7 minute read
All Strings Attached
Out of Wayne Kitchens’ longstanding adoration for the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers sprang the idea to preserve some of its rich history by creating a one-of-a-kind instrument from repurposed lumber.
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by TERRI WEBSTER
Soothing sounds of gentle bells floated through his open bedroom window on warm summer nights. They could be heard from two miles down the road. Throughout his childhood, this was reality for Wayne Kitchens, who grew up near the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers. It was as if the bells called to him somehow, forming the connection he still senses as an adult. He could never have imagined how this seemingly small link to a beautiful place that rests quietly off Highway 138 would grow stronger throughout his youth and into adulthood.
When Kitchens began his career as a meter reader with Snapping Shoals EMC, the monastery was one of his regular customers. His job required him to visit on a regular basis. Later, when he moved to the engineering department, he handled most of the orders regarding the electrical power needs at the monastery. It required more in-depth visits to the monastery, where he often worked with the on-site electrician: Father Matthew Torpey. It afforded Kitchens more opportunities to see parts of the monastery that were not open to the public.
Wayne Kitchens
A few years ago, Kitchens answered a service call at the monastery. He met with Father Torpey to discuss an issue the monastery had with powering an old barn on the property. He heard about plans to renovate the barn, along with other new construction projects. Planners intended to turn the old barn into a museum. Kitchens discovered a little more about the history of the old structure, deepening his connections with the monastery. His interest was piqued further when he learned more about the worn structure.
“This barn, I was told, was the first building constructed by the monks when they first came to Rockdale County from Kentucky in 1944,” Kitchens said. “The monks slept in the top of the barn while the cows occupied the bottom stables.”
While addressing the power needs of the barn during renovations, Kitchens saw workers tearing out old beams and other lumber to make room for the new construction. As the old wood was discarded, Kitchens realized a part of history was being thrown away.
“It was a shame to see it all just thrown into the dumpster during the remodeling,” he said, “so I thought it would be a good idea to make something beautiful out of it.”
Kitchens worked alongside Keith Adams at Snapping Shoals at the time and knew that Adams built guitars on the side. Soon, he developed the idea of using some of the old lumber from the barn to build a custom guitar. It was a unique way to preserve history. “I have always loved guitars,” Kitchens said, “but I don’t play very well. I just love to make noise on them. I thought it would be great to have a guitar made from a piece of history.” When the guitar was completed, Kitchens did not just hang it on a wall in his home. It was far more than a simple keepsake or showpiece. “No, it is an instrument that plays really well,” he said. “Keith did an excellent job building it.” Kitchens and Adams took the guitar to the monastery to show it to a few of the people who were in charge at the time. When Adams played it for them, their first response was to offer to buy it. Kitchens informed them it was not for sale but conceded that he believed it would someday make its way back to the monastery.
From fond boyhood memories of the sounds of bells ringing down the road to seeing a custom-made guitar built from repurposed lumber, Kitchens’ bond with the Monastery of the Holy Spirit remains as strong as ever.
“I’ve had a connection with the monastery all my life,” he said. “I think of Father Matthew since he was the one I knew best. I also think of some of the other places I worked at around the monastery. It is really a beautiful and interesting place.”
Flavor Rush
Town Square Olive Oil provides a change of pace for downtown Covington, affording shoppers the opportunity to spice up their at-home menus with a wide variety of ingredients.
by MICHELLE FLOYD
When you live in Covington all your life, The Square inherently becomes a part of it. Ask Cindy Mask, who opened Town Square Olive Oil with her husband in May 2015.
“I grew up when Harper’s 5 & Dime and the Strand Theater were the go-to places on The Square,” Mask said. “Covington is home, and watching it grow and flourish means so much.” Mask became part of that history when she retired from a corporate healthcare job and turned her attention toward Town Square Olive Oil. They put down roots in the building Harper’s once called home.
“I wanted to build on the success of the tourism in Covington,” she said, pointing to the booming film industry in town. “I love to cook, especially cooking with olive oil and good quality products.”
Owning a store helps her expand on her love for cooking and share her finds with the community and beyond, from locals who also have lived in town their entire lives to those visiting from around the world to see locations where shows like “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “In the Heat of the Night” and “The Vampire Diaries” were filmed.
The Masks had visited other olive oil and cooking stores around the country and thought something similar would be a good fit for The Square. It was still growing at the time, piggybacking on the success of television shows and movies that were shot in town and attracted fans from all over the world on a daily basis.
“It’s blown me away, the loyalty from customers, and friendships that we have made over the years. I’ve made some of my best friends recently,” Mask said. “I’m from Covington and it’s my hometown, so I love reconnecting with people who I haven’t seen in many years and also meeting new ones.”
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has limited some of their business, Mask credits faithful customers for the shop’s success, along with visitors who continue to flock to Covington for tours of buildings and houses made famous through their use on screen.
“It’s such an exciting addition to The Square,” longtime customer Barbara Morgan said. “It’s a destination. It’s fun, a form of entertainment, and it’s healthy and creative.” Morgan and fellow customer Sallie Paschal buy combinations of olive oils and vinegars to make salad dressings, as well as other recipes at home. “Cindy has a wonderful assortment of items there,” Paschal said. “It’s wonderful to have something like this so close. It’s a pleasure to shop there.”
The shop boasts more than 65 varieties of infused olive oils and vinegars from around the world. Customers can sample flavors from Spain to Australia.
“It’s great to see the excitement in somebody’s eyes to try them for the first time,” Mask said. “You can make something you never could have imagined. You can create some amazing dishes, and the flavors can’t compare.”
In addition to its namesake, the shop sells a variety of wines, spices, teas and coffees, gourmet foods, meats and cheeses and accessories. “Cindy and her staff have so many ways to combine items,” Morgan said, “and it’s exciting to add to our menu.”
For more information on Town Square Olive Oil, visit TownSquareOliveOil.com.
Barbara Morgan
