I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. This issue is always one of my favorites. I suppose because of the immense joy that children bring to their families and the significant impact they make on their communities.
Children are not merely the hope for a brighter tomorrow; they are the foundation upon which our society stands. Their innocence, curiosity, and boundless potential have the power to shape the world in ways we can only imagine. Kids represent our hardest work and greatest investment and we are happy to highlight the best for Evans kids in this issue.
Secondarily, who could forget pets? This special kind of companionship can be a transformative experience for children and adults alike. Pets provide us with unconditional love, the opportunity to learn, grow and develop essential life skills in a nurturing environment. And who could ignore the bond between kids and their furry or feathery friends? The bond is often deep and meaningful, fostering qualities like empathy, responsibility, and companionship.
Although children are of infinitely more value, what children and pets share in common is that they need us. Our care, attention and intention shapes how they are raised and who they become. We hope this issue inspires you to pour a little extra into the children and pets in your life this month.
Cheers!
JANA MORRIS, PUBLISHER @EVANS.LIFESTYLE
PUBLISHER
Jana Morris | jana.morris@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Bailey Hall | bailey.hall@citylifestyle.com
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Collin Beasley | collin.beasley@citylifestyle.com
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Daniel Morris
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Bailey Hall, Genie Byrd, Michelle W. Parnell
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Danielle Franklin Photography, James Byrd, Jerry Woods
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein
CONTROLLER Gary Johnson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
Where neighbors can see and be seen.
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Rally Point Grille is a place where all are welcome, but Veterans and First Responders will be honored. A place where Veterans can sit and tell their story! Rally Point Grille is now open and they are located at 4446 Washington Road, Ste. 10 in Evans. Follow them on Facebook to learn more about them and the food they serve.
Amanda Strausser from Education Travel & Culture is searching for families to host super excited, English speaking exchange students! Students are arriving for the new school year and can't wait to meet their American families! If you would like more information about hosting an exchange student, contact Amanda at 803-292-5903.
Registration for Columbia County kids fall sports ends on August 4th! Visit bit.ly/CCsportsreg to register for Baseball ages 4 - 15, Soccer ages 4-17, Softball ages 7-12, Volleyball ages 9-15, Flag Football ages 5-6, Tackle Football ages 7-12, Cheerleading ages 5-12, Tennis ages 6-18.
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Evans
Tucked away in the small town of Harlem, GA, there is a place where rescued birds can start over and have a second chance for a happy and well-loved life. Feathered Friends Forever, a Veteran founded 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, is a companion bird rescue and sanctuary that currently cares for around 300 tropical parrots that have been abused, abandoned, lost, or surrendered. It’s 100% volunteer run by a group of people who are dedicated to taking care of this big flock. Anyone can become a volunteer, no previous experience is necessary, just a love for birds! As a volunteer, you can help by working with the birds, cleaning the cages, changing the food and water bowls, helping maintain the landscape, and so much more. Some of the birds at Feathered Friends Forever are available for adoption, while some have special needs that require care for the rest of their lives. Over the past 22 years, Feathered Friends Forever has found loving homes for over 1,000 feathered friends.
Bob Courtwright, a volunteer at Feathered Friends Forever, tells us that running the sanctuary and making sure there’s food and all the supplies needed to care for the birds is very expensive. Donations are always needed to help cover these costs. Feathered Friends Forever is located at 612 Byrd Road in Harlem and they are open to the public every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Admission to tour the sanctuary is by donation. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, adopting a bird, or wanting to learn more information about the sanctuary, visit their website featheredfriendsforever.org. Follow Feathered Friends Forever on Facebook to see updates and more pictures of the birds currently at the sanctuary. Oscar Eclectus is a rescue and even has his own Facebook page!
The Shade Tree A’s Model A Ford Club was formed by a group of Model A Ford owners in North Augusta. Soon after, the club was established as a Chapter of the Model A Ford Club of America (MAFCA) on June 17, 1973. They celebrated their 50th anniversary this past June with a car show where forty-eight Model A Fords were displayed with some even traveling all the way from Charleston, Jacksonville, and Tennessee.
The club members have rebuilt their cars to keep them in working shape and look as if they just drove off of the car lot. “There are fewer and fewer people that know how to do that. It’s becoming a lost art,” says Matt Barrett, a member of The Shade Tree A’s and owner of a 1931 Model A Victoria Leatherback. “One of our members, Gerald Melchiors, took a hardtop Buick from the 60s and cut the top off of it and turned it into a convertible car. Some of these people are so talented, they can do almost anything when it comes to cars,” says Matt. The group
is full of new and long-time members, including one who has been in the club for 50 years, and they are all dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Model A Ford.
Henry Ford released the Model A after discontinuing the Model T, which looked similar but is built completely differently. The Model T was only available in black and Henry’s son, Edsel Ford, told his father that they should expand their color options after noticing how quickly other brands’ vehicles were selling.
Nearly five million Model A Fords in a variety of body styles were produced between 1928 and 1931 and the first Model A was sold on December 2, 1927. It was available in four standard colors: Niagara Blue, Arabian Sand, Dawn Grey, and Gun Metal Blue. Only a few of these cars exist in working order today and Matt tells us that when he takes his for a drive, people all around are smiling, waving, and taking pictures.
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ARTICLE BY BAILEY HALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERRY WOODS
The group is full of new and long-time members, including one who has been in the club for 50 years, and they are all dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Model A Ford.
The Shade Tree A’s Model A Ford Club meets on the second Monday of every month at 7pm, except August and December, to discuss club functions, Model A technical issues, upcoming events, and to socialize. The club is open to everybody who loves Model A Fords and wants to learn more about them. For more information about the club, please visit shadetreeas.org
Do you know someone who has done something amazing in the community? Nominate them by emailing bailey.hall@citylifestyle.com.
ARTICLE BY BAILEY HALL AND MICHELLE W. PARNELL PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDEDAnnabelle Walden just celebrated her 7th birthday but instead of asking for toys, she wanted to use her special day as an opportunity to give back. She asked for dog toys and food for her birthday and donated all of the items to the Columbia County Animal Services. Annabelle tells us that when she grows up, she wants to work at a pet store so she can be with the pets everyday.
Columbia County Animal Services is located at 1940 William Few Pkwy. For more information, to make a donation, or to adopt a new pet, call (706)541-4077 or visit columbiacountyga.gov/ community/animals.
Taji Johnson, a nine year old boy from Trenton, started Taji’s Tents wanting to help others in need. After volunteering and serving food to the homeless, he was heartbroken and wanted to help. “I always tell my children that if you see something you don’t like, we do something about it,” says Chemikia Johnson, Taji’s mom. “I thought, and thought, and thought, and then I came up with tents to protect them from stuff like fires, floods, and rain,” says Taji. Taji began raising money to purchase the tents and now has bought over $13,000 worth of tents!
Follow Taji’s Tents on Facebook or Instagram @tajis_tents to learn more or to make a donation.
Hope for Hooves Rescue is an equine and other farm animal rescue that was started by Michelle Derrick. “Once I had the rescue up and running, the Lord began giving me ideas of how to raise money to support the rescue and one of those was the Resonating with the Rescues program,” she explains. “It is a ninety-minute one-on-one mentorship program that provides a safe place for children to bond with the animals and with one of our facilitators,” says Michelle. Children who are autistic, have been abused, or have been rescued from trafficking are able to visit the farm and help care for the animals.
For more information on programs offered, volunteer opportunities, and details on supporting the rescue, visit hopeforhooves.org or follow Hope for Hooves Rescue on Facebook.
Katherine’s Way
Offered through 143 Ministries, Katherine’s Way serves women battling addictions. The outreach includes an intensive 90-day recovery program followed by the opportunity for women to live in a transitional home for six to nine months. However, many women cannot afford the cost of the program on their own. “What we find is when women are ready to come to treatment, there are no funds to send them,” shares Robin. “Families are often willing to help, but usually they can't because they're left with taking care of the woman’s children.”
A scholarship fund, supported by community donations and the annual Miles of Miracles 5K Color Run fundraiser, helps meet this need. “It's a way for the community to sow into these women because during the program, we equip them to go into the community as functioning people of society,” says Robin. “The very women that they may be sowing into could potentially be an employee or neighbor in their future.”
The Miles of Miracles 5K Color Run is scheduled for August 19, 2023. To register visit active.com or to become a sponsor of the event, visit 143ministries.org.
Challenge and encouragement from a veteran educator as a new school year begins
ARTICLE BY GENIE BYRD | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Rest tonight, although you may wish summer could last longer. Forget the anticipation of welcoming new team members, sharing new happenings, and double checking your classroom. You are ready to return to your other home—your school.
Some educators will walk onto campuses knowing changes have taken place. You are a professional. Adapt at meeting whatever you face. Some may be experiencing sadness with staff member transfers. Others may be adjusting to personal loss, learning to be a new parent, or other changes. Yet, even with changes, there is the same constant: you will commit to your calling and determine not to lose focus on your goals.
Educators face a myriad of views, opinions, and strong feelings among people who are and are not directly involved in education. It can be challenging to determine which voices to listen to and which to ignore. We have many supporters who appreciate our dedication and are cheering us on, and others with strong opposing opinions. Social media, negativity and critics of our educational institution must not be allowed to destroy our focus as positive agents of change.
As school personnel, we have answers for these outside stressors that draw our attention and energy away from the crucial work with our students. Remember:
WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM, and it’s up to us to have each other’s back. It will not be warm and fuzzy 100% of the time, and teachers will not always see eye to eye. Administrators will never be able to make every single teacher happy with every single decision. Personalities may clash. You may not have a “teacher bestie.” It might be hard work. BUT, these people - classroom teachers, administrators, instructional assistants, coaches, music and art specialists, school nurses, guidance counselors, exceptional student support personnel, behavior specialists, social workers, compliance officers, school psychologists, safety officers, office staff, custodians - THESE ARE OUR PEOPLE. These are the people who know what we really do, because we’re doing it together. Despite our differences surrounding education, our common purpose is to impact the lives of students and help set them on the path toward a bright future.
A CULTURE OF UNITY develops as through our mutual compassion, understanding, and respect. Speak well of one another in the teacher’s even the storage closet. Encourage the newbies and veterans alike. Talk with your administrator when you need understanding. Give each other the benefit of the doubt. Give praise! Listen to and value each other. When criticism comes from the outside, your mindset remains focused on one job . . . the children.
The success of your students will start with your welcome on the first day of arrival. Their apprehensions and insecurities about a new grade and new teacher will melt as they discover your patience, love, and support. Children are perceptive and will quickly know if the welcome mat is real. Oh, that each child may feel so welcomed that tense shoulders will relax, eyes will shine, smiles will come easy, and whispers will be heard . . . “I’m glad I’m in this classroom, and I have this teacher!”
Please feel prayers and support from our community. We wish for YOU bountiful blessings, sweet peace, strong perseverance, fresh excitement, unlimited creativity, great insight, and unending stamina throughout this school year. We believe in you and are thankful for you. YOU ARE AN EDUCATOR WITH A CALLING! Stand strong, remember self-compassion, believe in yourself and trust your higher power.
Thanks to family members/educators Dr. Kelley Mondi, Gale Ard, Heather Byrd, Katharine and Glen Smith and mentor Peggy Hollis, for their contributions.
Genie Byrd is a retired teacher, counselor and administrator. Her passion is being an encourager. Genie and James live in Augusta, GA where Genie enjoys writing character building children’s books, working with Project Linus and the Azalea Garden Club, teaching piano, traveling, hosting a small church group, sharing in marriage retreats and speaking engagements, teaching writing tips at local schools, and celebrating family near and far. She can be reached at 770-364-1248 for school or civic speaking engagements. Genie’s children’s books are on Amazon.
N Bee Tween is a locally owned boutique designed exclusively for girls ages 4-16. We have curated a collection that both teens love, and mom approves; from trendy outfits to comfortable everyday wear, we’ve got it all covered. 706
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A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.
AUGUST 2ND, 9TH, 16TH, 23RD, 30TH Wacky Wednesday Storytime
BARNES AND NOBLE
Kids of all ages are invited to attend weekly “Wacky” storytime at Barnes and Noble.
AUGUST 5TH-6TH Gun Show
COLUMBIA COUNTY EXHIBITION CENTER
If you are a gun collector, or a hunting enthusiast, the gun show at the Columbia County Exhibition Center is a great place to spend some time. There will be a variety of vendors displaying guns, hunting supplies, military surplus and outdoor gear. Hours on the 5th are 9am to 5pm and on the 6th it’s 10am to 4pm.
AUGUST 5TH & 19TH
The Dinner Detective Dinner Show!
DOUBLETREE BY HILTON
HOTEL AUGUSTA | 6:00 PM
America’s largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner show will be at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on August 5th and 19th. Each admission includes a fantastic dinner, murder mystery entertainment, prize package for Top Sleuth, and much more! For more information and tickets, visit thedinnerdetective.com
AUGUST 24TH
THE ELKS LODGE | 5:30 PM
Business owners are invited to the CSRA Business Networking Event at the Elks Lodge on August 24th at 5:30pm. There will be food, a cash bar, and lots of local business owners to mingle with. Don’t forget to bring lots of business cards!
