2019 Summer Issue

community magazine 2019 SUMMER ISSUE

2019 Summer Issue 1

F E AT U R E S

7

8 Restoring Power and Hope 12 Head, Heart, Hands and Health 16 Navigating Autism

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21

H E A LT H & WELLNESS

22 Motion Activated 26 When Seconds Stand Between Life and Death

33

ARTS, E D U C AT I O N & I N N O VAT I O N 34 Bridging the Gap 38 One Mile at a Time

PUBLISHERS

Meredith & Scott Tredeau 770-788-6795 info@thenewtoncommunity.com DIRECTOR OF SALES

Glenn Dowling 404-416-3198 sales@thenewtoncommunity.com EDITOR

Brian Knapp PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dave Courey Brian Dean Michie Turpin CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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SPORTS & R E C R E AT I O N

44 If You Build Them, They Will Come 48 Flight Plan

51

LIVING

52 Sweet Dreams 56 Bringing the Heat 60 Where Southern Tradition Thrives

Kari Apted Michelle Floyd Nat Harwell Darrell Huckaby Jessica Hudgins Patty Rasmussen David Roten ILLUSTRATOR

Scott Fuss For subscription information, visit: thenewtoncommunity.com/subscribe/ The Newton Community Magazine is published quarterly. All contents are copyrighted by The Newton Community Magazine. Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited. The Newton Community Magazine reserves liability in error to a printed correction.

2019 Summer Issue 5

On the Cover

WHEN SUMMERTIME HEATS UP THE SOUTH

by DAVID ROTEN

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE The older we get, the more time seems to fly by, doesn’t it? There are actually some really interesting scientific theories behind it—Google it if your interest is piqued! In the meantime, here’s the short of it, including how to slow it down—which is what really matters, right?

Most theorists agree that time passes faster when we are in a set routine, when we aren’t learning anything new, when our lives seem to be stuck in a pattern. Why? Our brains encode new experiences, not familiar ones, into memory, and our retrospective perception of time is based on how many new memories we create over a certain period. When we’re young, we have many new experiences and learn countless new skills. As we get older, our lives tend to become more routine, and we experience fewer unfamiliar moments.

Thus, our early years tend to be relatively overrepresented in our memory and, in hindsight, seem to have lasted longer.

“It’s not the heat; it’s the humidity.” By now, you have either heard these words from your pseudo-meteorologist friends or let them drip from your own parched lips.

Your strength is sapped, your soggy shirt sticks to your back and your tongue cleaves to the roof of your mouth, not because the mercury flirts with 100 degrees but because of the blasted moisture in the air. Something called a dew point factors into the equation, but let us not split frizzy hairs.

Can we all just agree that it’s hot and move on? Agree, yes. Move on? Never. We southerners love to talk about the weather, especially over a glass of sweet tea at El Charro, Stalvey’s or any of the other preferred eating establishments around town.

By the way, warmer-than-normal temperatures are expected in Georgia this summer.

So the key to making the days last? Make new memories: Do something different, learn something new, explore new places and new ideas. Summer is in full swing.

What better time to slow down and change gears, go somewhere new or try something different? It doesn’t have to be complicated or extravagant or expensive. Let’s make the most of this summer by making time to make some memories.

Thank you, and may God bless you.

Scott and Meredith Tredeau

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PHOTO CREDIT: Markus Spiske

A friend of mine once said, “What are you going to do with what you got?” What we got is hot. If you like it that way, your answer probably reads something like this: hiking a trail, riding the rapids, cruising on the lake or chilling in the shade with some lemonade. If, however, you are holed up in a climate-controlled fortress reading a magazine—The Newton Community Magazine, for instance—in an effort to beat the heat, well, that’s not a bad option, either.

We can talk about the weather and we can complain about the weather, but there’s not much we can do about the weather. This is where we live, until this season passes and the next one arrives, bringing with it change and opportunity.

Yes, hot is what we got. Just relax and have fun with it.

F E AT U R E S BED IN SUMMER In winter I get up at night And dress by yellow candle-light.

In summer quite the other way, I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see The birds still hopping on the tree, Or hear the grown-up people’s feet Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you, When all the sky is clear and blue, And I should like so much to play, To have to go to bed by day?

by Robert Louis Stevenson

PHOTO CREDIT: Conner Baker

F E AT U R E S

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Restoring

by PATTY RASMUSSEN

Power Hope &

In the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Michael, local linemen oftentimes represent the light at the end of uncertainty’s tunnel for those who have had their lives turned inside out.

Anyone familiar with veteran Atlanta sports journalist Sandra Golden knows it takes a lot to knock the thousandwatt smile off of her face. However, the Florida native was not smiling in October as she watched the weather reports grow more and more grim.

Hurricane Michael, a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Scale, was bearing down on Lynn Haven, her hometown on the Florida panhandle where her father, mother and sister still lived and opted to ride out the storm.

“My sister literally sent a text that read, ‘I don’t think we’re going to make it,’ and it never went through,” Golden said, her voice cracking with emotion as she described the day months later. “They were huddled in that closet with the roof blowing off; the house was falling down around them.”

Golden’s father, 86, suffers from dementia, and the confusion and agitation that accompany the disease make evacuation difficult. Moving him was a judgment call.

“People say they shouldn’t have stayed,” Golden said, “but that storm changed overnight. It changed from Category 2 to Category 4.”

In fact, the National Weather Service in April upgraded Michael to a Category 5, the worst of all hurricanes, with winds north of 156 miles per hour. Golden did not know for three days whether her family survived the storm. She started driving south once she knew they were safe, and she was not alone. According to Gulf Power, more than 123 different companies sent teams to assist with restoring power in the Bay County service area in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. That included energy companies—not just power companies— from other parts of Florida and other states, including Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Georgia.

“I don’t throw around the word ‘miracle,’ but it was angels on earth,” Golden said. “When we would see the power people coming down the street—I’m going to start to cry—there were roars of applause, people giving them food. They were everywhere, and they were amazing.”

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F E AT U R E S

Bobby Fincher works as the director of line services for Snapping Shoals EMC in Covington and admits he will always be a lineman at heart. He has been with Snapping Shoals for 23 years and served on the front lines of disasters like the one Golden describes.

In fact, Fincher sent crews to assist two EMCs in southwest Georgia, an area that was hit hard by Michael: Three Notch EMC in Donalsonville and Mitchell EMC in Sylvester. The situation in Donalsonville and the surrounding Seminole County, where the storm made a direct hit, was particularly dire.

“There was a lot of devastation, poles just laid over,” Fincher said. “Their system was torn up. When I got down there, I saw fields with irrigation pivots that were flipped upside down. I saw trees through houses. It was like stuff you’d see in the movies.”

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Snapping Shoals EMC is part of a network of 41 EMCs statewide. It serves members in an eight-county area that includes large portions of Newton, Henry and Rockdale counties, along with portions of Butts, Dekalb, Jasper, Morgan and Walton. The EMCs have a mutual-aid agreement used in the event of power outages. Requests can be made due to any type of event, from high winds, snow and ice storms to hurricanes and tornadoes.

When a disaster strikes, either in Georgia or regionally, the state entity—Georgia EMC—fields outside requests for assistance and filters those requests to the local EMCs. Georgia EMC reported as many as 210,000 EMC customers without power after Hurricane Michael did its damage.

Snapping Shoals Vice President of Operations Don Ritchey determines whether or not the EMC

can spare resources, personnel and equipment.

However, before that even happens, Ritchey and his team assess whether the Snapping Shoals service area is in the clear weather-wise. For example, Snapping Shoals did not send crews to South Georgia in the days leading up to Hurricane Michael because at the time the storm was projected to impact the metro Atlanta area. Once they know their area is safe, the operations team can start thinking about helping its neighbors.

“We have to look at our workload whenever we get a call,” Fincher said. “We don’t send our people out at the expense of our customers.”

Snapping Shoals EMC maintains a list of employees who volunteer to serve on its emergency and disaster response teams. They are listed by job classification.

“We’ll send teams or crews based on what they’re requesting,” Fincher said. “If they’re requesting a two-man team, that’s a bucket [truck] and two men.

They may request a full-fledged construction crew.

That’s two buckets, a line truck that we use to set poles and the pickup [driven by a foreman]. It could be an eight-person team.”

Sometimes there is a need for office personnel.

Three Notch EMC was a much smaller co-op with fewer employees. Snapping Shoals offered to send warehouse workers to help it rebuild. Disaster teams usually have just a few hours to prepare to deploy.

They may be gone for a day or two, sometimes for weeks at a time. Oftentimes, those calls come in the middle of the night.

“To be a family member of a person that works at the utility demands a lot,” Fincher said. “Sometimes wives get up at midnight to do laundry to get their husbands ready to go in the morning. It takes the community.”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, Snapping Shoals crews worked long days, often consisting of 16- to 18-hour shifts. Mitchell EMC in Sylvester needed help but did not have anywhere to house the crews, as all the motels in the area were filled with evacuees. A local farmer with a large workshop housed and helped feed the Snapping Shoals team.

“He and some of the community members actually washed clothes for some of our guys down there,” Fincher said. “That’s what you go for, because

you help people like that. It tends to bring out the best in people, and it restores hope a bit.”

Disaster crews are compensated for their time, but pay has little to do with their motivation.

“In my experience and the experience of the guys in the field, the pay is not why you go,” Fincher said.

“To be honest with you, the pay isn’t nearly enough when you consider all that is expected and required from a lineman assisting in the restoration of the downed power lines. The main reason you go is because you know if something like that happened here, there are people willing to come here, because we’re a brotherhood. We help our brothers out.”

Fincher sees the rewards as intangible and points to an experience he had while working with a crew at Three Notch EMC. “There was a family living across the road from the switch that fed the house, and they’d been out of power for I don’t know how many days,” he said.

“Our guys had been down there for a while working with other co-ops. This family had four or five kids and a farmhouse and animals, and they were doing everything they could do to keep things going.

We get over there and get their wire put back up, and I actually went across the road to close their switch in; and the guys that were working were going to stay there and make sure everything came back on.

“As soon as the switch closed in, the lights came on in the house, because it was dark,” Fincher added.

“Well, it sounded like people cheering at a football game. It was the kids saying, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.’ If you were to ask anyone here, that’s probably the best experience, that and the letters you get weeks later. That’s the reward.”

“I don’t throw around the word ‘miracle,’ but it was angels on earth. When we would see the power people coming down the street, there were roars of applause, people giving them food. They were everywhere, and they were amazing.”

Sandra Golden

2019 Summer Issue 11

F E AT U R E S

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EL L

by

NA TH AR W

H A E H N H E A D A A D H N R , EA D T, LT S H

The 4-H organization has aided in the development of youth leaders across the country for more than a century and owes its founding to Newton County.

Most people recognize Jennifer Nettles’ name instantly. As one half of the country music duo Sugarland, she has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry, not only by winning Grammy awards but by starring in television movies and appearing on Broadway. When Sugarland took a recess a few years ago, Nettles took her solo musical act on the road and opened in the hallowed sanctuary of Ryman Theater in Nashville, Tennessee.

One might wonder what Nettles was doing when she paid a recent visit to the Georgia Legislature.

She passed out autographed albums and talked to

any legislator who would listen—they all listened— about the debacle that defunding and shuttering 4-H clubs across Georgia would create. Owing a significant part of her professional success to her early involvement in 4-H, she felt compelled to campaign to keep the program alive for the thousands who benefit from it. As a young girl in Douglas, Nettles got her first taste of singing through her local 4-H club.

“It set the ground work very early on for what it means to get serious, and at the same time, it was the first time I was surrounded by kids who were like 2019 Summer Issue 13

F E AT U R E S

me, who had dreams in the performing arts,” Nettles said during an interview at the 2016 4-H Legacy Awards. “That was a big deal for a little girl from a small town.”

Newton County also has a vested interest in the well-being of 4-H, seeing as though it was founded here more than a century ago. Back in 1904, Newton County Schools Superintendent G.C. Adams noticed an event from the upper Midwest.

It was called a Corn Contest, and it afforded young aspiring farmers the opportunity to compete to see who could grow the best crop of corn. Agriculture was at the time and remains so today the leading industry in Newton County, so Adams formed the first Agricultural Corn Club for Boys in Georgia.

It soon morphed into what we now call 4-H. The following year, Adams held a corn exhibition in the historic Newton County Courthouse. Judges awarded first place to George Plunket, second place to Thomas Greer and third place to Paul and Walter Cowan. Because the club was formed during the regrettable Jim Crow era, African-Americans were not allowed to participate in such activities. However, P.D. Johnson sponsored an African-American corn demonstration garden at the Washington Street School in 1904, believed to be the forerunner of the first-ever black 4-H club. Johnson later became the first African-American agent in the United States Farmers’ Co-operative Demonstration Work and the first black extension agent in the state of Georgia.

Unfortunately, a number of fires at the Washington Street School resulted in all documentation being lost, or tucked away in someone’s steamer trunk or attic. Nevertheless, reports from credible sources prove Newton County has from the start led the way in the formation of and continuing excellence associated with 4-H clubs in Georgia.

Adams went on to promote his corn club by having University of Georgia agriculture professors make repeated visits to Covington. During one such trip, youth in the area were challenged to grow one acre of corn near their homes. The project was so successful that it drew the attention of Atlanta newspapers, which caused the effort to sweep across the state. A group of women—even though they were still not allowed to vote at the time—organized the first Girls Tomato Canning Club in Sparta in 1908. It provided an outlet for young women that was comparable to the corn club for young men.

Over time, the corn and tomato canning clubs all became part of 4-H.

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Newton County 4-H Youth Extension Agent Terri Kimble Fullerton can outline in vivid detail the impact 4-H has had close to home. She readily reveals the official listing of all local residents who have earned recognition at the state and national levels in various fields of competition sponsored by 4-H clubs. They included Jerry and Leigh Aldridge, who were recently enshrined in the Newton County School System Educator Hall of Fame, and Arts Association in Newton County Executive Director Buncie Hay Lanners, who won a national competition for public speaking. So many others have accomplished much through 4-H. Ted Wynne, who hails from Cochran, well south of the “gnat line,” can trace his involvement with 4-H all the way back to fifth grade. He has performed county extension work for 30 years, the last 14 of them in Newton County. Wynne recently served on the judging team for a state poultry competition and came away impressed by the job done by local 4-H members. “We didn’t win the state,” he said, “but we represented our district of some 40 counties very well.” Wynne credited his grandmother for spurring his interest in poultry production and chuckled when asked whether or not he had a favorite chicken. “Well,” he said, “I reckon the White Leghorn has to be my favorite because they turn a little bit of feed into a whole lot of eggs.”

Nettles understands as well as anyone the vital role 4-H clubs play in communities. The fact that she carved out time in her schedule to lobby legislators says as much. From a country music superstar to

young children just starting out on the wondrous road of life, 4-H can provide the nurturing care and fertile soil from which dreams can actually come true; and it all started in Newton County. G.C. Adams and P.D. Johnson would be proud.

Contact Newton 4-H to: Learn about opportunities for kids, Grades 1-12, in shooting sports safety, livestock, performing arts, leadership, public speaking and more Volunteer as an instructor or chaperone Donate to keep 4-H activities accessible to all students Terri Fullerton, County Youth Extension Agent tkimble@uga.edu 770-784-2010 extension.uga.edu/newton

“I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world.”

Official 4-H Pledge

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F E AT U R E S

Navigating

by KARI APTED

Autism

As the mother of two autistic sons, Philroedna Thorpe found herself on a voyage of discovery for more than two decades.

Philroedna Thorpe does not need the Weather Channel to tell her when a storm is on the way.

Her son knows. He has always known.

As a toddler, Noah Thorpe would clamp his hands over his ears and rock himself when his body detected the change in the air. One sunny afternoon, an elderly man noticed Noah’s behavior while the family shopped at Walmart. When Philroedna explained that a storm was coming, the man attempted to comfort Noah. “It’s OK, little buddy,” he said. “Look at the sun shining out there. You don’t have anything to worry about.” Within a few minutes, the light dimmed and the store was filled with the roar of a summertime downpour. Soon, Philroedna noticed the man walking toward her again. He apologized for doubting Noah’s behavior and marveled at what he had witnessed.

Now 22 years old, Noah’s storm-related anxiety manifests a little differently. His heart skips beats, and his palms sweat as he goes around the house

One in 59 children has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls.

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closing all the blinds. Sometimes, he feels the storm hours before it arrives. Once it passes, he opens all the blinds and his anxiety fades.

Anxiety, attention issues and other complications affect those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, like Noah and his younger brother, Jason. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 59 children has ASD. The disorder is about four times more common in boys than girls and it occurs in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Some children are diagnosed before their second birthday. Such was the case with Noah. As a baby, he never answered to his name and often sat with his back toward his parents, spinning toys and lining them up instead of playing as other children might. Although he met many milestones on time, he began to regress. He was evaluated and diagnosed with ASD at 19 months old.

Because autism is a spectrum disorder, it affects people in different ways and with varying degrees of severity. However, each person with autism also has

Most children are still being diagnosed after age 4, though autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 2.

Early intervention affords the best opportunity to support healthy development and deliver benefits across the lifespan.

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F E AT U R E S

a distinct set of strengths and abilities that can reveal themselves in surprising ways. Philroedna and her husband, Winston, first witnessed Noah’s artistic gift when he was just 2 years old.

“He was pointing in his bedroom [and] saying ‘See?’ He had drawn buildings all over the wall and wrote his name in big letters. I didn’t even know he knew how to write his name,” Philroedna said.

“We decided to just let him have that wall for a while.”

Noah continued to draw throughout his childhood and has always shown a strong ability to sketch images from memory. After high school, he began taking art classes with Glen Dyer at WildArt in Covington.

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“Mr. Dyer started teaching him how to perfect his talent,” Philroedna said. “It took Noah a minute because he didn’t like anyone telling him what to do, but now he loves it.”

Creativity is often magnified in people with ASD, and neurological testing revealed off-the-charts right-brain activity in Jason and Noah. Jason’s creativity has manifested in the gift of music.

Diagnosed with ASD at the age of 3, he also experienced speech delays and would cry often due to his inability to communicate verbally. He caught onto sign language quickly and used signing as his primary language during his early years. Jason’s struggles due to ASD include obsessive-compulsive behavior and insomnia. He cannot sleep unless he

is listening to music on his earbuds. Now 19, Jason plays piano, sings at church and is a talented disc jockey. He frequently takes music lessons with Jairus Hardge at McKibben Music in downtown Covington. In addition, Jason shares his mother’s love of cooking and plans to pursue a degree in music or culinary arts.

The Thorpe brothers can be found volunteering with their mom at Newton County Senior Services every week at Turner Lake Park, where they recently won an award for their community service. Jason frequently provides DJ services for community events, such as Karaoke on The Square. The freedom to serve in the community and explore their creative gifts are two of the reasons the Thorpes chose to homeschool their sons. When offering advice to other parents of children with ASD, Philroedna encourages them to explore all educational and therapy options.

“We did speech, occupational and physical therapy programs when they were younger, but insurance wouldn’t cover [the] applied behavior therapy that’s often recommended for ASD. It’s hard on this side of town, because resources like life skills programs are usually on the north side of Atlanta,” she said, while pointing out that parents can provide help on their own. “Focus on the positive things they do; help them through the negative. Just be in tune with what is best for your family.”

Philroedna also recommends accepting assistance from friends and relatives.

“My mother, Phyllis Sowell, lives with us and has helped us with the boys since they were born,” she said. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without her support. You also have to remember that things that are important to society aren’t always important to people with autism, but that doesn’t define them as a person; it doesn’t make them or break them.”

For many families, processing an autism diagnosis can feel similar to the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Philroedna has gone beyond the stage of acceptance to one of

“The worst thing you can do as a parent is be in denial and not give a child the help he needs and deserves. Autism is actually a wonderful gift. You might have a walking genius in your house and not even know.”

Philroedna Thorpe

celebration. She embraces the behaviors that make her boys unique and encourages other parents of autistic children to do the same.

“The worst thing you can do as a parent is be in denial and not give a child the help he needs and deserves,” she said. “Autism is actually a wonderful gift. You might have a walking genius in your house and not even know.”

For additional information on Autism Spectrum Disorder, including early signs, visit cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html or autismspeaks.org/what-autism.

2019 Summer Issue 19

COURTESY OF GEORGIA ARCHIVES, VANISHING GEORGIA COLLECTION, NEW167–83

THEN AND NOW Two photographs taken from the same viewpoint at two different times in history: Railroad crossing in Mansfield, c. early 1920s (above) Downtown Mansfield, 2019 (left).

Mansfield has undergone growth and decline several times in its history with the rise and fall of economic prosperity and population.

Downtown revitalization is underway as part of the new City Center redevelopment project.

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H E A LT H & WELLNESS Grocery stores and gardens are chock full of summer fruits and vegetables in their prime: sweet corn, tomatoes, berries, beans and more. If you like green beans, you’ll love this recipe.

LEMON-PEPPER GREEN BEANS Ingredients • 2 tablespoons butter • 1.5 pounds fresh green beans, stem ends snipped or snapped off • 1 lemon • ¼ tsp salt • ¼ tsp pepper Instructions 1 Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. When butter starts to sizzle, add green beans and sauté until tender, about 3–5 minutes.

2 Squeeze lemon juice on the beans.

3 Sprinkle with salt and pepper and stir to coat. Cook for an additional minute.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ravi Varma K

H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

Motion Activated

by JESSICA HUDGINS

Originally designed to assist those suffering from Parkinson’s disease, the Covington Family YMCA’s Basic Movement class has been extended to all members.

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A group of 15 or so people meets at the Covington Family YMCA to stretch, destress and connect with one another every Tuesday morning from 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. Formally called the Basic Movement class, the 45-minute block is designed to “lead participants through various stretches and strength exercises in an inclusive and welcoming environment,” according to Covington Family YMCA Executive Director Louly Hay-Kapp.

The Y holds the class in a brick cottage on Newton Drive, a stone’s throw away from its main facility. A long ramp leads up to the building, a few rose bushes growing on the path. As visitors walked in, they passed through a small sunroom and entered the main area where classes are held.

Several chairs were placed in a circle, with a pile of red medicine balls in the middle.

People milled around the room, placing their hats, water bottles and bags onto the surrounding tables. A small group gathered, smiling and chatting as they passed around a thank-you card for a former teacher who recently relocated. Andy Hudgens, a welcoming woman who took time to greet everyone as they came in, took on the responsibility of organizing the card.

Andy, 70, and her husband, Tom, 71, started attending the class when it was first offered two years ago. It was designed to

serve people who, like Tom, suffer from Parkinson’s disease, a progressive nervous system disorder. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include tremors, slowed movement, speech and writing changes, impaired posture and balance, loss of automatic movements and rigid muscles.

Upwards of 60,000 Americans each year are diagnosed with the disease, the cause of which remains unknown.

“We know people who think they can’t move,” Tom said, “and it’s easy to entertain that thought if you’re not careful. That’s where the exercise comes in.”

The YMCA decided to open the class to all members, not just those impacted by Parkinson’s, soon after it began. “We soon realized that the class could benefit many more people and invited others to join,” Hay-Kapp said. As a result, the class grew to its current size.

The room brimmed with energy as the latest session began. Instructor Nathan Hutcheson started by asking each participant to state his or her name. As they advanced around the circle, people asked about a recent shoulder surgery and a birthday that had been celebrated over the preceding weekend. Hutcheson turned on some music.

“Reaching your hands up, strong neutral spine, up to the ceiling and down,” Hutcheson said, his voice calm and level

H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

as he led the class. “This time, at the bottom, see if you can stretch down. Just take a moment here to stretch your low back.”

Teresa Burchfield completed the exercises while standing, working according to her comfort level. Hay-Kapp concedes that keeping participants engaged and relaxed is a vital aspect of the Basic Movement class.

“Many people ranging in age and ability have incorporated this class into their healthy lifestyle,” she said. Burchfield enjoys her time at the YMCA, where she has found the environment to be supportive and

encouraging. “It helps us stay flexible and strong as we age, relieves stress and anxiety, offers social interaction and mentally helps keep the mind focused,” she said.

The class moved into lunges at around 10:30 a.m. Participants turned their chairs sideways—as though they were following the person in front of them around the circle—and pushed one leg back before leaning onto the chairs for support. It began to rain while everyone coordinated with a neighbor, and a woman in royal blue plants and an unabridged view out the window

broke whatever tension remained in the room: “Severe weather alert!” Everyone laughed and turned to watch the rain fall and the trees sway, and a few conversations broke out about how uncooperative the weather had been during the spring.

During one of the more intense exercises, which required participants to lift their legs and squeeze a medicine ball between them, the class fell silent, as it was virtually impossible to perform the exercise and talk at the same time. Hutcheson executed the maneuver with the class and asked a tongue-in-cheek question once he released the stretch: “Did you guys feel that one a little more?” A collective chuckle could be heard. As the clock neared 11 a.m., Hutcheson went into the cool-down process.

“We’ll take a few minutes for breathing,” he said, “for coming back to the breath.”

The room again grew quiet, and it became apparent that it was an important time for everyone involved, as participants focused on comfort and relaxation.

Soon after, Hutcheson dismissed the group for the day and was met with applause. The Basic Movement class does not focus on competition or becoming physically stronger. It encourages participants to discover what they can do to continue to grow.

“When you’re new to a group, it’s normal to feel like everyone’s looking at you,” Andy said, “but we’re just trying to stay standing.”

To participate in the Basic Movement class, join the YMCA as a facility member. There is a monthly fee but no contract. For more information please contact Janette Scharf. janettes@ymcaatlanta.org 770-787-3908

“Many people ranging in age and ability have incorporated this class into their healthy lifestyle.”

Covington Family YMCA Executive Director Louly Hay-Kapp

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HOW TO SAVE MONEY

BY SAVING WATER AS TEMPERATURES RISE IN SUMMER, SO DOES OUTDOOR WATER USE. HERE ARE FOUR EASY WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR WATER USE AND YOUR WATER BILL.

TIP #1

Inspect irrigation systems and fix any sprinkler heads that are broken or spraying on the sidewalk, street, or driveway.

TIP #2

Water early in the morning (before 10 a.m) or later in the evening (after 6 p.m.) when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.

TIP #3

Use a pool cover when you’re not in the pool.

Investing in a cover can not only prevent water loss through evaporation, it can also keep your pool clean and reduce chemical use.

TIP #4

Don’t overfill the pool, and try to keep water in the pool when playing. Lower water levels will reduce water loss due to splashing.

Visit ncwsa.us/conservation-tips to learn more about saving water at home, at work, and in the garden.

About 50% of the water we use outdoors goes to waste from evaporation or runoff due to overwatering.

H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

DR. ERIC BOUR , JAN FOWLER, BRENT DEMARK, CARLI CUENDET

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WHEN SECONDS STAND 148 BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH

by DAVID ROTEN

The Labor Day shooting incident involving Covington police officer Matt Cooper spurred the implementation of a potentially life-saving Stop the Bleed training program at Piedmont Newton Hospital.

So much in life falls outside of our control.

Bad things happen, from terrorist acts in our cities to gun violence in our schools, places of worship and movie theaters. It has become an all too familiar refrain, and if man’s inhumanity toward man were not enough, it seems that humans are prone to injuring themselves, through accidents at work or play, at home or on the highways.

Most of the time, we are neither victims of nor witnesses to such crimes or accidents.

If we were, would we know what to do? If we or someone else lay bleeding and in danger of losing his or her life, would we

know how to save it? Preventing a calamity may be out of our control, but knowing how to respond to one could be within our reach.

Perhaps nowhere is that need to know greater than with law enforcement personnel, often the first to arrive on a critical incident scene, such as a shooting or auto accident. Until recently, the medical training for Newton County law enforcement had been largely limited to basic first aid. However, the Labor Day shooting incident involving Covington police officer Matt Cooper served as a catalyst for change.

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H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

“It was what got them thinking and saying, ‘Hey, we need more [training],’” said Jan Fowler, an EMT at Piedmont Newton Hospital and the regional coordinator for the Stop the Bleed program, a national effort to train the public in preventing death by uncontrolled bleeding. “It’s a nationwide initiative. Basically, after the Sandy Hook [Elementary School] shooting, a group of doctors got together and they did some research and they found that uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death from trauma, so they decided to create a program to teach regular people—not medical people, but regular people—how to stop hemorrhaging.”

Before coming to Piedmont Newton, Fowler worked for several years in the Macon area and taught STB in schools, churches, courthouses and businesses throughout Region 5, an EMS designation for several counties lying below I-20. Two years ago, Newton became the first county in Region 3—an area stretching from DeKalb County to Newton—to get STB, as all county schools received the training.

The plan now is to train every law enforcement officer in the county. Classes started in April and are scheduled to run through October. Approximately 156 sheriff’s deputies and 60 Covington police officers are slated to participate, along with additional officers from Porterdale and

28 The Newton

“We’re not paid to be here. All of the instructors are volunteers. They do it on their own time, because they really want to make a difference.”

Stop the Bleed Regional Coordinator Jan Fowler Oxford. Fowler indicated that several Georgia State Patrol posts, as well as game wardens, have also expressed interest.

STB trainer Trey Phillips works as a flight nurse and a paramedic with Piedmont Newton. He relayed the experience of arriving at a scene where appropriate attention to a bleeding victim has not been given.

“As a paramedic and medical provider, there’s nothing more frustrating than racing to a scene—it’s going to take you minutes to get there, at least—[and] nobody’s done anything ’cause nobody’s trained and you have nothing to work with when you get there,” he said. The outcome can be dramatically different for someone who knows how to stop a bleed and takes action, according to Phillips.

The primary issue? Not a lack of compassion, but a lack of know-how.

“I think, as a general rule, people want to help,” STB trainer and paramedic Robert Underwood said. “Maybe they don’t decide to choose this profession, but they still want to help, so if you give them that tool, it gives them the opportunity.”

STB training classes are Power Pointbased but also “hands-on,” according to Fowler. Utilizing a STB trauma first aid kit, attendees learn how to wound-pack, as well as apply tourniquets to themselves and others. During one of the training sessions in April, Fowler was joined by co-instructor and EMT Brent DeMark in front of a class of about 60 deputies. The two presented the subject matter in a clear and precise manner but with enough humor mixed in to keep the deputies relaxed and engaged.

The trainees were instructed in how to apply the Combat Application Tourniquet to themselves and were warned that the process was accompanied by significant

discomfort. Phillips and Underwood moved about the audience while demonstrating proper techniques and making sure they were executed correctly. As CATs tightened around arms and legs, deputies grimaced, grinned and hobbled around in self-inflicted pain.

Trainees also learned that using a tourniquet rarely causes the loss of a limb, allowing them to become comfortable with the idea of using it. Once trained, law

BE SAFE IN THE SUN A few blistering sunburns in childhood can double a person’s lifetime chances of developing serious forms of skin cancer.

The best sunscreen is a hat and shirt. After that, protect yourself and your family with a sunscreen that’s effective and safe. The following from EWG’s 2019 Guide to Sunscreens is a list of ingredients and types of products to look for and to avoid:

INGREDIENTS

PRODUCTS

Zinc oxide Avobenzone Mexoryl SX

Broad - spectrum protection Water-resistant SPF to suit your needs, 15–50

LOOK FOR

Cream

LOOK FOR

Oxybenzone Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) Added insect repellent

Sprays Powders SPF above 50

AVOID

Part of Fowler’s job as the regional Stop the Bleed coordinator involves looking at “line of duty” deaths among first responders across the state. According to Fowler, three deaths in 2018 have been followed by one so far in 2019. She looks at their autopsy reports to determine whether or not their injuries could have been treated with STB techniques and their lives possibly saved. The findings then go into a database to measure the effectiveness of the program.

“For me, it’s very frustrating,” Fowler said. “I’m not there with them, but I’m there, because we have had those instances where I’ve had to look at those reports and go, ‘Yeah, this one might have gone home.’

It is a passion for us. We do it because we don’t want this to happen again.”

AVOID

enforcement officers will receive their own STB trauma kit containing a tourniquet, gauze and other accessories to carry with them in the field. Under the leadership of CEO Dr. Eric Boer, Piedmont Newton planned to donate approximately $10,000 to purchase the kits.

After they are finished training all the deputies and policemen in the county, Fowler and her team of volunteers will turn their attention to schools who have already requested re-training. Public places like courthouses, businesses and churches would likely be next on the list. Eventually, they hope to make STB as accessible to the community as CPR classes are now.

In the meantime, interested persons can learn more about a limited number of open classes at www.bleedingcontrol.org.

For more information and to find a safer sunscreen that meets your needs, visit ewg.org/sunscreen

2019 Summer Issue 29

ARTS, E D U C AT I O N & I N N O VAT I O N “All creativity is on the other side of boredom.”

Andy Crouch

PHOTO CREDIT: Markus Spiske

A R T S , E D U C AT I O N & I N N O VAT I O N

Bridging

34 The Newton

BEAT THE SUMMER SLIDE

the Gap

by MICHELLE FLOYD

Help avoid the potential loss of skills and knowledge over summer break by encouraging your kids to read. Go by the library and pick up something from Newton County Schools’ summer reading lists. Here are a couple of our picks for grades K-5:

Amanda Bonilla stays busy breaking down barriers between the Arts Association in Newton County and the Spanish-speaking community.

Having grown up as a dancer in the Spanish-speaking community, Amanda Bonilla can now help other students get more involved in the arts as the development coordinator for the Arts Association in Newton County.

“I’m so excited to have naturally fallen into the role of liaison for the Spanishspeaking community,” Bonilla said. “Being on the Arts Association staff has opened doors for families who have shied away from the organization because of the language barrier.”

In her short time in Covington, she has grown with the Arts Association organization, from a dance instructor to a full-time staff member. In January 2016, Bonilla started as a dance instructor with the Covington Regional Ballet, which falls under the auspices of the Arts Association, and later that summer, she was asked to join the organization’s Musical Theatre Camp team. She has held her role as development coordinator since October 2017, when she took the position on a part-time basis; it grew into a full-time role in July 2018. She also teaches hip hop, Broadway and contemporary dance classes for the CRB and serves as choreographer

and artistic director for the Oxford Acting Company and Theatre Covington, also through the Arts Association, alongside Jay Tryall and Gina Hay Bryan.

“Amanda’s infectious enthusiasm, passion for the arts, knowledge of the impact the arts can make on children and on the community and her talent as an artist, teacher and choreographer have radically changed the way we impact our community and region,” said Buncie Lanners, executive director of the Arts Association. “Because she is fluent in Spanish, Amanda has broadened our outreach in the Latino community. Truly, it was a Godsend for the organization and for me. She continues to lead and represent the organization in the community.”

A 2015 graduate of Brenau University Women’s College in Gainesville, Bonilla holds a Bachelor’s degree in dance performance with a minor in education. Before coming to the Covington Regional Ballet, she was a full-time dance instructor. CRB Artistic Director Peter Swan was Bonilla’s ballet professor at Brenau.

“I was honored that Peter Swan trusted me enough to join this team,” Bonilla said.

“Once I fully understood what the Arts

A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE

by Philip C. Stead

ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE (SERIES)

by Mo Willems

NUMBER THE STARS

by Lois Lowry

WONDER

by R.J. Palacio

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A R T S , E D U C AT I O N & I N N O VAT I O N

Association does on a larger scale, I took it as an opportunity to grow within the organization. As a dancer and performer, of course, you don’t want to think about the day you can’t do those things—and for the record, I don’t see that day coming anytime soon. However, as a realist, I know that it is important to have skills outside of performing.”

The Arts Association serves students from eight counties and more than 60 schools through its adult and young artists programs and concerts. It celebrates 30 years of service to Newton County in 2019.

“I most definitely want word to spread to the Latinx (a genderneutral alternative to Latino and Latina) community that they can come to me with any questions about getting involved with the Arts Association,” Bonilla said.

“We have so many avenues for a child to get involved through the arts: dance, singing, acting and strings.”

In addition to the CRB, Musical Theatre Camp, Oxford Acting Company and Theatre Covington, the Arts Association also houses the Oxford Singers, Newton County Community Band, Newton County Youth Strings, Creative Kids Camp, the True Colours Youth Art Exhibit and a full arts series of events and performances, including luncheon and summer evening concerts on the historic downtown Covington Square. This year, through the Arts Association’s partnership with donors Rob and Jean Fowler, the

organization has created a Spanish-Speaking scholarship for a student.

“Growing up in a Latinx household where making ends meet wasn’t always easy, I understand that extracurricular activities can easily fall to the wayside,” Bonilla said.

“It’s so rewarding to know that we can offer this scholarship to the Latinx community and that I am here to let them know about this amazing opportunity.”

Bonilla indicated that the Arts Association never turns away a family from joining one of its programs, and the staff feels rewarded to make an impact on families’ lives with about $45,000 in scholarships annually.

“I feel very grateful, happy and blessed with the Arts Association and all who work there to give my daughter a valuable opportunity for her personal growth,” said Maria Garcia, whose daughter, Maria Victoria, received a scholarship this year. “It gives me peace of mind to know that she is surrounded by and learning from well-trained professionals.”

Bonilla wants to see growth from the Arts Association’s corporate donors to help fund programs and other scholarships for students in and around Newton County. The Arts Association is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dependent on corporate, foundation and individual donors.

“As the largest non-profit in Newton County, we rely on significant donations to help us continue serving the region with high-quality arts,” Bonilla said.

“We are unique in that no other organization in the region provides what we do under one roof. There are plenty of theatres, concert associations and dance schools, but we can proudly say we do it all.”

To learn more about the Arts Association in Newton County, visit newtoncountyarts.org 770.786.8188

“Because she is fluent in Spanish, Amanda has broadened our outreach in the Latino community. Truly, it was a God-send for the organization and for me.”

Arts Association in Newton County Executive Director Buncie Lanners

36 The Newton

A R T S , E D U C AT I O N & I N N O VAT I O N

38 The Newton

ONE MILE AT A TIME

by NAT HARWELL

As the Newton County School System’s longest-tenured employees, bus drivers Joe and Shirley Flanigan have been transporting students to and from school for more than four decades.

Just after the turn of the 20th Century, a farmer from an area now known as the Stewart community in southern Newton County grew concerned about the difficulty nearby students were experiencing getting to school. Located on Ga. 36, Heard-Mixon Elementary School was somewhat “out in the boondocks” in the days of dirt roads and horse-drawn carriages. The farmer took it upon himself to hook a wagon to a mule team and made the rounds in the community to take children to and from school.

Such was the birth, as the story goes, of the first public school bus transportation system in the state of Georgia some 120 years ago.

The present-day Newton County School System features two exceptional school bus drivers—a married couple,

no less—who have a combined 85 years behind the wheel. Joe and Shirley Flanigan have racked up the miles transporting schoolchildren, not only through the decades but through historical times, as well. Joe in 2019 celebrated his 44th year of driving, while wife Shirley marked her 41st.

“Joe and Shirley Flanigan are the gems of our bus transportation department,” NCSS Director of Transportation Chad McCaskill said. “They are quality drivers who serve as mentors to our entire staff. Nobody is more committed to our students and their safety than the Flanigans.”

McCaskill should know, as he also serves as president of the Georgia Association of Pupil Transportation, which oversees the bus systems of the entire state.

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“Joe and Shirley have driven every single club, every single athletic team, every academic team in our county at one point or another in their remarkable careers,” he said. “They are literally invaluable for their knowledge of the county and how it has changed over the decades and for their wisdom in dealing with kids and parents.

When retirement comes around, Joe and Shirley will be in contention for statewide recognition for most years recorded in pupil transportation.”

There must be a secret ingredient in this iconic couple’s formula for longevity driving school buses. It is not an easy task, and the responsibility for keeping children safe is paramount.

“Well, first, you have to love kids,” Shirley said. “You will always have some good days and some bad days, but if you love the kids, it will always show and they will respect you for any discipline you have to mete out.” Joe puts it more succinctly.

“Positivity is what it’s all about,” he said.

“Positivity is contagious, and positivity translates into bus safety.”

40 The Newton

Shirley started driving kids to Livingston Elementary School and branched out when West Newton Elementary was built. Later, she began transporting kids to Oak Hill Elementary. Joe’s approach pairs his positive outlook with a need for safety and a reasonable degree of quiet on the bus.

He insists that kids are seated and socialize to an acceptable noise level. His favorite route to drive: Oak Hill.

“We had some issues at one point,” Joe said, “but it only took a little while until the young folks understood what I expected of them; and I want to give credit to Chad McCaskill, too, because that man has stood by me and all our drivers anytime we needed backing. It’s a whole lot easier driving when you know the big man has your back.”

Indeed, McCaskill came to Newton County in 1990 as a teacher and coach, putting the wrestling program at Newton High School on the map. Joe was one of his drivers.

“Yes, we were fortunate to take away the limelight from the Brookwoods and

Parkviews and Berkmars for a time,” McCaskill said, “but through it all, Joe Flanigan drove more winners than losers, for sure.”

Joe laughed and with a twinkle in his eye told the secret of how much he enjoyed driving sports teams and doing his part to ensure they emerged victorious.

“I just told them, right before they got off my bus, ‘Folks, I’ll be right here waiting for you—if you win,’” he said. “‘If you don’t win, don’t be looking for me, and remember, it’s a long, long walk back home.’”

Its bus service stretching back more than a century, the Newton County School System has much about which to be proud as it relates to student transportation. Two dedicated drivers are at the front of the line, as they are now transporting, in some cases, their fifth generation of students to and from school. The Flanigans rarely miss a day of work. Joe has racked up 10 years of perfect attendance, bested only by Shirley’s 12.

“Every day has been a great one,” he said, “and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

“Joe and Shirley Flanigan are the gems of our bus transportation department. They are quality drivers who serve as mentors to our entire staff.

Nobody is more committed to our students and their safety than the Flanigans.”

NCSS Director of Transportation Chad McCaskill

SPORTS & R E C R E AT I O N SWIMMING MAKES YOU HUNGRY Try one of these snacks on your next trip to the pool.

Fruit Kabobs Fruit salad on a stick—healthy, fun and easy—no plates or forks required!

Cut your favorite fruit or any of the following into bite-sized pieces and then stack on a skewer: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cantaloupe, watermelon, pineapple and grapes.

Trail Mix Another easy, portable and customizable snack is trail mix. Build the perfect mix with something from each category: • nuts (walnuts, cashews, almonds) • seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, flax) • grains (granola, Cheerios, pretzels, sesame sticks, gold fish, popcorn) • extras (chocolate chips, candies, mini marshmallows, dried fruit) No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls This is a Tredeau family favorite.

Fast and easy to make with only four ingredients. Mix 1 cup oatmeal, 2 tbsp honey, 2⁄3 cup peanut butter, and ½ cup chocolate chips. Roll into bite-sized balls and enjoy!

Optional but recommended: Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before eating.

PHOTO CREDIT: Etienne Girardet

S P O R T S & R E C R E AT I O N

IF YOU BUILD THEM, THEY WILL COME

by DAVID ROTEN

Mountain biking enthusiasts Jim Behning and Matt Harris have begun smoothing and shaping existing trails at Turner Lake Park in an effort to provide a place to ride for those partial to two wheels.

A mysterious voice whispered into the ear of a man in search of his dream: “If you build it, he will come.” The iconic line from the opening scene of the 1989 classic “Field of Dreams”—the movie starred Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta and James Earl Jones—still resonates as an enduring expression in pop culture. For Costner’s character, Ray Kinsella, it was an invitation to believe in his dream enough to bring it to life. He turned a cornfield into a baseball diamond, and dreams long dead came true.

The implication of the maxim seems to be that if you provide the place and the opportunity, people will be drawn to it.

44 The Newton

Bike enthusiast Jim Behning envisions dedicated mountain bike trails where, at this point, there are none. “I’m not aware of any at all in Newton County,” said the 58-yearold, a resident since 1997. He and friend Matt Harris ride trails wherever they can find them. Close to home, they sometimes clunk down the unfinished Newton Trails railroad bed. At other times, they venture into Gwinnett County, which offers several trail options. However, their go-to location has been the course at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, site of the first-ever Olympic mountain bike race at the 1996 Summer Games.

Excitement about the sport generated by the Olympics has since fueled efforts by many citizens, like Behning, to work with authorities to build courses in state, county and city parks. Construction began in February on a new mountain bike trail at South Rockdale Park in Conyers. Still, Behning would love to see development of trails in areas closer to home, “something in our own county where we can go and play.”

One of those trails may in fact already exist, albeit in crude form, at Turner Lake Park in Covington. There, Behning and Harris have been gently smoothing and

shaping existing trails, as well as paths created by deer, fishermen and short-cut takers. For the past several years, they have made frequent trips to the park, with occasional help from friends, to work and test the trails. Behning is quick to point out that their “rake and ride” operation is non-invasive to the land and unobtrusive to walkers. He is currently in discussions with the Newton County Recreation Commission to explore the feasibility of having a designated mountain bike trail at the park.

Behning believes that if trails are made available, mountain bikers will show up to

ride them. Just how popular is the sport and how significant is the need for trails?

It depends on where you live. Georgia is currently riding the crest of a wave that started on the West Coast several years ago.

Though adult participation is currently down, the junior level has skyrocketed, according to Behning. In 2014, the Interscholastic Georgia Cycling League was started to promote mountain bike riding and racing for riders in middle school and high school. The league had 850 studentathletes, 550 coaches, 55 teams and 326 schools represented in 2018, according to its website (www.georgiamtb.org).

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DAY-TRIPPING No plans? No problem! Check out these fun things to do, both within driving distance of Newton.

PANTHER CREEK FALLS This moderately difficult seven-mile round-trip hike travels through a beautiful stretch of the Chattahoochee National Forest to a series of waterfalls that end in a deep pool on a sandy beach.

Driving Distance: About 2 hours (approx. 100 miles) one way Cost: $4 (cash) for parking at the trailhead Tips: Go on a weekday to avoid a crowd.

Pack a picnic, water shoes and a towel.

Plan to stay all day. atlantatrails.com/hiking-trails/ panther-creek-falls/

BROAD RIVER Canoe or kayak the upper section (Class I), a mild six-mile float with small rocky shoals.

Kayak the lower whitewater section (Class II), a six-mile stretch of small rapids with sandbars along the way and a six-foot waterfall near the end. Both sections are perfect for beginners or families with kids.

Boat rentals are available from the Broad River Outpost from March to October. Plan for 2–4 hours on the water, depending on your pace.

Driving Distance: About 1.5 hours (approx. 60 miles) one way Cost: $25 per person Tips: Bring snacks and drinks, and wear water shoes and sunscreen. Leave a towel and a change of dry clothes in your car. ​broadriveroutpost.com

46 The Newton

The number of students who will participate in 2019 is expected to extend beyond the 1,000 mark. The growth of the sport locally seems emblematic of what is happening across the country.

“Nationwide,” Behning said, “the junior high [and] high school leagues have taken off, and tens of thousands of student-athletes have a place to train and race on teams.”

For the past two years, Behning has coached the Covington/Conyers

Composite Cycling Team, which he describes as “small but growing.” The IGCL team has some members who race and others who are working on basic skills, an experience mix typical of all teams in the league. “Competition is optional, but skill development is a daily goal when riding,” Behning said. According to the IGCL website, the league has created a variety of programs “to make cycling accessible to every student who

has a desire to participate.” One of the programs even provides loaner bikes to those who cannot afford them.

Behning rides about every kind of non-motorized bike known to man, depending on terrain and objective, and recalled what it was like growing up— and biking—in Bay Village, Ohio. “I rode what I had, a 24-inch Schwinn Typhoon, which weighed about as much as me,”

he said. “That bike got me back and forth to the library and candy store, as well as through the woods and over jumps.” Fast forward 50 years or so and Behning still pedals wherever the road, or trail, leads him.

“I can ride fast and hard or stop and take pictures of wildlife, plants, trees and flowers,” he said. “Mountain biking takes me back to riding in the woods, like I did 55 years ago.”

“I can ride fast and hard or stop and take pictures of wildlife, plants, trees and flowers. Mountain biking takes me back to riding in the woods, like I did 55 years ago.”

Jim Behning

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S P O R T S & R E C R E AT I O N

FLIGHT FLIGHT PLAN

by NAT HARWELL

Former NFL All-Pro Erik McMillan serves as an assistant coach for the Eastside High School football team, bringing a deep reservoir of knowledge and experience with him to the sidelines.

Imagine you are the father to a 14-year-old son who, like most males his age, has dabbled in various sports at the recreation level. He has enjoyed playing and being with friends, but nothing approaching true passion has evolved. Much to your surprise, your son announces at the dinner table that he wants to try out for football at Eastside High School. More specifically, he has his heart set on becoming a defensive back.

48 The Newton

“What has made this difference?” you ask. “Why are you suddenly fired up about football, in general, and playing defensive back, in particular?”

Your son then informs you that he attended an organizational meeting and wants to be a part of the successful Eastside program, and better yet, if he plays defensive back, a former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, two-time Pro Bowler and onetime All-Pro will coach him. Curiosity turns to skepticism. Perhaps teenaged excitement has been overrun by hyperbole.

As a longtime resident of Covington, you know Eastside Principal Jeff Cher personally. You pick up the phone, dial his number and ask him if your son has lost his mind.

“No, sir,” Cher says, “he is telling you the absolute truth. We have a genuine All-Pro defensive back on our football coaching staff here at Eastside who also has the distinction of making the Pro Bowl during his Rookie of the Year season.

Furthermore, he’s the kind of man you

just revere when you meet him, as his poise and presence command your attention. He’s been a long-term substitute teacher for us in the building, has his Masters degree in educational administration, and when he gives what we call ‘Talent Talks’ to our young men, they hang on his every word.”

Not quite satisfied, you still wonder whether or not others have conspired to pull your leg. You have one more ace to play, as you have encountered Troy Hoff, head coach of the Eastside football team, at a Covington First United Methodist Church function. He, too, answers your call.

“Yes, sir, you are exactly right on all counts,” Hoff says. “This man is the real deal. I have absolutely nothing but great things to say about him. He is all-in, not self-centered at all and every action he takes is all about helping each kid get better and reach his full potential as a player.”

With that, you have been introduced unofficially to Erik McMillan, a man who spent parts of six seasons in the NFL with

the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs.

Born in St. Louis on May 3, 1965, he moved to Silver Springs, Maryland, when he was young. His father, Ernie McMillan, was a four-time NFL All-Pro with the St. Louis Cardinals, and they had relatives who played professional basketball, including one who became a member of the famed Harlem Globetrotters. Basically, McMillan grew up in locker rooms.

“Basketball was my first love,” he said.

“I’m so grateful we moved to Silver Springs, as those guys play serious basketball, 24–7–365, and I was pretty good, shattering backboards with power dunks back before the advent of breakaway rims.”

Football was something of an afterthought.

“Just for the fun of it,” McMillan said, “I went out for football in senior high school, which in those days were grades 10, 11 and 12. I was a defensive end, tight end and wide receiver, and I was the team kicker.”

Though he was recruited to play football by a number of schools, he felt the tug of his home state and chose to link arms with the University of Missouri. He redshirted as a freshman, then put together a stellar collegiate career that resulted in his being drafted in the third round of the 1988 NFL Draft.

“I was the 63rd pick,” McMillan said with a laugh, “but I didn’t care what number was next to my name. All I wanted was the opportunity to prove I had what it takes to play at that level.”

In his first year with the Jets, McMillan was named a starter, led the AFC in interceptions with eight and earned the first of two Pro Bowl selections. Such sudden success made him a target. Teams started to throw away from him. Snipes from small-minded coaches and envious contemporaries followed. Politics exist even in football. Before long, McMillan found himself bouncing around to different organizations, all while playing for wildly successful coaches, from Bill Belichick in Cleveland to Bud Carson in Philadelphia and Marty Schottenheimer in Kansas City.

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S P O R T S & R E C R E AT I O N

“This man is the real deal. I have absolutely nothing but great things to say about him.

He is all-in, not self-centered at all and every action he takes is all about helping each kid get better and reach his full potential as a player.”

Eastside High School Head Football Coach Troy Hoff

“I never wanted to be that player who was bouncing around, tagging on with different teams just to play out a career,” McMillan said, “so I had decided to call it a career when Marty called from Kansas City. He had just landed Joe Montana to quarterback the Chiefs, and the defensive backfield was a who’s who of All-Pros, including [former Newton High School standout] Dale Carter, so I played the last five games and the playoffs that year with the Chiefs before I hung up my cleats.”

As a member of the Jets in 1992, McMillan accompanied the team to Atlanta to face the Falcons in the first regular-season game inside the Georgia Dome. He was introduced to life in the South and later

50 The Newton

decided to make his home in the Atlanta area after retiring from football. Successful business ventures in shipping and logistics and pharmaceutical sales were not enough to keep McMillan away from the gridiron.

He coached at Alcovy High School for five seasons (2011–15), during which time he met Hoff. When a coaching change occurred at Alcovy, Hoff jumped at the chance to add “Coach Mac” to the Eastside staff. McMillan has since become an integral part of a winning culture. A married father of four and grandfather to one, he still loves getting out on the football field to help kids harness their talent.

Your mind officially blown, your son walks back into the room and asks whether or not

you have heard of Eric Stokes. As a football fan, you know that Stokes graduated from Eastside, went on to play at the University of Georgia and helped the Bulldogs begin the process of loosening Alabama’s grip on the Southeastern Conference. What you did not know was that Stokes returns to practices at Eastside to be mentored by McMillan or that no fewer than 23 young men he once coached are currently playing college football on Saturdays.

The 6-foot-2 McMillan, now 54, still looks like he could play a down or two in the NFL. Yet he graces the defensive backfield during practices and scrimmages at Eastside High School trying to coach one more player into maximizing his potential.

LIVING FIREFLIES IN THE GARDEN Here come real stars to fill the upper skies, And here on earth come emulating flies, That though they never equal stars in size, (And they were never really stars at heart) Achieve at times a very star-like start.

Only, of course, they can’t sustain the part.

by Robert Frost

PHOTO CREDIT: Suzanne Tucker

LIVING

Sweet Dreams

by MICHELLE FLOYD

Pastor Todd Hilton and the congregation at Mansfield United Methodist Church have made it a mission to reach underprivileged children— one bed at a time.

It remains an unfortunate reality in 2019 that some local children do not have a bed in which to sleep at night. Mansfield United Methodist Church Pastor Todd Hilton and his congregation having taken it upon themselves to reduce their numbers.

“There are so many families in our community that are struggling with making ends meet and are often so overwhelmed with providing basic needs that they are unable to afford the cost of a bed,” Hilton said. “Children often sleep on floors, couches or crowded beds with multiple family members.”

About a year and a half ago, Hilton had a friend from college who pastors a megachurch in Tampa, Florida, tell him about a church ministry that made and delivered beds to families who had none for their children. “I thought that was cool,” said Hilton, who also serves as pastor at Newborn United Methodist Church and works as the technology director for Social Circle City Schools. He asked his congregation in Mansfield to help start a similar ministry, and it answered the call.

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“I felt sad for children who don’t have beds,” volunteer Mike Davis said. “I had no idea there were that many children [with no beds].”

They named the ministry Proverbs 3:24, which points to the following verse in the Bible: “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Hilton first called Mansfield Elementary School to see if there was a need in the community, and soon after, church members made three beds for a family with three young girls who had never had a bed of their own. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to make each bed and costs roughly $200 to supply each bed and accompanying materials.

“I think [the ministry] is good for the less fortunate young kids that don’t have a bed,” volunteer Tommy Smith said. “We take it for granted that we have a bed.”

Hilton, Davis and Smith spearhead the building efforts, along with other volunteers, while women and children at the church assist with staining and painting the beds. Even Hilton’s own kids pitch in.

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“My boys helped build the first bed,” he said. “It was important for me to involve them, and I try to take them with me [to deliver beds] as much as possible so they can see and count their blessings.”

Volunteers put Proverbs 3:24 stickers and write Bible verses on the slats of the beds, and the church also provides a mattress, sheets, covers, pillows and stuffed animals with each delivery. In addition, the Church Mouse Needlers meet every Saturday to knit and crochet throws and afghans for the project.

“It warms your heart,” Davis said. “You see their faces when you deliver them. The parents are usually excited, but the kids are elated. It makes it worthwhile.”

So far, about 65 beds have been placed in homes in Newton, Rockdale, Henry and Clarke counties, among others.

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Hilton recently acquired some wood from a closed lumber company to make more beds, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency recently provided the ministry with some unused mattresses.

Church and community members have donated money to the ministry, along with the Chick-fil-A in Newton Plaza.

“It’s taken on a life of its own and has grown way beyond what I ever thought it would be,” Hilton said. “I don’t say no [to people who need beds]. It’s something I never imagined.”

Donations are essential in order for Hilton and his crew to keep building beds for those in need, in this community and beyond. He has delivered as many as six beds to one home.

“It’s growing right along,” Smith said. “It’s good to give back and help the less fortunate.”

Anyone interested in donating money or materials can contact Todd Hilton at proverbs324beds@ gmail.com or at Mansfield United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 190, Mansfield, Georgia 30055, with “Proverbs 3:24” written in the memo line of any checks. Those in need may also contact Hilton, as the ministry assists not only low-income families but those who have lost items in fires, floods or to any other circumstances.

“There are so many families in our community that are struggling with making ends meet and are often so overwhelmed with providing basic needs that they are unable to afford the cost of a bed.”

Mansfield United Methodist Church Pastor Todd Hilton

LIVING

BRINGING the HEAT

by KARI APTED

Porterdale’s Bowl O Flames restaurant thrives under owner Thy Duong, who survived the brutal Khmer Rouge regime and state-sponsored genocide in his native Cambodia.

Foodies know where to find good eats, and they are rarely cooked in fancy buildings.

Some of America’s best cuisine can be enjoyed while standing beside tiny roadside shacks too small for tables. It is discovered at counters tucked behind shelves bowing under the weight of ethnic groceries or inside narrow strip-mall storefronts squeezed between dry cleaners and beauty parlors.

In Porterdale, the good stuff can be found behind the gas pumps at the Shell station on the corner of Ga. 81 and Crowell Road. To the left of the barber shop, a red-lettered door marked with “Bowl O Flames” heralds the area’s most unique Asian restaurant.

Cambodian cuisine is fairly rare in the metro Atlanta area, even along famous Buford Highway. Yet chef Thy Duong and his wife, Kristie Sok, have been serving it

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in Porterdale for three years. Although the restaurant’s “Student Noodles” look similar to pad Thai and huge bowls of steaming “Mee Mama” could pass for Vietnamese pho, Cambodian food has its own distinct flavor profiles.

“I love creating flavors,” Duong said.

“I’ve been cooking my whole life, to feed my family.”

Born in Cambodia, Duong spent the earliest years of his life near Battambang, the South Asian country’s second-largest city. Growing up under dictator Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime left Duong and other children with a distorted view of reality.

“There’s so much I could tell you about being a child in the Killing Fields, but we don’t have time to go into it all,” he said.

“I didn’t know there was another life other

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“There’s so much I could tell you about being a child in the Killing Fields, but we don’t have time to go into it all. I didn’t know there was another life other than the one I had, where kids would run around playing and step over bodies in the road. I thought everyone lived like that.”

Bowl O Flames Owner Thy Duong than the one I had, where kids would run around playing and step over bodies in the road. I thought everyone lived like that.”

Duong’s father was one of the millions of Cambodians killed in the state-sponsored genocide that decimated a quarter of the country’s population. When the Vietnamese invaded Cambodia in 1979 and brought an end to the Khmer Rouge, Duong’s family made the long journey to a refugee camp in Thailand. With his mother, three brothers and one sister, Duong survived difficult camp life for three years.

“It was a [United Nations] camp. We lived in a small hut and picked up food once a week,” he said. “There was a school for us kids and we learned a little English but not much. We put in applications to come to every country. People from the camps went to France, Germany, America, other countries. Where you went depended on who sponsored you.”

Duong’s family was eventually sponsored by the United Cambodian Community in Long Beach, California. As they prepared to leave Cambodia, they were unsure of what to expect of life in America.

“I thought French people and American people were the same, because there were French people in Cambodia,” Duong said.

“When we got to America, I got very excited. There were so many cars. We had basically lived in the fields and the jungle; this country was so amazing to me. I had never seen anything like it.”

Duong’s family settled into the close-knit Cambodian community in Long Beach, where he eventually met his wife. Her refugee family had been sponsored by a church in Decatur, and she grew up in the

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Atlanta area before moving to Long Beach.

Along with Sok’s two children from a previous marriage, the couple has three children together. When Sok’s father passed away six years ago, the whole family moved back to Georgia to be near her mother.

“Daughters are more valued than sons in Cambodian culture,” Duong said. “Instead of the oldest son, it is the oldest daughter who is responsible for taking care of her parents.”

The couple first opened a hair salon, but slow business and their love of cooking led them to try the restaurant business instead.

They chose Porterdale as the home of Bowl O Flames after the prompting of a cousin who lives nearby. Although Newton County is much different from Long Beach, Duong affirmed that his family likes the area.

“People here are totally different from in Long Beach,” he said. “In California, you see people from every nation, every culture, all in one place, everywhere. It’s not like that here, but the people are so nice.”

Duong and Sok frequently attend the Buddhist temples in Lithonia and Riverdale, an area that boasts Atlanta’s largest concentration of Cambodian immigrants. Cambodian natives from around the metro Atlanta area drive to Porterdale to enjoy a taste of home.

Bowl O Flame is open Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and also offers catering services for large events.

“We enjoy what we do,” Duong said with a laugh. “We have to. We are here all day, six days a week.”

LIVING

SAM RAMSEY, WHEN HE WAS 7 IN 1946 COURTESY OF GEORGIA ARCHIVES, VANISHING GEORGIA COLLECTION, NEW190–83

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Where Southern Tradition Thrives Initiated in western Newton County in 1828, the Salem Camp Meeting has changed, evolved and stood the test of time as the longest continuous gathering of its kind in the country.

by DARRELL HUCKABY

SALEM CAMPMEETING, 1931 COURTESY OF GEORGIA ARCHIVES, VANISHING GEORGIA COLLECTION, NEW192–83

Summertime and living used to be easy.

If not easy, it was at least a lot simpler in the South. Southern summers— pre-air-conditioning—were once given to long evenings on the back porch, shelling peas or butterbeans or husking corn while watching children playing in the yard or chasing lightning bugs. Actual conversations were had without the need for television or computers or the bane of modern civilization: the iPhone.

It was a rather mundane existence, but it was a good one.

Toward the end of the summer, usually around the first of August, there was camp meeting to look forward to, an interruption to the monotony. Folks dressed up.

It was a step down from Sunday-go-tomeeting-attire, but they dressed up for a summer evening nonetheless. They gathered under an outdoor tabernacle,

ONE OF THE CABINS AND THE OLD HOTEL (LEFT) COURTESY OF GEORGIA ARCHIVES, VANISHING GEORGIA COLLECTION, NEW193–83

visited with friends, sang old-time Gospel songs and listened to good-old-fashioned “Are you washed in the blood?” preaching.

There were passionate prayers and promises of salvation, answered altar calls and traditions born that have survived our ever-changing society—and airconditioning—even into the 21st century.

The first camp meeting was held at Cane Ridge, Kentucky, in 1801. It was an extraordinary revival meeting that was presided over by Protestant ministers of varying denominations—a part of the Second Great Awakening—and attended by as many as 25,000 people. Within 20 years, more than 1,000 such annual meetings had popped up across the country, mostly in the South. They were generally held during laying-by time, that period of relative light work for the agrarian community between the time

the crops were high enough to thrive without plowing but not yet ready for harvest.

Folks within a community loaded their children and their chickens—they needed fresh eggs and Sunday dinner—into covered wagons, with a cow or two tied behind, and proceeded to the nearest campground, usually situated near a fresh water spring because folks needed drinking water. They pitched tents or slept in the wagons themselves. The men built a brush arbor to protect worshippers from the elements, and religious services were held several times a day, with plenty of time in between for the men to gather and swap stories and chew tobacco and for the women to visit while doing their chores and preparing the evening meals. The children had the run of the campground to play and explore. For many, it was the social high point of the year.

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In the evening, the “tenters” were joined by folks from all over the community for the most elaborate service of the day. Many took the preachers’ messages to heart and walked the sawdust trail to the altar, kneeling and publicly accepting Christ for the first time. This drama played out summer after summer, all over the South.

Usually, the various groups began to set permanent dates for their annual meetings,

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brush arbors were replaced by permanent outdoor tabernacles and temporary tents were replaced by more permanent rustic cottages—they were still generally called tents—that could be used from year to year.

One such gathering was initiated in western Newton County in 1828, near a fresh water spring on Salem Road. The Salem Camp Meeting has been going on every year ever since, with the exception

of two years during the unpleasantness between the North and South, when war prevented the meeting from taking place.

Salem Camp Meeting has changed, evolved and stood the test of time and is not only the longest continuous camp meeting in the country but is considered to be among the best in terms of facilities and programs. For decades, Salem began on the Friday before the second Sunday in August,

but with schools starting earlier and earlier, the trustees of the camp meeting had to change with the times. The 2019 meeting will begin on Friday, July 12 and run through the following Friday, July 19.

It is quite a production. The Salem hotel offers breakfast, lunch and supper (with advance reservations) and is an ideal venue for church groups looking for a unique outing at an affordable price. There are three services a day: 7:30 a.m. morning watch, 11:00 a.m. worship and, as always, the evening worship service at 7:30 p.m.

Beautiful Gospel music enhanced by some of the best choirs in the area sets the stage for down-to-earth preaching. There are Bible studies for all ages—from the Cradle Roll to the those ready for the final Honor Roll—at 9:30 a.m. each morning, and in the afternoons, well, there is still plenty of visiting and socializing for the adults and more planned activities for the youth and children.

The weekend is a special time. From the opening service on Friday night at 7:30 p.m., a sweet, sweet spirit permeates the campground. Saturday begins bright and early with a 5K road race that is open to all, followed by the Bobby and Karen Milton Wide World of Salem Sports for children.

Following the morning worship, there is an open house so people can visit the rustic tents and see how the campers live all week, with a Gospel singing at 3 p.m. and more preaching at night. Big Sunday features worship at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. and leads into a full week at Salem, just like it has for 191 years.

Y’all should come. It might change your life. It sure couldn’t do it any harm.

“Many took the preachers’ messages to heart and walked the sawdust trail to the altar, kneeling and publicly accepting Christ for the first time.

This drama played out summer after summer, all over the South.”

Darrell Huckaby

RESOURCES

“Sometimes the messes we live with aren’t the ones we made.

But life is like that, messy, and everyone needs help sometimes.”

H. D. Knightley

FOOD RESOURCES Covington First UMC Food Pantry Only 770-786-7305 2160 Church Street Covington, GA 30014

Mon. & Wed. 2 – 4 p.m., Third Sat. of month 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Serves Newton County residents.

Bring I.D. First Sat. of month, mobile food pantry at 10 a.m.

Willing Helpers 678-342-3434 8111 Brown Bridge Road Covington, GA 30014

Thur. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The ministry operates on a $10.00 donation. Please bring some form of I.D. in order to record your visit.

Anyone is welcome to use this ministry.

Repairers of the Breach 770-787-7250 5120 Old Brown Bridge Road Covington, GA 30014 Mon. – Fri. 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Bring photo I.D.

Salvation Army 770-786-2107 5193 Washington Street Covington, GA 30014

Tue. – Thur. 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Bring I.D.

Potter’s House 678-212-0319 1120 Crowell Road Covington, GA 30014 Sat. 9 – 11:30 a.m. & Wed. by appointment only

Community Food Pantry 770-784-0037 7129 Turner Lake Drive Covington, GA 30014 Wed. & Fri. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Bring photo I.D.

Red Oak UMC 770-787-0404 15105 Hwy 36 Covington, GA 30014 Wed. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Harvest Baptist Church 770-787-7275 2075 Highway 212 Covington, GA 30016 Mon. 8:30 – 11:00 a.m..

First & third Mon., 5 – 7 p.m.

Belmont Baptist Church 770-786-8676 x5 3275 Iris Drive Conyers, GA 30013 Mon. 9 – 11:30 a.m.

Bring I.D.

Monastery of the Holy Spirit 770-483-8705 2625 Hwy 212 Conyers, GA 30094 Tue. 8 – 10 a.m.

Bring I.D.

CLOTHING AND RESALE Habitat for Humanity Conyers/Rockdale ReStore 770-785-7675 1117 West Avenue Conyers, GA 30012 Cinderella Shop 770-784-7330 2145 Pace Street Suite B Covington, GA 30014

Women’s gently worn and clean clothing and accessories

Reach Thrift Store 678-712-6590 3236 Hwy 278 Covington, GA 30014 Resale shop

GoodWill 770-788-2298 3173 US-278 Covington, GA 30014

Clothing and household resale items

Repairers of the Breach 770-787-7250 5120 Old Brown Bridge Road Covington, GA 30014 Clothing, books, household resale items

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HOUSING ASSITANCE The Garden of Gethsemane Homeless Shelter 770-787-8519 7133 Turner Lake Circle Covington, GA 30014 Housing for homeless men, women and children

Covington Housing Authority 770-786-7739 x1 5160 Alcovy Road Covington, GA 30014 Income-based housing Mon. – Thur. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Fri. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Covington Square Apartments 770-786-3227 2101 Washington Street Covington, GA 30014 Affordable housing Mon. – Fri. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Harris Town Park 678-625-3235 2135 Reynolds Street Covington, GA 30014

Affordable housing Mon., Wed., Fri. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Habitat for Humanity 770-784-9665 Housing to qualified families

Action Ministries 888-206-7372

Housing for homeless individuals, families and veterans

FaithWorks 770-784-1884 7129 Turner Lake Road Covington, GA 30014

Rent Assistance Wed. & Fri. 9 – 11 a.m.

Salvation Army 770-786-2107 5193 Washington Street, Covington, GA 30014 Rent Assistance

Repairers of the Breach 770-787-7250 5120 Old Brown Bridge Road Covington, GA 30014 Rent Assistance

HomeSafe Georgia www.homesafegeorgia.com

A federally funded, state operated mortgage assistance program that helps homeowners avoid foreclosure

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FaithWorks 770-784-1884 7129 Turner Lake Road Covington, GA 30014 Utilities

Salvation Army 770-786-2107 5193 Washington Street Covington, GA 30014 Utilities, prescriptions

Repairers of the Breach 770-787-7250 5120 Old Brown Bridge Road Covington, GA 30014 Utilities

Snapping Shoals EMC Operation RoundUp 770-786-3484 14750 Brown Bridge Road Covington, GA 30016 Medical bills

St. Vincent de Paul Society 770-761-3731 2621 Lost Valley Ct Conyers, GA 30013 Medical/dental, prescriptions, rent, utilities, legal fees, burials

First Step House Rockdale 770-785-7002 In-house recovery

Rockdale House for Men 770-483-4984 In-house recovery for men

ADDICTION, PREVENTION AND RECOVERY Drug-Free Coalition 770-786-0807 Drug abuse prevention

GA Smoke Free Quit Line 877-270-7867

Rockdale House for Women 770-483-0213 In house recovery for women

Gran Recovery 678-209-2770 215 Kirkland Road Covington, GA 30016

Help to stop smoking

Hearts for Families 770-972-3664

Alliance Recovery Center 770-922-4482 3430 GA-20 Conyers, GA 30013

Alcoholics Anonymous 404-525-3178

ASSISTED LIVING

Underage drinking prevention

Find a local meeting

Celebrate Recovery at Eastridge Community Church 770-786-2048 863 GA-142 Covington, GA 30014 For people of all ages (2 and up) The program covers a limitless number of issues. Celebrate Recovery is for anyone who is struggling with a hurt, habit, or hang-up.

Every Thur. 7 – 9 p.m.

Celebrate Recovery Inside 770-833-4084 Jail ministry for men and women

Damascus Road Recovery 770-787-1975

In-house recovery residence for men

Entirely Ready 404-314-1875

In-house recovery residence for women

Narcotics Anonymous 800-477-6291 Find a local meeting

Merryvale Assisted Living 770-786-4688 11980 GA Hgwy 142 Oxford, GA 30054 Mon. – Sun. 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Riverside Healthcare Center 770-787-0211 5100 West Street Covington, GA 30014 Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Morningside of Conyers 770-922-1654 1352 Wellbrook Circle Conyers, GA 30012

SPECIAL NEEDS Miracle League of Newton County 770-786-4373 x17 City Pond Park 13501 City Pond Road Covington, GA 30014

Fully-accessible baseball field and playground for those with special needs

Chimney Park 678-625-1235 7116 Floyd Street Covington, GA 30014

Outdoor sanctuary especially attractive to families with children with special needs

Special Olympics 770-786-3802

Provide sports training and competitions for over 500 Newton County children with developmental or mental disabilities

Special Needs Advocate for Parents of Georgia, LLC 770-285-4524 8134 Geiger Street, Suite 12 Covington, GA 30014

Benton House 770-788-6660 7155 S. Dearing Road Covington, GA 30014 Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Garden of Social Circle 770-464-4211 621 N. Cherokee Road Social Circle, GA 30025 All hours

Remington House 678-509-3904 1504 Renaissance Drive Conyers, GA 30012 Mon. – Sat. 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

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