2018 November/December NCM

BO PULL-NOUS UT!

Holiday P lann Guide ing

CHRISTMAS COOKIE CONTEST Winners share best recipes NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2018 COMPLIMENTARY COPY

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Merry Christmas During this holiday season, we wish you all the best.

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• On-call services, a nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

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• Social worker support services • Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy

• Bereavement support for the family for up to 13 months

• Home health aide • Homemaker services • Standardized medical equipment • Volunteer opportunities

A Publication of The Newnan Times-Herald

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Vice President

Publishers

Editor

Creative Directors

Production Director

Contributing Writers

William W. Thomasson Marianne C. Thomasson C. Clayton Neely and Elizabeth C. Neely Jackie Kennedy Sandy Hiser, Sonya Studt Debby Dye Nancy Croy-Anyanonu

Susan Mayer Davis

Marty Hohmann

Jackie Kennedy

Frances Kidd

Emily Kimbell

Neil Monroe

Jeffrey Ward

Martha A. Woodham

Photography

Jackie Kennedy

Emily Kimbell

Neil Monroe

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Beth Neely

Jeffrey Ward

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

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thisissue

CONTENTS NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018

50 our

features

24 | Extra! Extra!

Cowetans put their passion for the movies in action when they work as background actors in productions filmed here. By Emily Kimbell

28 | Snowman’s Run “Smokey and the Bandit” lives on—and veterans are helped—thanks to Newnan resident Tyler Hambrick’s annual cross-country convoy.

By Jeffrey Ward

12 | www.newnancowetamag.com

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28

CONTENTS — continued

Our Doctors George Ballantyne, M.D. Our Doctors Michael Cushing, M.D. George Ballantyne, M.D. Michael Gruber, M.D. Michael Cushing, M.D. David Heinsch, Michael Gruber,M.D. M.D. DavidKessler, Heinsch,M.D. M.D. Chad Chad Kessler, M.D. Jayson McMath, M.D. Jayson McMath, M.D. Jack Powell, III, M.D. Jack Powell, III, M.D.

32 | Hope for the Homeless

Our Physician Assistants Darron Baham, P.A.-C. Our Physician Assistants Darron Baham, P.A.-C. Beth Fleming, Beth JaredFleming, Shafer,P.A.-C. P.A.-C. Dianna Johnson, P.A.-C. Rusty Smith, P.A.-C. Jared Shafer, P.A.-C. Rusty Smith, P.A.-C.

A look into local homelessness reveals the plights of those homeless and how various Coweta County organizations reach out to help. By Neil Monroe

42 | Battling Addiction Like the nation at large, Coweta County is dealing with an opioid crisis as many residents battle alcohol and/or drug addiction.

By Susan Mayer Davis

56 | Best Baked Christmas Cookies Newnan-Coweta Magazine’s Bake Your Best Christmas Cookie Contest Grand Prize Winner Amy Feaster and others share their winning recipes. By Jackie Kennedy ORTHOPAEDIC EXCELLENCE. EXCEPTIONAL CARE. ORTHOPAEDIC EXCELLENCE. EXCEPTIONAL CARE.

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on the cover Newnan teens Donalee Blake, left, and Rebecca Dyer volunteer on Saturdays to serve their community by packing food boxes at Bridging the Gap. ➤ See Non-profit Spotlight, page 50 Photo by Beth Neely

...br y eakin vert o p l g the cha ins of generationa

aff cke rs

52 ting .. .frustra

r nt a hum

...pro viding h ope & healing

HOPE for Children & Families

56 16 | Roll Call 18 | From the Editor 64 | Coweta Home 50 | Nonprofit Spotlight 68 | Coweta Garden 72 | Coweta History 74 | Coweta to Me 76 | Book Review 78 | Blacktop 80 | Coweta Calendar 82 | Index of Advertisers 82 | Coweta Scene

Children’s Village

Residential Program Crossroads Foster Care & Adoption Program

Safe Place Runaway &

Homeless Youth Program Thrive Graduate Transition Program

Get info / get involved: christiancity.org 770-703-2636

7345 Red Oak Rd., Union City, GA

We invite you to our...

Monday, Nov. 12, 6-9pm Bistro Hilary, Senoia, Georgia An evening of lovely French cuisine, a silent auction, and an informational program about fostering and adopting and how our Crossroads program can help.

Tickets: christiancity.org or 770-703-2636

Roll Call Susan Mayer Davis lives with husband Larry and golden retriever King Charles V (Charlie). “Have computer, will write” is her motto. What she enjoys most about writing for NCM is meeting great people when she researches articles and then sharing their stories. “It’s fun,” she says, “but it’s also a privilege.”

Beth Neely is a Coweta native and copublisher of The Newnan Times-Herald.

When she’s not working, she can usually be found up to her elbows in a garden or catching critters with her kids. She lives in Newnan with her family.

Neil Monroe is a retired corporate communicator whose career included positions with The Southern Company, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Delta Airlines and Coca-Cola Enterprises. His roots are in community journalism, having worked 10 years with local newspapers in the South Metro area. He and his wife, Rayleen, live in Sharpsburg where they enjoy tennis, golf and grandchildren.

Marty Hohmann is a career journalist whose sweet spot is in good, old-fashioned storytelling.

When she isn’t writing, she enjoys cooking, gardening and making her home a place where people want to gather around the dinner table and share a tale or two.

Martha A. Woodham became a Coweta County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer (MGEV) in 2014. As such, she often writes about gardening for local publications. Unfortunately, that doesn’t leave her much time to work in her own garden, but she still manages to grow a tomato or two each summer.

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Be sure to check us out at www.facebook.com/Dblbarhstables 16 | www.newnancowetamag.com

OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Nancy Croy-Anyanonu is a native of Ohio who moved to the Newnan area to be closer to family, especially three grandchildren and two grand dogs. She spent 40 years in the real estate field. Along with being with her grandchildren, she enjoys reading, freelance writing and learning about the history of Newnan and the South.

Jeffrey Ward describes himself as an “old retired guy” who loves Zumba and pickleball. He’s a native San Franciscan, Vietnam vet and University of Washington communications grad with a 50-year career in aviation. He’s been married 46 years, has two adult children and six grandchildren, and is a foodie and Facebook junkie.

Emily Kimbell is an English doctoral student and graduate teaching assistant at Georgia State University. As an active member of her community, she enjoys archiving artifacts at the local historical society, exploring the city’s historic cemetery, and acting in local theatre productions.

Sara Moore’s friendly smile is the first to greet you when visiting The Newnan Times-Herald. Her warm and welcoming nature influences her photography by putting her subjects at ease. She enjoys living the quiet country life while residing in Newnan with her husband, horses, dogs, chickens and ducks.

Frances Kidd is a Newnan native who spent most of her adult years away from Coweta County, working as a nonprofit and marketing consultant.

Although she’s an avid traveler, she never lost her Southern accent. If she’s not in Georgia, you can find her out in the country in Italy.

Join us for our annual

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Holiday Parties!

Leave the planning and preparation to us! Dates are booking quickly, so call now to reserve yours!

Enjoy a Festive tea plate and hot tea assortment while listening to Christmas Carols played by our favorite local pianist! Small groups welcome! Perfect for hosting you Christmas Ladies’ Outing!

RSVP through Eventbrite or call 770-251-1206 |

83 Greenville St., Newnan |

www.lilliangardens.com

Letter from the Editor

Someone’s Always Watching: Let Them See Hope

I

was a senior in high school when a lesson my church youth leader had been trying to teach us teenagers finally sank in: Someone’s always watching.

Maybe because I’ve spent much of my life depending on interview notes, my memory’s not the best. But I can remember the stoplight I was driving up on when this revelation struck me almost 40 years ago. It’s one of those rare moments stuck in time, a perfectly preserved image in the slideshow of life.

Something in that moment informed me that my actions mattered and that my life was more than about me. Because others notice what you do and say, even

when you’re unaware—mostly when you’re unaware—it’s important that your actions and words be worthy of emulation.

Of course, when that red light turned green, I hit the gas in my 1978 Firebird and sped on with life— making bad decisions, setting a bad example, saying words and doing things I’d later regret, sometimes within seconds.

In other words, even though enlightened with a grand epiphany, I’d fail to live up to it time and time again. But, through the grace of God, there have been other times I somehow hit the mark, did the right thing or said something that mattered.

This is life. We try, we fail. We try, we succeed. We try, we fail again.

Mostly, and what’s important, we try.

In our community, someone’s always watching. And there’s a lot to see—good, bad and ugly.

Coweta County ranks sixth among 159 Georgia counties for opioid abuse and misuse. Crime reports are filled with minor and major incidents, from petty shoplifting to gang violence and murder. Some people who try, succeed, try and fail, are homeless here. Many are hungry and hurting. Some see or feel little hope.

At the same time, plenty of Cowetans believe it matters less how their fellow humans got in to their

After dinner out with Nelson and Michelly Furtado, of West Point, their daughter Sophia reminds me that someone’s always watching. (I had no clue she was studying me until her mom sent the photos. Thanks, Michelly!)

18 | www.newnancowetamag.com

current situation than what can be done to help them out. These folks are all about hope, always trying to make a positive difference. They offer meals for the hungry, shower facilities for the homeless, and recovery for the addicted. They rise to the occasion to provide material help and, even more important, invaluable hope.

In this issue of Newnan-Coweta Magazine, we focus on some local needs and a few individuals and organizations working to meet them.

You’ll read about homelessness— and folks working to provide them a home; drug and alcohol addiction— and recovering addicts trying to help people with whom they identify; and sickness—and a lady who overcame it and now shares her gratitude and “Don’t Give Up” spirit to strengthen others.

These are folks worthy of watching, worthy of emulating. And we appreciate the hope they inspire.

This holiday issue also features winning recipes from our Bake Your Best Christmas Cookie Contest. And we’ve put together a holiday guide, ’Tis the Season, to help you navigate local events focused on Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

There’s rarely a time when I approach that stoplight from four decades ago without recalling that someone’s always watching.

In this season of holy holidays, it’s comforting to know that someone’s always watching over us, too.

Jackie Kennedy, Editor magazine@newnan.com

KICK START YOUR CAREER

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Classes begin January 7 FINANCIAL AID/ADMISSIONS PRIORITY DEADLINE NOV. 15

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www.westgatech.edu As set forth in its student catalog, West Georgia Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, veteran status, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Equity (Title IX) coordinator is V.P. of Student Affairs. ADA (Section 504) coordinator is V.P. of Administrative Services. Both are located at 401 Adamson Square, Carrollton, GA 30117. 678.664.0400

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Thank You Coweta for a successful 2018 Your generous donations, sponsorships and attendance at our events

have helped us support the nonprofits through grants, educational tools, resources, and our programs such as our Community Service Team that benefits Coweta and it’s citizens.

And Special Thanks to our Annual Sponsors

Thank you for your support,

cowetafoundation.org

20 | www.newnancowetamag.com

ncmspotlight

Christmas Parade Grand Marshals Bill and Anita Headley: “The Epitome of Good Citizens” Written and Photographed

by JACKIE KENNEDY

C

hristmas is a big deal for the Headley family, according to its patriarch, Bill Headley, founder of Headley Construction Company in Newnan.

“Anita cooks a big Christmas Eve dinner, and all the kids and grandkids come over and we eat and open gifts,” he says. “Then they head home to prepare for Christmas with their families, and we go to the late night Christmas Eve service at our church.”

This year, Christmas comes early for the couple when, on Dec. 8, they serve as grand marshals for the annual Newnan Christmas Parade.

“They were chosen to lead the parade due to their great contributions and philanthropic efforts to the community and city of Newnan over the past several years,” says Newnan’s Christmas Commission Chair Norma Haynes.

“They are both great contributors to the community and truly represent what hardworking folks can do for the community. They are the epitome of good citizens, and we are honored to have them represent in this year’s parade.”

“They couldn’t find anybody else to do it,” says Bill, shrugging off the praise with homespun humility.

Bill was raised in Alexander City, Ala., and Anita, born in LaGrange, grew up in Randolph County, Ala. “We grew up poor,” says Bill.

“We didn’t know we were poor,” says Anita.

“We did,” says Bill.

Anita was raised in the rural countryside. Bill grew up in a mill village. Both families were poor but hardworking.

Married since 1961, the Headleys

exude an abiding love for one another and joyful mischief in their relationship.

Anita still balks about the time one of their sons bought his dad a life-size poster of actress Jaclyn Smith that Bill tacked to the inside door of a closet. Bill reminds Anita of the years-long crush she had on Burt Reynolds.

Married in 1961, the couple have four sons—Bill Jr., Mitchell, Matthew and Luke—and 11 grandchildren. The three younger sons work in the family construction business while Bill Jr. practices medicine in Jesup.

Bill and Anita moved their family and business to Newnan in 1972 and raised their sons up in church, construction, and the Boy Scouts of America. Each son made Eagle Scout, the organization’s highest rank.

Retired from work as a registered nurse, Anita volunteered at Coweta

“God didn’t tell us exactly what he wanted us to do, so we thought we’d try this for a little while to see if he’d bless it. And believe me, he has.” — Anita Headley november/december 2018 | 21

ncmspotlight

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Samaritan Clinic until scaling back on her activities following an accident last year. She still attends a weekly Bible study at Central Baptist Church where she’s active in a weekly food program that involves preparing and delivering meals to 150 people. The program turns 30 in November.

“We had a prayer retreat in November 1988,” Anita says when recalling the project’s origins. “God didn’t tell us exactly what he wanted us to do, so we thought we’d try this for a little while to see if he’d bless it. And believe me, he has.”

Multiple church members participate in the program with some cooking food used to prepare the meals and others arranging plates and delivering them. Anita usually washes dishes after the weekly prep work at the church.

“We take them to different people for a variety of reasons, like if someone has surgery and can’t cook,” says Anita. “The meals must be nutritious, presentable, and must last through lunch and dinner.”

While Anita has worked the past three decades to feed hungry people, Bill has spent much of the past 30 years active with the Center for Citizens Initiatives, a national organization that promotes friendship between Americans and Russians.

“We’ve been having Russians here in Newnan—trying to teach them Capitalism—since it was the Soviet Union,” says Bill, who traveled to Russia for the first time in September.

“I met Gorbachev and shook his hand.”

Since retiring from leading Headley Construction 21 years ago, Bill has earned a private pilot’s license, hiked the Appalachian Trail and was named Coweta Citizen of the Year for 2005. In May 2017, two weeks before he turned 82, he graduated from the University of West Georgia with his first college diploma.

Bill is 83 now, and Anita is 79. Their latest concern is for the homeless in Coweta County. Bill has pitched an idea to develop property he owns at Sargent into a center for homeless Cowetans to provide them with food and shelter, job skills, counseling—and hope.

“We want to help people who are down on their luck, to give them a chance,” says Bill. “Everybody I talk with about it is all for it. All we need is money and people. I don’t know what the next step is. I’m praying about it—praying for guidance.”

His own hope, says Bill, “is in Christ.”

He shares the message of hope—and humor—when teaching Sunday School at Central Baptist each week.

“It’s the old men’s class,” he says. “When we graduate, we go to Oak Hill Cemetery.”

For more on Bill Headley’s hopes for the homeless, see page 32.

NCM

22 | www.newnancowetamag.com

At Southern States Bank, we believe the most important thing is our relationships with our customers. In each of the markets we serve, we pride ourselves on our local, experienced bankers and their ability to understand your needs—people like Brett Johnston in Newnan and David Ridgeway in Atlanta.

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EXTRA! EXTRA! Written by EMILY KIMBELL

Working as an extra in movie or TV productions is a parttime passion for some Cowetans, but the average day of a background actor isn’t particularly glamorous. Hours are long, porta-potties are the norm, food is only sometimes provided, and meet-and-greets with the stars are rare occurrences. Yet each day is an exciting adventure into the world of film.

Working as an extra gives anyone the chance to be part of the film industry. As Senoia resident and frequent background actor Susan Boone says, “We get paid to dress up and play pretend.”

For more than 20 years, Boone worked as a prosecutor in New Hampshire, but when she and her husband moved to Georgia, she wanted to do something different. Now, every week, Boone gets the chance to try a new job by working as a television and movie extra, playing the role of nurse, bank teller, prison guard, paparazzi and police detective. She’s been known to play roles the exact opposite of her real life.

“Being a prosecutor, one of the most fun things to shoot was

Susan Boone, left, and Michelle Hartwig Rich find that working as background actors is loads of fun that puts a little cash in their pockets, too.

(Photo by Kristen DeSantis)

24 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Gabe Bowles performs in “Big Fish,” December 2016, at Theatrical Outfit.

(Photo by Christopher Bartelski)

being in jail,” she says.

Boone frequently works on set with friend and Newnan resident Michelle Hartwig Rich, who similarly got into background acting three and a half years ago. While employed as a social worker, Rich became interested in acting after hearing about a local casting call on TV. She remembers thinking, “What an amazing opportunity to get to be behind the scenes and see how the magic comes together.”

That’s still a huge part of why she continues to work as a background actor.

Rich first appeared as an extra on TV One’s 2013 original movie, “A Christmas Blessing.” Since then, she has worked on set at least once a week. She describes her job as a “professional reactor,” noting that it’s important for background actors to react in the exact same way every take of a scene.

“This can create an uncomfortable situation if the background actor decides to move in an awkward way,” says Rich, recalling

Gabe Bowles, third from right, poses with new “Cobra Kai” karate students in December 2017.

(Photo by Cindy Gauntt Bowles)

a death scene she was in. “Dead was not as fun as I thought it would be. I decided to die with my eyes open, which meant no blinking.”

Extra work has its exciting moments as well. Boone and Rich remember the day they were booked for “The Walking Dead.”

The two hoped for one day on set, and both have worked more than 40 days over the past two seasons as Kingdomers on the hit TV show filmed in and around Senoia.

“Shooting zombies on ‘The Walking Dead’ is the coolest thing I’ve done,” says Rich.

Fifteen-year-old Newnan native Gabe Bowles began working as a background actor to better his acting resume. Bowles got his start as a performer at Newnan Theatre Company and soon moved up to professional roles and classes. A year and a half ago, he got his first role as an extra playing a middle school student in the CBS television show “MacGyver.” His acting career really started to take off last spring when he was cast as a recurring

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extra in the new YouTube original series “Cobra Kai,” a comedy-drama series based on “The Karate Kid” films. Bowles plays one of the 12 Cobra Kai dojo kids and says working on the set of “Cobra Kai” has been a highlight of his career.

“I got to use my karate experience, and everyone on the set was so nice,” says the teen. He even had his own trailer one day and was able to do his own stunts during filming. The most fun stunt, he says, was breaking a glass window.

“I was a little nervous at first, but it felt awesome,” says Bowles. “Only in the movies can I get paid to break a window.”

While being an extra is an exciting job, it also can be demanding.

“Extra work makes for a very flexible job, but you aren’t guaranteed work,” says Boone. “If you are counting on this to pay your bills, don’t do it.”

Most extra jobs pay minimum wage and require long hours. Rich has spent 20 hours at one shoot.

“And your call time and location come the night before shooting,” she says, noting that she’s even had call times at 4:30 in the morning.

Locals involved in background acting have formed their own sort of community to help with the demands of the industry. Boone and Rich often spend nights at Nic and Norman’s restaurant in Senoia watching episodes of “The Walking Dead” while celebrating their work and looking out for their friends. Boone usually has to watch each episode twice.

“I end up missing entire storylines because I’m watching the background,” she explains.

Spotting friends in the background is second only to the excitement of seeing oneself on screen. Even after several years of working on set, Rich finds it exciting.

“It’s kind of like ‘Where’s Waldo?’” she says. “My family gets really excited when I pop up somewhere.”

Likewise, Bowles feels a sense of amazement when he sees his face on TV. “It’s weird seeing yourself on screen,” he says. “After watching myself, I thought, ‘What? That’s me on primetime television?’”

For anyone wanting to get involved with background acting, Bowles offers this advice: “It’s definitely a numbers game, so submit as much as you can.”

Those looking for potential work as a background actor can register for casting agency mailing lists, follow agencies on social media and sign up on popular casting network sites like Project Casting Atlanta, Central Casting, TaylorMade Productions and Hylton Casting.

“You just never know,” says Rich. “You have to go to set with no expectations, have a great time, and just see what happens.”

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EAST BOUND AND

DOWN Snowman's Run for Wounded Veterans Written and Photographed by JEFFREY WARD

The movie “Smokey and the Bandit” has been spoofed as a documentary on mid-century Southern culture, but the past 40 years have failed to dim its enduring popularity.

Movie devotees Tyler Hambrick, of Newnan, and Ron Franks, of Cumming, are two among legions of “Smokey and the Bandit” fans, but they take their devotion further than most.

Once a year, Hambrick and Franks join friends and guests on a cross-country convoy to relive the glory days captured in their favorite film. Leading the run are the movie’s iconic stars on wheels—the memorable vehicles largely responsible for the film’s staying power. Hambrick has a spot-on replica of the Snowman’s truck and trailer and his friends own replicas of the Bandit’s Pontiac Trans Am, Sheriff Justice’s cruiser, the Big Enos Cadillac and the Bandit (VW) Bug. Released in 1977, “Smokey and the Bandit” featured Burt Reynolds as the Bandit who, with Jerry Reed’s Snowman, was challenged to deliver a tractor-trailer filled with beer from Atlanta to Texarkana, Texas, illegally crossing state lines with an angry Smokey (the sheriff, played by Jackie Gleason) hot on their tail. The movie was filmed primarily in Georgia with several chase scenes shot on Highway 54 between Fayetteville and Jonesboro. Today, Hambrick conducts tours of filming locations there.

Their allegiance to the movie led Hambrick and Franks in 2014 to start the Snowman’s Run for Wounded Veterans,

The stars of the Snowman’s Run for Wounded Veterans are replicas of the wheeled stars of “Smokey and the Bandit.”

LaGrange resident Ken Ragan’s Bandit-inspired Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is a fan favorite at car shows.

an annual week-long convoy led by the vintage vehicles. In 2017, they incorporated Snowman’s Run as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity supporting wounded veterans.

The run travels a different route each year with 25-50 vehicles following the Snowman’s rig, according to Hambrick, who says some participants ride with the group all week, others a couple of days, and some just for the final stretch. This year’s cruise took the Snowman’s rig and its entourage from Huntsville, Ala., to Nashville, Tenn., and into North Georgia last spring. The location and dates for the 2019 ride have not been set, but Hambrick says the group may travel the Northeast U.S. around Memorial Day weekend.

The Snowman’s Run is dedicated to the memory of Reed, a one-time Palmetto resident who played truck driver Cledus “the Snowman” Snow in “Smokey and the Bandit” and performed the movie’s theme song, “East Bound and Down.” The runs are open to anyone who wants to join the family-friendly, cross-country rides, according to the run coordinators.

The convoy typically travels about 250 miles daily with CB radios used to communicate. Cost to participate is $35 per vehicle.

“Our Snowman family goes from place to place, showing off like the Bandit, leaving only the breeze and smiles behind us,” says Hambrick.

That’s not really all they leave behind. Proceeds from the runs are distributed in the communities they visit. The funds go to organizations that would make Reed proud: local veteran groups, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), or the Fisher House, a nonprofit that provides housing for families of patients receiving medical care at military and VA hospitals.

The sheriff’s cruiser is fit just right for Sheriff Justice.

The Big Enos Cadillac completes the display.

november/december 2018 | 29

Walk to the back of the Snowman’s big rig and you’ll see door designs in honor and memory of Jerry Reed, the original Snowman.

Building the Snowman’s Rig

“Smokey and the Bandit” enthusiast Tyler Hambrick hopes to open a museum in Coweta County dedicated to the movie and filled with memorabilia he’s collected through the years.

“We are very blessed to have our vehicles and decided we should give something back.”

– Tyler Hambrick

Hambrick’s Snowman odyssey began when a desire to replicate the Snowman’s rig in the movie was met with a donated truck. It was in rough shape, but it was free. Hambrick went about restoring it.

“A lot of times I felt like Noah building this thing,” he recalls. Just as Noah’s neighbors must have asked him why he was building an ark, Hambrick’s asked why he was restoring a big rig and what on earth was he going to do with it.

He didn’t really know. What he did know was that he wanted to build the first replica of the Snowman truck trailer, and on his way to completing it, he met a lot of folks he now calls friends.

On his search for an artist to re-create the Wild West stagecoach holdup scene depicted on the original rig, he met Minnesotan Greg Vassar at a car show. He found out that not only was Vassar a Smokey fan; he was a talented graphic artist as well. Vassar created the graphics on the vinyl wrap for Hambrick’s trailer, bringing the 1970s to life again when the project was completed in 2009.

Reed had died the year before, and although Hambrick never met the original Snowman, he established a close relationship with the late actor/ singer’s family.

“When we finished the truck and trailer, we asked the Reed family what Jerry would want us to do with it,” Hambrick recalls. “Their response was to continue his tradition of helping the vets.”

Reed was a U.S. Army veteran who spent much of his career behind the public spotlight working for causes that benefitted wounded veterans.

Hambrick and Franks agreed on their mission.

“What greater call is there than to support our wounded veterans?” says Franks.

“We are very blessed to have our vehicles and decided we should give something back,” Hambrick adds. “Jerry devoted many years of his life raising money for wounded veterans, so we travel around America continuing his mission by doing what we do best: ‘Show off,’ to quote the Bandit.”

In 2009, the friends started joining runs led by other groups, including

a Bandit’s Run, which is similar to theirs but with emphasis on Reynolds. Since forming their own run five years ago, Hambrick and Franks find that their faithfully reproduced replicas are well-received by not only movie fans but car enthusiasts in general.

Now that their dream of recreating the Snowman’s Run is fulfilled, Hambrick and Franks hope to open a museum to house their car collection along with other memorabilia related to the movie. They are searching for donated space in the Newnan area to house the vehicles and properly display their mountain of memorabilia.

“We truly want a Smokey and the Bandit museum here that would be the first one ever created anywhere,” says Hambrick. “It would bring in tourism and help the businesses in my hometown.”

Farewell, Bandit On Aug. 11-12, the Snowman’s Run team gathered all of their vehicles in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., to exhibit at Bubba Fest, a weekend celebration of Americana that’s described as “the State Fair meets Comic Con.” Hambrick and the Snowman team were delighted to see Reynolds there. At 82, he looked a bit fragile but had not lost any of his charm or swagger.

Less than a month later, on Sept. 6, Reynolds died of cardiac arrest near his home in Jupiter, Fla. Hambrick had met the legendary actor several times and had encouraged his Snowman’s Run cohorts to attend the event so they, too, could see him in person.

“It really meant a lot to me knowing they got to

Burt Reynolds stands front and center with the Snowman’s Run group at Bubba Fest in Knoxville, Tenn., in August. The event was Reynold’s last public appearance.

Photo courtesy of Tyler Hambrick

meet him,” says Hambrick, noting that Reynolds was the biggest draw at the event where he posed for photos with fans and signed autographs for hours. “The line for him was just unbelievable. He hung in there for hundreds of autographs and pictures. He made sure everybody got what they wanted from him. To be 82 years old, that blew me away, but he loved his fans and liked to take care of them, no doubt.”

Hambrick says he had shared a running joke with the real Bandit: “Mr. Reynolds and I always laughed and cut up with each other. I’d say, ‘We’re the Snowman’s Run, but we love you, too.’”

According to Gene Kennedy, event coordinator for the Burt Reynolds Institute of Film and Theater in Jupiter, Bubba Fest was Reynolds’ last public appearance.

That means a lot to Hambrick.

“When I saw him in August,” says Hambrick, “I teased him like always and said, ‘You know we love you, too.’”

Reynolds grinned and said, “Yeah, I love y’all, too.” NCM

november/december 2018 | 31

ncmfeature

Homeless

“There are many people among us who might face similar problems if forced to survive six months or a year with little or no income.”

— Cathy Berggen, executive director of Real Life Center

in Coweta County Written and Photographed by NEIL MONROE

C

oweta is a prosperous, growing county by any standard.

Median home prices are approaching $200,000, median household income tops $60,000, and the rate of home ownership among its citizens is more than 65 percent.

Written and Photographed by NEIL MONROE In addition, people and businesses throughout the nation are noticing Coweta County’s success. Driven by solid schools and a pro-business environment, Coweta, by some measures, is now one of the 50 fastest growing counties in the nation.

Yet, just below the surface of this success remains a stark, perplexing and sustained challenge — homelessness.

Who are the homeless?

Most of us have a stark mental image of the homeless.

We hear the term and think of unwashed people on a sidewalk or people begging for change on a street corner. In Coweta, those emblematic sightings remain infrequent. The problem here, experts say, is rarely in such plain sight.

In fact, those who deal with the problem in Coweta generally agree that there are four different types, or stages, of homelessness in our county. While each stage is different, the plight of those affected is rarely visible or public.

The first stage includes couch surfers. These are people and families who, faced with a sudden job loss or other issue, turn to friends and family members for help, perhaps for a temporary place to sleep. They often promise their stay will be short-term and have confidence in their ability to overcome short-term issues and quickly return to a more normal life.

The second stage includes individuals and families living in low-end motels. Many of these families and individuals have a job, even a car. But while they have a roof over their heads, motel costs, even at low-price properties, can be crushing. As a result, it is very difficult to save cash needed for apartment and utility deposits.

34 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Founded by Dogwood Church in 1998, Real Life Center helps more than 3,000 people each year deal with financial and life issues. The organization offers counseling services, operates two thrift stores and an orchard, and relies on volunteers such as, from left, Paul Self, Peggy Wilder, Rick Hedden and Linda Vignetti.

The third stage includes people who live in their cars.

They may have exhausted couch-surfing opportunities, need transportation to go to work or school, and simply live dayto-day in their car. At this level, many affected people are single, but families with small children living in their cars have sought help from local assistance programs.

Finally, the fourth stage includes those who fit the traditional image of homeless people — the urban campers who live on the street or perhaps in a wooded campsite near a business center or major highway. Many of these are transients, and mental health or drug issues may be common. It is this group that most closely resembles the typical visual image of homelessness.

These urban campers will often congregate together in an out-of-the-way encampment, sharing resources and information. Two such encampments were shut down in Coweta last year, one along U.S. 29 South near Exit 41 on I-85 and another off Bullsboro Drive, in the woods between Home Depot and Yamaha.

What factors drive homelessness?

Despite today’s low unemployment rate and strong economy across the nation, homelessness remains a fact. In Coweta, more than 10 percent of the population lives below the federal poverty level of $25,100 for a family of four. At that income level, experts say, any sudden event can be a november/december 2018 | 35

ncmfeature trigger to homelessness.

“There are as many different specific factors behind homelessness as there are people caught in the situation,” says Frankie Hardin, executive director of One Roof Ecumenical Council. “There is no typical scenario for the problem, and it can happen very suddenly. While we see certain patterns, every case is different in some way.”

Cathy Berggen is executive director of Real Life Center, which is based in Peachtree City and serves Coweta and Fayette Counties. She agrees that each case is unique but believes there are three general factors often at work in driving people into homelessness.

“First is job loss or underemployment,” says Berggen. “People

someone from working at all. Then, there are family issues, which can mean someone losing work to help an ill family member, relationship difficulties, or drug use that may force someone from their home.

“In any case,” she continues, “we tend to place shame with homelessness, when in reality, it’s likely to be just an unexpected turn in life. There are many people among us who might face similar problems if forced to survive six months or a year with little or no income.”

How Coweta Helps Those in Need For those homeless and in need of assistance, a helping hand is a lifeline, a breath of fresh air for individuals

David Gregory, left, has helped Coweta’s homeless and needy for more than 20 years.

He worked with students through his role with Coweta County schools and served as executive director of One Roof Ecumenical Alliance Outreach. He strongly supports Bill Headley’s countywide effort to address the issue and serves on One Roof's board.

Here, he assists Pam Bray, One Roof's thrift store director.

frequently are living on a tight budget, and with a sudden loss of work, or a cut in hours or pay, they suddenly face a major problem. And there can be health issues that may keep 36 | www.newnancowetamag.com

and families when financial and life issues become overwhelming.

Important help comes from governmental services available through Georgia’s Department of

Family and Children’s Services. These include housing assistance, Medicaid and food stamps. These programs require a formal application, either in person or online, and may carry work restrictions. Getting approved for assistance takes at least one week and can take as long as one month.

Beyond these state programs, Coweta citizens actively step in to help the less fortunate through highly active, organized and dedicated local community groups that provide a range of help, including food, clothing, counseling and, in some cases, short-term housing. These include Bridging the Gap and One Roof Alliance Ecumenical Center, both based in Newnan, and Real Life Center. These organizations are faith-based initiatives of local people who, through their churches, work diligently to help those in need. Each unique organization shares a single, purpose-driven goal: to serve and help those in need. To operate, each program relies heavily on donations and the work of volunteers.

One Roof has a decades-long heritage of helping. Its roots go back to the mid-1980s, according to Hardin. Today, the operation, based in a Temple Avenue shopping center, includes a main office and thrift store that offers free items to those who qualify and sells items to the public.

The store is an important source of funding for the center, which receives support from seven area churches.

“We serve at least 20 people a day, on average,” says Hardin. “They’re not all homeless, but they need help, and for a long time, we’ve been here working to provide it. We’re providing temporary help with housing and food, and we always put women and children at the top of our list.”

The Real Life Center was created in 1998 as an outreach of Dogwood Church. Today, it operates two thrift stores and an orchard, and provides

food and job and financial counseling. Serving clients in both Coweta and Fayette counties, Real Life provided help to more than 3,000 people in 2017.

“At the heart of our work is an understanding that there is shame with these issues,” says Berggen. “We want to help people value themselves, and know that they are not alone.

We want to provide a safe place for anyone who needs it and help them find a way to help themselves. We offer help, and for their benefit, we also hold people accountable.”

Bridging the Gap offers food, including a vital summer youth lunch program that serves approximately 750 meals each week. On Saturdays, a drive-up food bank serves as many as 100 families. For those without secure housing, it provides shower and laundry facilities. (For more on Bridging the Gap, see page 50).

While these programs target families and adults, there is also a specific program that seeks to help students stay in school to earn the education that can help them improve their lives.

Communities in Schools in Coweta (CIS) has counselors onsite at Newnan and East Coweta high schools and at Ruth Hill Elementary. Led by Executive Director Gina

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In addition, the Salvation Army has a local Coweta office that provides assistance, and the Coweta Habitat for Humanity chapter recently announced plans for construction of 11 new homes.

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This level of support gives rise to an important but difficult question: How many homeless people are there in Coweta? The answer, it turns out, is nearly impossible to find.

“Even with the booming economy, we have seen an uptick in demand for our services,” says Berggen. “But to come up with a number of homeless, that’s just not feasible, given the many layers of the issue.”

Two key numbers, however, illustrate the complexity of determining the pervasiveness of the problem.

First, approximately 10 percent of the Coweta population receives food stamps, according to the Atlanta Regional Commission. That’s for the four-year period of 2011-2015 and is more than three points higher than the previous four-year period.

Real Life Center volunteers Karen Green, left, and Amanda Gloriod help in the Center’s bread room, which welcomes individuals to shop for needed food items.

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Yet the Coweta County school system, with more than 22,000 students, has seen a significant decline in the numbers of homeless students in recent years.

“Our numbers are definitely down, and we actively monitor this to ensure that our students have the resources they need in school,” says Julie Raschen, director of assessment and accountability for the system. “Our total for students who are doubling up, or in motels, is less than 100.”

Long-term plans

Long-term plans may hold hope for key improvements in Coweta’s approach. Clearly, Coweta has significant resources at work in the battle against homelessness.

“We don’t always know what our neighbor is going through, but in this community, thankfully there are many people willing to help,” says Berggen.

Concern remains, however, that as Coweta continues to grow, the homelessness also may continue to grow. At some point, some believe the county needs to move beyond independent groups that each operate with similar goals.

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the community would be amazing,” says Jennifer Nolder, director of development for Bridging the Gap. “That’s not necessarily our mission, but it would be incredible if someone could accomplish that.”

One Roof ’s Hardin agrees.

“We all know each other, but we spend so much time doing shortterm work that it’s very difficult for each of us to work toward that goal,” she says. “It would simply be incredible if someone could connect the people, the organizations and the government to address this problem more effectively.”

That someone already may be on the road toward achieving this goal.

Bill Headley founded Headley Construction Company in 1971 and has been successfully building important things ever since. He currently is spearheading an effort to move the community beyond its current patchwork of human services and has a plan to make it happen.

His vision focuses on development of a center providing help for families and individuals who need it. It would provide housing

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assistance, training, counseling and support, all in a single location built just for that purpose. And he has a spot in mind: an abandoned mill in Sargent that he owns and is willing to develop and donate if he can achieve the cross-section of public and government support needed for the success of the project.

Headley, who works today in the same Newnan office he’s occupied for the past 46 years, believes in the project but recognizes the challenges of making it a reality.

“It’s difficult, that’s for sure,” he says. “We have to work across a number of different entities, but it’s my goal to get this community together so that we can improve the level of work we do and the services we provide.”

While he’s largely in the lead, Headley says it’s not just his plan, but the community’s plan.

“And somehow, we need to make this work,” he adds. “It’s not going to happen overnight, but I’m somewhat hopeful. I want to give this property to a project that’s going to make a difference.”

Headley believes that money for the project can come through donations and through local churches pooling resources to improve their ability to face the problem.

“It takes commitment and imagination,” Headley concludes. “We’re going to keep working toward that.” NCM

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Addressing

Addiction

Matthew Kendall Photo courtesy of Christine Kendall

A THANKSGIVING TRAGEDY, A MOTHER'S SORROW Written by SUSAN MAYER DAVIS

Thanksgiving Day 2015 started out perfect for Newnan resident Christine Kendall. She spent the day with her 35-year-old son, Matthew, who was home on a day pass from a Griffin drug rehab facility.

The Kendall family had been invited to Thanksgiving lunch at Matthew’s grandparents’ home in Moreland, and many relatives enjoyed conversations with the young man who seemed happy and relaxed.

Christine was the family historian that day, clicking off dozens of photos at the happy gathering.

Between food prep and visiting with all the relatives, though, she didn’t have much time to speak with her oldest son privately that day, a regret she still carries.

As the festivities wore down, Matthew said his goodbyes; his family members assumed he was headed back to Griffin to complete rehab. Christine felt hope that this would be the time her son found long-lasting freedom from his dependency on drugs. It had been a long road for the whole family.

Matthew’s use of methamphetamines landed him in jail in 2012. He was sentenced to two months incarceration followed by a mandatory period of two and a half years in drug court, an outpatient program where he was tested, monitored and counseled in hopes of avoiding a future relapse. It wasn’t 42 | www.newnancowetamag.com

"When you love an addict, you have to live with the fact that your loved one could be only one pill or one drink away from dying."

– CHRISTINE KENDALL

a smooth slide through drug court for the young man, but he managed to complete the program, full of hope for his future, according to his mom.

Eventually, though, he gave in to the temptation of drugs again and was back in rehab. In late November 2015, he was about to complete another stint in rehab, and all those who loved him believed maybe this time he would find success.

That Thanksgiving night, Christine went to bed buoyed by the wonderful time shared around the family dinner table. At about 3 a.m., a phone call from her mother woke her up.

“I just got a call from one of Matt’s friends,” her mother said.

“Matt’s at Piedmont Hospital and we have to get there right now.”

Christine called the hospital and was told that Matthew was in serious condition. Her world stopped in that second as a frenzy of thoughts slammed her: They must have made a mistake. My Matt is safe in Griffin, not still in Newnan. He’s clean and sober.

We just spent a wonderful day together. He looked great, he spoke of the future. He was not going to die like this.

At the hospital, staff members led Christine to her son who was in a coma, looking nothing like the son she had been with a few hours earlier. She collapsed.

His parents had a few hours to call in Matthew’s friends and family to say their last goodbyes before he died.

Christine Kendall and her son, Matthew, share happy times prior to his death from a drug overdose in 2015.

Photo courtesy of Christine Kendall

“It was numbing,” says Christine. “We knew his addictions might kill him someday. When you love an addict, you have to live with the fact that your loved one could be only one pill or one drink away from dying, and it’s in the back of your mind every single day. But after the wonderful Thanksgiving we spent together, we never thought it would be so soon.”

Christine questioned the friends who were with her son that night and learned that Matthew had taken heroin and passed out. Friends eventually took him to the hospital, but his mother wonders if he might have survived had he been rushed to the ER sooner.

For weeks, Christine struggled with guilt, anger, regret and soul-deep depression as she grieved for her son. As she slowly began to heal, she wanted to use her experience to somehow help others. Now, she advocates for preventing illegal drug use. She educates about using home safes to lock up prescriptions, and she supports legislation making it easier to obtain and afford Narcan, a drug that reverses the effects of opioid overdose.

“Matthew’s life might have been saved if one of his friends had Narcan on hand,” says Christine. “You can get it without a prescription, but it’s expensive to purchase. We want to make sure every policeman, paramedic or others who come in contact with overdoses have it on hand.”

She carries a Narcan kit in her car, she says, “just in case.” november/december 2018 | 43

Addressing

Addiction

HANK ARNOLD AND

COWETA F.O.R .C.E. OFFERING FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT TO RECOVERING ADDICTS Written by SUSAN MAYER DAVIS

Sharpsburg resident Hank Arnold, an admitted drug addict, lived through more in his first 21 years than most people do in a lifetime. But he’s one of the lucky ones. He survived.

Arnold isn’t keeping his experience to himself. Instead, with nearly nine years of sobriety behind him, he eagerly reaches out to others with addictions to help them find true healing. His new grant-funded, nonprofit organization, Coweta F.O.R.C.E. (Friends of Recovery for Community Empowerment) provides information and assistance for those who suffer from or have a loved one who suffers from substance abuse. Coweta F.O.R.C.E. welcomes guests to its meetings on Monday evenings at Bridging the Gap in Newnan.

“Recovery is so much more than abstaining from a substance,” says Arnold. “Recovery is what I do in my life. It’s being committed to my responsibilities, reaching out to help others and forming authentic relationships. Recovery is freedom. Recovery provides me the ability to face anything, good or bad, and walk through it in a way that’s healthy.”

Looking Back on Life

Coweta F.O.R.C.E. Director Hank Arnold and his wife, Shelly, share information about their new nonprofit at the Aug. 30 opioid crisis town hall meeting. (Photo by Sara Moore) 44 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Arnold’s father died in an auto accident when Arnold was 6, leaving his mother to raise three children on her own in Griffin. Looking back, Arnold remembers feeling set apart from his classmates.

“I just didn’t feel as if I fit in,” he says. “I was put on Ritalin for ADHD, and I had to repeat first grade. That just added to my sense of being different.”

By age 12, he had experimented with alcohol and soon tried marijuana. Harder drugs followed.

“At some point, it was just ‘Whatcha got?’”

Arnold recalls. “There was peer pressure, wanting to fit in, and I had lots of unsupervised time. Also, I loved the thrill and excitement of doing something I shouldn’t. There was something appealing about that.”

Eventually, he crossed over from experimenting to using regularly and, finally, to addiction. During the summer after ninth

grade, Arnold was arrested for substance use and incarcerated in a regional juvenile detention center. He was sentenced to probation, during which he failed a drug test and was mandated to go to a drug treatment center. After consistently failing drug tests and going back to jail, the judge cut him free at age 17, telling Arnold that if he didn’t change, his life would get a lot worse.

Three months later, it did when he landed in an adult county jail and ended up at a boot camp for younger inmates.

But by his 18th birthday, Arnold was a full-tilt addict. The heavy consequences he had suffered had not been enough to keep him consistently sober. Instead of thinking of graduation and college, he was serving time in the state penitentiary where he was surrounded by hard-core criminals.

“When I came out of there, I had fewer coping skills for a healthy lifestyle because I had to adapt my personality to that environment,” he says. “I knew then that there had to be a better approach for addicts than housing them in jails.”

By the time he reached 32, Arnold had experienced sober periods where he tried therapy and counseling, followed by relapses into drug and alcohol use, failed relationships and lost jobs. He recalls feeling angry, aggressive and vulnerable with no authentic relationships.

A Complete Turnaround On Jan. 11, 1999, Arnold abruptly said to himself, “I am done.” He visited a community support group he had met with before to find the peace they seemed to have.

“I went to a meeting each day, some days two, for that first year and became really involved,” he says. “There were people in the group who remembered me from eight years earlier. There was an outpouring of love.”

He eventually met with other groups, including one at Community Christian Church, in Sharpsburg, where he learned more about healthy relationships.

“Something started working in me and my relationships improved,” he says. “I started to feel alive.”

He eventually joined the staff at Talbott Recovery Campus in Atlanta where he worked eight years as a certified addiction counselor before leaving in August to head up Coweta F.O.R.C.E. Through the new nonprofit, he seeks to help drug addicts in a holistic manner.

“People see addicts as making a choice, but if you could turn the people inside out to see the inside of their brain emotionally, physically and spiritually, we’d be having a different conversation,” says Arnold. “We would be treating addicts completely differently, more holistically. It is not a rational choice to continue taking a harmful substance.”

Today, Arnold enjoys life as a caring father, loving husband and productive member of society.

“Making the decision to stay well is extremely rewarding and an empowering choice I get to make every day,” he says. “It’s a privilege to have this precious gift of recovery and to freely share it with others.”

People who hear his story ask Arnold to share the secret of “that one thing” that frees a person from addiction.

“It’s not one thing,” he answers. “For me, it started with a conversation with someone who understood where I was. And then: Am I willing to look at myself honestly, and what am I willing to do to change my life? We know what our patterns are. What helps me is getting with people who have found the way out and doing what they do.”

“People see addicts as making a choice, but if you could turn the people inside out to see the inside of their brain emotionally, physically and spiritually, we’d be having a different conversation.”

– Hank Arn0ld

november/december 2018 | 45

Addressing

Addiction

Alcohol and Drug Addiction:

There’s no cure, but it can be controlled Written by SUSAN MAYER DAVIS

Addiction is a stealthy enemy that, much like the serpent in the Garden of Eden, deceives an individual with promises of feeling pleasure. The target is lured into trying a glass of alcohol at a party or taking a pill to relieve pain.

Serotonin is released, and the brain says, “That feels good.”

Over time, if the practice continues, some people’s brains are wired so that they start believing their state of intoxication is normal. Those with a predisposition to addiction start to think they can’t live without alcohol or drugs, so they keep consuming.

The American Psychiatric Association defines addiction as a “complex condition, a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful

Bill Larkey, Men’s Ministry leader of Celebrate Recovery at SonRise Baptist Church in Newnan.

consequences.” It’s a disease with no cure that can only be controlled by a lifetime of fighting devastating cravings and temptations. Similar to diabetes, which also can’t be cured but must be controlled, addiction must be carefully managed throughout the life of the addict.

Also like diabetes, addiction to drugs or alcohol doesn’t discriminate between gender, race, economic status, religion or age. It’s an equal-opportunity destroyer.

A user might be the woman next door, a well-respected minister or your child’s teacher. He or she may be high-functioning and hold a responsible job—or might be so far along in addiction that his internal organs are giving out and he can barely function. By the time most addicts realize they are in trouble, they are dependent on the chemicals they have been feeding their bodies.

Bill Larkey, Men’s Ministry leader of Celebrate Recovery at SonRise Baptist Church in Newnan, says one stumbling block to recovery is the stigma associated with addiction.

“This stigma can result in a rush to judgment that can hinder a person’s recovery,” says Larkey. “No one chooses to become addicted to alcohol or drugs.

It’s never intentional, and it can happen to anyone. Understanding the science of addiction and other contributing factors to addiction can contribute to a better

understanding of, and compassion for, those addicted.”

Addiction is not an issue of character, according to Larkey. In fact, he says, “addiction can result in someone acting out of character; however, there is hope because recovery is possible. Take it from me, a person in long-term recovery from alcohol addiction.”

Coweta’s Drug Crisis Coweta County, along with most of America, today faces a drug crisis of epidemic proportions involving opioid and methamphetamine addiction, according to Coweta Sheriff ’s Office Lt. Col. Lenn Wood. Coweta ranks sixth out of 159 Georgia counties for abuse of opioids, says Wood, adding that the county’s drug problems may be due, in part, to its proximity to I-85 and Atlanta.

Many new opioid users are youths who say they got the opioids from their parents’ drug cabinet, according to Wood, who notes that others most vulnerable to opioid addiction include senior citizens prescribed these drugs to treat various pain complaints following medical procedures.

A member of the local Drug Court committee, Wood has been responsible for reviewing the cases of people charged with drug- and alcohol-related crimes to determine if the Drug Court or DUI Court program would be helpful to them.

“Participants have to undergo drug tests and other requirements for 18 months to graduate from the program,” says Wood. “If we can save even one person, then it is worth it.”

While local law enforcement departments enforce the law, they also focus on rehabilitation and intervention to help addicts control their disease, according to Wood, who says Sheriff Mike Yeager stresses to his staff to treat people “as they would like to be treated.”

“Every addict is someone’s son or daughter, husband or wife, so we keep rehabilitation in mind,” says Wood.

According to Coweta County Juvenile Court Judge Joseph Wyant, parents are their children’s best defense against addiction.

“Parents are in the best position to discover behaviors that are indicative of drug use by their kids,” says Wyant. “It can be challenging, as teenagers aren’t known for being particularly forthcoming and can often isolate themselves, but parents should be able to discern normal teen behavior from something more sinister.

Refusal to communicate in any meaningful way, keeping late hours, a change in hygiene, skipping school, a drop in grades—all are signs something is wrong, and parents should take action immediately.”

Wyant says parents should not worry about embarrassing their children or violating their privacy.

“You’re their parent, not their best friend,” he says. “That doesn’t mean you have to live under Draconian rules in your home, but it does mean you intervene when necessary. Prevention is the key— open discussion, structure, good diets, family engagement, exerciseevery day. Tackle mental health issues immediately. Don’t bury your head in the sand. The problem isn’t going to go away, and your kid is likely going to find solace somewhere you’d rather they not.”

Counseling Can Help Counseling often helps those who fight substance abuse.

Tom Jennings, a licensed professional counselor, has been a member of the recovery community for 28 years. He first drank alcohol at age 16 and sought help when health concerns overcame his desire for Tom Jennings compares alcohol. addiction recovery “A friend told me that recovery through Alcoholics is like kidney dialysis: You go three Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous times a week and get what you need to kidney dialysis: You to sustain life,” says Jennings, noting go three times a week that many of his patients say they and get what you need can’t imagine going without their to sustain life. substance of choice for the rest of their lives.

“You don’t have to,” he tells them. “You just have to go without it this day, and then tomorrow you go without it for that day, and so on.”

Jennings advises anyone having emotional pain, especially related to substance abuse, to seek help. When someone asks how he can know if he has an addiction problem, Jennings replies, “If you’re asking, there’s some sort of problem.”

“If in doubt, ask yourself if you are self-medicating and why,” he adds. “Professional counseling helps you become aware of your patterns of behavior and the emotional issues that need to be explored.”

To help fight the local epidemic, community leaders held a Town Hall Meeting in August at the Donald W. Nixon Centre in Newnan to foster awareness of the problem and discuss prevention, recovery and maintenance. Sponsors of the well-attended event included the Coweta Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (C-SAP), Youth Leadership Development and Substance Abuse Prevention (AVPRIDE), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a federal agency.

While drug and alcohol addiction is common, it isn’t without hope. Locally, many groups, individuals, counselors and facilities are available to help those affected by this disease. The trick is to be willing to reach out for help. When you do, a helping hand is waiting to take yours. NCM

Helping Hands Resources for Help or Information U.S. Dept. of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration D.M. Hargroder, 404.893.7186 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 1.800.662.HELP (4357) Georgia Help Line 678.331.7430 Coweta Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition www.c-sap.live/​, csapcoalition@gmail.com Coweta F.O.R.C.E. Hank Arnold, 678.763.8129 Alcoholics Anonymous aageorgia.org Narcotics Anonymous na.org Al-Anon Family Groups al-anon.org Nar-Anon Family Groups naranonga.com Celebrate Recovery, SonRise Baptist Church Bill Larkey or Ann Thompson, 678.953.1072 GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing) GRASPhelp.org; Patricia Rudd, 770.301.3990, ruddpr@gmail.com Georgia Overdose Prevention

georgiaoverdoseprevention.org

november/december 2018 | 47

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It has been said that everyone has a story. Problem is, not everyone wants to tell their story. Take Margaret Hines Jones, for example.

“I didn’t think anyone would want to hear it,” says the 59-year-old Grantville native.

That all changed in 2017 when she shared her story with a physician who was caring for her ailing relative. With tears in his eyes, he replied, “You were not meant to die. You were left here to encourage other people to not give up.”

With those words, Jones knew what God had in store for the rest of her days—to tell anyone who will listen, “Don’t give up on God because He won’t give up on you.”

October 25, 2005, could have been the end of Jones’ story. Instead, it was the birthdate of her purpose. On that date, at the age of 46, she had a massive stroke that put her in a coma for more than a month. Doctors rendered her case as hopeless.

Jones recalls with sharp clarity being hooked to the hospital’s lifesupport equipment—hearing, seeing, but not able to speak to the loved ones who surrounded her. Silenced and sidelined, her brother, the Rev. Terry Hines Jr., associate pastor at Macedonia Baptist Church in Grantville, spoke for her and vowed to never, ever give up on his sister and her recovery.

“My faith was in God the whole time,” Hines says. “God told me to keep praying. And she got a little bit better and a little bit better.”

Today, he says, there’s nothing to slow her down.

Jones’ gratitude spills over into her daily interactions as she speaks words of affirmation and blessings over everyone she meets.

“If you give me a smile, I will tell you my story,” she says with a laugh. “I’m on a mission for the Lord, and my mission is to encourage and motivate anybody who will listen. They are just three simple little words, but they need to be heard: Don’t give up.”

It was the stress over work and unrelenting pain from rotator-cuff damage in her shoulder that Jones believes led to her stroke. She

knows firsthand that worrying about any situation will not make it go away and will likely make matters worse.

“Don’t be worried and stressed over things you have no control over,” she says. “If you die, the work will go on. Someone will just take your place.”

Her advice is simple: Do your best for your family and friends; do what is required for your job; and then, let it go.

“I’m too blessed to be stressed,” she says.

“Nine out of 10 times, people don’t get to tell their story, especially when they say nothing more could be done. But one day I just woke up.”

At the time of the stroke, Jones was living in Erlanger, Ky., separated by 500 miles from her family in Grantville. Distance,

“Do your best for your family and friends; do what is required for your job; and then, let it go.”

— Margaret Hines Jones

however, was no obstacle for the Hines family, whose love and tenacity overcame the miles. When Jones was released to enter a rehabilitation program, her cousin Patricia Hines had come from Ohio to drive her to Emory Hospital.

Another cousin, Connie Colton, lovingly spent a full year caring for and getting Jones back on her feet. Colton says she felt called to show unconditional love, just as she hopes others would do for her if she was in need.

“We had our faith,” says Colton. “One thing about it, we kept God first. I stayed on Psalm 46:1, which says, ‘God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.’”

Jones says Colton’s care fattened her up.

“I couldn’t see my neck anymore,” Jones chuckles, adding that Colton got her moving again. “I was in a wheelchair a long

Margaret Hines Jones shares a message of hope.

time. With God’s help, I graduated to a walker, then a cane, and then walking.”

Jones is grateful that it wasn’t her time to go, but she admits she also suffered some bouts of depression following the dramatic changes she was forced to make in her life. She didn’t look like the old Margaret, the woman who took time to fix her hair and makeup before facing the day. A few months ago, Patricia gave her a stern wakeup call.

“Margaret was always the kind of person who was so outgoing—hair in place, nails done, but I think she was down and depressed,” says Hines. “Something kept telling me, ‘You have to say something.’”

So she did. Jones recalls her cousin saying something to the effect of, “What is wrong with you, sitting around here looking like an old woman? You say, ‘Don’t give up on God,’

but you’ve given up on yourself.”

The words stung, but Jones couldn’t deny the truth in them. She immediately set about reclaiming her life.

“She’s even more beautiful now than before because of that touch of the Spirit on her,” says Hines.

Jones is working on her memoir, aptly titled, “Don’t Give Up on God.” If you’re not lucky enough to hear her story of gratitude firsthand, you may see one of the inspirational T-shirts Hines’ daughter makes to help her great-aunt spread the word. Jones’ goal is to take her message into places where people most need a measure of hope, and each new day is an opportunity.

“I don’t take life for granted,” says Jones.

“Every night I pray, ‘Thank you Lord for bringing me through another day.’” NCM november/december 2018 | 49

Nonprofit Spotlight

Helping the hungry, homeless and hurting Written and Photographed by EMILY KIMBELL

In Coweta County, more than 15,000 people — approximately 10 percent of the population — live food insecure. That’s the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s term for “a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.”

In other words, this portion of the county’s population doesn’t know where they will find their next meal—or if they can afford it.

Bridging the Gap (BTG), a nonprofit based in Newnan, works to address this issue by supplying families with basic living essentials.

Founded in 2009, BTG’s mission is to “provide assistance to hungry, homeless, and hurting people.”

They achieve this mission with a three-step process: lead with food, serve with compassion, and restore through Christ, according to BTG Director of Development Jennifer Nolder. While BTG has implemented several programs to facilitate its mission, 50 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionaries Donalee Blake, left, and Rebecca Dyer volunteer almost every week to pack food boxes for BTG’s drive-up food bank.

november/december 2018 | 51

Nonprofit Spotlight BELOW Milton Key, a volunteer from Saint Smyrna Baptist Church in Newnan, carries prepared boxes to the loading area for guest pickup.

RIGHT Bridging the Gap volunteers and staff load boxes into cars during a weekly Saturday morning drive-up food bank.

the main objective remains to feed the hungry.

“The overview is that food is the key into everything else,” says Craig Buchanan, the organization’s director of Operations and Human Services.

Located at 19 First Avenue, the nonprofit calls its clients “guests” and hosts a drive-up food bank on Saturdays, serving approximately 100 families per week. In addition, guests are given access to a clothing closet, counseling and referral services.

52 | www.newnancowetamag.com

“Our ultimate goal is to see each guest become a fully restored, selfsufficient individual,” says Nolder. “We lead with food to get to the root of the issue. Then we can put guests in touch with other agencies so they can be served more wholly.”

While other organizations do similar work, what sets BTG apart is the sense of community, love and care they express, according to Human Services Coordinator Jennifer Leebern.

“We want our guests to feel valued

when they come in,” she says. “We don’t want them to feel ashamed or embarrassed. We don’t judge. People can feel like they don’t have a place to belong, but when they walk through these doors, they belong here.”

The care BTG extends its guests is evident in the way the organization customizes their food boxes. “Those boxes are individually packed for families,” says Buchanan, noting a common perception when charities provide food: “If you’re hungry, you’ll

eat it.”

Bridging the Gap doesn’t subscribe to this thought, according to Buchanan. Instead, they tailor boxes per number of children in a family, the presence of food allergies, and/ or health needs, even giving families cakes from their food inventory to celebrate children’s birthdays.

The nonprofit serves a wide variety of people across Coweta County and outside the county, including the homeless population, according to

Nolder, who says, “We have many families for whom we are bridging the gap.”

Bridging the Gap offers special services for their homeless clients, including hot meals every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning, and access to shower and laundry facilities. They also give support and advocacy to ensure these clients reach their restoration goals.

“That’s why we ask for prayer requests from guests,” says Buchanan.

“We can follow up with them. If someone is looking for a job, we can talk to them, ask what they are looking for, and possibly make some referrals.”

Because of their range in clientele, Buchanan acknowledges that people can sometimes be quick to judge who needs food and who doesn’t.

“You have to be careful about those external judgments,” he cautions. “I think the best thing that changes that perspective is serving. It’s one thing november/december 2018 | 53

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Fulfilling BTG’s mission to lead, serve and restore are, from left, Jennifer Leebern, human services coordinator; Craig Buchanan, director of operations and human services; and Jennifer Nolder, director of development.

to stand on the outside and say, ‘This is what goes on.’ But when you get in the midst of it and have a conversation with somebody and build a relationship, it changes your heart on a lot of things.”

Nolder says it can be difficult to convince people who need help to come in for it.

“One of the biggest things that keeps people from coming in is pride,” she says. “They think, ‘I don’t want to be that person who comes to the food pantry because I can’t

Newnan Southern Stars cheerleader Kai Zwilling, right, and her friend, Valerie Roberts, prepare to serve a hot breakfast to guests of BTG.

feed my kids.’”

Leebern encourages potential clients/guests: “It’s OK. Several people

in this world are one paycheck away from needing help. We are all in this together.”

Though BTG has undergone several changes in the past year,

including the closing of its thrift store, the organization is more focused on its mission than ever, according to Nolder.

“We’re serving double the number of families than we were in May

2017,” she says. “Food is what we do well. That’s what we are best at.”

“People can feel like they don’t have a place to belong, but when they walk through these doors, they belong here.”

— Jennifer Leebern

Nolder urges Cowetans to get involved: “Volunteers—they are the

backbone of what we do, and I can assure you they will be more blessed than those they serve.” NCM

LEFT Members of the Newnan Southern Stars cheerleading squad recently helped with a team fundraiser for BTG that collected 90 thermal lunch totes filled with school supplies to distribute to in-need children. From left, Maddison Brenan, Macie Lynne Bohannon, Evee Mathews, Mallory Blackwood and Ava Grijalva.

november/december 2018 | 55

cowetacooks!

Bake your best Christmas

Cookie Contest!

Written and Photographed by JACKIE KENNEDY

Bakers from throughout Coweta County tested their holiday baking skills in September by competing in Newnan-Coweta Magazine’s Bake Your Best Christmas Cookie Contest.

Amy Feaster, of Newnan, was the grand prize winner with her Soft Chocolate Gingersnaps, a delicious concoction with molasses, brown sugar, ginger and nutmeg that wowed the judges. She was awarded a grand prize gift basket stuffed with a bottle of wine, cookbook, kitchen supplies and gift certificates contributed by local merchants.

A newcomer to Coweta County, Feaster moved here last spring with her boyfriend, Jeff Bishop, who learned by reading Newnan-Coweta Magazine’s July-August issue that there’s a local author/historian who shares his name. Feaster works in the aviation industry and enjoys baking when she’s not at the office.

“I bake a lot, mostly pies, but had never entered a contest,” she says, adding that she put a lot of thought into what kind of cookie to enter. “I was thinking about what represents Christmas best and came up with these. My dad always likes ginger snaps and I like chewier cookies. I’m not crazy about nuts, but who doesn’t like chocolate?”

Through trial and error, she came up with the recipe she named Soft Chocolate Gingersnaps, which combines the holiday taste of gingersnaps with the chewy goodness of chocolate chips and molasses. Sprinkled with clear sparkling sugar, her cookies glistened like stars on Christmas Eve. “They are crispy on the outside, soft inside, and not over-spiced,” says Teri Hill of Contemporary Catering in Newnan. “I love the extra chocolate, and these cookies are so pretty.”

Hill and Sarah Barr, owner of Cookie Barr in downtown Newnan, served as judges for the magazine’s inaugural Christmas Cookie Contest.

“I was thinking about what represents Christmas best and came up with these."

— Amy Feaster, grand prize winner 56 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Grand

Prize W inne

Soft Chocolate Gingersnaps 2 1 1 ½ ½ ¼ ¼ ½ ½ ½ 1 2 ¼ ½ ½ 1

Grand Prize Winner

andFirst Place Winner, Traditional SOFT CHOCOLATE GINGERSNAPS submitted by Amy Feaster, Newnan

r

cups all-purpose flour teaspoon baking soda teaspoon cinnamon teaspoon salt teaspoon ground ginger teaspoon ground nutmeg teaspoon ground cloves cup unsalted butter, softened cup light brown sugar, packed cup dark brown sugar, packed egg tablespoons canola oil cup molasses cup semi-sweet chocolate chips cup white chocolate chips cup clear sparkling sugar or coarse decorating sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a medium bowl. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat butter and both brown sugars with electric mixer set on mediumhigh until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in egg, oil and molasses.

With mixer speed on low, gradually add flour mixture until just barely combined. Fold in both chocolate chips by hand. Chill dough in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Pour sparkling sugar on a plate.

Form dough into balls using about 1 tablespoon for each ball. Roll dough balls in sugar, and place 3 inches apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through.

The cookie centers should appear soft and edges should be set. Allow cookies to cool for 10 minutes on baking sheet then transfer to wire rack to finish cooling.

(Makes 36 cookies.)

JUDGE’S COMMENT: “I want this recipe,” says Teri Hill.

“They are crispy on the outside, soft inside, and not overspiced.”

cowetacooks!

RIGHT Teri Hill, left, and Sarah Barr taste cookies while serving as judges for NewnanCoweta Magazine's Cookie Contest.

Newnan-Coweta Magazine thanks the following sponsoring merchants who donated prizes for our Bake Your Best Christmas Cookie Contest: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Ace Beer Growlers Artists at Market Days Chicken Salad Chick Chick-fil-A Corner Arts Gallery Downtown Olive & Kitchen Supply Eat Thai Gillyweed Let Them Eat Toffee Local Provisions Mama Kelley’s Jams & Jellies Morgan’s Jewelers Newnan Mercantile The Newnan Times-Herald Norwex NTH Columnist Miss Pearl Roe Design Co. RPM Patio Pub & Grill St. George Catholic Church

58 | www.newnancowetamag.com

“Cookies are memories,” says Barr. “Everybody has stories about cookie recipes that have been passed down in the family. It doesn’t matter if it’s the best cookie in the world; if it’s your family’s, it’s the best cookie.”

A retired science teacher, Barr opened her bakery at 8 East Washington Street in June after selling cookies at Market Days on first Saturdays in Newnan for two years. At her shop, she bakes cookies “like Grandma used to make” with specialties including her Lemon Sugar Cookies and Pecan Sandies.

Hill has worked at Contemporary Catering for 19 years and enjoys being a part of the family-owned business operated by the brother-sister duo of John and Jennifer Hanna.

“It’s a wonderful, warm company to be involved with that Gift baskets went to the contest winners.

not only delivers fare for all types of events but creates a lovely presentation to match,” says Hill, noting that the catering company is perhaps best known for its lasagna with homemade marinara sauce and their Deep Dark Chocolate Cake. Located at 25 Herring Road, Contemporary Catering has been in business here for 26 years.

Submitted cookies were judged in two categories, Traditional Cookies and Decorated Cookies, with first, second and third place chosen for each category and the grand prize winner selected between the two first place entries.

Second Place Winner/Traditional

OLD FASHIONED ALMOND SUGAR COOKIES

submitted by Edwina Hinesley, Newnan

al n o i t i d Tra ace 2nd Pl

Old Fashioned Almond Sugar Cookies 1 1 1 ¼ 3 1 ¼ ½

cup butter, softened cup sugar egg cup sour cream cups all-purpose flour, sifted teaspoon baking soda teaspoon salt teaspoon almond flavoring Pecan halves

Beat butter until creamy; blend in sugar.

Add egg and sour cream. Sift flour, soda and salt. Add to mixture; add almond flavoring. Chill dough.

Fill a small spoon with dough, roll into a ball, and place on cookie sheet; top each dough ball with a pecan half. Bake at 325 degrees for 9-10 minutes.

Tip: Keep dough in refrigerator while not making balls.

JUDGE’S COMMENT: “These have a nice almond flavor and aren’t too sweet,” says Sarah Barr.

“I’ve made a million of these over my lifetime,” says Edwina Hinesley.

“I’ve worked with this recipe through trial and error until I got it right.”

Pecan Tassies 3 ½ 1 1½ 1 2 1 2

nal o i t i d a Tr ace 3rd Pl

ounces cream cheese cup butter cup all-purpose flour cups light brown sugar tablespoon melted butter eggs teaspoon pure vanilla extract cups pecans, chopped into small pieces

To prepare tassie shells, mix cream cheese, ½ cup butter and flour thoroughly. Chill for 1 hour.

Make 24 small balls of dough and press into tiny muffin pan cups. Chill for 15 minutes.

Mix sugar, melted butter, eggs and vanilla in small bowl to make filling.

Place ½ teaspoon chopped pecans in bottom of each tassie shell. Add 1 teaspoon filling on top of pecans, filling shell halfway full. Top this with another ½ teaspoon pecan pieces.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 22 minutes.

(Makes 24 tassies.)

JUDGE’S COMMENT: “You can’t go wrong with pecan pie filling,” says Sarah Barr.

Third Place Winner/Traditional Be inspired by beautiful music.

Join us at one of our upcoming concerts.

60 | www.newnancowetamag.com

PECAN TASSIES

submitted by Linda Cantwell, Newnan

“I got up early on the morning of the contest to make these,” says Linda Cantwell. “Here’s a tip: Use a pastry tamper to get the dough shell right.”

d e t a r o c De ce 1st Pla

Reindeer Cookies ½ cup butter ¼ cup shortening 1 cup sugar 2 eggs ½ teaspoon lemon juice ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ½ teaspoon vanilla 2½ cups flour ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder Cream together first seven ingredients. Add flour, salt and baking powder. Chill for ½ hour.

Using reindeer cookie cutter, cut dough into shapes. Bake at 400 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes.

Icing for Reindeer Cookies 4 cups powdered sugar ¼ cup butter, melted ½ teaspoon vanilla 2 to 4 tablespoons milk 2 tablespoons baking cocoa Mix icing ingredients with an electric mixer.

Decorate cooled cookies with icing, candies and sprinkles.

JUDGE’S COMMENT: “I love the chocolate frosting, and it’s a nice, crisp cookie that’s still soft on the inside,” says Teri Hill.

First Place Winner/Decorated REINDEER COOKIES

submitted by Jennifer Smith, Senoia

“My mom and me and my siblings, Amy, John and Bonnie, used to bake these cookies and ice them every Christmas.

I inherited my grandmother’s reindeer cookie cutter,” says Jennifer Smith.

november/december 2018 | 61

d e t a r o c Hot Chocolate De ace Cookie Cups l P d n 2 ½ 1 1 1 ⅓ ½ ½ 2 2 2 1 1

1

cup butter, softened cup sugar egg teaspoon vanilla cup sour cream teaspoon salt teaspoon baking soda cups flour tablespoons sprinkles (peppermint for the holidays) cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk teaspoon vanilla Mini candy canes tablespoon while chocolate chips, melted Tiny marshmallows

To make cookie cups: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a mini-muffin tin with cooking spray. With a hand mixer, cream together butter and sugar.

Add egg and vanilla. In separate bowl, combine sour cream, salt and baking soda. Add flour and sour cream mixture to butter mixture; beat until smooth.

Add 2 to 3 tablespoons sprinkles and mix until combined to form dough. Scoop dough out using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop and put one scoop in each mini-muffin cup.

Bake cookies for 15 to 18 minutes, making sure they don’t get too brown; remove from oven if they start getting too brown.

Immediately after removing from oven, use a small measuring spoon to push into the middle of each cookie cup, creating a space for the fudge filling. Don’t push through the cookie completely, but make sure you create a big enough space. Let cookies cool in pan for 10 to 15 minutes, and then gently run a thin knife along the sides to pop them out.

To make fudge filling: Combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a microwave safe bowl. Mix lightly and microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes. Check after 1 minute and stir gently to see if it is heated enough.

If not, add an extra minute. Stir until smooth; add vanilla and stir again until smooth.

Transfer fudge to a quart-sized Ziploc bag. Squeeze the fudge into a corner and snip the corner off. Fill the cookies so the fudge goes above the cookie. If fudge gets too solid, return to microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.

To assemble cookies: Cut the curved part off candy canes and use melted white chocolate to adhere one curved candy cane piece to the side of each cookie cup for a handle. Let set about 1 minute or until chocolate is solid. Fill each cookie cup with any remaining fudge. Place several tiny marshmallows on top and let cool. Store cookies in airtight container on counter or in

refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Tip: If mini candy canes are not available, substitute pretzels dipped in white chocolate. (Recipe obtained from butterwithasideofbread.com.)

JUDGE’S COMMENT: “These are adorable, and the fudge is delicious,” says Teri Hill. “The crushed peppermint sprinkles really add to the cookie.”

62 | www.newnancowetamag.com

Second Place Winner/Decorated HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIE CUPS

submitted by Linda Brown & Sophia Watroba, Newnan

“My granddaughter, Sophia, found this recipe online and asked if we could make it for the contest,” says Linda Brown. “Her brother, William, helped us make them.”

ted a r o c e D

ace 3rd Pl Grandma’s Christmas Cookies ½ 1 1 3½ 1 4 1½ 1½ ½ 1

cup brown sugar cup granulated sugar cup shortening (or at least ½ cup butter) to 4 cups flour cup buttermilk eggs, broken and well beaten teaspoon vanilla (or more, to taste) teaspoon nutmeg (or more, to taste) teaspoon salt teaspoon baking soda

Third Place Winner/Decorated

To make dough: Cream shortening and butter until smooth and creamy. Add sugar; mix until wellGRANDMA'S blended. Add eggs and vanilla; mix thoroughly.

In a separate bowl, mix flour, nutmeg, salt CHRISTMAS COOKIES and baking soda. Alternating flour mixture and “This recipe is about 100Weber, submitted

by Lynn buttermilk, mix until the dough is well-mixed. The “It has been Sharpsburg dough will be very soft. (I use powdered buttermilk, years old,” says Weber. mixing the powder in the dry ingredients and passed down from grandma to alternating with the reconstituting water.) Cover mother to son and his family.” dough and refrigerate until well chilled; overnight is best.

To make cookies: Roll dough out on a well-floured surface. Work with small amounts of dough at a time, returning the rest of the dough to the refrigerator until ready to work with it. Roll dough out to approximately ¼ inch thickness. Dip cookie cutters in flour; cut out desired shapes. (The more flour used to roll out dough, the drier the cookies will be. Only use as much flour as absolutely needed. The dough can be reshaped and rolled out again; try to limit this to 3 or 4 times max, or the dough will get stiff and dry.)

Bake cookies at 350 degrees on a lightly greased cookie sheet for approximately 10 minutes or until edges begin to turn golden brown. Cool on a rack or cool cookie sheet.

Decorating cookies: Use canned frosting or make your own confectioner’s sugar frosting: Melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 3 tablespoons milk. Stir in 4 cups confectioner’s sugar until smooth. Add 3 more tablespoons milk and more, if necessary, until frosting is spreadable without dripping off cookies.

Frosting can be tinted or left white. Use sprinkles, nuts, small candies, coconut and other items to decorate. Baked cookies can be frozen if wellwrapped.

“This recipe is about 100 years old,” says Lynn Weber. “It has been passed down from grandma to mother to son and his family.”

Judge’s Comment: “The of the spices to the dough gave this JUDGE’S COMMENT: “The addition ofaddition the spices cookie an interesting flavor. ” to the dough gave this cookie an interesting flavor,” says Sarah Barr.

cowetahome

While holiday decorating is inviting, remember that the best welcome you can give guests is a warm home filled with family, friends and good cheer.

64 | www.newnancowetamag.com

HOSPITALITY

holidays

AT THE

Written by FRANCES KIDD

Photographed by BETH NEELY

A

ccording to the American Automobile Association, 2017 was the ninth year in a row to show an increase in travel at the holidays. The trend is likely to continue this holiday season, and there’s a good chance some of those travelers will head to Coweta County to visit family and friends.

It’s not too early to start making plans for company.

True confession time: I pull a small artificial tree out of a box every year. Fortunately, though, other Cowetans have great expertise at decorating for the holidays, in particular, Newnan natives Shugie Mann Collingsworth and Kay Cawthon.

Collingsworth returned to the Newnan area in 2011 with her husband J.B. She is bent on keeping holiday traditions, and her pound cake baking pan is always at the ready. Also handy is her vintage Wearever Super Shooter to whip up a batch of cheese straws using a family recipe. Each year, as the holidays—and holiday guests—approach, she’ll be in the kitchen baking.

“Something from your kitchen makes a nice welcome gift for your guests,” says Collingsworth.

“And if the recipe’s not a family secret, include it as well.”

Cawthon is well-known in her neighborhood for her love of decorating for Christmas. In her heyday, she and her family put up five Christmas trees in their home. While she’s downsized a bit, LEFT Shugie Mann Collingsworth serves up hospitality, and cheese straws, for the holidays.

ABOVE The Elf on the Shelf patiently awaits Christmas.

november/december 2018 | 65

bathroom is ready for the season. As an extra touch, provide back-ups for any necessities your guests may have forgotten.

If children are coming, try wrapping their bedroom door with a big red ribbon, throw some fun holiday pillows on the bed, and put some Christmas books on the night table.

If the young ones are restless and rowdy, install an elf “spy” to report back to Santa on whether the children are naughty or nice. The spy is inspired by the book, “The Elf on the Shelf,” which became a holiday phenomenon in 2005. According to CNN, 11 million elves are in homes around the world. What most people may not know, however, is that the elf ’s creators are Georgians. Carol Aebersold and her grown daughters used their childhood experiences to create this new (and Southern) holiday tradition.

Pine boughs, magnolia leaves and holly bushes reflect a tradition established by early American settlers. Because it is an evergreen, pine was considered a symbol of good fortune and hope. As a wreath on a door, arranged around

2

1

she still gets into the holiday spirit with great enthusiasm.

Cawthon and Collingsworth share a few easy ideas that won’t take a lot of time but will offer a heartfelt welcome to your holiday visitors. While holiday decorating is inviting, remember that the best welcome you can give guests is a warm home filled with family, friends and good cheer.

Speaking of warmth, candles warm up any room, and Cawthon adds Christmas towels to ensure the guest

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the base of a lamp, or decorating your fire pit, these natural materials signal that Christmas is near.

Don’t forget the poinsettia, introduced to the U.S. in 1825 when amateur botanist and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett returned home to South Carolina with clippings of the plant. Also known as the Christmas Star, the poinsettia has a long history dating back to Aztec tradition. They look great placed individually around the house or grouped together.

A bowl of citrus fruit and pecans makes a festive display and also reflects Southern tradition. If you’re old enough to remember always getting an orange in your Christmas stocking, here’s why: In the past, citrus fruits were rare and expensive and considered a luxury, so they were deemed precious gifts. Georgia is one of the largest pecan-producing states in the country and since pecans are harvested during the fall months, it’s natural they have become a key ingredient of Southern cooking and décor at the holidays.

Send your visitors off with a goodie bag filled with local items to remind them of their visit. A brief story about Southern traditions is a nice addition, especially if your guests are not native Southerners.

One important thing to avoid: Don’t give your guests a fruitcake unless it’s homemade—or is intended to be used as a doorstop.

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Caring for Christmas Plants W

Written by MARTHA A. WOODHAM

hen the holidays are over, don’t trash the miniature Christmas tree or Christmas cactus you received as a gift. Instead, let your holiday plants bring joy for years.

Classic holiday house plants—amaryllis, cacti, cyclamen, poinsettia, even miniature Christmas trees—not only bring cheer to your Christmas décor; they also can continue to brighten your home, office or yard after the holidays.

“Common sense is the key to keeping holiday plants healthy,” says Stephanie Butcher, the University of Georgia Extension agent for Coweta County.

“Most houseplant problems are a result of overwatering, so don’t let your plant sit in water. Remove any decorative foil from around the pot so water can drain. Your potted plant also would like a biweekly or monthly feeding of a balanced houseplant

68 | www.newnancowetamag.com

fertilizer.”

Here are some tips from UGA on how to get the most out of your holiday plants past Christmas:

Amaryllis

The beautiful trumpet-shaped bloom of amaryllis is a welcome sight at the holidays. Red and white are the most popular colors, but amaryllis comes in pink, orange, yellow/green and salmon, too. Best of all, their dependable bulbs require little care, indoors or out.

• After your amaryllis bloom fades, cut off the flower stem about two inches above the bulb and apply a slow-release fertilizer.

Be sure to keep the strappy leaves.

• If the pot doesn’t have a drainage hole, transplant the bulb to a slightly bigger clay pot that has one. Plant the bulb so that its

Christmas Cactus

top third shows above the soil surface; if planting amaryllis in a garden, only the stem should be above soil.

Feed the bulb using liquid 20-20-20 fertilizer every two weeks.

• When warm weather arrives, place the pot in a sunny spot in your garden and water enough to prevent leaves from wilting or turning brown.

• In September, stop fertilizing the plant and water once a week.

In October, stop watering entirely.

When leaves turn yellow, cut them off. Bring the plant indoors before the first frost and place it in a cool, dark area. Ignore it for the next two

months.

• Begin watering again. A big green flower bud should emerge from the top of the bulb. When you see the bud, bring the pot back into the light and begin watering normally.

If planted outdoors in your garden, amaryllis blooms in March, April or May, depending on the variety.

Forcing last year’s amaryllis to bloom for Christmas can be difficult.

Sometimes it’s easier just to buy new plants.

Word of warning: Don’t store amaryllis bulbs in a refrigerator that contains apples, which give off

ethylene gasses that sterilize the bulbs and prevent future blooms.

Holiday Cactus

A holiday cactus, which is easy to grow and rebloom, may last for the rest of your life. Many gardeners have a Christmas cactus that was handed down from their mother or grandmother.

Three species of Christmas cacti— available in a variety of colors— bloom at different times of the year: Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

All three require bright sunlight, moderate moisture levels and november/december 2018 | 69

cowetagarden excellent drainage.

• Place plants near a south-facing window with indirect light. Keep the plant moist during flowering and growth.

Keep away from sources of warm air.

• After six weeks of blooming,

remove spent flowers, apply a houseplant fertilizer and allow the plants to dry between waterings.

In the summer, your plant may be placed outside in partial shade; bring inside when the weather cools.

• Beginning in October, flower buds will begin to form when the plant receives 12 to 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness.

Christmas cacti are easy-peasy to propagate: Simply break off stem pieces of three segments or more and plant in a pot. Then you’ll have plants to share.

Cyclamen

Their graceful, winged flowers and distinctive, heart-shaped leaves make cyclamen a wonderful houseplant. Usually available from October through March at nurseries, cyclamen are perennials with thick, tuberous roots that can last for years.

• Cyclamen need cool growing conditions in a well-lighted spot out of direct sun to continue blooming for several months. Temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees are the key to making these flowers last longer.

• Soil should be kept moist, but use care; cyclamen are easily damaged from

auto lockouts

overwatering and under-watering.

• Cyclamen require rest after blooming. Gradually withhold water until the leaves die back, and don’t water again for six weeks. New foliage will appear after watering resumes.

• Bright light and cool temps may produce a plant that will re-flower.

Poinsettias

Poinsettias come in many colors that complement your décor. Poinsettia “flowers” are actually colored leaves, called bracts, which surround the tiny, yellow flowers in the middle.

• Bright, indirect light—at least six hours a day—is essential to keep poinsettias blooming for more than a couple of weeks.

• Water when the soil surface feels dry; feed with a standard houseplant food.

• Poinsettias are susceptible to root rot, so don’t let them stand in water-filled saucers.

• To keep poinsettias as foliage plants, cut the plant back to about 10 inches when the colored bracts begin to fade.

Repot in a slightly larger container to encourage root growth.

• When the weather warms, poinsettias should have lots of new green bracts and can be moved outside to a sheltered position until frost.

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poinsettias to rebloom, which requires a strict regimen of dark and light periods.

Tabletop Trees

Tabletop trees are usually evergreens, but sometimes you’ll find rosemary, a culinary herb that grows well in Georgia.

• Select a spot in your yard that will meet the plant’s requirements for shade, sun and space. Look up when choosing a spot: Your tree may be tiny now, but it can grow to 10-12 feet or taller (except for the rosemary).

• Prepare soil by loosening it and adding compost or soil amendments.

• Remove all decorations from the tree and take it out of its plastic liner and decorative pot. You may need to loosen the pot-bound roots; that’s easy to do with a shovel.

• Don’t plant too deep. Be sure the roots are just under the soil surface and that dirt is not piled high around the tree trunk. Cover the roots with soil and water well. NCM Want to know more? Contact the Master Gardener Extension Volunteers at Coweta County University of Georgia Extension at uge2077@uga.edu and 770.254.2620 or visit caes.uga.edu.

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American Legion and Veterans Day Approach 100 Years Written by NANCY CROY-ANYANONU

Introduced the year following the end of World War I, Veterans Day and the American Legion both celebrate their centennial anniversaries next year.

Veterans Day began as Armistice Day 99 years ago, marking its debut on Nov. 11, 1919, to celebrate the end of the war, which formally ceased one year earlier—at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Woodrow Wilson initiated the holiday to honor servicemen and women, living and dead, who fought for the safety of the United States. In 1938, Armistice Day became a national holiday and, in 1954, it was renamed Veterans Day. Today, the holiday celebrates veterans of the past as well as the estimated 20 million vets living in the U.S. today.

Also in 1919, the American Legion was formed. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the oldest son of President Teddy Roosevelt, is considered the founder of the American Legion, which was created to honor war veterans and help support them and their families through deployment and when returning home from war. The new organization held its formal founding convention Nov. 10-12, 1919, in Minneapolis, Minn., while commemorating the one-year anniversary of the war’s end.

While its first members were a hodgepodge of veterans who had just returned from World War I, today’s membership is estimated at more than 2 million in 13,000-plus local posts, making the American Legion the nation’s largest and most powerful organization of wartime veterans and their families.

Every year, the Legion’s national commander addresses Congress regarding veteran concerns. The organization was instrumental in creating the Post 9/11 Bill and works to address problems pertaining to unresolved benefits, VA hospitals and homeless veterans. The American Legion is widely recognized for its support of Boy Scouts of America and ROTC and is considered the go-to source for instruction on proper flag etiquette and flag retirement.

Locally, Coweta County American Legion Post 57 was chartered Oct. 10, 1919, according to Past Commander Col. G.D. Hendrix, who says the local post was named for Alvin Hugh Harris, USMC 6th Regiment, who died June 9, 1918, of wounds received in action in France.

“On the morning of June 6, 1918, the Marines were attacked at Bouresche, near Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood, and Private Harris was a member of a one-pounder gun crew and in the front line of attack,” says Hendrix. “Although heavily outnumbered, the Marines attacked with vigor, and the little gun manned by Private Harris was so active that the Huns overtook to silence it with high explosives. One by one, the crew was killed, but Private Harris stuck to his gun.”

Harris remained at his post until, wounded 14 times and dying, he was carried from the field, according to Hendrix, who says Harris died three days later at a hospital in Juilly, Seine-et-Marine.

Named Coweta County Veteran of the Year in 2016, Hendrix has served as commander of Post 57 seven times, in the late 1980s and early ’90s, and recently retired from 29 years of service as the national chaplain of the Sons of the American Legion.

“My continued involvement in the American Legion has been very rewarding,” says Hendrix. “I have enjoyed helping veterans and their

American Legion Post 57 Past Commander Col. G.D. Hendrix speaks during 2016 Veterans Day services in Newnan, when he was named Veteran of the Year.

families get not only the honor and respect they deserve but also the benefits they deserve from our country.”

Post 57 Commander Tim Smith is in his third year as elected commander and says the overall goal of the American Legion is “to be a hub for patriotism” in the U.S. “If not us, then who?” he asks.

According to Smith, Coweta County identifies 16,000 veterans with only 1,060 registered with the American Legion.

He hopes to change that number as he encourages veterans to join the Legion and their family members to join the auxiliary.

He credits the almost-100-year success of Post 57 to the support it has enjoyed from the Coweta community throughout the past century.

“People want something bigger than themselves, and serving our neighbors through the American Legion is a great way for us to accomplish that,” says Smith, who, when first elected commander, urged members to become more visible in the community while working to meet changing needs. “It is the first time in our history that most young people do not have a veteran in their family or even know one. By going out into the community

more, we can encourage American patriotism by honoring and respecting those who have served and let others know about the services and benefits we have to offer.”

All funds raised by the American Legion support needs of local veterans and their families.

In cooperation with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the American Legion cosponsors VetConnect twice a year at the Jackson-Pless National Guard Armory in Newnan. The event features displays set up by veterans who share their military experiences with high school students, giving young people a way to connect with veterans and express gratitude for their service.

On Nov. 10, the Newnan Veterans Day Parade begins at City Hall in downtown Newnan at 10 a.m. Lineup begins at 9:30 a.m. Anyone walking the parade may simply show up, but groups with floats need to register by emailing newnanvetdayparade@gmail.com. NCM

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145 Millard Farmer Boulevard & 60 Salbide Avenue, Newnan GA | 800.763.4444 november/december 2018 | 73

Coweta to Me

Coweta Character

A

by Lawrence W. Reed

man walked into a diner, sat down, and ordered New York cheesecake.

A few minutes later, the waitress placed it on the table in front of him. The man took one look, pointed to it, and said, “That’s not New York cheesecake.”

The waitress picked the plate back up, then slammed it back down on the table, and said with a huff and a scowl, “Now it is!”

With apologies to New Yorkers, that’s a joke that gets a laughing nod no matter where you tell it. It seems to fit a reputation, deserved or not. But if, instead of New York, you substituted almost any town in the Deep South, nobody anywhere would get it. Why? Southern hospitality. It’s real, and it’s deep and strong here in Coweta County.

I’ve traveled to 83 countries on six continents and lived in five states—Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado, Idaho and now Georgia since 2010. Believe me, the hospitality here is a stand-out characteristic of our county, our state and our region. I hope we never lose it.

Writing in Southern Living, Michelle Darrisaw says that Southern hospitality “isn’t just a catchphrase; it’s a way of life” in these parts. She cites these six characteristics: politeness, good home cooking, kindness, helpfulness, charm and charity. Just walk around any downtown in Coweta County, visit any local church, stop in at almost any locally owned business, or read through the newspaper, and you’ll see abundant evidence.

When I moved here in 2010, more neighbors knocked on my door to welcome me to the community than I ever experienced in all the other places I’ve lived, combined. The friendliness of store clerks, quick to engage in genial conversation, was a big reason my sister and brother-in-law moved here from Ohio two years later.

Whether you’ve lived here all I appreciate the frequent and respectful use of your life or only a year, we want terms like “ma’am” and “sir,” the pride our people to hear your pe rsonal Coweta place on every day of hard and honest work, not to story. mention the love and care that local folks put into Did you and your Lawrence W. Reed husband fa ll in love here? Di their peach cobbler, pecan pie, barbecue, grits d you move here in your seni and okra. or year of high school and Hospitality doesn’t just appear out of nowhere or without make lifelong friends? Did you reason. I think it’s a natural extension of something so vital that it pick guitar with yo ur grandpa and determines the very fate of nations—their success or failure, their grow up to be a musician? rise or fall, their liberty or lack thereof, their past as well as their Whatever your own Coweta future.

County story is, w e’d like you to In a word, it’s character. Good people practice it, teach it, and share it with re aders of Newna insist on it. And thank God they do because character makes all nCoweta Magazin e. Keep your the difference. word count at 35 0-450 words, Thanks to the good people of Coweta County for your please. Email yo ur “Coweta character, which makes this such a cool and special place. NCM to M

what’s

Coweta to

74 | www.newnancowetamag.com

you?

e” story to mag azine@ newnan.com an d we’ll publish the best. We look forward to hearing from yo u.

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november/december 2018 | 75

bookreview

Leave Him? A Book Review by Renee Sands It is not often that a book grabs you at the beginning and keeps your interest so that you don’t want to put it down, but Denise Reid’s memoir—“Leave Him?”—had me hooked from the start.

The local author, born and raised in Carrollton and now living in Newnan, recounts her story of watching her husband diminish in his capabilities due to illness and treatment. The story captures how she struggled within herself, her religion, and her beliefs to move forward.

Her honesty about her life-changing decisions allows readers to enter into her world and inspires fellow strugglers to know they are not alone.

The memoir also tells the story of Reid’s greatgrandmother, Ella Mae Pate, who, after suffering horrible abuse in her marriage, hears the voice of God telling her to take her children and leave. Acting on that message from God meant raising her four children in a single-parent home in the early 1900s. Ella Mae’s stories, which Reid intertwines throughout the book, paint a picture of life in rural Georgia during this time period.

As a reader, I was drawn to Ella Mae’s plight.

Through the descriptive writings, I was able to understand her struggles and rejoice in her resilient spirit. The way Reid weaves the two stories together gives the reader room to allow the characters’ journeys to develop and builds suspense that keeps the pages turning.

Although the book’s title might imply that Reid advocates for the dissolving of difficult marriages, her memoir actually points the reader in a totally different direction. Reid and her great-grandmother both struggle with the spiritual aspect of leaving their husbands, and both reveal the difficult consequences that accompany their decision to leave.

Both the benefits and the costs of marriage are exalted as well as the spiritual depth of exploring the unending grace of God. 76 | www.newnancowetamag.com

If you are looking to read an outstanding, raw account of the struggles of two local women who lived generations apart, this is the book for you.

Learning about rural life in the 1900s adds a depth to an emotional journey the reader enters with “Leave Him?” The touching honesty allows others suffering loss to know they are not alone.

“Leave Him?” was published in 2018 by Flying Duck Publications; 330 pages. ★★★★★

Read a good book lately? Can’t wait to

tell somebody about it?

Share your favorite new read with Newnan-Coweta M agazine by writing a book review for possi ble publication in an upcoming issue.

Whether it’s a book that’s been around awhile and you’re jus t getting to it, or if it’s a brand new publica tion that everyone’s talking about, we’d like to hear your ed ucated take on it.

Keep your review at 350-450 words and please include the au thor’s name, page count and date of pu blication as well as any awards the book may have won.

Be sure to give the bo ok your rating of 1 to 5 stars: 1=You’l l never miss it; 2= Okay; 3=Pretty go od; 4=Read it; 5=Best. Book. Ever.

Send your review wi th your contact information to maga zine@newnan.com or mail to Newnan-C oweta Magazine, 16 Jefferson Street, Newnan, Ga. 30263.

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november/december 2018 | 77

Photo by Gary Wilson, Newnan nd this red

A family of deer explores the area arou barn at Mount Carmel.

nan College tist Church on ie Astin, New Photo by Jod in this shot a full moon at FierrsteBmapagical together that ured steeple w Jodie Astin capt moon and the he “T n. na ew Street in N e says. evening,” sh

Photo by Jodie Astin , Newnan

The flower globe in fro nt of ChildrenConnect Museum on Temple Avenue explodes wi th color.

submit your

photos

Email us your photos of life in and around Coweta County and we may choose yours for a future edition of Blacktop!

Photos must be original, high-resolution (300 DPI) digital photos in .jpg format, at least 3”x 5” size.

Please include your name so that we can give you credit for your photo in the magazine!

ie Mattingly, N Photo by Laur a at his Mount

r the camer Tabay poses fo

ewnan

Carmel home.

Email your photos with the subject “Blacktop” to the address below.

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November 3rdPhoto by Christopher Thurman, Carroll County photo “Skeletree.�

Christopher Thurman named thisStat rt An employee of Coweta County shoe tCou Saturday one the d ppe Probation Office, he sna ice serv ity mun com ing itor mon le whi morning eta County. workers on West Grantville Road in Cow

Market Day November 8thHoliday Sip & See November 23rdPlaid Friday November 23rdSanta on the Square November 24thSmall Business Saturday December 1stMarket Day

Photo by Beth Striplin

g Noles, Ne

wnan Fall in all its golden glory us he rs in the ho liday season at Hidden Lakes Subdivision, off Lo wer Fayetteville Road , in Newnan. november/december 2018 | 79

coweta calendar

CALENDAR NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2018

NOVEMBER

10

Newnan Veterans Day Parade

Downtown Newnan | 10 a.m.

The Newnan Veterans Day Parade Committee hosts the annual parade starting at City Hall in downtown Newnan. Be there at 9:30 to line up. Anyone walking the parade may simply show up, but groups with floats need to register by emailing newnanvetparade@gmail.com. For more, call Nathan Thompson at 678.953.4270 or email newnanvetdayparade@gmail.com.

John Denver Musical Tribute starring Ted Vigil

10

Nixon Centre for the Arts, Newnan 7 p.m.

Ted Vigil sings John Denver’s beloved hits, from “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” to “Rocky Mountain High.” With an uncanny resemblance to Denver, Vigil has been performing his songs since 2006 and feels the beloved singer-songwriter would be honored by and appreciate his concerts.

Tickets are $15-20. For more info, call 770.254.2787 or visit thenixoncentre.net.

23

Santa on the Square

Newnan | 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Santa on the Square is hosted each year on the day after Thanksgiving at Courthouse Square in downtown Newnan where Santa greets children to hear their Christmas wishes. Downtown streets close prior to the event as Santa makes his special trip from the North Pole to the downtown square. Santa arrives in a fire truck and immediately lights the downtown Christmas Tree to begin the event, which is free to the public and welcomes children of all ages. For more, visit mainstreetnewnan.com.

80 | www.newnancowetamag.com

NOV. DEC. Miracle on

29-2

34th Street

Newnan Theatre Company Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.

Presented by Newnan Theatre Company, this classic story revolves around Kris Kringle, an old man in a retirement home who works as Santa for Macy’s. At stake is a little girl’s belief in Santa. Tickets range from $10 to $17. For more, call 770.683.6282 or visit newnantheatre.org.

DEC.

6-9

DECEMBER

2

Messiah Sing-Along with Masterworks Chorale

Nixon Centre for the Arts, Newnan 3 p.m.

Get in the spirit of Christmas at this joyous event at the Nixon Centre. The event is free, but you’ll need tickets. Pick up complimentary tickets in person at the Nixon Centre or get them online at thenixoncentre. net. For more, call 770.254.2787.

6-8

Cornerstone Live Drive-Thru Nativity

Sharpsburg | 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

The Drive-Thru Nativity at Cornerstone United Methodist Church, features a cast and crew of 150 per night with actors presenting the Christmas story in 10 live scenes. Guests receive a CD to narrate the stories as they travel through the 10-scene journey.

Scenes include the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary, the angels appearing to the shepherds in the fields, the traditional Nativity scene, and more. For info, call Cornerstone Church at 770.304.9397.

Gift Certificates at Banning Mills!

7

Newnan Christmas Tour of Homes

Historic College-Temple Neighborhood 4 p.m.-9 p.m.

This year’s annual Christmas Tour of Homes invites guests to the Historic College-Temple Neighborhood..

Purchase tickets the day of or pick up will-call tickets at Tour of Home headquarters at Christy’s Cafe at 27 Jackson Street. For more, visit newnantourofhomes. com or call Barbara Kookogey at 770.253.5018.

8

Christmas Parade

Newnan | 6 p.m.

Hosted by the City of Newnan, this year’s Christmas parade features the theme “The Parade of Christmas Trees,” and Bill and Anita Headley will serve as grand marshals. For more info, contact pbeckwith@ cityofnewnan.org or tfronebarger@cityofnewnan.org.

9

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Senoia | 5 p.m.

Visit homes at your own pace. Tickets may be purchased at the Senoia Welcome Center, local merchants or at enjoysenoia.net. Refreshments will be served at Senoia United Methodist Church.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

13-16 20-22

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Power Free Fall

ours Canopy T

Newnan Theatre Company Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.

A holiday classic! Prices range from $10 to $17. Call 770.683.6282 or visit newnantheatre.org.

14-16

The Nutcracker

Wadsworth Auditorium, Newnan Dec. 14 & 16, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 15, 5 p.m.

This holiday family favorite will delight young and old alike. Presented by the Newnan Cultural Arts Commission and performed by Southern Arc Dance, “The Nutcracker” will warm your heart and put you in a holiday frame of mind. For more, contact Southern Arc Dance at 770.683.3724.

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INDEX of Advertisers Affinis Hospice................................................... 8 Ansley Park.......................................................... 2 Arnall Grocery Company...............................40 Ashley Park...........................................................7 Atlanta Gastroenterology...............................10 Bella Center Beauty and Spa....................... 77 Berkshire Hathaway.......................................84 Brewton-Parker College................................54 Carriage House................................................66 Charlie's Towing...............................................70 Charter Bank..................................................... 73 Christian Brothers Automotive....................22 Christian City......................................................15 City of Carrollton................................................ 9 Coweta Cities and Counties Employees Federal Credit Union..................................38 Coweta Community Foundation.................20 Coweta-Fayette EMC.....................................83 Digestive Healthcare of Georgia, P.C.......... 3 Double Bar H Stables......................................16 Edward Jones..................................................... 6 Fine Lines Art & Framing...............................38 Georgia Bone & Joint......................................14 Georgia Farm Bureau...................................... 71 Historic Banning Mills......................................81 Insignia Living of Georgia..............................13 Jack Peek's Sales.............................................10 Kemp's Dalton West Flooring........................31 Kimble's Events by Design........................... 77 Lake Martin Realty.............................................11 Lee-King Pharmacy......................................... 75 Lillian Gardens................................................... 17 Main Street Newnan....................................... 79 McGuire's Buildings......................................... 71 Morgan Jewelers............................................. 77 Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce..................................................... 37 The Newnan Centre........................................13 Newnan Masterworks Chorale....................60 The Newnan Times-Herald.......................... 27 North Georgia Turf..........................................23 NuWay Realty.................................................... 41 The Odyssey School...................................... 75 The Print Shop Gallery................................... 37 Schultz Family Dental.....................................39 Southern Crescent Women's Healthcare.....................................................48 Southern States Bank....................................23 St. George Catholic Church.........................40 Stonebridge Early Learning Center.............................................................. 77 Treasures Old & New..................................... 67 Tulla White Cuisine.......................................... 75 United Bank.......................................................39 Wesley Woods of Newnan............................20 West Georgia Technical College.................19 West Georgia Boat Center.............................. 4 The Women's Specialists of Fayette.............................................................. 5 Yellowstone Landscape................................70

COWETA

SCENE

Foundation Christian Church sponsored Shoe Day at Ruth Hill Elementary School

70th Anniversary of "Murder in Coweta County" at the Coweta County historic courthouse

Gypsy Junkers Country Pasture Sale

24th Annual Turin Tractor Pull and Parade

next ISSUE

Magazine Advertising Deadline November 30, 2018

Next Publication Date: December 28, 2018

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

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May Your Holidays be Merry and Bright Some good things never change; like writing letters to Santa – and your EMC. For almost 70 years, we’ve been working hard to supply electricity at the lowest possible cost, and thinking of new ways to better serve our members. Happy Holidays.

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© 2018 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHHS, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® If your home is currently listed with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation. Equal Housing Opportunity.