Sunday, March 26, 2017 | The Newnan Times-Herald — 11D
Community: What to do
Food and fun in Coweta and beyond By MAGGIE BOWERS maggie@newnan.com Whether rooted in tradition or fresh and appealing to the young (or young at heart), Coweta continues to be a destination for locals seeking a variety of activities, most of which are unique to the cities and small towns that make up the nearly 450 square miles of the county. Despite decades of growth that has brought the county a host of shopping, movie theaters, live music venues, shopping, and a seemingly endless array of restaurants, Coweta maintains a reputation of being county of small towns with all of the charm and open countryside the “small town” title insinuates. Every type of business can be found in one area, observed Robert Bhagwandat, director of franchise development for Checkers and Rally’s. The county, he noted, is very much self-contained. “And, residents like to do business with one another,” Bhagwandat said. “Many travel to Atlanta, but most do only when they have to.” Dining, as the developer would likely agree, is often considered entertainment. At the very least, an evening on the town generally begins with a meal, and if the food isn’t enough, the trend in Coweta is to offer guests both dinner and a show. In the hub of the county, Newnan, several eateries offer live music, evenings of trivia and card games in addition to supper. The Cellar Chop House and Bar, located at 20 Jefferson Street in downtown Newnan, serves up five-star dishes like prime beef steaks and wild game burgers while popular music bands perform on a small stage overlooking both indoor and outdoor tables. Behind the upscale eatery is RPM Full
CHARITY
Continued from page 10D and sometimes even rainy days. Newnan resident Brannon Pass said the 2016 Glow Light Your World Run, a popular race held annually in December, left some participants a bit wet, but didn’t stop more than 1,000 locals from joining the fun. “Despite everything, the residents and friends managed to come together and raise more than ever,” Pass said of the 2016 event. The glow run benefits Bridging the Gap, a charity which aims to provide food, toiletries, household items and Christmas gifts to locals in need. Pass pointed out that one of the best aspects of the event is its ability to bring so much of the local c om m u n it y to g e t h e r, “including those of all ages and generations.” “There were mommies at the race with babies in strollers. Some strollers were even decorated with Christmas lights,” Pass noted. “Elizabeth Crain, who is in her 70s, was also a participant. It is so amazing to see that.”
Other cool-weather runs include:
Service Patio Pub & Grill, which offers an even more relaxed atmosphere where karaoke nights and local bands can be enjoyed. The restaurant is a unique, “upcycled” venue created from the bones of the city’s old downtown service station. Just a short walk away from the service station-turned eatery is another among many examples in the city of repurposed business venues. Once the town’s movie theatre, The Alamo, located at 19 South Court Square now offers a full service bar and an all-access pass to the adjoining Fabiano’s Pizzeria, which serves a variety of handmade pizza, sandwiches and salads. The venue draws crowds of all ages with a showcase of local, musical talent. Food and drink can also be enjoyed as part of a variety of annual events and celebrations in the area. Downtown Newnan plays host to activities locals return to year after year such as the Taste of Newnan, where local eateries offer samples of dishes to the public, and Summer Wined-Up, an event that includes local businesses opening late to offer samples of wine and snacks to local shoppers. Entertainment sans a focus on food is available throughout Coweta as well, and the pride county residents have in both history and tradition is evident throughout the area. Each city offers a unique celebration of culture in the form of parades, cook-offs, fairs and museums showcasing the town’s prized treasures. In the center of the county, the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society is the source for locals and guests with a penchant for exploring the history, culture and art of the city. Jeff Bishop, the society’s executive director, works alongside several community leaders to
The Purple Run and health fair benef itting the Community Welcome House, a charity that provides shelter and support to women and children who have been victims of domest ic v iolence , takes place in October in Newnan. (www.communitywelcomehouse.org) Piedmont New na n Hospital hosts the annual Autum n Chase r un in Newnan in October. The event benefits the programs at the nonprofit hospita l’s f itness center, which offers a numb er of pro g r a m s a nd exercise equipment to Coweta residents. (www. piedmont.org/locations/piedmont-newnan/ autumn-chase) Pacing for Preemies, benefitting the March of Dimes in Georgia, occurs in Newnan’s Ashley Park in November. Coweta CASA Justice League 5/10K, benefitting Coweta CASA, occurred for t h e f i r s t t i m e i n November 2016 in Senoia. The organization trains and supports community volunteers that advocate for the best interests of an abused or neglected child in juvenile court proceedings. (www.cowetacasa. org) Run for Life, benefitting Coweta Pregnancy Services will celebrate
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its third annual event in October 2017. The race takes place in Ashley Park in Newnan. (www.coweta-ps.org) The majority of charity runs in Coweta serve a s q u a l i f i e r s for t h e Peachtree Road Race, one of the largest events for runners in the state with nearly 60,000 participants each year. Qualifying races are managed by professional groups, with chip-timing available and run times posted online fo l l o w i n g t h e e ve n t . Awards for race winners in categories based on age are also given at the majority of local charity runs.
Other Coweta 5/10K fundraising runs include: Run for Angels, benefitting Angel’s House chil-
offer programming and exhibits at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum, located at 74 Jackson Street and the Train Depot at 60 East Broad Street. “Our exhibits are constantly evolving, from World War II to the history of black schools to ladies’ lingerie. We have a little bit for everyone, from adults to kids to families,” said Bishop. Theatre in Coweta, according to Bishop, has its own rich history, which began with traveling productions offered to townspeople for both education and entertainment. Newnan is home to a nonprofit theater group which has been entertaining audiences for more than 30 years. The Newnan Theatre Company produces up to 10 shows each year for audiences of all ages. The staff is comprised solely of volunteers, including directors, actors and backstage assistants. In addition to comedic and dramatic productions, Newnan’s local theatre offers improvisational comedy performances, interactive murder mystery evenings, special events and theater camps for children. In the nearby city of Tyrone, The Legacy Theatre is a professional, forprofit organization with actors who travel nationally. The Legacy Theatre is located at 1175 Senoia Road, Suite C in Tyrone. In south Fulton County, Serenbe Playhouse offers a feature unique to modern-day performances, but original to the origins of theater. All Playhouse productions are performed outdoors by repurposing existing structures, using nature as props, and using as much natural light as possible. Offering theatre, comedy, magic performances and a variety of other cultural events for audiences of all ages, dren’s shelter, takes place annually in Newnan in February. (www.theangelshouse.org) The annual Royal Run takes place in Newnan in March and benefits Keris Kares, Inc., a local nonprof it wh ich provides hope for families with a childhood cancer diagnosis by providing spiritual, emotiona l, a nd f i na ncial support. (www.keriskares.org) T he New na n Ju n ior Service Leag ue Shamrock Run is held annually in Newnan in March, and benefits a different local nonprofit each year. The 2017 race benefitted the A ngel’s House. (w w w. njslserves.org) Abby’s Angels Rainbow Run, benefitting the Abby’s Angels Foundation which provides school supplies and other items
Caring, Teaching, Reaching
The Donald W. Nixon Centre for the Performing and Visual Arts is an entertainment venue that encompasses much of what the county has to offer, all in one place. The Nixon Centre is considered by many to be the crown jewel of Newnan, providing not only entertainment, but education as well. “Because the Centre functions as an extension of the classroom, it allows students, patrons and citizens of the county to continue learning, as well as bringing in new master classes,” explained the Centre’s Director, Cathe Nixon. Tourists and locals alike find Senoia to be both an escape from the buzz of a busy downtown and the ideal place in which to be entertained — or, at least, learn about the entertainment industry. Senoia is popular with fans of AMC’s hit show “The Walking Dead.” With recognizable streets on which the show was filmed, and a themed restaurant and gift shop, Senoia attracts flocks of TWD followers. The city even has its own version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with plaques showing the dozens of TV shows and movies shot there in the last few years. Coweta is also home to Chattahoochee Bend State Park, a 2,910-acre tract of wilderness the northwest portion of the county. The park is haven for paddlers, campers and hikers in addition to hosting several family-friendly outdoor activities for all ages. Picnic shelters at the park can be rented for birthday parties, reunions and other gatherings, and the nature preserve is dog-friendly – making Chattahoochee Bend State Park an ideal entertaining space for the entire family.
for local youth in addition to supporting families whose children have given life through organ donation, takes place each year in April in Newnan. (www.abbysangelsfoundation.org) Soles for Cole 5K, benef itting those affected by Cystic Fibrosis, takes place in Newnan in the month of May. (w w w. solesforcole.com) Relay for Life of Coweta County benef its the American Cancer Society and take place annually in May in Newnan. (www. cancer.org) RACE for the Orphans, benefitting adoptive families in Coweta, is held in Newnan in May. (www. racefortheorphans.org) Newnan High School Student & Veteran Connec t 5 K i s a n a n nu a l fundraiser created by the
Newnan High School history club to benefit local veterans. The event takes place annually in Newnan in May. Race for Hope to Cure Blood Cancers, sponsored by t he Ca ncer Treatment Centers of America Southeastern in Newnan, benef its the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and is held annually in Newnan in June. Sunrise on the Square Race takes place in downtown Newnan each year in September and benefits Communities In Schools of Coweta County, whose mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. (www. ciscoweta.org)
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