reverted to its original title in July 2024. Our goal continues to promote local events and consumer-related articles for our readers and our commitment to helping promote local businesses and non-profits.
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday - Friday 9 - 4. Office is located at 15 Perry St., Newnan, GA 30263
Mailing address: P. O. Box 757, Newnan, GA 30264
The Coweta Shopper reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising as we feel is in the best interest of our publication. 770.254.1421 • info@wintersmedia.net thecowetashopper.com • wintersmedia.net
The Interview with Newnan’s New Mayor James Shepherd
Briefly describe yourself and what you do/did.
I'm James Shepherd, and I'm the mayorelect of Newnan. My family moved to Newnan in 1998 when my dad got out of the Air Force and got a job with Delta, and I've had a home here ever since. I graduated from Newnan High School before earning a history degree at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs), then worked for 6 years in various consulting roles before going to Columbia Law School to get my JD. Since then I've worked primarily as a corporate attorney. I live in downtown Newnan with my family, and am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the city I love.
Best piece of advice you’ve received.
You're going to have to spend your whole life with yourself, so make sure you're becoming someone you like spending time with.
If I had it to do over …
In early 2016 I had a colleague who tried to sell me on the future of Bitcoin as an investment. At the time I thought it was way overpriced at nearly $600. Definitely should have listened to that guy.
You are going on an extended solo trip. What three albums and three books would you take?
Records would have to be After the Party by The Menzingers, Scarecrow by John Mellencamp, and What's Going On by Marvin Gaye.
For books I'll go with two favorites and my current read - Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke, and the book I'm currently reading, There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America by Brian Goldstone.
Tell us one thing about yourself that few people know.
I'm a lay delegate to the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.
You are hosting a dinner party for six. What five people, living or dead, would you invite and why.
1. William F. Buckley - I still watch old episodes of Firing Line, and don't think there are many pundits today who come close to Buckley's rhetorical talent. He was a forceful defender of the status quo, and I feel like he would have been a fun guest to have at any party.
2. Lee Kuan Yew - Lee was the man who took Singapore from a backwater port city that got kicked out of Malaysia to the global powerhouse it is today. He was also a deep thinker with strong political opinions, which he exercised over decades as the quasidictator of his country.
3. Nelson Mandela - My undergraduate thesis was on colonial and postcolonial southern Africa, so Mandela was a figure I spent a lot of time reading about. I can't imagine working together with people who imprisoned me for decades to make a new and better country, but his ability to do just that is what makes him such a historical giant.
4. Russell Means - Means was both an actor and an outspoken activist for American Indian rights. Besides being thoughtful and committed to his ideals, he just seems like he would have been a fun party guest.
5. W.E.B. Du Bois - Nobody wrote as incisively about America at the turn of the 20th century as Du Bois. His thoughtfulness and clear moral vision stand out in his writing, and I would love to be able to both speak with him and hear him bounce off the other people on this list.
Name an as yet unfulfilled dream.
I've always wanted to take a trip through the far north and see the aurora borealis.
If you weren’t doing what you are, you would be …
Cartoonist. I learned to read from Calvin and Hobbes, and I've always been fascinated by animation. Your go-to food.
Chick-fil-A. I have an embarrassing number of points on their loyalty app.
Favorite movies(s)
Forrest Gump, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Gangs of New York.
Dogs or cats?
I prefer the average cat, but my favorite pets have all been dogs.
Your favorite quote and why.
"A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in." As a millenial, it feels like we've been raised by generations of lumberjacks. We owe it to our descendants to build institutions that sustain them, and I hope to do that.
Name something that you are extremely glad you did or accomplished.
I was both a participant and coach for Columbia's Native American Law Students Association moot court team. The team I coached took second place at the national competition, but the process of learning more about the intricacies of Federal Indian Law was incredibly rewarding both years. I still encourage every law student I meet to take any Native American law classes they can.
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out on their own.
Don't be afraid to throw yourself at what you love.
Coach Corby Change Your Life Tomorrow - Today
“What are you going to do today that will change your life tomorrow forever?”
Just think about that. Is there one small thing you want to commit to today that can change your life tomorrow forever? Most of us want to make change in our lives, but we can get so overwhelmed at the very thought of it so we don’t take the initial step. Then we end up doing nothing at all.
Making changes is hard, well, actually very hard, whether it is starting an exercise program, eating healthier, stopping an addictive behavior or just beginning to attend church regularly. Whatever issue you are facing you can do it, but you need a plan and probably a support system.
Here are some ways I think making changes in our lives easier.
Start today and start small. Small is ok. But start. Personally, I know what it’s like to feel stuck and feeling overwhelmed on where to start. I highly recommend choosing just one or maybe two goals.
Be patient with yourself when making a new change in your life. Research indicates it often takes about 21 days to form a new habit and about 90 to make it more permanent. But that said, just take one day at a time and do not throw in the towel if your plan goes sideways . All hope is not lost. Just reboot the plan in place.
Remember most of all that “Nothing changes if nothing changes!” Sadly, doing the same thing over and over again is just going to give you the same results. Making a new choice is the first Great Step to change. So just start with a small change and it is totally okay to ask for help from friends, spouses or even a counselor.
As a counselor and life coach, I too have wanted to make changes in my life. I too have been depressed and overwhelmed by life. There was a particular time I was really struggling. I needed help so I went back to therapy and faced the fact that getting up in the morning was overwhelming. So I started setting my alarm on my phone for 12 noon. I knew I had to get out of bed and start taking care of myself. Each day I was out of bed by noon was a personal success.
To this day the alarm on my phone still goes off every day at noon and I consider that a big win and no matter where I am I remember that feeling of personal progress and success.
Another big issue is our thoughts and how they greatly influence our behavior. So if you find yourself saying negative things to yourself like “ I can never change” you probably want to change the narrative and your self-talk .
Rather than saying “I can’t change,” you can say “I am changing for the better every day” or, I deserve to be loved by myself and others or I am capable of changing. I believe scriptures can also be very helpful such as Psalms 37:4, John 15:7 Jeremiah 29:11 You are not alone. The Lord is with you every step of the way and He wants you to walk in peace, joy, hope, grace, forgiveness and freedom. Even finding quotes that inspire you is great too.
I love the SMART goals ( S pecific- M easurable - A chievable- R ealistic - T ime). And I also love setting short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals.
For example, rather than saying “I am going to exercise everyday 7 days a week for an hour a day,” but you haven’t exercised in years, then it might be unrealistic. It is better to experience small successes than failed goals.
Smart goals are critical to your success. Such as committing to exercising 3 days a week and you are more than likely to reach your goals. Even just consider yoga stretches in your bed. or small hand weights to exercise with while watching television. Think about committing to making lunch two days a week rather than eating out five days a week. Goodness, even just putting on some great music and dancing around the house is great for you.
I believe we all want to live a better life. I believe that God will give you the strength to make those changes you desire. He can help you start over again and live that life.
Take the first step today. Freedom awaits you and tomorrow will certainly be a new day when you begin making new choices today!
You can do it!
Bailey Station Commons
There is an exciting new development coming to the Thomas Crossroads area in Newnan. The Dockery Group, a construction and development company known for its work on Skyview Atlanta, will be involved in every step of this 24,000 square foot development, known as Bailey Station Commons. This is a community-focused project that aims to create an environment that fits a variety of needs.
At the center of this project is a vibrant food hall and entertainment venue. This space, called The Forum, will include a food court featuring around six different restaurants, including a coffee and dessert spot that will be perfect for morning meetings. The Forum will also house multiple recreational spaces, including pool tables, an arcade, a yearround indoor-outdoor patio space, and a rooftop bar. The overall purpose of this project is to provide an entertainment space that is rare in the West Georgia region.
In addition to The Forum, Bailey Station Commons will offer 15,000 square feet of available commercial rental space included with this development.
Scan the QR Code to see the full story on The City Menu page.
Zen Monkey’s News and Musings …
Notes from here, there and the Internet …
The local sales tax increased from 7% to 8% on Jan. 1. That’s because voters approved the measure, known as the Floating Option Sales Tax (FLOST), at the November election.
[ [ [
If they mounted garbage trucks with cameras, they could update Google Maps street view every week.
[ [ [
The most viewed story and/or post of the year 2025 at Winters Media & Publishing was The annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Parade, scheduled for January 18, was postponed due to a chance of inclement weather. The rescheduled date of Sunday, February 9, was announced via a social media post, which eventually totaled 41,785 views – from digital platforms that included our website (wintersmedia.net), Winters Media Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages. It was the most viewed story and/ or post of the year 2025 at Winters Media & Publishing.
[ [ [
The 37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Commemorative Celebration took place on Friday, January 9. The Celebration was sponsored by the Newnan Chapter No. 483, Order of the Easter Star, Prince Hall, Jurisdiction of Georgia. This year’s theme – “Heal the World in the Spirit of Love, Peace, Unity, Justice and Non-Violence” – demonstrated the accomplishments that the Newnan Chapter No. 483, O.E.S. has achieved in commemorating the life of the Honorable Dr. King for 37 consecutive years. The MLK, Jr., Commemorative Celebration Service was held at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, located at 6 Lovelace Street in Newnan. The MLK, Jr., Parade, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, January 10, was postponed due to inclement weather and rescheduled for Saturday, January 24 at noon. It will start at 15 Cavender Street (Old Papp Clinic parking lot) and will proceed south on Jackson Street into downtown Newnan. The parade concludes at Line Creek Brewing The Reserve at 18 Savannah Street. Please contact their Parade Coordinator, Sister Stephanie Bellamy at 770-312-6345 for further info.
[ [ [
Black Friday deals really put into perspective how much companies could sell items for.
[ [ [
West Georgia Technical College recently celebrated its fall 2025 graduates. The ceremonies recognized students who have earned associate degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates in fields including healthcare, information technology, business, and industrial technologies. More than 325 students walked across the stage to receive their awards from WGTC President Dr. Julie Post, with some students obtaining more than one credential. Over 1,300 awards were conferred this semester.
[ [ [
They call a show’s first episode its pilot because it’s the first thing that puts them on air.
[ [ [
This holiday season, Yamaha employees once again came together through the Angel Tree program to ensure that every child in the Coweta County foster care system received a Christmas. Yamaha team members across all divisions sponsored 104 local children, fulfilling wish lists and delivering more than gifts — they delivered joy, dignity, and the reassurance that no child was forgotten during the holidays.
[ [ [
The asteroid that ended the dinosaurs was the highest ratio of killing birds to one stone in history.
[ [ [
Experience the elegance and fine dining of Newnan Country Club’s newly renovated banquet facilities for your next special occasion.
Private event spaces are open to all.
COME SEE THE QUALITY AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL IN THIS HANDSOME BRICK RANCH on 2 level lots in north Coweta with stunning inground pool and pavillion in this custom built builder's personal home. Includes spacious LR w/masonry fireplace/bookshelves. Formal DR. Updated fully equipped kitchen w/stainless appliances, movable work island w/matching cabinetry, loads of cabinets, walk-in pantry, breakfast bar and breakfast area opening to sunroom w/gas log fireplace and bookshelves. Powder room off kitchen area. Huge laundry room. Office with exterior entrance. Double garage w/remote access, cabinets and storage closet. Primary BR w/private updated BA and his and hers closets. Two additional BRs w/updated full bath. Foam insulated attic means lower energy bills plus cedar closet for off season clothing and Versalift makes access the attic with heavy items a breeze. Beautifully landscaped yard and private pool area insures family fun for years. Brick pool house. 12'x24' Wood storage building is ideal for lawn mower or garden tools storage. Extra lot is ideal for children's play area, ball fields, garden or pets. Gutter guards. Sprinkler system. Alarm system including 8 cameras. Priced based on recent independent appraisal at $675,000. Frank.
LOT FOR SALE IN CHOICE SUMMERHILL
With Easy Access to Georgia State's Center Parc Stadium (Formerly Turner Field), shopping and dining. Great opportunity to build in a nice area! $75,000. Jess.
STUNNING, PRIVATE ESTATE BUILT BY JOHN BYNUM HOMES, ON 4 ACRES, BEAUTIFUL LAKE VIEWS & PEBBLETEC SALTWATER POOL. Gorgeous open lawn & wooded grounds. 5BR, 5.5BA home w/ grand 2-story foyer entrance, elegant, curved staircase, exposed beams, coffered ceilings, oak & travertine tile flooring, solid wood doors, glass doorknobs, French doors, high ceilings, built-in bookcases, custom cabinetry, marble & granite counters, paneled wainscoting, designer lighting & fixtures, wallpaper mural. Gorgeous kitchen w/ butler's pantry, high-end appliances. Office w/ fireplace. DR w/ crystal chandelier. Office over garage w/ full Bath. Great room/family room w/ gas fireplace, porch access, powder room. Spectacular owner's wing & suite w/ fireplace, custom closet w/ built-ins & island, spa-like bath w/ lake views. Upper level has 4BRs w/ 2BAs. Basement w/ custom wood paneling, copper tin ceiling, bar w/ lighting display. family room w/ fireplace, walkout patio to pool, stubbed theatre room, billiards area, steam room, hobby room. 30 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. This home has been cared for with an attention to detail! $1,499,900. Jess.
CUSTOM HOME & EQUESTRIAN PROPERTY SITTING ON A TRANQUIL 34.36+/- ACRES on Bear Creek bordering Bear Creek Hunt Club. Meticulously remodeled in 2023 and features white oak hardwood floors,12' ceiling downstairs, elevator, new Pella windows, custom trim, custom cabinets. Two story foyer, bonus room/flex space, laundry room, large storage closet, with wood shelving, on lower level. Upper-level features spacious LR and DR w/wood-burning fireplace and fantastic built-ins. Kitchen has quartz counters, large island, stainless steel appliances w/2 dishwashers, pantry. Both guest BR and primary BR feature a walk out deck w/breathtaking views. Third bedroom could be office or nursery as well. Primary BA has walk-in tiled shower, double vanity, walk-in closet w/laundry room, built-ins, pocket doors, access to elevator. Acreage is fenced and cross-fenced. Nice road system and gates. Potential pond sites on property. The horse barn and home feature seven 12x14 stalls w/mats all with rear dutch doors to paddocks. New 120x188 riding arena with M10 footing. Established pastures with Bermuda grass. Second 40x60 two-story barn with roll up doors. Three chicken coops, 2 turkey coops, 2 pig run-in sheds with 4 pastures. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the country with Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport access in just 45 minutes. $1,599,900. Jess.
appliances & fixtures, island. Living Room w/ brick fireplace & built-ins, Dining Room w/ china cabinet, glass transoms, beadboard ceilings, Den. Primary Bedroom w/ woodburning fireplace, Primary Bath w/ walk-in shower, soaking tub, walk-in closet w/ built-ins, private entrance to wrap-around porch. Split bedroom plan w/ nice-sized Bedrooms. Screened porch off back entrance. New energy saving windows. Backyard oasis w/pergola, 16 x 32 pool, outdoor kitchen, pool house, outdoor shower, fire pit, waterfall, fenced backyard, workshop, barn w/ stables, storage space, ample RV parking. New roof scheduled for week of 11.24.25. New septic system installation sceduled for week of 12.1.25. $569,900. Jess
MLS #10485734
WELL MAINTAINED 2 STORY on unfinished basement. Choice North Newnan location w/great schools, easy access to I-85, Hartsfield Airport! Freshly painted inside/out. Neat as a pin! LVP flooring throughout. Foyer entrance. LR w/shiplap & fireplace. Screened porch access off LR, kitchen area. Kitchen w/pantry, breakfast area. Large DR w/den, wainscoting. BR w/BA on main level. Spacious primary BR w/trey ceiling &
MLS #10633056
ATTENTION DEVELOPERS, DIY OR HUNTERS! 53+/- WOODED ACRES w/2 PONDS on Polk Rd. near Moreland. 5 minutes to I-85 at Moreland. 2 catfish ponds. Unfinished 3 BR, 2 1/2 BA home w/full basement overlooking catfish ponds. Beautiful hardwoods. Bold, clear stream. Modular home on property to be removed 60 days after closing. Possible 3rd pond site. Lots of deer and wildlife. Lumber shall be removed by seller. $874,500. Frank.
Greek Revival home on 7+/- secluded wooded acres. Four over four central hall floor plan. This private retreat features formal LR, library or family room, formal Dining, primary BR and BA on main level. Remodeled kitchen. Primary BA has claw foot tub and separate tile shower. Upper floor has 3BRs and 1BA. Home was carefully restored to preserve the architectural details including original wide plank hardwood flooring. Exterior features wrap around porch, rear deck, formal garden, gazebo and carriage house. This is an opportunity to own a piece of history. Ideal for a weekend retreat or rural retreat/escape from the city. Shown by appointment only. Prequalification letter or proof of funds required. $389,900. Jess.
MLS #10623796
MLS #10608635
MLS #10665522
MLS #10632177
MLS #10578410
#10648735
BACK ON MARKET
BEAUTIFUL FARMHOUSE W/ A POOL ON A SPACIOUS & PRIVATE 2-ACRE LOT. Gorgeous hardwood floors, updated Kitchen w/ marble, new
WELCOME TO ROSE HILL CIRCA 1850. Unique historic
The Real Estate …
2026 Real Estate Forecast
What can we expect for real estate in 2026? Most economists and real estate experts are calling for a positive year.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently reported pending home sales were up 3.3% from October to November of 2025. NAR also reported that pending home sales were up 2.6% from a year ago. This positive sign and the widely expected lowering of mortgage rates, as well as increasing listing inventory, point to a promising 2026 for real estate. From NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun; “Lower mortgage rates and larger inventory will attract buyers back to the market in 2026.”
Realtor.com reported that mortgage rates are forecasted to average 6.3% in 2026. This will assist in affordability for buyers, but many people are hoping for a more significant decrease. Widely criticized for not lowering interest rates more, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s term ends on May 15th, 2026. Most economists and lenders view a new chairman as a positive for the real estate market. The hope is that the new chair will be more aggressive in lowering interest rates, which will create a stronger real estate market.
For-sale inventory is projected to increase by 9% in 2026, giving homebuyers more options, according to Realtor.com. This would help things locally. New listings in Coweta County were down anywhere from 3 % to 6.5% year-over-year from August to November of 2025 per the Georgia Multiple Listing Service (GAMLS). Lower mortgage rates and more choices for homebuyers would jump-start the local real estate market.
Home prices are expected to increase by 2.2% in 2026 per Realtor.com. Locally, sales prices have remained flat in 2025, with little month-to-month change. The average sales price each month ranged from $438,000 to $488,000 in Coweta County for 2025.
Personally, I am cautiously optimistic for 2026. 2025 was a very strong year for real estate during the spring and summer. The winter months were much slower with less buyer traffic and fewer listings. I would bet on this to be the case again in 2026. Coweta County is in the center of tremendous growth with all the development, new construction, data centers, 55 and up communities, etc. Real estate activity will stem from much of this growth.
Lindsey’s, Inc. Realtors is excited to welcome Cassy McKoy to our company! As a true Coweta County native, Cassy’s heart has always been in this community. Her life has been defined by active local involvement and a deep love for the people who live here.
Cassy understands that a home is where memories are made—a sentiment she shares with her husband Greg, their four children, and three grandchildren. She treats every client like family, dedicated to finding the perfect property that fits your unique lifestyle.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your real estate journey, Cassy is ready to lead the way. Cassy can be reached at 678-8586588 or CassyM@LindseysRealtors.com.
Piedmont Newnan’s Piedmont Rocks! featuring the musical talents of Yacht Rock Schooner is back! Proceeds from Piedmont Rocks! will support oncology services at Piedmont Newnan, including patient care programs, facility upgrades, new technology, and the Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness Center. For more information, including available sponsorships, please visit give.piedmont.org/piedmontrocks
Always Your Hometown Bank
Why Coweta Families Choose 4-H
By Bill Hammond, Coweta County 4-H Agent
One of the most common questions I hear from parents is, “What makes 4-H different?” With so many activities available for youth today, families want to know they are choosing something that truly helps their children grow. In Coweta County, families continue to choose 4-H because it offers meaningful learning experiences, builds confidence, and provides a safe, positive place for young people to discover their potential.
At the heart of 4-H is leadership development. Youth do not just attend meetings—they take part, speak up, and learn how to lead. From serving as club officers to presenting projects in front of judges and peers, 4-H members build communication skills and self-confidence step by step. Programs like 4-H Project Achievement give youth the chance to research a topic they care about, prepare a presentation, and share what they have learned. These experiences help them become comfortable speaking in public and thinking on their feet. Necessary skills that benefit them in school and beyond.
Coweta County 4-H members have also experienced success through our judging teams, earning state-level wins that highlight the dedication and teamwork of our youth. These teams teach young people how to analyze information, make decisions, and work together toward a common goal. Even more important than the awards, though, is the confidence youth gain from knowing their hard work paid off.
Another reason families value 4-H is its focus on life skills. Youth learn practical abilities that help prepare them for the future, such as goal setting, responsibility, and problem-solving. Whether it’s learning discipline and focus through target sports, building knowledge through quiz bowl or judging teams, or exploring the outdoors at summer camp, 4-H gives youth hands-on opportunities to live by the 4-H slogan, “Learn by Doing.” These experiences help young people develop perseverance and pride in their accomplishments.
Parents often tell me they appreciate the safe and positive environment 4-H provides. One Coweta mother shared, “As a parent, I want my daughter to be somewhere she feels encouraged and supported. 4-H has been that place for us. She has learned how to try new things without being afraid to fail, and I’ve
continued on page 13
Caeden Swartz (left) is featured in Cloverleaf Magazine; Avery Pruitt (upper right) is shown poultry judging; and Capitol Delegates (lower right) are with Senator Matt Brass at 4-H Day.
seen her confidence grow each year.” Youth notice that growth in themselves as well. A 7th-grade 4-H member who participates in Archery, Dairy Quiz Bowl, Project Achievement, and Trailblazers [middle school club] said, “I like 4-H because I get to learn neat stuff and hang out with my friends. I was really nervous the first time I had to talk in front of people, but now it’s not so scary. I feel proud when my team does well.”
One of the great things about 4-H is that it truly is for all ages. Youth can start as Cloverbuds in kindergarten through third grade, where the focus is on exploration and fun. Cloverleaf members in grades four through six begin learning responsibility and teamwork, while Junior members in grades seven and eight take on more leadership roles and challenging projects. Senior members in grades nine through twelve have opportunities to mentor younger youth, compete at higher levels, and prepare for college and careers. At every stage, 4-H meets youth where they are and helps them grow to be beyond ready.
When families choose 4-H, they’re choosing more than an activity—they’re choosing a program that helps young people become confident, capable, and caring individuals. If you are interested in learning more about how your child can get involved, contact the Coweta County Extension Office at coweta.extension@uga. edu or 770-254-2620
We would love to help your family discover all that 4-H has to offer.
“In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.” - Aaron Rose
“Lighting is the unspoken element that changes everything.” - Jean Rosenthal
“To love beauty is to see light.” - Victor Hugo
“Lighting creates an environment, and the environment creates a mood, and the mood creates an experience.” - April Greiman
“The function of light is to illuminate and to animate.” - Steven Holl
“Lighting affects everything light falls upon. How you see what you see, how you feel about it, and how you hear what you are hearing.” - John Saladino
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity Institution.
Bill Hammond, Coweta County 4-H Agent
January can feel a bit like the morning after a big party.
The Christmas decorations are packed away, the last of the fudge is gone (thank goodness) and suddenly … it’s just quiet. The phone stops ringing, the grandkids are back at school and you realize it’s been three days since you’ve talked to anyone besides the people on the TV.
Friendship is a powerful medicine for seniors Senior Living Advice
Now, don’t get me wrong, a little peace and quiet can be lovely. But too much of it? That’s where the trouble starts.
Research shows that loneliness can actually take a toll on your health. I’m talking higher blood pressure, weaker immune systems, memory problems, even a shorter lifespan. One study says being socially isolated can affect your health as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day!
Here’s the good news: friendship really is powerful medicine. Spending time with people we like helps lower stress, boosts mood and keeps our minds sharper. A good laugh with a friend can do more for your heart than most gym memberships … and it’s a lot more fun.
As we kick off a new year, maybe it’s time to focus less on losing 10 pounds and more on gaining a few new friends. Ask yourself: Who makes me laugh? Who listens when I need to vent? Who would notice if I didn’t show up somewhere? Those people are your real health plan.
If your circle has gotten smaller (and that happens to all of us especially as we age), there’s no time like now to stretch it back out.
Coweta County has plenty of ways to connect.
with BETH DOW, Geriatric Care Manager
There are senior centers, book clubs, church groups, volunteer opportunities and travel groups. You can start small: wave at your neighbor, chat with someone in the grocery line, or call that friend you’ve been “meaning to” for months.
And if you’re caring for someone living with dementia or other health challenges, companionship matters even more. Connection helps calm anxiety, spark memories, and make each day feel a little lighter.
So, here’s my January challenge to you: don’t just take your vitamins — take your visits. Make friendship part of your daily routine. Because in the end, the best medicine doesn’t always come from a pharmacy. Sometimes it’s a friend who shows up with coffee, a story and a good laugh.
The easy part? No prescription is required.
Beth Dow is a Dementia and Alzheimer’s Educator, CAEd and Geriatric Care Manager. She is also the owner of Home Helpers of GA & AL in Newnan. Readers can contact her by email at bdow@ homehelpershomecare.com.
Margo Merrifield is January Artist
From City of Newnan Press Release
The Newnan-Coweta Art Association has announced that Margo Merrifield has been selected as its January Artist of the Month. Margo’s art will be featured in the entry way of Newnan City Hall until January 31st.
Creating art has always been a part of Merrifield’s life. She often tries to work on her art, but somehow being retired takes up a good bit of her time.
“So much for the life of leisure!” she shared.
Margo’s style is sometimes very detailed but often leaning toward an impressionistic flair. Her works include portraits – pets more than people, buildings, landscapes, vinyl block prints, watercolor, pastels, acrylic and oils. She has been part of the design and painting of murals for DFACS, Pathways and the City of Sharpsburg. She occasionally paints on location (en plein air), but more often, her iPhone serves as a great camera to capture interesting reference scenes.
“Better yet, I can then paint in the climate-controlled comfort of my studio,” she says.
Merrifield has been a member of the Newnan-Coweta Art Association for over 20 years.
The Newnan-Coweta Art Association is a terrific way for local artists to display their work in the community. The organization’s general meetings are held the third Monday of each month (from August through May) at the Harriet Alexander Art Center on Hospital Road at 7 p.m. An art demonstration is presented each month. Visitors and new members are always welcome.
2026 Citizen of the Year Award Ceremony Set for January 29 at Newnan Cetre
The Citizen of the Year award ceremony will be held January 29, at 6:30 p.m. at the Newnan Centre, located at 1515 Lower Fayetteville Road, Newnan. The prestigious event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Clubs of Coweta County.
The award honors an individual showing outstanding leadership and citizenship within the community, someone who has demonstrated exemplary vision, civic pride, and a strong commitment to a better Coweta.
For more information regarding tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jeff Coggin, email jeff@coggintravels.com, phone 770-250-8868.
Justin Halford
Kevin Barbee Jess Barron Deidre K. Bembry Scott Cortner
The MUSIC …
Coweta County Local&Live
ABIDE BREWERY
110 Werz Industrial Boulevard, Newnan
Live Music, Great Atmosphere
So much going on … stop by for the good times!
**Abide will be closed for remodeling during the month of January. We will reopen in February celebrating 11 years in the newly remodeled Tap room!
THE ALAMO
19 W. Court Square, Newnan 770-683-2526
Open Mic Sundays 6 - 9 pm
Come out to see local talent & sign up to play!
Hosted by Jerry Schutjer
Last Stand at The Alamo Every Last Saturday of the Month Tavis Lance Mapp Full Band 9-10 pm No Cover DJ II Tone Def 10 pm- 2 am
BELOW THE NECK!
Below the Redneck Gourmet
11 North Court Square, Newnan • 770-251-0092
Follow BTN on Instagram for updates and music
@Belowtheneck_rg
1/23 … Grass
1/24 … Kevin Wallace
1/30 … Elliott Phillips
1/31 … Newnan Songwriters Festival Mikki Starre
BIG JOE’S GRILLE
1329 Bullsboro Dr., Newnan
… by Kris Youmans-Hall
THE CELLAR / THE BAYS
20 Jefferson St., Newnan 770-683-6328
Acoustic on Thursdays in the Bays
Live Music Friday & Saturday nights
1/21 … Marty Weathersby and Alan Windom
1/22 … Elliott Phillips
1/23 … 2 Broke Kings
1/24 … Southside Band
1/28 … Marty Weathersvy and Alan Windom
1/29 … Pete & Pete
1/30 & 31… Songwriters Festival with Wadsworth
LINE CREEK THE RESERVE
18 Savannah Street, Newnan 770-755-6734
Call to check music guests.
MAD MEXICAN
2 East Court Square, Newnan 770-683-9545
Great food, live local music.
Call to check music guests.
RPM FULL SERVICE
15 Jackson St., Newnan 770-683-1414
Neighborhood pub recycled from a 1960s service station. Full kitchen, great food, bar, huge outdoor patio & Live music.
1/24 … JB & ROB 8 pm
1/31 … Newnan Songwriters Festival all day
2/07 … JB & ROB 8 pm
SENOIA BEER COMPANY
1 Main St. 770-727-9579
Senoia’s 1st Craft brewery! Bring the kids, dogs, and your favorite takeout food.
Thurs. at 6:30 pm; Fri. & Sat. music 7 pm; Sun. 5 pm.
1/22 … Ellis Lowery
1/23 … Tyler Lowman
1/24 … Venus Kings
1/25 … Tyler Caldwell
1/30 …Joe Nicosia
1/31 … Shade Dogz
2/1 … Butch Watson
SKINNY’S
11065 Sullivan Rd., Newnan 770-683-5147
Music at 6 p.m.
Call to check music guests.
SUMMERGROVE GOLF CLUB
335 SummerGrove Pkwy 770-251-1800
Friday Night Music 7 pm
Call to check music guests.
VINYLYTE RECORDS
38 S Court Square, Newnan 770-282-0237
Call to check date for Open Mic Night.
WHIMZICAL CAFE
33 E Broad St., Newnan 770-755-7709
The LUNE is now open! 1/31 … Newnan Songwriters Festival starts at noon
Call or check Facebook for line up.
Check out our website weekly for music note updates! wintersmedia.net
Backstreet Community Arts’ Heart Jam 2
Backstreet Community Arts is excited to announce Heart Jam 2, a benefit concert featuring award-winning performers Michelle Malone and Doug Kees.
Before the concert, attendees can enjoy games, prizes, cotton candy, and popcorn, along with heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages, including non-alcoholic drinks, beer, and wine. The silent auction will feature original art created by Backstreet instructors and local artists.
All proceeds from Heart Jam 2 support Backstreet Community Arts, a free, inclusive studio that especially serves adults who may not otherwise have access to art, including veterans, unhoused and limited-income individuals, and those in recovery. By funding art supplies and maintaining this open studio, Heart Jam 2 helps ensure that art can continue to save lives in our community.
Newnan Songwriter’s Festival - Jan. 30-31:
Back for its second year! It’s a 2-day event featuring national and local professional songwriters at some of downtown Newnan’s best venues.
Friday, January 30 at Wadsworth Auditorium Kevn Kinney with The Kris Youmans Band / John Hensley - 7 pm
Saturday, January 31 in downtown Newnan
Adam Wright, Kevn Kinney, Kris Youmans Band, Doug Kees, John Hensley, Carina and Morgan Crumbly, Hunter Callahan, Raley Montana, KIT + CHAR, Tzayla, Mary Martin Music, Trinity Scales, Eva Rose - Singer-Songwriter & David Pippin, Barefoot Crickets, Russ Gordon, Candler Hobbs, Tavis Lance Mapp, Sweet Grass Sally, Rose Briaud at various venues all over town from Noon to 7 pm
Adam Wright with Doug Kees opening - 7 pm at Wadsworth Auditorium 25 Jefferson St., Newnan
Winter Concert Series at Evergreen
A new unconventional concert series that will appeal to all ages and all music lovers!
Sun., March 8 … James Ward Triocontemporary Christian jazz group. www.jameswardmusic.com
EVERGREEN CHURCH
400 Windgate Road, Peachtree City, 678-788-7374 | evergreenchurchga.org info@evergreenchurchga.org
WHEN: Friday, February 13th, 2026
WHERE: TIME:
4PM - 6PM Pick up dinner at Newnan Utilities Wahoo Creek, 315 Millard Farmer Industrial Blvd, Newnan, GA
Keep Newnan Beautiful to host Paint Recycling Event on Feb. 21
From Staff Reports
Keep Newnan Beautiful will host its first of two 2026 Paint Recycling Events on Saturday, February 21.
Fees will apply for the various types of paint. The recycling event will take place in the Newnan City Hall parking lot located at 25 LaGrange Street in downtown Newnan from 8 a.m. to noon.
Paint Recycling is for wet paint only. Costs are $2 each for spray paint cans, $4 per gallon of latex paint, $5 per gallon of oil paint and $4 per gallon of deck/wood stain. No solvents, paint thinner/remover, epoxy, adhesives, laquers, gasoline, mercury or lead paint will be accepted.
Fee discounts are available for City of Newnan residents. Limits may apply in some categories.
The remaining KNB sponsored events in 2026 include:
March 21 – Electronics Recycling
April 18 – Earth Day Litter Pickup
April 25 – DEA Drug Takeback
May 2 – Paper Shredding
August 29 – Paper Shredding
September 26 – Paint Recycling (Fees apply)
October 24 – DEA Drug Take Back
November 14 – Paper Shredding
For more information or questions, contact the KNB office at 678-673-5505, email knb@newnanga.gov or visit: https://www.keepnewnanbeautiful.org/
January 22, THURSDAY –
Medicare Information Session at The Carnegie 11am to Noon. Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage? Which one is best for me? How do I know if my doctor will take my insurance? Which one is the least expensive? When do I sign up for Part A & Part B? Do I need Part C? Registration with Eventbrite at: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/1977288375759 1 LaGrange St., Newnan • 770-683-1347
American Tune: Simon, Croce and Taylor, 70s folk classics with award-winning musician Tom Glynn. 7pm at The Nixon Centre, 1523 Lower Fayetteville Rd., Newnan thenixoncentre.net 770-254-2787
January 23 and 30, FRIDAYS
Hitting The Trail at The Bend Keep your New Year’s Resolution going with a 2.9-mile hike surrounded by boulders and granite outcrops. 1 to 2pm. $5 plus parking fee required. Chattahoochee Bend State Park, 425 Bobwhite Way. Call and reserve your spot. 770-254-7271.
January 23-February 22, FRIDAYS-SUNDAYS
Margaritaville at The Legacy Fridays, Saturdays 7pm; Saturdays, Sundays 2pm 1175 Senoia Rd., Suite C., Tyrone, GA., 30290 Check website for tix, info legacytheatre.com
January 24, SATURDAY
Bridging the Gap Glow Run in Newnan Centre Parking Lot, 1515 Lower Fayetteville Road, 1 Mile Fun Run pm; 5K Run / Walk 6:30pm. Packet PickUp Race Day 4pm https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Newnan/ BTGglowrun
Rescheduled Marin Luther King, Jr. Parade, originally scheduled for Saturday, January 10, was postponed due to inclement weather and rescheduled for Saturday, January 24 at noon. It will start at 15 Cavender St. (Old Papp Clinic parking lot) and will proceed south on Jackson St. into downtown Newnan. The parade concludes at Line Creek Brewing The Reserve at 18 Savannah St. Contact Parade Coordinator, Sister Stephanie Bellamy at 770312-6345 for further info.
Spiderweb Sun Catcher Come out to The Bend from 1 to 2pm to make your own spiderweb suncatcher while learning cool facts about them! Hang yours in a tree at home or on the porch to let the sun catch and enjoy the lights reflecting off the beads in the web. $3 plus parking fee required. Chattahoochee Bend State Park, 425 Bobwhite Way. Call and reserve your spot. 770-254-7271.
January 26, MONDAY
Newnan Carnegie Literary Book Club Circle from 10 to 11am. The January book title is: Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy. **Registratio. required Eventbrite.com 1 LaGrange St., 770-683-1347
January 27,TUESDAY –
Author Lynn Cullen at Carnegie, 11:30am She’ll discuss her new book When We Were Brilliant - dealing with the relationship and unlikely pairing of blond bombshell Marilyn Monroe and photographer Eve Arnold. Register at eventbrite.com 1 LaGrange St., Newnan
January 29, THURSDAY –
Citizen of the Year at Newnan Centre, 6 pm, 1515 Lower Fayetteville Rd, Newnan, GA 30265. For information, please contact Jeff Coggin, jeff@coggintravels.com, 770-250-8868.
Quarantined Quartet at Nixon Centre, 7 pm. A talented family guitar quartet performing original and unique covers with a signature style. 1523 Lower Fayetteville Rd., Newnan thenixoncentre.net 770-254-2787
January 30-31, FRIDAY-SATURDAY
Newnan Songwriters Festival Friday, Jan. 30 – 7pm at Wadsworth Auditorium Headliner: Kevn Kinney (of Drivin’ N Cryin’) Opening Act: The Kris Youmans Band Saturday, Jan. 31 – Downtown Venues (12–7 pm) Enjoy performances from a variety of local and regional songwriters across Newnan’s best stages such as The Cellar Newnan, RPM, Whimzical Cafe
and more! Saturday, Jan. 31 – 7 pm at Wadsworth Auditorium Headliner: Adam Wright Opening Act: Doug Kees Music and John Hensley Newnan Cultural Arts Commission
January 31, SATURDAY
Campfire Fun With The Family at The Bend 8 to 9:30pm … an evening of s’mores, songs, stories! Bring your own lawn chair and favorite hot beverage: coffee, hot tea, or hot chocolate. S’mores will be provided. Spots limited, call to reserve your spot. Parking fee required. Chattahoochee Bend State Park, 425 Bobwhite Way. Call and reserve your spot. 770-254-7271.
February 1, SUNDAY
NCHS Open House at Newnan Carnegie Volunteer Recruitment & Membership Open House Learn. Connect.. Volunteer. 1 to 3pm 1 LaGrange St., Newnan
February 2, MONDAY Groundhog Day Again
In-Home Care Talk with Beth Dow of Home Helpers, 10:30am at Tommy Thompson Senior Center, 29 Hospital Rd, Newnan, 770-683-8600.
Senoia Area Blood Drive from 1 to 6pm at Senoia United Methodist Church, located at 229 Bridge St. in historic Senoia. Sign up now for the blood drive using the link https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive or call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
February 3, TUESDAY –
Author Jennifer Moorman at Carnegie, 11:30am She’ll discuss her new book The Charmed Library - a love letter to libraries, favorite childhood stories, and readers who have fallen for fictional heroes. newnancarnegie.com/nclf Register at eventbrite.com 1 LaGrange St., Newnan
February 5, THURSDAY –
CeCe Teneal’s Divas of Soul, 7 pm. Music from Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston and more. The Nixon Centre,1523 Lower Fayetteville Rd., Newnan thenixoncentre.net 770-254-2787
February 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, THURSDAYS-SUNDAYS
NTC’s Didn’t See That Coming A series of eight short plays that explore various unexpected twists and turns in the lives of ordinary people, including friends, lovers, and even superheroes, often incorporating humor and heartwarming moments while tackling relatable themes that leave the audience surprised and emotionally engaged. 24 First Avenue, newnantheatre.org
Run for Angels 5K & Chicken Q 8am , theangelshouse.org
NJSL’s Mardi Gras Casino Night 6pm at The Newnan Centre. Dueling Pianos, Casino Games, Open Bar, Hors d’Oeuvres, Raffle, Silent Auction For info bigevent@njslserves.org
Backstreet Community Arts’ Heart Jam 2, benefit concert featuring award-winning performers Michelle Malone and Doug Kees at Old Moreland Mill. Music, food, games, a silent auction, all supporting Backstreet Community Arts’ mission to provide a welcoming, creative space where adults can access the healing power of art. Visit eventbrite.com for tickets. Doors open at 6pm for a silent auction, games, and appetizers, with the concert starting at 7pm. 7 Main Street, Moreland, GA 30259
Mardi Gras Celebration in Senoia family-friendly, free event with a traditional Second Line parade, festive food and drinks, music from Rhythm Major. Bring a lawn chair, 6 to 8pm Lower Main Street. enjoysenoia.com for more info.
February 7,14, 21, 28, SATURDAYS
Eye Spy Valentine Nature Hunt
Every Saturday in February bring your camera and take a look around our park for any nature item that is shaped like a heart (leaves, tree knots, rocks,etc.) Take a picture with each item and bring your completed scavenger hunt list and pictures to the Visitor Center to claim your prize. 9am to 2pm. Parking fee required. Chattahoochee Bend State Park, 425 Bobwhite Way. Call and reserve your spot. 770-254-7271.
February 8, SUNDAY Super Bowl Sunday
Super Museum Sunday! at McRitchie-Hollis Museum
From 1 to 4pm, the museum will open to visitors. Engage on a self-guided tour with stops to interact with docents, enjoy an activity, and definitely sample the treats! This is a FREE event (although donations welcome). Questions? Call the museum at 770-2510207, 74 Jackson St., Newnan.
Look for more events in The PAPER February 4 and the February 18 Coweta Shopper. and wintersmedia.net
SPORTS ON TV CALENDAR
NFL PLAYOFFS
Jan. 25, Sun. – AFC Championship New England at Denver 3 pm – CBS
Jan. 25, Sun. – NFC Championship L.A. Rams at Seattle 6:30 pm – FOX
Feb. 8, Sun. – Super Bowl LX TBD vs. TBD
6:30 pm – NBC / Peacock
NBA – ATLANTA HAWKS
Jan. 21, Wed. – at Memphis Grizzlies
8 pm – FanDuel
Jan. 23, Fri. – Phoenix Suns
7:30 pm – FanDuel
Jan. 26, Mon. – Indiana Pacers
7:30 pm – FanDuel
Jan. 28, Wed. – at Boston Celtics
7:30 pm – FanDuel
Jan. 29, Thurs. – Houston Rockets
8 pm – FanDuel
Jan. 31, Sat. – at Indiana Pacers
7 pm – FanDuel
Feb. 3, Tues. – at Miami Heat
7:30 pm – FanDuel
Feb. 5, Thurs. – Utah Jazz
7:30 pm – FanDuel
Feb. 7, Sat. – Charlotte Hornets
7:30 pm – Atlanta News First, FanDuel
MEN’S NCAA BASKETBALL
GEORGIA BULLDOGS
Jan. 20, Tues. – at Missouri
9 pm – SEC Network
Jan. 24, Sat. – at Texas
1 pm – SEC Network
Jan. 27, Tues. – Tennessee
7 pm – SEC Network
Jan. 31, Sat. – Texas A&M
1 pm – SEC Network
GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS
Jan. 24, Sat. – Clemson
Noon – ACC Network
Jan. 27, Tues. – at Virginia Tech
8 pm – ACC Network
Jan. 31, Sat. – North Carolina
2 pm – ACC Network
Feb. 4, Wed. – at California
8 pm – ACC Network
Give Blood at Senoia United Methodist February 2nd and Receive a $20 Gift Card!
The next Red Cross Blood Drive, sponsored by The Optimist Club of Senoia and the Senoia United Methodist Church, will be on Monday, February 2nd, from 1 to 6 pm at the church which is located at 229 Bridge Street.
Donors who participate in the Senoia UMC blood drive will be eligible to receive a $20 gift card from the American Red Cross. You’ll also be able to enjoy a “famous” grilled cheese sandwich along with snacks provided by the ARC during the blood drive.
Sign up now for the blood drive using the link https://www.redcrossblood. org/give.html/find-drive or call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800733-2767).
Who can you help by donating blood? Among others, you can help cancer patients, trauma patients, Sickle Cell patients, and burn patients, according to the ARC web site.
The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give Blood. ™
Piedmont Newnan named Deputy Andy Gore Community Hero for January
from Piedmont Newnan Hospital Press Release
Piedmont Newnan named Deputy Andy Gore, School Resource Officer at Madras Middle School, Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, the organization’s Community Hero for the month of January.
In August, the school maintenance worker was involved in an accident while mowing the soccer fields that severed his toes. Deputy Gore quickly responded to his friend’s call for help and applied a torniquet to stop the bleeding until he could be transported to the emergency department for care. The ED doctor commented on how accurately the torniquet was applied and how this action saved the man’s life. The Coweta County Sheriff’s office provides training on how to correctly apply tourniquets, and this training and Deputy Gore’s years of experience allowed him to know what to do in this situation.
A ceremony with Deputy Gore, members of the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office including Sheriff Wood, and Piedmont Newnan Hospital leadership was held on Thursday, Jan. 8 at Madras Middle School to honor Deputy Gore.
At the ceremony, Carrie Parsons, Director of Community Relations, presented him with a certificate and framed photo. The school and the sheriff’s office also received a poster to display, which will also be displayed at the hospital throughout January.
“As healthcare professionals, we know that in situations like this, every minute counts when stopping blood loss and getting someone to the critical care they need to make a full recovery,” said Parsons. “I personally want to commend Deputy Gore on his quick response and calmness during that event. His response truly made a positive impact on his friend and colleague’s recovery and that is why we are honoring him as our January Community Hero.”
Piedmont Newnan created the Community Hero program to recognize
first responders in Coweta and neighboring counties, on a quarterly basis, who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and service , and have gone beyond the call of duty. The program aims to recognize the bravery, commitment, and extraordinary efforts of our local heroes.
“Their line of work is often unappreciated, and we want to make the community aware of what our local heroes do to make our community a better and safer place,” said Parsons.
If you know a first responder who deserves to be recognized as a Community Hero, we encourage you to submit a nomination. Please send your nomination to carrie.parsons@piedmont.org. Nominations should include your name and contact information, the nominee’s name and the agency they work for, along with a brief summary of why the nominee should be considered a Community Hero.
Streaming Edition of The Film Fix with Jonathan W. Hickman
Jonathan W. Hickman is an entertainment attorney, filmmaker, college professor, and novelist.
More about Jonathan can be found by visiting http://filmproductionlaw.com/
Capsule Reviews … New Rating System - A “Fix" is recommended with a rating between 6 and 10! a “No Fix” with ratings of 1 to 5 isn’t. http://dailyfilmfix.com/
Bridgerton: Season 4 (Part 1) (January 29) –Season 4 of this popular high-society Regency-era soap opera is split into two parts. Part 2 drops on February 26, 2026. This season focuses on Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), who is the secondoldest Bridgerton sibling. Based on Julia Quinn’s novel “An Offer From a Gentleman,” Benedict will meet his “Lady in Silver” at a masquerade and search for her thereafter. The whole thing sounds like a take on “Cinderella.”
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials (now streaming) – From the team that brought us BBC’s “Broadchurch,” this limited, three-part series is an adaptation of Christie’s 1929 novel “The Seven Dials Mystery.” Set in England in 1925, the central mystery centers on a murder arising from a practical joke gone wrong. Martin Freeman (see “Sherlock”) plays a Scotland Yard detective, with Helena Bonham Carter playing the distinguished Lady Caterham. Christie’s sleuth is an inquisitive younger named Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent (Mia McKenna-Bruce, see 2023’s “How to Have Sex”).
Hijack: Season 2 (now streaming) – Expert negotiator Sam Nelson (Idris Elba) returns in the second season of the real-time thriller “Hijack.” In season one, Sam was trapped aboard a plane with hijackers driven by nefarious puppet masters. Spoiler: his skills enabled him to avoid disaster in that one. This time around, Sam finds himself on a commuter train in Berlin. A hijacking forces Sam into action to once again save hundreds of lives. While the result might be telegraphed, the fun in the first season was watching Elba’s Sam Nelson ingeniously solve problems and manipulate his captors. For those not familiar with this underrated gem, seek it out for a speedy binge.
The Pitt: Season 2 (now streaming) – Like “Hijack,” the 15-episode second season of “The Pitt” employs the same intense, real-time storytelling approach, but the action is set in a Pittsburgh trauma-center emergency room. This installment picks up around 10 months after the last season. Dr. Robby (Noah Whyle) and his team must cope with the bedlam of their work environment during a chaotic Fourth of July holiday. As patients pile up, a breakdown of modern equipment forces doctors, nurses, and support staff to resort to older analog systems. When “The Pitt” dropped last year, I had to revisit the classic television series “ER” (also starring Whyle) as a comparison. “The Pitt” pays excellent homage to its 1990s and early oughts predecessor.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (now streaming) – This prequel series (spanning six episodes) is set 100 years before the events of “Game of Thrones” and around 70-plus years after “House of the Dragon.” Each episode is said to be shorter than typical “Thrones” entries, with some installments running just 30 minutes in length. An adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s “Tales of Dunk and Egg,” “Seven Kingdoms” is set during the height of the Targaryen rule. Dunk (Peter Claffey) and his squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), embark on more minor, personal quests while more weighty political intrigue happens around them.
The Traitors: Season 4 (now streaming) – Alan Cumming returns to host the American version of the popular British reality competition series. Set in Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, 23 contestants will take the roles of Traitors and Faithfuls. The identities are kept hidden, as the Traitors use deceitful tactics to keep from being discovered and voted out of the castle. This season features public figures and celebrities from other reality shows and franchises.
The Beauty (now streaming) – Ryan Murphy (see “American Horror Story”) takes a cue from the Oscar-nominated film “The Substance” by focusing on either a virus or a drug that produces extreme beauty. Of course, there are devastating side effects, and when the FBI gets involved to investigate, a sprawling conspiracy is uncovered. This gruesome-looking body-horror thriller features a great cast, including Murphy regular Evan Peters, and newcomers Ashton Kutcher, Rebecca Hall, and Isabella Rossellini. :
Wonder Man (January 27) – This Marvel Cinematic Universe series stars Yahya AbdulMateen II (see “Aquaman”) and Ben Kingsley as actors Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery, who are struggling to get by in Hollywood. Many readers might remember Kingsley’s memorable, comical turn as Slattery in “Iron Man 3,” where he was hired to play the terrorist known as the Mandarin. “Wonder Man” is a meta comedy series set in the Marvel universe, where a famous director mounts a production of, you guessed it: “Wonder Man.”
When Simon and Trevor get call-backs for the movie, they are pulled into the strange production that just might change their careers (and their lives) forever. The trailers tease something much different from the Disney/Marvel machine, as superhero offerings have begun to wane in popularity.
Jonathan’s Top 10 Films of 2025:
One Battle After Another
Marty Supreme Sinners Weapons Hamnet
It Was Just an Accident
The Secret Agent Warfare
28 Years Later
The Smashing Machine
Movies and streamers to look forward to in early 2026
Movies
The latest Dune: Part 3 more sand, lots more sand; Spider-Man: Brand New Day “With great power comes great responsibility” and, apparently, another sequel; Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday; and DC’s Supergirl movies will be released in the new year. As well as a new Toy Story “To infinity and beyond” … or at least to Toy Story 5, Moana, Jumanji, Scream 7 “No, please don’t kill me, Mr. Ghostface, I wanna be in the sequel!” and there’s another sequel, and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
There’s fan favorites Practical Magic “There’s a little witch in all of u.” and Devil Wears Prada “By all means, move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me” sequels .
For those who like BIG classic productions look for The Odyssey.
Streamers
In addition to Jonathan’s recommendations, there’s His & Hers on Netflix - set in Dahlonegahusband and wife suspect each other of murder. If that’s not enough crime for you, Lincoln Lawyer is back February 5. People We Meet on Vacation a movie with beautiful, but polar opposite people meet cute in a romantic setting. What could happen?
Paramount+ has the latest Star Trek Starfleet Academy Landman’s second season finale is now streaming .
Amazon Prime has a 6 episode thriller Steal with Sophie Turner.
Network TV Shows
ABC’s Will Trent, The Rookie, High Potential and Abbott Elementary, NBC’s Chicago Med, P.D. and Fire, PBS’ Miss Scarlet, All Creatures Great and Small are just a few returning in early January. New shows that might be your next new favorites are Best Medicine with Josh Charles and author Harlan Cobin’s true crime series Final Twist Hallmark has the latest When Calls the Heart coming back in January.
The latest rumor is Virgin River Season 7 will pop up on Netflix in March.
National Geographic has a number of interesting series and movies in January. Check them out.
Regal Cinemas Georgian 14 Ashley Park - 237 Newnan Crossing Bypass, Newnan
The JOINTS
Everyone has their “go-to” place to eat. It might be with linen tablecloths and waiters in ties, or where you throw peanuts on the floor and carve your initials in the wooden tables. Whatever and wherever, it’s your “joint.” There are lots of these places around here, and we’re out to find them all in The Joints column and on website wintersmedia.net
Below is a partial list. Visit website for all.
Alo Farms 629 Hwy 74 South, PTC 678-489-4423
Red and Green Oakleaf, Sweet Crisp, Red and Green Butter and Muir Lettuce. Microgreen broccoli, basil, cucumbers, spinach, scallion and more. alofarmsga.us
Cafe 1485 … 1485 GA 34 East, Newnan 470-627-3043 Serving breakfast and lunch, this chef-driven restaurant reminds one of a diner … offering omelets, French toast, corned beef, biscuits & gravy, shrimp & grits. Shrimp Po-Boys, Cubanos, Hamburgers & more.
CC’s Wings 23 Franklin Road, Newnan 770-252-2755
Do a pretty big take-out business. Usual flavors with fish and burgers on the menu as well.
Christy’s Cafe … 27 Jackson St., Newnan 770-683-7512
One of the more popular breakfast joints in town. Regulars know the secret menu. Also open for lunch. The front porch is popular, especially with dog owners. Down home grub.
Serving up some of the best dishes around. People rave about their salsa and rice. We are also partial to the Tacos Carne Asada and the El Cabo.
Circa Coffee 865 Senoia Rd, Tyrone 770-683-7991
facebook.com/coffeehousetyrone/ Tasty chicken salad sandwich, ham and cheese croissant, caprese salad on sourdough bread & more. Their banana bread is off the charts. And they’ve got some big cookies!
Coweta Country Junction 1502 Hwy. 29 North, Newnan 770-253-5999
Arguably the best wings in the county. Big, juicy.
Big Joe’s Grill … 1329 Bullsboro Dr., Newnan 504-250-9088
A family-owned Italian Creole restaurant with talented chefs preparing fresh signature dishes daily, including Cioppino seafood stew, veal or chicken piccata, shrimp or chicken alfredo, and more.
Dunc’s BBQ Kitchen 98 Jackson St., Newnan 678-673-6644
Look for more at wintersmedia.net
Great joint that includes beef brisket, all-youcan-eat catfish and shrimp, smoked chicken and pulled pork. Killer banana pudding and their white sauce is The Bomb.
El Taquito … 1389 Highway 29 South, Newnan 770-252-2777
It’s located inside a gas station. Their Coke is from Mexico and has sugar. This is the real deal. They have photos up above the counter and you can just point and salivate at the same time.
Fabiano’s Pizzeria 19 North Court Square, Newnan • 770-683-2683
Very popular pizza joint. It’s their other items that really make a hit - soups, sandwiches, garlic knots and bowls of tater tots.
For those who love Asian food, as in Thai cuisine, sushi and noodles, Garlic has to be on the top of anyone’s list. Seafood, lamb, beef, chicken, all the proteins are there in some amazing sauces including several curry spices.
Goldens on the Square 9 East Court Square, Newnan • 770-251-4300
The menu changes daily but there are always several meat/fish offerings, vegetables, salads and desserts. If you are looking for some good ol’ Southern comfort food, you would be hard pressed to beat Golden’s.
Great wings, excellent hamburgers and top of the line cheesesteaks -
classifieds
FOR SALE
CLEAN WHEAT STRAW AND MULCH HAY
$4.00 per bale. Frank Barron 770.231.9535.
WE BUY
TOWNSHIP COINS – WE BUY COINS, GOLD, SILVER, JEWELRY, CURRENCY AND COIN COLLECTIONS Free In-Store Appraisals. Buy, Sell, Trade. 3500 Hwy 34 East, Sharpsburg. 770-254-2727 or visit townshipcoins.com.
WE BUY: scrap metal, junk cars, old appliances, stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dish washers & batteries. WE PAY TOP DOLLAR for aluminum, copper, brass. Gentry Recycling 770.253.5770
WE BUY CARS – Pick Your Part buys cars 7 days a week. For info, call 1.800.962.2277 or visit pyp.com.
OFFICES FOR RENT
15 PERRY STREET has office and work space for rent. Call today 770.755.7477
SERVICES
ROLL OFF – Dumpsters delivered right to your doorstep! We carry 10 yard, 15 yard and 20 yard dumpsters for any of your projects or JUNK around the house. Call us today 678-536-7552. Schedule Dumpster directly on our website: https://www.haulawayrolloffs.com
SERVICES
CLASSIC OUTDOOR CONCEPTS Let us design and install lighting systems that expand, elevate and illuminate residential and commercial spaces. COCLLC.com (706) 701-8402
GARAGE DOORS – Install new construction & replacement CHI garage doors. Repairs, springs replacement, install openers and accessories, Free Estimates. D&G Garage Doors in Moreland. 770-251-2366, dandgdoors.com
TREE DAMAGE? – Call Arbor Tech Tree Service for tree removal from any storm-related event. Also provide Trimming and Pruning Services, plus Chipping, Stump Grinding. Discounts for Seniors and Veterans. Free Quotes. Call 678.633.2986 or visit arbortechgeorgia.com
NEED AUTO INSURANCE – Let us get you the BEST rate. Call us today. We also do Title Bonds. Associated Insurance Markets, 159C Temple Ave., next to Family Dollar, Newnan, 770-253-2341
HOME IMPROVEMENT We proudly do painting, remodeling, decks, doors, basements, gutters, windows, roofing, columns, flooring, plumbing, kitchens, wood repair, electrical. ALL types of handyman jobs. NO job too small. Successfully over 30 years in business. 770.252.5458 Very reasonable rates.
SERVICES
TREE SERVICE ... 24/7 Emergency Tree Service available, plus Pruning & Trimming, Stump Grinding. Commercial or Residential. Misael’s Tree Service, 678.301.0153
SEPTIC – Residential, commercial or install or cleaning. Call Mitchell Septic Service at 678.673.4910. No. 1 in the No. 2 Business. $450 for 1,000 gallons; $550 for 1,500 gallons. 24-Hour Emergency Service available.
NOW HIRING
CAREGIVERS – Home Helpers of GA & AL seeking qualified Caregivers. Available shifts – days, evenings, overnight and/or weekends. Competitive wages, extensive training, supportive work environment and paid time off. Apply online at ApplyToBeACNA.com or call 678.876.5118
NOW HIRING – What’s it like working at Progressive Heating, Air and Plumbing? You get a career you can be proud of - with a team that supports you every step of the way. Competitive, dependable pay, culture built on respect and teamwork, real opportunities to grow and learn, and a company you can count on in the long run. Reach out and apply today. Send your resume to news@progressiveac.com or apply at progressiveac.com/contact-careers 9/17
SMALLCAKES CUPCAKERY in Newnan is seeking Part-Time Closing Cashiers. Stop by their store at 113 Newnan Crossing Bypass to apply.
NOW HIRING – LKQ PICK YOUR PART in Fayetteville, GA is seeking to fill various positions. To apply, visit lkqpickyourpart.com and select ‘Careers.
CAREGIVERS – Home Helpers of GA & AL seeking qualified Caregivers. Available shifts – days, evenings, overnight and/or weekends. Competitive wages, extensive training, supportive work environment and paid time off. Apply online at ApplyToBeACNA.com or call 678.876.5118
PETS
NEWNAN COWETA HUMANE SOCIETY. Check website for list of animals at local animal control facility and foster care animals. nchsrescue.org 70.253.4694
How to protect your personal data online
Long gone is the era when individuals could store their personal data almost exclusively on paper. Modern life mandates that much of society now does everything from banking to conversing to buying groceries online. That’s a lot of personal information floating around out there on the web. Without the appropriate security measures, internet users’ personal information could be vulnerable to hackers and criminals. Though there’s no way to guarantee personal information cannot be hacked, the Federal Trade Commission offers various tips to users hoping to safeguard their personal data online.
· Make sure software is up-to-date. Smartphone users undoubtedly are familiar with system updates. Such updates are designed to improve functionality on mobile phones, tablets, computers, and other devices, and they also tend to update security software to offer greater protection against hackers and other criminals. Users can open the settings function on their devices and set up automatic updates so systems are updated the moment the latest tweaks are available. System updates typically fix bugs and other issues with security software, internet browsers, operating systems, and even applications.
· Utilize two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that typically sends users a verification passcode via text or email. Without that passcode, it’s impossible to access an account. The passcode typically expires in a few minutes. Additional forms of two-factor authentication include a security key, which is an actual device that connects to a primary device and utilizes encryption to confirm the key is associated with the account that is trying to be accessed, and an authenticator app, which generates a verification password not unlike the passcode sent via more traditional two-factor authentication.
· Pick strong and unique passwords and routinely change them. Passwords are a significant part of modern life. Whether you’re trying to access your smartphone in the morning or watch a television show at night or log into a bank account during a midday break from work, you’re liable to need a password to do each of those things. Passwords can be hard to remember, and that may encourage some users to employ the same ones for various accounts. But that makes user data particularly vulnerable to hackers, so it’s best to pick a strong and unique password for each account and routinely reset all passwords. A simple password like “User1234” is easily decoded, as is one that’s used for years on end across multiple accounts. Thirdparty password managers can help users overcome the inconvenience of remembering multiple passwords. All that’s necessary to remember when employing such functions is the password to access the password manager, which will then autopopulate the password for a given app or site. Personal data is more vulnerable than ever. Use these strategies to safeguard personal information online.
Cut the Clutter: UGA Experts Share Strategies for Taming the Mess
Above illustration by
Niki Cliff.
By Maria M. Lameiras, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
Everyone’s got one. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.
You know — that drawer, closet or room where you stash all the things that need to be out of the way. That counter or desk that is always piled with correspondence, important papers or items saved for later. That cabinet or shed whose contents you may not be 100% sure of.
Many of us have a stuff problem. Our society places a premium on what we own, and we often focus on what we can afford to buy. While it’s normal to outfit our homes with keepsakes, collections, décor and sentimental items, sometimes what we have can interfere with how we live.
Experts with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension recognize the clutter conundrum many of us face and offer resources and tips to help make your spaces more serene and serviceable by getting your stuff under control.
Collecting, hoarding and everything in between
Pamela Turner, UGA Extension housing and indoor environment specialist and professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS), maintains the UGA GreenWay website, which offers tips for sustainable living.
“There is a difference between collecting versus clutter versus hoarding,” said Turner, who created a clutter program for UGA Extension with Susan Moore, FACS Extension agent for Laurens and Wilkinson counties; Laura Smith, FACS Extension agent for Telfair County; and Diane Bales, FACS professor and Extension human development specialist.
“In many cases, we don’t realize what we have,” Turner said. “We get disorganized, especially if we have been living in one place for a long time.”
Regaining control of your space
Recently, UGA Extension partnered with Mississippi State University Extension to offer two webinars providing practical approaches to regulate your relics and discard your disarray, including “Clutter Curious” and “Rightsizing: Dealing with Sentimental Clutter,” an expansion of UGA Extension clutter programming.
“We noticed a lot of people were becoming interested right before the pandemic,” said Moore, especially when author and tidying expert Marie Kondo went viral with an approach that recommends “sparking joy” through organization. “We began building our program to update our publication and create some new materials, and it just grew from there.”
While she appreciates the spirit of Kondo’s work, Moore takes a more practical approach.
“My dishes don’t spark joy, but I need them to eat,” she said, adding that Extension’s program includes easy-to-use online tools, including Project FIND, to help people take the first step toward a streamlined space. “It’s kind of like financial management. Lots of people may need information on financial management, but they also don’t want people to know that they need information on budgeting. I was worried that clutter would be like that, but people have been really receptive.”
Studies have shown that clutter and chaos at home can directly impact mental wellness, and Extension’s programs are designed to help participants realistically deal with their individual issues, Smith said.
“Our programs meet people where they are in their relationship with clutter and begin to plant seeds that will eventually help them not only declutter their homes but also their minds. That leaves room for all the experiences that can bring more joy, peace and comfort,” Smith added.
Finding decluttering strategies
An acronym for “focusing on important necessities in your dwelling,” the FIND tool helps identify key areas to improve the health and safety of homes through a personalized quiz, a guided action plan and a list of local resources.
“Everyone has a different tolerance level for clutter. We have a quiz where you determine your clutter personality and, depending on how advanced your clutter issues are, what solutions you can use to deal with it,” Moore said.
The tool guides users through making an action plan using SMART (strategic, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) goals to keep efforts on track, Moore said, adding that taking things in manageable phases can keep the idea of tackling a whole home — or even a whole room — from becoming overwhelming.
“Go through your closet and turn the hangers backward on things you haven’t worn in a while. At the end of a year, if you haven’t worn that item and turned the hanger back around, you probably aren’t going to wear it,” Moore added. For others, going through a box or junk drawer while watching TV or listening to music or a podcast can maximize your time and enjoyment while you declutter.
“Write down what you want to do to make it more of a commitment — make a list, put it on the calendar. Find something that works for you and go from there,” Turner said.
Keeping your space clutter-free
Once decluttering is accomplished, Turner suggests guidelines to help keep clutter to a minimum.
“Maintaining a clutter-free space once you do the cleaning is important. One method is the ‘one thing in, one thing out’ method. If you get something new, you have to get rid of something else,” she said.
Ten practical tips for decluttering your home
1. Start small. Focus on one area at a time. Tackle a small category like shoes, stationery or kitchen drawers to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Completing a small area builds momentum for bigger tasks.
2. Use sorting categories: keep, donate, trash, recycle. Set up bags or boxes for these categories to streamline the decluttering process. A “maybe” pile can help if you’re unsure.
3. Set time limits and use timers. Dedicate 10-15 minutes a day or a specific time weekly. Setting a timer keeps you focused and ensures steady progress.
4. Embrace the container method. Define a physical space (like a shelf or bin) for an item category. Only keep what fits — let go of the rest.
5. Ask yourself key questions. When was the last time I used this? Do I truly love it? How hard would it be to replace? Would a photo of this item be enough to preserve the memory?
6. Focus on the benefits of decluttering. Instead of what you’re losing, think about the space, peace and freedom you’re gaining.
7. Avoid emotional roadblocks. Decluttering sentimental items can trigger emotions like grief, regret or anxiety. Start with easy items like duplicates or unused belongings before tackling sentimental objects.
8. Let go quickly. Once you decide to donate or discard, get items out of your home promptly to prevent second-guessing.
9. Find sustainable ways to let go. Use “Buy Nothing” groups or donate to charities. Sell items only if you’re willing to invest the time and effort.
10. Reward yourself and celebrate small wins. After decluttering, treat yourself to something nonmaterial, like a walk, a coffee or sharing your progress with a friend.
