Walton Living 2020 Special

2020 Special

Walton Living Magazine

Walton Living Magazine 51

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Table of

CONTENTS

8 - U-Pick’em Local farm offers chance to pick your own blueberries

48 - A New Chapter Scenes from graduations in the wake of COVID-19

14 - On the Run Try to keep up with the Walton running scene

52 - Modern Masons Club with longtime lure still going strong

20 - Decades of Service County Chairman Kevin Little turns over his gavel

58 - Emergency Line A look inside the Walton County 911 Call Center

28 - Spring into Summer A look back on the seasons we missed

64 - Blue Birds Get acquainted with this brightly colored bird

32 - Spotlight on Monroe The county seat has changed quite a bit over the years

70 - Man’s Best Friend Brody the Therapy Dog heals with a wag of the tail

40 - Helping Out Walton Local Food Alliance helps those in need

74 - Throwing Axes Venture to Monroe where you can throw axes for fun

44 - Gift Guide A listing of gifts for the upcoming holiday season

70 On the Cover: Photo by Damyn Swanepoel

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Walton Living Magazine

Walton Living Magazine

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From the

PUBLISHERS

PUBLISHERS Melanie Ann Jackson Sharon Swanepoel EDITOR Sharon Swanepoel DESIGNERS Brian Arrington Robert McLaughlin

W

elcome to the 2020 issue of Walton Living magazine combining all four seasons in one amazing publication. This has been a life changing year for all of us. It has been challenging to say the least with the Coronavirus disabling our lifestyles, job losses for many, upheavals in our great country and having to teach our children from our homes. Our spring/summer gift to you was not published as we would not have been able to adequately distribute due to business closures throughout our county and beyond.

Now, with this issue, we hope to bring a smile to your face, put warmth in your heart and give you hope and promise for the future. We’ll take a look at our 2020 high school graduation ceremonies, not typical, but with an abundance of smiles. You’ll get some great information and see some beautiful photographs of bluebirds and blueberries, meet a little dog named Brody and see how he makes smiles happen, take a visit to our 911 Center and learn about Walton Local Food Alliance. Whether it’s running or axe throwing that keeps you healthy and happy, you’ll find it here. Read all about our Community Leader, Kevin Little, and about the Freemasons and how they contribute to our communities - and much more.

As always, we want to thank our advertisers, our contributors, writers, photographers, designers and YOU, our readers. Because of you, we continue to bring you the best of the best.

Wishing you all the best always. Enjoy this issue and we look forward to seeing you again next Spring.

Melanie Ann and Sharon Melanie Ann and Sharon, Publishers

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PHOTOGRAPHERS Christy Breedlove Darrell Everidge Melanie Ann Jackson Linda May - Georgia Department of Natural Resources Tuckaway Farms Sharon Swanepoel The Southern Ox Axe Throwing CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Christy Breedlove Brittney Fitzpatrick DeDe Harris Melanie Ann Jackson Robbie Schwartz Sharon Swanepoel ADVERTISING SALES Melanie Ann Jackson Walton Living Magazine published by Your Local News P O Box 128, Monroe, GA 30655

Member of the Walton County Chamber of Commerce

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BLUE Heaven Most longtime Walton County families can recall with great nostalgia about a gentler time when farming was mainstream and when kids could stay out until nightfall without a fear of danger. Sadly, today’s Walton County has a whole new set of problems centered on growing pains. On a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the worst, being stuck in traffic ranks about a 20 on most people’s minds. Urban sprawl and spillover from Gwinnett and neighboring cities are at war with the country and slower lifestyle of Walton County. One of the victims of this growth is the agriculture business. In the past, children learned about farming and selfsufficiency from home. Today most children learn about farming in agriculture classes in public school or FFA or 4-H. However, luckily for Walton County, there are two working farms aiming to change that by bringing together fun, family and education.

By Christy Breedlove

Tuckaway Blueberry Farm 3560 Claude Brewer Road, Loganville 770-560-5922 TuckawayBlueberryFarm.com Nestled in the heart of Loganville is Tuckaway Blueberry Farm. Just minutes from busy Highway 78 on Claude Brewer Road is the quiet oasis for families to picnic, find blueberries and basically spend a relaxing day.

Beginning in 2007 as an idea, Cathie Knight was a real estate appraiser during the Great Recession of 2007-2009. She had visited a young couple who were building a custom home for their special needs child. The home was in the process of foreclosure when she met them. Afterwards, Knight left in tears at the couple’s situation, took a wrong turn and saw a sign for Hard Labor Creek Blueberry Farm.

“I thought, hmmmm, I could do that. I stopped and knocked on the door and asked them if I could ask questions,” Knight recalled. “The original owners [of Hard Labor Creek Blueberry Farm] were the sweetest couple and encouraged me to try.”

The seed was planted and Tuckaway Blueberry Farm went into production in 2013 when Knight took a leap of faith and planted 250 six-year-old blueberry bushes. The next year the 10 Walton Living Magazine

farm doubled their plants with another 250 and Tuckaway Blueberry Farm was a hit.

Knight’s philosophy seems to be family comes first. “Our farm is named after the farm where my father grew up in Falls Church, Virginia.”

On Sundays during harvest they offer family picks in an effort to include clean fun for all. Tours by school groups and garden clubs are encouraged. While the hours are Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., visits during off hours can be by appointment.

With the closure of the Washington Farms Strawberry farm in Loganville, business at Tuckaway will surely pick up. While the farm has no plans to plant strawberries, customers do not mind and flock to pick blueberries during the summer months. With the aid of her husband, a retired battalion chief from Dekalb County, who tends to the berries, Knight sells the blueberries.

Knight encourages customers not to wait. Though the bushes return yearly and yield a great many blueberries, the farm gets “picked out” every season.

“The best day of the summer is when the berries begin to ripen. The saddest is when all the berries are picked out.” Knight says. “We get hundreds of visitors weekly and it grows every year. Word of mouth, Facebook and Google keep us very busy.”

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Hard Labor Creek Blueberry Farm 3320 County Line Road, Covington 678-409-6835 Despite the Covington address, Hard Labor Creek Blueberry Farm is firmly set in Walton County. A recent change in ownership necessitated a request in zoning from the Walton County Board of Commissioners The new owners, Joseph and Merlon Harper, asked for and were granted approval for a u-pick blueberry farm on their almost nine-acre farm.

In a letter to the board, the Harpers state, “One of the best things about the summer months is the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. We will offer the experience and education about the blueberries, the many varieties and the healthy benefits they provide.”

The letter goes on. “Our blueberries are pesticide free and easy picking for kids because they are thorn and sticker free. We are so excited to offer U-pick services. Customers can enjoy the blueberries fresh off the bush or take them home.”

Honoring the age-old tradition of farming, education and good food are a few of Walton County’s strengths. Families are encouraged to slow down, spend time together and what better place than a farm which bridges the gap to the next generation.

•WLM

“Our blueberries are pesticide free and easy picking for kids because they are thorn and sticker free. We are so excited to offer U-pick services. Customers can enjoy the blueberries fresh off the bush or take them home.”

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Walton Living Magazine 13

WALTON

Runs

HARD

County hosts a variety of events promoting the healthy activity

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By Brittney Fitzpatrick

hether it be during the early morning hours while the dew still dries by the light of the first sun, or at dusk when the sun begins to set and the beautiful Georgia sunset shines pink and orange, one thing can be certain - runners will be seen.

Throughout the county, people are lacing up their shoes and heading out for fresher air and better health, more businesses are moving in that cater to the more active lifestyles in our community and events are being held for those wanting to push themselves against the clock.

Running is good and can improve health by raising levels of good cholesterol while also increasing lung function and use. Running can also boost the immune system and significantly lower the risk of developing blood clots. According to doctors, running can help with the prevention of muscle and bone loss, reduces stress and has the ability to even enhance a person’s mood.

People from all over the world have always loved running. This can be seen throughout history - from places like Egypt where foot races were held and ceremonial runs were common as far back at 3000 BC. In 720 BC, long-distance running was introduced in the ancient Olympic Games in the Mediterranean regions.

Each year, the Monroe Country Day School holds a run that people from across the county come to participate in, not to mention help benefit a great cause.

Rita Dickinson, director of the school, said she looks forward to the event every year

because, “The great thing about a race as a fundraiser is there are so many ways to show your support, such as sponsorship, running and volunteering. It gives an opportunity for anyone in the community or surrounding areas a way to support the school and students.

“Balance is important in everyone’s life. Many of our children are spending too much time indoors and on electronics. Running is good for the body and mental wellness.”

Monroe Country Day School’s philosophy includes educating the whole child. Each student is offered a host of health, wellness and physical education programming.

“We have a staff Community Health Specialist and a certified Physical Education teacher. Both work to ensure that our school is a healthy, safe and active environment. In addition to Health and Physical Education, we offer classes and activities, which encourage good health habits. Monroe Country Day School offers healthy eating and living information to our parents, which is intended to help keep our community healthy,” she said.

When asked about the course this year, Dickinson said, “The strength of our race is that it is a flat, safe course with lots of volunteers. We get great support from our local police and sheriff’s departments.”

This year’s event was held on Saturday, March 14, with the fun run beginning at 8 a.m., and the 5k at 8:30 a.m. Race day registration and packet pickup began at 7 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Monroe Country Day School Scholarship Fund and awards were given for Overall Male/Female, Masters Male/Female, Grand 16 Walton Living Magazine

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Male/FeMale/Female. All fun participants received a medal.

“We use all of our fundraising proceeds for scholarships. All our scholarships are partial scholarships so this race will help between five and eight children attend our school,” she said.

When asked if she was a runner herself, Dickinson said, “No but my husband has been a runner for over 40 years. He has always tried to encourage others to run. His career as an attorney is very stressful and running is one way he relaxes.”

Race Director, District 8 Councilman and husband to the Monroe Country Day School director, David Dickinson is an avid runner according to his wife, and when it comes to running, he can be seen participating in events just like this one or just running for his own personal enjoyment.

Downtown Monroe participates in spreading the running “bug” by adding something people may find even more irresistible… dogs. Paws in the Park has been held coinciding with the Monroe Fall Festival and is a 5k and Fun Run held within Childer’s Park and features avid human runners enjoying their hobby with their five-legged companions. Animals of all sizes and shapes and runners of all levels can be seen enjoying themselves as they make their way through the park, only stopping for occasional treats and head rubs.

The Walton County Chamber of Commerce hosts a variety of events throughout the year, one event being their annual 5k and half marathon races, typically in early December.

Both routes provided by the race are USATF – USA Track & Field - certified and count towards qualifiers for larger races like the Peachtree Road Race held in Atlanta. Those who finish the race receive a custom die-cut finishing medal.

So, whether you’re an avid runner or someone just beginning, someone who wants to collect medals or just enjoy some fresh air, get involved and enjoy some of the local runs in the area. •WLM

“Balance is important in everyone’s life. Many of our children are spending too much time indoors and on electronics. Running is good for the body and mental wellness.”

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END ERA Community Leader

of an

Kevin Little is set to leave county chairman’s post after 20 years

By Robbie Schwartz

W

hile Walton County has maintained a lot of its rural allure into the 21st century, a growing population nearing 100,000 people shows a changing landscape from when farming was once the way of life.

Kevin Little grew up watching the local landscape slowly turn away from its farming roots. And for 20 years serving as chairman of the Walton County Board of Commissioners, Little has been charged with a leadership role in helping shape that growth.

But Little has decided that it is time for new direction and last year announced he would not be seeking another term as chairman of Walton County.

“As I prepare to leave, the things I will miss are the good people,” Little said. “There are so many good people that appreciate the hard work that it takes to run a successful county government. I will also miss the high pressure meetings, trying to bring the next billion dollar company to the county. And of course I will miss the county employees. They are very hard-working and dedicated to making Walton County the best.”

Little grew up on a farm outside of Monroe and attended Monroe High School, where a fateful dive

into the back of a friend’s truck found him landing in the lap of his future wife, Wendy. Little says with a smile that “28 years and four children later, I would say that was one lucky dive.”

The world of politics wasn’t always in the cards for Little. In fact, when he graduated from Monroe High School in 1984 he wanted to become a trooper with the Georgia State Patrol. He decided to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to study criminal justice. Little felt ABAC was a good fit since a lot of the students came off the farm as he did, though the distance was troublesome for a man who was raised to love home and family.

After his father was diagnosed with cancer, Little made the decision to transfer to Georgia College in Milledgeville to be closer to his family. It was here Little was convinced by an advisor to change his major to public administration. As Little delved deeper into his studies, he added a second major in political science. But education was placed on the backburner following the passing of his father in 1988. Little returned to college and graduated in 1989 with two bachelor’s degrees.

With college degrees in hand, Little didn’t exactly

fall straight into a life of politics. In fact, after college Little got a job with the Georgia Department of Transportation cutting grass, fixing potholes, repairing drainage structures and anything else required to keep state roads in the community operating smoothly. Eighteen months into his job, Little made the switch to the engineering side of the state roads department and began monitoring contractors to ensure they followed state rules and regulations. In 1993 he took over the position of highway safety coordinator in Walton County, a move that allowed him to not only use his college degree but also the communication skills he picked up during his time at GDOT. “The position gave me the opportunity to mingle with the local county commissioners and see how the government worked at a local level,” Little said. “After several years, the board of commissioners and the chairman began squabbling and suing each other. Each meeting was very contentious and it was kind of embarrassing for the county that I grew up in and loved. We were kind of the laughing stock of the state so I decided to run and make a difference for my family and the county as a whole.

“I am a team player and a peacemaker, so I wanted to run to put the county back together and make it a better place for us all to live and grow our families.”

Little began testing the political waters for a potential run at his father-in-law’s barber shop and, after building some support, met with Bill DeMoss and Tip McConnell to put his campaign 22 Walton Living Magazine

24/7 Emergency Services

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Little won the race for Walton County chairman in 2000 and took office in January 2001. Eight months later, the political neophyte helped navigate the county through the ripple effects of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. But a key tool for helping the county improve its infrastructure for years to come came a week after the attacks as the first Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax since the 1980s was approved by the Walton County voters. This resulted in the building of the current county government building, the expansion of the county jail as well as the ability for the county to take over and manage the various parks and recreation facilities that were at the time managed by the cities.

“In a way this began the slow process of uniting the county as one Walton and showed everyone that working together was the best way,” Little said. “For the four years prior to me taking office, the board of commissioners cut taxes and there was not enough money to make payroll in November 2001. We had to take out tax anticipation notes to survive. That was very discouraging and disappointing as a newly elected official to learn of this awful decision that was made without any foresight. But we weathered it and survived.

“I think as a testament to how far Walton County has come, we were used as an example of what not to do in the first class I took at the Association County Commissioners of Georgia back in 2001. Now the classes use Walton County as an example of how things are done right.”

With Walton County’s proximity between Atlanta and Athens, growth was inevitable. As Little looks back on his time as chairman, he hopes his legacy is one where people highlight how the county and cities managed to come together to work toward a common goal for all citizens and not against each other. There are tangible examples of that which can be seen in things like the Georgia State Patrol post and driver’s license facility opening up in Walton County. Little is also proud of the Parks and Recreation Department that serves everyone from small children to senior adults. And he was honored to play a role in helping the establishment of the Veterans Memorial.

But there are also somewhat less tangible ones in some of the relationships Little has built over the years.

“I am a team player and a peacemaker, so I wanted to run to put the county back together and make it a better place for us all to live and grow our families.”

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“I can’t imagine Walton County not being led by Kevin Little,” said Bill Jones, past mayor, councilman and city manager for the City of Loganville. “He has been a great leader during his tenure. Kevin’s decision to seek the position as chairman came at a time when Walton County desperately needed someone who could restore respect and balance to the board of commissioners. Kevin did that and more. He, along with his fellow commissioners, worked well together and soon the county began to thrive again. He brought a fresh perspective to the office of chairman and brought the county and its seven cities together, creating a positive relationship for everyone.

“Kevin has been a true friend not only to me but to so many people all over the state of Georgia – and his absence will be felt. I know he will always be involved in serving people because that is just who he is. Kevin is a servant of the people, a man who loves God and his family. I wish him all the best in his new endeavors.”

For those who have known Little since high school, they are not surprised by his success in rebuilding the county and moving it in the right direction.

“Kevin is an honest man with high integrity. He’s also a ‘people’s leader,’ meaning that he has the ability to work with a variety of types of people,” said Teri Smiley, who has known Little since he started dating – and eventually marrying – one of her best friends in high school. She has also spent the past 25 years at the Walton County Chamber of Commerce. “Walton County is a great place to work, live and play.

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I believe during Kevin’s tenure, he has helped unite the county with the cities and has been instrumental in assisting with all groups working together for the betterment of our county as a whole. This speaks volumes to outsiders and I love that we are at this place in our community.”

What may lie ahead for Little is up in the air at the moment, as the chairman said he will not likely be able to really retire with two of his four children preparing to go to college. But he noted at this time there are no future political aspirations.

One other less likely scenario is Little re-igniting his passion on the race track. It is a love that dates back to his junior year of high school when he and his friend Chuck Rowe built a race car to run at Athens Speedway. They raced their senior year but life pushed racing to the side until 1986, when Little decided to build his own car and run at Lanier Raceway in Braselton. Racing was fun and served as his “release valve” until he left for good in 2006 after having only limited success - though he did win a race in 2003 and finished third in the points standing that year.

Being the chairman of the Walton County Board of Commissioners is a demanding post, but Little made sure to find time to spend with his family. He proudly boasts being there with each of his four children as they killed their first deer. Another enjoyment Little notes has been coaching so many children in various sports in Walton County.

And Walton County will always be home.

“Walton County is my home and I was raised to love home,” Little said. “It is just a fun place to live. People are always friendly and fairly happy here. Family was a big reason why Wendy and I stayed here. We were both raised like ‘The Waltons’ show on TV –our whole families were here in the county and were always parts of our lives. It is just close to all the needs that one can have. And I believe with all my heart that I am leaving Walton County in a better position than when I first took office.” •WLM 26 Walton Living Magazine

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Spring & Summer 2020

The seasons we missed

By Sharon Swanepoel

T

he year 2020 began with so much promise. The national economy was going gangbusters, local municipalities were looking at new businesses coming to town and there was development going on in all the local communities. Families were looking forward to upcoming summer vacations and seniors were preparing for prom, graduation and all the privileges that come with the end of their senior year.

It looked like it was going to be a wonderful 2020.

Then just a week before the spring equinox, COVID-19 made its appearance and everything changed.

Instead of people out enjoying the wonderful weather, they were locked down in their homes trying to avoid getting sick. Businesses closed, schools shut down and parents learned how to be teachers. Date night became dine-in at home date night and shopping became more delivery or pick up than dropping in at the store at every opportunity. Toilet paper and hand sanitizer became hot commodities and we wondered whether life would ever be the same again.

Well, at this time we don’t yet know for sure what is to come, but things have improved. And one of the benefits was nature was not at all affected by the pandemic. Once we managed to leave the house, a beautiful spring and summer awaited. The town may have looked a little different with masks sometimes being the order of the day, but the landscape and scenery was beautiful - maybe more so than usual because of the circumstances.

If you missed some of it, we hope you enjoy this pictoral journey of the beauty that was Walton County’s spring and summer of 2020. •WLM

Spotlight on ...

MONROE

Yesterday, today and tomorrow through the lens of three of its mayors

By Sharon Swanepoel

A

s the county seat, the City of Monroe has always been a central part of Walton County. But in the last three decades it has really evolved to make its mark on more than just the county. It also has become a source of pride in Georgia, especially its Main Street program.

“Downtown Monroe is a charming small town that has made the most of its beautiful historic buildings by empowering locals to restore them into one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants. Even in the midst of an uncertain economic environment, our creative entrepreneurs and leaders have responded in amazing ways, keeping downtown loyalty stronger than ever,” Sadie Krawczyk, economic development director for the City of Monroe said in June 2020 when the city’s Main Street program was designated Main Street program of the month. “The resources of the Georgia Main Street Program have prepared our businesses for the challenges at hand. We’re witnessing a resilient downtown dedicated to caring for one another. Applying the Main Street approach will also position us for recovery and future growth.

We’re proud of our town and the incredible support for this place we all love.”

While COVID-19 and the subsequent shutdown has impacted almost everyone, Monroe continues to thrive. City officials report about a 20 % increase in sales tax collections for the months of April, May and June 2020 over last year despite the shutdown.

But this burgeoning prosperity didn’t just happen overnight. It has been decades in the making and involves many organizations, businesses and public officials. Three mayors who have served Monroe since the 1990s share some of what has gone into making Monroe the thriving community it is today.

Current District 8 Monroe City Councilman David Dickinson also served as mayor from 1998 to 2001. He was subsequently elected to the City Council in 2017 and intends to run for re-election in 2021.

“When I was elected mayor in 1997, Monroe was a very different city. The current city hall did not exist and the council met in a very small room at the old city hall (now the museum). One of the first things I initiated was to hold the meetings at the city auditorium (on the site of the current city hall) so that we had space for more citizens to attend and to televise the meetings for those who could not attend

in person. During that time, we constructed the current city hall.

We also initiated a general obligation bond referendum for the citizens to decide whether to authorize bonds for several major capital improvements such as the large ladder fire truck. Monroe had never done that and it enabled us to fill several pressing needs that could not have otherwise been met. The economy and especially the housing market was expanding rapidly and we were trying to prepare for rapid growth while maintaining the city’s historic character. Our Downtown Development Authority had become defunct so I reorganized it to foster the redevelopment of the downtown business district,” Dickinson said. “The most difficult challenge was to develop a collective vision for what Monroe could and should become. That certainly did not end when I left office and it has taken years of hard work by a large number of folks to continue to develop the vision and implement the various components.”

And that development didn’t always go as planned.

“We were well on our way toward the vibrancy we have now and that continued until the Great Recession hit in 2008. The economic problems, especially in housing, hit Monroe very hard,” Dickinson said. “Mayor Greg Thompson and the Council worked very hard to keep Monroe headed in a good direction despite the recession years and that groundwork has been fundamental to our emerging success once the recession ended.”

The late Mayor Harry Knight took over the office after Dickinson and served as the city’s mayor until 2006 when Thompson, who had already served on the city council, took over as mayor until Dec. 31, 2017. Born and raised in Monroe, Thompson still remembers how it was way back then.

“I remember in the late 1960s and early 1970s, my best friend and I used to walk uptown every Saturday to get our hair cut or go and look at the treasures at Allen’s 5 and 10 cent store or go get a lemon sour or real cherry coke at Monroe Drug. It was a safe time and downtown was thriving,” Thompson said, adding that over the next 20 years things changed in the downtown area, and not always for the better. “Big box stores were built a mile or so out of town and activity slowly moved out of the downtown.”

Thompson said the downturn that hit at the end of 2007 temporarily put a stop to a lot of the development that had begun by then, but it wasn’t necessarily all bad.

“The positive that came out of the economic downturn was that the council realized that we needed to update our long range growth plan. Fast growth over a long period of time is not all good for our city. The downturn that lasted almost 10 years gave us the opportunity to think about how we wanted to grow. It gave us a chance to update and rewrite our city codes, giving us clear direction on how the city should grow in the years to come.

“While on the council, under Mayor Harry Knight, we began to rebuild the police department to make it one of the best in the state. As mayor, I continued to give the police department my full support and it continues today to be one of the best police departments in the state,” Thompson said. “One thing I’m most proud of, and one that continues to shape our town today, is the revitalization of the Downtown Development Authority. With the support of the Mayor and Council, the DDA gave our downtown businesses the support they needed to grow and brought new businesses and new customers to our downtown area. We started our First Friday Night concert series and bring several activities all year long to promote our downtown businesses. One of my 34 Walton Living Magazine

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campaign promises was to focus on the downtown area. We needed businesses to bring night time activities to downtown.

The restoration of the DDA brought life to our downtown and now we have a town that is full of life and a safe place to be.”

When John Howard, another native son, took over as mayor in 2018, the city was already well on its way to becoming the jewel of the county. He’d had his hand in its development during his six years on the planning commission, three of them as chairman.

“When I joined the Planning Commission, we were in the middle of a rewrite of our code. We enhanced the quality of construction materials, began our overlay districts and enhanced design standards. As mayor, we implemented our downtown entertainment district and open carry within boundaries. I am a champion of upgrading our current parks and developing the new downtown green,” Howard said, going on to give credit to those who came before him and those still on the team.

“From previous mayors and councils allowing Stacy Jones, Ansley Holder and Emily Gallman to set in motion our downtown rebirth to quality employees with tremendous vision and follow-through, our downtown development began the rebirth of Monroe.”

Howard said Monroe is very different now from how it had been when he was growing up in the 70s.

“The area was depressed. The state had taken Highway 78 from downtown to run by the city to Athens. Downtown businesses suffered. We were a mill village. We had no other industry. The only thing for teens to do was ‘Cruise the Pig’ and hope to leave town upon graduation,” he said. “But things slowly turned around - slowly.”

He also attributes much of the continued success now to “outside influences such as Piedmont-Walton Hospital that has gone from a failing grade to an ‘A.’ People come here for quality healthcare. Our state, for the the seventh consecutive year, is the No. 1 state in the country to do business - and Gary Hobbs and Nathan Franklin have built and furthered a successful school system. Teen pregnancy is down and property values are up.

Entrepreneurs have found and believe in Monroe, appreciate our quality of life and are building their businesses here. We are building something to do for everyone. I want us to be so awesome, selfishly, that my kids want to build their futures here,” Howard said.

And what is in that future?

“To strengthen our parks (starting with downtown green, Childers, Pilot and Mathews Parks). One of the things I’ve heard for years is, ‘the young people have nothing to do.’

Clearly, we are putting together activities and spaces throughout downtown that are family friendly,” Howard said, noting repairs and renovations to basketball courts. “Better transportation infrastructure - our truck route has begun land acquisition and will break ground this year, we have broken ground on our first national brand retail grocery, we are developing a downtown, a seamless Internet system and laying fiber.”

Dickson said completing the truck route is also a priority for him. “It will will really help our downtown continue to thrive and make walking, biking and golf cart use much safer. It will allow us to make the downtown a ‘pedestrian mall’ on Friday nights and Saturdays - similar to what we have done for concerts and special events.”

36 Walton Living Magazine

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Walton Living Magazine

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Howard and Dickinson agree that housing, particularly in the downtown area, is something that still requires work. They believe in the master-planned concept of “Live here. Work here.

Play here.”

All three mayors still have a vested stake in Monroe’s future.

Howard and Dickinson still serve in an official capacity and all three maintain local businesses here. Dickinson also has a law practice, his wife has Monroe Country Day School and they share in ownership of one of the newer restaurants in town, South on Broad. Thompson has expanded his grocery store, added another restaurant, Bistro South, and is helping with that housing situation by adding six boutique apartments above the restaurant and store.

“I think Monroe is being ‘discovered’ by a diverse groups of folks who are looking for a vibrant smaller city where they can ‘live, work and play.’” Dickinson said. “I think our toughest task moving forward is to accommodate the influx of new citizens while maintaining the elements that brought them here in the first place. I have lived here now for 40 years and this is the most exciting period of those decades.”

“Growing up, we couldn’t always see the promise of our future. ‘Only in Monroe’ was used to describe our failings. We accepted inferiority and used our shortcomings as a byproduct of our environment,” Howard said. “Today, byproducts of our environment include success, winning, entertainment, competitive education, quality commercial, retail and industrial growth and a great team helping us create ‘The best small town in America.’” •WLM 38 Walton Living Magazine

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WALT ON CO U NT Y F O O D A L L I A NC E

‘ I E AT B E C A USE I C AN ’

By DeDe Harris

I

n a news story about locally grown food the reporter asked a man why he was committed to eating locally grown; his response to her was “Because I can.” I chuckled at an answer that sounded unthoughtful and simple. However, his answer was very thoughtful and not at all simple. Eating local because I can reaålly means his community has a behind the scenes chain of support that enables him to make such a statement. Community support that includes government, public will, commitment from chefs and local food outlets, enough farmers and land for food production. His answer is not only about access; but also carries the weight of the affordability question. All of these pieces together make up the landscape of a local food

economy.

A little over a year ago Walton Wellness along with multiple community partners and organizations set out to foster an environment in Walton County that would enable our citizens to have the same answer to such a question. Our work is being facilitated through The Walton Local Food Alliance. The Local Food Alliance is a body that meets monthly made up of farmers, government, Agriculture organizations, chefs, educational institutions and non-profits. Our work is centered on creating awareness of the importance in supporting our local food economy, supporting local growers and creating better access to local food for the entire commu-

nity. The Walton Local Food Alliance has some small but effective accomplishments in its short life. Our efforts caught the eye of Georgia Organics who invited us to be a part of their Food Oasis program. Becoming a Food Oasis community opens up access to a flood of support resources through Georgia Organics and makes us part of a larger network with cities across Georgia doing the same type of work we are.

The Meatless Monday Campaign came out of our goal to educate the community on the health benefits of skipping meat a few meals a week. It is really not about Monday but more about spotlighting veggies and plant-based proteins. It also creates a perfect platform to foster the idea of dedicating one day during the busyness of your week to be thoughtful and purposeful about what you eat by supporting local growers.

The food Alliance has just launched a new website waltonlocalfood.org that we hope will serve as a central platform for all things local food. The site provides

The food Alliance has just launched a new website waltonlocalfood.org that we hope will serve as a central platform for all things local food. The site provides information about where to find farms, food education opportunities, Meatless Monday recipes and ideas as well as some local food history lessons.

The project that we are most excited to be a part of is Monroe Locally Grown an online farmer’s market starting in May. Monroe Locally Grown is the brain-child of Audrey Fuller of Best Day Farm. Audrey, a native of New Jersey, moved to Walton County a few years ago for the purpose of fulfilling a life-long dream of owning land to farm. She got involved with Athens Locally Grown and was inspired to start the same model here in Walton. Monroe Locally Grown is a simple user-friendly platform that has no membership fees and requires no weekly commitments. The market opens on Saturday and closes Sunday night. You simply peruse the offerings and order what you want. Pick up will be at the Wayfarer Sun Room in Downtown Monroe on Wednesdays from 3-7. The Monroe Farmers Market is excited to support the online market and views it as a weekly extension of the Saturday Court Street Market. •WLM Learn more about Monroe Locally Grown and the efforts of the Walton Local Food Alliance at waltonlocalfood.org also by following Walton Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.

42 Walton Living Magazine

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The Class of 2020

The Year 2020 was a strange one for everybody, not the least of which were local students coming to the end of their 12 years of schooling. They missed many of the senior traditions that they had heard about from generations of family members. And then there was the graduation ceremony itself. Would it happen or wouldn’t it? Well, it did. It may have come in the middle of a long hot summer instead of mid-spring, but it did eventually happen and all the local students got to celebrate the end of their school careers in a ‘sort of ’ traditional way.

48 Walton Living Magazine

W

hile some of the speeches by valedictorians and salutatorians came with a little sadness - at the loss of some traditions and at some of the adversity the country is currently facing - they also were inspiring and optimistic and gave hope for the future.

In a poignant reminder that 2020 had been a rough year for Social Circle High School’s graduating students even before COVID-19 hit, at the back of the field were two empty chairs. These chairs, one bearing a white gown and the other a red one, were a tribute to the two students who passed away at the beginning of the year, Emme Horton and Emory Griffith.

With the concerns of COVID-19 still a problem, it was understandable that extra precautions were necessary and Loganville Christian Academy decided to go with a whole different approach. Each student got their own, individual graduation ceremony with family and friends looking on from vehicles. It enabled each student to get his or her very own graduation address from LCA administrator Christy Monda highlighting the student’s personality and what it was that made them special to the school and faculty.

It was a little bitter sweet for Walnut Grove High School principal Sean Callahan as it was his last graduating ceremony before retirement. Monroe Area High School somehow managed to have a graduation ceremony as close to traditional as it could get and George Walton Academy, the last local school to have its official graduation, ended the ceremony with the traditional exuberance of seniors giving one last farewell to the freedom of youth. There was one last joint prayer and then, with a toss of their caps, they bolted from the field like summer was truly just about to begin.

It was a fitting end to what otherwise had been a very bizarre 2020 school year. •WLM Walton Living Magazine 49

50 Walton Living Magazine

Walton Living Magazine 51

The History and Mysteries of

THE MASONS

By Melanie Ann Jackson No one can say for certain when the Freemason order originated.

The earliest document that mentions the masonry was printed in 1390 but in truth, freemasonry has been around since the middle ages. In 1717, the Grand Lodge in England was formed, the first of its kind in the world. From there, the organization of Freemasons continued to grow with lodges now in most countries and a worldwide membership of more than 6 million members.

A

ll lodges follow the same principals of freemasonry but their activities may vary. The local groups in various countries are known as “lodges.” At the State or National level are the “Grand Lodges.” These are all independent of each other. Freemasons are considered to be the largest and oldest fraternity in existence. Wikepidia.com describes the beginning of this fraternity as “The word ‘mason’ means a construction worker who works with stone. He is also called a ‘stonemason.’” Freemasonry grew from the groups (guilds) of stonemasons in the Middle Ages. These men were building cathedrals and other big buildings. They were called freemasons because they were free. They were not servants who belonged to a rich lord like many workers were in those days.

“They often changed jobs and moved from one town to another creating big and beautiful buildings wherever they went. In this way they were different from other craftsmen such as bakers, millers, etc., who often worked in one place and had guilds in one town,” said Marvin Gray, of Monroe, a 31-year member of freemasons. “The stonemasons tried to keep their skills unknown so only they knew how to do their job.”

The freemasons became known as a secret prestigious guild because of their knowledge and status. It is a somewhat confidential society with rituals and traditions dating back hundreds of years. Present-day meetings are not easily understood by non-members and are often “misunderstood.”

“Freemasonry is not a cult. It’s an organization that contains secrets that are traditional and passed down through the ages,” said Taylor McDaniel, Worshipful Master with the Campton Lodge.

Writer with www.haaretz.com Roy G. Guttmann, a lawyer and a Grand Master, offered this simple explanation, “When I am asked what a freemason is, I reply that it’s scouts for adults.

Any information that was available way back when was by word of mouth and not like today with a click of the keyboard.

Because of this, communication was limited and simple, a word, a handshake, a nod of the head. etc.”

If a brother met someone who was unknown to him, the freemasons handshake would indicate to each other that they were both brothers in the fraternity. As one brother noted, “The secrets of a Mason represent my integrity as a man. I took a promise that I would not tell what the secrets of the Mason are. I did not take a promise that I would care if you know what they are.”

Freemasons come from all faiths and backgrounds. A freemason believes in a “Supreme Being” and is concerned with moral and spiritual values. According to LodgeofHappiness. org, “Freemason: showing thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things. Each freemason is urged to regard the interest of their families as paramount and practice concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.”

According to projects.leadr.edu., the basic purpose in becoming a freemason is to make “better men out of good men, better fathers, better husbands, better brothers and better sons.”

Benefits of the fraternity include being a brother in the ranks of Kings and Presidents. (George Washington was the first presidential freemason with Gerald Ford the latest. (14 presidents in total were members).You will find brothers worldwide, you will have found a second family, freemasonry is open and

54 Walton Living Magazine

The Masonic Lodges of Walton County Generous Warren Lodge Sam Austin-WM 404-326-6241 • Monroe

Dawson Lodge

Chris Peters-WM 770-625-6817 • Social Circle equal to all. Fundraising profits are used for charitable works contributing to the building of children’s hospitals, helping others in need, helping underprivileged communities and much, much, more.

Masons have a Blue Lodge or Craft Lodge. Members of the Masonic lodges are required to learn about their fraternity and earn a series of Masonic degrees, apprentice, journeyman (or fellowcraft) and Master Mason. When a member has completed the third and final degree he becomes a Master Mason and is then eligible to become a Shriner.

Freemasonry is still very much alive in today’s America and in Walton County. There are five freemason lodges in Walton County; Monroe, Loganville, Walnut Grove, Campton and Social Circle. The Lodges in Walton County each have their own specific fundraisers and profits are used to support local communities and those in need.

Scott Radcliffe, a member since 1988 and WM of the Walnut Grove lodge tells us, “masons cannot recruit members, the man must come to us of their own free will and ask to become a mason. They then fill out and sign a petition with two masons as witnesses who then become their sponsors. The petition is presented to the lodge for review, the person is looked into as to their character and the petition is voted on in open lodge.”

“I grew up knowing my grandfather was a mason and I looked up to him, mason or not. As a shriner, he took me to functions all the time. They were always just good men, always doing for others and having a great time doing it. As I got older I wanted to become one,” said Campton Lodge member Gary Potter.

“Then I found out at 53 years of age you must ask to become one. The rest is history.”

Membership is open and welcome to men who would enjoy becoming a member of this auspicious organization.

If you would like additional information about the masons or shriners, the internet offers many different sites with a generous selection of facts and data about the freemasons. And finally, CBSnews.com quotes Irving Berlin as saying, “It’s the world’s most well-known secret society rich with symbols and rituals, secret handshakes, knowing smiles and single word.” •WLM

Fergus Lodge

Rufus Rogers-WM 770-231-8674 • Loganville

Campton Lodge

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Walnut Grove Lodge

Scott Radcliffe-WM 770-367-4361 • Walnut Grove Sponsored by:

2B1

ASK1 Walton Living Magazine 55

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“In 1965, my dad, John Thompson, opened a grocery store in Monroe. I came to work with him full-time in the 1980s,” said current owner and former Monroe mayor, Greg Thompson. “We have survived over 50 years, through all the changing times. And now, John’s Supermarket has gone through its second expansion to help our city grow.”

That expansion includes a bigger, better grocery store that still promises, “the best meat in town,” a new restaurant on the south side of town “Bistro South,” that opened this summer, and six loft apartments above to help bring more downtown living options to attract new residents.

“This project fits in with the unique style of the town, giving people more options to live, work and play in our downtown area,” Thompson said. “This expansion is also bringing my son back to work in Monroe where one day he will continue on the family business and continue to make Monroe a great city.”

The restaurant began serving its brand of southern food this summer, giving customers a taste of Chef Michael Thompson’s brand of southern cuisine.

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heading up to their boutique loft apartment in the heart of Monroe.

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Walton Living Magazine

57

911 WALTON COUNTY

Inside the county’s 911 Call Center: The people on the other end of the line

By Melanie Ann Jackson

E

very year in the United States, the National 911 system receives about 240 million calls and emergency 911 dispatchers are the first to respond. These dispatchers are specifically trained to aid callers before first responders arrive at the scene, to gather as much information from the caller and to forward that information to the police, fire or medical teams appropriately. The Walton County 911 Center began in 1989 with dispatchers located in each of the cities in the county. By 1994, these dispatchers combined to become centrally located receiving their first 911 call in April of that year.

Each dispatcher is assigned a specific area. Cur-

rently they are the Sheriffs Department, Monroe Police Department, Social Circle and Loganville combined as well as fire and EMS. When fully staffed, 911 employs 22 dispatchers including supervisors and director Wendra Williams, who has been with the Walton County 911 Center for 24 years.

“Our dispatchers are highly trained on how to prioritize each call that comes in,” Williams said.

“However, emergency calls don’t necessarily get responded to in the order they come in. We work on a 1,2,3, system. We prioritize each call ranging from life threatening to non-life threatening. Regardless, every call that comes in is responded to either by

fire, police or Emergency Medical Services teams, no matter the severity of the call.”

Calls involving things like weapons, kids, pets, burglaries or domestic violence get prioritized. If you find your house has been broken into, but there is no intruder on the premises, police will respond as well but it will be a lower priority than a life-threatening situation would be.

Every 911 call, emergency or non-emergency, is answered and responded to. A lost car in the parking lot or requesting a ride to your doctors office is not an emergency. How to change the batteries in your smoke detector is not a 911 call. Statistically, 95% of calls nationally are “nothing” calls. However, calling 911 because you are having severe chest pains is critical and the 911 dispatcher will relay all your information quickly to first responders and get you the help that is needed. In Walton County, 60% of all calls are non-emergency calls.

“It always seems that there are a lot of questions asked when calling 911 but there is a reason for that,” Williams said. “When a call comes in dispatchers refer to the 5-W’s; who’s calling, where are you calling from, what’s your phone number, what’s going on and when did it happen? Other questions that may be asked, is the person bleeding, did they fall, how much do they weigh (knowing the weight would help determine if additional responders are needed to move the injured person), are they breathing, etc. Some people are reluctant to give this information, thinking it is non essential. However we need these questions answered so that a determination can be made as to what type of first responders are needed, EMS, fire, police, etc. The questions we ask are very important to each call that comes in.

For instance, if a child is locked in a car, an ambulance would 60 Walton Living Magazine

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Walton Living Magazine

61

be sent. We take this information so that the appropriate agency can be sent.”

Butt-calls (accidental calls), are a big problem for 911.

“We get every type of call imaginable,” says Williams.

“These calls are a huge waste of resources and increase the risk that legitimate 911 calls and first responders will be delayed. These calls plug up the lines and could slow the receipt of an emergency situation that is happening right now.

We try to let people know that we want to get them help as soon as we can. That is our #1 priority.”

Williams is concerned that calls coming in from cell phones do not give the center the information that is needed as land lines do. More than 80 % of calls now come in from cell phones.

“When we get a call from a land line, we get the phone number of the caller, the address where the call is coming from and most times the name of the caller. This doesn’t happen with a cell phone. It is critical we get all information needed to be able to respond as quickly as possible to the emergency call.”

The use of cell phones poses a challenge to dispatchers because cell phones are not attached to a particular address.

For example, if you live in an apartment building, a cell phone will only give an approximation of your location.

If you can call from a landline, it gives an exact location.

“People also need to understand that the 911 number is a real phone line,” said Williams. “If a call comes in and no one answers, the phone line is out of service. The 911 lines are down. The call will go to a backup number in the center and be answered by one of our dispatchers so be sure to give the dispatcher all the information needed and answer all questions that are asked. We are here to save lives and that is our priority.”

Dispatchers are categorized as “clerical workers” but recently have been given the classification in some states as first responders. In Walton County that designation is forthcoming. According to 911-operator.org, the dispatchers are extremely important for our community and citizens.

They are the first to take your urgent calls and hear of your emergencies, the first to direct your calls to the appropriate agency, the first in many cases, to give you direction such as CPR to assist you until the EMS, police, or fire arrive.

“We are a group of ordinary people doing an extraordinary job every day. As mentioned earlier, dispatchers ask a lot of questions, but for good reason. All the questions that are asked are for good purpose. Our dispatchers are here to help save lives,” Williams said.

The job of a dispatcher is stressful and also rewarding.

They operate radio, telephone, and computer equipment at emergency response centers sometimes all at the same time.

They receive reports from the public of crimes, disturbances, fires, and medical or police emergencies. They relay information to law enforcement and emergency personnel. They all have stories to tell. They all help to save lives. Dispatchers are necessary and need our help to do their job. Hopefully you will never have to call 911. However, if you one day you have to make that call, stay calm, answer questions clearly, listen carefully to the dispatcher and do exactly what the dispatcher asks you to do. Let them be your lifeline. •WLM 62 Walton Living Magazine

“All the questions that are asked are for good purpose.

Our dispatchers are here to help save lives.”

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Your Local News online - www.yourlocalnewsinc.com — An online publication that gets the news to you as it happens in Walton County and parts of East Gwinnett. You can access the news on your desktop or mobile device, or you can sign up for the eNews publication and get daily updates delivered to your email inbox 5 days a week.

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Mr. BLUEBIRD ON MY Shoulder A bird named for its vibrant color and name dropped in numerous songs, the bluebird is a year round resident of Walton County

F

By Melanie Ann Jackson

ifty years ago, the sightings of the Bluebird were true signs of warmer weather. But now, decades later and with milder winter temperatures, the bluebird has been a year-round resident in Walton County with nesting surroundings all across the state.

There was a time, however, in the early to mid1900s when the bluebird population was in trouble.

This was because of the loss of habitat and nesting places due to competition from other birds and progressiveness and expansion on our part. But, due to the love of this little creature, efforts were made across the country to save the bluebird from extinction. Because of the effort of thousands of good-hearted folks, millions of nesting boxes popped up across North America to supply the much-needed housing and nesting areas for the bluebirds. They survived and today the populations of the eastern, western and mountain bluebirds are thriving and healthy.

All bluebirds are not without their problems, particularly problems that other birds create for them. The nesting boxes that are built for the bluebirds and their new families are often invaded and

taken over by house sparrows and wrens as well as swallows and starlings. It takes a lot of work for the bluebirds to make their nest and these “thieves” are certainly not welcome.

There also are some other nest invaders to watch out for.

“Fire ants are also a serious threat to bluebird hatchlings. They will climb up the tree or pole and destroy the nest. As a precaution, we surround the ground at the bottom of the tree or pole with seven dust and also spray some raid or other ant killer going up the pole a bit,” says Monroe’s Faye Witcher - an avid bluebird lover for many years.

Typically, both the parents gather the materials for the nest but the female actually builds the nest and incubates the eggs while the male stays close to keep intruders at bay as well as other males.

“The nest is loosely constructed of weeds, dry grass, and small twigs. The cavity is then lined with soft grass, feathers, also dog hair,” Witcher said. Once the nest is complete, the female will lay 3-6 light blue to pale white eggs per batch and these are incubated for 10-15 days. They have been known to have up to three or four broods a year.

“The eggs must be kept at a warm temperature until they hatch. If the female has to leave the nest for any reason, the male will incubate the eggs until she returns. The eggs usually hatch in about 10 days.”

Both the parents feed the babies and often the previous brood will help to feed. According to Nestwatch.com, “Juvenile helpers can interfere with adults feeding the nestlings and they often do not adequately ‘prepare’ the foods, i.e., some insects are still wriggling upon delivery!”

A bluebird’s diet consists of many varied insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, beetles and others: also earthworms, snails, tree frogs, snakes, spiders, sometimes small lizards or tree frogs.

Fruit and berries also are a part of their diet. A display of fresh mealworms is a favorite of theirs and bluebirds can be enticed to the palm of your hand with this delicacy.

“I used to purchase mealworms but I found the cost was high,” Witcher said. “So, I now ‘make’ my own and have plenty available at any feeding time.”

Birdsandblooms.com reports that there is a great variety of bluebird houses, but all are as good as any other. The house should be made of untreated wood, 4 by 4 inches to 5 by 5 inches square and 7 inches high.

“We found that the correct size for the entry hole to the bird box should be 1-1/4 inches and placed about 6 inches above the floor,” Witcher says. A removable overhanging lid makes for easy observation and cleaning, and it should be ventilated at the top with drainage holes in the floor. “We found that the house wrens and sparrows do not like light in their houses and leave the bluebirds alone if there is light in the boxes. So this year 66 Walton Living Magazine

Walton Living Magazine 67

we are going to drill a 1/2 inch hole on the lid and put a piece of plexiglass over the lid to keep out the rain. The sunlight will offer some light and should keep the other birds at bay.”

Bluebirds prefer earthly tones to their homes, such as the colors of grass and dirt, shades of brown and green are good choices. Bright colors attract other birds and predators, which is detrimental to bluebirds. Paint or stain the nesting box, then nail it on a post 5 to 10 feet above the ground at the edge of an open grassy field, facing away from the sun and wind. The North American Bluebird Society (NABS) recommends that bluebird houses be spaced at intervals of 100 to 150 yards. If house wrens are in the area, be sure the box is mounted at least 200 feet away from a wooded area or brushy area. If you don’t have the means or knowhow to make your own bluebird houses, they are readily available online or at your nearest garden centers. You will also be able to find them from Randell Rowe until October at the Monroe Farmers Market each Saturday from 7:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Bluebirds are very hospitable and will allow you to watch their daily activities. They are pretty smart and, if you’re lucky, maybe after getting to know you they may even eat out of your hand.

Bluebirds have been known to live up to 10 years and as they are year-round residents, you can expect to see them often. Because of their friendliness and beautiful colors, they have been the subject of many songs and poems.

The top favorite? “Bluebird of Happiness.”

•WLM

A bluebird’s diet consists of many varied insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, beetles and others: also earthworms, snails, tree frogs, snakes, spiders, sometimes small lizards or tree frogs. Fruit and berries also are a part of their diet.

68 Walton Living Magazine

Walton Living Magazine 69

Working

Like A The residents of the Retreat at Loganville get unconditional love from Brody the Therapy Dog one tale wag at a time

DOG

L

ike millions of other workers, Brody Wentz puts on his uniform with his ID card attached. He hitches a ride with another to arrive at his place of business and gets down to doing what he loves to do.

There is, however, a big difference between Brody and the average Joe. Brody is a therapy dog who visits the senior living community, the Retreat at Loganville, every Monday to provide unconditional love and giggles to elderly patients and those with memory problems. His driver is none other than his adopted human mother, Suzie Wentz, who is more than happy to play second banana to Brody at the facility.

“We adopted Brody in 2016. I saw his face on the internet and told my husband that we’re going to North Georgia the next day. No one wanted to adopt him because he needed surgery on his eye for a condition called Cherry Eye.” Wentz recalled. “Well, we wanted him regardless of his condition. We sought treatment and today he is a healthy dog.”

She continues, “He is so kind to everyone - both the elderly and children. We knew he was special. He went through all the training to become a therapy dog. He learned not to attack other dogs and leave them alone. They trained me also. Brody has to be focused on me always. He knows to leave alone medicine that may have fallen. He is not scared of walkers or wheelchairs.”

Brody has been certified by the United Service Animal Registry as a therapy dog. The United States Animal Registry (USDR) certifies therapy or service animals. The agency requires a letter from a medical doctor that states the need for the animal, proof of current vaccinations and advanced behavior training. Another alternative is the American Kennel Club which offers a Canine Good Citizen certification which more than fulfills the behavior requirements.

By Christy Breedlove

That’s not to say he doesn’t have a mind of his own. “He is so smart. He even knows to use the bathroom before we go inside.” Wentz jokes.

Off the leash, Brody knows what he is supposed to do - accept cuddling, snacks and make someone’s day brighter. One resident, Celia Murrhead, immediately pats the couch and up jumps Brody. Satisfied with a treat and smile, Brody sits beside Murrhead.

“I had a miniature husky that I adopted.” Murrhead reminisces as Brody burrows his snout into her hand. “Dogs are such loving creatures. They want to be loved and give love in return. I love it when Brody visits. Mondays are one of my favorite days.”

Brody is also no couch potato. As if he has a timer, he goes to the next person for petting, instinctively knowing who needs his attention the most. Even the most cynical person cracks a smile when they see him.

After a time in the senior facility, Brody and his owner trot over to the house for patients with memory problems. Brody knows which patients welcome him and sits in front of the door. One patient named Mary Ann gravitates toward him.

Mary Ann giggles with a child-like innocence while petting Brody. Another patient who seldom leaves her room opens up to Brody and whispers in his ear, confident that the dog is listening to her.

Wentz sees the benefit of regular Brody visits for everyone including the employees. “The residents all love him,” she says. “Brody is on the facility’s monthly calendar. He entertains everyone from dancing to shaking paws.”

According to the Mayo Clinic’s website, animal-assisted therapy can significantly reduce pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue in people with a range of health problems including those suffering from dementia and people in long-term care facilities. The clinic employs more than a dozen canines and their handlers to visit patients and even special visits upon request.

Locally, Children’s Hospitals of Atlanta offers a “furry fleet of 72 Walton Living Magazine

16 specially trained pups that truly go above and beyond to be a friend - and more - to those in need.” The results of the program are visible on the choa.org website.

Happytailspets.org is an Atlanta area organization that also trains service animals. There is a plethora of information on how to get involved or help from visiting senior centers like the Retreat to schools to mental health facilities.

Animal-assisted therapy is also being used in non-medical settings such as schools and other community programs. In fact, employees at Amazon’s headquarters are encouraged to bring their pets to work for stress relief. Management believes that this does cut down on absenteeism and stress, making work productivity increase and a happier environment.

At the end of the morning in Loganville though, Brody and Wentz drive home, each content in the fact that they made someone’s day brighter just by a wag of a tail and a belly scratch. •WLM

Walton Living Magazine 67

KICKIN’

AXE

Southern Ox in Monroe offers venue for unique game of skill

By Brittney Fitzpatrick

A

fter a tough day at work, long week of class or a rough week with the kids, it’s always nice to get out, relax and let off some steam. The downtown area of Monroe has added a place to do just that.

The Southern Ox is an axe throwing facility owned by Katie and Jeremy Bower located at 320 S. Madison Ave., in Monroe.

“Providing good clean adult fun is near and dear to our hearts,” Katie said in regards to why they chose to go into this business. “We realized that people bond with shared fun experiences and there was no facility like that in Monroe.

“We decided we wanted it for ourselves and if we could turn that into a business, bringing people together, that would be one incredible job.”

The business, originally set to open in June 2019, took a little longer and instead opened in March of 2020, just before COVID-19 hit. Like everybody else, they had to almost immediately shut down again. However, the Southern Ox is back open for business.

The Bowers said there was a good reason for initially delaying the opening until the Spring of 2020.

“Monroe deserves the best and we wanted to make our space look and feel amazing,” Katie said. “We took extra time to make sure the venue had a special occasion look and feel. We wanted to make sure that this is a place you want to go on date night, with your friends, for birthdays and could also be ready for corporate events or church groups, etc. We are so excited about being in this amazing space - it really does look incredible inside.”

Ages 10 and up are eligible to throw.

If parents are interested in throwing with their kids, it may be allowed provided that they meet

the age limit and can pass a strength and safety test.

“We encourage parents to call for more information and booking,” Jeremy said.

To add to the experience, for those patrons who wish to enjoy an adult beverage, beers and other drinks are available.

“We are excited to carry a variety from our neighbors - The Southern Brewing Co. and then also a few other craft local brews,” Jeremy said.

Some may think beer and sharp axes don’t mix.

“We understand that people say those two things together and may be concerned but at The Southern Ox, we make safety our top priority,” Jeremy said. “Every single patron goes through introductory training where they are taught in detail how to safely hold, throw and retrieve an axe.”

“Our personnel (called coaches) stay with our groups through their entire axe-throwing experience and make sure all throwers and observers are leaving with smiles on their faces and great memories,” Katie said.

Some say this is experience is much like bowling, except instead of a ball, there’s an axe.

The facility is a great opportunity for corporate events, bachelor parties, birthday parties or can be just a fun activity to do with friends and family.

The idea of axe throwing and drinking with friends is a fairly common one in Canada with hundreds of locations available to those living in the country. Said to be just as exciting as another fun entertainment fad, escape rooms, axe throwing is starting to pop up in cities throughout the United States, and now Monroe.

When asked about axe throwing becoming the hottest new “bar trend,” Katie said, “Axe throwing is just plain fun. Our family loves activities and in a culture that is connecting more and more on electronics, we wanted to provide a place where we could connect with others in a fun way.”

According to the Bowers, Monroe was chosen because, “Monroe and the surrounding areas have some of the best people and we really wanted to have a safe place for people to be together safely. We love the history, the buildings, the downtown area and the diversity of Monroe too, so it seemed like a natural fit for us to choose it for our venue.”

When it comes to the choice of name, Jeremy said, “We thought a lot about the name before finally deciding on The Southern Ox. “Obviously the charm and the hospitality here in the South is unmatched and providing that great customer experience when someone walks in our doors is very important to us.”

“The ox is really a picture of strength with a hard working nature,” he said. “We believe that our patrons would be people that would work hard and play hard so it came together in the name.

We joke that we need to write the new American folklore story about the Southern Ox because he would be the cousin to Babe the Blue Ox - who partnered with the most famous axe welding lumberjack - Paul Bunyan.”

People who have already experienced axe throwing have said the sport is one worth experiencing.

“I was drawn to the unexpected,” Morgan Chandler from Monroe said when asked about her first experience throwing a few axes around. “(Drawn to) the unexpected joy and stress relieved from landing a throw. Similar to going to the gun range and puncturing the target.”

76 Walton Living Magazine

“My experience, the first time, was shy and anxious, but quickly those emotions turned to excitement and competition,” she said. “I’d love to go every weekend and play. I hear there’s even a professional league, but I’ll leave that to the pros.”

According to the Bowers, “The World Axe Throwing League sets the standard as the most popular competitive axe throwing league and the final competitions can even be seen on ESPN. “The Southern Ox absolutely plans on hosting leagues and is starting signups for interested athletes after our grand opening.

This is a great way to get to know some new friends, hone your axe-throwing skills and compete. Plus, it’s going to be a lot of fun!”

When asked what she would say to those who haven’t tried the experience, Chandler said, “If you haven’t gone yet, do something spontaneous!” •WLM

FOR MORE INFORMATION The Southern Ox 320 S. Madison Ave., Monroe websitethesouthernox.com Facebook: facebook.com/TheSouthernOx.

I will represent you with experience and professionalism whether you are buying or selling Gwinnett Agent of the Year • Multiple Phoenex Award winner

LYNDA KINNERSLEY, GRI Broker Buy_sellLNK@outlook.com

770-262-5317

Walton Living Magazine

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INDEX of Advertisers

Spring-Summer Issue Preview

Abbey Hospice 79 Adams Chiropractic Clinic 19 Alfa Insurance 63 American Legion Post 64 39 American Legion Post 233 61 Barrelle Roofing 23 City of Loganville 27 City of Social Circle 46 Cocina Fuentes 44 Corner’s Edge Butcher Shoppe 11 Creekside Dentistry 13 Cruz Tree Service

80 Darrell Productions 73 Exotic Kitchen and Bath, Inc 77 Edward Jones 39 F.I.S.H. 47 Freshway Market

37 Frog’s Pawn and Sales 45/47 Georgia Farm Bureau 37 The City of Social Circle began 2020 with a new mayor, Hometown Clips & Cuts 44 a new police chief, a new school superintendent, a new J.L. Designs 44 and improved library and Walton County plans on hand John’s Supermarket 56/57 for a new community center. In the next Walton Living Jones Design Company (JDC) 17 Magazine we will be turning the spotlight on Social Lee’s Collision Center 43 Circle.

Legacy Beverage Center 44 Level Best Billiards 44 Lori Duff 46 MJ Jewelers 45 Masonic Lodges of Walton County 55 Monroe Country Day School 27 Monroe Downtown Development 35 Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts 45 Peters and Foster 45 Photography by M & M 67 Quality Foods 63 Rinse Bath and Body

2/3 Sanders Consign & Design 45 Georgia State Patrol Post 46 is located on Highway 11 Snellville Heating • Air • Plumbing 43 between Monroe and Social Circle and works closely Social Circle City Schools 37 with local law enforcement and traffic control in keepStone Mountain Pecan Company 47 ing our streets safe. In the next issue we will highlight Striplings General Store 45 this post and what these troopers do in supporting our local community.

Tapp Plumbing 37 The Retreat at Loganville 5 United Home and Land Realty, Inc 77 Walton County Chamber of Commerce 13 For more information on Walton County Development Authority 7 advertising opportunities in Spring-Summer 2021 Walton Living Magazine please Walton County Health Department 27 Magazine Advertising Deadline contact: Walton County School District 37 February 2021 Melanie Ann Jackson at Walton County Sheriff Office 61 Publication Date 404-375-7881 or Walton EMC 69 April 2021 melanieann@waltonliving.com Yesteryears Treasures Reborn

45 YLN 63

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Social Circle Spotlight

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