Infinite Endeavors - Milledgeville Living

Milledgeville BALDWIN COUNT Y

Fall-Winter 2021

The Premier Milledgeville-Baldwin County Magazine

L I V I N G

Jody Bellflower Legendary Milledgeville Golfer Tees Up for the Next Round

Milledgeville Celebrates

The Nutcracker 25th Annual Production at Georgia College

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Table of Contents

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

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Milledgeville Celebrates The Nutcracker 25th Annual Production at Georgia College

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Back-to-School Brain Power 5 Brain-boosting Foods for Kids

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Health & Wellness Guide 49

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Jody Bellflower

Legendary Milledgeville Golfer Tees Up for the Next Round

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Milledgeville Dining & Shopping Guide

ON THE COVER: The Nutcracker Georgia College Department of Theatre and Dance

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Milledgeville BALDWIN COUNT Y

L I V I N G

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PUBLISHER AND EDITOR: Jane Robinson

A First United Methodist Church Ministry for Families with Special Needs

COVER PHOTO: Georgia College Department of Theatre and Dance

Anna’s Gift

DESIGNERS: Heidi Rizzi Beth Diersen

PHOTOGRAPHY: Dan Counsell Cayla Franzman Georgia College Department of Theatre and Dance Melissa Pulliam – Lifescapes Photography Pavel Kalenik Mariana Medvedeva Gavait Malhotra Jona Novak Nadine Primeau Hannah Tasker Tim Volz Clarissa Watson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Rick Franzman Dana Lowe ADVERTISING SALES: Maria de Guiseppi Jane Robinson Dan Smith OFFICE MASCOTS: Oliver and Willow MASCOTS EMERITUS: Pooh Panda Tinkerbell Beau If you would like to advertise with us or if you have feature ideas, please contact Jane Robinson wjr@ieservicegroup.com Milledgeville Living Magazine published by Infinite Endeavors Publishing Company, Inc. P.O. Box 272 Good Hope, GA 30641 770-789-8189

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Publisher and Pups

Certified Public Accountants

Marshall Lee

Cara Turner

Stacy McCoy

Joey Waddell

P.O. Box 1826 Milledgeville, GA 31059-1826 221 South Wilkinson St. Milledgeville, GA 31061 contact@heritagetaxcpa.com (478) 452- 4914 Fall-Winter 2021

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Milledgeville Celebrates

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

The Nutcracker

25th Annual Production at Georgia College The Georgia College (GC) Department of Theatre and Dance is proud to present The Nutcracker 25th anniversary celebration this holiday season. With over 240 dancers, ages three through adult, the department will present this classic ballet on the Russell Auditorium stage at the GC campus December 10th, 11th, and 12th.

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The Nutcracker classic ballet story was initially founded on the E.T.A. Hoffmann Christmas story, set to music by Tchaikovsky, and choreographed

by Petipa in 1891. The ballet performance was not widely recognized in its early days and didn’t garner success and recognition for many years. Tchaikovsky endured ridicule for the legendary musical composition and ultimately received the recognition he deserved, for this iconic ballet, posthumously.

The ballet is based on a family’s Christmas Eve celebration and the original Russian performance premiered one week before Christmas in 1892.

The Nutcracker story is based on a young girl and her awakening to the larger world around her and romantic love on Christmas Eve. The ballet was performed in England, as the first performance outside of Russia, in 1934. The San Francisco ballet debuted the first American performance in 1944. However, the ballet gained its modern-day popularity after the George Balanchine 1954 New York City Ballet performance.

According to Amelia Pelton, Director of Dance at GC, ”Each Nutcracker is a little different and incorporates lots of different elements, which makes

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

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it lots of fun. You really can’t get away with this with any other ballet. For example, we have hip-hop dancing elves, dancing reindeer similar to the Rockettes, our soldiers are tap dancers, and we have a Bollywood Indian dance. You can only get away with all of these things in The Nutcracker.”

Pelton notes, “Full sets, lavish costumes, snow and fog special effects, and other surprises await you during the performance. Keep an eye out for the massive Chinese dragon in the Chinese dance, the beautiful red sleigh pulled by reindeer, and of course the dancing Rockettes, Drosselmeyer’s magic tricks in Act One, along with additional exciting segments of the performance.”

“It is my joy to direct this Nutcracker every year. It’s the highlight of my year. We begin serious work in July, and rehearsal begins just after Labor Day. It’s a great labor of love.

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Many of our dancers have performed in the ballet since age three and continue through their college years at Georgia College,” Pelton proudly shares.

She also notes, “While 2020 was particularly adventurous and challenging, we were determined to hold a Nutcracker performance despite Covid-19. Our wonderful administration approved the production after we submitted an in-depth report on how we would safely perform. All dancers were masked, we socially distanced on stage, and we limited the number of dancers on stage. We also socially distanced backstage, and all surfaces were wiped down repeatedly. It was a huge endeavor, but we were able to do it and produce a Nutcracker

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that was filmed without a live audience. We also presented it live outside at the Lockerly Arboretum - Lockerly in Lights.”

Pelton wrote and implemented the GC dance program 26 years ago while working at the college. The performance is a non-credit Community Dance Program. However, the performance includes 60 GC students who receive college credit for their performance.

The performance is directed by two fulltime GC instructors, Amelia Pelton and Natalie King. Both instructors hold Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees in dance. Nine college students also serve as dance instructors along with Pelton and King.

GC houses two dance studios also provide instruction at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church. The dance department recently initiated a comprehensive dance program in Baldwin County schools for all K through fifth grade students who will perform in The Nutcracker.

The GC dance department offers nine levels of ballet instruction, creative movement for three and four-year-old children, four levels of tap dance instruction, three levels of jazz 18

Milledgeville Living Magazine

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dance and hip-hop instruction, musical theater dance instruction, adult/teen beginning ballet instruction, and beginning pointe instruction.

The 2021 schedule includes a Nutcracker performance for area school children on Friday, December 10 at 9:30 AM. Other performances are Friday evening December 10, 7 PM, Saturday evening December 11, 7 PM, and Sunday December 12, at 2 PM. For tickets, please contact the GC Department of Theatre and Dance. Tickets are available online at gcsutickets.com For additional information contact: Department of Theatre and Dance Georgia College CBX 119 Milledgeville, GA 31061 (478) 454-7403 HMLM

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

Back-to-School Brain Power:

5 Brain-boosting Foods for Kids

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s summer ends and fall approaches full swing, many families are getting ready for an exciting school year. And while picking out new pencils and notebooks is a fun way to prepare, it’s even more important to make sure your child is mentally ready to return to the classroom - whether that be virtually or in person.

“To help them stay focused and learn more efficiently, fuel your kids with foods that are scientifically proven to boost focus and improve brain

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performance,” says Marissa Meshulam, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, and founder of MPM Nutrition. Instead of stocking up on sugary cereals and processed meals, she shares her go-to foods for feeding little minds.

1. Berries

Strong evidence suggests that blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and other berries have beneficial effects on the brain. Their high levels of antioxidants help protect and boost memory functioning. Try sending the kids off to school with a berry smoothie or pack a fruit cup with berries for lunch to help keep their minds sharp throughout the day.

2. Eggs

A versatile and easy option for any healthy, filling meal, eggs contain a variety of nutrients such as choline and lutein that are essential for brain health. To ensure your family is getting the most out of their favorite egg-centric snack or

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

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recipe, you may choose Eggland’s Best (EB) eggs or fresh cage-free, organic eggs. According to EB, when compared to ordinary eggs, EB eggs contain more than double the Vitamin B12 and Omega-3s, which help regulate sugar levels in the brain and can improve memory function.

3. Nuts

Most nuts have brain-boosting benefits, but walnuts are especially high in Omega-3s, Vitamin E, antioxidants, and folate content. Nuts make a great snack and also pair well with fruit or as part of a granola.

4. Avocado

Avocados have nutrients that protect the nerve cells in the brain that carry information. Try spreading avocado on a sandwich for lunch or mashing up with some garlic, salt, chopped tomatoes and lemon juice for a quick dip with chips or veggies for an after-school snack.

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

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5. Leafy greens

Leafy-green vegetables are rich in so many vitamins, including Vitamin K, lutein, and beta-carotene, which all contribute to healthy brain functioning.

If you have trouble getting your kids to eat fruits and veggies, try sneaking them into smoothies or blended soups. HMLM

Looking for recipe inspiration?

Try this nutrient-filled breakfast that will help fuel your kids for a successful day of learning at school.

Berry Exciting French Toast Panzanella Ingredients: French Toast: 2 large fresh eggs 8 slices of thick bread 1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons maple syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt

Maple Glaze: 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar 1 teaspoon maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon milk Panzanella: 1/2 cup sliced strawberries 1/2 cup blueberries 1/2 cup raspberries 1/2 cup blackberries 1/2 cup granola 2 tablespoons sliced almonds Cooking spray for griddle pan and sheet pan

Directions: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla, almond extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until combined.

Preheat oven to 400° F. Heat a griddle pan on medium heat. Spray the griddle with cooking spray.

Dip 4 slices of bread into the egg mixture separately then place on the griddle pan. Cook about 4 minutes each side or until golden brown. Spray the griddle again and repeat steps with last 4 slices of bread.

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

Treat large cooking sheet with cooking spray. Cut each bread slice into large cubes. Place the bread cubes single layer on the treated pan. Lightly spray the bread cubes with cooking spray.

Bake 10 minutes, then flip the cubes and continue baking for 5 more minutes.

Make the glaze by mixing the confectioner’s sugar, maple syrup and milk in a small bowl.

Using a large serving bowl, toss the bread cubes and granola.

Drizzle the maple glaze and toss again until bread cubes and granola are lightly coated. Add all the berries and toss until combined. Top with almonds. Serve immediately.

Investing in early childhood nutrition is a SUREFIRE strategy. The returns are incredibly high.

– Anne M. Mulcahy

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Georgia Military College

U P C O M I N G

P E R F O R M A N C E S

PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY 2021 series

Sat., November 20 7:00 p.m.

Ticket cost: $20 GMCTickets.booktix.com or call the GMC Office of Institutional Development:

478-387-4709

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VOCTAVE HAS PERFORMED ACROSS THE GLOBE, AND HAS RANKED IN THE TOP 25 ON BILLBOARD MAGAZINE’S CHARTS.

Georgia Military College

PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY 2022 series

TICKET COST: $20

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D O N ’ T

M I S S

G M C ’S

Junior College Fine Arts

William Shakespeare’s

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Dec. 4 at 7:00 pm | Dec. 5 at 2:00 pm Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts Purchase tickets:

OT H E R

FA L L

A N D

H O L I DAY

Prep School One Act Play

Bullets Over Broadway

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Prep School Visual Arts

Veteran Art Exhibit

Oct. 27, 28, 30 at 7:00 pm

Nov. 11, 10:00 am-1:00 pm

Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts Purchase tickets: www.GMCFineArts.com

Legislative Chamber Old Capitol Building

Prep School Fine Arts Department Showcase

Winter Art Show

Free Admission

www.showtix4u.com/event-details/56349 or contact the Student Activities Office - (478) 387-4718 Junior College

GMC Cadet Winter Glee Club Concert Dec. 9 at 7:00 pm

Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts Purchase tickets at the door, or contact the Student Activities Office - (478) 387-4718

A Holiday to Remember Dec. 7 at 7:00 pm

GMC Activity Center South Campus Purchase tickets: www.GMCFineArts.com

Prep School Visual Arts

Dec. 9, 5:00-6:30 pm Legislative Chamber Old Capitol Building and Prep Annex Free Admission

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What does it mean to be “The Bank”?

To us, being “The Bank” means that we are more than just a financial solutions provider. What is it that makes us more?

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Health & Wellness Fall-Winter 2021

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Expert Care

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with Skill and Compassion

t Skin Care Physicians of Georgia we provide expert individualized care to each and every patient with skill and compassion. Founded by Dr. David Kent and co-founded by Dr. David Cohen, We have been serving Middle Georgia for 34 years. Our board-certified dermatologists offer complete dermatological care of skin, hair and nails.Our board certified and fellowship trained doctors and staff specialize in a wide variety of skin concerns including skin growths, moles, diagnosing and treating skin cancers, acne and acne scarring, rashes, psoriasis, hair loss, and anything concerned with the skin. We see patients of all ages from newborns to adults of any age – all the way up to our special patients over 100 years old. We have 8 locations to better serve Middle Georgia, including Milledgeville, Macon, Forsyth, Gray, Warner Robins, Locust Grove, Cordele, and Tifton.

Our physicians also provide the latest in Injectables and aesthetic treatments so you can enjoy the healthy skin you deserve.

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

We utilize cutting-edge technology and equipment and strive to provide expert consultations to our patients, including advanced laser technology, the latest chemical peels, Injectables and Body Sculpting.

We offer a range of aesthetic services in our Macon office, including Microneedling, Tattoo Removal, Facial Rejuvenation, Laser hair removal and Skin Carr products. Please schedule an appointment online at www.skincarephysiciansofga.com or by calling 478-742-2180.

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Our Business is S

People

ince 1990, Peach State Nursing Agency has provided Middle Georgia with dependable, compassionate skilled nursing and non-medical services. The agency was founded by a Milledgeville native who recognized a need for affordable, courteous, quality home care in the community.

Today Peach State remains a family business with deep roots in the community dedicated to serving clients across Middle Georgia.

Peach State is committed to having the most caring and professional staff in our area. Each home care representative is fully licensed, trained, and certified.

Our focus is specialized home care for individuals with various needs. In each case, we develop a written plan that is tailored to the client allowing transition to a new lifestyle to be as simple and smooth as possible for the patient and family. Our dedicated home care representatives are committed to connecting with clients and providing the highest level of personal service.

Peach State also provides supplemental staffing to local health care facilities.

Our mission is to deliver the most compassionate, dependable, quality service in our market and to ensure the satisfaction of each client every day.

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Community Health Care Systems, Inc We believe that our communities should be the best places to live, work, and pursue individual, family, and community aspirations.

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Sliding fee discounts are determined by an application process that can even be completed on your first visit to any of our health centers.

Because CHCS is dedicated to quality care for our patients, we voluntarily choose to participate in The Joint Commission Accreditation program.

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

Take Good Care. a friend FUNERAL HOMES

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I am for the child who lived in motels, cars and shelters. The child who now stands in the entryway of a group foster home. Clutching a makeshift suitcase. A garbage bag filled with everything he owns. That is the child I am for.

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JODY BELLFLOWER 40

Milledgeville Living Magazine

Legendary Milledgeville Golfer Tees Up for the Next Round

by Rick Franzman Over 40 years ago, a made for television exhibition golf match, featuring a legendary foursome headlined by Sam Snead. This golf match captured the golf arena’s imagination and gave rise to the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Senior Tour, later re-named the Champions Tour - for age group players 50 years and older.

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Milledgeville’s most celebrated and successful golfer, Jody Bellflower, could scarcely have imagined when he was a middle-schooler, that he would one day ignite the resurgence of his own career as a recent 50-year-old eligible golfer on the Champions Tour circuit.

The Georgia College (GC) and John Milledge Academy (JMA) alum has indeed embarked on a path recently to regenerate his golf career with a mission to jump start a dormant golfing career for the past decade and a-half. This journey received enormous impetus in July when Bellflower qualified for and competed in the U.S. Senior Open at Omaha Country Club in Omaha, NE. Bellflower’s 72-hole score of 296, eight strokes over par was good for a tie in 46th position. Including 42

Milledgeville Living Magazine

his runner-up finish at the Senior Open Sectional Qualifying Tournament, at White Columns Golf Club, in Milton on May 17 that secured his invitation to Omaha, the magnitude of the achievement simply cannot be overstated for the part time player who had not been tournament tested in quite some time.

For Bellflower, the journey began on the playing fields of Baldwin County’s Parks and Recreation Department where his father, Joe served as long-time Supervisor. Competing year around, in seasonal sports, with golf as the summer pursuit, he remembers, “One of my parents would drop me at the golf course in the morning and pick me up after work in the evening. I would just play and practice all day long.”

In time, his golf proficiency surpassed the other sports and eventually commanded his full attention.

A successful junior level and high school career at JMA followed, which included a slew of tournament victories attracting major college golf coaches’ attention.

“I was ready to accept a partial scholarship offer from Georgia when I heard from Mike Peeler, the Athletic Director at Georgia College,” Bellflower recounts.

Peeler offered the homegrown budding star the first ever full athletic scholarship awarded by GC. “My family and I were very grateful to Mike for the chance to stay at home and continue to build on my career here,” he said.

He did just that, achieving NAIA Division AllAmerican status three times, despite not recording a tournament win. His best opportunity was snuffed out on his home course, Milledgeville Country Club MCC)-now The Club at Lake Sinclair (TCLS)-when a competitor’s holed approach shot for an eagle-2 on the par-4 final hole nipped Bellflower by a shot. He laughs now, “I was accepting everybody’s congratulations for winning when I turned around to see that shot go in the hole and beat me.”

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43

I am for the child who lived in motels, cars and shelters. The child who now stands in the

Ready to embark upon a professional career, Bellflower connected first with Chris Murman, the owner and golf professional at Houston Lake Country Club (HLCC) in Warner Robins. “Chris was instrumental in helping me with the mental side of the game and how to play at a consistently high level,” Bellflower said. “He also helped with advice on finances and travel and impressed on me the importance of paying forward the help you receive along the way.”

Buffeted with financial backing from local Milledgeville businessmen including Joe McKever, Dale Epps, Mark Hurt and others, Bellflower was ready to launch his career on the developmental T.C. Jordan tour, later to become the Hooters Tour. “I was off to Greenwood, S.C. and my first tournament,” he recalls. “Shot 69 the first round and led the tournament and thought ‘boy, is this going to be easy. Next day, I shot 77 and barely made the cut or expenses for the week. That was a quick wake-up call as to how hard this was going to be.”

For the next 15 years, his career followed a curve of significant successes on several mini-tour circuits to near-miss breakthroughs at the higher levels. The peak period encompassed a stretch from 1999 to 2004 that included more than 20 tournament wins on the mini-tours as well as impressive showings on the next level Korn Ferry Tour- then known as the Nike Tour.

But by the end of 2005, with a growing family at home and diminishing prospects for reaching the PGA Tour, it was time to take stock of his career in balance with his personal life.

“My wife Jill had been a trooper raising our two sons Brandon and Blake while I was traveling all over the country. It was certainly stressful for her,” he said.

When an opportunity arose in Milledgeville to join Credit Bureau Associates of America (CBA) working with close friend 44

Milledgeville Living Magazine

With a supportive family and hometown fan base, Bellflower seeks to re-awaken the youthful dreams of a 21-year-old, employing golf’s ultimate metaphor – the mulligan, a second chance to begin again.

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Esteban Toledo – left, Jody Bellflower – right, celebrating first and second place finishes with US Senior Open acceptance notices. White Columns Golf Club, Alpharetta, Ga., qualifying site for US Senior Open.

Chris Murman – left, Jody Bellflower - right.

Milledgeville’s most celebrated and successful golfer, Jody Bellflower, could scarcely have imagined when he was a middle-schooler, that he would one day ignite the resurgence of his own career as a recent 50-year-old eligible golfer on the Champions Tour circuit.

Ernie Els – left, Jody Bellflower - right.

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

Carl Pyle, the decision to walk away from golf was cemented.

“I sold all my clubs, equipment, memorabilia and didn’t touch a golf club for over 3 years,” he explained. Today, Bellflower holds a senior management role at CBA and has relished the chance to watch his sons blossom at his alma maters; Brandon as a senior pitcher on the baseball team at GC, and Blake taking on golf at JMA. In time, with encouragement from his father along with CBA President Jack Daniel, he took several cautious steps back to playing golf. Following a tournament appearance at the Georgia Open Championship with a borrowed set of clubs in 2012, Bellflower then obliged requests from Georgia Military College (GMC) Athletic Director, Bert Williams, to assist coaching the golf team, and from TCLS Golf Professional David Franklin to help with youth clinics.

He soon found his playing rounds with GMC players stoking his old competitive fires as well as improving his game.

Now staring down the magic age of 50 and eligibility for the PGA Champions Tour, he concedes, “It had been in the back of my mind for a while. I was planning on trying to go through

Champions Q School last year, but the Covid pandemic cancelled it.” With another year to prepare, Bellflower joined his son Brandon in a regimented exercise and fitness program.

He also developed a consistent practice and playing schedule at Lake Oconee’s Reynolds Plantation courses through the accommodation of an old friend from his HLCC days, Lane Strickland, the Vice-President of Agronomy.

Readying now for the trip to Omaha and The U.S. Senior Open, the expectation was simply to enjoy the experience in the company of Jill, now his biggest supporter, and renew some old acquaintances. With that relaxed mindset, Bellflower’s opening day score of 75 encouraged him to contemplate the cut- line for weekend play. The following day, a birdie at his penultimate hole placed him on that exact number, but a missed 4-foot par putt at the last seemed to signal the end of his week.

As he was clearing his locker for the trip home, trying to remember that his expectations were just to enjoy the week, he received two visits that boosted his spirits. Playing partner that day, former PGA champion Jeff Sluman, paused to congratulate him on his performance and his demeanor with fans. “I really appreciated Jeff’s words, and that he took notice that I had thanked people for their support,” he said.

The second visit was from USGA official, Jason Gore. “He thought the cut line was going to move higher in the afternoon, and that is what happened,” he said. Bags unpacked, Fall-Winter 2021

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Bellflower settled into a comfort zone and posted 2-over par on the weekend, moving up 20 spots for his ultimate 46th place finish.

A hero’s welcome awaited him at a TCLS reception in his honor the following week with more than 100 club members, and family and friends in attendance. “It was extremely gratifying to be recognized and appreciated in my hometown by so many people I had known for a long time,” he said.

A schedule of regular practice, coupled with a handful of tournament appearances, will precede entering the Champions Tour qualifying series along with the ultimate goal of reaching Final Stage Q School December 7-10 in Tampa, FL, and status to compete on the 2022 Champions Tour.

With a supportive family and hometown fan base, Bellflower seeks to re-awaken the youthful dreams of a 21-year-old, employing golf’s ultimate metaphor - the mulligan, a second chance to begin again. HMLM

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Park It Downtown 50

Milledgeville Living Magazine

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Bollywood Taco fuses Indian and Mexican Cuisine in order to give you the most exciting food in Middle Georgia.

Open for Lunch and Dinner.

All day Happy Hour on Thursdays.

Bolly Brunch served on Weekends.

107 W Hancock St Milledgeville, Georgia 31061 (478) 295-3200

Bollywood Tacos comAmici is a popular bines Indian and Mexidowntown restaurant can cuisine exquisitely. that attracts locals, visitors, and the student Build your own tacos, crowd with delicious order from the delightful menu, enjoy delicious pizza, chicken wings, drinks, and experience salads, sandwiches, great customer service beer & cocktails. Our Italian inspired recipes all at Bollywood Tacos. are sure to be a hit with Don’t miss the ALL DAY HAPPY HOUR Thursyour crowd. days and Bolly Bruch weekends!

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Enjoy the beautiful, brick-walled eatery & bar serving classic & creative pizza, calzones, pastas & sandwiches. It is our constant goal to keep our customers bellies full and their hearts happy by providing the best food possible, as well as the most vibrant and amiable staff around.

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Serving fresh food for lunch, dinner, and late night.

Join us every Friday from 6-9 for acoustic music featuring various local artists.

120 W Hancock St Milledgeville, Ga 31061

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Breakfast Brunch Lunch 117 W Hancock St Milledgeville, Ga 31061

Follow us on facebook to keep up with our upcoming events and specials.

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Since 1999, Buffington’s Restaurant & Bar has been a favorite Milledgeville spot to eat and enjoy time with family and friends. We believe in serving real food made from scratch and cooked fresh to order. Pair this with our friendly customer service, and you know it will always be better “In the Buff!”

The Local Yolkal Cafe is widely known for the fabulous breakfast, brunch and lunch menu including tantalizing options ranging from Eggs Benedict, Breakfast sandwiches, Omelets, Waffles & Pancakes to delicious lunch items Shrimp & Grits, Burgers & Sandwiches, Salads and Daily Specials. Also serving delightful adult beverages to pair with Brunch or Lunch.

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

Linda's Attic AND

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Antique Emporium

Looking for a Treasure at the right price?

Come visit Linda’s Attic for your home treasures or gifts.

Enjoy Your Favorite Mediterranean Cuisine in all of Middle Georgia 138 N Wayne St Milledgeville, Georgia (478) 452-0247

Open Saturday 10-4pm or by Appointment.

You may also visit us on Facebook.

478-453-8158

A beautiful building stocked with many old and unique antiques!

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Enjoy the best Middle Georgia Mediterranean food at Metropolis Cafe.

Metropolis has many healthy dishes, with a menu of Greek, Mediterranean & Indian food, served with refreshing drinks. Remember to include a side of hummus with your meal. Be sure to come in on Thursdays and try the homemade curry and naan. Come enjoy our back patio!

GREAT TO

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MvilleMainSt Fall-Winter 2021

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

Anna’s Gift

A First United Methodist Church Ministry for Families with Special Needs

by Dana Lowe

W

hen Samantha Weldon started graduate school at the University of Georgia, her cohort consisted of four young women. One was named Anna Butler.

Over the course of getting their master’s degrees, working fulltime in a model classroom in Clarke County, and managing severe problem behaviors, these four women grew extremely close. None of them would know the impact they had on one another until they tragically lost Butler in December 2020 from an asthma attack. She was only 28 years old.

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Anna’s Gift, a new ministry at First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Milledgeville, is named after Butler, who was an incredible champion for children with disabilities. While excelling in her academic career, Butler was only one semester away from receiving her PhD when she passed away.

Weldon says, “I was heartbroken, and Anna’s Gift was born out of my grief for her. Developing this ministry, along with assistance from Brittney Lerzo, the children and family minister at FUMC, helped me grieve this loss. Anna’s Gift is the result of my desire to honor her in a meaningful way,” adds Weldon.

The primary focus of Anna’s Gift is to offer a quarterly Parent’s Night Out to families with a child(ren) who are experiencing a disability. “We want to provide parents with 2 - 3 hours to take care of themselves, whatever that may look like, and for the children to have a night full of fun. Some parents use this break to go out to dinner, catch a movie, engage in a hobby, or simply go grocery shopping.

Every parent is different in the way they relax, and we want them to come back recharged and refreshed.

Weldon continues, “Parents of children will disabilities have a higher rate of divorce, and it is often challenging to find a babysitter who is familiar with children who have special needs. Some of these children are non-verbal or have physical or other sensory deficits.

Finding someone who is trained to take care of these needs is difficult. This is where Anna’s Gift steps in.”

Weldon has always had passion for children with disabilities, so it’s no surprise that her career involves working with special needs children. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in special education, both from the University of Georgia. She is a board-certified behavior analyst and is the owner of Pure Heart Behavioral Therapy.

Weldon serves children and families in Baldwin, Putnam, Hancock, and Wilkinson counties, so she sees the the babysitting challenges that parents face.

Before moving to Milledgeville, Weldon volunteered with Buddy Break, a similar program at a church in Loganville, Georgia. She says, “Buddy Break was well attended, and it was a wonderful resource for parents. I want to replicate it here in Milledgeville.”

Lerzo says it was Weldon’s passion that sparked the idea, and FUMC saw a need in the community that is not being met. “We always want to open up our church to families, and we decided to add Anna’s Gift to our list of ministries. It’s been a welcome addition, and we have 10-15 volunteers who assist with the Parents Night Out.” According to Lerzo, the children’s activities include games, crafts, and music. “Samantha and I hope to have a theme for each Parents Night Out,” she says. The first night out is planned for this fall.”

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

Mandy Sibilsky and her husband Bo have twin daughters, one of whom has Down Syndrome. Sibilsky says she and Bo are blessed with family close by and great employees at their business (Stacked Sandwiches and More) who often help them with babysitting.

“It can be hard to find people who are comfortable with special needs children and familiar with their unique challenges.

When you have a special needs child, you become super aware of the differences between your child and other children. We have a friend who has a son with autism, and we have talked about our concerns with finding someone who knows how to handle children with special needs. Anna’s Gift is a huge blessing to our community,” adds Sibilsky.

Due to the limitations of space, resources and volunteers, there is an application process for families participating in Anna’s Gift.

If a child requires medical assistance (e.g. feeding tube) as well as those who engage in severe maladaptive behaviors, Anna’s Gift will not be able to accommodate them at this time.

Siblings of a child with disabilities are welcome, too! All children participating must be ages 10 and under. Due to dietary constraints and food allergies, parents will need to provide the food for their child(ren) for the evening. Anna’s Gift can only offer the food that parents provide for their child(ren).

If you are interested in volunteering or need more information, please contact Anna’s Gift at annasgiftministry@gmail.com..

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Index of Advertisers ACS - Air Conditioning Specialist, Inc................Back cover Amici........................................................................................51 Animal Hospital of Milledgeville.........................................21 ATC Locksmith......................................................................43 Atrium Health Navicent........................................................35 Bollywood Tacos.....................................................................51 Buffington’s..............................................................................52 Cansino Law Firm LLC.........................................................21 CASA.......................................................................................39 Century Bank & Trust.......................... Inside front cover, 32 Charcool Heating & Cooling................................................19 Coldwell Banker SSK - Kimi Clements...............................19 Community Health Care.......................................................38 Dance in the Spirit..................................................................15 Dr. Frank Arnold & Associates...................Inside back cover Exchange Bank........................................................................25 Galloway’s Floor Décor..........................................................52 Georgia Dermatology............................................................37 Georgia Military College................................................. 30-31

Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion & Gift Shop.................11 Heart of Georgia Animal Care.............................................25 Heritage Tax & Accounting Services LLC.............................7 Ivey’s Tire Company...............................................................11 Jerry Huellemeier - Burns Gore Realty...............................13 John Milledge Academy........................................................27 Lake Sinclair Storage..............................................................29 Lifescapes Photography.........................................................38 Linda’s Attic.............................................................................53 Metropolis Café......................................................................53 Milledgeville Main Street......................................................53 Pamlico Pool Company.........................................................13 Peach State Nursing Agency.................................................36 Serenity Physical Therapy & Wellness.................................35 Sinclair Marina.........................................................................3 Skin Care Physicians of Georgia...........................................34 The Brick..................................................................................51 The Local Yolkal......................................................................52 Tri-County EMC....................................................................19 Williams Funeral Home........................................................43

To advertise in our next issue call 770-789-8189 or email wjr@ieservicegroup.com

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Milledgeville Living Magazine

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Milledgeville BALDWIN COUNT Y

Fall-Winter 2021

The Premier Milledgeville-Baldwin County Magazine

L I V I N G

Jody Bellflower Legendary Milledgeville Golfer Tees Up for the Next Round

Milledgeville Celebrates

The Nutcracker 25th Annual Production at Georgia College