Complimentary SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026 Volume 17 | Issue 5
Inspiring, Informing, Enriching
A Wellness Reality Check
Demystifying your metabolic health
Your Financial Identity Don’t let it shape your self-worth
The Perfect Autumn Abode
How to ready your roost for fall
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026 | VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 5
contents cover story 28
The Perfect Autumn Abode Tips for making your home warm and cozy this fall.
features 24 The Rise of Skill-Based Hobbies
How hobbies today have become about challenging yourself either mentally or physically.
26 The Midlife Metabolism Myth
Sorting the facts about your metabolic health and the ways it can make for a healthier, happier you.
30 The Man, The Myth, The Mystery
Excerpts from a biography on Rome native Telamon Cuyler, once called “the most mysterious man in Georgia.”
32 Fab Fall Hiking Spots
Recommended North Georgia walks fit for the season.
35 The Jimjam
A spooky Halloween poem.
departments 4
Letter From the Publisher Painting up a storm.
6
10
Happenings in our ’hood.
Pairing some tasty books with some tasty treats.
Calendar for Living
the trail: Hikes for getting out and enjoying North 32 Hit Georgia’s fall weather and scenery.
Dog Eared
2 | NW GEORGIA LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
12
Dollars & Sense
Money can measure a lot of things, but it should never measure your self-worth.
16
18
36
38
Getting to know Cartersville personal trainer Jennifer Plummer.
What makes Cherokee County, Georgia, fit for a fun family getaway.
Fall recipes that both taste good and are good for you.
Go to the gym or stay home? One man’s battle.
Community
Wanderlust
Get Cookin’
Robert’s World
Fall Fun Begins in
Mark Chesnutt
Fiddlin’ Fest free
Schnauzerfest
Forum River Center
Downtown Rome
Downtown Rome
September 12
October 3
October 30 - 31
More Fun Events Downtown Rome Free Concert free Roman Holiday Riverboat Tours Runningman Festival Rome Shakespeare Festival free Cave Spring Pig Out and Car Show Georgia’s Rome Plein Air Showcase Cave Spring Pickle Fest Haunted on Broad Trolley Tour Coffin Races & Halloween Parade Chili-fest & Harvest Market
September 4 September 6, October 18 September 18 - 20 September 23 - 27 September 26 October 3 October 10 October 16 - 17, 23 - 24 October 17 October 24
Scan to View More Events or Visit RomeGeorgia.org/Events
d LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
A New Hobby, A Younger Me
T
here’s something wonderful about being a beginner again. Maybe it’s learning to play chess, picking up an instrument, trying your hand at archery, taking a dance class, or discovering a creative pursuit you never thought you had time for. I discovered that feeling about a year ago when my best friend gave me an entire watercolor set, complete with a slew of brushes, canvases, and instructional books. As a child, I loved to draw and paint, so my friend’s gift brought back something I hadn’t thought about in years. But once I started, I discovered that watercolors aren’t really my medium. I much prefer acrylics. So, I began painting. I’ve done several paintings now, mostly using the newer paint-by-numbers kits. The canvases are surprisingly large, so I bought an easel that allows me to sit or stand while I work. The magazine’s creative director, who was an art major and paints as a hobby, encouraged me. She explained that painting by numbers is actually a wonderful way to learn about shadows, shading, and how colors work together. And she was right. What I didn’t expect was how fulfilling my new hobby would become. I tend to paint with a fairly heavy stroke — almost a little Van Gogh-inspired — and the more I paint, the more I can see my own style emerging. My last painting took me more than 40 hours to complete. My husband would watch me work on it at night, comment on how dedicated I was, and compliment my work. When I finally finished, I was incredibly proud of it. Even my college best friend, who was also an art major, was amazed at how well it turned out. Yes, it was a paint-bynumber, but I had created it. I spent hours attempting something new, and watched a blank canvas become something I’m proud to display. That, I think, is the real magic of a hobby. It isn’t necessarily about being talented. It’s about challenging yourself, getting better, and finding satisfaction in Just call me the paint-by-numbers Picasso. accomplishing something simply because it matters to you or brings you joy. There’s something remarkably eye-opening and energizing about being a beginner again. At 67, I’ve discovered that learning something new can make you feel younger. Not younger in years, but younger in spirit. It has brought back a little of that young girl who used to entertain herself for hours drawing and painting in her bedroom. That spirit runs throughout this issue. Our story “The Rise of Skill-Based Hobbies” (page 24) explores how to challenge yourself mentally and physically while learning something new. In “The Midlife Metabolism Myth” (page 26), we take a closer look at what really affects your metabolism and how you can become “stronger, leaner, and more vibrant than you have in years.” For me, painting has been a wonderful reminder that it’s never too late to acquire a new skill or to rediscover something you loved long ago. Sometimes, a new hobby doesn’t just give you something to do. Sometimes, it unlocks a younger you. 4 | NW GEORGIA LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
SEPT/OCT 2026 Volume 17 | Issue 5
Publisher and Founder Editor-in-Chief Laura Wood Erickson Editor Jill Becker Creative Director Andi Counts Designer Mackenzie Allanson Copy Editor Elin Woods Contributing Writers Jill Becker Gay Brownlee Jennifer M. Franklin Ande Frazier Carrie Karnes-Fannin Kathy Patrick Lillie Read Robert Smyth Elin Woods Web Master Veridian Design Group Sales Laura Wood Erickson wood.laura@yahoo.com Contact us at: (706) 346-9858 wood.laura@yahoo.com NW Georgia Living P.O. Box 72546 Marietta, GA 30007 We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. NW Georgia Living is published bimonthly by L. Wood LLC. Copyright © 2026. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be copied, scanned, or reproduced in any manner without prior written consent from the publisher.
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SEPT
d CALENDAR FOR LIVING
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Northwest Georgia Regional Fair
Sept 11-19 Hwy 53/Rome Road, Calhoun Includes nightly concerts, thrilling midway rides, livestock shows, pageants, animal exhibitions, magic shows, school band performances, and a grand parade. northwestgeorgiaregionalfair.com
Groove Fest
Sept 12, 5-10pm Downtown Cartersville A celebration of community, jazz, and R&B across generations. facebook.com/ blackbartowevents
Mark Chestnutt
Sept 12, 7pm Forum River Center, Rome Performance by the platinumselling country artist known for hits like “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” and “Brother Jukebox.” forumrivercenter.com/events
Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2 & Mozart Symphony No. 29
National Treasures
Thru Dec 6 Savoy Automobile Museum, Cartersville A first-of-its-kind exhibit featuring 8 of the 38 vehicles on the National Historic Vehicle Register, including a 1920 Anderson Six Convertible Roadster and a 1938 Maserati BCTF. savoymuseum.org
Sept 12, 7pm Rome City Auditorium, Rome The Rome Symphony Orchestra’s 105th season kicks off with a program including Mozart’s Symphony No. 29 and Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2, the latter featuring guest soloist Russell Woo. romesymphony.org
The Connection Car Show
Sept 12, 9am-3pm Savoy Automobile Museum, Cartersville An entertaining open-class
6 | NW GEORGIA LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
event for car enthusiasts and intrigued spectators alike. More than 350 cars from different makes, models, and eras will be on display. savoymuseum.org
Runningman Festival
Sept 18-20 Kingston Downs, Rome A three-day celebration of the active lifestyle. romegeorgia.org/event
Rome Shakespeare Festival
Sept 23-27 Downtown Rome The festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with free performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and more. romeshakespearefestival.com
Fall Ramble Home Tour
Copper Creek Farm Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
Sept 25-27 Various locations, Rome & Cave Spring The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation invites guests to step inside some of Northwest Georgia’s most stunning historic homes and sites. georgiatrust.org/tours-events/ fall-ramble
Guardians of the Jukebox
Cave Spring Pig Out and Car Show
Sept 19-Oct 31 Copper Creek Farm, Calhoun A beloved fall event boasting a giant corn maze, pumpkin patch, bubble barn, hayrides, farm animals, giant slides, and other family-friendly attractions. coppercreekfarm.com Sept 19, 7-9pm Bartow County Courthouse, Cartersville Free concert featuring the premier Atlanta-based ’80s tribute band. facebook.com/ downtowncartersville/events
Sept 26 Rolater Park, Cave Spring Activities include a barbecue cookoff, classic car and bike show, and arts and crafts vendors. romegeorgia.org/event
Holloway Hunny Pot Festival Great Locomotive Chase Festival Sept 26, 10am-3pm
OCT
Oct 2-4 Big Spring Park, Cedartown A tip of the hat to Cedartown’s Logtown, Adairsville own Sterling Holloway, the A local tradition original voice of Winniecommemorating the Great the-Pooh, plus arts and Locomotive Chase of 1862. crafts galore. The festivities include historical exhibits, live music, cedartowngeorgia.gov/ arts and craft booths, carnival holloway-festival rides, and a parade. adairsvillega.net/community/ events
Fiddlin’ Fest
Oct 3, 10am-4pm Downtown Rome A blocks-long free street festival featuring live music, a car show, art vendors, and more. romegeorgia.org/event
Cave Spring PickleFest
Oct 10, 9am-5pm Rolater Park, Cave Spring Celebrates the flavors and traditions of fall with live music, inflatables, a quilt show, and unique pickleinfused culinary creations. Pickle ice cream, anyone? cavespringhistoricalsociety. com/events
Broadway on Broad
Oct 2-3 Rome City Auditorium, Rome A lively musical revue featuring songs and performances from some of Broadway’s most beloved productions. upstagerstheatreco.org
Georgia Tasting Festival
Oct 11, 10am-4pm Downtown Cartersville Enjoy delicious food tastings, live entertainment, local vendors, bounce houses, and more. facebook.com/ events/841936405574552
BBQ, Brews and Boos
Oct 17, noon-8pm Downtown Cartersville A massive Halloween celebration packed with live music, food, shopping, costumes, candy, and fun around every corner. facebook.com/ downtowncartersville/events
An Evening with Lee Holdridge
Oct 17, 4-7pm Bert Wood Park, Cedartown Have a boo-tiful time playing old-fashioned carnival games, scoring free candy, and more. cedartowngeorgia.gov/boobash
Oct 24, 7pm Rome City Auditorium, Rome The Rome Symphony Orchestra celebrates composer Lee Holdridge’s iconic scores from Beauty and the Beast, Splash, and East of Eden, as well as his acclaimed collaborations with Neil Diamond and John Denver. The evening also features the U.S. premiere of Holdridge’s Violin Concerto No. 2. romesymphony.org
Pub Crawl
West Fest
BOO! Bash
Oct 23-24 Downtown Cartersville Two nights, 12 stops. The ultimate Halloween pub crawl is back. facebook.com/ downtowncartersville/events
Oct 24, 10am-4pm Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville Annual cowboy-themed festival featuring chuckwagon meals, traditional dances, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral reenactments, art activities, a petting zoo, and more. boothmuseum.org/west-fest
Schnauzerfest
Oct 30-31 Downtown Rome A two-day celebration of all things schnauzer, including agility competitions, a singing contest, barn hunt, and costumed dog parade. romegeorgia.org/event nwgeorgialiving.com | 7
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d DOG EARED
Sweet Treats For double your reading pleasure, we’ve paired some delicious books with some delicious candies. BY ELIN WOODS
T
here’s something special about relaxing with a good book and a tasty treat. Whether you’re pairing an intense thriller with rich chocolate, a cheerful yarn with sugar candy, or a historical novel with a nostalgic childhood confection, the combination can turn the art of reading into a doubly appetizing experience. Here are five delicious pairings.
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper By Phaedra Patrick Pair it with: a candy bracelet
Life has been pretty good to Arthur Pepper since his wife’s death. He’s learned to embrace the rhythms of daily life and found comfort in the simple things. But that all changes the day he discovers a peculiar charm bracelet that belonged to his wife and it sends him on an adventure across the country, meeting fascinating people and uncovering surprising pieces of his spouse’s past. Along the way, Arthur discovers that it’s never too late for new friendships, fresh experiences, and a deeper understanding of the people we love. A perfect candy companion for this heartwarming novel is one of those nostalgic candy bracelets we all ate as a kid, as it both symbolizes the charm bracelet at the center of Arthur’s journey and captures the book’s themes of remembrance, wonder, and finding joy in life’s unexpected treasures.
The Chocolate Maker’s Wife
By Karen Brooks Pair it with: a Dove milk chocolate bar
Set in 18th-century England, The Chocolate Maker’s Wife is a historical novel that chronicles the life of Rosamund, an ordinary girl who gets entangled in the affairs of a rich chocolate-making dynasty. As she gets introduced to the art of chocolatemaking and unravels the mystery around her family’s fortune, Rosamund is forced to confront family secrets, marital tensions, and her own voice drowned under other expectations. Full of suspense, drama, and a touch of romance, The Chocolate Maker’s Wife immerses the reader 10 | NW GEORGIA LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
in the exotic world of chocolate and the complex relationships between the people involved in its production. Enjoying this book with a Dove milk chocolate bar allows the reader to enjoy the fruits of such devotion. Because sometimes it’s necessary to just slow down and revel in the little things, like reading a compelling book or treating oneself to a candy bar. Or better yet, both.
The Little Shop of Happy Ever After By Jenny Colgan Pair it with: Haribo Goldbears
Jenny Colgan’s book follows the story of a disgruntled librarian, Nina Redmond, who decides to take a chance and buy a van with the hope of turning it into a bookshop. Set in the Scottish Highlands, it’s filled with dramatic landscapes, friendly faces, and opportunities for both growth and self-discovery. Full of heartwarming messages, lovable characters, and the sheer wonder of discovering new books, it invites its audience to reflect on their own life and the ways it can change for the better, and is one of the most inspiring reads I’ve experienced in recent times. I suggest combining it with the bright, happy nature of Haribo Goldbears. Just like these best-selling gummy bears, books can remind us of the joy of the simple pleasures in life, which isn’t without its risks. At the end of the day, though, nothing rewarding was ever achieved without taking a step out of one’s comfort zone, just like Jenny Colgan does in The Little Shop of Happy Ever After.
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires By Grady Hendrix Pair it with: cherry cordials
Patricia Campbell is the living embodiment of a busy woman. Between her children, husband, and her in-laws, she needs an escape. Her book club is her sanctuary, where the group of women can unwind and enjoy each other’s company. This peace is shattered when a charming stranger moves in next door to Patricia. She’s instantly suspicious of him, but no one else seems to be. Set in 1990s suburban Charleston, this novel delves into the domestic life of a housewife, examining the mundane grind of marital duties and child-rearing. You don’t need to be a fan of horror to enjoy this book, since the mystery surrounding the strange new neighbor is only part of it. The rest is pure character-driven fiction that will hook you instantly. Cherry cordials are the perfect complement to this book, as the deceptively ordinary confection will remind you of the sinister undertones of suburban life.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
By V. E. Schwab Pair it with: Everlasting Gobstoppers
Do you ever imagine what it would be like to live forever? Addie LaRue does, and she’s not enjoying it one bit. In a fit of desperation, the young French girl strikes a Faustian bargain with a mysterious entity that grants her immortality but steals her place in other people’s memories. Addie’s life is a wretched existence of wandering, as she’s incapable of forming lasting bonds with others. Hoping someone will recognize her,
she leaves behind countless drawings, writings, and artifacts, but her efforts are in vain until hundreds of years later, when a stranger in a bookstore happens upon one of her works. Addie is a strange blend of melancholy and hope that will fill your heart with conflicting emotions. If you want something sweet to munch on while reading this tale, Everlasting Gobstoppers are a fantastic choice. They’ll remind you of how Addie’s eternal spirit refuses to fade with time.
Rocket Men
By Robert Kurson Pair it with: a Milky Way bar
The one nonfiction pick for this issue’s theme focuses on the first astronauts to leave the solar system and orbit the moon. Robert Kurson recounts the incredible story of Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders in a gripping biography that captures the suspense of those times exceptionally well and fills the book with heart-to-heart conversations and dramatic encounters. Kurson’s book is a roller coaster of emotions, as it tells the story of humanity’s first steps into the deep unknown, and makes the reader feel as if they’re right there with the astronauts in the heart of space. Whether you’re a fan of space exploration or simply looking for a compelling read, Rocket Men delivers. As you read about the first people to taste space, an obvious taste accompaniment is a delicious Milky Way bar. Or, for a truly authentic snack option, pair the book with freeze-dried ice cream just like the astronauts themselves ate. Elin Woods is a librarian from the mountains of western Pennsylvania. When she's not busy reading, she enjoys baking historical treats and exploring the East Coast. She balances her mostly nonfiction history reading with the occasional modern romance novel and plenty of cookbooks. nwgeorgialiving.com | 11
d DOLLARS & SENSE
What Is Your Money Saying About You? The subtle ways money shapes our identity, confidence, and sense of worth.
BY ANDE FRAZIER
M
ost of us would like to believe we know the difference between our net worth and our self-worth. Intellectually, we do. But emotionally? That line can get surprisingly blurry. Money has a way of attaching itself to our identity. We use it to measure whether we’re successful enough, responsible enough, generous enough, or secure enough. We compare what we have with what other people appear to have. We judge ourselves for past decisions and worry about whether we’re keeping up. Sometimes we even use money to answer questions it was never designed to answer, like, Am I successful? Am I safe? Do people respect me? Have I done enough? Am I enough? None of these are financial questions, but you might be surprised how often we try to answer them with a bank account, a house, a car, a job title, or an investment statement. And that’s where money gets complicated.
Money may be an excellent tool, but it’s a terrible therapist.
Money Is Never Just Money After more than 30 years in financial services, I’ve become convinced of one thing: Money is rarely just about math. If it was, we’d spend according to a budget, invest without emotion, save exactly the right amount, and never buy anything because we’re stressed, lonely, insecure, or trying to impress someone. Clearly, that’s not how human beings work. Our relationship with money is shaped long before most of us ever earn it. Maybe money was scarce when you were a kid, so having cash in the bank feels like safety. Maybe success was highly valued in your family, so earning more became proof that you’re doing life correctly. Or maybe you grew up around wealth, and maintaining that lifestyle feels like an obligation. Over time, these experiences form what I think of as our financial identity: the story we tell ourselves about who we are when it comes to money.
The Financial Identities We Carry Most people have some version of a financial identity, although they’ve probably never named it. There’s the Provider, whose value comes from taking care of everyone else. There’s the Saver, who feels responsible and safe when accumulating money but may struggle to enjoy it. There’s the Achiever, who sees income and professional success as evidence of personal worth. And there’s the Avoider, who’d rather not look too closely because the financial reality feels overwhelming.
12 | NW GEORGIA LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
None of these identities are inherently good or bad. Most began as adaptations; they helped us navigate something. The problem comes when we mistake an identity for an absolute truth about who we are. The Provider, for example, may continue financially supporting adult children, even when doing so threatens their retirement. The Saver may accumulate significant wealth and still feel guilty taking a vacation. The Achiever may keep moving the finish line because every milestone provides only temporary validation. This is how self-worth quietly begins influencing financial decisions. And because the decisions often look perfectly reasonable from the outside, the pattern can go unnoticed for years.
When Success Becomes a Moving Target One of the most subtle connections between money and self-worth appears in successful people. You might assume that earning more would make someone feel more financially secure, and sometimes it does. But I’ve also met people with substantial wealth who are absolutely terrified. Why? Because security is both a financial condition and an emotional experience. If your internal definition of “enough” keeps moving, no amount of money can provide lasting reassurance. You reach one income goal and immediately set another. You buy the house you dreamed about and soon notice the bigger house down the street.
The problem isn’t ambition, which can be healthy and energizing. Rather, the problem is asking achievement to do the job of self-worth. Money may be an excellent tool, but it’s a terrible therapist.
The Comparison Problem Social media didn’t invent financial comparison, but it has industrialized it. We’re constantly exposed to other people’s vacations, renovations, and career announcements, but we’re rarely privy to their credit card balances or the arguments happening just outside the camera frame. We compare our financial reality with someone else’s edited highlight reel and then wonder why we feel behind. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy beautiful things, travel, or a comfortable home. I’m a financial planner, not the fun police. The point is there’s a meaningful difference between spending money because something genuinely adds value to your life and spending money because you hope it will add value to you.
Money Shame Has a Long Memory Self-worth also appears in the way people talk, or refuse to talk, about their financial mistakes. People carry shame about debt, failed businesses, divorce settlements, and years when they simply didn’t pay enough attention. They say things like, “I should have known better.” Maybe, but knowing better and doing better aren’t always the same thing. Financial progress rarely begins with judgment, but rather with awareness. You can’t change a pattern you’re unwilling to see.
Separating Who You Are From What You Have So, how do we begin separating financial identity from personal worth? We start by getting curious and asking ourselves questions like, What does having money mean to me? What does not having enough say about me? When do I feel
most financially insecure? Who am I trying to impress, protect, rescue, or prove something to? These questions aren’t meant to replace financial planning. They’re meant to make it better. A good financial plan should do more than tell you whether you can retire at 65. It should help you understand what you’re trying to create, protect, and experience, and help you make decisions based on your values rather than your fears, comparisons, or past stories.
Money Is Part of Your Story, But It’s Not the Whole Story Money matters. It affects our choices, opportunities, stress levels, and ability to care for the people and causes that matter to us. Pretending otherwise would be naive. But money should never be a scorecard for determining whether we matter or not. Your income can change, markets can fall, and careers can shift. If your entire identity is built on financial success, every setback becomes a personal crisis. When money is connected to values rather than worth, however, something changes. You can be ambitious without being consumed by achievement. You can enjoy money without needing it to validate you. You can make a mistake without turning it into a definition of who you are. If any of this sounds familiar, it might be worth a conversation, and perhaps the most important financial question to ask yourself is not about how much you
have, but rather about what that number says about you. Numbers can measure a lot of things, but your worth should never be one of them. Ande Frazier is a nationally recognized author and financial expert based in Rome, Georgia. Specializing in behavioral finance, she writes and speaks about how emotions and mindset shape our financial decisions. She is a frequent contributor to outlets like CNBC, HuffPost, and Yahoo Finance, and is the author of the Amazon best-seller Fin(anci)ally Free. nwgeorgialiving.com | 13
Only 38 vehicles are on the National Historic Vehicle Register. See 8 of these National Treasures in this first-of-its-kind exhibit. ON DISPLAY NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 6, 2026 National Treasures is presented by Charles Schwab Kennesaw The Pefferly Family
1937 Cord 812 Convertible Phaeton Sedan Chassis No. 1714 (Owned by Amelia Earhart) • NHVR No. 33 • HAER No. IN-120 • On loan from the JBS Collection – Owner Jack Boyd Smith, Jr.
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d COMMUNITY
Photos by Nick Johnson
Getting to Know … Jennifer Plummer, owner/trainer, Fitness 1st by Jennifer Plummer BY JILL BECKER
J
ennifer Plummer is turning the big 5-0 in October. So health and wellness are obviously something that’s top of mind for her. But it’s not just because she’s celebrating a milestone birthday; it’s also because she’s been a personal trainer for the last 20 years. Plummer owns and runs Fitness 1st by Jennifer Plummer, a 1,200-square-foot studio on Collins Drive in Cartersville. There, amidst the bench press, squat rack, kick bag, dumbbells, ropes, and other tools of the trade, she helps clients achieve their fitness goals and, more importantly, become their best selves. We spoke with Plummer recently to learn more.
Have you always been into health and fitness? Yes. I was a gymnast as a child, a cheerleader in high school and college, and I began lifting in college.
How did you get started as a personal trainer? In the spring of 2006, I was prepping myself for a competition. I got a lot of attention, and as a result, I came out of my shell. I was a very quiet person until people started talking to me about getting fit. I then became a very outgoing person. The gym I was training at had three trainers leave that summer, and the owner told me that if I was certified, he’d put me to work.
Who’s your typical client? Mostly 40- to 75-year-olds. But I’ve also got a 24-year-old and a 96-year-old. My niche is baby boomers.
Plummer at her Cartersville studio.
What are the top misconceptions people have about staying fit and healthy? That you can spot reduce (work a particular area of your body and lose fat from that area), that it takes six months to a year to build a substantial amount of muscle, and that you can outrun your fork or eat what you want and work it off.
How much exercise does the average adult really need each week? It depends on how sedentary their lifestyle is. If they sit all day at work, they need to move at least an hour, five days a week. Sitting is the new smoking.
What simple changes can make the biggest difference in overall health? Eating more protein and cutting out bread, doing compound movements or bigger lifts (especially for ladies over 50), and learning how to use a foam roller.
What’s your advice for someone who hasn’t exercised in years but wants to start? Start slow. Hire a trainer!
16 | NW GEORGIA LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
What are the biggest fitness mistakes people make? People trying to lose weight don’t eat enough. If you don’t fuel yourself adequately, your body will hold on to everything.
How can people listen to it? They can tune in on BFAM 109.6 at 5 p.m. every Monday. Or via YouTube (youtube.com/live/ rty8tk03_uc?is=ovk0xbtcbom5pu-n) or Facebook (facebook.com/ howsyourmommanem).
Where’s your favorite place to go or favorite thing to do in Northwest Georgia? I love the mountains, especially Helen.
What’s one of the first things you’d do if you won a million dollars? I’d buy or build a house in downtown Cartersville.
What exercises give people the most bang for their buck? Compound movements such as squats, deadlifts, bench presses/shoulder presses, and pull-ups/rows.
How can someone build a fitness routine that actually lasts and that they’ll stick to? You need to start with small changes. Smaller changes over time create lasting habits. Start with training two times a week, then increase as you progress. Small changes with nutrition work
better, too. Huge, abrupt changes just don’t work over a long period, and you’re less likely to continue. The key is always consistency.
How much does sleep affect fitness results? Your sleep is as important as training. You must work on achieving better sleep.
How important are recovery days? Everyone is different, and some need more recovery than others. Listen to your body.
What’s the most rewarding transformation you’ve witnessed? I had a client once who lost 70 pounds and stepped on the stage with me and competed. She was a machine.
You also do a podcast, correct? What’s it called and what’s it about? It’s called How’s Your Momma N’em. Deanna Hooper is co-host, and it is her baby. We happen to be childhood best friends, and I’m along for the ride. It’s two Southern ladies talking about day-to-day life, current events, celebrity gossip, and health and wellness tips.
What’s something on your bucket list? I’d like to visit family in Milan, whom I’ve never met. I’d like to compete again, too.
What’s your go-to cheat meal or snack? Fried shrimp, french fries, or chips and salsa.
What’s something you always keep on your bedside table? A lamp, the fan remote, and a big chunk of amethyst.
Dogs or cats? Both. I have one dog and two cats at home.
Vanilla or chocolate? Chocolate (dark).
What’s something you’re deathly afraid of? Heights.
Who’s your personal hero? My mom. Fitness 1st by Jennifer Plummer facebook.com/fitness1stbyjenniferplummer @fitness1stbyjenniferplummer nwgeorgialiving.com | 17
d WANDERLUST
Photos courtesy of Destination Cherokee GA
A Family Place Cherokee County, Georgia, is a fitting getaway for every generation.
T
he best family trips aren’t always measured by how many sights you see or places you go. They’re often remembered for the moments in between, like a grandparent helping little hands pick the perfect pumpkin, teenagers laughing as they race down a mountain bike trail, or the entire clan lingering over dinner because no one is quite ready for the day to end. Making those sorts of memories is what makes Cherokee County, Georgia, one of North Georgia’s best fall getaways. Just 40 minutes east of Cartersville, it blends colorful landscapes, seasonal festivals, outdoor adventures, locally owned restaurants, and more into an easy day trip or weekend escape where young and old alike can find something to enjoy. A natural place to begin is Cagle’s Farm in Holly Springs, a spot that’s been popular with Georgia families for decades. Once a working dairy farm, it’s become a beloved autumn tradition, where children weave through the corn maze, search for the perfect
jack-o’-lantern, visit the friendly farm animals, and cheer for the famous pig races, while adults enjoy the sense of nostalgia and Dixie Speedway feeling like a kid again themselves. Be sure to grab some warm, delicious caramel apple donuts and fresh apple cider before you leave. From peaceful country roads to the roar of race engines, Cherokee County offers another side of fall at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock. For decades, spectators have gathered at this legendary red-clay dirt track to watch championship racing and special events that keep both longtime race fans and first-time visitors on their feet, proving there’s something contagious about the energy of a packed grandstand as engines thunder across the clay under the lights. If after all that racing you’ve
Cagle’s Farm 18 | NW GEORGIA LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
Riverfest Arts & Crafts Festival
worked up an appetite, get yourself gussied up and head over to Prime 120 for a juicy rib-eye, lobster tail, or other steakhouse menu favorite. Each September, families gather at Canton’s Taste & Brews Music Fest, where tasty treats, Georgia craft beverages, artisan vendors, and live music transform Etowah River Park into one of the county’s signature fall gatherings. Afterward, many wander through historic downtown Canton or explore The Mill on Etowah, featuring local boutiques, restaurants, and gathering spaces overlooking the river. Creativity takes center stage during
Gibbs Gardens
Blankets Creek Trail
Prime 120
Canton’s Riverfest Arts & Crafts Festival. Set along the banks of the Etowah River, the event brings together artists and craftspeople from across the Southeast, showcasing their handcrafted pottery, paintings, jewelry, photography, woodworking, and more. The kiddos enjoy the hands-on activities and rides, while the adults browse booth after booth, often finding that one piece they’ll carry home as a reminder of the weekend. Of course, no discussion of fall in Cherokee County would be complete without a mention of Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground. As autumn settles in, thousands of Japanese maples transform Gibbs into one of the Southeast’s most remarkable displays of fall color. It’s also home to the largest Japanese garden in the country, featuring more than 40 acres of winding paths, tinkling waterfalls, stone bridges, peaceful ponds, pagodas, Japanese lanterns, and more. Whether they’re capturing family photographs or simply enjoying the landscape, it’s easy to understand why guests return again and again. For those who prefer to spend a crisp fall morning out on the fairway, Cherokee County is home to seven public and semiprivate golf courses, each offering its own scenic setting. From championship layouts to relaxed community courses, golfers can enjoy rolling hills, tree-lined fairways, and comfortable temperatures that make fall
one of the best seasons to play. For families who’d rather experience the season on two wheels, Cherokee County offers some excellent mountain biking. The Blankets Creek, Olde Rope Mill, and Reinhardt University Trails offer miles of riding through hardwood forests. Riders of every ability can find a trail that matches their comfort level, making it just as easy for beginners to enjoy the outdoors as experienced cyclists looking for a challenge. As daylight fades, Cherokee County’s various downtowns begin to take on a different rhythm. Live music spills from area patios, restaurants fill with families sharing a meal together, and boutique storefronts stay busy as visitors wander the charming streets decorated for the season. Across Ball Ground, Canton, Holly Springs, Waleska, and Woodstock, each community offers its own personality while sharing the same friendly spirit. This fall, plan a day trip to Cherokee County, or, better yet, settle in for a weekend and discover all it has to offer. Between the changing leaves, hometown festivals, outdoor activities, and welcoming communities, you’ll discover that the visit isn’t just defined by where you go, but also who you experience it with. Cherokee County, Georgia destinationcherokeega.com nwgeorgialiving.com | 19
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The Rise of Skill-Based Hobbies These days, hobbies are more than just a leisurely pastime. They’re about challenging you mentally and//or physically.
N
ot long ago, leisure was largely synonymous with relaxation. After a long workday, unwinding often meant binge-watching a favorite series, scrolling social media, or meeting friends for a quiet dinner. Those activities still have their place, but for many people, they no longer provide the sense of fulfillment they once did. Instead, a growing number of adults are gravitating toward hobbies that require patience, concentration, and a willingness to be a beginner. Whether it’s restoring a classic car or mastering the violin at age 45, today’s leisure pursuits increasingly emphasize skill
over relaxation. The shift reflects more than changing tastes. It speaks to a deeper desire for activities that offer measurable progress and the quiet confidence that comes from learning something new.
Trading escape for engagement Modern life requires our attention almost constantly. Notifications interrupt conversations, work follows us home, and entertainment is available at the tap of a screen. Ironically, unlimited access to distraction has left many people craving experiences that demand the opposite. That’s where skill-based hobbies come in. There’s little room to think about tomorrow’s meeting while you’re navigating a sailboat or solving a complex chess position, and the activity itself becomes the focus. Unlike passive entertainment, these pursuits offer immediate feedback. A wood joint either fits or it doesn’t. A climbing route is completed or attempted again. A new recipe succeeds because of technique rather than luck. That combination of concentration and steady improvement creates a satisfying
24 | NW GEORGIA LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
sense of momentum that many find missing from everyday life.
Why learning feels so rewarding Although the hobbies themselves differ dramatically, they tend to share certain qualities. First, they have a clear learning curve. Second, progress is visible, making success feel earned rather than accidental. Finally, they demand attention. Whether physical, technical, or mental, they require participants to be fully engaged in the moment. Psychologists have long noted that mastering new skills builds selfefficacy — the belief that you can solve problems and adapt to challenges. That confidence often extends beyond the hobby itself, as success in one unfamiliar area can make other obstacles seem more surmountable.
Unexpected hobbies with lasting benefits One reason this trend feels fresh is that the pursuits aren’t traditionally associated with mainstream leisure. Instead of simply filling free time, they ask participants to develop discipline, patience, and attention to detail.
The most rewarding hobbies are the ones that change the way you see yourself. Precision and focus. Success at activities such as sporting clays and archery depends on controlling your breathing, slowing the mind, and paying attention to subtle details. Participants often describe these hobbies as surprisingly meditative, even while operating under pressure. Physical mastery. Active pursuits like boxing, martial arts, and fencing develop confidence through competence rather than comparison, whether it’s refining your footwork or improving balance and coordination. Hands-on craftsmanship. In an increasingly digital world, things like woodworking and pottery offer the satisfaction of working with tangible materials. There’s a unique reward in repairing something broken, creating something beautiful, or learning how complex systems function. Deep learning. Some hobbies require sustained mental commitment over months or even years. Pursuits like becoming conversational in another language or developing advanced culinary skills involve repetition, persistence, and continuous progress, and remind us that meaningful accomplishments rarely happen overnight.
Confidence built one skill at a time Perhaps the most meaningful outcome of skill-based hobbies isn’t the learned skill itself, but the belief in yourself that develops alongside it. True selfassurance rarely comes from positive affirmations alone, but grows through the repeated experiences of attempting something difficult, making mistakes, adjusting, and eventually succeeding. Each small success expands a person’s understanding of what they’re capable of. And while being a beginner again can feel uncomfortable, that discomfort often becomes part of the reward.
Getting started without feeling overwhelmed Picking up a new hobby doesn’t always require expensive equipment or years of experience. Many community organizations, rec centers, specialty retailers, and clubs offer introductory classes designed specifically for beginners, essentially removing a lot of the intimidation factor because everyone is starting with the same goal: learning. It’s equally important to choose welcoming communities over intimidating ones. The best instructors focus on progress rather than perfection, encouraging newcomers to develop confidence at their own pace. Perhaps most importantly, it also redefines what success means. The goal isn’t mastery after a few short sessions; it’s consistency. Showing up regularly matters far more than advancing quickly. Over time, seemingly small improvements can add up to genuine expertise.
More than a way to spend a Saturday Hobbies often become part of our identity. They influence how we think, how we spend our time, and how we view ourselves. The growing interest in skill-based pursuits suggests that people are increasingly looking for something more meaningful than just another way to pass an afternoon, and that they’re seeking experiences that sharpen their focus, strengthen their confidence, and provide a tangible reminder that growth remains possible at every stage of life. The bottom line is that the most rewarding hobbies are the ones that quietly teach you patience, resilience, and competence, and change the way you see yourself. This story was generated using ChatGPT (OpenAI) and reviewed by the editor.
Five Skill-Building Hobbies to Try Looking for a hobby that does more than fill your free time? These five pursuits offer a blend of challenge, focus, and personal growth. 1. Archery. Archery rewards patience, precision, and consistency. Every shot offers immediate feedback, making it easy to see your progress over time. Many clubs offer beginner-friendly lessons and provide equipment for first-timers. 2. Indoor rock climbing. More than a workout, climbing is a mental puzzle that builds balance and problemsolving skills. Indoor climbing gyms welcome newcomers with introductory classes and routes designed for every ability level. 3. Woodworking. Creating something with your own hands can be deeply satisfying. Start with a simple project, such as a cutting board, and develop skills that grow with each build. 4. Fly-fishing. Fly-fishing combines technique, observation, and patience. Learning to read the water, cast accurately, and understand fish behavior transforms an afternoon outdoors into an engaging lesson in mindfulness and finesse. 5. Learning a musical instrument. It’s never too late to pick up a guitar, piano, or violin. Although progress comes gradually, regular practice strengthens memory, concentration, and coordination, and few experiences are as rewarding as playing a favorite song from start to finish. nwgeorgialiving.com | 25
BY GAY BROWNLEE
An unhealthy metabolism doesn’t have to be your destiny. We asked a metabolic reset coach to share the info and tools you need to create a healthy lifestyle.
I
f you’re of a certain age, you’ve no doubt said to yourself at some point, “My metabolism just isn’t what it used to be.” Or maybe it was more like, “What used to work to manage my weight doesn’t work anymore.” Regardless of whether the result shows up as you having trouble sleeping, feeling exhausted all the time, or having stubborn belly fat you just can’t get rid of, it’s exhausting trying all the different remedies, and at some point, you end up losing hope and feeling like it’s all downhill from here. Naturally, your body does change as you age, but the situation is more hopeful than most people realize. What we’ve come to blame on a slow metabolism is actually part of a bigger conversation around metabolic health, and research shows that we have far more agency to improve our metabolic health than we ever thought possible. The truth is that health is about more than just the number on the scale. Metabolic health refers to how efficiently your body processes and uses energy, and having a low metabolism simply
Want to know your metabolic score? Scan this QR code and find out.
means that your body needs fewer calories to maintain basic functions.
How Metabolism Works Your metabolism directly impacts how you manage blood glucose and cholesterol levels, blood pressure, fat storage, and inflammation. As the process becomes disrupted by poor nutrition, stress, emotional mismanagement, lack of movement, or poor sleep habits, we begin to show the early signs of metabolic dysfunction. And while none of us enjoy experiencing low energy, a lack of vitality, brain fog, or a greater susceptibility to poor health, the concerns go much deeper. There’s a direct link between poor metabolic health and heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis. The official renaming of medical conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) shows that science now views these problems as tied to poor metabolic health. Today’s technology gives us new ways to measure our metabolic progress. Even an inexpensive metabolic smart scale can measure your body fat percentage, muscle mass, visceral fat, and metabolic age. Wearable tracking devices record steps, sleep, heart rate variability, and much more. While no home device is
26 | NW GEORGIA LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
perfect, this increasingly accessible information gives us valuable insights and can shift our focus from simply losing pounds to changing our habits and improving our body composition and health. These devices give us a way to measure movement toward the life we want. There was a time when I myself thought that being healthy just meant not being sick or overweight. But looking back, I realize that my body was actually giving me feedback. My body ached, I had low energy and felt like I needed a nap I didn’t have time for, and the pounds were creeping up. When that’s the case, before long you start to hear terms like prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides or blood pressure, and abdominal obesity. Ninety percent of U.S. adults have signs of metabolic dysfunction, and one in three meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome, putting them at increased risk of heart disease, dementia, stroke, arthritis, kidney and liver disease, infectious diseases, sleep disorders, and cancer. At the time, I thought I was simply tired, because life was busy and I was aging. I never stopped to think that my body might be trying to tell me something. Thankfully, this didn’t mean I was doomed. Rather, my body was simply responding to these changes. But the body can respond just as much to
positive, intentional choices. What I experienced completely shifted my thinking. As I began with a structured approach around quality nutrition and hydration, my energy returned, my aches and pains went away, and I returned to my ideal weight. The most unexpected change was my mental clarity. At that point, I realized my choices impacted my well-being, and I was ready to stop settling and take responsibility. I didn’t want to go back to the way I was feeling.
Change Does a Body Good Today, I have a career as a metabolic reset coach, and what I’ve noticed while working with women experiencing these same midlife changes is their openness to educating themselves and their readiness to make adjustments. It’s just a matter of flipping the script that says, “My metabolism is broken and I need fixing,” and instead recognizing that you have the freedom and capacity to build better health. Science and the availability of information are catching up with what many of us in my field have been observing for decades. One area in particular that’s gaining attention is the role of physical activity and skeletal muscle, a highly metabolic organ system. Regardless of weight, muscle is your metabolic bank account, with its own unique role as endocrine tissue in regulating blood glucose and blood cholesterol management. Scientists now understand that movement influences which genes are turned on and off
and that it sends important messages throughout your body, proving exercise isn’t just about burning calories and managing weight. Our conversations around food are much more comprehensive than just how many calories it contains. The timing, quantity, and quality of nutrition all play important roles in preserving muscle, stabilizing blood sugar, and supporting metabolic health. The right food in the right amounts sends the right signals. Water is necessary for fat metabolism, an important metabolic function at any weight. All of this can be summarized with this warning: When creating a calorie deficit for weight loss, it’s critical we aren’t also undernourishing or depriving our bodies. Learning to manage stress is another essential part of the equation. While cortisol is a normal and necessary stress hormone, unchecked stress, commonly caused by rumination, can disrupt the body’s natural stress response. Over time, that disruption influences everything from sleep and cravings to blood sugar regulation, and even interferes with the body’s ability to build muscle. Something as simple as breathing techniques can start you on a path toward managing your emotions and anxiety. Sleep is an area that is far too often underestimated. I’d be so bold as to say that you can get all these other components right, but if you’re not getting adequate sleep, you’re not going to see the long-term successes you’re looking for.
Change starts with one walk, one meal, one glass of water, and one good night’s sleep
Good Habits Die Hard All of this can start to sound overwhelming, but when we step back and recognize that we’re in the process of developing new patterns in our lives, we can stop telling ourselves how hard it is to change. Patterns, aka habits, are developed through repetition. We start so small that the obstacles are removed. For example, if someone tells me they’re not an exerciser, I’ll challenge them to take a five-minute walk every
Common Signs of Metabolic Dysfunction • Lack of energy • Lack of vitality • Brain fog • Poor sleep quality • Increased cravings • Chronic aches and pains • Skin tags or areas of darkened skin • Increasing waistline • Increased susceptibility to illness • Elevated fasting blood sugar • Elevated blood pressure or cholesterol • Fatty liver disease day for the next week. I then tell them not to walk more than five minutes, at least not for the first week. The goal is consistency rather than intensity, and change starts with one walk, one meal, one glass of water, and one good night’s sleep. You can increase the intensity later once the consistency is established. It’s important to remember that the idea of “better done than perfect” applies here, which is a new concept for a lot of people. You’ve also got to make a point to celebrate your wins, no matter how small. Allowing yourself to feel a sense of accomplishment keeps you focused on forward movement and the possibilities of change. Our bodies are designed with both the ability to heal and the ability to change. Science doesn’t contradict or replace hope; it reinforces it! We can all learn new responses to old triggers, and healthy choices really can become second nature. The myth isn’t that our bodies change in midlife, but rather that we’re powerless to do anything about it. Midlife isn’t the beginning of decline. It’s the season where you intentionally become stronger, leaner, and more vibrant than you have in years. Gay Brownlee is a metabolic reset coach with 17 years of experience helping people improve their metabolic health through simple, sustainable habits. She believes better health should be structured, achievable, and accessible to everyone. Gay is a native Georgian, University of Georgia graduate, wife, mom, and proud grandmother. nwgeorgialiving.com | 27
The Art of Cozy BY JENNIFER M. FRANKLIN
Thoughtful ways to create a home that embraces the fall season.
A
s autumn settles in, our homes begin to take on a different rhythm. Windows are opened to welcome the crisp morning air, golden afternoons give way to earlier sunsets, and in the evenings, everyone naturally gathers around the kitchen table or living room sofa. It’s a season that encourages us to linger and appreciate the quiet luxury of simply being at home. As an Ethan Allen design consultant, I can tell you design is about more than just aesthetics. The spaces we inhabit quietly shape our emotions, influence our daily routines, and affect our overall sense of well-being. Thankfully, creating a home that feels warm, welcoming, and restorative doesn’t have to depend on extensive, over-the-top projects. More often, it’s the thoughtful layering of light, texture, fragrance, and personal meaning that transform a house into one of comfort and beauty.
Designing for Well-Being A thoughtfully designed room offers visual balance, physical comfort, and subtle moments of delight. It encourages conversation, quiet reflection, and meaningful connection. While architecture establishes the framework of a home, it’s the finishing layers that determine how it feels to live there. Fortunately, refreshing a room for fall can be as simple as introducing richer textures, softening the lighting, reducing visual clutter, or incorporating seasonal elements. These modest changes signal a transition while creating spaces that feel both elevated and effortlessly livable.
Layering Textures for Warmth With the arrival of cooler temperatures, richer materials like boucle upholstery, chunky knit blankets, velvet pillows, woven baskets, and handwoven wool rugs naturally begin to feel appropriate and also add dimension while inviting people to settle in and stay a while. The beauty of layering lies in restraint. Rather than packing a room with seasonal decor, consider introducing a few select tactile elements that complement your existing furnishings. A soft throw draped over the arm of a chair, linen napkins layered with handcrafted ceramics, or a textured runner across a dining table will create warmth without overwhelming the space. Natural materials remain timeless for good reason. Wood, leather, linen, stone, wool, and rattan bring an organic richness that never feels overly styled. And their imperfections tell a story, adding authenticity that mass-produced accessories often lack. Product recommendation: Ethan Allen’s Herringbone Striped Alpaca Throw ($450) comes in three lush colors perfect for fall: bordeaux, mist, and tan.
Designing for Touch The most welcoming homes encourage tactile interaction. They invite us to sink into upholstered seating, wrap ourselves in a favorite blanket, or linger over morning coffee in a comfy breakfast nook. Investing in a few quality textiles, like plush towels, crisp cotton bedding, soft upholstery, or well-crafted pillows,
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can elevate everyday living and enhance our daily routines. Product recommendation: Get comfy with Ethan Allen’s Ruched Faux Fur Pillow ($200) on your couch or favorite chair.
The Quiet Influence of Light Perhaps no design element alters the mood of a room more dramatically than lighting. As daylight begins to fade earlier and earlier, our homes benefit from illumination that feels layered rather than uniform. Instead of relying solely on overhead fixtures, designers often combine table lamps, floor lamps, sconces, and candlelight to create varying levels of warmth throughout a room. This layered approach allows light to become atmospheric rather than purely functional. Warm-toned bulbs, dimmer switches, and shaded fixtures soften architectural lines and flatter both the interiors and the people gathered within them. Candlelight, whether from elegant tapers at the dining table or hurricane lanterns on a covered porch, introduces movement and intimacy that electric lighting alone can’t replicate. Product recommendation: Given the organic nature of alabaster, the bodies of no two Farida Alabaster Floor Lamps ($1,650) are exactly the same. These Ethan Allen standing lamps also feature a three-way switch and a slubby linen shade with a rolled edge.
Scent as an Invisible Design Element Decorators increasingly consider fragrance an extension of interior design itself — an invisible layer that evokes certain feelings and completes the experience of a room. The aroma of simmering apples, cedarwood after a rainstorm, freshly baked bread, or a favorite seasonal candle can elicit feelings of comfort, nostalgia, and familiarity. Simple rituals can be surprisingly effective. For instance, fresh eucalyptus in the shower can transform an everyday routine into a spa-like experience. Even brewing coffee before guests arrive creates an immediate sense of hospitality. Product recommendation: The Bennie Antique Brass Hurricanes ($224) from Ethan Allen are ideal for fragrant fall-scented candles.
Nature’s Enduring Influence Seasonal decorating feels most authentic when it’s inspired by the landscape beyond our windows. Branches clipped from the garden, dried hydrangeas, heirloom pumpkins, moss, pine cones, and autumn foliage introduce natural textures while connecting interiors to the changing season. Biophilic design — the practice of strengthening our connection with nature — continues to influence residential interiors because its benefits extend well beyond aesthetics. Natural
materials, living greenery, and even faux plants and arrangements have been shown to promote relaxation while creating environments that feel grounded and restorative. And the most beautiful presentations are often the simplest. Product recommendation: Ethan Allen’s Moss in Linear Container arrangement ($552) serves as a maintenance-free way to bring a bit of the outside in.
The Luxury of Less One of the most transformative updates costs nothing at all. Removing visual clutter allows beautiful furnishings and architectural details to breathe. Clearing countertops, organizing entryways, and thoughtfully editing bookshelves creates an immediate sense of order that our minds instinctively interpret as calm. Editing doesn’t require minimalism, but rather encourages intention. Each object displayed should either serve a meaningful purpose or bring genuine joy. The result is a home that feels collected rather than crowded — a distinction that defines many of today’s most elegant interiors.
The Most Important Layer Ultimately, the homes that linger in our
memories are not defined by square footage or designer labels. They’re remembered because they tell the story of the people who live within them. A collection of well-loved books, treasured family photographs, handmade souvenirs gathered over years of travel, and antiques passed down through generations create an authenticity no renovation budget can replicate. The truth is, when guests leave, they’re less likely to remember the exact paint color on your bathroom wall or the brand of sofa in your living room than the way your home made them feel. So, as we embrace another fall season, perhaps the greatest luxury is seeing our homes through a different lens. By thoughtfully layering texture, engaging the senses, simplifying our surroundings, softening the light, and celebrating the beauty of everyday rituals, we create interiors that nourish both body and spirit. True comfort is never about perfection. It’s about creating a home that reflects your life with warmth, authenticity, and grace. Jennifer M. Franklin is a design consultant at Ethan Allen in Kennesaw. She discovered her passion for interior design while studying at The Art Institute of Atlanta and has more than 30 years of experience in interior design and fine furnishings. You can reach her at jennifer.franklin@ethanallen.com or (770) 795-0034 (showroom). nwgeorgialiving.com | 29
THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE MYSTERY Excerpts from Georgia author Ken H. Fortenberry’s biography Brilliant Oddball examine the larger-than-life tales of Rome native Telamon Cuyler.
F
or his book Brilliant Oddball, award-winning Georgia writer Ken H. Fortenberry spent a year researching one of the state’s most enigmatic and outrageous characters, Colonel Telamon Cruger Smith Cuyler. “Without hesitation, I can honestly state that I have never encountered a more complex, intriguing or mysterious person,” Fortenberry writes in the preface. Born in Rome, Georgia, on July 2, 1873, Cuyler lived a life that sounds like a Hollywood movie script, from rubbing elbows with royalty at fancy Paris galas to spending time in a Manhattan jail on fraud charges. The following excerpts from Brilliant Oddball offer insight into this colorful yet controversial figure, including a passage chosen by Fortenberry that relates to a contribution to Georgia the author says Cuyler Cuyler looking dapper in a Christmas card he sent to his mother in 1907. never got the proper credit for.
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elamon Cruger Smith Cuyler was brilliant and odd.
Cunning and debonair. Suave and sophisticated. He was a fashionable Southern Dandy, dashing and perhaps somewhat mentally disturbed. He was a swindler, a con artist, and a scoundrel. He was a cheating husband and a loving father. He was also a shrewd businessman and attorney, a progressive Georgia farmer, and in some ways a modern-day prophet. Some of his 30 | NW GEORGIA LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
ideas that seemed far-fetched at the time are reality today, and Georgia is better because of him. Cuyler was a painstaking researcher and journalist, recognized as a leading authority on Georgia and Southern history, the American Revolution and the Confederacy. He was as comfortable dining with royalty and world leaders as he was weaving colorful tales to visitors while sipping mint juleps at his remote, rustic and ancestral Jones County, Georgia, plantation. Married to a millionaire heiress from California, the soft-spoken Cuyler hosted gala dinners at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City and at the fashionable Ritz in Paris and easily mixed it up in the highest social circles in London and Paris. He counted everyone from “Uncle Remus” author Joel Chandler Harris and legendary post-Reconstruction Atlanta newspaper editor Henry W. Grady and European royalty among his friends and acquaintances. He served as an unofficial consultant for the filming of the movie classic “Gone With the Wind” and was considered for the role of Ashley Wilkes. A Civil War uniform of one of his ancestors was used by costume designers for the film. He practiced law in Georgia and in Europe but also found time to become successful in real estate, agriculture, industrial development, journalism and international diplomacy. A masterful storyteller with a magnificent memory, his stories of his travels around the world were often strange and unbelievable, but more often than not, truthful. Cuyler served as special counsel for at least five foreign governments and was the Paris legal counsel for American business tycoon and financier J.P. Morgan. Behind the mustache and polished Southern gentility, however, lurked turmoil. In 1931, Cuyler was jailed in Manhattan as the “brains” of a massive metals swindle. He later sued his wealthy mother-in-law for half a million dollars, claiming she had destroyed his marriage. At another low point, he leapt from a moving train in North Carolina during a mental health crisis, disappearing into the mountains with $22,000 in negotiable bonds. Despite these scandals, Cuyler returned time and again to his ancestral plantation near Wayside, Georgia, where he wrote secret diaries that chronicled his extraordinary life until his death in 1951. Cuyler had an obsessive passion for collecting rare historical
documents, antiques and relics, particularly those pertaining to Georgia, and donated 62,000 rare and valuable items to the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library at the University of Georgia upon his death in 1951. … Finally, Telamon Cruger Smith Cuyler’s extraordinary life history is curated for history. The Brilliant Oddball’s story is as much about Georgia and America as it is about him. He would have liked that.
ß may have been a schemer, but he was Cwaysuyler also a dreamer, a visionary, and in some a modern-day prophet, particularly
when it came to agricultural development, worldwide politics and even climate change. Several times during his life he planted idea “seeds” that came into fruition to the benefit of others, but not for himself. His declarations in 1917 that Georgia must create state farmers’ markets was one those. His call was an awakening to farmers, and to business and political leaders as well. Another of his ideas was born out of necessity during the Great Depression when Cuyler, like most Americans, was struggling financially. He was land-rich but cash-poor and saw the opportunity to possibly help himself and some neighboring Jones County farmers who were in the same situation. On March 4, 1934, he sent a detailed report and proposal to Zack D. Cravey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Game and Fish, and proposed the development of a game and fish preserve on 33,000 acres in Jones and Jasper counties. Not taking any chances that the state might not embrace his idea, Cuyler also sent his proposal to a friend, Congressman Carl Vinson, a Georgia Democrat, who immediately informed the U.S. Department of Agriculture of his support. Vinson then wrote Cuyler and informed him that he could count on his backing for the project. “This is a particularly interesting project and one which I assure you will have our careful consideration,” Thomas H. Beck, chairman of the President’s Committee on Wild Life Restoration, wrote to the congressman. As with nearly everything Cuyler put his mind to, his report - Offer of Georgia Acreage by T.C. Cuyler - was packed with detailed facts, figures, maps and abundant evidence to support the feasibility of the plan. … He praised the area’s climate, touted its secluded quietness, and said that after carefully looking at other land in the Piedmont and nearby, and consulting with sportsmen, the land he proposed was “the very best in every respect.” Of course, he was proposing to sell some of the land his family had owned for six generations to be part of the preserve. … Cuyler proposed selling 33,000 acres for $5 per acre for a total of $165,000. “All acres accepted will be delivered by warranty, fee-simple deeds; titles certified as free “and clear,” he stated. While some of the offering included parts of his land and that of several neighbors, much
of it had been abandoned for years, taxes unpaid, and it is possible Cuyler intended to legally obtain title to the property with the intention of selling it for profit. Early the next year, the Georgia Department of Game and Fish appointed Cuyler as a deputy game warden but told him in a letter that his idea for the game preserve “is dead, as when the time came to buy, there was no money.” Nevertheless, Cuyler didn’t give up. His report had been persuasive at both the state and federal levels, and although it took nearly five years to weave its way through the Washington bureaucracy, on January 18, 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8037 establishing the Piedmont Wildlife Refuge in Jones and Jasper counties. His order directed that it would be “unlawful for any person to hunt, trap, capture, willfully disturb or kill any bird or wild animal of any kind whatsoever within the limits of the refuge, or to enter thereon, except under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Department of Agriculture.” Cuyler’s land was not part of the 33,000 acres the federal government ultimately purchased, and he never received any public recognition for the idea, but his letters and persistence in promoting the proposal wildlife refuge may have been one of his most significant and lasting contributions to Georgia. Today, the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge hosts about 40,000 visitors a year and includes an extensive trail system, boardwalks, hunting and photography blinds, fishing piers and boat launches.
∏ Brilliant Oddball: Colonel Telamon Cuyler — The Most Mysterious Man in Georgia By Ken H. Fortenberry Available on Amazon or at kenfortenberry.com. nwgeorgialiving.com | 31
Fab Fall Hiking Spots Great North Georgia walks fit for the season. BY LILLIE READ
I
love hiking, although I’m not particularly good at it. I can be slow, easily distracted, and occasionally clumsy. I stop to examine moss, get excited when I see a salamander, and trip over roots I saw a full five feet away. Let’s just say it’s an adventure. In truth, my favorite thing about hiking is the element of discovery that comes along with getting out in nature. Familiar trails change with the season, and new trails bring new perspectives. To me, even the most mundane trail has something worth seeing. So, in the spirit of discovery, I thought I’d share a few great trails, along with a corresponding side quest, in the hopes that you’ll get inspired to go exploring, especially since fall is such a perfect season to get out and enjoy all that North Georgia has to offer. All of the listed hikes are on public land, so make sure you check for any necessary permits, fees, or trail closures before you start your journey.
Marble Mine Trail. (photo: GADNR)
Blackberry Mountain Clear Creek Trail. (photo: Discover Ellijay)
Blackberry Mountain Clear Creek Trail Location: Ellijay Distance: 1.5 miles, out and back Difficulty: Easy to moderate
This trail, in the Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area, is a relatively easy out-and-back hike that’s doable for adults and kids alike. To get there, look for a small gravel parking lot off the main road with a brown recreation sign that reads “Blackberry Mountain Parking Area.” Your destination is Clear Creek Falls, a small series of falls just upstream from where Clear Creek flows into the Cartecay River. Following the yellow blazes from the trailhead, you’ll wind
32 | NW GEORGIA LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
through the forest and make your way along the banks of Clear Creek until you reach the falls. The creek and its banks are littered with large boulders, and there are offshoots along the trail that will take you to different spots on the water. On the way back from the falls, you can take the orange-blazed Clear Creek Spur Trail (.3 miles) if you’d like to add a little distance to your journey. It will take you directly to the Cartecay River itself. Side Quest: When it’s warm enough to enjoy the water, pay a visit to the folks at Cartecay River Experience for a tubing (or kayaking) excursion on the Cartecay River. For those who want an easy float, there’s a 1.5-mile lazy river option, which takes around two hours. If you’re looking for a bit more excitement, however, choose the adventure experience that goes three miles downriver and typically takes about three hours. I personally recommend it.
Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail
Location: Summerville Distance: 1.7 miles, out and back Difficulty: Easy to strenuous
Location: Chickamauga Distance: 1 mile, out and back, with .25 miles of ADA accessible trail Difficulty: Easy
The Marble Mine Trail is one of several short trails, ranging from easy to strenuous, that can be found at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park. It starts with an easy walk from the state park office, then travels along the lakeshore and into the woods, gaining some elevation as you head towards the eponymous marble mine, which was active during the 1960s and ’70s. The trail takes you past old dynamite sheds and worker shacks, and chips of marble still litter the area. The true gem of this hike, though, is at the end, in the form of a 35-foot seasonal waterfall that cascades down from a massive stone outcropping at the top of the hill, directly over the mine’s opening. There, a wooden boardwalk takes you underneath the overhang and behind the waterfall, offering an up-close view of where the excavations once took place. Side Quest: For a hike that’s a little — or a lot — longer and more challenging, keep going past the marble mine to connect with the Pinhoti Trail, a 335-mile-long National Recreational Trail that runs through the park for about half a mile. From this point, you can travel south another 210 miles to the trail’s southern terminus in Flagg Mountain, Alabama. Go north and, depending on which route you take, you’ll connect with the Benton MacKaye Trail just past Springer Mountain.
Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail
Found on the west side of the CrockfordPigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, in a place known as The Pocket, this trail meanders through an area that’s home to more than 50 wildflower species, at least 11 of which are found virtually nowhere else in Georgia. But the wildflowers don’t have to be in bloom to make this trek worthwhile. When you get to the parking lot, make sure you head to the trail on the right side of the lot, by the ADA parking. (The trail on the left side is the start of the Pocket Loop Trail, a strenuous nine-mile loop that takes you to the top of Pigeon Mountain and back. It’s a great hike, but definitely one you want to be prepared to take.) The first quarter mile of the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail is easy, as it’s lined with an ADA-accessible boardwalk meant to protect the wildflowers from the hikers. After the boardwalk ends, things get a bit more rugged, but it’s worth it to get to the waterfall at the end of the trail. Side Quest: If you’ve driven all the way to The Pocket, take some time to check out the rest of Pigeon Mountain. There’s much to discover, including the Estelle Mines Trail, a moderate five-mile hike through the site of a former silver mine. There’s also the scenic Hood Overlook, which offers an amazing view of Northwest Georgia’s unique valley and ridge geology. Then there’s the Blue Hole spring, the Lost Wall, Pettyjohn’s Cave, the abandoned TAG railroad tunnel, and a popular bouldering location known as Rocktown. No matter your skill or ability level, North Georgia has some amazing opportunities for fall hiking and recreation. This list barely scratches the surface of what all there is to see and experience, so the best thing to do is find a trail and get walking!
Red Top Mountain State Park. (photo: Explore Georgia: Ralph Daniel)
Marble Mine Trail
5
Honorable Mentions Stone Tower Combo (Fort Mountain State Park, Chatsworth): A one-mile loop that includes ancient rock walls, a Civilian Conservation Corps stone tower, and nearly 360-degree views from the West Overlook. Dukes Creek Falls (ChattahoocheeOconee National Forest, Helen): A moderate two-mile round trip that will lead you to an impressive 150-foot multitiered waterfall. Iron Hill Trail (Red Top Mountain State Park, Cartersville): A meandering 3.8-mile loop along Lake Allatoona and through the site of a mid-1800s iron mining community. Yonah Mountain Trail (Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Cleveland): A strenuous 4.4-mile round trip to the top of Yonah Mountain, with some amazing views. West Rim Loop Trail (Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn): A moderately strenuous five-mile trail, formerly named one of the 10 best hikes in the U.S. by Backpacker magazine.
Lillie Read is an eighth-generation Georgian and the director of the Cartersville Downtown Development Authority. She loves reading, history, nature, rockhounding, creek-stomping, and generally exploring the world around her. nwgeorgialiving.com | 33
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The JimJam A HALLOWEEN POEM
BY CARRIE KARNES-FANNIN
Black licorice, two bruised apples, a toothbrush … What kind of neighborhood is this?!? “Guys! C’mon, c’mon … one more.” Your friends shrug. They peel off, their glow-in-the-dark buckets heavy with full-sized goodies. Even your goosebumps have goosebumps in the shivery October air. You trudge on. Under a broken streetlight, on a shadowed street, the house waits. It gives you heebie-jeebies ... the willies … the jimjams. You mutter, “I wouldn’t live here as a ghost.” Still … you knock. It opens— empty, wide. “Oh, aren’t you a sweetie?” A nothing beckons. “Come! We’ll fill that bag right up.” No treats for you tonight— you’re tricked. nwgeorgialiving.com | 35
RICK AT
Y
KATHY P
d GET COOKIN’
Fall Flavors on the Healthy Side
B
Four seasonal recipes that both taste good and are good for you.
F The meals pictured are representations of the recipes featured in this article. 36 | NW GEORGIA LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
all means football games, colorful foliage, and sweater weather. It also means Halloween candy, seasonal pies, and lots of tailgate treats. To offset those fun but not-always-great-for-you autumnal eats, we’ve put together a selection of recipes that offer great fall flavors without breaking the caloric bank.
Maple-Roasted Chicken Thighs, Sweet Potatoes, and Brussels Sprouts Serves 4 | This one-pan dish shines thanks to its maple syrup sauce. 6 tbsp. pure maple syrup 4 tbsp. olive oil 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard 2 tbsp. snipped fresh thyme ¾ tsp. salt, plus more for chicken and vegetables ¾ tsp. black pepper, plus more for chicken and vegetables 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-¾ inch cubes 1 medium onion, finely sliced 1 lb. brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved Nonstick cooking spray 4 bone-in skinless chicken thighs 3 tbsp. snipped dried cranberries 3 tbsp. chopped pecans, toasted
Preheat oven to 425°. In small bowl, combine syrup, 3 tbsp. olive oil, mustard, thyme, salt, pepper, and ½ tsp. garlic powder. In large bowl, combine sweet potatoes, onion, and sprouts. Drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp. oil and season with salt, pepper, and remaining ½ tsp. garlic powder; toss to coat. Line 15×10 baking pan with foil. Heat pan in oven 5 minutes, then remove and coat with cooking spray. Spray chicken on both sides with cooking spray, season with salt and pepper, then arrange chicken, meaty side down, in center of pan. Arrange vegetables around chicken. Roast 20 minutes. Flip chicken and vegetables, then brush with maple syrup mixture. Roast 15 more minutes or until chicken is done (165°) and potatoes are tender. Top with cranberries and pecans.
Mushroom Gravy Makes about 3 cups | A delicious, meaty-tasting gravy that can be made ahead and refrigerated two days before or frozen for up to two months. It’s amazing over mashed potatoes, beef, and pork, and will be a wonderful accompaniment to Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing and other holiday meals coming up in the next few months. 3 1 ¼ 1 ¼ ½ 1 2 ¼ 3 1 1
tbsp. olive oil lb. sliced mushrooms (white button or baby bellas) c. red onion (or shallot), finely chopped garlic clove, finely chopped tsp. salt tsp. ground black pepper tsp. thyme leaves, chopped tbsp. salted butter c. flour c. vegetable stock tbsp. soy sauce tbsp. chopped parsley
Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and mushrooms. Spread mushrooms in even layer and cook, undisturbed, for 4 minutes. Add onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme; stir to combine. Cook 2 more minutes, then reduce heat to medium. Add butter to skillet. Once melted, sprinkle flour evenly over top of mushrooms. Stir until mixture is lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Add vegetable stock and soy sauce. Scrape bottom of skillet to dislodge brown bits; stir until smooth. Increase heat to medium-high until returned to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium and let gravy simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add parsley.
Roasted Butternut Squash with Candied Walnuts 6 c. butternut squash (one medium squash), peeled, seeded, and cubed 2 tbsp. olive oil ½ tsp. smoked paprika ¼ tsp. ground ginger ½ tsp. kosher salt ½ tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. maple syrup 1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar ½ c. coarsely chopped walnuts Fresh parsley for garnish
Serves 6 | A showstopper side dish combining butternut squash and sticky-sweet maple orange walnuts that’s perfect for holidays yet easy enough for weeknight dinners.
Preheat oven to 425°. In bowl, toss squash with olive oil, paprika, ginger, salt, and ¼ tsp. cinnamon; put on rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 35-40 minutes, tossing halfway through, until soft and caramelized. While squash roasts, combine syrup, orange juice, rosemary, vinegar, and remaining ¼ tsp. cinnamon in small bowl. Toast walnuts in nonstick skillet over medium heat, tossing often, until fragrant (about 5 minutes); watch closely to avoid burning. Pour syrup mixture into skillet with walnuts and cook, stirring often, for 1-2 minutes, until mixture thickens and glazes over the walnuts. Season with salt and remove from heat. Assemble squash on serving platter and scatter candied walnuts and parsley on top.
Caramelized Baked Apple Slices Serves 8 | Can be served with a scoop of ice cream or Greek yogurt, and maybe a few toasted pecans. Try different apple varieties or use what you have on hand. 4 medium Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick ¾ c. light brown sugar 3 tbsp. cornstarch 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted 2 tbsp. lemon juice 1½ tsp. ground cinnamon ¼ tsp. salt
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine apples, sugar, cornstarch, melted butter, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt in large bowl; stir until apples are fully coated. Transfer mixture to 9×13 baking dish; cover with foil. Bake 45 minutes. Remove foil and stir mixture. Bake uncovered about 10 minutes more, until apples are tender and caramelized. Cool 5 minutes before serving. Kathy Patrick, a resident of Rome, Georgia, loves cooking, traveling, book club, slalom waterskiing, and gym workouts, but her favorite activities are polka dancing and bicycle trips with her husband, Marty Cipollini. A retired software sales professional, Patrick volunteers with the Rome Little Theatre and Georgia chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation. nwgeorgialiving.com | 37
d ROBERT’S WORLD
My Moriarty Battling my archnemesis, the gym.
BY ROBERT SMYTH
I
t’s important that everyone, at any age, tries their hardest to stay in shape. I typed that opening sentence with clenched teeth and a scowl on my face, just so you know. As the days march on, I find it increasingly difficult to find the time — much less the desire — to make myself go to the gym, or really do any sort of exercise program. Especially multiple days a week! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat in the car at the gym arguing with myself about whether I should go in or not. Security has been called due to the crazy guy yelling at himself in the parking lot. You can’t go on the internet these days without seeing something saying how important it is for you to keep up those gym visits for a longer, healthier life. But rarely does it say it makes you happier, just pointing that out. Funny sidenote, one of my work colleagues just walked down the hall past me with her gym bag in hand, stating loudly, “I gotta go change my clothes before I change my mind.” Look, I know some of you absolutely love going to the gym. I have a son who goes every day and thinks it’s awesome. Of course, all of his body parts still work correctly, and it doesn’t take him two days to get over doing a set of 30 stomach crunches. All I’m saying is that maybe I could have helped with some suggestions when God was designing the human body. Because I think that as you get older, there should be some rewards for your aging body versus the situation I have going on right now.
If you’re in your 20s, lift everything, use the word “bro” a lot, and get excited about your matching workout clothes. In your 30s, maybe start focusing on areas you can when you’re not hanging out at a ball field with your 7-year-old who’s swinging, catching, or kicking something practically every day and weekend. Being a nonstop human taxi driver/snack mule should get you the same results at the gym in half the time as the 20-year-old non-destructible people. And how about your 40s? You should be able to look great with maybe two days a week at the gym. Your stress levels over college tuition and retirement accounts should keep you thin, and normal financial and marriage tension should keep you toned. Finally, 50 and over. Do you realize that a person’s life expectancy wasn’t beyond age 50 until around the 1950s? If you make it this far with the way the world is going, there should be some health perks, not the other way around. Beyond 50, you should be able to drive up to the gym, never get out of the car, and wham, you’ve got six-pack abs, a 34-inch waist, and a butt you could bounce a dime off of. In case you were wondering, God has not responded to any of my gym requests. So, I’ll keep going as long as I can, doing the best that I can, and hoping for the best. Honestly, the only reason I still even go to the gym is so I can hold all my nieces and nephews without my back going out. Let’s call that a win.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat in the car at the gym arguing with myself about whether I should go in or not.
38 | NW GEORGIA LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
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