2025 Fall Issue by The NEWTON Community Magazine

‘AS IF AT THE SISTINE’

by BRIAN KNAPP

Wanda Reagan started painting roughly a decade ago, after she attended a lifechanging “Southern Lights” exhibition at The Bascom Art Center in Highlands, North Carolina. “It was a show that featured abstract works by four women painters,” she said. “I have since been able to take a workshop with one of them in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which was such a highlight for me.” Ironically, one of Reagan’s paintings can now be found on display at the very site where she was first inspired to put brush to canvas. It will remain there through the end of November.

When asked if she would be interested in sharing her talents with all of you by providing the cover for this issue of The Newton Community Magazine, Reagan did not have to think twice. Soon, she was at work in her element, and we were the beneficiaries.

“The inspiration for the painting began as most of my paintings do, with a blank

canvas and mark-making to get me started,” Reagan said. “I then randomly choose a color palette that I add to as the painting goes along. There’s a lot of subtraction, addition and mark-making using different types of tools to scratch into the surface of the painting as I go along. I’m influenced a lot by what I see in nature, and I actually get into a flow state by listening to music as I paint.”

Reagan calls our Fall 2025 cover “As if at the Sistine,” in reference to a poem she had written. The painting took her upwards of 15 hours to complete.

Picasso once said, “Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.” Wanda Reagan probably understands those words better than most.

Thank you Wanda Reagan for providing the art work for the 2025 fall cover. Wanda’s work is available for sale on online at wandareaganart.com.

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

Summer has come and gone, and another beach trip is in the books. Vacations can be so difficult. They are worth doing, but they can be stressful. This year’s trip was plagued by rain, overpriced everything, boredom, sand everywhere, heat and more rain. Even so, I found peace.

Somewhere in the Bible, it says I can have a peace beyond all understanding. Ironically, I’ve never understood what that meant, until recently. To realize I have very little control over anything and still be able to feel total comfort. To be in the eye of one of life’s storms and say, “Yes, this is the best storm yet.” I’ll be honest. Having a difficult vacation is a first-world problem. What if I were to lose a loved one? My wife or one of my kids? I’m cool with some pain, but nothing to that extent. Would I still find peace if the unthinkable happened?

We are guaranteed to face many troubles on this side of eternity. The real questions involve how we react to those troubles. Will I always surrender to God? Will I honor Him in the worst of times or just when everything goes my way? I would like to think I would, but I’m not so sure. Parts of me really like the things of this world, with comfort being the, well, most comfortable of them. What if being comfortable keeps me from stepping out in faith? What do you think?

Have a blessed day today.

Scott Tredeau

Stories by Kari Apted

WHERE SERVICE NEVER STOPS

Anderson Wright rose out of a segregated Oxford to build a life through steadfast resilience, dedication to family and his transformative experiences in the United States Navy. Now in his late 80s, he remains engaged in civic life, education and preserving local history.

by KARI APTED

Anderson Wright was born in Oxford on June 19, 1936. Nearly nine decades later, the octogenarian still calls the city home. Some of his earliest memories are of his father, who died when Wright was just 4 years old. Soon after, Wright and his sisters, Catherine and Grace, moved into his grandparents’ house in the Oxford neighborhood known as “Texas.”

Wright loves reminiscing about his childhood, of carefree days spent running barefoot outside with his friends, inventing games and grabbing snacks from the blackberry bushes and fruit trees that grew in their neighborhood. He attended elementary school at Oxford’s Rosenwald School, one of approximately 5,000 schools built in the rural South to provide educational equity for African American children. The Tuskegee Institute’s Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald, a philanthropist and president of Sears, Roebuck and Co., collaborated to make education more accessible to all. The son of an immigrant peddler, Rosenwald only agreed to fund each school after the surrounding community had invested money in the project, usually through donations and fundraising efforts. Oxford residents answered the call. Though the Oxford

Rosenwald School no longer stands, parts of the foundation are still visible beside the historic marker on Mitchell Street. Wright still sees those teachers—many of whom had received degrees from the Tuskegee Institute—as inspirations, as he attended the school from first through eighth grade.

“I rode the bus home from the Rosenwald School, and I had to make sure I got back home on time,” Wright said. “There was a ballpark nearby, and sometimes, we would stop by and stay too long. I remember trying to explain to my grandmother where I’d been, but she knew my friend’s reputation and told me to go get a switch. Well, I didn’t get a switch big enough, so I had to get another one. When I got that whipping, my sister started crying. I asked her why she was crying when I was the one getting whipped.”

Wright remains grateful for his family’s firm discipline and strong work ethic, which molded his character. In ninth grade, he progressed to Washington Street High School in Covington. The institution was founded by his great-grandfather. After graduating in 1954, Wright attended a trade school in Atlanta and worked at Oxford College during the summers.

“One day, my high school friend Nathaniel Russell and I decided that we were going into the Air Force,” he said, “but they told us they didn’t have any openings at that time, so we went down the street and joined the Navy instead.” The recruiter told them they could leave as soon as the next day if they passed the test. They did and rode a train to Chicago for boot camp, only to be immediately detoured to another site in San Diego. After boot camp, when tests revealed their individual strengths, Russell was sent to Class A school to become a steward’s mate. “They taught him how to take care of officers, cook for them and shine their shoes,” Wright said. “I did not like the idea of that at all.”

In April 1955, Wright was assigned to the deck crew of LST 1159, an amphibious ship based in San Diego. He was one of only two black sailors aboard. “My job was cleaning the deck, painting and taking care of the machinery on the deck,” he said. Wright remembers painting the ship’s hull one day while sitting on a Bosun chair, when the seat came loose. “I was hanging on the rope when a friend saw me. He was a small, short guy from

Greece. He put his hand down and said, ‘Catch my hand!’ I said, ‘I can’t. I’m going to fall!’ He said, ‘You won’t fall. I’m Greek.’ So I reached up, and he pulled me aboard,” Wright said, his voice still incredulous over the small man’s surprising strength. “We stayed in contact for a long time.”

A petty officer in the Engineering Department later extended an invitation to Wright. “He asked if I’d like to work in his department,” Wright said. “Naturally, I said yes, but I asked him if I would be accepted because I would be the only black man there at that time. He said, ‘Don’t worry about it. You’ll be working with me.’” One of Wright’s new duties involved cleaning the ship’s bilges. Wright used the menial task to his advantage, learning where all the color-coded pipes went and what each was used for. His insider knowledge helped him pass the exam to become a Petty Officer 3rd Class Engineman. Wright’s work ethic and drive to learn earned him the respect of his fellow crew members, and he soon progressed to Petty Officer 2nd Class Engineman.

“I did well,” Wright said. “A friend of mine, a career sailor, told me how proud they were of me. That made me feel good.

The other black man aboard was also a 2nd Class Petty Officer, and everyone had a lot of respect for him, too. I made good friends throughout the ship.”

In 1956, the ship headed to the Far East, stopping in Hawaii before moving on to the Philippines, several ports in Japan and Korea. “I remember Korea very well,” Wright said. “We picked up soldiers from there. That’s what our ship was about: transport, tanks and soldiers. We also had space to transport one helicopter.”

He enjoyed multiple trips between San Diego and the Far East during the remainder of his four-year service contract. “Then I had a big decision to make,” Wright said. “Reenlist or get out.”

He chose to exit active duty and join the Navy Reserves, while using his GI Bill to study diesel and gasoline engineering. Later, he took a job as a mechanic and decided to attend Los Angeles City College, where he majored in business and police science. When he graduated in 1969, he pursued further education in industrial science at California State University, Los Angeles.

Over the next few decades, Wright’s life took several turns. The United States Postal Service hired him as a temporary holiday season mechanic. He then passed the carrier/clerk exam and continued working in that role. Later, he moved on to become a mailbox mechanic and a mail flow mechanic.

“That involved fixing equipment like belts, motors and sorting machines,” he said. “A lot of it was electronics, which used my Navy experience.” True to form, Wright was promoted to higher levels and became a supervisor. In all, he worked for the USPS for 37 years before he retired.

Wright also continued to serve in the Navy Reserves, training one weekend a month and for a longer period each year while

advancing to Chief Petty Officer. He recalls returning to Los Angeles in 1965, after spending two weeks on ship duty. “We had heard about the L.A. riots on the radio, but we thought they were exaggerating,” he said. “Then we got back, and they said over the PA system to be careful, that the National Guard was patrolling the streets and there had been many fatalities. I didn’t really see all the damage that had been done until I was driving home.” Wright retired from the Navy Reserves on June 19, 1996.

Wright always maintained a strong connection with his family in Oxford and even built a small home in which to stay while visiting. His first marriage was brief and ended in divorce but not before he was blessed with two sons, Kelvin and Andray. Years later, he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Brinson, while they both worked at the post office. They married in 1976 and had two daughters, Davetta and Rava. Once the Wrights had retired from the postal service, they returned to Oxford permanently in 2008 and built a larger home. Wright returned to his childhood church, Rust Chapel UMC on Emory Street, and became a Sunday School teacher. He also began attending

city hall meetings and joining service organizations, including the Lions Club, where he enjoyed providing disadvantaged children with new bikes and participating in various community service projects. Much of his work has been focused on the Oxford Historical Cemetery Foundation, where he now serves as president. Wright finds joy in keeping busy with all the organizations and his church, but he admits that sometimes he lacks the energy to work at his accustomed pace. He has battled prostate cancer since 2019 and outlived the doctors’ prognosis.

“My daughter keeps asking me to cut back, but I really don’t want to,” Wright said. “I grew up during segregation. I remember the KKK coming through Oxford, but I’ve seen so many encouraging changes. People ask me why I would want to move back here when I could have retired anywhere. I tell them that it’s because I knew I could serve and make things better. I’ve always tried to do that. I am still trying to do that.”

“People ask me why I would want to move back here when I could have retired anywhere. I tell them that it’s because I knew I could serve and make things better.”

Anderson Wright

Honoring the Past

by KARI APTED

Anderson Wright was just a little boy when he began cleaning graves at Oxford Cemetery, his small but sure hands pulling up weeds and brushing away debris.

“I grew up helping my grandmother and her sister, who were always over there cleaning up the gravesites of our family members and other people we knew,” he said. “For a long time, they didn’t keep good records [of the gravesites], but they taught me where people were buried.” His deep respect for preserving history grew over the years, as he joined the military, attended college and worked in California. “Sometimes, I would come home on leave or vacation,” he said, “and the cemetery was so grown up that you couldn’t find one grave from another.”

Wright’s cemetery knowledge proved vital when he moved back to Oxford after retirement from the United States Postal Service and the Navy Reserves. “Some family members may be looking for a grave but don’t even know if the family owned a plot,” he said, “or the city may not have a deed, but I can tell them where to find the grave.” He now serves as president of the Oxford Historical Cemetery Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1965 to support the City

of Oxford’s efforts to beautify and maintain the cemetery grounds.

Many graves of historic significance are located there, including those of Methodist Church bishops, Emory College presidents and faculty members. However, perhaps its most poignant acreage holds the largely unmarked graves of at least 1,000 slaves. “You don’t see any headstones in the northern section they call the slave section,” Wright said. “Some people say they couldn’t afford headstones, and that may be true in a way but not entirely. Some headstones were there, but they were broken. We were able to put some of them back together again.” One of the oldest repaired headstones belonged to Rev. Y. Potter, a Methodist minister who lived from 1812 to 1851.

For most of the cemetery’s existence, segregation has been clearly drawn within its borders, with the northern side designated for African Americans and the southern side for whites. Wright has worked to change people’s perception of the cemetery into one integrated space.

“The previous lawn maintenance crew would cut a certain side first, allowing the other to overgrow,” he said. “I rewrote the contract so that

both sides are cut at once.” Wright also refers to the cemetery’s sections by directional names instead of calling them black or white. “New plots,” he said, “aren’t divided like that.” One of Wright’s major projects involved partnering with Rev. Tom Johnson, a now-deceased Methodist minister. “We worked together to get a company to do radar penetration to find out exactly where unmarked graves were located. They found and marked many graves and made a map of them. I also encourage people to put a permanent marker on their loved one’s grave as soon as they can. The free markers the funeral home uses don’t last long.”

Wright hopes to inspire younger generations to take over the meaningful work of historic cemetery preservation, emphasizing that such care has no end date. “There’s still a lot of work to be done,” he said. Oxford College students, Boy Scout troops and other groups have volunteered in the past, their youthful hands performing the same tasks Wright’s did when he was their age.

For information on the Oxford Historical Cemetery Foundation, visit oxfordgeorgia.org/OxfordHistorical CemeteryFoundation.aspx

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT

All Smiles

Dr. Richard Kim brings advanced care to Newton Drive Family Dentistry, where he blends cutting-edge technology with compassionate service to continue the legacy built by Dr. Dale Evans.

by MICHELLE FLOYD

Born in Korea and having grown up in New Zealand, Dr. Richard Kim decided to bring a cutting-edge dental practice to Georgia. He arrived in 2017 and joined Dr. Dale Evans at Newton Drive Family Dentistry in the fall of 2019.

“It’s an honor for me to continue his legacy of providing exceptional, compassionate, comfortable and high-quality dental care to such an amazing community,” Kim said, highlighting a practice that has been part of the Covington healthcare landscape since 1974.

The office underwent recent renovations to incorporate the latest state-of-the-art dental equipment and modern interior design with the same friendly and skillful team members that offer more than 80 years of combined experience. The practice features advanced technology, including a CBCT, ozone generator, same-day crowns, 3D intraoral scans, no-pain lasers and anesthesia, along with clean air and water filtration systems. Other services offered at Newton Drive Family Dentistry include saliva testing, oral cancer screenings, AI X-ray analysis, cosmetic dentistry options such as Botox and Invisalign, holistic dentistry and implants. The practice offers same-day services on a variety of issues and comfort options to calm anxiety.

“Our mission is to provide outstanding care to patients who expect the very best and to educate them to become partners in their own dental health,” said Kim, who was invited to the practice after being introduced to Evans at a dental society meeting.

Kim graduated from the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in New York in 2010, followed by a General Practice Residency at The Brooklyn Hospital Center in 2011. He also served as an oral health examiner for the United States Army Reserve in Massachusetts.

“I love practicing preventive and evidence-based dentistry and establishing relationships with patients to assist maintaining their oral health,” said Kim, a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists who has also completed more than 3,000 continuing dental education hours. With the goal of developing solutions for improving oral health at the community level, he finished a Master of Public Health under the Health Care Management Track at Harvard School of Public Health in 2016.

“My passion for dentistry stems from dental humanitarian mission trips my father would take me on as a young boy,” Kim said. “I was heartbroken to observe disparities and needs in access to healthcare, especially in oral health.”

Kim added that he and Evans share the same dental philosophy to let no one come in without leaving happier and healthier.

“It’s now a lifelong goal to carry on his fine tradition of warm, professional and personalized patient-centered care,” said Kim, who enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife and son. “Our ongoing mission is to put the patients and their dental needs first.”

Covington’s Jodi Atkins, a patient at the practice for some 20 years, admits she was initially nervous when Evans handed the reins to Kim. Any concerns were soon eased.

“Dr. Kim made the transition completely seamless,” Atkins said. “He’s incredibly kind and gentle, and I always feel informed and comfortable during every visit. It’s reassuring to know I’m still in such good hands.”

Newton Drive Family Dentistry is located at 2104 Newton Drive Northeast in Covington, near the Covington Family YMCA. For more information, visit newtondrivedentistry.com.

“Our ongoing mission is to put the patients and their dental needs first.”

Dr. Richard Kim

(L-R) RHONDA BAKER, JESSICA WRIGHT, CHERIE POWEL, DR. RICHARD KIM, SHANOLA COSBY, BECKY BOYD AND ELLEN BELL

Stories by Kari Apted

There in a Pinch

A small but mighty local Red Cross Disaster Action Team answers calls across seven counties, offering comfort and aid at all hours to help strangers through their darkest times.

by KARI APTED

As retirement approached for Jim Tudor, the former president of a nonprofit organization started reading books on finding fulfillment beyond the 9-to-5 phase of life.

“All the books said the same thing: Make sure you have a reason to get up in the morning,” he said. “Well, the Red Cross has fulfilled that for me. They gave me a reason to get up in the morning, a reason to get up at night and a reason to get up in the middle of the night.”

Though he laughs at the unpredictability of his hours, the 76-year-old has genuinely loved his 10 years of serving as supervisor of a Newton County-based American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT). Most people immediately think of blood drives when they see the organization’s familiar red-and-white logo, but it does so much more. As stated on its website, “The Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to people affected by disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families.” The nonprofit organization remains volunteer- and donation-driven, and Tudor was quick to point out that the Red Cross is always in need of new helpers who are willing to donate whatever time they have available.

“We have a great group of DAT volunteers here,” he said, “but we can use more.” Disaster Action Teams are the first responders of the Red Cross, arriving first on the scene to provide relief to people affected by various tragedies. “When people think

“They

gave me a reason to get up in the morning, a reason to get up at night and a reason to get up in the middle of the night.”

Jim Tudor

of disasters, they think of tornadoes, floods and hurricanes,” Tudor said, “but when someone’s house burns down or a tree falls on their house, it’s a disaster for them.” He recalled an incident when his team encountered an unusual situation in Newton County. “We helped a gentleman in a wheelchair,” Tudor said. “A car had come speeding down the hill and crashed through his house.”

Upon arrival at a scene, DAT volunteers do a damage assessment and determine the client’s immediate needs. They keep their Mobile Response Vehicle stocked with comfort kits, blankets, water, snacks and other personal care items, as well as cleanup kits and tarps.

“We start the process of recovery,” Tudor said. “We provide emergency assistance, typically monetary, based on our assessment, so that they can go to a safe place. It’s not long-term assistance but meeting their immediate needs.”

After the clients receive emergency assistance, the Red Cross continues to aid in the recovery process, providing referrals and resources for everything from furniture to finding new housing. The organization also has free counselors and support staff to help people talk through what they experienced, providing spiritual, mental and medical support.

Tudor’s DAT is not limited to serving people living within Newton County’s borders, even though it is headquartered at Newton County Fire Station 6. “We cover up to seven counties,” Tudor said. “We’re only a mile from Jasper and a mile and a half from Morgan. We go as far east as Greensboro, Athens and Milledgeville. Sometimes, we get help from other counties, like Henry.” The Red Cross has a goal for DATs to be on the scene within two hours of the call. “Most of the time, we’re well under that,” Tudor said, “and sometimes, the client doesn’t want to meet immediately, so we will arrange to meet them at their convenience.” He went on to explain that some clients may need time to regroup before knowing precisely what they need from the DAT, particularly when disaster strikes in the middle of the night.

The Newton-based team currently includes five volunteers: Tudor, Marzetta Dennis, Trashawn Mitchell-Stewart, Pat Nelson and Betty Turner. Four of the five are retired.

“It helps because we don’t have to be at work at six in the morning,” Tudor said, “but volunteers who work can say what hours they want to be available. Fires and storms don’t take holidays.”

The Red Cross strives to make volunteering as easy as possible. Self-paced training is held online, and Tudor revealed that trainees are invited to go on response calls as observers before they complete their training. “You can tell us what hours you can go,” he said. “It really helps you see the mission.” Tudor found that he prefers being available during the midnight-to-6 a.m. shift. “It’s harder to cover,” he said, “but so much easier to drive into Atlanta or wherever you need to go.” The DAT responds to an average of 10 to 15 calls per month, and the frequency rises in the winter when housefires are more common.

“Last year, we responded to 30 fires in Newton,” Tudor said. “When you add other counties, we responded to a total of 75 or so. We have great relationships with the local fire departments.” Fire department partnership is vital for another component of

DAT service: fire prevention. “Last March, we did a free smoke alarm installation in over 90 homes,” Tudor said. “We installed 300 smoke alarms in conjunction with our partners and made over 200 people safer. The fire department chooses the area based on risk. The year before, we targeted mobile homes in Newton County because fires have been known to spread more quickly through manufactured homes. These alarms have a 10-year battery, which means a much higher probability that it will be there and still functioning, even if the homeowner changes.”

The team also provides fire education while there, encouraging people to think about how they would get out if their usual exit is blocked.

“You have to get your family together and make an exit plan that includes a safe place to meet outside,” Tudor said. “You only have about two minutes to get out of your home. Don’t stop to pick up your valuables or even to call 911. You want to get everyone outside, then call the fire department. You can’t go back inside the house. One of the saddest situations we face is when a pet is left behind in the house. Fires at night are very disorienting.”

Tudor also wants people to know they can contact the Red Cross directly.

“About 60% of our calls come from fire departments, and the others come from clients, landlords or neighbors,” he said. “Just call 800-RED-CROSS. We’re there to make sure that if

you need help, regardless of the hour, someone is on the way.”

Tudor recommends downloading the free Red Cross Emergency App to receive alerts for severe weather conditions in up to 40 personalized locations, locate open Red Cross shelters and more.

“It follows you, to warn you about storms you may encounter,” he said, “and lets you keep an eye on relatives in other states.”

The service-minded retiree always looks for ways to help make people’s lives easier, whether it’s by sharing safety tips or showing up at a fire in the middle of the night.

“There’s a certain amount of pride you take in being able to be there when others need you,” Tudor said. “What we do is important because we can reach someone on one of the worst days of their life. We can’t change their circumstances, but we know when we leave the scene, they’re going to be in a better situation than when we got there.”

With only five DAT volunteers currently based in Newton County, a continual need exists for more volunteers to help others when a disaster strikes. For information, visit redcross.org/volunteer.

GRACE & TRUTH

My Battle with a Blue Box

Christ followers find strength to resist temptation through Jesus’ transforming power. His perfect sacrifice offers both forgiveness and freedom.

by GEORGE CLACKUM

“I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16

I stood in my kitchen staring at a box of Oreos—the world’s best cookie. I had eaten two of them, but that wasn’t enough. I wanted more. No, not more. I wanted them all. Yes, I knew it was a bad idea, but I wanted the whole box. Let me back up and give you some context. I’ve struggled with gluttony my whole life. Moderation was a skill I had not mastered. Many times, I had eaten entire boxes in one sitting, and the opportunity, once again, was before me.

The Gospel of Jesus is a beautiful thing. God put on flesh, was tempted in every way, just as we are, and yet remained without sin. He was crucified and laid in a cold, dark tomb. He took the penalty for my sin. Because of His death, we have forgiveness. Yes, my past is filled with weakness—including times I gave in to gluttony—but because of Jesus, I’m forgiven. I’m still in right standing with God because Jesus bore the consequences of my sin. That’s amazing, but how does it help me now? How does it help me as I peer into the pantry and see that bright blue box? My own forbidden fruit. I know the Gospel means I’m forgiven if I fail, but is there power to resist? To change?

If I keep going as I am, I won’t have the strength to be the husband and father Christ has called me to be. I may not even

live to see my daughters’ weddings. I need to change, but how? If I’m just a sinner, does that mean I’m forgiven but forever stuck in sin? Is the Gospel only grace to keep sinning? Paul answers this in Romans 6: “Absolutely not!” God’s grace is more than forgiveness; it’s freedom. Jesus died for our sin, but He did not stay dead. On the third day, He rose. He defeated sin and death. He is our victorious King. Through Him, we can walk in victory, too. The Gospel of Jesus is both pardon and power. Our sin is no longer counted against us, and it no longer controls us. Paul says it plainly: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” You do not have to sin. By the Spirit, you can be transformed. You are forgiven, and you are free.

So about those Oreos. In that moment, I reminded myself that God had healed this area of my life. I prayed for strength, closed the cabinet and walked away. By God’s grace, I’ve been changed, spiritually and physically. I’ve lost over 100 pounds. Without His grace, that would never have happened.

That same victory is available to you. What in your life needs to be surrendered? Where have you settled for forgiveness but not freedom? The Good News of Jesus that changed me can change you, too.

George Clackum is the lead pastor of Revive Church in Covington. For information, visit revivechurchga.com.

Grace & Truth

“You do not have to sin. By the Spirit, you can be transformed. You are forgiven, and you are free.”

George Clackum

Stories by Michelle Floyd

WHERE THE CLOCK Never Strikes Midnight

Reborn at a new location, The Cinderella Shop offers affordable donated clothing to support a variety of needs at Piedmont Newton Hospital, all while volunteers find purpose, friendship, and a sense of community through their service.

by MICHELLE FLOYD

If you ever visited The Cinderella Shop to donate clothes or pick up items over the years, you probably met lifelong Covington resident Mikie Wagy.

After she had retired from Bridgestone Golf and lost her husband in the early 2000s, friends suggested that she spend some of her free time volunteering there. Originally opened on The Square in 1992, the shop moved to Morgan Plaza on Pace Street in 2000. Wagy enjoyed it from the day she started.

“I was able to make new friends, reconnect with old ones and feel that I was helping the entire community,” she said.

The Cinderella Shop takes in donated women’s clothing and accessories, then sells them to customers to benefit Piedmont Newton Hospital. Wagy volunteered there for 15 years until it closed its Morgan Plaza location in 2023, with plans to relocate. “The Cinderella Shop has my heart,” she said. With a new location set to reopen this fall on Mill Street—this time as The Cinderella Shop at the Gainer Center—Wagy plans to rekindle her love for volunteering under the direction of Stephanie Ryan.

“Having Stephanie as our coordinator is one of life’s pleasures,” Wagy said. “She has the success of Cinderella and the comfort and pleasure of volunteers foremost in her heart.” Wagy generally works at least two days each week—more, if needed—pricing, hanging items and displaying clothing, shoes and accessories.

“We also, of course, serve customers, ring sales and generally keep the shop tidy,” she said. “It’s never dull.” Wagy considers it a win-win to be able to help the community while also supporting Piedmont Newton. “Cinderella provides a supply of quality clothing at affordable prices, helping those who need to find nice things without spending too much money,” she said. “It’s a good place for ladies to donate nice, gently worn garments knowing they help the community and the hospital.”

The shop offers a special sense of belonging to those involved.

“Quite simply, this satisfies a need to make a real difference in this community, this hospital,” Wagy said. “Anyone wanting to feel the same would benefit and be a part of a wonderful family.”

Ryan indicated The Cinderella Shop will continue to support Piedmont Newton as it has in the past. Previous sales have helped raise money for a mammography machine in the Women’s Diagnostic Center and equipment for the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Current funds are being raised for the oncology departments.

“The purpose for The Cinderella Shop is that we want to support our women in our community, and in turn, we support patients in the hospital,” Ryan said. “Sales from The Cinderella Shop go into a special funds account and support the hospital locally.”

Its new location, in a standalone historic home at 4152 Mill Street in Covington, was named in honor of Peggy Gainer, a well-known resident who was part of the hospital auxiliary and helped spearhead The Cinderella Shop. The family recently donated the house, which was previously home to the auxiliary board’s volunteer office before being vacated. Donations from a clay shoot hosted by Piedmont Newton assisted in renovating it. The Cinderella Shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Ryan reiterated that all items sold in the shop are donated, some new with tags and others that are gently used. In addition to general clothing and accessories like shoes and handbags, women may find bridal gowns and other formal dresses that could be used for prom or evening wear.

“It’s neat to be in here,” Ryan said. “People come to look for wedding dresses, and we’ve sold prom dresses one night and let young girls come in. They had a shopping experience. We have Merryvale [Assisted Living] come shopping with us. We have some ladies and gentlemen who come about once a quarter, and we provide breakfast and refreshments for them.”

Nearly 10 volunteers like Wagy help run the shop. Her efforts— and those of others like her—do not go unnoticed.

“She’s a very dedicated and loyal volunteer for The Cinderella Shop,” Ryan said. “She’s a hard worker, and she really values the customers, helping them find what they want, and always goes the extra mile.”

For information on The Cinderella Shop, call 770-728-1033.

(L-R) STEFANIE RYAN, NEVADA MOSS, MIKIE WAGY, JANICE CAGLE, CAROL PAYNE, ANDREA LANE, GERRI WEADICK AND SHARON PAYNE

“It’s a good place for ladies to donate nice, gently worn garments knowing they help the community and the hospital.”

Mikie Wagy

TOTAL PACKAGE

The Social Circle High School wrestling team built a dynasty through grit, unity and elite coaching. Led by Randy Prater, the Redskins have become the envy of programs across the state with a championship culture forged through hard work, lifelong bonds and unshakable commitment.

by CHRIS BRIDGES

High school wrestling has been described as the most difficult of all amateur sports, as it demands every ounce of strength, energy and fortitude one can muster to achieve success. Six minutes on the mat can seem like an eternity, even for the most accomplished wrestlers.

The Social Circle High School wrestling team knows all about enjoying and sustaining an elite level of success on the mat. Guided by longtime head coach Randy Prater, the Redskins can point to the numerous state championship banners hanging in the rafters of the school’s gymnasium as evidence of their hard work. While sitting atop the mountain has become a common occurrence, no one involved with the program takes it for granted.

High school wrestling teams in Georga compete for duals and traditional state titles each season. The duals championship focuses on the overall strength of a team. Two schools compete head-tohead in each round, with a wrestler from each squad facing off in every weight class. The winning team advances in a bracket similar to other sports like football or basketball. In the traditional format, wrestlers compete individually in their weight classes, advancing through a series of elimination

rounds—region and sectionals—to reach the state championships. Individual state champions are crowned in each weight class. Points are accumulated based on how well each individual wrestler performs, leading to a team state champion being declared, as well.

Regardless of the format, the Redskins have remained dominant under Prater, winning both the duals and traditional titles in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024 and 2025. SCHS also won the traditional championship in 2023. The program placed in the top three in its classification from 2020–22.

“It’s just a case where the kids have bought into what we are doing,” said Prater, who has been at SCHS since 2007. “It’s really been a combined effort of the coaches, parents and the wrestlers. It has been a complete buy-in by the entire program. It takes a combined effort to have this level of success.”

While he leads the program, Prater was quick to deflect attention to his assistants, most of whom have been head coaches themselves, as well as the program’s booster club and everyone in between.

“It has been a complete buy-in by the entire program. It takes a combined effort to have this level of success.”

Randy Prater

Stories by Chris Bridges

“I may be the head coach, but we have a great coaching staff,” Prater said. “Our assistants recently won Staff of the Year. That award does not include me. I believe we have one of the best—if not the best—coaching staffs in the state. I know our bus driver is also important, because you can’t wrestle if you can’t get there.”

Assistant Roger Strom coached with Prater at Loganville High School, and Robert Cline oversees the program’s offseason training. SCHS wrestlers travel to places like Virigina Beach and other out-of-state camps and venues. Following the program’s run from 2015–19, Prater felt the Redskins needed to refocus and get back to the top. Michigan native Nate Ethridge had revived the program at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee. Prater got to know Ethridge and respected what he had accomplished there.

“I reached out to him about coming on board at Social Circle,” Prater said. “He came in with such knowledge that it

took our program back to the highest level. He had been a head coach longer than I had.”

Todd Cheney, another assistant from Michigan, was a head coach for almost three decades. He had retired from teaching up north. Prater wanted to add his expertise to the SCHS staff, as well. “Coach Cheney and Coach Ethridge helped us get back on top,” he said. Over time, a finely tuned machine started to take shape. Randall Hooley, a former head coach at Heritage High School in Conyers, has been with SCHS for a few years now, while Nick Fordham, the onetime head coach at Locust Grove High School, brought more than two decades of experience to the Redskins. William Wells and Charles Reynolds oversee the development of Social Circle Middle School wrestlers, while Robert Cline and Emery Cline direct the USA Wrestling and Amateur Athletic Union programs.

Prater also credited the groundwork that had been laid prior to his arrival.

“I didn’t inherit a terrible program,” he said. “There was already a winning tradition in the making. It has just evolved. The kids know they are going to work hard [and that] they will

(L-R) ROGER STROM, RANDY PRATER, TODD CHENEY AND NATE ETHRIDGE

be loved and taken care of. Their parents know that, as well. I tell every wrestler and every parent that will be true, not only for the time they are in the program but from now on. Even after they graduate, these kids are still in our lives. They still come by and visit. It’s all part of the process where we work to prepare these young men for life after wrestling and after school.”

A strong feeder system has been a key ingredient in the program’s championship-level success, too. During the summer months, Social Circle wrestlers travel to compete in some of the toughest tournaments in the country.

“It’s not about winning every match but facing that level of competition,” Prater said. “We want our wrestlers to see the absolute best competition they can. That is how you are going to get better and become a contender at the state level.”

Prater expects a wrestler to be the “total package” on and off the mat, which means taking responsibility in the classroom and

in the community. He noted that many employers around Social Circle like to hire young people who are part of the wrestling program because they know they are getting dependable employees who will give their best effort on the job.

Dane Kracht, a senior at Social Circle, trumpets the program’s well-rounded approach.

“Not all of the things I have learned are about wrestling,” Kracht said. “It’s the family that is created within the program and how everybody has your back, between the coaches and wrestlers. It’s good to know that you have coaches who are willing to help you with personal problems and wrestlers who become family and are willing to do anything for you. The bonds that are created will last a lifetime. Wrestling in our program requires hard work, commitment and discipline to be the best version of yourself. When you take care of yourself, you take care of your team.”

Stories by Phillip B. Hubbard

WIND IN THEIR WHEELS

Nine Newton Countians biked nearly 4,000 miles in a little more than two months, bonding through Celebrate Recovery’s mission of healing, faith and togetherness during the Great American Ride.

by PHILLIP B. HUBBARD

Thirty-seven hundred miles in 62 days. Nine Newton Countians recently undertook the trip via bicycles. As members of Eastridge Church’s Celebrate Recovery program, they participated in the Great American Ride, a virtual team bike ride that stretches from the state of Washington to Washington, D.C. This was the first year the group participated in the ride, from April 5 to June 6. Ali Houston, Celebrate Recovery’s worship leader, was not foreign to the excursion and initially introduced the idea.

Houston’s aunt invited her to participate in the race two years ago, and she has done so twice since. However, the teams she was on never finished the race in those attempts. The 2025 team did.

“I knew that at Celebrate Recovery, there were a lot of people that rode on their own for their own reasons: health, mental health, all of that,” Houston said, “and so I thought that it would be a good way for us all to kind of get together and do it.”

While the ride was intended to be done remotely, all nine people were intentional about maintaining constant connection through the two-month ordeal. Everyone utilized a texting chain to keep in contact, while some rode together on the Cricket Frog Trail. Miles were logged on the Great American Ride’s official website, too.

That togetherness brought about a memorable moment for Brian Ivey, a member of Celebrate Recovery’s leadership team. “I happened to be riding the day [one of the guys] hit his personal goal in the last week. We passed each other on the trail, and I got to give [him] a high five and holler ‘Congrats,’ Ivey said. “Made my day when he met his goal.” Many people broke personal records in speed and distance. Ivey even logged three consecutive days of 25-mile rides, which was the best for him.

(L-R) ALI HOUSTON, JAMIE MEYER, SCOTT MOORE, LISA AARON, MICHELLE IVEY, BRIAN IVEY, JEREMY HOUSTON, AARON WINSTON AND SCOTT TREDEAU

The strength of the group’s network was put to the test in one major challenge they faced. A rider out on his own passed out from exhaustion. Two other individuals came to his rescue and helped get him back to his vehicle. That instance alone was a testament to the bond each rider shared.

“The other guys rallying, coming to get him and picking him up and getting him back to his car really just showed the team,” Houston said.

Taking part in the Great American Ride not only showcased the significance of working together but reinforced the core

objective of Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered group built upon eight principles and 12 steps based on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes. Houston stressed that the overall mission extends beyond just addicts and alcoholics. It includes people searching for healing with mental health, anxiety, depression, anger, grief, trauma and sexual addiction. No event personified Celebrate Recovery’s main mission for Houston any better than the Great American Ride.

“It just confirmed community and bettering ourselves in all the aspects of our lives, like mental health and physical health

and the correlation of the two—and really spiritual health, as well,” Houston said. “We had the community of each other working to get better individually but also as a group, as a whole. That’s a big part of Celebrate Recovery, really just having a community of people that you can struggle with and celebrate with all at the same time, and this race was like that. There were moments that we struggled, especially in the heat, but then [there was] also celebrating all the milestones of passing into new states and increasing speed and breaking records for ourselves.”

The Great American Ride’s route follows that of the Great American Rail-Trail—a project of Rails to Trails Conservancy, the event charity. Its goal is to build trails over thousands of miles across 12 states from Washington to Washington, D.C. Celebrate Recovery’s group already has plans to do the ride again in 2026. Though Ivey has enjoyed riding for fun since the race’s conclusion, he hopes that all of this year’s participants will want to rejoin for another go at it. He will probably get his wish. So many people have relayed their interest to Houston

that Celebrate Recovery may need to field two rosters, with a limit of 12 riders per team.

Each turn of the bicycle pedals, every mile ridden and the journey itself made for a memorable 3,700-mile trip. The experience meant a great deal to Houston and to the entire Celebrate Recovery group. “Every time we would reach a milestone and cross into another state, we would send a picture—like a postcard picture—of ‘Welcome to the state of Iowa,’” she said. “That was encouragement in itself every time we would ride. It was a fun accomplishment.” Looking ahead, Houston cannot wait to see how the Great American Ride serves as a springboard for what comes next for Celebrate Recovery.

“To build momentum, we really just plan to keep riding solo, as well as together, and encouraging others to get out and do the same [and] to also continue to grow in our recovery, as well as grow closer to Jesus,” she said. “I think for many of us on our solo rides it’s an opportunity to pray and experience Him through nature.”

“Every time we would reach a milestone and cross into another state, we would send a picture—like a postcard picture—of ‘Welcome to the state of Iowa.’”

Ali Houston

Stories by Avril Occilien-Similien

A Culinary Journey

From modest beginnings to the hustle and bustle of campus kitchens, Oxford College Executive Chef Demetrise Edwards blends passion, purpose and community into every dish he serves.

by AVRIL OCCILIEN-SIMILIEN

The aroma of flavors and the sound of a bustling kitchen at the heart of Oxford College are orchestrated by executive chef Demetrise Edwards. However, behind the white coat and confident leadership hides a story of determination, creativity and an unwavering commitment to purpose. His journey to the historic campus in Oxford was steeped in resilience, seasoned with passion and served by generous portions of wisdom and heart.

Edwards’ love for cooking began in a kitchen at Ayden-Grifton High School in North Carolina, where a humble cheese biscuit sparked a lifelong calling. “Miss [Annette] Gibbs was the first to show me what it meant to cook with care,” he said with a smile. “She planted the seed.” It took root quickly. Starting out as a dishwasher, Edwards climbed the culinary ladder with grit and grace, holding positions at some of the industry’s most respected hotels and resorts. From the Hilton in North Carolina to the Kingsmill Resort in Virginia and Farmington in Pennsylvania, he sharpened his skills in the high-pressure world of hospitality. Later, he transitioned to corporate cooking, where he spent five years leading operations.

“It is not just about feeding people. It’s about mentoring, educating and investing in the future.”

Demetrise Edwards

The opportunity to work at Emory University called Edwards to Georgia in 2018. He joined the Decatur campus as a sous chef, and just two and a half years later, he became the executive chef at Emory’s Oxford campus. Now, with over three years at Oxford under his belt, Edwards manages a complex and ever-evolving food service operation.

“No two days are the same,” he said. “I oversee everything: lineups with the team, allergen boards, menu accuracy. It’s all about making sure our students and staff get the best.”

Edwards collaborates with a team of six sous chefs to plan menus and manage the flow of the dining hall, often introducing creative pop-ups and themed dinners. One of his specialties?

Vegan cuisine. With a flair for making plant-based meals feel indulgent, he has earned a reputation on campus for dishes that are both nourishing and delicious.

“I like the challenge of vegan cooking,” he said. “It pushes me to be more creative, and it means so much when students come back and say, ‘Chef, that was amazing.’ That’s what keeps me going.”

Cooking turned into much more than just a career for Edwards.

“It’s my therapy,” he said. “When I’m cooking, the rest of the world fades. I have my mom to thank for that. She is the one who taught me in our kitchen at home. Food connects us.”

That sense of connection is central to his identity. Whether preparing meals for hundreds or teaching a student how to perfect a stir-fry, Edwards tries to bring warmth and intention to everything he does. His culinary influence does not stop at the campus gates. He actively participates in community outreach efforts, partnering with local organizations like the Newton College and Career Academy to support high school students interested in the culinary arts.

“We host cooking demos and offer tours at Oxford,” he said. Edwards also teaches community cooking classes through the City of Oxford—programs that give locals a chance to learn new techniques while bonding over food. These partnerships are a vital part of how he sees his role. “It’s not just about feeding people,” Edwards said. “It’s about mentoring, educating and investing in the future.”

Beyond the kitchen, Edwards is a husband and father. Married for nine years to his Jamaican wife, their blended family includes three daughters and three sons. Balancing family life with a demanding career may not be easy, but Edwards embraces it with his signature positivity and faith.

“I’ve learned not to stress over the small stuff,” he said. “Life is too short. My faith grounds me. If I can’t fix it, I let God handle it.”

The philosophy guides his daily life and his advice for young chefs entering the industry. “Stay single if you can,” he said with a laugh. “This career is no joke. The hours are long, and you miss a lot of holidays and events.”

As for the future, Edwards has a vision. He does not aspire to be a general manager or to run a corporate chain. Instead, he wants to continue mentoring others, sharing his love of food and helping the next generation of chefs find their own rhythm. Edwards encourages aspiring culinary professionals to seek roles in education or institutional settings that offer a more sustainable work-life balance.

“There’s room to grow in this field without burning out,” he said. “You just have to be intentional.”

FEEL - GOOD HANDIWORK

With artistry rooted in joyful memories, Hilda Garcia transforms cardboard and crepe paper into vessels of celebration and connection. Her ‘Pinatas with Purpose’ honor tradition while helping families create lasting moments of love, laughter and identity.

by KARI APTED

Hilda Garcia’s humble childhood sits at the root of her belief that every occasion, big or small, provides a reason to celebrate.

“Growing up, we always had big birthday parties at the park,” she said. “My dad, Aureliano Vela, was a chef, and he was into barbecue, making traditional Mexican carne asada. He went all out.” Garcia does not remember seeing pinatas at her family’s parties, but she vividly recalls how those gatherings made her feel. “My parents invited all their friends, and there was always a bunch of kids running around,” she said. “I have so many happy memories of sharing those times with them.”

Garcia and her husband, Alex, strive to give their daughters, Azul and Marvela, similar memories. The girls share a birthday month, and last summer, Garcia wanted to have a pinata at their party.

“I tried to buy one, but the ones at the store weren’t good, so I looked up how to make a cube pinata on YouTube,” she said with a laugh. “I printed decorations online and used streamers from the dollar store. It was nothing fancy, but the kids were so excited when I brought it out. Unfortunately, it broke apart after the second hit, but they didn’t care when that candy fell.”

Eager to try again, Garcia watched instructional videos from professional pinateros and made a Mario-themed pinata for her

nephew’s birthday. Her in-laws were amazed by her work. “They said it was so nice [that] they didn’t want to break it,” Garcia said. “In that process, I found a whole new way of creating. I followed some amazing artists online and fell in love with making pinatas. Every day, I wake up thinking about crepe paper. I told Alex that even if no one ever bought one of my pinatas, I would still make them.”

However, people are buying Garcia’s pinatas, and she gets excited about every new order. She learns what each client is drawn to and studies the requested character before sketching her ideas. Garcia takes her time on each piece, often designing them with removable fronts that can be hung as wall art after the party ends. “I make them with love,” she said. “Some may think, ‘It’s just cardboard. It gets broken. What’s the point?’ But for me, I’m helping create joy, a happy memory of a wedding or birthday. The pinata time brings everyone together, living in the moment. Knowing the family had a good time, that means everything to me.”

Although her craft requires artistic ability, Garcia remains reluctant to call herself an artist. The homeschooling, stay-athome mom has always enjoyed drawing but believes that all crafts speak to her.

“The pinata time brings everyone together, living in the moment. Knowing the family had a good time, that means everything to me.”

Hilda Garcia

Stories by Kari Apted

“There’s something about working with your hands. I always told my dad I would be a builder or a mechanic if I were a boy, because I used to help him with his projects. I had a VW Beetle, and I did a tune-up on it and changed the brakes. I was always very daring, always doing things with my hands,” Garcia said with a smile. “Whatever it was, I believed I could do it, too, and always tried.”

Garcia’s memories of working with her father raise mixed emotions. A tough man who faced many hardships, including losing his parents and living on the streets, Vela held to a strict traditional Mexican family model. He provided for his family, but his inflexibility led to anxiety at home. Garcia’s mother, Maria Hilda Estrada Martinez, struggled with her identity within her roles as a wife and mother.

“She did everything in the home, raised us, cooked and worked. My parents divorced when I was in my 20s, and that is when she finally started finding herself,” said Garcia, her eyes filling with tears. “I always wonder as a mother, if I’ve done enough, if I’ve taught enough. I want my girls to see that they can be a wife and mother without losing themselves in the process.”

Garcia’s daughters are artistically talented, and she was surprised to learn later in life that her father was, too. She remembered paintings that hung in their simple adobe home in Mexico but never knew until after his death that Vela had painted them.

“My years with my girls are so precious. I’m big on my kids finding their purpose,” Garcia said. “My parents didn’t instill that in me, but that’s because no one did that for them.” She believes that identifying God’s plan for each of our unique gifts is the key to a meaningful life. It provides the reason behind the “Pinatas with Purpose” name. Her daughters are clearly grasping this truth, perhaps the real treasure hidden inside the vessels she creates. Azul penned this poem about her mother:

“A craft. A release. A gift, that gives. Fingers traveling over the wrinkled, crisp paper. The dried flour stuck to my hands, ingrained in my fingerprints. Your fingerprints are yours, what represents your identity. Same with your craft. It is another part of you. Pinatas, birthed from trees and wheat, molded by ideas and handiwork, defined by laughter and cheers. Pinatas with purpose. A purpose to be enjoyed, loved and remembered.”

For information, email pinataswithpurpose@gmail.com or visit Pinatas with Purpose on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Stories by David Roten

Musical Mission

Stephen Stanley’s first headline tour blended cinematic rock and Gospel outreach, impacting lives across 27 cities with hope and healing. Alongside his father, a longtime pastor, he shared faith through song, ministry and personal testimony.

by DAVID ROTEN

For 2,000 years, Christians have spread the Gospel—the good news that Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, has come to save and redeem all who would believe in Him. Methods of communicating that message may have changed over the centuries, but the message itself remains the same. Stephen Stanley is an up-and-coming Christian music artist who also leads worship at Crossroads Baptist Church in Covington, where his father, Brandon Stanley, has been the pastor for the past 19 years. The two recently teamed up on a six-week, cross-country journey, each using their unique gifts to share that same message across 26 cities in the United States, as well as Toronto.

The ambitious undertaking was more specifically Stephen’s first headline tour, showcasing his second and latest album, “Trustfall,” which he describes as “cinematic pop rock.” Released earlier this year by Capital Records, the album reached No. 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 list and was at one point Billboard’s No. 6 Christian album in the world. His powerful, soaring vocals and painfully honest yet hopeful lyrics have struck a chord with over a million followers to date on TikTok, and his songs have been streamed more than 180 million times on social media.

“I get a lot of my taste of music from my dad,” Stephen said. “He loves 70s, 80s, 90s rock, so we listened to a lot of that growing up.” His music and performances are full of passion and emotion, not unlike that which is generated behind the pulpit his father fills on Sunday mornings. “I think I get it from my dad, [too],” Stephen said, “if you’ve ever heard him preach.” When writing songs, he draws heavily from life experience. “I think that’s where music comes from,” Stephen said. “I think it has to.” He is open about his own struggles. “A lot of my music is about mental health and depression and anxiety, and I’ve had very personal experiences with that,” Stephen said. “A lot of people that listen [to my music] struggle with that, as well, so being able to meet them [out on tour] and hear their stories was extremely fulfilling.”

When planning the tour, Stanley purposefully chose not to play in churches but in rock music venues—the kinds of places where he and his father have gone together to see concerts since he was a kid. Only this time, he was the one performing, bringing his own brand of rock with a message of the hope and healing found in Jesus. The formula for each night of the tour was much the same, starting with a talented opening act called Jake and Shelby. Brandon then shared a “gospel encouragement”

“Of course, I want to go out and tour and play giant shows and stuff, but the more I do this, the more I realize that doesn’t fulfill you.”

Stephen Stanley

before making a presentation for Compassion International, a Christ-centered organization devoted to diminishing childhood poverty. Finally, backed by drummer Brady Scoggin, Stephen would take the stage and deliver a “highenergy, yet intimate” performance amidst a background of flashing video and billowing smoke.

After the concerts, Stephen would meet fans and sign autographs while his father prayed for those who were hurting. Both listened to stories, one on one, and offered encouragement and hope. The line marking the end of one day and the beginning of the next began to blur as everyone pitched in to break down and load out sound, lighting and video equipment. Well after midnight, it was time to hop on the truck—a scaled-down version of an entertainer tour bus—and head to the next town.

Though Brandon handled the bulk of the driving, father and son took bleary-eyed turns sitting behind the wheel, steadily guiding the “bandwagon” as it rocked and rolled down countless miles of moonlit highway. Nine bunks in the back strained to cradle a sometimes-changing assortment of weary performers, managers and lighting crew. “Sleep was tough,” Stephen said. “The bus sways, and you feel every bump on the road.” Gibson Knapp, a 16-year-old from Crossroads who joined the tour in San Antonio on its last leg home, claims to have hit the ceiling a couple times. Still, the bandwagon seems to have served its purpose well during the entire trip. “We didn’t have one busted tire,” Stephen said. “We didn’t break down one time.” After traveling all night, the crew would typically reach the destination city early the next morning and

grab a shower at a Planet Fitness before arriving at the concert venue around 11 a.m. Then it was all hands on deck for load in, set up, sound checks and maybe a nap, if it could be squeezed in before showtime when the cycle would start again.

Twenty years ago, Stephen and his family could not have imagined that he would grow up to have a career in music. A jet ski accident had left the 9-year-old with a fractured cochlea and total hearing loss in his left ear. “My balance was really bad,” Stephen said. “I was a normal kid, liked to play outside, play baseball, and I couldn’t do that for a few months.” At a time when he might well have shrunk back from the life-changing trauma he had experienced, Stephen somehow managed to lean into it by pursuing another interest. “My mom had an old guitar, and she taught me how to play it,” he said, “and I just never stopped.” Stephen developed his musical skills quickly and soon began playing worship songs for Children’s Church at Crossroads before going on to lead youth in worship there. By the time he was 14, he was also leading adult worship services.

Although Stephen led others in songs of faith, he had begun to have doubts about his own. “When I was about 17, I had sort of a crisis of faith,” he said. “My question was, ‘Do I believe what I believe because of who my dad is and who my mom is and where I was born in the world, or do I really believe?’” It was a question that dogged Stephen for months. Finally, when he was about to go onstage to lead worship at a youth camp, he pressed God for an answer. “God, if you’re real, I need a sign. I need something,” he prayed. The answer came quickly, if in an unexpected way. “In the middle of playing music, the pastor walks up on stage,” Stephen said, “and he’s like, ‘Are you OK?’ And I’m like, ‘No, I’m not OK.’ And he’s like, ‘Can I pray for you?’ And I was like, ‘Sure.’ While the music’s still playing behind us, he prayed for things like faith and trusting in God. From that moment on, I haven’t questioned or been back there.”

With a wife and two young children, responsibilities at church and a budding career that often takes him away from home, Stephen recognizes the importance of staying centered and focused on what is most important. He tries to surround himself with people who hold each other accountable, even in a Christian music industry that “can be a very dark place at times.” Stephen credits his father for being a model of integrity he tries to emulate. “He’s the same way offstage as he is on,” he said. “He’s just a good man. I would call him my hero.”

Father and son are eager to set out on another tour whenever it can be worked out. The blessings and victories of the first one are fresh on their minds: 85 children sponsored for Compassion International, 2,000 copies of “Amazing Grace,” a book Brandon wrote, given out, lives changed and 27 more rock concerts enjoyed together.

Stephen is learning that his calling is more about mission than music. An incident conveyed to him through an Instagram message helped to illustrate the point. “She said she was on the edge of a parking garage about to jump,” Stephen said. “She said my song called ‘Gonna Have to Trust You’ came on, and she decided not to do it.” His career as a Christian music artist appears destined for success, but he constantly reminds himself to keep it all in perspective. “Of course, I want to go out and tour and play giant shows and stuff,” Stephen said, “but the more I do this, the more I realize that doesn’t fulfill you. Actually doing ministry and having an impact on people’s lives—that’s what is fulfilling.”

Stories by Michelle Floyd

VENEZUELAN ROOTS

A beloved cilantro sauce shared by Christian Corvos has become a viral, family-run sensation across Georgia. Through its word-ofmouth popularity, he honors the legacy of his late mother.

by MICHELLE FLOYD

A recipe that started in Venezuela in the 1980s has become a viral sensation around Newton County over the last few years.

Christian Corvos has been sharing his mother’s cilantro sauce for decades, with friends as a teen in Venezuela and Florida, with classmates and teammates at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, where he played baseball, and with family and friends at his current home in Covington. “I’ve been eating it my whole life,” he said. “It was the sauce that people came home to eat.” Corvos calls his mother Carmen “a great cook” who excelled at crafting authentic Venezuelan and Peruvian dishes while putting her own touch on them. Ever since he was a small child growing up in Venezuela, he remembers her making the green sauce.

“We usually had it anytime we grilled out with grilled meats,” Corvos said. “Then it evolved, and we had it on baked potatoes and hot dogs. Now, I put it on everything that I eat.”

When he moved away from home, he took the recipe with him and shared it with friends. The sauce took on a life of its own.

“My high school friends still ask me about the sauce,” said Corvos, who relocated to Florida when he was 18 and later settled in Georgia. “I had teammates from Connecticut and Australia who would literally drink the sauce.” While in college, Corvos met his wife Bethany, who grew up in Conyers. “We were in college and dating, and Christian would always cook and grill out and say, ‘I will make this sauce from back home,’” she said. “I was a picky eater until I met him. It’s addicting.”

“My kids love it. They won’t eat ranch, but they’ll eat green sauce.”

Amy Stephens

Over the years, Corvos continued sharing his mother’s love of cooking and adding the sauce to a variety of dishes. Around 2015, his parents moved to the United States and introduced the sauce to more friends and family. When Carmen lost her battle with cancer in 2022, the family knew it had to keep her legacy alive in the kitchen.

“My friends kept saying, ‘Oh, you should bottle it,’” Corvos said, “so we did in memory and honor of her.” The Corvoses first started bottling the sauce in mason jars with stickers and selling it at the Covington Farmers Market in 2023. Fresh ingredients and unique flavors gave the sauce its identity. “We always loved the sauce,” Corvos said, “but we had to test the market.”

Bethany explained that despite their considerable efforts to keep pace with demand, the Farmers Market sold out of the product. They brought more the following week and sold out again.

“It’s really versatile and it can go with so much,” said friend and green sauce enthusiast Amy Stephens, whose family eats it on various meats and vegetables and during weekly Taco Tuesday variation dinners. She even brings bottles to family and friends out of state when she travels. “My kids love it,” Stephens said. “They won’t eat ranch, but they’ll eat green sauce.”

After the success in Covington, the Corvos family started introducing the sauce to other farmers markets and events in nearby towns like Monroe, Madison and Athens. Then they went through the testing and licensing process to start bottling it as Carmen’s Green Sauce, using a commercial kitchen with fresh ingredients and official labels through the help of a scholarship from Prospera—a nonprofit economic organization in Atlanta with which Carmen had been in contact previously. “We’ve been growing and learning,” Corvos said. “We have a family element that is important to us.” Corvos’ children sometimes assist with the business, while his father Waldo, brother Waldo Jr. and sister-in-law Silvia help run the markets in the Athens area, which have become increasingly busy over the past year.

Corvos Foods is a Georgia Grown company. Out of nearly 175 entries, its new spicy green sauce—made with habaneros—was a 2025 finalist in the Flavors of Georgia food product contest. In addition to area farmers markets, the sauces can be purchased at various locations in Covington, including Town Square Olive Oil and Little Springs Cattle Company. The Corvoses admit they enjoy hearing how customers use the sauce in their own homes in ways that they never considered, like on salmon or with vegetables or chips. It enhances BLTs, low country boils, other seafood dishes and any type of backyard barbecue.

Through it all, Carmen’s memory lives on through the sauce that bears her name.

“You’ve really got so many options,” Corvos said. “You can put it on a pork sandwich, and it’s delicious with eggs and burritos. The sauce’s superpower is versatility.”

For information, visit corvosfoods.com or email the Corvoses at carmensgreensauce@gmail.com.

(L-R) CHRISTIAN, BETHANY, EVERETT, NOLAN AND SAM CORVOS

JEAN’S AUTHENTIC JAMAICAN CUISINE

by Jean Atkinson-Francis

Jamaican Ackee & Saltfish

½ pound saltfish (salted cod)

1 can (19 oz.) Juliana brand ackee (drained and rinsed)

2 tablespoons vegetable or coconut oil

1 medium onion, sliced

½ each red, green and yellow bell pepper

2 medium tomatoes, diced

2 sprigs fresh thyme

1 small Scotch bonnet pepper

(whole for flavor or chopped for heat)

¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional: pinch of allspice (pimento)

Directions

Prepare the saltfish by soaking it in water overnight, or boil for 10–15 minutes. Drain and flake into bite-sized pieces. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, peppers, tomatoes, thyme and Scotch bonnet. Sauté until fragrant and softened. Stir in the flaked saltfish, and heat for 3–4 minutes. Gently fold in the ackee, taking care not to break it apart. Season with black pepper and allspice, if using. Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, just until heated through. Serve with fried dumplings, boiled yam, breadfruit or green banana.

3–4 pounds oxtail, trimmed

2 tablespoons Juliana browning

2 tablespoons vegetable oil or coconut oil

1 medium onion, chopped

6 oz. Spur Tree Oxtail Seasoning (wet rub)

3 stalks green onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 sprigs fresh thyme

1 Scotch bonnet pepper (whole or chopped)

1 teaspoon allspice (pimento)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon ketchup (optional)

2 medium carrots, chopped

1 can (15 oz.) butter beans (drained and rinsed)

4 cups water

Directions

Wash oxtail with vinegar and water, then pat dry. In a large bowl, season with browning, salt, black pepper, oxtail seasoning, soy sauce, allspice, garlic, onion, green onion, thyme and Scotch bonnet. Let marinate for at least one hour (overnight is best). Heat oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot. Remove excess seasoning from oxtail, and brown each piece on all sides. Add the seasonings back to the pot, along with water to cover the meat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for two hours (or until tender), adding more water as needed. Alternatively, a pressure cooker can be used to cook meat for 30–45 minutes, depending on desired tenderness. Add carrots and butter beans once time has elapsed and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes until the sauce thickens to a rich gravy. Serve over Jamaican rice and peas, with vegetables and fried plantain.

Simple Jamaican Oxtail