2023 Spring Issue

PUBLISHERS

Meredith & Scott Tredeau

678-852-2715

info@thenewtoncommunity.com

DIRECTOR OF SALES

Maree Taylor

770-530-7837

sales@thenewtoncommunity.com

EDITORS

Kari Apted

Brian Knapp

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Michie Turpin

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Michelle Floyd

Rebecca McDaniel

David Roten

Dr. T. Demetrius Smith

Taticasejuana Stevens

ILLUSTRATOR

Scott Fuss

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.

MARVELOUS CREATION

by BRIAN KNAPP

A.W. Tozer once said, “God dwells in His creation and is everywhere indivisibly present in all His works. He is transcendent above all His works even while He is immanent within them.”

God’s handiwork never ceases to amaze me, from the awesome vastness of the universe to the complex simplicity of a small green frog set upon a green blade of grass in someone’s backyard. Everything works together in concert, the music of the natural world perfectly composed by the perfect composer.

I was born in Homestead, Florida, in 1978, and though my immediate family moved to Newton County when I was 4, my two sets of grandparents stayed behind and lived out the rest of their lives in the Sunshine State. As a result, I spent most of my childhood summers in Miami and the Florida Keys. I always marveled at the immense power and restraint of the ocean. It could be both calming and unsettling. I learned of its violent side in

1992, when I flew home a few weeks before Hurricane Andrew roared ashore and obliterated much of South Florida, including the Air Force base where I had been born. The sights and stories from that storm stick with me to this day. Nature remains a great mystery to us all. Yet somehow it serves as a reminder that we are finite beings—we have much more in common with the frog than we think—placed here purposefully by our Creator for only a short period of time. Perhaps Charles Spurgeon put it best: “Doth not all nature around me praise God? If I were silent, I should be an exception to the universe. Doth not the thunder praise Him as it rolls like drums in the march of the God of armies? Do not the mountains praise Him when the woods upon their summits wave in adoration? Doth not the lightning write His name in letters of fire? Hath not the whole earth a voice? And shall I, can I, silent be?”

Digital edition

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

Aw, look how happy we are! That’s pure wedded bliss right there. Would you believe us if we told you we were in marriage counseling less than a year after this picture was taken? Marriage is hard, y’all. In fact— in case no one has told you—the first year is especially hard. Everyone’s experience is different, of course, but many newlyweds soon realize that “the honeymoon is over” as soon as the literal honeymoon is over (or, in our case, before it’s over since we had our first Category-5-disaster-level fight on our honeymoon).

Many of you may be surprised by this, or just surprised that we’d admit it— something others may deem shocking or shameful, especially in the modern age of perfectly curated social media lives. However, in admitting that we’ve struggled, that we still struggle and sometimes need help, it’s not shame we find but freedom. It’s exhausting pretending that everything is fine all the time, isn’t it? Real life is not fine all the time, and that’s OK. Our first year of marriage was rocky, but we not only got through it, but we also grew stronger because of it. We learned a lot about ourselves and each other. We learned how to communicate, set boundaries, manage expectations—all great skills that we’re still honing today—because, of course, the first year wasn’t the only rocky one. (Marriage is hard, y’all, remember?) Rocky or not, each one of our soon-tobe-20 years together has been better than the last, and we’re grateful for every single one.

Stay tuned to read the next chapter of our little story in the summer issue publishers’ note.

May the Lord bless and keep you.

Scott and Meredith Tredeau

COOKING UP A LEGACY

For over 50 years, restaurateur Jim Stalvey owned and operated over a dozen dining establishments in Covington and surrounding areas. The late Newton County icon not only enjoyed serving food but loved supporting the community through various acts of philanthropy.

by KARI APTED

Stepping inside feels a bit like dropping in on your grandmother, the walls covered in painted paneling and vintage knick-knacks. The table tops tell their own stories, worn from years of being scrubbed between the multiple meals and conversations that happen around them every day. The air is filled with the scent of something good frying in the kitchen. You cannot help but feel at home.

Anyone who has lived in Newton or Rockdale counties for a while has probably eaten at one of Jim Stalvey’s restaurants. If not lingering over a meat-and-three at his namesake establishment, you might have grabbed a Varsity-rivaling chili dog at the Butcher Block Deli down the road. Maybe you recall the ribs at Buddy’s BBQ or the flavorful chicken tenders at the three Quik Chick locations he used to own. Wherever you have enjoyed Stalvey’s food, you have tasted his own personal recipes.

If you blink, you might miss Stalvey’s restaurant among the dozens of bright and bustling businesses lining U.S. 278 in Covington. The dark wooden building is tucked between Hardee’s and a pair of resale shops, across from a busy shopping center fronted by Chipotle, Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks. However, Stalvey’s has always held its own, the parking lot often packed full for lunch or dinner and especially on Sundays after church.

The local icon suffered a stroke in February 2022 and was in rehab for weeks. During his recovery, his wife, Sharon, fell and ended up requiring full shoulder replacement surgery. Married for 31 years, the couple spent the year being there for each other, giving and accepting the physical and emotional support only a spouse can provide. As they slept in each other’s arms on Jan. 6, Stalvey succumbed to the residual effects of his stroke. He was 80 years old.

Scan to read more stories by Kari Apted.

Stalvey dedicated most of his life to the restaurant business. He was just 11 when he first stepped into a commercial kitchen at the Dairy Delight in Rome. That was where he fell in love with cooking for others and began developing his own way of doing things. When he moved to the Atlanta area as an adult, he built his career with well-known brands. He worked at Rich’s department store’s famous Magnolia Room and built one of the first Holiday Inn restaurants in Atlanta. Stalvey came to Covington in 1972. He and two friends bought the Crest Restaurant on U.S. 278, which was situated where the Racetrac gas station now sits. When the current building housing Stalvey’s became available, he relocated there. Stalvey called it Prado’s and wanted it to be a place to eat light fare and meet for a drink with friends.

Serving alcohol was going to be a challenge, however, as no restaurant in Newton County had served it since Prohibition. Stalvey helped write the petition which brought back alcohol sales.

“Jim got the support of the whole community—churches, as well,” Sharon said. “He promised that if and when the time came to serve alcohol on Sundays, he wouldn’t. And he never did.”

Over several decades, Stalvey opened 15 more restaurants in the area, trying out different concepts to see which ones worked. He had restaurants in Social Circle, Conyers, Covington and the Lake Oconee area, and he served as a consultant to help others open their own dining establishments.

“Jim was a visionary,” Sharon said, noting that he loved everything about the restaurant business. “He loved planning new menus, decorating the restaurants and talking to the customers. He loved all of it, and he never skimped on quality and consistency.”

Stalvey also adored and respected his employees and, at the time of his death, still had long-term workers who had been with him for decades. One current employee has worked at Stalvey’s for 40 years, and another clocked in for 46 years, showing up daily to make salads and desserts well into her 80s.

“Jim’s success wasn’t done by himself,” Sharon said. “It means everything to have people who love you and are loyal and want to see your vision come to fruition.”

Jim’s vision included using only fresh produce from local farmers markets. The Stalveys never relied on pre-bagged salads or put ready-to-use breading on their shrimp. Even the salad dressings are homemade. Sharon revealed one of her most treasured possessions is a collection of six or seven notebooks full of Jim’s recipes, many of them written by hand.

“When I have some free time, I’ve been laminating the ones in his handwriting. They are priceless to me now,” she said. “He has recipes for everything. He had to go on a fat-free diet once, and he created so many recipes to make the food taste better. He even figured out how to make texturized vegetable protein taste good.”

“Jim was just creative about things,” Sharon added. “One night, he was eating something he just threw together at the restaurant. It was steak trimmings that he cooked together with mushrooms, onions and snow peas. A friend commented that it looked good, and that’s where our skillets came from. You can still order them today.”

‘He Always Took Care of His People’

by KARI APTED

Jim Stalvey left a positive mark on Newton County and an unforgettable impression on those in the restaurant industry. Even Chick-fil-A dedicated its sign to him after he died at the age of 80 in January. At a time when few people stay at one job for long, four of his long-term employees share their memories about Stalvey and his family and why they never wanted to work anywhere else.

Neal Cooper was a senior in high school when his aunt told him about an open position at Stalvey’s, where she worked. Now 55 years old, Cooper is the restaurant’s kitchen manager.

“I make menus, do all the cooking, keep things going,” he said. “I always had a passion for cooking. God gave me the ability to cook and the ability to preach, and I believe in staying in my lane.” Cooper believes the connections between himself and his coworkers are what has kept him there for over three decades. “We are like family. We work together, we cry together, we pray together. Mr. Jim loved me, and I loved him.”

Deedie Seagraves has worked at Stalvey’s for 26 years.

“I was working at Winn Dixie,” she said, “but I always wanted to be a waitress.” Seagraves started out waiting tables only on Saturdays but now works there seven days a week. “I order all the food, wait tables, manage, whatever they need me to do. I loved Jim and love Sharon. They are like my second mom and dad. I could never leave this job. They have been too good to me.”

Stalvey’s Restaurant manager Teri Krickel has been an employee since 1995. She started out cooking in the kitchen—the filet mignon is still her favorite—but now her primary job is keeping up with the bookwork at Stalvey’s and the Butcher Block Deli. Krickel shares Jim’s passion for the restaurant business and pointed to the way the Stalveys have always treated their employees well. Stalvey’s humility and work ethic made an impression on her. “He would come in and make salads, or cook, or bus tables—whatever needed to be done,” Krickel said. “He did that until he just physically couldn’t any more. Even after his stroke, he would come in with his walker and make sure we were

doing everything right. He never thought he was too good to do anything that needed to be done.”

Connie Tant, manager at the Butcher Block Deli, reiterated what so many have said.

“Jim always took care of his people. Anytime anyone needed something, he was always willing to help everybody,” she said. “He always told us, ‘Don’t leave nobody hungry. If you see somebody hungry, you don’t just give them food. You invite them in to sit down and eat at the table.’ He liked being around people and taking care of people. I liked what they said at his funeral: ‘He’s up there cooking for Jesus now.’”

(L TO R) NEAL COOPER, CONNIE TANT, TERI KRICKEL AND DEEDIE SEAGRAVES

Another evening, a whole new restaurant was born when the Stalveys’ daughter, Maria, asked for a sub sandwich. They stopped at a national chain restaurant and ordered extra meat because the regular version looked rather skimpy. When they got home, Stalvey could not believe what they had paid for a sub that, in his eyes, was still subpar.

“He said, ‘I know people will pay to get really good sandwiches.’ The next morning, he had the whole menu and concept for the Butcher Block Deli,” Sharon said. “That was in July. We opened the deli on Labor Day weekend.”

Stalvey was also quick to help the community. For seven years in the early 2000s, he hosted an annual fundraiser for Newton Medical Center prior to it becoming Piedmont Newton. The Stalveys donated all the food for barbecue plates, serving between 2,000 and 2,500 people at each event. The fundraisers brought in around $100,000 that helped fund a digital mammography machine and neonatal intensive care unit equipment.

“Jim thought it was the best way to pay back the community that had given us so much,” Sharon said. “We set up tents and tables in front of Stalvey’s and had plates ready to go. The ladies’ auxiliary sold desserts, and nurses, doctors, everyone got out there and volunteered.”

Jim’s philanthropy ranged from major fundraisers to oneon-one assistance. He never wanted anyone to go hungry and told his workers that if someone in need asked for food, give it to them at no charge. He provided meals for local homeless shelter residents during the Salem Camp Meeting in 2011. He continued to provide meals to the shelter every week and fed people at a fundraiser to award Newton County Art Camp scholarships to children. He also donated food to fill weekend packs for kids from low-income families attending Newton County public schools. As was written in his obituary: “Jim was very blessed and never forgot it.”

A search of local newspaper archives shows that reporters sought Stalvey’s input when anything affected the restaurant community. He had a strong opinion on most issues and was not afraid to share it—on everything from restaurant alcohol ordinances to whether customers should be allowed to conceal carry inside businesses. Jim and Sharon also went to bat for their fellow local business owners when they testified at the Capitol building in 2012 about the red tape that hinders small business operations.

As for Stalvey’s restaurant empire, it is down to two mainstays now: His namesake establishment and the Butcher Block Deli. Sharon feels it was providential for them to sell off their other eateries before her husband’s stroke and her shoulder injury occurred, as only one of their children shared their father’s love of the restaurant industry.

“I understand that, though,” Sharon said. “The restaurant business is hard. If someone doesn’t show up, you have to.” When asked who would carry on the Stalvey’s legacy, she answered with a laugh: “You’re looking at her.”

Though heartbroken by her husband’s death, Sharon continues to benefit from physical therapy and does not plan to retire anytime soon. She views their employees and so many in the community as family. “I’ve got a lot of people who are depending on me for their jobs and people in the community who count on us to be here,” Sharon said. “I’m not ready to let go. I can’t just turn it over to someone who’s not going to feel like Jim did about the business.” As Stalvey himself said in a 2010 interview, “My family has two constants: We love to feed folks, and we don’t give up.”

“Jim was a visionary. He loved planning new menus, decorating the restaurants and talking to the customers. He loved all of it, and he never skimped on quality and consistency.”

Sharon Stalvey

“Not one time has she complained about anything. She is so strong. I’ve never once heard her complain about what she is going through.”

Danica Thurman

(L TO R) DARLENE WHIDBY, JAMES WHIDBY, DANICA THURMAN, ZANDRA DVORAK, JOE DVORAK, JACKSON BENEDICT, JON BENEDICT, SAVANNAH BENEDICT, MAKAYLA COSBY (SEATED) AND THE LATE JOE WARD JR. (FRAMED)

L FE WITH

Makayla Cosby was a picture of good health until mysterious symptoms appeared at the tender age of 7. After extensive testing, her family learned she had childhood onset lupus. Cosby has faced many challenges in the 15 years since her diagnosis, but she remains determined to put her best foot forward.

by KARI APTED

When Makayla Cosby was 7 years old, she began experiencing high fevers. She also started losing weight and developed a red rash on her face. Her mother, Zandra Dvorak, took her to Newton Medical Center, assuming she might have the flu. Physicians there were stumped by her condition and sent her to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta. Cosby spent two weeks undergoing extensive tests until they finally had a diagnosis that surprised everyone.

She had childhood onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease most people simply call lupus. According to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the disease remains relatively rare in children, as only 15 to 20% of all SLE patients are younger than 15. Acquiring lupus before the age of 5 is extremely infrequent, and the majority of people with the disease are females between their late teens and 45 years of age. Though the condition can affect men and women of any age and race, it is more common in people of African American, Asian, Hispanic and Native American origin.

Lupus causes systemic inflammation in the body and can damage organs, skin and joints. The kidneys, lungs, heart and brain are most commonly affected, but lupus can wreak havoc on any of the body’s systems. Common symptoms include joint pain, hair loss, brain dysfunction, sun sensitivity and the fevers Cosby experienced. Lupus has no cure, but treatment can help minimize some of the symptoms. As for Cosby, lupus has damaged her kidneys and her brain. The severity of the disease also stunted

her growth. Although she comes from a family of tall people, she is still the same height as an upper elementary student. When Cosby was around 12 years old, she passed out in the middle of a neighborhood walk with her mother. Terrified, Dvorak called for an ambulance. Cosby was admitted to the hospital, where bleeding on the brain was discovered. Because blood destroys whatever brain tissue it touches, Cosby’s speech became permanently slurred; some developmental delays resulted. Soon after, Cosby began suffering from seizures. While she experienced a break from them at one point, they have returned at age 22. Her family knows a seizure is imminent when Cosby’s speech accelerates and she starts walking in circles.

Apted.

Caring for Cosby has been a family affair. Her aunt, Danica Thurman, has been a constant source of help for her niece.

“Lupus is elusive,” she said. “I call it a chameleon disease. You never know what symptoms a flare up is going to bring. They can change every time.”

Like two-thirds of people with lupus, Cosby suffers from sun sensitivity. Other ultraviolet light sources besides the sun, such as fluorescent light bulbs, can trigger similar photosensitive reactions in people with SLE. This means that Cosby is often forced to remain indoors when the weather starts drawing everyone else outside. As a result, lupus has often led to loneliness and depression.

“Makayla deals with a lot of anxiety,” Thurman said. “When it starts flaring up, she gets shaky and sometimes starts crying from depression. Adolescence made everything harder.”

Because of her weakened immune system, Cosby was absent a lot during middle school. They tried homeschooling with the K12 curriculum, but with her developmental delays, it was difficult. By the time Cosby was 17, the family had decided to take her out of school. After Cosby turned 18, the situation became a little easier.

“She is more independent now,” Thurman said. “She knows how to take her medicine on her own and knows what to do when something happens with her health.” Cosby has also discovered the joy of art. Her family built her a studio downstairs, and Cosby finds solace there. “When I get depressed because I don’t get to go anywhere, I go downstairs, start drawing and I feel better,” Cosby said. “I love doing Georgia Bulldog, anime and nature sketches. I also crochet blankets and stuff.” The family loves receiving Makayla’s creative gifts. “She made us all blankets for our birthdays,” Thurman said, “and she makes everyone art at Christmas.”

Because of the work schedules of her parents, aunt and other family members, Cosby’s grandfather, Joe Louis Ward Jr., spent a lot of time with Cosby every week. He picked her up to go shopping and eat lunch at Red Lobster, their favorite restaurant. Unfortunately, Ward died from cancer in September. Through her pain, Cosby has remained kind and resolute.

“Not one time has she complained about anything,” Thurman said. “She is so strong. I’ve never once heard her complain about what she is going through.” Cosby offers invaluable advice for any young person facing a diagnosis of childhood onset lupus. “Just pray and thank God that you’re here,” she said. “Pray for strength and to keep pushing to get through every day, even when it’s hard.”

Building God’s People in a Post-Pandemic World

by DR. T. DEMETRIUS SMITH

The Bible has a lot to say concerning kindness. In Ephesians 4:32, it says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you.” Proverbs 3:3 says, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” In Luke 6:35, Jesus says, “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” It is clear from these passages that kindness is a trait God values and expects from us.

Humility is found in many places throughout the Bible. One of the most famous passages comes from the Book of Philippians, where Paul says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.” The passage emphasizes the importance of humility in our lives and encourages us to put others before ourselves. Other books of the Bible, such as Proverbs and James, also address humility and its benefits. Humility is a quality that is greatly encouraged in the Bible, and it is an essential part of being a follower of Jesus.

Finally, the Bible shares many verses about God’s compassion and the importance of showing it to others. Proverbs 19:17 says, “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He

will reward him for what he has done.” The Bible also reveals how God is compassionate and forgiving. Psalm 103:8 says, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Jesus also taught us the importance of compassion in the parable of the Good Samaritan. In Luke 10:37, Jesus tells us to “go and do likewise” in showing mercy and compassion to others. Compassion is a core value of Christianity, and it is important for us to show it to others in our daily lives.

Together we can build God’s people by sharing Him and through encouraging people to connect with one another by offering love, support and guidance when needed. In addition, we should be mindful of the impact our words and actions have on others. We can also create meaningful opportunities for people to learn more about God’s teachings and to share their faith with each other.

We should look to the future by seeking out ways to serve our communities and by promoting peace and understanding. By working together and committing to these goals, we can build stronger relationships among God’s people and help foster a brighter tomorrow.

Bishop Dr. T. Demetrius Smith is the senior pastor at Greater Love Fellowship Tabernacle in Conyers. For information, visit www.greaterlovefellowship.org.

Communities of faith should start by focusing on the core values of God’s kindness, humility and compassion. He expects no less from us.

“We should look to the future by seeking out ways to serve our communities and by promoting peace and understanding.”

Dr. T. Demetrius Smith

HOME SWEET HOME

by MICHELLE FLOYD

Ebony Dean knows as well as anyone that it truly takes a village. From school employees paying for hotel rooms and family members providing her with financial aid when needs arose to the assistance of community outreach programs, a number of factors went into allowing her to get back on her feet again. A Kansas native now in her mid-40s, Dean moved to Georgia in 2015 to live with her sister in Conyers after she lost her mother, her grandfather, the father of her children and her job all within a couple of years.

“I didn’t want to have to ask for help,” she said, “but eventually, I had to.”

While still in Kansas, she nailed down some job interviews in Georgia, accepted a position at Dollar General and eventually took a job as a medical assistant for the late Dr. James Stillerman in Covington. Dean has now worked at the practice for seven years. Although she maintained steady employment, she and her two children were forced to move into a hotel after her sister developed health problems that led to their getting behind on rent and eventually resulted in an eviction. Soon after, coworkers put Dean in touch with Family Promise of NewRock— a non-profit organization that provides shared housing and services to families in need—in an effort to get her back to a more normal living situation.

“It’s a very humbling experience,” Dean said. “There were some ups and downs. It’s affected my job—the stress of everything.”

Once Dean traversed the application process, which includes an interview, background check and drug testing, Family Promise stepped in to provide her and her children with lodging

alongside another family for almost six months. It was a welcomed bridge.

“We help families with children experiencing homelessness achieve sustainable independence,” said Destiny Martin, the program manager at Family Promise. The organization is working to finish a basement in its current housing facility so it can accept up to five families instead of three. Donations from churches, corporations and individuals, along with some grants, fund Family Promise. According to Martin, the organization provides help to individuals in Newton and Rockdale counties through weekly management of a budget and finding independent housing. Eligible adults have to be employed within 30 days of starting the program and must find their own transportation. In addition, they cannot have a criminal history and must remain drug- and alcohol-free.

When Ebony Dean and her two children fell on hard times, Family Promise of NewRock stepped up to the plate, provided them with a place to live and, most importantly, allowed them to get back on their feet.

Scan to read more stories by Michelle Floyd.

“Just don’t give up. Just go through all the resources and call all around, and if you see that there’s a waiting list, don’t let it get to you because you have to stay strong for your kids and yourself.”

Ebony Dean

“When they are ready to move on, we help them move into their own place,” Martin said. “We still case manage them when they move out, so we make sure they are sustained long term.”

Ebony, her son, Trey, and her daughter, Takiyah, are currently living on their own in a Covington duplex they found through a co-worker. Family Promise of NewRock helped furnish their new space and set them up with a food pantry.

“It helps a lot just getting food and other resources like clothes, so I can save money,” said Dean, who relies on income

from her job for support, along with the money her son brings in. “I hope to get back on track and save money and maybe buy a house here in Georgia or in Oklahoma or Kansas.”

Trey, 24, works as a packer and shipper at an Amazon warehouse in Stone Mountain. He plans to attend school—paid for by Amazon—for video design and development.

“It feels good, and it’s better that the three of us have our own place to ourselves,” Trey said. “I’m a lot happier than I was the last couple of years because we haven’t been on our own since 2014. You’ve always got to keep God on your side. If you’re focused on negative stuff, you’re going to get negative results. You’ve got to always be positive, and that’s what your life will be. You’ve got to be patient and keep the people you love on your side.”

Having settled into their duplex, the family has focused on getting Takiyah, who excels academically, graduated from high school in 2024. They are a picture of perseverance to many.

“Just don’t give up,” Ebony said. “Just go through all the resources and call all around, and if you see that there’s a waiting list, don’t let it get to you because you have to stay strong for your kids and yourself. I’m very appreciative of my co-workers, supervisors and Family Promise for just helping me.”

For information on Family Promise of NewRock, visit www.familypromiseofnewrock.org.

ENDURANCE RUNNING THE RACE WITH

by DAVID ROTEN

It was still early morning and already there were signs this day would not go as planned. The late arrival of one of the cross-country teams, along with a timer malfunction, had delayed the start of the race by nearly an hour. The sun and the temperature were rising quickly.

Ben Clements, a 16-year-old homeschooler who competes for Peachtree Academy, had a sophomore season goal of running a 5K in 18:35. On Sept. 17, 2022, the “faster course” in Fayetteville had looked like a great opportunity to do so. “I knew going in [that] this was going to be the race,” Ben said. However, the late start resulted in unusually hot conditions and slower than anticipated times. Ben was unable to maintain the pace for which he had hoped, but under the circumstances, he was satisfied with his effort. “I crossed the finish line,” he said modestly. In truth, he was only eight seconds shy of matching his own school record of 19:23, which he had set earlier in the season.

Ben felt well enough immediately after the race but soon began to experience severe discomfort. He remembers thinking, “Man, I feel something in my left side that I’ve never felt before.” As his parents tried to help him cool down and calm his breathing, Ben’s pain continued to increase. “I told mom and dad, ‘It feels like there’s a weight on my chest, and I cannot get it off and it will not go away,’” he said. “We didn’t know what was happening.”

The decision was made to call 911, and an ambulance soon arrived. Medics first ruled out a heart attack while trying to reassure Ben’s near frantic mother, Shannon. “They kept saying, ‘Momma, calm down. We really feel that this is a pneumothorax,’” she said. “We had never even heard of it.” The 6-foot 2-inch, 145-pound runner was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where the diagnosis was confirmed. The Clements family learned that a pneumothorax is a collapsed lung and that Ben had suffered what is termed a “primary spontaneous pneumothorax,” meaning that it can happen at any time and for no apparent reason. Body-type appears to be the only common denominator among those with the rare malady.

“They told us, ‘Tall, skinny, athletic males is the stereotype of this condition,’” Ben said.

Once more, Ben was transported via ambulance, this time to Children’s Egleston Hospital in Atlanta. The attending physician hoped that by administering oxygen continuously for 24 hours the lung would re-inflate. It did not. X-rays revealed a lung that was now completely collapsed. The next step would be to insert a tube into the chest cavity and mechanically “suck out” the air—a procedure that would, hopefully, release pressure on the lung and allow it to re-inflate. “I had no plans of getting surgery,” Ben said. “I had no idea this is what God had planned for me.” Though he was not expecting such a crisis in his young life, Ben’s faith in God had nonetheless prepared him for it.

Record-setting Peachtree Academy runner Ben Clements suffered three spontaneous pneumothoraxes in less than six months. While it put his athletic career on hold, the ordeal only strengthened his faith as he moves forward into an uncertain future.

Scan to read more stories by David Roten.

“My son has had a joy in his heart for Jesus since he was a little boy,” Shannon said. “He has always walked on the balls of his feet with a smile on his face.” She spoke admiringly of his love for people and a mature walk in Christ that belies his years. As Ben faced surgery, he knew having the right mindset was crucial. “I just had to accept that it’s going to be OK,” he said, “because this is what God wants for me.”

Twenty-four hours after the procedure to remove the air from his chest cavity began, a subsequent X-ray brought more discouraging news. “The next morning, they came in and said it didn’t inflate like they wanted,” Ben said. The following day, he underwent a second surgery to close air-leaking “blebs,” or “holes,” in his lung. A small portion of lung tissue damaged by the collapse was also removed. When that operation also proved unsuccessful, Ben wondered, “What’s going to happen now?”

Thomas and Shannon Clements had made the decision long ago to raise their two sons, Will and Ben, “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Homeschooling, with Bible study as part of the curriculum, has furthered that mission while allowing them more time with each other and more time to work together in their family-owned business: C&C Pecan Farm in Rutledge. Beyond their own family, the Clementses have been vitally connected, for more than 10 years, to the community of faith at Crossroads Baptist Church in Social Circle.

The night before a third more invasive surgery was to be performed on Ben, the people of CBC mobilized to pray for him. The next morning, his lung was inflated and in place. “Everything just changed overnight,” Ben said. “It wasn’t just luck or ‘Oh, the surgery finally worked.’ No, that was God right there. God answered those prayers.”

“My son has had a joy in his heart for Jesus since he was a little boy. He has always walked on the balls of his feet with a smile on his face.”

Shannon Clements

“That was the first time,” Shannon said with a sigh. A month after being released from the hospital, Ben passed his re-check exam and was given the green light to gradually resume normal activities, including running. A couple of months passed and he was, in his words, “going strong and getting ready for the track season.” Then, on Jan. 16, it happened again. What he thought at first was a muscle strain turned out to be another spontaneous pneumothorax. Nevertheless, Ben refused to think of himself as a victim of bad luck. “I just have to know that all of this is happening to me for a reason,” he said, “because God has a plan for me.” As Ben faced yet another hospitalization and surgery, he had one request:

“Lord, please just get me through this.” Once again, the Clements family enlisted the prayer support of their church, and this time, the lung quickly responded as hoped. Exactly one month later, Ben was back at practice—a welcomed sight for coach and mentor Roy Howard. “He’s always asking how he can make himself better,” Howard said. Ben’s drive for excellence has certainly paid off. In just four cross-country races last fall, he broke the previous school record three times. He also holds the record for both the 1600 and 3200 meters in track and field. Ben hopes to run in college but remains content to follow whatever course God has marked out for him. The suffering he has experienced has helped to ensure his priorities are in order.

(L TO R) SOPHIA HOGAN, GABE HOWARD, COACH ROY HOWARD, THOMAS, BEN AND SHANNON CLEMENTS

“The first time it happened, I was itching to get back into running; the second time, it was God roping me in,” he said. “I love running so much, but that can’t come before loving the Lord and my time with Him.”

Just two days after he returned to practice, Ben was on his way back to the hospital with his third pneumothorax. Surgeons performed a pleurodesis, a procedure to prevent air build-up by attaching the lung to the chest cavity wall. The recovery will be longer this time, and though the prognosis is good, the future remains uncertain. Does he think he will run again? “Yes,” he said with a measured confidence. If not? “All I can say is, ‘God’s got a plan.’ I’ve got to be OK with whatever comes now.”

The Boy Summerof

by BRIAN KNAPP

It has somehow been 24 years since I first visited Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. I can still smell the freshly cut grass, hear the steel cleats slicing through the finely manicured dirt and see the blur of 95-mile-per-hour fastballs splitting the air. I can think of nothing more idyllic. It was almost too much to take in.

I had boarded a rented Chevrolet Tahoe the night before with three friends. Enough happened during that one weekend in March 1999 to fill a book, and we still talk about it whenever we happen to get together. I went there to see Luke Allen during one of his first spring training camps with the Los Angeles Dodgers. I met Luke when we were sophomores at Newton High School, and though we ran in different circles, one commonality forever linked us together: our love of baseball. We graduated together in 1996, and he signed with the Dodgers as an undrafted free agent two months later. I lost track of him for a while but made it a point to follow his career more closely when I took the job as sports editor of The Covington News in 1998. By then, he had emerged as one of the Top 10 prospects in the Los Angeles farm system.

We spent roughly 48 hours in Vero Beach, the spontaneity of youth numbering our steps. I was 20 years old, still a kid without a care in the world. Luke invited us to watch as he participated in an exclusive camp former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda put together for a handful of the organization’s best prospects. Standing there with 10–15 other spectators, we were in awe as Lasorda University unfolded in front of us. We had all watched Lasorda’s hall-of-fame career—he led the

Luke Allen’s death at the age of 43 left Newton County’s tight-knit baseball community heartbroken. As tributes poured in, it soon became clear that those he mentored were more than capable of carrying on his legacy through an undying love for the game.

Scan to read more stories by Brian Knapp.

Dodgers to two World Series titles—and yet there we stood, perhaps half a football field away from the man as he provided invaluable instruction to someone we knew personally. I briefly interviewed the accommodating Lasorda afterward, my nervous voice cracking through a few questions about Luke. I came away with one revelation: Lasorda adored him and for the very same reasons we all did. We all returned to Dodgertown in subsequent years, but nothing quite compared to that first trip. I eventually got married, left the newspaper and watched my wife give birth to our two sons. Luke made it to the major leagues with Los Angeles in 2002 and with Colorado after being traded to the Rockies the following year. I lost touch with him during the latter stages of his career but always had a sense our paths would cross again somehow.

My oldest son started baseball at the age of 4 and expressed a desire to get more serious about it prior to his under-11 season. He had made a couple of all-star teams by then and wanted to move toward the more competitive travel ball scene. The search for a hitting instructor invariably led me back to Luke. Over the next several years, he had a profound impact on both of my boys. Gehrig, now 16, switch hits to this day thanks to Luke telling him it was “mandatory” after seeing him take a few off-handed swings in the cage at Diamond Sports Academy. Luke was also the first high-level coach to show any kind of genuine interest in my youngest son. He challenged him to apply himself more seriously, on and off the field. Gibson, now 14, has taken those words to heart. We could not have known how our story with him would end back then, but I cherish those days more and more as time marches on.

In my 44-plus years on this earth, I have never met anyone as full of life as Luke Allen. Seated at my desk on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 26, 2022, I received a text from Andy Mitchell, a former minor league pitcher who coaches my oldest son. It asked simply, “Did you hear the awful news?” Immediately, I knew it was something serious. “No sir,” I wrote back, bracing myself as best I could. Seconds later, four words around which I still cannot wrap my mind came across the screen: “Luke Allen died today.” He was just 43 years old and left behind three children, a doting mother and four siblings, along with hundreds of Newton County kids to whom he had given hitting lessons.

Even though they had not seen Luke in about six months, my sons were stunned. Gehrig later relayed his hurt to me in a text: “I just wish I could hit with him one more time.” He and I attended the funeral a little more than a week later. Once the

service concluded, I made my way over to the Allen I had known the longest—Luke’s older brother, Sam. We hugged for a few seconds, and I managed to muster a few words from the heart. “He’ll live on through my boys,” I told him. “I know he will,” Sam said. As I walked back to my car while choking back tears, it occurred to me that Luke’s relationship with my sons was no more special than those he had crafted with the countless other aspiring players with whom he had shared his love of baseball. I cracked a smile as my car door closed behind me and thought, “He’ll live on through all of them.”

“Baseball is a beautiful game of failure. Be your best and learn to get back up. It’s a game of inches.”

Luke Allen

RESTORATIVE POWER

Miami native Yasha Williams moved to Newton County with no family, no assistance and no real grasp on what the future held. Roughly eight years later, she hopes to someday turn her passion for refurbishing furniture into a full-time business she can pass down to her three children.

by MICHELLE FLOYD

A Miami native chased her dreams all the way to Covington, undaunted by the nearly 650 miles that separate the two cities.

Yasha Williams, a 40-something who moved to Newton County with her children in 2015, currently works for a personal injury law firm but one day hopes to branch out on her own to put more of her God-given creativity to use.

“I moved up here with no family and no help,” she said. Williams found a home and took a job with the Witherite Law Group in Atlanta. “I just came here with the hopes of settling and moving forward,” she said. Williams now wants to pursue what she believes to be her true calling. About 15 years ago, she started refurbishing and refinishing furniture and other items for those closest to her. More recently, she expanded her clientele, publicly and professionally.

“Originally, I would do it to help family and friends and people I knew, but it became a passion to look at how someone fell in love with their pieces,” Williams said. “I was encountering a lot of people who inherit furniture or pieces from generations of family, so instead of getting rid of them or losing memories, I would bring them back to life and make them look new but keep their history.”

Scan to read more stories by Michelle Floyd.

Williams works with furniture like bedroom sets, armoires and barstools. She revealed that her most difficult project involved cabinets and dealing with paint to ensure the customer’s wishes were met. Even so, Williams enjoyed the challenge and the outcome. While she has completed many projects, she points to a friend’s bedroom suit as her favorite. It carried deeper meaning.

“It was the reason behind it,” Williams said. “She had moved from a bad domestic situation and her children needed a bedroom set, but she couldn’t afford it.” The friend discovered a worthy piece at Goodwill and enlisted Williams’ talents. “After I repainted it, I added the finishing touches,” Williams said. “They still love it to this day.”

Decatur resident Michelle Denson was referred to Williams for a chest of drawers project. “I had gotten it from a thrift store,” Denson said, “and I wanted it to look brand new, like you would see at Rooms to Go.” She sent Williams photos of some of her ideas and walked away delighted with the final product—a “glamorized” revival of the original piece. “She painted it and replaced knobs; she made it look brand new,” Denson said. “I really appreciated the service she gave me. I know where to go now.”

Williams had no real history with furniture restoration, which makes her something of a self-taught artist.

“It’s just been testing the waters,” she said. “I’ve always been interested in decorating in general, and I wanted to broaden my horizons. I started YouTubing and doing research. I saw cabinets being redone, and I thought of what else I could do.”

Williams has uncovered specialty items at some thrift stores and refinished them to suit a more modern style. Others, she simply refurbishes to the customer’s preferred specifications. “I do what they want because I don’t want to force my style on them,” Williams said. “It’s their product.” Eventually, she hopes to expand her business—Dream Refurbishments—into a full-time business. Remarkable for a pursuit that started out just as a hobby. “I’m aiming to make this my sole business, so I can make it my only income,” said Williams, who wants to teach her three children so she can pass it down to them. For now, they watch and learn. “They want to help, but I’m such a perfectionist,” she said. “They love it when they see me do it.”

“I’ve always been interested in decorating in general, and I wanted to broaden my horizons.”

Yasha Williams

How Love and Value Show Up in Education

by TATICASEJUANA BOBO STEVENS

Those who are not living under a rock or circumventing the news know the world can use a little more love these days. As a parent, community partner in education and citizen, it’s disheartening to read how little we show love to one another and how little we value not only the lives of others but our very own.

I recently posed a question to my Sunday School class: “What does love mean to you?” You can imagine the myriad of responses that were shared. One student clarified that love is an action word, while another put forth that it was simply being kind to your friends. Still another student bellowed, “Love just feels good!” All of their responses were aligned and accurate, allowing me to acquiesce to them all. As a scholar, I grabbed my MerriamWebster dictionary to ascertain a general consensus on the word. Here’s what I found: (a) strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties, (b) affection based on admiration, (c) benevolence or common interest and (d) warm attachment, enthusiasm or devotion.

I then asked, “What does value mean to you?” There was a subtle ponder. I received responses like cost, worthiness and importance, along with a malleable retort: “Something special.” Again, my future leaders’ were precise with their answers. Now, I’ll ask you what I asked my students. Are you loved and valued? How do you know? Who tells you, or is it simply shown? Most all of their replies were established at home, which was refreshing.

We all need to be beacons of light, demonstrating what love and value represent to us. My observations lead me to believe that the foundations in teaching respectable principles of becoming a good human being are God, love and value. God is love, and if we have love in our hearts, we will value ourselves, families and everyone we encounter. We will understand that there is significant value placed on all lives and that we should resist the desire to harm one another, especially when unprovoked. Charity starts at home, then spreads abroad. I’m confident that great students originate from noble foundations that begin at home. It shows up wherever we go from there, including in classrooms. How are you showing up in education?

Taticasejuana Bobo Stevens is a Ph.D. candidate and holds an undergraduate degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration. She is the CEO and founder of Stebeaux’s Educational Enterprises, LLC and the Taylor Marie Bo Foundation, Inc.

The foundations in teaching respectable principles of becoming a good human being start at home and require honest self-evaluation.

“As a parent, community partner in education and citizen, it’s disheartening to read how little we show love to one another and how little we value not only the lives of others but our very own.”

LITTLE FISH, BIG FUN

The small town of Newborn in eastern Newton County celebrates an unlikely local resident every April: the lowly hornyhead fish. The annual Hornyhead Fish Festival features a fishing tournament with real prizes and a day filled with springtime entertainment.

by KARI APTED

Most people snicker at its name upon hearing about the hornyhead fish for the first time. Then they wonder, “What exactly is a hornyhead fish, and why on earth did Newborn dedicate a whole festival to these silly named swimmers?”

Hornyhead fish, or hornyhead chubs, are members of the minnow family. Their scientific name is Nocomis biguttatus, and they generally only grow to between five and seven inches in length—although some will grow longer. As its name indicates, the male fish have clusters of tiny horns on their heads. Scientists say the purpose of the horns, or tubercles, is to attract a mate. Outside the town of Newborn, they are primarily used as bait fish. However, hornyhead fish are celebrated at the Newborn Schoolhouse each spring.

The Hornyhead Fish Festival evolved from the actions of a rural Newton County mail carrier, Albert Ozburn Jr. He fondly remembered his own childhood experiences, heading to the fishing hole with a cane pole, hook and a can of worms. Ozburn started checking stream crossings for ideal fishing holes as he delivered mail from the Newborn Post Office. He wanted a new generation to enjoy the simple sport of creek fishing and began taking kids out to fish for hornyhead on spring Saturdays.

Buddy Rowe, a taxidermist who had relocated to Newborn from Atlanta, heard about the fishing trips and thought they were a great idea. He felt the trips should be opened to everyone on one set day each spring, so in 1988, the first Newborn Hornyhead Festival was held, with about 200 guests in attendance. The event has grown yearly. Today, over 1,000 guests enjoy the festival every April.

Kari Apted.

“I just enjoy the people and watching people have fun. I think it’s great when a community can come together and have a good time.”

Christine Hurst

(L TO R) JULIANNE SCHELL, JUDGE SAMMY OZBURN HOLDING FRAMED PHOTO OF LARRY MUNSON AND ALBERT OZBURN JR.

The highlight of the event is the fishing tournament. Around 30 to 40 people sign up to catch the prizewinning hornyhead fish. There are four divisions with corresponding fees. Children up to 10 years old pay $5 to enter the contest. The youth division is for kids between the ages of 11 and 15, and their fee is $10 per person. Adults aged 16 and over also pay $10 to join the tournament while families of four can compete for a flat $20 fee. Winning catches must be turned in by noon and kept in an aquarium during the contest. Judges choose a winner by awarding six points for each inch in length and one point for each horn. Winners in each division and an overall winner are announced at 12:30 p.m. All winners receive a trophy, and the fish are released back into the local streams. The 2022 tournament champion, Mansfield’s Levi Whitaker, caught a hornyhead that was 7.5 inches long and sported nine horns on its head.

Christine Hurst serves as the publicity representative for the Hornyhead Festival. Despite being the seventh generation of her family to live on the same plot of land in McDonough, she sold it and moved to Newborn when Henry County’s traffic became unbearable. She fell in love with Newborn’s laid-back, rural vibe and grew eager to get involved with local events.

“I just enjoy the people and watching people have fun,” Hurst said. “I think it’s great when a community can come together and have a good time.”

Hurst and the rest of the festival planning committee schedule a great deal of fun for each event. The festival can host up to 40 vendors, selling everything from jewelry to candles. Multiple food vendors offer a variety of delectable treats from which to choose, and there is often live music. The festival includes a car show, a hula hoop contest, a fire truck and a police car. Each year, a new official hornyhead T-shirt design is available for purchase.

The Newborn Schoolhouse Community Volunteers encourage festivalgoers to come inside the schoolhouse to see the small hornyhead fish museum. It features mounted fish, hats, T-shirts and other memorabilia from the Hornyhead Festival’s 30-plus years of existence. The museum also includes photos and artifacts from the Historic Newborn Schoolhouse and its predecessor, the Palmyra Institute.

The historic building is located on Hwy 142 in Newborn. It dates back to 1924 and served as an active school until the mid-1950s. After that, it was used as a community center and is now available for rental for weddings and other private events.

For information on the Hornyhead Fish Festival, visit www.hornyheadfishfestival.com. For details on the Historic Newborn Schoolhouse, visit www.newbornga.com/ schoolhouse or call 770-786-1660.

Photography by: Nick Vassey

ART SPEAKS

by MARGARET WARFIELD - ARTIST

Have you ever wondered why artists create? Why they spend hours upon hours painting, sculpting, sketching or just staring off into space thinking? Why they seem to exist in their own worlds, a world that is ever-changing because of the creative flow of their minds?

Some artists create to make money, but many artists create to express their beliefs, values, and memories. Still others do what they do to escape from the real world and to help them get through difficult situations. Yes, creating can help you manage your mental health. Scientists have indicated that the process of creating boosts energy and increases the flow of blood to the brain.

Art inspires people, allowing them to connect to history.

Most importantly, I believe, the compulsion to create helps artists say what they cannot say with words.

Wildart

404-455-1594

thewildart.com

1105 Washington St. Covington, GA 30014

The Whitten Family Celebrates 55 YEARS IN BUSINESS

by SCB VIDEO TV MARKETING

Making a trip to the doctor’s office or passing a big rig at a weighting station; industrial/commercial scales are in more places than you realize. From the baggage check-in at the airport to the zoo and even trains delivering your favorite products, the Whitten family is proud to provide exceptional service to many industries over the past 55 years through their family business, Atlanta Scales.

Atlanta Scales is a local Henry County-based business who is honored to have two generations working to provide exceptional service. Alongside new sales and rentals, Atlanta Scales also provides 24-hour maintenance and repair to commercial and industrials scales.

HERE’S

A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT ATLANTA SCALES.

In 1967 Atlanta Scales, Inc. was incorporated as a small service company to repair industrial scales and weighing equipment. A. E. Whitten, Sr. soon started as an employee cleaning levers and weighbridge steel with a blow torch. By September of 1968, Al had saved enough money to buy his first 11 shares of ASI stock; and by July of 1984, he had managed to buy out all partners to become the sole owner of Atlanta Scales. He managed this all while continuing to work out in the field.

At that point Al transitioned into sales and in 1986 his son, Mark Whitten, started as a service technician. By January 2002, Al retired full time and Mark started managing the daily operations of ASI as the new owner alongside his wife, Victoria Whitten. Today, the ASI family continues to grow through its hardworking employees and greatly appreciated customer base.

“When I think about 55 years in business, it’s a great feeling to carry on something that my dad started… the relationships, the dedication to our customers and employees, you just can’t beat it,” Mark proudly states.

On April 1, 2021, AAA Scales & Systems in Gainesville, GA became part of the Atlanta Scales, Inc. family. Together, they work to operate as one united company providing the best possible service and solutions to their customers.

“I’m proud of what my father-in-law started and what my husband has continued to build and grow upon. To know that the 3rd generation is here and on the scene; and they are learning, and they are waiting for their chance to excel when it’s time for Mark and I to step back. I am excited to see what they do,” stated Victoria Whitten. Mark and Victoria work daily with their children, Jonah and Noah, and look forward to the future of Atlanta Scales.

ATLANTA SCALES

1933 GA-155 S

McDonough, GA 30253 Phone: 770-477-7052

Fax: 770-477-7054

GAINESVILLE LOCATION

Address: 2491-C Monroe Dr. Gainesville, GA 30507 Phone: 770-532-2316

24/7 SERVICE

Phone Number for Emergency Service: 770-853-6964

MODEL CITIZENS

by DAVID ROTEN

The family of four buckled their seatbelts and prepared for takeoff. Francois and Almarie van Staden, along with 7-yearold Brooke and 2½-year-old Francois Jr., were leaving their home country of South Africa for the first time. Almarie wept as the plane lifted off the ground and climbed quickly into the night sky toward the unknown. “With two kids in tow, we left without knowing where we were going, where we were going to stay and leaving all that was familiar behind,” she said. “It was tough.” Their journey in February 2000 was a leap of faith spanning several thousand miles, beginning in Johannesburg and ending in Los Angeles some 24 hours later.

In actuality, the van Staden’s quest to become American citizens had just begun.

If leaving was hard, the decision to do so was relatively easy. Though both Francois and Almarie had excellent jobs—he as an electrical engineer, she as head of accounting—future career prospects for their young children in post-apartheid South Africa did not look good. According to Almarie, government policies were resulting in greatly diminished access to universities and career opportunities for certain population groups. Poor infrastructure and a staggering crime rate further clouded their children’s future.

“We just looked at what the country was going to look like in 10 or 15 years and what the options for our children would be career-wise,” Almarie said, “and we couldn’t see anything that was sustainable for them.”

The couple had only recently begun to discuss the possibility of moving to another country when opportunity knocked. “The next

thing we knew,” Almarie said, “God had opened up a path for us through a golf game my husband was playing in.” When one of the other golfers mentioned he had a son in the United States whose company was looking for electrical engineers, Francois listened intently. Almarie recalled the ensuing conversation with her husband and their moment of decision. “My husband said to me, ‘What do you think?’” she said. “I said, ‘Let’s go for it.’”

The van Stadens made San Diego their first home on American soil as they set about the rigorous process of acquiring citizenship. “If you do it the right way,” Almarie said, “it’s very difficult.” Francois had to provide proof of a college degree to acquire a permanent resident card. Physicals were taken and background checks made. There were endless appointments and mounds of paperwork. Processing fees totaled around $20,000. It would be years later, in 2013, before the van Stadens were finally granted United States citizenship.

“When we first got here, I saw a quote that said, ‘I didn’t say it was going to be easy; I said it was going to be worth it,’” Almarie said, “and it’s been worth it every single day.” Challenges in those first few years were not only legal but social and cultural. “When we immigrated, we didn’t know anybody in this country,” Almarie said, “but I soon realized that, regardless of where you go, the Lord is always there. He was on this side of the ocean, as well, and that helped us a lot to get through all the difficult times and things we had to face.”

Learning a new language was near the top of the list. Though Almarie and Francois were fluent in English, their children spoke only their native language: Afrikaans. Francois settled

Almarie and Francois van Staden left their native South Africa in 2000 to pursue a better life for their two children. More than two decades later, they consider themselves Americans in every sense of the word.

Scan to read more stories by David Roten.

into his new job, while Almarie stayed home with Francois Jr., who managed to pick up English by watching television.

“My son and I weren’t pushed into the workforce or into the community as such,” Almarie said, “so we had a blast.”

For Brooke, who went directly into elementary school, it was a different story. She struggled with the language, as well as socially, according to her mother. “She was the odd kid out,” Almarie said, “and kids can be very rude.” When Brooke came home from school in tears, Almarie did her best to encourage her, at times resorting to tough love: “I would tell her, ‘You need to buckle up because this is it. You will have to make it here. There’s no other option for you.’” It took some time, but Brooke met the challenge. “I’m telling you,” Almarie said, “she came out strong.” Brooke volunteered at a local hospital as a teenager, graduated from high school and entered nursing school. When Francois accepted a job offer in Georgia and the family moved to Covington in 2015, Brooke stayed behind to continue her training, eventually earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Since becoming a registered nurse six years ago, she has worked in the trenches of the coronavirus pandemic while managing several residential moves up and down the California coast on her own.

“She’s grown into a very confident, take-no-nonsense kind of woman,” Almarie said. “I’m extremely proud of her.”

Almarie takes an equal amount of pride in Francois Jr., who served as an audio-visual technician at church as a teenager and later was involved with the outreach ministries of Christian Fellowship at the University of Georgia. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UGA, Francois went on to graduate from the police academy and has worn the uniform of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department since 2021. According to his mother, he admits to enjoying the “adrenaline rush” that

comes with the job. However, when Almarie asked him why he chose such a dangerous profession, his answer revealed a weightier motive. She still remembers his words: “Mom, you guys brought us here and I just can’t fail you by not doing something that’s worthy.”

The van Stadens feel a debt of gratitude to God and country for the honor of living in America and have successfully passed that attitude on to their kids.

“Since they were young,” Almarie said, “I instilled in my children that we have to do something to give back because this is a blessing that we’ve been given.”

Almarie and Francois practice what they preach. Almarie participates in Climb to CURE—a childhood cancer philanthropic initiative—through her employer, Lendmark Financial Services, and donates to other worthy causes through the Newton County chapter of 100 Women Who Care. Francois plays a supportive role by filling in where needed at church and with various charities, including those sponsored by golf tournaments.

Unlike those who were simply born in this country, the van Stadens made a choice to be American. They view it as a privilege not to be taken for granted.

“Every day I wake up,” Almarie said, “I’m grateful that I am here and that my children are here and that they have got a better future.”

INCLUDE INSURANCE AS PART OF YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN

by MARK S. REAGAN - FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Proper insurance coverage is a critical building block to a solid financial plan. The number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States is an unforeseen expense not properly covered by adequate insurance when the need occurs.

Your current stage in life typically dictates the types and levels of insurance coverage that you need in place. Health insurance coverage is always a primary need, which can be provided through your employer or through individual options, and it can be structured to cover spouses and children as well. A plan tied to a Health Savings account is typically the most beneficial and cost-efficient manner to provide this coverage. Liability and replacement cost related to all real property that you own, such as a home and automobiles, is also of utmost importance. Don’t skimp on these coverages, and consider raising your deductibles to make the premiums more affordable within your budget. With this increase in deductibles, make sure your emergency fund can cover these potential out-of-pocket costs. For life and disability insurance, once you have someone depending on your income for their well-being for a specific period of time, such as a newborn, these coverages become critical immediately. A term life policy for a specific timeframe is typically sufficient. As you enter the stage in life where you have accumulated a certain amount of assets, an adequate “umbrella” liability policy should be added to supplement your overall coverage.

Although there may be times when a GoFundMe page is appropriate, it is best not to have this as your, or your family’s, only option when the need arises for life’s unforeseen occurrences.

770-658-9440

“ When we first got here, I saw a quote that said, ‘I didn’t say it was going to be easy; I said it was going to be worth it,’ and it’s been worth it every single day.”

Almarie van Staden

FALLEN GIANT

other weekend under one of those magnolias. “As kids,” he said, “we wanted to try and climb them because they were so huge and they were just magnificent trees.” Even in middle school, it was the hangout place. On a few occasions, Robinette remembers getting kicked off The Square for attempting to climb the trees. The hot spot continued into high school and turned full circle for Robinette when his daughter took prom photos with the magnolias as the backdrop.

The tradition of hanging out on The Square was generational for Robinette. His grandparents took his parents there, then passed on the pastime to him through strolls on the sidewalk and ice cream under the trees. Eventually, Robinette took his own family, whether it be for pictures or just to sit and enjoy the views.

Memories started to flood in as he climbed the tree for the final time, not as that 6-year-old kid playing on The Square with his grandparents, but as the worker tasked with removing one of downtown Covington’s iconic magnolias. From those timeless outings with loved ones to snapping rites-of-passage pictures, the trees had been a vital part of his upbringing.

Growing up, Justin Robinette was no stranger to The Square. He often found himself picnicking with his grandparents every

The magnolias witnessed 120-plus years’ worth of Covington’s history. Imagine the time lapse they could have put together. They had also been prominently featured in a number of television series. The Square was the setting for a number of memorable scenes in “The Dukes of Hazzard,” which aired on CBS from Jan. 26, 1979 to Feb. 8, 1985 and starred Catherine Bach, John Schneider and Tom Wopat. Fans of the show often refer to it as “Hazzard Square.” One such scene in the fifth episode of Season 1 saw the Dukes driving the wrong way through The Square towards the courthouse. Also visible in the shot: the two gorgeous magnolias.

Justin Robinette has always held a job in the green industry, but nothing could prepare him for the day he had to bring down one of The Square’s most iconic landmarks.

by REBECCA MCDANIEL

Scan to read more stories by Rebecca McDaniel.

Those trees were also present in fictional Mystic Falls, Virginia—the setting for the hit series “The Vampire Diaries.” For eight seasons, the show thrilled fans on The CW. It ran from Sept. 10, 2009 to March 10, 2017 and starred Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder, The Square often serving as the backdrop for major events in storylines.

When “In the Heat of the Night” brought Sparta, Mississippi, and the exploits of its police chief to viewers on NBC and CBS, The Square and its magnolias had front-row seats in many of the 142 episodes that aired between March 6, 1988 and May 16, 1995. The popular series starred the great Carroll O’Connor, he of “All in the Family” fame.

Robinette might not have been present for the filming of those shows or the countless Hollywood movies that utilized downtown Covington, but he was there to play a major role in the removal of one of the trees due to safety concerns over fallen limbs. He has worked for Arbor Equity for years and was tasked with the preservation of the trees on The Square. Every two years, the company treated the ground around the magnolias and broke up the dirt, as the constant flow of visitors around the trees compacted the soil and threatened their health.

Robinette admits it was difficult to keep the trees alive because they themselves had become celebrities.

When the time came for one of the magnolias to come down, it was a difficult process for Robinette. Past experiences beamed back to him.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I honestly thought that when the limb fell, we could save it.”

There was much discussion about what to do with the area where the magnolia once stood. Planting another tree seemed like a given, and the wood from the fallen magnolia could possibly be used for benches. Nevertheless, a void remains.

“It will never be the same,” Robinette said. “I don’t even know if they’ll plant another magnolia. It might be a maple.”

While the magnolia that once stood outside of Hal’s Diner on “Remember the Titans” may no longer exist, it lives on in the memories imbedded in a community that enjoyed everyday life in its shade.

“It was a sad day,” Robinette said, “but at the end of the day, I can always remember that I was the only one who cut that tree down.”

“It was a sad day, but at the end of the day, I can always remember that I was the only one that cut that tree down.”

Justin Robinette