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D E C E M B E R 2 02 3

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Merry Christmas!

December 2023 PUBLISHER

Jana Morris | jana.morris@citylifestyle.com EDITOR IAL COOR DINATOR

Bailey Hall | bailey.hall@citylifestyle.com

The holidays are here, and as the spirit of the season is among us, we often try to replicate what made the season feel so magical to us in our youth. The traditions we set for our own families often mirror some of what we experienced as a child whether it is the smells, the sounds, the lights, the holiday activities or a combination of it all that reflect that best. This month, we wanted to highlight the magic of the season and what our city has to offer that helps spread holiday cheer. We’ve compiled a gift guide to make your shopping easier and also supports our local businesses. We also wanted to share what our area has to offer this holiday season for entertainment and ways to give back. While this season can be beautiful for some, it can be painful and lonely for others, especially those who have recently lost a loved one. In the true spirit of the season, let’s take care of those in our community that need assistance or who are alone. My hope for you this season is that you feel love and peace and that we all remember to take care of each other, extending grace, empathy, and love. Merry Christmas!

BAILEY HALL, EDITOR @ C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E A U G U S TA

ADMINISTR ATIVE DIR ECTOR

Daniel Morris INTER N

Daria Terry CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Bailey Hall, Daria Terry, Leann Parker CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Carter Koenig Photography, Ethan Bates, Jeri Ann Photography, Leann Parker

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise

Scan QR code to visit our Instagram C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E .C O M /AU G U S TA |

Proverbs 3:5-6 Augusta City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Augusta area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Augusta City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

DECEMBER 2023

inside the issue The Holidays & Giving Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

12 Holiday Cheese and Dessert Board

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Culinary Creations FO O D + B E V E R AG E

Local Limelight LI FE + C U LT U R E

How To A RTS + C U LT U R E

Gift Guide S HO PPI NG

Giving Back LI FE + C U LT U R E

Events

Build this festive board for all of your Christmas parties

16 Christmas Memories

Hear from three local families as they share their favorite Christmas memories and traditions

26 Christmas Gift Guide Find the perfect gift for Christmas

28 The City Lifestyle Giving Campaign

O N T H E C OV E R

Amy Breitmann and her daughter Shelby

DECEMBER 2023

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen. 1

7 5

1-7: Congratulations to the Class of 2025 on receiving their class rings at the Augusta Christian Schools Class Ring Ceremony!

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DECEMBER 2023

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses. Augusta Dream Center Celebrates 7th Anniversary Over the past seven years, the Augusta Dream Center has fed tens of thousands of people hot meals and provided them with life’s basic needs! Thank you to all the people who have volunteered their time and resources to make this possible. You have truly made Augusta a better place! To learn more about the Augusta Dream Center, visit augustadreamcenter.org.

Kyle’s Kritters Nichole Tootle’s son, Kyle, passed away on November 27th, 2020. The hospital recorded his heartbeat and gave his family a heartbeat bear with the recording in it. Last year, Nichole learned that the hospital had run out of these bears so she asked friends for donations and raised enough money to donate 200 bears in November 2022. Nichole recently started Kyle’s Kritters so that she can donate bears year round and eventually reach more hospitals. To learn more about Kyle’s Kritters, visit www.kyleskritters.com

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D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUG USTA

Holiday Cheese and Dessert Board B U I L D T H I S F E S T I V E B O A R D F O R A L L O F YO U R C H R I S T M A S PA R T I E S

This cheese and dessert board is easy to make, delicious, and best of all - requires no cooking! Chef Megan Alig of Creative Cuisine crafted this board as the perfect dish for Christmas parties. It’s full of sweet treats, yummy cheeses, fresh fruits, and the rosemary sprigs give it the appearance of a Christmas wreath! Chef Megan can help you this holiday season with everything from private dinners to catering. Visit her website creativecuisinechefmegan.com or call (706)267-2876.

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ETHAN BATES

What You’ll Need Three Types of Cheese One round cheese cut into triangles (brie, borgonzola, or camembert are great options), one goat cheese (you can buy flavored ones or use homemade), and one sharp white cheddar (we used a cranberry white cheddar). Cookies and Candies Use any sweet treats you like - we used cookies, macaroons, and butter cookies. Fresh Fruit Use any seasonal fruits you like. Fresh berries are always a hit! Honey We used a lemon curd mixed with honey for a bit of flare. Jam Use your favorite jam, we used a sour cranberry jam. Nuts Almonds or cashews are great options! Rosemary Sprigs The rosemary sprigs are essential, we used about fifty sprigs. Two Trays You will need two circular trays, one large and one small.

Directions: Step One: Lay out the large round tray and arrange the rosemary sprigs along the edge, place the small board in the center. Step Two: Place the bowls of honey and jellies on the tray and arrange the cheese, fruits, and sweets around them. The key when building a cheese board is to not arrange everything perfectly or in straight lines. Fill in any gaps with nuts and dried fruits. Refrigerate until 30 minutes before you are ready to serve and enjoy the party!

D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUG USTA

Christmas Memories HEAR FROM THREE LOCAL FAMILIES AS THEY SHARE THEIR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MEMORIES AND TRADITIONS

Photography Credit: Jeri Ann Photography

ARTICLE BY DARIA TERRY

Merry Christmas! Christmas is a time when we can spend meaningful hours and days with family and friends as we resurrect older family traditions and memories while we create new ones for the future. In my home, our family, both near and far, gather together to watch our favorite Christmas movies as we build collapsing gingerbread houses and bake tons of Christmas treats! Festivities continue on from the first light until the day comes to an end. Here are three local families who’ve also decided to share their precious Christmas memories and traditions with us!

SENATOR LEE AND DONNA ANDERSON Every year on Christmas Eve, our family would gather, and this always included Lee’s mom and dad! Even after Lee’s mom passed away, Lee’s dad came over for every Christmas, and every year he would tell the kids the story of Christmas by heart, scripture by scripture. Everyone would hang on his every word, and you could hear a pin drop. It would end with the most wonderful prayer and the kids would dress as the three wise men. That was the heart of our Christmases. He passed away in 2009 but continued that up until 2008. It was just so special to us!

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | L IFE + CULTURE

Photography Credit: Carter Koenig Photography

PASTOR WILL AND SARA DYER The Christmas Eve service at First Baptist Church of Augusta is one of my favorite moments during the holiday season. We sing the songs of Christmas and read the Nativity story from the Gospel of Luke. At the end, everyone raises their lit candle into the air as we sing the final verses of Silent Night. I stand at the front of the Sanctuary and look out to see thirteen hundred candles raised while voices proclaim the goodness of God. That moment never ceases to amaze me. It is a poignant reminder of the heart of Christmas. That because of the birth of Christ, the light has shone into the darkness, and the world has forever been changed.

AMY BREITMANN Our daughter, Shelby, was born on Christmas morning. When she was three, our church began to light candles during the song “Silent Night.” Shelby asked me, innocently, “Are they all going to sing Happy Birthday to me?” I softly replied. “No, honey. We are going to sing to Jesus first.” Shelby was our best Christmas gift and a true miracle as I was facing ovarian cancer at the same time she was born. We both survived and now savor every Christmas memory. She has always cherished sharing the day with Jesus and so have we!

D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUG USTA

MARKET UPDATE

West Augusta/Martinez

November 2023 Home Sales

Active Homes For sale

201

Price Per SQFT

$139

Days on Market (DOM)

I am delighted to bring you the latest market update, ensuring that you remain well-informed about the dynamic West Augusta / Martinez real estate market.

Avg. Price

34 $340,000

Months of Inventory

4.2

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MERRY

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DIY HOLIDAY GIFTING Cookie Mix

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEANN PARKER

H OW TO | A RTS + CU LTU RE

Hot Cocoa

DIY Jar gifts are a thoughtful way to share holiday cheer this season. These particular jar gifts require JUST ADD WATER as instructions for an easy homemade gift that anyone would love to receive. CONTINUED > D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUG USTA

Breakfast Jar

COOKIE MIX JAR

POTPOURRI JAR

• store bought cookie mix (labeled add water only). Include instructions to add water and bake (use amount and bake time as instructed on the package you purchased).

• pine cones • dried or fresh greens • dried citrus • cinnamon sticks • star anise • whole cloves Add instructions to place contents into a pot on the stove with 8 cups of water. Simmer low for a wonderful holiday aroma.

HOT COCOA JAR • hot cocoa mix • chocolate chips • mini marshmallows Instructions: over stove top, bring water (or milk) to a simmer. Add cocoa mix and stir until chocolate chips have melted. Top with marshmallows. Enjoy!

BREAKFAST JAR • pancake mix • maple syrup Include instructions to add water and bake (use amount and bake time as instructed on the package you purchased). Top with warmed maple syrup.

H OW TO | A RTS + CU LTU RE

CANDLE JAR • Floating candle • Greens • Dried citrus and berries Add water to the jar and light candle to enjoy on a dark winter night. LeAnn can’t wait to see what you create and give to your family and friends. Tag her on IG @silvertoothhome and #silvertoothhome so she can share. Happy Holidays!

Potpourri Jar

Candle Jar

D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUG USTA

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gift guide ARTICLE BY BAILEY HALL

Christmas Gift Guide FIND THE PERFECT GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS

G IF T GU ID E | SHOPPIN G

gifts for all 1.

1. Vahan is luxury jewelry that makes a statement, Martinez Gold. 2. E + E Bronze Stocking Holders, CSCM Interior Design & Furniture.

3. Georgia embossed oak wooden box drink set with decanter holder, drinking glasses, coasters, and rock no melt ice, Fan Zone. 4. Individually hand-beaded Mary Frances bags, Signature Soles. 5. Artwork hand painted in Augusta, GA, Z Studio, Artwork by Carrie. 6. Brand new Nitto tires, All About Trucks and Autos.

D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUG USTA

The City Lifestyle

Giving Campaign

2023 28

G IV IN G BAC K | L IFE + CULTURE

“

This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”

The annual City Lifestyle Giving Campaign is in its 4th year. Last holiday season we gave away over $300,000 to help 116 individuals and families in need, but we need your help to make it happen again this year. With nominations flooding in from community members and leaders such as judges, police officers, teachers, nurses, social workers, mentors and readers like you, we were able to reach people who might otherwise go unnoticed. Perhaps you know of a single parent struggling to provide for their family, an elderly person who has experienced loss, someone enduring a health issue, a co-worker suffering a sudden, unexpected tragedy or a neighbor with a financial hardship who has fallen between the cracks of getting assistance. Chances are you know someone with a specific need, even if no one else does. “We believe in giving back and serving the communities where we live in a real and tangible way,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “This Giving Campaign is about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them during this holiday season.” “We believe God has blessed our company with continued success, so we in turn want to be a blessing to others,” Matthew Perry, President of City Lifestyle adds. City Lifestyle has also enacted an internal giving program whereby every employee in the company receives $100 to give away to someone in the community. “The idea is to encourage our employees to keep giving on their own,” Steven says. “Taking care of one another and blessing others is truly rewarding and it perpetuates a cycle of giving. It’s extremely important to me as a person and as a company to foster a culture of generosity.”

Scan Code to

Nominate Nominations accepted Nov. 27 – Dec. 10, 2023

Follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram for reminders! To submit a nomination, follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram and fill out the form found in the bio link. All entries will be read, and because this is not a raffle, there is no need to nominate someone more than once. The amount given to each recipient will be based on need. All nominations and recipients will be kept confidential. D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUG USTA

DECEMBER 2023

events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area. DECEMBER 7TH - 10 TH

Hayride Through the Life of Christ

C O LUMB I A C O UNT Y FA I R G R O UNDS Sharon Baptist Church presents the Hayride Through the Life of Christ. This free event offers a unique presentation that will carry you through a special performance centered around the “Reason for the Season.” Enjoy hot chocolate, music, and a kids corner. This hayride is held on December 7th through the 10th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

DECEMBER 7TH - 10 TH

The Singing Christmas Tree presented by Abilene Baptist Church

A B I L E NE B A P T I ST C H URC H There will be five presentations of The Singing Christmas Tree from Thursday, December 7th through Sunday, December 10th. Enjoy uplifting music, dazzling lights, a 28-foot Christmas tree, and nearly 200 singers, musicians, and cast members! Free tickets are available for pickup at the Abilene Christian Life Center or downloaded online from iTickets.com for a $1 convenience fee.

DECEMBER 10 TH

Holidays with the Symphony

H A R DI N AUDI TO R I UM An Augusta Symphony tradition! From Sleigh Ride to Jingle Bells: sing along to your favorite tunes CONTINUED >

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EVENTS CONTINUED

and ring in the season with the entire family. To purchase tickets, visit augustasymphony.com.

DECEMBER 14 TH

Christmas Recital to benefit Allison’s Race

H A R DI N AUDI TO R I UM Come enjoy a delightful Christmas Piano Recital, all for a good cause – supporting Allison’s Race! Allison Lillie was injured in a car accident in August and 100% of the money raised will go towards Allison’s medical bills. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

DECEMBER 17TH

Movies at the Miller: The Muppet Christmas Carol

MI L L E R T H E AT E R Bring your family for a free showing of The Muppet Christmas Carol at the Miller Theater! Admission is free but you will need a ticket to enter. Tickets are available at the Miller Theater box office. Movie starts at 4:00pm.

DECEMBER 25TH

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas from the Augusta City Lifestyle team! We hope you have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends!

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Augusta

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