Ncm novdec2016

Cowetans Helping Cowetans Sharing the Season’s Blessings Holidays, Handmade and Homemade

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016

You bring the fight.

We’ll take care of the rest.

Dr. Frank Powell Crusader Piedmont Newnan

Stephanie Patient Navigator Works alongside Dr. Powell

25 years’ experience as a breast surgeon

6th generation doctor

“We love our patients and take care of every aspect of their care.”

Fighting breast cancer is much more than just a physical struggle. That’s where the team at Piedmont Newnan comes in. With Dr. Powell and our patient navigator, Stephanie, on your side, cancer turns from the unimaginable to the beatable. And early detection in the form of regularly scheduled mammograms is a key part of that.

Schedule your mammogram today. piedmont.org/MammoNewnan 678.771.6738

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MAIN STREET Christmas

Market Day

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Holiday Sip & See

A great opportunity to get an early start on holiday shopping!

Participating businesses will serve hors d’oeuvres & beverages. The Holiday Open House is an opportunity to stroll our beautiful downtown streets while enjoying the season in downtown Newnan!

FRI., NOVEMBER 25, UNTIL 8 PM

P laid Friday

Celebrate local independent businesses by dressing in plaid and shopping downtown! Wear plaid and receive a special gift!

FRI., NOV. 25 6 - 8 PM SAT., DEC. 3 10 AM - 2 PM

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Market Day

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SAT., NOV. 5 10 AM - 2 PM

Walter C. Jones

Production Director

770.502.1932

A

Marianne C. Thomasson

Contributing Writers

19 Perry Street, Suite 101 Newnan, GA 30263

MAINSTREET Events

William W. Thomasson

W. Winston Skinner Photography

Staci Addison Kandice Bell Alan Black Sarah Fay Campbell Celia Goodyear Beth Neely

Circulation Director Sales and Marketing Director Multimedia Sales Specialists

Naomi Jackson Colleen D. Mitchell Katie Atwood Misha Benson Mandy Inman Jennifer Patterson

Controller

Diana Shellabarger

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION call 770.253.1576 or e-mail colleen@newnan.com Newnan-Coweta Magazine is published bi-monthly by The Newnan Times-Herald, Inc., 16 Jefferson Street, Newnan, GA 30263.

Subscriptions: Newnan-Coweta Magazine is distributed in home-delivery copies of The Newnan Times-Herald and at businesses and offices throughout Coweta County. Individual subscriptions are also available for $30.00.

To subscribe, call 770.304.3373.

On the Web: newnancowetamag.com © 2016 by The Newnan Times-Herald, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

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IN THIS ISSUE

CONTENTS 44 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

Cowetans Helping Cowetans: 36 | Holiday Helpers: Coweta Reaches Out

Individuals and organizations are doing their part to help those in need.

10 | www.newnancowetamag.com

40 | Drop Everything and Serve: The Heritage School Gives Back

The Heritage School teaches students to make community service a life-long tradition.

34 42 | Operation Christmas: Support the Red, White and Blue

Seven ways we can support our soldiers and veterans during the holidays.

continued âž”

You’re invited to the 10th Annual Chair-ity Event!

Artists, business leaders, volunteers and philanthropists have generously supported the annual Chair-ity event for the past nine years. In 2016, the 10th Annual Chair-ity event will once again benefit the neglected, abused and abandoned children who now live safely at The Children’s Village at Christian City.

Infi niti Raffl e drawing at Chair-ity Event Southside Rotary Clubs proudly present an opportunity to win a new Infiniti Q50 AND help children who live at The Children’s Village at Christian City! The winner will be drawn at the annual Chair-ity Event on December 1. Get tickets and details at rotarycares4kids.org

Raffle Tickets $25 or Five / $100

Treat your eyes – the art!

Bid on original art in the auction!

Treat your ears – the music!

Toni Byrd’s exciting jazz will kick off the Christmas season.

Treat your tastebuds – the desserts!

Enjoy hearty hors d’oeuvres AND desserts by Christian City’s best bakers!

Fill your heart – the children!

Your support makes a difference in the life of a child – in breaking the cycle of generational poverty – in sharing love and offering hope to children in need.

Thursday, December 1, 5:30 - 8:30 pm The Crowne Plaza, 201 Aberdeen Pkwy, Peachtree City, GA 30269 To Register, Sponsor or Donate an Auction Item, Visit christiancity.org or Call 678-466-1093

Tickets: $55 10th Annual Chair-ity Event Hosts

Infiniti of South Atlanta provided this new luxury car for the raffle and will also make a donation to The Children’s Village at Christian City for every car sold through November.

Ribbon art courtesy Freepik.com.

Bob & Holly Adams Chris AAllessio Sid & Myrna M Barron Heidi BBecker Arthur & Laura Benz Matt & Maegan Brass Michael & Amy Burnett Joseph & Mimi Cawood

Bill & Constance Davenport Greg & Janet Dunn Mark & Kathy Gray Dr. & Mrs. M.A. Jaleel Mayor & Mrs. Gary Laggis Bob & Debi Lenox Rep. & Mrs. Ronnie Mabra Ant & Dee Murphy

Rep. & Mrs. Matt Ramsey Tommy & Vicki Turner David Watts & Kim Melhouse Glenn Valencia Rep. Lynn & Joan Westmoreland Mayor & Mrs. Vince Williams

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features (cont.)

46 | Protect and Serve Newnan: A Black and Blue Experience A day-in-the-life of a Newnan police officer enlightens us as to what the job is really like.

52 | Winter Celebrations: Cowetans of All Faiths Share the Season’s Blessings

Christmas may be the most common holiday around here, but Cowetans of all faiths are looking forward to celebrating the winter holidays.

in every issue 14 | From the Editor

Family Owned – Serving the community for over 10 years!

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46

68 | Coweta Cooks!

16 | Roll Call

74 | Ask Coweta

18 | Neighbor to Know

80 | Around Coweta

30 | Coweta Gardener

81 | Faces & Places

56 | Coweta History

88 | Blacktop

58 | Sports Spotlight

90 | Index of Advertisers

62 | Coweta Hobby

90 | What’s Next

on the cover Remembering our soldiers and veterans during the holidays provides much needed support. Check out seven ways to help in “Operation Christmas: Support the Red, White and Blue,” page 42.

Photo by Staci Addison

ASHLEY PARK PRESENTS

LIGHTS UP S AT U R D AY, N O V E M B E R 1 9 , 5 : 3 0 - 8 : 0 0 P M

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 6:30 PM

Come get in the holiday spirit at Ashley Park.

Gather with family and friends in front of Dillard’s and join us for a night of festivity and fun — there’s Come get in the holiday spirit at The Summit with a parade, spectacular no better way to kick off this special season.

fireworks show and, most importantly, a visit from Santa himself!

Gather with family and friends in front of Belk and join us for a night of HOLIDAY EVENT CALENDER at ASHLEY PARK festivity and fun – there’s no better way to kick off this special season.

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

19 Santa Arrival and Tree Lighting: 5:30-8 P.M. thesummitbirmingham.com 23 Holiday Hours: 10A.M. -6 P.M. #LightsUp 24 Closed — Happy Thanksgiving!

25 Black Friday Holiday Hours: 9 A.M.-10 P.M. 26 Pet Photos with Santa: Noon-6 P.M. 27 Photos with Santa: Noon-6 P.M.

2-4 3-4 9-11

AshleyParkNewnan.com

Photos with Santa: Noon-6 P.M. “Holiday Help a Vet“ Clothing and Food Drive Photos with Santa: Noon-6 P.M. with

Free Gift Wrapping sponsored by Crossroads Church

16-18 Photos with Santa Noon-6 P.M. with

Free Gift Wrapping sponsored by Crossroads Church

21-23 Photos with Santa: Noon-6 P.M.

Supported by

24 Holiday Hours: 9 A.M.-6 P.M. PIEOLOGY 25 Ashley Park Closed PIZZERIA 31 Holiday Hours: 10 A.M.-6 P.M.

JANUARY

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Happy Holidays, everyone!

This issue has been a true labor of love, as our team has tried to encapsulate in one issue what the holiday season means to our community. As I’ve read over all of the articles, I can’t help but be proud and grateful for the goodness happening all over Coweta County this November and December.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are loads of fun, sure; but they’re also a time for being thankful and for giving back. And Cowetans give back like nobody else. Celia Goodyear gives us a rundown of some lesser known groups who have holiday projects galore, Connie Singleton provides some excellent ideas for helping out our military and veterans this holiday, and Kandice Bell gives us some insight on how Cowetans like to celebrate and why we do what we do. And Elizabeth Dorsey reminds us of other big holidays that Cowetans are celebrating as we close out the year.

As we all reflect on the past year, I enjoyed hearing what some of our notable Cowetans are thankful for this year.

We are fortunate to have so many folks who care for our community and do their part so that we can live in a lovely, loving place.

I want to also say “Thank You” for supporting this magazine this past year. This issue will be my last as editor, as I take some time to focus on family and other projects. I have loved this creative endeavor and will be forever grateful for my time here. I look forward to what’s next for myself and for this awesome community magazine.

Love and joy to you all this holiday season, and peace and prosperity for the New Year.

XO Katie

magazine@newnan.com

“What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a bit more?”

— Dr. Seuss, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”

Jay Shepard now joining

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ERIKA HAMBURG-BROWN moved to Newnan from New Orleans over ten years ago. It has taken her only 20 years to get back to using her Communications degree from FSU. Over the years Erika has, in addition to raising two kids with her husband Lenn, worked full time for non-profit agencies and school systems. She is currently employed by the Coweta County School System. Erika’s creative past includes acting in theatrical productions, t.v. commercials, and radio-voice overs. Now that her first child has flown the coop to college, Erika is looking forward to exploring some new paths of creativity.

ERIKA HAMBURG-BROWN moved to Newnan from New Orleans over 10 years ago. It has taken her only 20 years to get back to using her Communications degree from FSU. Erika’s creative past includes acting in theatrical productions, TV commercials, and radio voice overs. Now that her first child has flown the coop to college, Erika is looking forward to exploring some new paths of creativity. Limitless in Faith and Deed, page 24

ROLL CALL

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

NCM CONTRIBUTORS

KANDICE BELL is a Newnan native and the business editor/reporter for The Newnan TimesHerald. She thrives on the idea of business and loves to tell the stories of business owners. When she has free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her husband, Dee and her sons Devin and Drake.

Holiday Traditions: Simplicity or Extravagance is the Question, page 74

MARTHA HENDRIX lives in the Roscoe area with her husband Mel. As a child, her Grandmother Hardegree encouraged the love of nature and flower gardening. After retiring, she completed the University of Georgia Master Gardener course in 2004. As a member of the Coweta County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer group, she has found it exciting to continue learning and being a part of an excellent, active group of people. Creating Holiday Memories Using Nature’s Gifts, page 30

ELIZABETH DORSEY is reigniting her love of writing after a long hiatus, during which she followed her U.S. Marine around the world. She has written for newspapers here and abroad. Ten years ago, she and her husband settled in Newnan with their five children, two dogs, one cranky cat, and a friendly flock of chickens. A passionate yogini, Elizabeth founded and owns Barefoot Lizard Yoga Studio.

Winter Celebrations: Cowetans of All Faiths Share the Season’s Blessings, page 52

CONNIE J. SINGLETON, Spiritual Outreach Coordinator at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Newnan, helps churches launch cancer care ministries. This wife and mom of two co-authored and published a book last year with an Atlanta-based women’s ministry executive and especially delights in sharing the stories of those who find joy in living or life purpose from their

hardships. Operation Christmas: Support The Red, White and Blue, page 42 16 | www.newnancowetamag.com

MITCHELL KELLEY is a high school senior and sports enthusiast who loves to cover and play sports. Kelley is radio play-byplay commentator for Fox Sports 1400 Newnan and has made appearances on Atlanta’s 92.9 The Game and NuLink cable. He has also written opinion pieces and covered high school football for The Newnan Times-Herald. Meet Coweta's High School Athletic Trainers, page 58

ASHLEY MINER is a freelancer, animal enthusiast, and administrative assistant. When not working on a project, she enjoys baking, dancing, and spending time with her family. Steven Porrello: Working His way Across the Globe, page 18

When she's not writing, CELIA GOODYEAR spends her time being a domestic goddess, channeling her inner Wonder Woman, and spending time with her husband and their dog. She loves Newnan and Coweta County and enjoys sharing stories about the people who live there.

Holiday Helpers: Coweta Reaches Out, page 36

SARAH FAY CAMPBELL is a 16-year veteran of The Newnan Times-Herald, and an adventure mom. She’d rather be camping. Christmas Crafts Shiny & Bright, page 62

W. WINSTON SKINNER is the news editor for The Newnan Times-Herald. Both of his grandmothers were storytellers, and he feels he inherited their verbal gifts and puts them on paper. He loves hearing — and telling — stories that say something about people and their lives. Christmas 1916, page 56

REV. HARRY D. GATEWOOD, MDiv, is a local chaplain/pastor and journalist (a Renaissance man). A native of Oklahoma City, Harry loves God and God’s people, the great outdoors, where hunting and fishing are his hobbies, and he is currently still working on his golf game. Protect and Serve Newnan: A Black and Blue Experience, page 46

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november/december 2016 | 17

NEIGHBOR TO KNOW

Steven Porrello:

WORKING HIS WAY ACROSS THE GLOBE

Throughout his many travels, Porrello and his companions would rely on locals for transportation. “Most people were very supportive of our journeys, and they wanted to help us when they could.”

S

harpsburg resident Steven Porrello knew he wanted to explore more of the world

when he returned from studying

Theology at L’Abri in Switzerland.

In 2013, his grandmother moved into their home. Her Sicilian heritage fascinated Porrello. He desired to see where his ancestors

originated and gain a sense of their lifestyle. Once he graduated from college, Porrello worked as a copywriter and saved his money for his next big adventure.

Sustainable living enthralled Porrello and he decided he wanted to understand and practice organic farming. He enjoys projects that improve the community and is a former

Written by ASHLEY MINER | Photographed by STACI ADDISON 18 | www.newnancowetamag.com

november/december 2016 | 19

NEIGHBOR TO KNOW

“When you don’t have food, clothing, or shelter, those things take on new meaning.”

member of Newnan’s Four Corners Church Gospel Community Group.

One of his college professors, Alvin Lingenfelter, introduced him to the websites wwoof.com (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) and workaway.com. In the summer of 2014, Porrello began looking for work in other countries, and by December that year, he was on a plane to his first job. Porrello’s search for knowledge took him to Asia, South America, Europe, and Australia in 20 months, visiting about 20 countries. He learned new skills from horsemanship to carpentry; he made clay bricks and cut grass with a machete while watching for some of the world’s most poisonous snakes.

His first job took him to a horse farm in Ireland where he learned about their care and training. From there, Porrello worked on a garlic farm, two castles in Scotland, one of which was being converted into a special-needs school. Next, he visited a friend in London he met during his study abroad.

Next, Porrello worked on an Italian carob orchard for five weeks and had the good fortune of working for a professional chef. Before going to this country, he practiced speaking Italian, which helped him communicate with his employers and the locals.

“Sicily was my favorite place,” Porrello said.

India caused the most culture shock. Everything, from the language to the wage gap between the classes, was unlike anything Porrello previously experienced. He recalled, “when you don’t have food, clothing, or shelter, those things take on new meaning.” India’s heat and humidity surpassed that of 20 | www.newnancowetamag.com

his home state of Georgia. Unfortunately, Porrello fell ill during his time in India, and therefore, he intends to go back to experience more of the culture and environment.

In Thailand, Porrello worked at a Buddhist Monastery for two weeks, and had the opportunity of participating in one of their religious holidays. He says this was one of his best experiences because the entire community came together to eat and meditate with the monks from the monastery.

His weeks spent in the Philippines were an excellent gardening experience. They composted with leaves and dirt and did not have the assistance of machines or animals. In Australia, Porrello met a man who taught him how to build ukuleles. He flew straight from Tasmania to Chile, where he met his mother who traveled with him for 10 days.

Porrello celebrated Easter in Chile and Corpus Christi in Peru. He followed the townspeople on a pilgrimage and then returned to Cusco. Tens of thousands of people gathered and carried 17 statues to 17 churches.

Porrello returned home in August. When he’s not traveling the world, he enjoys Newnan’s little coffee shops, corner markets, and putting his new carpentry skills to work around his parents’ home. As for advice to whomever is thinking about taking a journey of their own: “Do it as soon as you can. Buy a ticket and start planning. Traveling is easier than you think.

Even if it’s going around the United States. You don’t have to go to Africa to have an experience.”

NCM

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november/december 2016 | 21

NEIGHBOR TO KNOW

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Buy a ticket and start planning. Traveling is easier than you think.”

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november/december 2016 | 23

NEIGHBOR TO KNOW

LIMITLESS

in Faith and Deed If you want to meet Kate Bohannon, you have to act fast. She is a busy person! She works full time as a medical assistant in infectious diseases, manages a barn, teaches riding lessons, volunteers as an instructor for the 4-H’s dressage team and is very involved in her church. On top of all of that, Bohannon is an adoptive parent to 6 children and 3 grandchildren. She has been a foster parent to 58 children in the past 33 years.

“Some were with me just for a weekend, some for a few months, some for a couple of years.”

Kate Bohannon: Medical assistant, teacher, volunteer, and adoptive parent.

Written by ERIKA HAMBURG-BROWN | Photographed by ALAN BLACK 24 | www.newnancowetamag.com

NEIGHBOR TO KNOW

“Little wounded hearts take a while. There’s a whole lot of healing you have to do to the soul.”

W

hen I asked Bohannon where the desire came from to be a medical assistant and a nurturer, she said her mother was a nurse. She describes both her mother and father as compassionate and deeply spiritual people whose lives were dedicated to helping others. “I always loved medicine and healing.” Bohannon graduated from college with a

dual major in chemistry and biology and attended Georgia State University where she received her degree as a pediatric physician’s assistant. It was that background that allowed her a level of comfort in fostering children with disabilities.

“When I first began fostering kids, you were not allowed to adopt,” she recalled. In 1992, rules changed, and 26-year-old Bohannon adopted her

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first child – a premature newborn baby girl with fetal-alcohol syndrome, weighing only 2 pounds and 8 ounces: “When they first let me see her, she had tubes everywhere,” Bohannon said. Twenty-one years later, that baby girl has graduated high school, is taking college courses and works at the barn Bohannon manages.

Three of Bohannon’s six adopted children are grown and on their own now. Two little sisters she adopted when they were 8 and 5 years old are now married and have children and jobs of their own. Another one of Bohannon’s adopted children was severely burned in a fire as a toddler. She adopted him when he was 8 years old, and after many surgeries and rounds of antibiotics that left him deaf, he graduated from high school, completed his criminal justice classes and has an internship with a local police department. Bohannon shared, “There aren’t always success stories, but when you see them begin to overcome the limits placed on them … that’s the reward.”

Some of Bohannon’s children are now adults with disabilities and will continue to live with her. Her oldest daughter is 34, and while she has a severe learning disability, she is a big help around the house. Her most severely disabled child was placed with her when he was just six weeks old.

“They told me he was ‘Failure to Thrive’, that he would live only a few weeks and to just take him home and make him comfortable. He’s 21 years old now, 6’6”, 250 pounds, and I’m still making him comfortable!” she laughs lovingly. “They said he would never sit up, never walk or talk … Now he does ALL of that, and I can’t get him to hush up! He has the best sense of humor! He loves riding in the tractor. I put him in the front bucket, so he’s not near the mower, and we just ride around. I

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solve all the world’s problems on my tractor!”

I asked if she ever feels overwhelmed, and she quickly answers, “Oh sure! But that’s where my faith comes in. I started with a ‘Save the World’ attitude, but I learned to ask for help.” Bohannon’s family, friends, pastor and church offer a much welcomed web of support. There are financial challenges as well.

“We have lacked financially. With only one income, it has been hard. Now that they are older, they are not on the adoption support. We have to be real careful,” she says. “We don’t buy name-brand clothes or go on big vacations, but we do have fun! We do a lot of swimming; there are a lot of church and 4-H activities.”

When I ask Bohannon for advice she would give to 28 | www.newnancowetamag.com

other parents: “Don’t put limits on them!” she states, “Don’t look at it with an overwhelmed heart. Take one step at a time and just keep moving. A lot of my children and many of the foster children had been abused, and it wasn’t just putting a Band-Aid on it …

It was healing hearts and minds. Trust is a huge issue, especially with abuse victims.” I asked Bohannon how she built trust and she said, “Be consistent, [have a] routine, make sure you follow through with what you say … That builds trust gradually. Little wounded hearts take a while. There’s a whole lot of healing you have to do to the soul.”

Bohannon and her children are looking forward to the family’s holiday traditions which are also centered around church. Listening to Bohannon talk about all

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the church activities and the fun they have led me to ask her, “Do you have room to adopt me?” She laughed loudly and says, “Come on! I’ll have to hang you on a nail, but we’ll get you there! Just don’t bring a dog; everybody wants to bring a dog!” We both laughed and I thought this about Bohannon – limitless in deed, limitless in faith, limitless in compassion, raising children to be themselves … limitless.

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COWETA GARDENER

Photo by Lana Jones

Creating Holiday Memories Using

NATURE’S GIFTS

Written by MARTHA HENDRIX | Photographs submitted by Martha Hendrix

30 | www.newnancowetamag.com

COWETA GARDENER

Selection and care of plants are important.

Walter Reeves, the “Georgia Gardener,” provides important tips

W

hen you think of winter holidays, celebrations and time with family and friends, what comes to mind? For most of us, even a brief whiff of cinnamon, fir boughs, or cedar as we shop brings fond memories and a feeling of being a child again.

✓

The Norfolk pine is a long-lived houseplant that needs direct sunlight and should be watered when dry. It requires fertilizer about every four months.

✓

Rosemary should be placed in a sunny window with watering when dry to touch. It may require light pruning to maintain shape.

Rosemary can be planted outside in April.

✓

Amaryllis should be kept out of direct sunlight when in bloom. Plant should be watered when dry. A number of varieties cannot be planted outside. Check the variety for instructions.

✓

Poinsettias should be kept out of drafts or hot air. Plant is happier on the dry side.

Many plants do not survive after the holiday season.

✓

Christmas cactus remains healthy in a cool sunny room. Mist each day to provide humidity, and water plant when dry.

What can you do to pass along those fragrant memories? You can create simple wreaths or swags; incorporate pine cones, twigs, and leaves into a simple arrangement; surround a candle with magnolia leaves, cedar or pine boughs; place houseplants in holiday baskets; force bulbs; and use natural herbs and spices to instill the scents of winter.

A wreath from fir, pine, cedar, magnolia leaves, or holly at the entry into your home creates a warm welcome. The addition of bows, ribbon, pine cones, berries, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, or other items lets you design to suit your décor.

Norfolk pine, rosemary (trimmed in the shape of a tree), amaryllis, poinsettias, and Christmas cactus add a very festive appearance to any room.

The plants may be used throughout the house as a focal point or in groupings. These plants provide numerous color options. november/december 2016 | 31

wewe dodo it all. it all.

COWETA GARDENER

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Live evergreen trees have long been the favorite home decoration. The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences offers the following tips for selection and care of live trees: • It is hard to tell exactly how long trees have been cut and how long they will last after purchase. To do a freshness test, hold a branch about 6 inches from the top of the tree and allow the branch to slip through your fingers. If the tree is fresh, very few needles will come off.

• Check the cut on the end of the stump. Trees have the ability to seal off a cut with sap to prevent losing moisture. This would also prevent the tree from taking water in from the tree stand.

Make a fresh cut about a quarter inch from the original cut. Place the tree in the tree stand.

• There is no need to add special products to the tree’s water. Just give it a gallon the first 24 hours and another 2 pints to a gallon the next day.

Check the stand regularly and make sure it never runs out of water. Place the tree away from heat sources to keep it from drying out too quickly.

Are you ready to make memories using gifts from nature? The natural elements needed to create holiday memories are simple and many can be found right outside your door.

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Additional information on the use of natural elements can be obtained online from the University of Georgia Publications or by calling the Coweta County Extension Office at 770-254-2620.

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34 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Holiday Helpers: Coweta Reaches Out, page 36 Drop Everything and Serve: The Heritage School Gives Back, page 40 Operation Christmas: Support the Red, White & Blue, page 42 november/december 2016 | 35

Photo submitted by The Pilot Club of Newnan

Newnan Pilot Club President-Elect Kate Caswell works on fidget quilts for dementia/Alzheimer's patients.

he holidays are a special time of year with families gathering together, people eating lots of good food, and many memories being made. For Cowetans, it’s also a time of helping each other in the community, and several local groups have special projects at the end of the year to help those in Coweta who need it.

Written by CELIA GOODYEAR

36 | www.newnancowetamag.com

THE PILOT CLUB OF NEWNAN was chartered in 1945 and is a member of Pilot International. The group’s mission is to transform its community by developing youth, providing service and education and uplifting families.

“Our service focus is helping people affected by brain-related disorders and disabilities through volunteer activities and education and financial support,” said Kate Caswell, presidentelect of the club. “We also call it the A-B-C’s of Pilot: A = Anchor Clubs (youth development and leadership), B = Brain safety and fitness, C = Caring for families in times of need.”

Five years ago, The Pilot Club expanded its focus and began to help the elderly people in Coweta County during the Christmas season.

“In December, we partner with Adult Protective Services through the Division of Family and Children Services to provide Christmas for the elderly in Coweta County,” Caswell said. “They make a wish list, and we try very hard to get them everything they ask for … Most of these elderly folks still live on their own and don’t have family to help out.”

These presents include gift cards for items like groceries, as well as appliances like vacuum cleaners.

“Sometimes it’s humbling what they ask for,” said Caswell. “It’s what we take for granted.”

State social workers approached The Pilot Club of Newnan about this need for the elderly, and club members decided to help.

“We want to help people in our community … We want

to improve our community,” added Caswell. “We really like working in the nursing homes. We feel like it’s a little neglected, especially during the holidays.”

In addition to the holiday project, The Pilot Club of Newnan holds other service projects throughout the year.

“Every month we celebrate the birthdays of the residents at Newnan Health & Rehab with a balloon and visit,” said Caswell.

“We also donate school supplies to Western Elementary and to other special-education classrooms throughout the county.

We make fidget quilts/lap blankets with small sensory objects attached for dementia/Alzheimer patients. We celebrate Care and Kindness week in November with a small gift for either employees at Newnan Health & Rehab, or for the fire and police departments. We sponsor a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior in Coweta County going into the healthcare field. We also host the reception at the Teacher of the Year ceremony.”

THE COWETA COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION is another

well-established organization in Coweta County. It spends the year serving the community by working with One Roof Ecumenical Alliance Outreach, Project SAFE with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Department, Coweta County 4-H and helping with the LOBOS Ranch, as well as having its Pink Posse team for March for Life and providing college scholarships to local high school students.

Its main event of the year is the Coweta Cattlemen’s Association Rodeo in May, which it has been hosting since 1949.

At its Christmas dinner in December, CCCA hands out the funds it raised throughout the year in addition to holding a food drive for shelf-stable and non-perishable food to benefit One Roof’s food pantry.

“We feel that we’re fortunate,” said CCCA President Elise Farnham. “The members are concerned about the food crisis.”

In addition to the holiday food drive and their work throughout the year, Cattlemen members work to educate the community about beef and everything for which it’s used.

“We like to show people that beef is a safe product,” said Farnham.

Through all of its activities CCCA strives to help the Coweta community.

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Photos submitted by The Coweta County Cattlemen’s Association

The Coweta County Cattlemen’s Association awards the winners of the 4-H Main Dish Beef entrée competition.

38 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Relatively new to Coweta County is BOMBER GIRLS, LRC, a charitable organization of female motorcycle riders. Bomber Girls started in Savannah, Ga., in February 2007 and started its Senoia, Ga., chapter in April of 2014. It also has a chapter in Valparaiso, Ind. “We are an independent, unaffiliated, Ladies Riding Club,” said founder Shanon Clay. “This sisterhood proudly supports our military personnel and their families. We choose to publicly voice this support by working with, raising awareness for and contributing funds to local veteran causes/charities/groups in our communities, alongside our original and main mission of sending care packages to deployed troops.”

“The first year we just did two events, the Biking Dead Tour and the Christmas Card signing party,” she added. “Since then we have added a couple of members and have grown our event schedule to five scheduled events and expanded our care package mailings.”

In November, Bomber Girls holds a card-signing party for Christmas cards that will be included in their care package mailing in December when the group mails stuffed Christmas stockings to troops deployed overseas.

“Holidays are some of the hardest times for our troops serving overseas,” said Clay. “It’s our way of sending a piece of home to them.

We fill fun-themed stockings with different candies, Christmasthemed items, Christmas cards from the signing party and from local

Photo submitted by Bomber Girls, LRC

The Senoia, Ga., chapter of Bomber Girls, LRC, and volunteers collect cookies to send to United States troops deployed overseas earlier this year.

school children, snack items, hot chocolate … typical holiday things. We send them early in December so we are sure they get there before Christmas, and have some time to hang and have some holiday cheer when they’re so far from home and their families.”

In addition to its main focus of sending care packages to troops overseas, each chapter of Bomber Girls, LRC has its own pet project.

“Savannah helps with a Homeless Veteran’s Outreach Program. Valparaiso helps with bedding for Military Working Dog Kennels. Senoia is helping our Coweta Veterans Club and their Veterans Relief Fund,” said Clay.

In Coweta County, Bomber Girls work directly with the American Legion, the VFW and their respective Auxiliaries.

“Everyone has a cause, a passion; helping veterans is ours,” said Clay. “Whether it’s sending care packages, helping with the Veterans Relief Fund, spending time at the Veterans Assisted Living Home, or simply riding in a parade flying flags, we try to do our best to say, ‘Thank You,’ in whatever way we can to the men and women who voluntarily give up chunks of their lives and their families’ lives to defend our freedoms and our country.

Coweta is our chapter’s home community, and while we are sending packages to service members overseas, we cannot forget our veterans here at home either.” NCM

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Written by ALLISON COBB, SULLY WILKINS, CASEY BUNCE, OLIVIA GENTRY, NICK OBATA and ADRIA PIERCE Photos submitted by THE HERITAGE SCHOOL

40 | www.newnancowetamag.com

any years ago, a beloved Latin teacher named Sally Bowen wrote down the Latin words “Mens, Corpus, Spiritus, and Sodalitas” to express the core values of The Heritage School.

The translation of these archaic terms still has meaning today as Heritage students strive to grow in mind, body, spirit, and camaraderie. For many Heritage alumni, the good-spirited competition known as Jubilee is representative of these values and the highlight of their years at the school.

Today’s Heritage students have added a new dimension to the decades-old tradition as they work to spread the spirit of Jubilee throughout their community during the holiday season.

Lory Pendergrast is the Director of Admissions at The Heritage School and two years ago, as Head of the Upper School, she recognized that the Jubilee celebration was a natural springboard for the greater good. “On Jubilee ‘Reveal Day,’ senior Jubilee captains excitedly welcome the students who will be on their Jubilee teams,” she explained. “Then, this new group of 5th to 12th graders instantly comes together to form new friendships and set new goals.”

The first goal they set is a contribution to ‘Drop Everything and Serve,’ a school-wide service learning initiative. However, Pendergrast emphasizes that this is not just a service project that can get checked off a list but, instead, a concentrated effort to instill service as a way of life and the habit of thinking beyond themselves.

“Because the students take ownership by conceiving, planning, and implementing their initiatives, it is a true example of service learning that can direct a life long tradition of service,” she said.

Spencer Weller, Heritage senior, agreed. His Jubilee team made and delivered pet beds to the Coweta County Animal Shelter. He said, “I never would have even thought that there was a need for something like this. But it opened my eyes to what giving means and how the smallest things can make a difference.”

The first ‘Drop Everything and Serve’ event happened during the busy holiday season of 2014 and the results were far beyond anyone’s expectations. Pendergrast remembers how “teenagers and ten-year-olds got on busses to fan out all over Coweta County or gathered on campus to create gifts to be delivered later. In either case, they couldn’t wait to share their experiences.” More importantly, they were already looking ahead to future years as they were building relationships and identifying new ways to serve their community.

‘Drop Everything and Serve’ is an addition to some longstanding holiday service learning projects at The Heritage School. The 4th grade raises money to buy pajamas through an annual ‘Pajama Project’ and then carefully chooses the PJs before delivering them to be distributed to children served

by One Roof. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at Heritage also raises money though Gobble Bowl, a Thanksgiving Week football game, and then thoughtfully considers a shopping list of items to make the holidays better for those in need.

More than just fundraisers, both events require the students to take leadership roles in planning, budgeting, purchasing, and delivering.

As a final example, the Key Club at The Heritage School devotes a significant amount of time to service opportunities during the season. THS Key Clubbers have been active participants in the Newnan Junior Service League Can-A-Thon and Christmas in Newnan project for over 20 years.

They also stuff shoeboxes with much needed items to be shipped all over the world through Operation Christmas Shoeboxes, a Samaritan’s Purse Project, and host Santa Claus at a breakfast event for the Heritage family.

Whenever the Jubilee teams and Heritage students get together to lend a helping hand to the community, they also bond with their teammates and strengthen their friendships as a whole. ‘Drop Everything and Serve’ and other service projects are not only ways to be helpful but also ways to show the compassion and camaraderie that is encouraged at The Heritage School. Most importantly, these sterling examples of service learning instill a comprehensive view on the nature of service and makes the process of serving others a tradition in itself. NCM

Photo by Beth Neely

This article was written by the following members of instructor Martha Lynn Mitchell’s Journalism class at The Heritage School: seniors Allison Cobb and Sully Wilkins; juniors Casey Bunce, Olivia Gentry and Nick Obata; and sophomore Adria Pierce. The Journalism class is a new addition to the Heritage curriculum and incorporates an historical look at journalism, thoughtful media analysis and practical writing application.

Middle school students assemble a donated doll house so that it will be ready Christmas morning.

It’s a Sugar Wonderland!

12 East Broad St. Newnan 470-414-2211 november/december 2016 | 41

Photo by Staci Addison

Connie Singleton and LaVann Landrum of SonRise Baptist Church writing letters of support and brainstorming other ways for the group to encourage soldiers, sailors and airmen/women.

Written by CONNIE J. SINGLETON

42 | www.newnancowetamag.com

aped to a painted concrete block wall, the photocopied sign asking for holiday support for soldiers’ children caught my eye and pierced my heart last November as I was exiting the Fort Benning (Columbus, Ga.) building where my husband and I lead a voluntary Bible study for soldiers. It underscored the many hardship stories we hear each time we visit. I captured the Santa’s Castle program details with my phone camera and later made an online donation to help provide Christmas gifts for children whose parents struggle to make ends meet on their government pay. A simple sign reminded me that the challenges of military service frequently extend beyond the individual serviceman/woman to their families.

Only about one percent of the eligible U.S. adult population serves in the military, according to DefenseOne.com. That one percent became very personal to me earlier this year when my daughter Caitlin swore an oath to serve our country as a Navy linguist. Over the course of her eight-week boot camp when very little phone communication was allowed, I had the privilege of writing to her and also to two of her shipmates who weren’t receiving regular mail. I loved knowing that, at the end of a

grueling day of military training, my letters brought smiles and a reminder that someone was cheering for them to succeed. And every letter I received in return confirmed how much they appreciated knowing someone cared about their journey. No time will be more important than at Christmas to cheer these freedom guardians and our veterans.

Out of more than 400,000+ possible charitable organizations with a military focus, here are a few diverse opportunities where your individual, family or group giving this holiday season can make a meaningful impact to troop morale and jump-start your holiday joy. I’ve done some due diligence to verify organization legitimacy, but I encourage you to investigate further – and quickly – if you have concerns. Rapidly approaching deadlines exist in order to meet holiday needs. Your donation may be tax-deductible; volunteering will be addicting.

1. COALITION TO SALUTE AMERICA'S HEROES Wounded veterans can expect to wait around 10 months to receive their first disability check after leaving the hospital and separating from the military. Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes (saluteheroes.org) disburses emergency aid to severely-wounded Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans and their families including support for medical bills, utilities, food and household supplies, career counseling and caregiver support. Write a thank you card and give to help the Coalition meet emergency needs and distribute much-appreciated holiday checks/gift cards to veterans of all branches of the military.

Photo submitted by Horses and Warriors

Horses and Warriors help wounded and traumatized veterans heal, year-round, through classes and camaraderie.

2. FORT BENNING SANTA'S CASTLE

Because “every child deserves a Christmas,” Fort Benning Santa’s Castle (santascastlebenning.org) asks for donations of new toys, books, gift cards, monetary gifts and wrapping paper to help the families of enlisted soldiers. A base building is transformed into a free shopping destination with age-appropriate rooms where parents may choose gifts for their children. Last year 700 children from 300 families were served. “The true gift of Christmas – the gift of God’s Son – is for everyone, but we especially want to focus on gifting teens of military families this Christmas so they know they are loved and not forgotten,” said Newnan’s Kelly Preston. Volunteers also can schedule a time to serve as a castle ‘elf,’ helping parents who come to shop during the first week of December. Visit the website for details or leave a message on the Facebook page at facebook.com/ Ft.BenningSantasCastle.

3. HORSES & WARRIORS

Horses & Warriors (calvincenter.net), a healing program for wounded warriors or those with PTSD or traumatic brain injury, is located at the beautiful Calvin Center in Hampton, Georgia. Veterans participate in equine-assisted activities for physical and emotional improvement – at no cost to them.

Photo submitted by Kelly Preston

Moved by the request to provide gifts for Ft. Benning teens of military families, Newnan's Kelly Preston and her children shop for items to donate to Santa’s Castle.

Unwrapped donations will be displayed there to help enlisted military parents to 'shop' for their own kids.

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Donations of any amount are welcome to offset ongoing facility needs or to sponsor a veteran for their $500, 8-to-11-week session that begins in January. Include a card/letter expressing your gratitude for their service. Active or retired military volunteers are needed and welcomed.

4. LET'S BRING 'EM HOME Since 2001, Let’s Bring ‘Em Home (lbeh.org) has provided more than 2000 airline tickets for enlisted military personnel who otherwise could not afford to fly home for the holidays. An airman birthed the program after experiencing that very circumstance, and an airline reservationist left her job to become a permanent part of his team. Cash contributions and donated air miles sent 137 U.S. service members home for the holidays in 2015. Donate soon; the ticket request window will open to service members starting on Veteran’s Day.

5. SOLDIERS' ANGELS ‘May No Soldier Go Unloved’ is the motivation behind Soldiers’ Angels (soldiersangels.org).

Brenda Jessel, a General Daniel Newman Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) member in Newnan, has fond memories of her group’s past interaction with Soldier’s Angels: “We supported a medic unit. They lost a couple of men in the course of their tour; the sergeant later visited our chapter with his family, received more gifts from us, and movingly spoke of his experience.”

Veterans, wounded heroes, deployed service members and their families are served through various programs: care packages, letters and cards to ‘adopted’ deployed service members, ‘First Response Backpacks’ for the wounded at Combat Support Hospitals abroad, and technology that supports soldier rehabilitation.

“My students are so excited to share their gratitude this holiday season for our service members through Soldiers’ Angels,” said Rebecca Sandlin, Madras Middle School Social Studies teacher. “They’ll become ‘Holiday Community Partners,’ writing cards and letters, and assembly-line stuffing stockings for our troops and veterans so they won’t feel forgotten during the holidays.”

Photos by Staci Addison

Rebecca Sandlin, Social Studies teacher at Coweta’s Madras Middle School, has chosen to incorporate support for the military into her curriculum for the upcoming holiday season.

44 | www.newnancowetamag.com

6. SUPPORT OUR TROOPS Two programs under the non-profit Support Our Troops (supportourtroops.org) umbrella include:

A difference you can see.

Total Eye Care Specializing in: • Cataract Surgery • Retina, Glaucoma, and Cornea Services • Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus • LASIK and Refractive Surgery • Oculoplastic Surgery and Cosmetic Services • Eyewear and Contact Lenses for all ages • Care Packages / Buy and ship an assembled care package or individual items, or donate to help purchase and ship goods to deployed troops on combat duty. Send a photo of yourself or your group along with your donation.

• K-9 Soldier Treats / Military Paws Program / Provide a variety of dog care items or money to buy them. Furry K-9 soldiers also are on mission as they detect explosives and drugs and provide security to U.S. troops around the globe.

7. TREES FOR TROOPS With financial support by the public, donations of Christmas trees by American tree farmers, and a FedEx shipping partnership, Trees for Troops (christmasspiritfoundation.org) delivered 176,000+ trees to 60 military bases in the U.S. and overseas in 2015. This ‘taste of home’ at Christmas time is just the lift needed for deployed troops and families whose loved ones are away in service to our country. A $40 donation insures a fresh tree delivery to a military family or base in time for the holidays.

African Bishop Desmond Tutu suggests, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Let us purpose to do little and big “bits of good” this holiday season to thank our military – defenders of the red, white and blue we hold so dear – for their courage, commitment and many sacrifices. NCM

Paul Patel, M.D. Jessica McCluskey, M.D. Vidya Phoenix, M.D. Garrick Layman, O.D. We’ve Moved!

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www.thomaseye.com november/december 2016 | 45

COWETA IN FOCUS

PROTECT & SERVE NEWNAN:

A Black & Blue Experience Police across the nation have been the target of various accusations.

Additionally, many believe that the concept of protect and serve is a thing of the past. This article aims to reveal what policing in Newnan looks like.

Ready to protect and serve, Newnan Police Office Tony Mays stands in front of his police cruiser.

46 | www.newnancowetamag.com

COWETA IN FOCUS

Written by REV. HARRY D. GATEWOOD | Photographed by ALAN BLACK

november /december 2016 | 47

COWETA IN FOCUS

I

arrived at the Newnan Police Station around 6:30 on Friday evening with a full moon on the horizon and a night filled with anticipation.

Several events were underway for the evening: the Newnan High School Football Homecoming game, the first night of the Coweta County Fair and the story about creepy clowns in Coweta abducting children had just hit the newswire. The first call Officer Aaron Trusty and I responded to was to the home of an elderly lady. She felt “stuck inside all day” and wanted to get out.

Two windows were busted and she was able to climb out of one of them. We spoke to her family and they were unsure where their elderly mother had meandered off.

A Missing Persons report was initiated and the pursuit began. Our missing senior was found lollygagging down the road.

Once we were able to find the explorer, the officer asked her a few questions: “Ma’am, do you know today’s date?” “No,” she replied. “I know it’s fall...”

Trusty then asked, “Do you know the President of Police officers take part in community service to local residents.

48 | www.newnancowetamag.com

“One of the biggest mental health providers in Georgia are county jails. And taxpayers foot the bill.”

—Coweta County Sheriff Mike Yeager

the United States?” “No…” she replied. “I don’t pay attention to that kind of stuff.”

Despite Barack Obama being the President for the last eight years, one last question was asked. “How many quarters make up a dollar?”

Bulls-eye! She answered the question, right on the money.

Coweta County Sheriff Mike Yeager has been quoted saying, “One of the biggest mental health providers in Georgia are county jails. And taxpayers foot the bill.”

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mental health institution or taken to the hospital, the officer’s duty was to locate the missing individual, return her to a place of safety and deescalate the situation.

Not only does mental health impact our county, but domestic violence is a primary reason for many 911 calls.

The second call was to a local neighborhood. A lady was assaulted by her significant other and she wanted him to face justice.

On arrival the officers noticed that both the front and back doors were unlocked. The victim had left home and there was no trace of anyone around.

No warrant had been granted to enter the house and all appeared clear; therefore, the officers disbursed to other calls.

While on patrol we cruised through Eastgate, Westgate, up the Bypass and other communities.

As a local pastor I waved at various persons, maybe a few congregants. They did not see me as a local pastor, a fellow neighbor, or a kind soul.

Despite being an advocate for equality and justice, the only waves and smiles I received were from the hands of innocent children and the nods of righteous citizens who I perceived appreciated police presence.

The mere fact that I was riding in a police car made me one of them. And from what I saw, very few folks like the police.

Call number three: we responded to a concerned driver who witnessed “a black man stumbling” along the way. He was a danger to himself and others.

To my surprise, the drunkard was well known by the Newnan Police and this wasn’t the first time he was told to get out of the streets.

Not far from his house, the officers guided him to his front porch, and encouraged him to stay in for the night.

Sadly, hours later, we were called to the same house.

The officers this time with the permission of family walked into the home and made sure “Otis” from Mayberry and the Andy Griffith show found his resting place. “Otis” took off his shoes and lay in his bed.

Communication and voluntary compliance are vital to police. When these two methods mesh, the results are often positive and we all rest well. When voluntary compliance and communication are no longer viable, force is engaged.

Newnan Police officers stand ready, awaiting your call to protect and serve.

Police brutality and excessive force cannot be deemed as fictitious. It’s part of our reality.

The force of an officer is always reactive, never proactive, but a peace officer is trained to outmatch the force of a combatant.

The times that an officer has to utilize force are minimal compared to the times that they are helping an Otis get home or finding a missing grandma.

The final call of the night was to a local fire where a resident attempted to dry clothes in an oven. Yep, an oven. She caught them on fire and smoke filled the Coweta sky.

As the 10:00 hour hit, a search was underway for an individual who fired five rounds into the night sky. No one at the local house party admitted who it was or what it was (possibly fireworks) but they were encouraged to tone it down.

From what I learned that night, the concept of protect and serve is still alive today.

When we acknowledge that black lives matter, blue lives matter, Coweta lives matter, the better our community will be. Service is still customary in Coweta and daily, police officers decide whether they will be judged by twelve or carried by six. Their hope is to get home safely every day.

Thanks to Newnan Police Chief Buster Meadows, City Manager Cleatus Phillips and Officer Aaron Trusty for permitting the ride along.

When we acknowledge that black lives matter, blue lives matter, Coweta lives matter, the better our community will be. Service is still customary in Coweta and daily, police officers decide whether they will be judged by twelve or carried by six. Their hope is to get home safely every day day.

NCM

november/december 2016 | 51

COWETA LIFE

WINTER CELEBRATIONS: Cowetans of All Faiths Share the Season’s Blessings As a rule, Buddhists decorate Bodhi trees, Muslims fast before feasting, and Jews light menorahs. But folks of all faiths fully embrace the winter holiday season as a special time of peace and goodwill, a gathering of family and friends, and a sharing of gifts and delicious foods.

Written by ELIZABETH DORSEY 52 | www.newnancowetamag.com

“Buddhists love the spirit of giving and cherishing those closest to them. It’s the time of year when all hearts open and pour out love.”

— Trish Gurney The compassion of Bodhisattvas does not depend on creed or belief system; it manifests in the sincere, unselfish, and unconditional response to the suffering of others. photo submitted by Trish Gurney

“B

uddhists rejoice in Christmas!” said Trish Gurney, a Peachtree City resident who has studied Kadampa Buddhism for 12

years. “Buddhists love the spirit of giving and

cherishing those closest to them. It’s the time of year when all hearts open and pour out love.”

Many, but not all, Buddhists celebrate Bodhi Day on Dec. 8 by placing lights on a Ficus tree to commemorate Buddha’s enlightenment under the

photo submitted

Gen Kelsang Mondrub, Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation Center of Atlanta, and Trish Gurney, attending the Portugal Temple Dedication in 2013.

Bodhi Tree.

According to Gurney, most Buddhists see Jesus as a Bodhisattva, or spiritual guide, whose sole purpose in life and death is to benefit and love others, and to set an example for people to follow.

“Buddhists believe in honoring the family and being kind and in keeping traditions going for the sake and happiness of their loved ones and community,” Gurney said.

For Muslims, the two biggest Islamic holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, have come and gone this year, but the winter holiday season is still a time to enjoy a break from routine and to spend time at home with family and friends.

“We are aware that Christmas is a special day,” said Huma Faruqi, a member of the Islamic Community Center of Atlanta in Fayetteville.

“While we don’t celebrate the holiday, we love the lights, and we love that our neighbors and friends are happy and having fun.”

Based on a lunar calendar, Islamic holidays move back 11 days every year.

Eid al-Adha landed on Sept. 10 this year, and due to its close proximity to Sept. 11, the Fayetteville mosque chose to have a subdued celebration, with morning prayers followed by an ‘American-style’ breakfast of donuts, bagels, and cream cheese.

In years past, the holidays have been highlighted with catered morning feasts and family festivals with popcorn, snow-cones, cotton candy, temporary henna tattoos, and big bouncy november/december 2016 | 53

COWETA LIFE

“With all the different ethnicities we have, and we have people from very diverse places — Pakistan, Jordan, Africa — it is an amazing place to be. It is really something to see all the special clothes, the headdresses from Africa, the bright colors. It is all very beautiful.”

— Huma Faruqi

houses to keep the children entertained.

“Everybody wears their very best clothes,” said Faruqi. “With all the different ethnicities we have, and we have people from very diverse places – Pakistan, Jordan, Africa – it is an amazing place to be. It is really something to see all the special clothes, the headdresses from Africa, the bright colors. It is all very beautiful.”

“It is a food-oriented holiday,” Faruqi said. “At home, we prepare a simple meal and then invite everyone over to share it.

We have lots of fish and vegetables, rice, bread, sides, and this year my son made éclairs, and my granddaughters made Reem Faruqi moved to Peachtree City from Abu cookies.”

Dhabi when she was 13 years The focus is never old. Now a mother of two, on gifts, but this year she has written a children's Faruqi said she surprised book, Lailah's Lunchbox, based on her childhood everyone when she experiences. splurged and gave American Girl Dolls to her three youngest granddaughters.

For the Rosenbergs of Peachtree City, Chanukah doesn’t begin until the kids’ electric menorah has been placed in the front window of the house.

“It’s one of those awful things,” said Crystal Rosenberg, with a smile. “Cheap. Made of plastic.

I don’t know when the kids finally got me to break down and buy one. I refused for a long time. We lived in San Diego. We were the only Jews in the neighborhood. Could we have drawn more 54 | www.newnancowetamag.com

attention to ourselves?”

“One bulb each night,” added her husband, David Rosenberg, president of the Congregation B’nai Israel of Fayetteville. “A beacon, in the window.”

The beloved electric menorah is only one of 40 or so that the family has collected over the years. Many of their menorahs are quite beautiful; some were given as gifts, some were purchased on travels abroad, and still others were handmade by the couple’s three sons.

“We pick out the ones we’re going to use; we can’t use all of them, too many candles,” Crystal said.

The candles, nine for each menorah, are special and made only in Israel.

At sundown on the first night of Chanukah, the middle candle, the shamash (“helper” or “servant”) is lit and one candle lit from it. There is much anticipation.

“To make the children wait to light the candles until after our meal, that is pure torture,” Crystal said.

Once lit, the candles burn until they are gone.

The family shares gifts and plays games while the candles are burning. On each subsequent evening of Chanukah another candle is lit in addition to the ones already lit, for the eight days of the holiday.

Chanukah commemorates a miracle in the Jerusalem Temple when lamps had only enough oil to burn for one day, but lasted for eight days.

“We cook everything in oil that week, so don’t look for low-cal,” said Crystal, who is praised by her husband for the delicious latkes or potato pancakes she makes from scratch every year during Chanukah – and only during Chanukah – with no written recipe.

“The kids love them. I love them. Everybody loves them,” said Rosenberg. “They are gone before they hit the plate.”

The family does exchange small gifts, one each

night, with a bigger gift on the final night of Chanukah.

“It has never been about giving presents,” Rosenberg said, adding that his favorite tradition is when his family prepares a home-cooked meal and serves it to the residents of The Temple Zaban Couples Shelter in downtown Atlanta. “We cook it, serve it, and clean up afterwards. These people have fallen on hard times; they were so appreciative last year, it really touched me.”

From all of us at Newnan Dermatology...

NCM

For more information on where to connect with others for the holidays, please see below: Kadampa Buddhism Kadampa Meditation Center Georgia, 741 Edgewood Ave, NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, (678) 453-6753, website: meditationingeorgia.org

Have a Safe & Happy Holiday Season

710 Newnan Crossing Bypass | Newnan, GA 30263 | 770-251-5111

Islamic Community Center of Atlanta 288 E. Lanier Avenue, Fayetteville, GA 30214, (770) 719-4447, website: iccatlanta.org Special note: Local resident Reem Faruqi published a widely acclaimed children’s book, Lailah’s Lunchbox (Tilbury House Publishers, 2015), a story about a little girl who recently moved to Peachtree City from Abu Dhabi, and while she misses her friends back in the Middle East, she is very excited to be old enough to fast during Ramadan. reemfaruqi.com ai Israel Congregation B’nai in Fayetteville – 1633 Hwy 54 E, Jonesboro, GA 30238, (678) 8177162, website bnai-israel.net november/december 2016 | 55

Written by W. WINSTON SKINNER 56 | www.newnancowetamag.com

ow that the Old Year is drawing to a close, we desire to thank our friends for their good will and patronage during the past twelve months, and wish for one and all a happy Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year. We appreciate our friends, and shall so shape our business policies to merit their continued confidence and favor in the future.”

This holiday greeting was in an advertisement for T. G. Farmer and Sons in December 1916. The dry goods establishment was at the corner of Madison and Jefferson Streets, the same building where The Newnan Times-Herald is now located.

A look back at Christmas in Coweta County a century ago shows the holiday was in transformation mode. Gone was the pioneer era of a simple Yule with a tree from the pasture decorated with homemade tinsel and gifts crafted from materials available on the farm.

Though Christmas in 1916 was simpler than the holiday of today, the seeds of 2016’s celebratory season were being sown.

John R. Cates Drug Company offered a range of gifts including cut glass, imported china, fountain pens and flashlights. They also had “Kodaks for Christmas” starting at $1.25.

A front-page advertisement from Barnett-St. John, a men’s store still in business when I came to work downtown 34 years ago, hawked snappy Hart Schaffner and Marx clothing for men.

“Get Your Child A Bicycle For Christmas,” shouted an ad from R. L. Askew. The company offered “a full line of

bicycles in stock, any color preferred, with or without a coaster brake.” The ad warned shoppers not to “wait until our supply is exhausted – you may be disappointed as bicycles are scarce on the market.”

Christmas 1916 came in the midst of World War I. Rationing was the order of the day with gasless Sundays, meatless Mondays and wheatless Wednesdays. Such sacrifices made a bicycle under the tree extra magical.

L.W. Rogers Company at 8 Jackson Street ran a large advertisement offering candy and nuts as well as baking powder and “fruit cake materials” including figs and raisins.

Holiday entertainment was already a firm part of Christmas in 1916. A Christmas Carnival began Christmas Day and continued for a week with a Wild West Show, a circus sideshow, Thompson’s “Just Girls,” a $10,000 merrygo-round and a “$7,000 giant Ferris wheel.” The Central of Georgia Railway announced holiday fares for excursions to Washington D.C., Cincinnati and St. Louis.

The Halcyon’s movie listings came with “Christmas greetings to The Halcyon patrons, and to the stranger among us.” The ad promised care had been taken to choose “a very excellent selection of the finest pictures that money could buy for your entertainment during the holidays” along with a pledge not to show “any trashy or old pictures.”

The Society column announced “the first of the Christmas entertainments for the college set” – “a large dance at the Elks’ Club” with an orchestra. “The hall will be decorated with quantities of Christmas holly and mistletoe with a background of palms, ferns and bay trees.”

Life – with all of its joys and sorrows – was also part of holiday time in 1916 as in 2016. The tragic death of a 2-year-old from an accidental gunshot was reported, as was the wedding of my cousins Sidney and Nancy Hunter “at the pretty country home of the bride’s parents” near Turin.

The Lone Oak correspondent summed up the nature of Christmas then and now: “In spite of wind and weather, the coming of the holiday season is making happiness for both young and old.” NCM

COWETA HISTORY

58 | www.newnancowetamag.com

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

photo submitted

Newnan's James "Radar" Brantley, Newnan's Jordan Kinnard, Northgate's Laura Taylor and East Coweta's William Knott attended Knott's induction into the Georgia Athletic Trainers' Association's Hall of Fame.

Meet Coweta’s High School Athletic Trainers Kinnard tends to an injured player during a game. Athletic trainers perform a wide variety of duties on and off the field and are integral to a team's success.

In Coweta County, all three high schools are fortunate to have their own athletic trainers on campus: William Knott at East Coweta, Laura Taylor at Northgate, and Jordan Kinnard at Newnan High School. The hard work and dedication of these individuals often goes unnoticed due to the fact that the majority of their work takes place behind the scenes. Not only are athletic trainers responsible for rendering immediate medical care, but they are also tasked with a variety Written by MITCHELL KELLEY

november/december 2016 | 59

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

SUPERIOR SERVICE. UNBEATABLE PERFORMANCE.

of different jobs including handling paperwork to make sure athletes have everything they need to be eligible, rehabbing injured athletes daily, and preparing others for practice or games by stretching them or taping them up.

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Knott has served as the athletic trainer at East Coweta since 1983 when he was offered the job. He first became interested in athletic training during his 7th grade year at Yazoo City Junior High School back in 1964 when he was asked by Coach Sammy Howard to serve as the football team’s manager.

He then went on to college at Mississippi State in 1970 where he majored and also mastered in physical education. Eight years after graduating college in 1975, Knott accepted the job as East Coweta’s Athletic trainer. Knott’s favorite part of his job is “working with the kids … the athletes here show brain, heart, and courage to face and overcome the challenges in their sports which will transfer to life,” he said. Knott said that he would definitely recommend this career to people because of the “broadness of it and the opportunity it provides.”

NORTHGATE’S LAURA TAYLOR

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www.facebook.com/CowetaCountyFarmBureau 60 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Taylor has served as Northgate High School’s athletic trainer for the past two years and has been a certified athletic trainer for 14 years. She has been in and around sports her entire life and knew at the age of 12 she wanted to go into the world of sports medicine.

Taylor went to North Georgia College and majored in science with a concentration in athletic training. Her first job as an athletic trainer was with ProTherapy and she was contracted with Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga. She has also worked for Clayton State University, West Hall High School, North Hall High School, and Sandy Creek High School where she worked for 8 years prior to accepting the job as head trainer at Northgate two years ago.

Taylor said she took the job at Northgate so that she could be closer to home and work in her kids’ school district. She said that she loves what she does: “It is truly fulfilling to see these kids play their sport in high school … but then to watch them go onto college and play is great. The best feeling in

the world is seeing one of your former athletes (and I have 5) go on to play in the NFL and have them call me up when they are hurt and want me to check them out and work with them.”

Full Service Center

NEWNAN’S JORDAN KINNARD Jordan Kinnard is in her first year as Newnan High School’s athletic trainer. She became intrigued by the profession at the age of 9 when she began learning about jobs in the healthcare field. Kinnard majored in athletic training at UGA and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

During her time at UGA, she shadowed the head athletic trainer of UGA, Ron Courson, and from that point on she knew she wanted to be an athletic trainer. Her first on-the-job experience in the field was at Georgia Rehab in Newnan where she helped high school athletes rehab their injuries and assisted local high schools with anything they needed. While at Newnan Rehab, she assisted Newnan’s former athletic trainer, James “Radar” Brantley. When Brantley announced his retirement, Kinnard applied and received the position as Newnan High’s head athletic trainer.

When asked about her job, Kinnard stated, “I have a variety of duties that change day-to-day so my days are never the same. My work environment varies every minute of the day. [The athletes] keep me on my toes and make me enjoy coming to work each day.”

Jordan, Laura, and William do so much for all high school student athletes in Coweta County and the job they do should be commended by all. We are truly lucky to have them because not all schools in the state of Georgia are privileged enough to have athletic trainers.

NCM

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| 61

COWETA HOBBY

Christmas Crafts

shiny & bright Lynne Faulkner is always creative. But “this time of the year, for some reason, I feel especially creative,” she said.

G

rowing up in the 1970s, there was a lot of tinsel and glitter and shine to Christmas. “Shiny, glittery things just take me back to when I was a girl,” she said.

“Besides the glitter and everything shiny and bright, it’s just the being creative. It just seems like the perfect time of year to make things,” she said.

“There’s just something about Christmas that inspires me.”

So for Christmas, she makes ornaments and decorations, which she mostly gives as gifts to family and friends.

“I can make something special and give it to people, and it satisfies my need to craft. It also serves an additional purpose of having something to give to people that they can keep for a long time.”

Written and Photographed by SARAH FAY CAMPBELL 62 | www.newnancowetamag.com

COWETA HOBBY

“I like the idea of taking something that is used and abused and looks kind of sad, and making it pretty and usable.”

Lynne Faulkner has created a wide variety of Christmas crafts. Sometimes at a craft store, something will catch her eye, such as these globes and paper cones. When she buys it, she often doesn’t know what she’ll do with it, but something always comes. Small ornaments are some of her favorites.

It took years for Faulkner to find her niche. “I have always just felt like I was very creative, but it took a long time for me to really hone those skills.

I remember when I was a teenager taking wooden thread spools from my mom’s sewing room and I was cutting Christmas pictures out of magazines and newspaper and gluing them onto the spools.”

Faulkner’s crafting runs the gamut. Paper crafting is probably her favorite, and, oh, but she has the supplies. Stamps, punches and stacks of decorative paper. Many of the supplies came from her time as november/december 2016 | 63

COWETA HOBBY

When Christmas comes, Lynne Faulker is crafting snowmen. The bottom of each snowman is a clear glass ball, and Faulkner loves that she can fill the ball with just about anything.

a demonstrator for the Stampin’ Up paper craft supply company. Her kids joke that if she would sell off all her stamps she’d have a small fortune.

As a teen, she learned cross-stitch and embroidery from her mother. She prefers embroidery. “I just hate the counting in crossstitch. Embroidery seems a little easier for me.

You just follow the pattern.”

She’s not into crochet or knitting “because it takes too long. I like instant gratification. And cross-stitch just takes too long sometimes, to do something. With embroidery it goes pretty quickly, and you can have a finished product in no time.

She taught her daughters – and her sons – to embroider, and they would make monogrammed handkerchiefs for their grandparents and other gifts.

In the past few years, she has taken to buying old, ugly, used furniture and refreshing it.

64 | www.newnancowetamag.com

“I like the idea of taking something that is used and abused and looks kind of sad, and making it pretty and usable,” she said.

She also loves to collect vintage handkerchiefs and linens. And “I save glass jars like crazy.”

But come Christmas time, she’s busy making ornaments. For the past several years, she’s made a lot of foam-ball snowman ornaments. The bottom third of the snowman is a glass ball ornament, and she fills the ornaments with various sparkly things.

Many times when it comes to her crafts, “I don’t go to the store with a list and say ‘this is what I’m going to make’ and buy these supplies. I just go to the store, look and see what’s there. As I’m looking, these ideas just start coming to me. I see what catches my mind, and I’m just starting to put things together.”

She also likes to make candle holders, and miniature ornaments.

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COWETA HOBBY

If Faulkner had to pick one favorite craft, it would be paper crafting — using stamps, punches, and decorative paper to create items such as this Christmas card.

One reason she does so much around Christmas is that “And seeing the recipient of the gift enjoy it.” it’s colder and she’s inside a lot. But also, there’s a purpose Her mother’s Christmas tree is covered “with all the to the project. ornaments I’ve made over the years and given to her. She’s “If I don’t have a purpose for making something or sitting probably one of my biggest fans,” Faulkner said. down to create, I just won’t do it. I think at Christmas the She loves adding all the little details to a project. reason I’m so productive with my crafting is that I have a “Sometimes I’ll make something and I know it’s just not reason, either for my own decorating or my own tree or, finished yet. It’s finding that little special something to especially, to give as gifts.” finish it off. And you just know when it’s done. You know She’s sold her crafts a few times at bazaars and craft when it’s not done, either.” shows, but that’s not really her thing.

Another thing she likes is “using the unexpected,” “When I make to sell … I feel like I’m working and not Faulkner said. “That’s what I like about making these just crafting.” snowmen. In the glass balls, the possibilities are endless.”

She taught her children to craft, and now it’s the If the opening in the ball is big enough, she can put grandkids. She and her 4-year-old and 18-month-old a tiny Christmas tree inside. Or there can be glitter or grandchildren recently had “a date with Gigi to Hobby snowflakes, or tinsel. “It’s just using all these craft supplies Lobby,” and they made pumpkin votive holders with tissue in a different way,” she said. paper and glass globes.

She’s made tiny When it comes to Christmas gifts, a really important Christmas clip-on part of her creativity is in the packaging – whether it’s ornaments around bottle custom-stamped wrapping paper or cute decorative caps, and found some uses baskets. She’ll make handmade tags and get creative with for a pack of cardboard boxes. cones. “I didn’t know what “It’s not just the gift, it’s the way it’s presented, too. That’s I was going to do with just a lot of fun.” them, but I bought them.”

When asked what she likes about crafting, Faulkner “It’s just taking things thinks for a minute. and seeing what fun ways “Just the whole process from beginning to end. From I can use them.” picking out my supplies to executing that idea and making NCM it a reality and then seeing that end product,” she said.

66 | www.newnancowetamag.com

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COWETA COOKS!

COWETA COOKS!

Local cooks share their favorite recipes

Corn Casserole 1 can 1 can 2 1 stick 4 2 tbsp. ¼ cup

whole kernel corn, drained creamed corn eggs, beaten butter, melted heaping tbsp. all-purpose flour sugar diced green or red bell pepper

1 cup whole milk ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese ¼ tsp. each salt and pepper Combine all ingredients and pour into a greased casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes.

— submitted by Elise Farham

68 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Sweet Potato Souffle 4 to 5 1 cup 2 ½ cup ½ tsp.

1 tsp.

1 tsp.

medium sweet potatoes sugar eggs, beaten milk salt vanilla flavoring nutmeg or cinnamon

dine-in ~ carry out ~ catering

TOPPING 1 cup ½ cup 1 cup ¾ stick

light brown sugar self-rising flour chopped pecans butter, softened

Either boil or bake the sweet potatoes until done and let them cool enough that you can peel them. Mash the sweet potatoes, then add the next 6 ingredients. Thoroughly mix together and pour into a buttered baking dish (2 ½ qt.). Mix all the topping ingredients together and drop spoonfuls or pinches all over the sweet potato mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes (when done the topping should be a medium brown).

— submitted by Teresa Marshall

1111 Highway 34 East Newnan, GA 30265

770-254-1212 chinchinnewnan.com

november/december 2016 | 69

COWETA COOKS!

Baked Chicken Breasts with Gruyere and Mushrooms 2 to 3

chicken breasts, boned and skinned 4 eggs, well beaten ½ tsp. salt 1 cup fine bread crumbs 8 tbsp. butter ½ lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced 4 oz.

Gruyere cheese, shredded 1 cup chicken stock juice of 1 lemon

Onion Dip 2-8 oz. packs 1 bunch 1 pack

cream cheese green onions, chopped thin-sliced spicy beef, chopped in small pieces (I think it comes in 3 oz. package usually with the luncheon meat) 1 large container French onion dip milk to thin Mix by stirring all ingredients together using milk to thin to the consistency you want.

— submitted by Teresa Marshall

Marinated Carrots 1 lb.

1 1 ½ cup ½ cup ¾ cup 1 tsp.

1 tsp.

1 cup

carrots, sliced bell pepper, chopped onion, chopped sugar oil vinegar mustard Worchestershire sauce tomato soup salt & pepper to taste

Cook carrots and drain. Put onion and bell pepper in a bowl that can handle the boiling sauce, add the carrots into the bowl. Bring all other ingredients to a rolling boil.

— submitted by Teresa Marshall 70 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Cut boned breasts into strips, about 1” wide. Marinate in egg and salt mixture for 1 hour. Roll chicken in bread crumbs to coat. Brown lightly in butter in small pan. Transfer to 1-1/2 qt. casserole. Slice mushrooms over chicken. Sprinkle cheese over mushrooms. Pour chicken stock over all. Bake in 350 degree oven 30 minutes or until heated through. Pour fresh lemon juice over casserole just before serving.

— submitted by Terry Farrelly My New York neighbor gave me this recipe. It can be made ahead, then warmed to serving temperature. Can be served with rice or rice pilaf, fresh asparagus and green beans, and a nice salad. It’s a show stopper for company!

Pineapple Mandarin Orange Cake

FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT

CAKE 1 pkg.

Duncan Hines Golden Butter Cake mix ½ stick butter ¾ cup milk 3 eggs 1-11 oz. can Mandarin oranges, drained

ICING 1-12 oz. cont. Cool Whip 1-20 oz. can crushed pineapple in thick syrup (drain juice into a bowl & set aside) 1-3 ¾ oz. instant vanilla pudding mix Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare three 9” cake pans.

Combine all cake ingredients and mix on medium speed for 3 minutes. Do not over mix. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool layers. Mix all icing ingredients on medium speed until well mixed, adding pineapple juice as needed to thin to consistency for icing the cake.

Once layers have cooled, place first layer on cake plate, spread some icing on it, put next layer on and ice it, put last layer on and finish by icing the entire cake.

— submitted by Teresa Marshall

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Cook until thick, cool. Add nuts if desired, or sprinkle nuts on after filling is spread. (I have found that sprinkling finely chopped pecans on after filling is spread ensures that they are evenly dispersed.)

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DOUGH 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup 3 1 tsp.

1 tsp.

1 tsp.

4 cups

brown sugar sugar shortening eggs vanilla soda salt flour

Cream shortening, then add sugars, then eggs, then vanilla. Sift dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Dough needs to be fairly stiff.

Divide dough into 2 parts, chill.

Roll out dough ¼” thick, spread with date mixture, sprinkle on finely chopped nuts.

Roll up in waxed paper. Set away in the ice box for several hours (up to 5 days) before slicing with a sharp knife (a cheese cutter works well, too), and bake at 350 degrees until done.

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My mother was so good at doing this recipe, her cookies turned out perfect little pinwheels, very pretty at Xmas! My effort isn’t quite so pretty yet, but still tasty!

— Submitted by Elise Farnham

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This recipe was passed down from my grandmother, Tillie Schmitz, to my mother, Leona Baalmann, to me, and now to you! Hope you and your family enjoy it as much as my family has enjoyed it over these many, many years! Since my mother was born in 1913, and her mother was making these cookies long before then, this recipe is most likely more than 100 years old! Certainly tried and true!

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ASK COWETA

Holiday Traditions: Simplicity or extravagance is the question

The holiday season is one of the most anticipated seasons of the year. The joys of spending time with friends, decking the halls with holly, shopping and exchanging gifts and of course the good food, are memories that are forever remembered and longed to be discovered again; however, many Cowetans are deciding to simplify their holiday traditions.

H

oliday traditions and celebrations started out simple. Children would get a toy and fruit and enjoy dinner and caroling and putting up a tree a few days before Christmas, but through the years, many holiday celebrants began making a very long Christmas list and extensively decorating to make the yuletide bright. Until the last couple of years, many Cowetans would contact

Written and Photographed by KANDICE BELL 74 | www.newnancowetamag.com

The Newnan Times-Herald inviting locals to come and enjoy their elaborate Christmas decoration, whether it be lights, outside or indoor decor, nativity or even train displays.

So why are locals, and people abroad, starting to go back to the simple, good ol’ days? According to University of West Georgia Anthropology Professor Dr. Marjorie Snipes, this concept of simplicity has been in the midst since the 1960s, but was not totally welcome.

Dr. Marjorie Snipes, anthropology professor at University of West Georgia, said that many people are getting back to simplicity for the holidays and focusing on spending time with family.

Snipes looked up a piece from the December 1961 issue of Redbook Magazine, a magazine geared towards issues and interests of women in America. In this particular issue Margaret Mead, an American cultural anthropologist who frequently appeared as an author and speaker in the mass media during the 1960s and 1970s, wrote an article discussing these same questions but in a different manner, asking the question, “Are we overworking the holiday spirit?”

“It was very interesting that she was talking about this back then,” Snipes said. “Margaret Mead had an interest in contemporary social customs in the U.S. and she saw this happening earlier than other people did, well into excessive display in 1961; so I agree that many people are making a return towards a more minimal or more simple holiday.”

Snipes explained that cultural cycles can be seen repeatedly through history, and staging or making things look pretty had become important in november/december 2016 | 75

ASK COWETA

“Currently, there’s a big focus on this idea of quality time and being together and celebrating the event instead of setting up for it.” everyday life and events.

“Things tend to increase and then diminish after they reach a peak,” Snipes explained. “Staging has become so burdensome, so simplicity is occurring in numerous areas of our lives, not just during holidays. This can be seen in education. For example, people are increasingly moving to homeschooling and simple core values.

The pastor at my church even said Sunday school attendance is down and that church findings prove that many people prefer to attend community events through the week, because it seems to meet the family needs better of getting back to the basics.”

Snipes said many families or other gift-swapping groups may set a budget or a cap of what is required to be spent on gift exchanging, which reflects Mead’s explanation of the weight of gift-giving obligation around Christmas and unreciprocated gift-giving to so many people such as employees, postmen, doormen, etc. She talks about “carefully calculated reciprocal giving,” which means that many people feel obligated to give gifts that hold the same economical value.

“After Christmas, many people suffer with buyer’s remorse,” Snipes said. “This can be seen in peers in the younger generation, but now we are getting an interest in minimizing and not having so much stuff. For example, my family Christmas gifts are consumable, such as food items or something that won’t collect on the shelf. What we really want to convey to the other person is they matter to us and they’re special. The last several years we’ve begun to experience the burden of the things we receive – children tripping over toys and it’s difficult to know what to do. I believe many people are experiencing this.”

Snipes went on to say that many readers wrote letters to the Redbook Magazine editor in March 1962, criticizing the anthropologist and her thoughts about overdoing the holidays.

“People wrote back saying she had lost her holiday spirit and had an uninteresting life,” Snipes added.

The anthropology professor said the idea of getting back to the basics was not too far-fetched.

“There’s a growing awareness that authenticity is an important concept,” she said. “Instead of having the 76 | www.newnancowetamag.com

real, original thing, we have copies and we’ve gotten so far from the original content, we’re actually missing it. People are seeking substance and authenticity – the real meaning and understanding that contact with people in our lives brings more substance, more value to us than just staging or making everything look right and not focusing on the authenticity.

“Currently, there’s a big focus on this idea of quality time and being together and celebrating the event instead of setting up for it.”

So, what are Cowetans’ #HolidayTraditions? Are we getting back to basics or creating new traditions? Here are some results from a poll taken by The Newnan Times-Herald and how some locals are concentrating on the meaning of the holiday to their families.

When it comes to Thanksgiving, do you go for the turkey and trimmings at home, or go out for dinner?

Tina Hardegree Marsh Home. My 80 year old mother, bless her, still insists on doing the turkey and dressing — two pans of dressing — one with onions and one without for the picky eaters! We do all the rest of the fixin’s.

Abbie Grace Griffith My dad is from Chicago. Every Thanksgiving he has Giordano’s flown down. It’s a huge thing in our family. People think we are crazy having pizza for Thanksgiving but if you’ve had fresh Giordano’s in the restaurant, you can understand why!

Cathy Juby Winkley Home with family and friends.

When it comes time for Christmas do you like to hit the road, or is there no place like home?

Misty Lester Home. We will travel and are game for parties on any day except Christmas Day. We stay home with our kids then.

ASK COWETA

Nancy McGuffey Home Sweet Home!!!

that called, Bad Santa? We all have so much, it’s just ridiculous for adults to run around and shop

Ann Ferreira My career was traveling and yes, I was away working on Christmas Day for years. That in turn made me love being at home … no place like home!

When it comes to Christmas Cards, do you snail mail traditional cards or use an eCard?

Marsha Lyons Handwritten, hand-addressed and hand stamped with love until the day I die!

Amber Rhodes Snail mail! Love, love, love receiving cards in the mail.

Megan Beaman Homemade gifts.

Ann Ferreira

Decorating — Do you deck the halls or go simple and low-key?

Abbie Grace Griffith Deck the halls … but at medium level. I always think about how I also have to put it all away in just a few weeks.

Kristie L. Stewart Low-key and all about Jesus.

Sally Hensley My daughter has a collection of about 125 nutcrackers, most handmade. They are great hall-deckers!

There are many ways to celebrate the holidays,

Gift giving — Actual gifts or gift cards?

Brenda Pawloski No gifts, just a wonderful meal together, conversation and fun activities. If you must have gifts, maybe just for kids 10 and under. Maybe for adults only I would allow one of those gift games where you get to exchange a gift; what is

but what really matters is spending time with the ones you love, the way you love. So whether you decide to be extravagant or simple, as long as you enjoy your #holidaytraditions, the season will be merry and bright.

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Tracie Hicks I am not a fan of the letters that people send out at Christmas time that are multiple pages of every detail of their life – that should be an email.

But I LOVE sending and receiving traditional Christmas cards in the mail, and think the cards that include a few pictures are the best!

For more information on advertising opportunities in Newnan-Coweta Magazine, please call

for each other. Not to be mean, but that is the stuff that ends up at yard sales.

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november/december 2016 | 77

ASK COWETA

Thankful Cowetans “I

am thankful for the daily interaction I have with children and young people and their families in my church and in my art classroom.

They give me hope for the future. I am thankful that I can participate in these precious unfolding lives.”

— Bette Hickman, Art Teacher and 2016 Richard Brooks Visionary in the Arts Award winner

“I

am thankful for my family, my good life, and good health in old age!”

— Polly Garlington, Sharpsburg

City Council member

“I

am thankful for the Piedmont Newnan Hospital team. Because of their dedication and commitment to serving the healthcare needs of our community, this a great place to work, for our physicians to practice medicine and for our patients to receive very good care. This compassionate, quality care makes our patients, families, visitors, and co-workers feel special and always safe. I am also thankful for the support of our community and patients. As a not-for-profit organization, their support contributes to our success and enables us to give back to this community.”

— Mike Robertson, CEO, Piedmont Newnan Hospital

78 | www.newnancowetamag.com

“I

am thankful for my family and all the City employees that make Newnan such a special place to work and call home.

This City has provided so many opportunities to my family and I am forever thankful.” — Cleatus Phillips, City Manager, City of Newnan

“M

oreland Cultural Arts Alliance has much for which we are thankful this year! We are extremely grateful for the family members and friends of Lewis Grizzard who have donated his personal belongings and their own time to build our museum. We are also very grateful to all of those fans and friends who have donated funds to make our building projects possible. We are also very thankful that the Town of Moreland allows our group to house the museum in its historic municipal building. We are exceedingly thankful to the community and all who have visited for their interest and support. We are most especially thankful for these true blessings from above!”

— Carol Chancey, Manager of MCAA’s Moreland’s Hometown Heritage Museum, A New Tribute to Lewis Grizzard

“I

am thankful for a community that believes in prayer and is willing to help others in their time of need. The citizens of Newnan and Coweta County show their care and concern for others by contributing money, clothes, food and other items when others have a catastrophe in their life. This is done without expectation of recognition or expecting anything in return. While we may not know everyone, there is always someone willing to help out a stranger.”

— Chief Douglas L. (Buster) Meadows,

Newnan Police Department

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16 Jefferson Street | Newnan, GA 30263 | 770-304-3373 Expires 12/31/16. (Subscriptions must be paid in advance. Does not apply to mailed subscriptions.)

of

1

AROUND COWETA

CALENDAR NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

NOVEMBER

4-6

Christmas Artist Market Hours Vary | Free Admission Coweta County Fairgrounds Offerings will include original art, homemade crafts, photography and handmade jewelry. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Newnan-Coweta Art Association’s Scholarship Fund.

Coweta CASA Justice League 5K/10K

8:00 a.m. | $10-$45 | Senoia Public Library The route will give views of quaint neighborhoods, historic downtown Senoia and glimpses of the Walking Dead set. Race proceeds will benefit Coweta CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for children.

8

Election Day

Polls will be open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Holiday Sip and See

5:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Free Admission Downtown Newnan Downtown businesses will extend their business hours to introduce holiday gift items as well as special promotions and discounts. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will also be offered by participating establishments.

25

5

Santa on the Square

10

6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Free | Downtown Newnan Santa Claus will arrive from the North Pole to light the downtown Christmas tree. Children are welcome to visit with Santa and read him their Christmas lists.

80 | www.newnancowetamag.com

26

Small Business Saturday

See Individual Store Hours | Downtown Newnan Shop local small businesses and take advantage of sales and special promotions.

DECEMBER

1-4, 8-11 A Christmas Carol

8:00 p.m. (Thurs.-Sat.), 3:00 p.m. (Sundays) $10-$17 | Newnan Theatre Company Rediscover the true meaning of Christmas with the Charles Dickens classic.

City of Newnan Christmas Parade

10

6:00 p.m. | Free | Downtown Newnan Bring your family and friends to watch the parade and get into the holiday spirit.

The grand marshal will be Mary Frances Smith of the Newnan Police Department; she has been with the city since 1971. The theme will be “Songs of Christmas.”

16

Christmas with the Annie Moses Band

7:00 p.m. | $15 | The Donald W. Nixon Centre for Performing and Visual Arts The acclaimed classical crossover ensemble will perform holiday favorites.

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november/december 2016 | 81

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82 | www.newnancowetamag.com

FACES & PLACES

FALL TASTE OF NEWNAN

SUNRISE ON THE SQUARE 5K/10K ROAD RACE

november/december 2016 | 83

FACES & PLACES

COWETA

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84 | www.newnancowetamag.com

FACES & PLACES

MAIN STREET NEWNAN FALL ART WALK

THE LIFE AND ART OF R. DAVID BOYD EXHIBIT AT THE DONALD W. NIXON CENTRE FOR PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS

november/december 2016 | 85

FACES & PLACES

COWETA

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ST. GEORGE CATHOLIC CHURCH BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

86 | www.newnancowetamag.com

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Photo by Angela Munson

mas Lovett o h T y b o t o Ph

Photo by Joey B

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 92.5 The Bear...................................................87 Advanced Aesthetics, P.C. .............................. 6 Allspine ................................................................ 9 Arnall Grocery ..................................................27 Ashley Park ........................................................13 Atlanta Brick Co. ..............................................37 Atlanta Gastroenterology............................. 50 Atlanta Market Furniture and Accessories ...................................................67 The Bedford School........................................27 Brewton-Parker College................................39 C. S. Toggery ...................................................... 3 Cancer Treatment Centers of America ......92 Candy Vogue.....................................................41 Carriage House................................................37 Charlie’s Towing ..............................................39 Charter Bank .....................................................71 Chin Chin Chinese ......................................... 69 Christian City ..................................................... 11 Cosmetic Laser & Skin Care Center ...........73 Coweta Community Foundation .................29 Coweta Hearing Clinic .................................. 65 Coweta-Fayette EMC ..................................... 91 Dental Staff School .........................................29 Digestive Healthcare of Georgia, P.C. ......... 7 Discovery Point ................................................32 Ear, Nose & Throat Institute...........................71 Georgia Farm Bureau .................................... 60 Georgia Lawn Equipment ............................ 60 Habitat for Humanity ReStore ...................... 21 Hills and Dales Estate ....................................67 Insignia ...............................................................23 Jack Peek’s Sales ............................................49 Joe Dion State Farm ....................................... 81 Kemp's Dalton West Flooring ...................... 50 Lee-King Pharmacy ........................................67 The Loft at Due South .....................................17 Lyons & Boorne Jewelry Company .............14 Main Street Newnan ......................................... 8 Mama Lucia's .....................................................12 Massage Envy ..................................................72 Musicology ........................................................ 77 The Newnan Centre ...................................... 65 Newnan Dermatology ....................................55 Newnan Station Tire & Automotive .............61 The Newnan Times-Herald...........................79 Pain Care ............................................................. 5 Piedmont Healthcare ....................................... 2 Pontoni Hair Design & Skin Care .................. 8 Renee Horton Agency/American Family Insurance .......................................................43 Shepard Financial, Inc. ................................. 15 Somerby Peachtree City ...............................26 South Atlanta Leisure .....................................32 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church ..........................55 Stephanie Fagerstrom State Farm Insurance .......................................................32 StoneBridge Early Learning Center............72 Thomas Eye Group .........................................45 The Trammell House Bed & Breakfast ......32 Uniglobe Travel Partners ..............................23 United Bank ........................................................ 4 Vein Specialists of Georgia ..........................73 Wesley Woods of Newnan ............................33 Yellowstone Landscape .................................61

january/february preview

what's

next

WISHING A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF OUR READERS! We look forward to bringing you much more of Newnan and Coweta County’s best and most interesting people, places and things throughout 2017!

details

Magazine Advertising Deadline December 9, 2016

Next Publication Date: January 6, 2017

For more information on advertising opportunities in Newnan-Coweta Magazine, please call

770.683.1707

“I wanted to go to a place for cancer treatment that would be beneficial to me, my diagnosis and my lifestyle.”

Jennifer Thigpen Breast Cancer Patient

When you’re going through something like cancer, you want your doctor to be knowledgeable in your specific disease. And for me, knowledge meant power. I felt that both my breast surgeon and my oncologist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) were experts in the breast cancer field. I liked the idea of having everything in one facility.

My doctors were able to talk with each other, share records, share ideas—I also liked the sense of urgency.

Everyone here had the same goal in mind.

To get my appointments scheduled quickly, get me into treatment as soon as possible, and fight my cancer. That’s what made me want to come to CTCA® in Newnan. And I’m so glad I did.

To learn more about our specialists in Newnan, visit cancercenter.com/advanced or call 888.845.2471

november/december 2016 | 92

No case is typical. You should not expect to experience these results.