Newnan-Coweta Magazine, Nov/Dec 2009

November/December 2009 | $3.95

M A G A Z I N EA Times-Herald Publication

• Christmas trees• Young Knitters club• Celebrating Chanukah

HolidayISSUE

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Established 1995

A publication of The Times-Herald

Publisher

Sam Jones

Editor

Angela McRae

Art Director

Deberah Williams

Contributing Writers

Carolyn Barnard, Sarah Fay Campbell, Janet Flanigan, Nichole Golden,

Holly Jones, Meredith Leigh Knight, Katherine McCall, Alex McRae,

Tina Neely, Elizabeth Richardson, W. Winston Skinner, Martha A. Woodham

Photography

Sarah Fay Campbell, Bob Fraley, Jeffrey Leo,

Katherine McCall, Tara Shellabarger

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Naomi Jackson

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Colleen D. Mitchell

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Lamar Truitt

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Newnan-Coweta Magazine is published bi-monthly by The Times-Herald, Inc., 16 Jefferson St., Newnan, GA 30263.

Subscriptions: Newnan-Coweta Magazine is distributed in home-deliverycopies of The Times-Herald and at businesses and offices throughoutCoweta County. Individual mailed subscriptions are also available for$23.75 in Coweta County, $30.00 outside Coweta County. To subscribe, call770.304.3373.

Submissions: We welcome submissions. Query letters and published clipsmay be addressed to the Editor, Newnan-Coweta Magazine at P.O. Box1052, Newnan, Georgia 30264.

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4 | N E W N A N - C O W E T A M A G A Z I N E

MAGAZINESpecial FeaturesWeb extras you’ll find only online. Lookfor the computer icon throughout everyissue to lead you to the special contentat newnancowetamagazine.com.

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12 HELLO, HOLIDAYS!

14 THANKFUL KIDS

Local schoolchildren are thankful for asurprising number of things this year!

18 THE YOUNG KNITTERS

Some young Coweta ladies are learningan old craft that’s giving them newpossibilities – for creativity and for givingto others.

24 BABY FILES

Pacifiers. Naptime. Tupperware. Theseare things for which a young mom givesthanks.

26 HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

From Holiday Open Houses to thePiedmont Newnan Hospital Auxiliary’sCandlelight Tour, there are plenty ofholiday happenings in Coweta this year.

28 GRILL A TURKEY

For a new twist on a Thanksgiving staple,try cooking your bird on the grill this year.

40 CELEBRATING CHANUKAH

The Kam family observes Chanukah eachyear as a time of celebration andreflection.

44 CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

In 1997, Hallmark Entertainment’s“Christmas Memories” was filmed inSharpsburg and Senoia. This year,Sharpsburg is recalling that memorabletime with a special December screening.

50 TRUNKS FULL OF MEMORIES

Senoia’s Jack Merrick shares how hecame to restore old trunks.

November/December 2009

Features

DepartmentsIn every issue

14

44

64

64 CELEBRATION FIT FOR A KING

Whether you like to decorate a patriotictree or a traditional red and green one,learn some new tips for gatheringChristmas decorations all year round.

72 PIECES OF THE PAST

In his woodworking shop, Newnan’s Dr.Charles Barron crafts elegant pieces forfamily and friends.

78 THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT

Cowetans share some of the mostmeaningful Christmas gifts they havereceived.

36 COWETA COOKS

Vegetarian and looking for new recipes forthe holidays? Kim Frederking shares someof her family’s favorites.

60 LOCAL HERITAGE

Looking back now that he’s 50, WinstonSkinner shares what he likes best aboutcelebrating the holidays in Coweta.

82 THE THOUGHTFULGARDENER

Whether it is given orreceived, gardening is truly agift that keeps on giving.

88 MEET A READER

Meet Frances Smith, thescooter-riding ticket lady indowntown Newnan who hasalso provided a home for 135Coweta foster childrenthrough the years.

90 SADDLE UP

Mary Fowler is a top-rankeddressage judge who is alsodevoted to sharing her vastknowledge of dressage withher students.

10 EDITOR’S LETTER

96 THE BOOKSHELF

97 INDEX OF

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>FROM THE EDITOR

f I were a better woman I’d claim my favoriteChristmas movie was something inspirational suchas “Miracle on 34th Street” or “It’s a WonderfulLife.” My favorite Christmas movie, however, is prob-

ably “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”Can you believe it’s been 20 years since we first joinedClark Griswold and Company for an old-fashioned familyholiday?

Poor Clark. He tries to keep the in-laws and the out-laws happy. He can’t figure out how to get all thoseChristmas lights to work. And he doesn’t get thatChristmas bonus he was planning to use to install anew pool for the family.

The not-too-subtle message of that movie, themessage that makes it so meaningful to me, is thatsometimes we set unrealistic, Martha Stewart-sizedexpectations for our holidays. (Not that a little Marthaisn’t a good thing.) I see the “Christmas Vacation” movieas a guide for how not to celebrate the holidays.

It’s also a reminder to focus on the real meaning ofChristmas, which for Christians meanscommemorating thebirth of Christ and

not letting that get lost in the hustle and bustle of theseason. Every year I aim to do better!

And yet Clark Griswold also reminds me that, some-times, our holiday traditions are just plain funny.

One family memory came back to me recently forthe first time in years. My grandmother had this nextdoor neighbor named Louise, a good-hearted and color-ful character who often visited in her bathrobe, thescent of Eau de Vick’s Vapor Rub forever trailing her.Picture Hallmark’s Maxine character without the sass.

Louise enjoyed gifting our family with pecan pies.Only problem was, Louise’s pecan pie recipe had a too-high ratio of hulls to actual pecans. Year after year wehad to come up with ever more creative ways of dispos-ing of Louise’s deadly, tooth-chipping pies without herknowing it.

I miss that.This year I’m hoping to follow Louise’s generous

example, minus the hulls, with a new tradition of givingbeautifully decorated cookies as gifts. I’m inspired by agreat new book, Cookie Craft Christmas (reviewed onpage 97), and we’re giving away a copy of the book andsome cookie baking supplies to one lucky Coweta read-

er. If you’d like to win, be sure to enter at www.newnancowetamagazine.com/cookiekit bymidnight Nov. 30.

Meanwhile, be careful around those pecanpies, and I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Fondly,

Angela McRae, [email protected]

09_1112_10-17 10/23/09 11:47 AM Page 10

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N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 9 | 13

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Thankful Thankful Kids Kids


By Nichole Golden | Photos by Bob Fraley

In the fall of 1621, Pilgrims and Indians gathered forthe first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Mass. Although theuniquely American celebration has changed through the

years, the root of it remains – giving thanks for theblessings in our lives.

For children, it’s the simple things thatmake them grateful.

A group of first and second grade students fromAtkinson Elementary School in Newnan shared whatThanksgiving means to them, how they’ll spend theholiday, and what they’re most thankful for.

What topped the Thanksgiving list of this delightfulgroup of students? The love in their lives and a certaindelicious bird.

Lila Shirley, first grade

“I heard that the Pilgrims came to the

first Thanksgiving,” said Lila. She thinks it

was probably hard for them to get together

with the Indians for the first celebration.

Lila likes turkey and another traditional

favorite, cranberry sauce. “Grandma

always makes some cranberry sauce,” she

said. She is thankful for everyone who has

given her stuffed animals as gifts. “I sleep

with half of them,” she said. Lila explained

that the other half of the animal group stays

in her bucket. She is thankful also for her

mom, and her cat and dog, Windy and Zeus.

Eric Romero, second grade

Every year, his family’sThanksgiving celebration isheld at night with “turkey andnice food.” Romero moved toAmerica from Mexico whenhe was just two years old. Healready knows about theIndians and Pilgrims. This yearhe is thankful for “having agreat family and living here inthe United States.”

Grace Smith, second gradeWhat does the holiday mean toGrace? “It means giving thanks,” shesaid. For Thanksgiving, she plans ongoing to see her mom and dad’s familyin Americus, and sometimes she goeshunting with her dad. Grace is lookingforward to a family dinner. “Myfavorite is butterbeans,” she said.Grace is most thankful this year forhaving Harry, her new baby cousin.This will be Harry’s first Thanksgivingcelebration with this side of the family.

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Thankful Kids

Trey Herring, second grade“I like to help my grandmother

cook,” he said. Trey most enjoys

meat and dressing on hisThanksgiving table. “I likedressing,” he emphasized. His

granddaddy and mom set the table.

The family has a party with dancing.

Trey is thankful for his“grandmother’s cookin’” and enjoys

playing games.

Ansley Dennis, first gradeWhat does Thanksgiving mean

to Ansley? “Being with my family,”she said. Her family eats a gooddinner. Ansley mentions likingturkey but shakes her head “no” atthe mention of pumpkin. “I’mthankful that I have a Mom andDad,” she said. Ansley also hasbrothers and a sister.

Kaliyah Matthews, first grade“We go to my grandmother’s

house,” she said, where the dinnermenu includes turkey, dressing and fruitsalad. What’s nice about Thanksgiving?“That you’re off from school,” she said.“I like coming to school,” she lateradded. She counts her mother, whobuys great toys, among her blessingsthis November. “My mom loves me alot,” Kaliyah said.

Jesiah Woodard, first grade

“I love the turkey,” he said.“I love to go outside and play inthe leaves.” On ThanksgivingDay, Jesiah goes out to eat withhis family. He is most thankful forhis mom. She buys him toyhouses and takes him tocookouts.

Grace Manning, second grade

Grace spends herThanksgiving with family. “We goto my grandma’s house and playgames,” she said. She is thankfulfor the “blessings that I have.”She is grateful for her longtimefriends Sarah and Grace, and shelikes to laugh.

Janice Tuck, second gradeAt Janice’s house

Thanksgiving also meanscelebrating her brother’s Novemberbirthday. Last year, she made hisbirthday present by hand withleaves. “Everybody comes to myhouse” for the holiday, Janice said.The family plays games, and dadand all the girls get to fix theirplates first. She is grateful for herolder brother, his birthday, and thathe watches over her.


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Colin Swenney, first grade

“I know you eat like someham, and chicken and turkey,” hesaid. Colin is thankful for school,for his big race track, and all of hiscars. “I got a lot of them,” he said.For the holiday, Colin goes to hisPapa’s in Newnan for dinner to“eat and have fun.”

Bella Grace Parker, first grade“Turkeys.” According to Bella,

that’s what this November holiday isall about. The colors brown and redmake her think of Thanksgiving. Shelikes to play with her cousins duringthe holiday and enjoys eating “turkey... and peas ... and green beans.” Sheis grateful for “my family” and “Jerryand Sophie” the giraffes and “Bunkiethe Bear.”

Jordan McKeever, first gradeGiving presents should be part

of Thanksgiving, says a smilingJordan. He wants chicken and hamat his holiday dinner. He is thankfulfor his family and also his teachers.“They’re nice,” he said. But Jordanis already thinking ahead toChristmas. “I wish I could get acat,” he said.

Jordan Smith, second grade“It’s about when people get

together and share,” said Jordan. The

sharing includes swapping recipes.

She likes pizza, but for Thanksgiving

the table features ham, bread, and

macaroni and cheese. She has a big

family that gathers together for the

holiday. She is most grateful for

“having a fun teacher,” and that “I get

to go to the library and check out

books I haven’t read before.”

Sarah Hinely, second grade

“It’s when the Indians ate with

the Pilgrims,” Sarah said,

explaining the day’s history.

Her family sometimes goes

down to Savannah for a

Thanksgiving celebration. Sarah is

most thankful this year “for my

friends and my parents.”

McKenzie Duffessy, second grade

McKenzie enjoys playing withhis cousins outside and eatingturkey, stuffing, salad and mashedpotatoes. “It’s about having familyaround,” he said. McKenzie sumsup the significance of ThanksgivingDay: “It’s about the people thatcame before us that helped tomake it nice for us.” NCM

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same thing one night.“When they were spending the

night at my house, I told them toturn out the lights. Later, I went backup and they were knitting in thedark,” she said.

Fittingly, Caroline gave Ansleyglow-in-the-dark knitting needles as abirthday present.

irls, for the last time, put downyour knitting and go to bed!”

I found myself uttering thesestrange words to my (now) 11-year-old daughter, Ansley, and her spend-the-night friends – all members of theYoung Knitters group.

Dawn Thomas, mother ofCaroline, found herself saying the

These crafty ladies share needlework

“She loves to knit at night,”Caroline told her mother.

Where did she learn this skill?“Not from us!” Dawn and I are

both quick to say.The girls, along with many

others, were taught knitting afterschool at Elm Street by volunteersCarrie Griswold and Joy Gugert.

By Meredith Leigh Knight | Photos by Bob Fraley

09_1112_18-27 10/23/09 9:53 AM Page 18


“I was at a party (three yearsago), and the counselor, CarolynSears, approached me and said she’dreally like for me to be a mentor,”said Griswold, who taught herself toknit after watching her aunt at ageseven. “I said, ‘What I’d really like todo is teach some of the girls at schoolto knit.’ Carolyn loved the idea and

then Joyvolunteered, andit just flowed fromthere.”

Griswold, who recently movedto North Georgia, chose thirdgraders as her initial groupof knitters.

“It’s a good age to


skills, joy of giving to others

The Young Knitters includeEllie Waters, Audrey Meyer,Caroline Thomas, AnsleyKnight, Meg Oldham andAutumn Hinze.

09_1112_18-27 10/23/09 9:53 AM Page 19


Caroline Thomasand Ansley

Knight work on aknitting project

together.

Meg Oldham and Ellie Waters admire a knitted frog.

Gathered for a meeting at Two Sisters Knitting Nook in Newnan are MegOldham, Ellie Waters, Caroline Thomas, Ansley Knight, Audrey Meyerand Autumn Hinze.

09_1112_18-27 10/23/09 9:53 AM Page 20


work with as a group,” she said,“because they have the fingerdexterity. Kids can learn at a youngerage, but it’s easier if it’s one on one.”

“The girls wanted to knit socksfrom the very beginning,” recallsGugert.

“We told them we needed toteach them some other things firstand then they could knit socks.”

The girls began by knitting awashcloth, then a hat, the groupquickly growing in knowledge as wellas number.

“After the first year, the girlsbrought in others,” said Carrie, whoopened up the group to third throughfifth graders. “It was a challenge tokeep the numbers small, but otherswould help. Carolyn Sears broughtout her knitting and often joined thegroup, and Katie Brady joined thegroup with her mentee.”

“One of the funniest things inthe beginning,” said Griswold, “wasthe girls had a really hard time notlooking at each other while theytalked. They were all raised so well. Ihad to tell them this is the one timeit’s okay and not impolite to notlook at the other person when youtalk.”

In order to remedy this and curbthe girls’ desire to chat, Griswoldbegan reading to them while theyknitted, choosing books such as old-fashioned fairy tales, advice andsayings from knitting books, and thegirls’ favorite, Caddie Woodlawn.

“Caddie is based on a true story.She was about the same age as thegirls, and from the Wild West, a realtomboy. The girls couldn’t wait tohear what would happen next,” saidGriswold. “It brought up so manytopics. The girls could bring up their

fears and challenges, talk aboutanything and be accepted. I’veexperienced that with all knittinggroups. It’s a bonding that takesplace. There’s something aboutworking with one’s hands that takesaway the self-consciousness. It’s awonderful gift to pass on throughthe generations.”

Ask the girls what their favoriteproject is and they will unanimouslysay “The bears!” And not justbecause they are cute and cuddly.

“We liked helping otherpeople,” said Ansley, as the othersnodded in agreement.

The knitters made the bearsduring their second year as part ofthe Mother Bear project, whichsupplies hand-knitted bears tochildren suffering from the effects ofthe AIDS epidemic in Africa. Formany of the girls, it was the first

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time they had heard of the disease soit brought a real awareness to theplight of others. The girls used apattern that dated back to WorldWar II. The original pattern was usedto make bears for children evacuatedfrom London during the Blitz. Oncethe girls’ bears were finished, theywere sent to Africa with a note aspart of the Mother Bear project.

“We had a good time doing thebears,” said Joy. “They all had names,and we would line them up to talk tothem.”

During the final year, the oldergirls made their much anticipatedsocks.

“My favorite thing aboutknitting was making our own stuff,”said Meg Oldham.

“Yeah, and then people ask ‘Whodid that?’” said Ellie Waters, “and wecan say, ‘I did!’”

“I like knitting because you canget a redo,” said Griswold. “If it’s notright, you can rip it out and do itover again. It teaches patience,humility and brings lots of joy.”

Despite the fact that several of thegirls have moved on to middleschool, and Griswold, too, hasmoved away, the lessons learnedwhile knitting are carried with them.The girls continue to practice athome and in groups when they can,eager to share their newfound skillwith others, whether it be helpingyounger kids learn or teaching a fewold dogs (a.k.a. their moms) a newtrick. NCM

Audrey Meyer andAutumn Hinze work ontheir knitting together.

Ellie Waters Meg Oldham


09_1112_18-27 10/23/09 9:54 AM Page 22

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steering wheel, but I am thankfulnonetheless.

2. Pacifiers. I know that use ofthese controversial objects is probablythe sign of me being a “weak”mother, but if that’s the stereotype sobe it! It should also probably botherme that my one-year-old often sharessaid pacis with my dogs – and yetstrangely it doesn’t. I love thesethings and am convinced you cannever have enough. Anything thatspeeds up nap and bedtime is a

friend of mine. Speaking of whichleads me to number 3 …

3. Naptime! Every mother’sfavorite word. I am very fortunate

that Lilly loves her schedule and takesregular naps. I have friends whosebabies never take naps and I simplycan’t imagine how exhausting thosedays must be! How else are you ableto squeeze in basic things likeshowering?! (There was a verystressful time in our home when Lilwould stand outside the shower andscream at the top of her lungs atwhoever was attempting one. Shewould also beat on the glass and tryto slide the door open while

screaming. Showering one-handedwhile your ears are ringing is a lessthan enjoyable experience, I canassure you.) Several of my friends are

have recently concludedthat once you have a baby,you enter into a verystrange space-timecontinuum. It feels like Iblinked and the year wasgone. It just does not seempossible that the holiday

season is already uponus! As we come into the mostwonderful time of the year, I wantedto share my list of what I have beenmost thankful for in 2009. (Amazinghow it’s the simple things you loveand appreciate the most once youbecome a mother!)

1. Disney’s “Little Einsteins”!This has been Lilly’s favorite showsince she was three months old, and Iam now forever indebted to these kidsbecause of their “Musical Missions”CD that prevents my child fromscreaming every time she is put in hercar seat. That theme song comes onand the [fake] tears dry upimmediately! Granted, I have heardthese songs so many times that I amhumming them in my sleep and attimes just hearing them makes mewant to slam my head against the

By Carolyn Barnard

Several of my friends are

very productive people during

naptime, while I often find

myself staring into space

doing nothing. And loving it.

> Baby Files

09_1112_18-27 10/23/09 9:54 AM Page 24


very productive people during naptime, while Ioften find myself staring into space doing nothing.And loving it.

4. Pets, cell phones and Tupperware. Thesemay seem unconventional things for which to bethankful, but anything that keeps Lilly entertainedas much and as frequently as these things do goeson the list. I cannot tell you how much my childloves our dogs, and how much I love them for beingpatient with her! She chases them around, pullstheir ears, pokes their eyes and regularly tries to eattheir food. She went through a phase where herfavorite things to teethe on were their chew toys,but I assured myself that if they were safe foranimals surely the same was true for babies. Cellphones are amazing car seat distracters (we havereplaced only one so far due to the drool factor),and Tupperware is an amazing thing to give a babywhile kitchen-cleaning!

5. My husband! Truly he is the most amazingman on the planet for how attentive and helpful heis. It has been one of the most incredible experiencesof my life to watch how he loves our daughter andhow she loves him back. I always thought I wouldtake it personally if my kids acted like they wantedto be held by Daddy instead of me, but nothingcould be further from the truth! I have lovedwatching their relationship develop and am trulyblessed by it every day.

Of course all of these things are wonderful,simple pleasures that have made my life easier, butin all seriousness, even with the world and economythe way they are, we have an innumerable amountof things in our lives for which we should bethankful every day. My parents are currently livingin Manila, the Philippines, where recently there wassevere flooding with terrible casualties. Some of thepictures from relief efforts there are nothing short oftragic. My mother tells me all the time that whenshe sees the young mothers on corners begging formoney or food, how easily that could have been meor Lilly. What an incredible blessing and gift that welive in America and that we have beds and food andeven flu shots.

From the smallest things like pacis and naptimeto the bigger blessing of being an American, to theultimate Gift of a Baby in a manger, fill yourholiday season with a spirit of thankfulness. We allhave much to be grateful for! NCM

McMANUSFamily and Cosmetic Dentistry

7 Baynard ParkNewnan, GA 30265

(located behind Bank of GA - in front of YMCA)

[email protected]

Root canals, extractions, crown andbridge, implants, custom dentures andpartials, cosmetic procedures

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Quality child careand learning experiences

in a safe and caring environment

770.253.6629www.NewnanAcademy.com

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09_1112_18-27 10/23/09 9:54 AM Page 25


a bake sale and a Lights Parade. For more

information on Main Street events, call 770-

253-8283.

• Coweta Christmas, the 11th annual

event of the Chi Chapter of Alpha Delta

Kappa (ADK), will be Nov. 14 at the Coweta

County Fairgrounds on Pine Road. The

shopping event has plenty to entertain

youngsters and will be held from 9:30 a.m.

to 4 p.m.

Local school choruses and an Irish

dance group will be performing. School

groups entertaining with holiday music will

be Eastside, White Oak, Atkinson, Northside,

Poplar Road, Brooks and Newnan Crossing

elementary schools. Brenda Word of ADK

said Santa will be returning this year for

photos with the children. The Secret Santa

Shop is closed to parents so children may

purchase surprise gifts for their loved ones.

Parents may pay a small fee for little ones to

make crafts.

Vendors will offer wares including

jewelry, home decor, homemade goodies,

Christmas gifts and children’s clothes. A

silent auction will also be held. Proceeds

help ADK, an organization of women

educators, raise money for scholarships for

students from Coweta’s high schools to

study education. Contributions are also

made to Community Welcome House and

the Ferst Foundation, which provides free

books to children. Visitors may also take a

shopping break to enjoy a snack or two since

food and drinks will be for sale at Coweta

Christmas.

• The Candlelight Tour of Homes in

Newnan will be like stepping back into

Christmas 1909. The tour is Friday, Dec. 4,

from 4-9 p.m. The Piedmont Newnan Hospital

Auxiliary is joining with the Newnan Reading

Circle this year for the celebration of the

literary group’s 100th anniversary. The five

homes selected for this year’s tour were the

homes of some of the original charter

members of the Circle.

“The Auxiliary is honored to be part of

this once in a lifetime celebration,” said

Barbara Tumperi, event chair.

The homes featured are examples of

Victorian architecture, Georgian and

antebellum plantation styles. Tumperi said

Reading Circle members will be dressed in

period costume for the tour. Traditional

Christmas carols such as “Deck the Halls”

will be played on the piano. Refreshments

will be served at one of the homes.

The homes open for tour will be the

Parks-Enloe/McWhorter home, 27 Temple

Ave.; the Atkinson-Glover home at 19 Temple

Ave.; the Orr-Zellers-Jessel home at 10

College St.; the Salbide-Reese-

Betts/Williams home at 29 College St.; and

the Sargent-Bryant-Estanich home at 47

Jackson St. in Newnan.

Tour attendees will see beautiful built-in

cabinetry, stained glass windows, Cole Shop

millwork, renovated kitchens, a sleeping

• Kicking off the season is the 41st

Christmas Artist Market, an event of the

Newnan-Coweta Art Association (NCAA), to

be held Nov. 6-8. The art exhibit will be held

at the Historic Train Depot, located at the

corners of Broad and Washington Streets in

Newnan. Hours are Friday from noon to 7

p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday

noon to 5 p.m. This show features original

paintings, prints, photography, jewelry, crafts

and gifts, all made by local artists, and

perfect for the art lover on your Christmas

list. For more information, call Silvia

Feenaghty at 770-487-1005.

• Main Street Newnan has a packed

calendar for both November and December.

Events in November include Market Day on

the Square (Nov. 7 from 10-2), the annual

Holiday Open House (Nov. 8 from noon-5),

Pickin’ on the Square (Nov. 14 beginning at 10

a.m.), and finally, the much-anticipated arrival

of Santa on Nov. 27 (6-8 p.m.)

In December, the Main Street offerings

include a Market Day (Dec. 5 from 10-2), the

annual Christmas Parade with Santa (Dec. 6

beginning at 3 p.m.), Pickin’ on the Square

(Dec. 12 beginning at 10 a.m.), and a new

event, a Downtown Cookie Exchange, on

Dec. 11 from 5-8 p.m. Participating merchants

will each feature a homemade cookie along

with the recipe for you to pick up and take

home to share. Finally, round out the

Christmas season with the Festival of Lights

parade on Dec. 18 and 19 and enjoy caroling,

Holid y H ppeningsEnjoy the sights and sounds of the Christmas season in Newnan with bazaars, parades, an art show

and a chance to see the community’s historic homes all dressed up for the holidays.

47 Jackson St.

Coweta Christmas’s Santa

NCAA Artist Market

By Nichole Golden

09_1112_18-27 10/23/09 9:54 AM Page 26

porch and gazebo porch among other

architectural details.

Advance tickets are $12 and may be

purchased at Scott’s Bookstore on the Court

Square, both Sprayberry’s BBQ restaurants in

Coweta, the Piedmont Newnan Wellness Center

on the Court Square, or the Gift Shop at

Piedmont Newnan on Hospital Road.

Tickets at the door are $15 each. For

information on the tour, call 770-253-8866.

Parking will be available at the in-town lot of the

hospital. Proceeds benefit the auxiliary’s annual

scholarship program, as well as the hospital’s

new outpatient diagnostic center for women.

• Light Up Senoia in downtown Senoia is

set for Dec. 5 from 5-8 p.m. There will be a

Christmas parade, Christmas tree lighting, music,

Santa’s Secret Workshop and pictures with

Santa. The Clydesdale horses will be in Senoia

Dec. 13 from 1-3 p.m., and the Candlelight Tour of

Homes will be Dec. 13 from 5-8 p.m.

• Shop and support a good cause by

attending the second annual Coweta Shopping

Bazaar. Sponsored by the Coweta County

Special Olympics program, the bazaar will

support mentally and physically handicapped

children. The event will be Saturday, Dec. 5,

from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the county’s all-purpose

building next to the Recreation Department, 39

Hospital Rd.

Vendors for this event are exclusive, and

food and drinks will be sold to shoppers. Warm

up with chili, coffee and hot chocolate. Shop for

candles, scrapbooking materials, engravable

gifts, cosmetics, jewelry and home interior

items. Vendors will be offering door prizes and

giveaways.

For details on the event, call Teresa

McDonald, bazaar coordinator, at 770-253-0892.

“We would like to have many vendors and many

shoppers,” McDonald said. NCM N E W N A N C E N T E R770-254-7280 www.nc.westga.edu

Mary WilliamsAssistant Professor of Nursing

“Relationship building is one of the core values thatthe UWG School of Nursing strives to instill in its

graduates. It has facilitated this by creating a forumfor nursing graduates to maintain a professional

relationship with the school, keep us informed of their success or contact us if they needadditional support, such as employment

opportunities, references, etc. Many of ourfaculty members have graduated from

UWG, and I am a ’98 graduate of theRN-BSN program. We are living

proof that the School of Nursing is committed to

building relationships and career success.”

Senoia parade

09_1112_18-27 10/23/09 9:54 AM Page 27

Photos and recipes by Deberah Williams


09_1112_28-35 10/23/09 9:58 AM Page 28

Like mostCoweta families, the first

item on our Thanksgiving menu isalways turkey. Until recently, it was roasted in a

large roasting pan in our home's only oven. I oftenran into the problem of scheduling the baked items and

wishing for a second oven, just for Thanksgiving. A couple of years ago, my husband Jerry, an avid griller,

suggested grilling our Thanksgiving turkey to solve the oven dilemmaand I nervously agreed. It was an experiment that turned into a tradition.

Not only did we free up the kitchen, but the grilled turkey was tasty andeven more tender than when roasted in the oven.

There are some "must have" items you will need before grilling a turkey.The most important is a meat thermometer. The second is a foil pan with wirehandles (the kind with the wire that goes underneath the pan). This adds stabilitywhen removing the hot turkey from the grill. You also will need large oven mitts, abasting brush and heavy duty aluminum foil. It is also nice to have a small rack toplace under the turkey. You can make one by covering a small metal pan or even afoil pie pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil and placing it underneath. This helpskeep the turkey out of the drippings. The grill should be a four-burner covered grill,and it is helpful (but not necessary) to have a temperature gauge on the grill to makesure the temperature remains constant. One of the most important tips: always startwith a full tank of gas.

1/4 cup balsamicvinegar2 tablespoons of oliveoil or butter

Cook aboveingredients in asaucepan until itcomes to a boil andsugars are melted.Use in the last 30minutes to baste theturkey.

Honey-glazed Grilled Turkey

12-pound fresh orfully thawed turkey,giblets removed1/2 cup waterPam or othercooking spray

Basting sauce:1/2 cup honey1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup applecider vinegar


09_1112_28-35 10/23/09 9:58 AM Page 29


Optional garnish for the turkeyAdd herbs and spice leaves aroundturkey and garnish with miniaturepears and lady apples

If your grill has a top or warmingrack, remove it for grilling the turkey.Use a foil pan with handles and

prepare byinserting acovered rack orpan in thebottom of

large foil pan. Pour 1/2 cup of water inthe bottom of the pan. Place turkey inthe pan, checking to make sure allcavities are empty (unless of course youare stuffing the turkey). Cover withaluminum foil that is sprayed insidewith cooking spray, so it won’t stick tothe turkey. To prepare the grill, turn allburners on until temperature isbetween 300 and 325 degrees. Turn offthe inside burners and put the turkeyin the centerof the grill.Monitor thegrill to keepthetemperaturearound 325degrees.Cook the turkey approximately 4hours and check temperature afterabout 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Thetemperature should steadily rise. In thelast 30 minutes of cooking, remove thefoil and baste with the glaze. Basteevery 10 to 15 minutes and watchcarefully that the turkey doesn’t get toobrown. Remove when internaltemperature reaches 160 degrees. Puton a plate and garnish with greens,herbs and small pears and apples.

I don’t generally stuff the turkeybecause I usually make cornbreaddressing, but according to the USDA,the internal temperature of a stuffedturkey must be 165 degrees. NCM


Our Greatest GenerationA Collection of Stories from Coweta County’s WWII Veterans and the The Times-HeraldHarold Barron

Wendell Whitlock

James McCalla

Paul McKnight

Hugo Parkman

Charles Turner

Everett Graves

Albert “Lee” Herrington

Bob Eatman

Joe Lowe

Joe Todd

Robert Pittman

Udolphus Daulton Payne

Bob Haynie

Harold Barber

Gene Cook

Art Carlson

James Maddux

Helen Denton

Edwin Bean

Bill Barrow

Donald Van Houten

James Warren

Ford Boling

Bill Lowry

Alton Kirby

Arthur Dye

David Mealor

Ferrell Parrott

Walter Ferrari

Roy Pitts

Norman Estes

Raymond Cook

Clifford Wright

Tom Glanton

Tom Camp

John Keeble

Bobby Hammond

Edwin Fey

J. W. Hartley

Adrian Daane

William Morris

Helen H. Tillett

Paul Deverick

Winston Clark

Robert Alexander

J. T. Joiner

Clarence Boynton

Frank Moynahan

Marvin O’Neal

James Goodrum

Alton Reeves

James Mansour

Robert E. “Bob” Lee

Coleman Yarbrough

Tommy Thompson

Homer Youngblood

Patrick Ciandella

‘Flying the Hump’

Sarah Rone

D. M. “Hump” Humphries

E. R. Forsyth

Ed Wyrick

Tom Miller

Robert Sanders

Sam Isaac

Bill Deakins

Leo Baker

Grover McMichael

Robert Bridges

William Tinsley

Al Lewis

William Smith

Marvin Kee

Sisto “Sas” Radicchi

Donn Murray

David Potter

Eric Chaffin

Nelson Reinhardt

Lowell Chambers

Jesse Hayes

Jim Wasson

Olin Watson

C. E. “Chunk” Dingler

Bob Taylor

Ralph Parks

Bill Dailey

Elmer Spradlin

Horace Couch

Don Lindstrom

Bob Newton

C. B. Warren

Horace McMullan

Jack Wade

Eddie B. Bass

Merlin Houston

James Robb

Mickey Williams

Jimmy Carlisle

Ed Wolak

Bert Bray

Frank Cheney

Harry Newton

Dan Moten

Gilbert Taylor

Ed Milton

James Stitcher

John Richards

Bill Jones

Roscoe McMichael

Jimmy Nixon

Marvin Brittain

Cecil Taylor

Alvin Warren

James “Jim” Williams

Walter Craven

Earl Smith

Robert Allen

William Jackson

John Finley

Tom Norton

Leland Rogers

Jack Humphrey

John Byrd

Bill Rainer

Zane Bristol

Bruce Deakin

J. T. Williams

Name___________________________________________________

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Order Online Atwww.times-herald.com/store

or fill out and return order blank to:

Our Greatest Generation CDThe Times-HeraldP.O.

(includes tax, shipping and handling, if applicable)

only EACH

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Our Greatest Generation CD

Stop by today and pick up your CD!

09_1112_28-35 10/23/09 9:58 AM Page 30

Sunday, December 6, 3 p.m.

Friday & Saturday,

Dec. 18 & 19

Join us for Caroling, a Bake Sale and

a Lights Parade to round out your

Christmas season.

Visit

www.mainstreetnewnan.com

for more details.

Sunday, November 8

12 Noon to 5 p.m.

Get an early start on your Christmas

shopping in downtown Historic

Newnan while enjoying refreshments,

entertainment and

in-store specials!

Friday,

December 11

5 to 8 p.m.

Visit the participating merchants to build your

Christmas cookie collection and recipe box. Each store

will feature a homemade cookie along with the recipe

for you to pick up and take home to share.

Kids of all ages enjoy the largest parade in the area with floats, marching bands and Santa Claus!

(See our website for the 2009 Christmas Parade application.)

www.mainstreetnewnan.com770.253.8283

09_1112_28-35 10/23/09 9:58 AM Page 31

Market DaySaturday, November 7th10am - 2pm

Historic Downtown NewnanCourthouse Square

Holiday Open HouseSunday, November 8th12 noon – 5pm

Get an early start on yourChristmas shopping downtownHistoric Newnan. There will beChristmas spirit in the air. Andan exciting time in Newnan withrefreshments, entertainment andin-store specials!

Pickin’ on the SquareSaturday, November 14th10am - until

Join us for Pickin' on theSquare! All musicians areinvited to come down toNewnan’s Historic CourthouseSquare and play. All musicgenres and skill levels arewelcome. Acoustic only.

Santa’s Arrival to NewnanFriday, November 27th6pm- 8pm

Children of all ages come

Simply Charming!

6 East Court SquareHistoric Downtown Newnanwww.brothersltd.com

770.253.5792

Main Street Newnan Holiday Events

NOVEMBER 2009 The best Home grown, Hand madeor Home made products this sideof Atlanta. Stroll the streets ofDowntown and discover theunique products.

Photo courtesy of Main Street Newnan

32 | N E W N A N - C O W E T A M A G A Z I N E Advertising Section

09_1112_28-35 10/23/09 9:58 AM Page 32

home forthe holidays

BUILD YOUR OWN BRAND OF PERFECT!

Choose Your Back Option

Choose Your Arm Style

Choose Your Leg Style & Finish

Choose Your Base and Pillow

Options

75 Greenville StreetDowntown Newnan

(Across the street from the new Justice Center)

(770) 253-4040

OPEN: Mon.-Fri. 9-6; Sat. 9-5; Closed Sunday

Same Location Since 1955www.knoxfurn.com q t u aCOMPANY, INC.

COMPANY, INC.

09_1112_28-35 10/23/09 9:58 AM Page 33


downtown to see Santa arrive todowntown Historic Newnan tolight the Christmas tree. Childrenbring your wish list and parentsbring your cameras.

Market DaySaturday, December 5th10am - 2pm

The best Home grown, Handmade or Home made products

LEE-KING PHARMACYBetween Old Newnan Hospital & PAPP Clinic

770.253.1622

Visit all three locations – Each one has a special gift selection!

Same Personal Service

LEE-GOODRUM PHARMACY40 Hospital Road

770.253.1121

LEE-GOODRUM EASTSIDE134 Farmer Industrial Boulevard

770.251.4808

Free City DeliveryServing Newnan Since 1907

Newnan Main Financial Center

Jefferson Street Financial Center

Thomas Crossroads Financial Center

We’re more than a bank. We’re your neighbors.

B A N K I N G I N S U R A N C E I N V E S T M E N T S

Main Street Newnan Holiday Events

DECEMBER 2009

Photo courtesy of Main Street Newnan

Advertising Section

09_1112_28-35 10/23/09 9:59 AM Page 34


this side of Atlanta. Stroll thestreets of Downtown and discoverthe unique products.Historic Downtown NewnanCourthouse Square

Annual Christmas Parade with SantaSunday, December 6th3pm

Kids of all ages enjoy the largestparade in the area with floats,marching bands and Santa Claus

Pickin’ on the SquareSaturday, December 12th10am - until

Join us for Pickin' on the Square!All musicians are invited to comedown to Newnan’s HistoricCourthouse Square and play. Allmusic genres and skill levels arewelcome. Acoustic only.

Downtown Cookie ExchangeFriday, December 11th5pm - 8 pm

Visit the participating merchantsto build your Christmas cookiecollection and recipe box. Eachstore will feature a homemadecookie along with the recipe foryou to pick up and take home toshare.

Festival of LightsDecember 18 &19

Join us for Caroling, Bake Saleand a Lights Parade to round outyour Christmas season.

**Dates and events subject tochange without notice

Sunday Morning WorshipTraditional - 8:30 & 10:55

Sunday School at 9:45Youth Groups, nursery and more.

Please join us!

33 Greenville StreetNewnan, GA 30263

Phone: 770-253-7400www.newnanfumc.org

MakeChristmas Special.

J E F F M O R G A Nmember of national association of jewelry appraisers

14 North Court SquareHistoric Downtown Newnan

770.253.2720

Expert Stone Setting and Jewelry RepairCertified Appraisals - Watch RepairEngraving - Gift Wrap

“WHERE EATING IS DINING”

770.502.9100

Ten East Washington

Advertising Section

09_1112_28-35 10/23/09 9:59 AM Page 35


> COWETA COOKS


By Janet Flanigan | Photos by Bob Fraley

Enjoy somevegetarianholidaymeals

09_1112_36-43 10/23/09 10:02 AM Page 36


ast year, a “Vegetarianism in America” study waspublished which revealed that 3.2 percent of theAmerican population is now vegetarian and 10percent follow a vegetarian-inclined diet. Avegetarian diet is nothing new to Newnan’s KimFrederking since she decided to give up all meatexcept fish more than 20 years ago.

Always a huge lover of animals, Frederkinghad thought about giving up meatand made a firm decision to do sobut was worried about eating

enough protein. “Then I met a friend years ago whotold me how I could eat healthfully while phasing outthe red meat first, then the poultry and that was it,”she said.

She and husband Scott have two daughters,Amanda, 15, and Emma Rose, 12, who have chosento follow a vegetarian diet of their own volition, andFrederking says they are even stricter than she is.“They’ll not even eat fish and get mad at me if I do!”she said. Scott enjoys the family’s meatless meals athome but has not gone full vegetarian; he indulges hissteak and burger cravings during lunch at work.

Holidays provide opportunities to pull outfavorite recipes, and Frederking has a prizedcookbook she turns to often, The Greens Cookbookfrom Greens Restaurant in San Francisco. She saidGreens is a pioneer vegetarian restaurant whichapplies organic, sustainable growing practices bybuying local produce and growing what they can’tpurchase locally.

When deciding to go meatless for holiday meals,Frederking recommends selecting a hearty main dishrecipe such as this Wild Mushroom Lasagna toreplace the turkey or ham. Vegetable side dishes likethis Winter Squash, Leeks and Sage are a naturaladdition to the vegetable spread. Chicken broth canoften be replaced with vegetable broth or fruit juice,and cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup canoften be used in place of cream of chicken soup.

1523 LOWER FAYETTEVILLE RD., NEWNAN, GA 30265

DECEMBER 2ND AT 7:00 P.M.

The Piatigorsky Foundation

presents

Evan DrachmanConcert Cellist

$5 General Admission

For tickets call 770-254-2787

For info visit www.piatigorskyfoundation.org

DECEMBER 12TH AT 7:00 P.M.Broadway Boys

$12 Adults$10 Students and Sr. CitizensFor tickets call 770-254-2787

DECEMBER 13TH AT 2:00 P.M.Masterworks Chorale

“Messiah”$15 Adults – $12 Sr. Citizens

$5.00 Students w/ID

For further information on upcoming events visitwww.thecentreonline.net or call 770-254-2787

OCTOBER 29–NOVEMBER 30 Steve Penley Art Exhibit

Gallery Hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.

&oƒ Coweta County

Th e Centre forPerforming Visual Arts

INDEPENDENT &ASSISTED LIVING

770-631-34611967 Highway 54 W., Fayetteville

A Royal Gardens Community

09_1112_36-43 10/23/09 10:02 AM Page 37

WINTER SQUASH,

LEEKS AND SAGE

2 butternut squash, peeled andcut into 1/2 inch pieces1 leek (white part only), chopped1 garlic clove, minced6 fresh sage leaves, minced4 tablespoons extra virgin oliveoil2 tablespoons butterSalt and freshly ground blackpepper to taste

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.Prepare a casserole dish by coat-ing with butter or cooking spray.Toss squash, leeks, garlic, sageand olive oil together. Seasonwith salt and freshly ground blackpepper. Dot pieces of butter ontop. Bake uncovered for 50 min-utes or until squash is tender.Serves six.

Adapted from “The Greens Cookbook”


WILD MUSHROOM LASAGNA

WITH BÉCHAMEL SAUCE

1 box lasagna noodles, cooked(can use no-cook noodles)2 cups Parmesan or Asiago cheese,shredded1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms4 tablespoons butter2 tablespoons olive oil3 bay leaves1 small onion, finely diced4 medium carrots, peeled and fine-ly diced4 celery stalks, finely diced2 tablespoons fresh thyme or 1/2teaspoon dried thyme1 tablespoon fresh marjoram,chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried mar-joram1 tablespoon parsley, chopped1-1/2 pounds mushrooms, wipedclean and thinly sliced (Kim uses acombination of regular and babyportabellas)3 cloves garlic, finely choppedSalt and pepper4 tablespoons tomato paste

Cover dried mushrooms with 1 cupboiling water and let sit for 20 min-utes. Squeeze dry, saving soakingliquid. Roughly chop mushroomsinto small pieces. Strain cooking liq-uid through strainer lined with apaper towel and reserve liquid.

While mushrooms are soaking, cooklasagna noodles. If using cookedkind, drain and cover loosely withdamp paper towels to keep moist.

Melt butter and olive oil with bayleaves over medium heat in a skillet.Then add the onion, carrots, celeryand herbs. Raise heat and cookbriskly for 3-4 minutes. Add slicedmushrooms, garlic and dried mush-rooms. Season with salt and pepperand cook 3 minutes. Add soaking liq-uid and tomato paste. Cook untilmushrooms are tender and a syrupyjuice remains on bottom of pan.Remove bay leaves and discard.

Wild Mushroom Lasagna with Bechamel Sauceand Winter Squash, Leeks and Sage

09_1112_36-43 10/23/09 10:02 AM Page 38


Béchamel Sauce

6 tablespoons butter1 shallot, diced6 tablespoons flour6 cups milk1/2 cup light cream (can use fat-freehalf-and-half)NutmegSalt and pepper

Melt butter, add shallot and cookslowly until soft. Stir in flour tomake a roux and cook over lowheat for 3-4 minutes. Set aside tocool. Combine milk and cream andheat to nearly boiling point, thenwhisk into cooled roux. Return toheat and cook 15 minutes, stirringfrequently. Season with a pinch ofnutmeg and salt and pepper totaste.

To assemble lasagna:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.Prepare lasagna pan with butter orcooking spray.

Spoon 1 cup béchamel sauce overbottom of pan. Layer noodles,béchamel, mushroom mixture andgrated cheese. Cover with anotherlayer of noodles, then add morebéchamel, mushrooms and cheese.Add another layer repeating orderof ingredients. Finish with a layer ofpasta. Spread remaining béchameland cheese on top.

Cover loosely with foil and bake for15 minutes. Remove foil and bakeuntil top is brown and lasagna isbubbling, about 25 minutes. Let sitfor a few minutes. For wine, serveany number of reds – zinfandel or aFrench Cotes du Rhone. Serves six.

Adapted from “The Greens Cookbook”

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By Janet Flanigan | Photos by Bob Fraley

Kam family keeps Chanukah miraclealive with time of reflection


09_1112_36-43 10/23/09 10:02 AM Page 40

or many, thewinter holidays are a

time for family joy andfestivity. For

the religious,they are a time of

celebration andreflection. Newnan’s Michaeland Debbi Kam and their

children Jason, 25,Amy, 27, and Erik,

33, see Chanukah as oneof the most festive holidays on theJewish calendar.

Debbi Kam explains, “We arejoyous during Chanukah because it isa holiday that celebrates the victory ofthe Maccabees over the Greeks andthe rebuilding of the Temple. RoshHashana (Jewish New Year) and YomKippur (Day of Atonement) are moresolemn and are spent all day in Shul(synagogue).”

The elder Kams grew up, metand fell in love in Atlanta, althoughDebbi’s family is originally from St.Louis. Debbi and Michael moved toNewnan 30 years ago when Michaelwas offered a position in a law firmwith George Rosenzweig. He is now apartner in Kam, Ebersbach & LewisPC. Debbi spent many of the earlyyears making sure their children madeit from their regular school educationhere in Newnan to their religiousschool education in Atlanta.

“We attend Temple Sinai inAtlanta, and our children attendedreligious school there,” Debbi says.There aren’t many synagogues on thesouth side of Atlanta and now that

Debbi and Jason Kam, above,show some of the food anddecor typically used in their

family’s Chanukah celebration.At right are a dreidel, some

gold coins and a menorah thatare part of the observance.


09_1112_36-43 10/23/09 10:03 AM Page 41


Today, Jews the world overcelebrate Chanukah in many personalways but there are rituals that helpkeep the Chanukah miracle alive forfamilies. The menorah lighting iscentral to the Chanukah observance.This candelabrum can be plain orfancy, and many families collectindividual menorahs for eachmember of the family. Debbi saysthat each person in their family hastheir own menorah and they alsohave ones the children have made.

Chanukah is a celebration of theMaccabean revolt and rededicationof the Holy Temple and its altar afterit was desecrated by the Greeks.During the original Chanukahdedication, there was only enoughconsecrated olive oil to keep theeternal flame in the Temple burningfor one day, but miraculously the oilburned for eight days. Jason sayseight days is the length of time ittook to press, prepare and consecratefresh olive oil.

Michael’s mother is the administratorfor the temple, Debbi says, “it reallymakes sense to go there!”

The Kams have enjoyed gettingtogether with other Jewish familiesin Coweta County by creating aHavurah group, a close-knit group orcircle of friends with whom to sharefriendship, prayer and fellowship.Debbi says their Havurah was moreactive when the children wereyounger but they love to see new andold friends.

Debbi Kam says her family’s traditional Chanukah meal includes beef brisket with carrots and onions as well aslatkes with applesauce. At right are some of the family’s menorahs, including ones the children made.

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The menorah may be lit by waxcandles or by oil and cotton wicks,but whatever the fuel, Debbi says theflame must not be blown out butburn out on its own each night. Shefinds candles safer than oil, especiallywith children in the house. Theflames must burn at least 30 minuteseach night and for at least 1-1/2hours on Friday night Shabbat(Sabbath). If a candle or oil lit flamedoes go out, it must not be relit. TheChanukah lights must not beprepared for Saturday night duringFriday night Shabbat because it is aday of rest.

Shabbat takes place from sunsetFriday evening until nightfallSaturday night, and the menorahmust be lit before lighting theShabbat candles because no work maybe done during the Sabbath. Sabbathcandles are lit 18 minutes beforesundown, so organization is crucial,

but it’s a matter of recognizing Godcomes first.

The Jewish faith has manysymbolic foods for different holidays,but during Chanukah two of themore popular ones are Potato Latkesand Sufganiot. They represent foodscooked in oil and naturally hearkenback to the miracle of oil from theTemple. The latkes are a potatopancake made of grated potato, egg,grated onion and sometimes flour orground matzo and salt and pepper totaste. They are fried in a shallowlayer of oil until crisp and can betopped with a variety of tasty treatsfrom sour cream to applesauce orsugar. Sufganiot (or Sufganiyot) aredoughnuts, and again the oil issignificant during Chanukah. Thesesweet treats are especially popular inIsrael during the weeks leading up toand during the Chanukah season butcertainly are enjoyed the world over.

Debbi says their traditionalChanukah meal is beef brisket withcarrots and onions and latkes withapplesauce. “The kids also enjoyedplaying the dreidel game, which is abetting game where they win gelt,”she says. Gelt is money, includingreal money, but more often inrelation to Chanukah it ischocolate-covered gold coins. Kidsspin the dreidel and win or losetheir coins.

“During Chanukah we also hadone night of gift-giving but reallymade more of a deal of it when thekids were small. Now that they areolder, we focus more on thecelebration and family time,”Debbi says.

The commemoration of theChanukah miracle brings togetherthe Kams, and Jews the world over,in celebration and remembrancethrough ritual, love and family. NCM

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diminutive author. However, for afew short years, from age four tonine, he was raised in the most stableenvironment Capote would know.He was sent to live with his mother’saunts and uncle in Monroeville, Ala.,and it was during this time heformed his lifelong friendship withfellow writer Harper Lee. He wroteof his remembrances in his semi-autobiographical short story classic, AChristmas Memory, in which herecalls the sweetness of a childhoodleft behind.

The Hallmark version carries theessential truths of the book, which

are the loving reminiscences of theseven-year-old Buddy, who has beensent to live in Alabama with hisancient aunts, uncle and an olderfemale cousin named Sook, who isBuddy’s best friend. Sook has neverseen a movie or eaten in a restaurantbut she can tame hummingbirds andtell great ghost stories; she’s childlikein many ways, and this makes hermagical to Buddy.

The stars of the film includedPatty Duke (Sook), Eric Lloyd(Buddy), Piper Laurie (Jennie), AnitaGillette (Callie) and Jeffrey DeMunn(Seabone). Hallmark Pictures

In 1997, Sharpsburgturned “Hollywood” for

several months when stars PattyDuke, Piper Laurie, Eric Lloyd, AnitaGillette and Jeffrey DeMunn came tofilm a Hallmark Entertainmentadaptation of Truman Capote’s AChristmas Memory. Filming became acommunity effort, and theSharpsburg Merchants Associationhas once again invited the communityto come together, this time for a freeshowing of the film on Dec. 18.

Truman Capote had an unsettledchildhood which many say moldedmuch of what poured out of the

By Janet Flanigan | Photos by Bob Fraleyand courtesy of Herb BridgesChristmas

09_1112_44-49 10/23/09 10:43 AM Page 44

Director Glenn Jordan and his teamturned to the town to fill out the cast.

Ann and Jack Merrick received acall from a location scout about usingtheir house as ground zero forCapote’s childhood home. This wasnot a commitment to be takenlightly, as shooting took severalmonths and entailed packing up theirentire house and their dogs and thenhaving the house “turned back” to the1930s. “Our house had been usedbefore for the movie Pet Sematary II,”


Patty Dukeand Eric Lloyd

Herb Bridgesduring filming

Piper Laurieand AnitaGillette

Eric Lloyd Patty Duke

Movie photos courtesy ofHallmark Entertainment

09_1112_44-49 10/23/09 10:43 AM Page 45

said Ann Merrick, “so we knew whatit meant and Jack enjoys the wholemovie thing. I worried about movingmy older dog but Hallmark Pictureswas great.”

Ann said for Pet Sematary, moviefolks literally came “knocking on ourdoor,” but for A Christmas Memoryand Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns theywere approached through the GeorgiaFilm Commission.

Mary Ann Reese had just retiredfrom 30 years of teaching (34.333years of first grade, she says) when afriend recommended she lend herquintessential southern voice as adialect coach. She was contacted byDirector Glenn Jordan and a locationdirector, so she read the script forthem around her dining room table.

“I was nervous at first, but then Iwas fine,” she said. The directorsrecorded that reading and gave it toall of the actors, and Reese said bythe time they arrived in Sharpsburg


Jack and Ann Merrick had alreadyloaned their home for the film PetSematary when a location scoutcame calling about using their homeas the location for A ChristmasMemory in 1997.

Director Glenn Jordan and actress PattyDuke autographed this photo for

Sharpsburg’s Herb Bridges, who promotedthe town as a site for filming. This shot was

during the “Delivering Fruitcake” scene.

09_1112_44-49 10/23/09 10:44 AM Page 46

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behind cars and trees to give cues toextras about when they should walkor move. “It wasn’t the director saying‘Action!’ and we moved,” heexplained.

For his second role in the filmWilliams played the driver of a 1927Pierce Arrow Bus, and whatinterested him was a backgroundscene happening behind the mainscene in a flower shop, yet they hadto shoot it over and over again.

What he remembers most aboutthat scene is another extra, a youngwoman in her thirties who wasmissing her front teeth and played abus passenger. She decided to livenup their non-speaking parts byproudly announcing each time she

boarded the bus, “It’s me again!”Warren said it’s a phrase he useshimself on occasion to this day.

A Christmas Memory will screenon Friday, Dec. 18, 2009 at 7 p.m. atthe A & O Bridges Recreation Center(Town Hall) in Sharpsburg. NCM

they had their accents down.“I went to Peachtree City to work

with them and was in Sharpsburgevery day in case they wanted to askme how to pronounce a word, butthey were very professional,” she said.“One of my favorite memories waswhen Patty Duke gave Eric Lloyd alittle puppy at the end of the film. Itwas so sweet.”

Ret. U.S. Marine Colonel WarrenWilliams enjoyed his experiencethrough the eyes of a retired militaryman; he saw the film as a precise,well-oiled machine.

“I heard about it through mychurch, and when I got on set I wasamazed at the massive logistics to it,”Williams said. Trailers and huge,

silent generators were everywhere.“We used generators in the

military and would have loved thosesilent ones!” he said. In one sceneWilliams walked down a street“dressed like my grandfather” andwas amazed at all the people hidden

Retired school teacher Mary AnnReese lent her voice and talents as a

dialect coach when A ChristmasMemory was filmed locally in 1997.

At right, Ret. U.S. Marine ColonelWarren Williams enjoyed observingthe military precision with which he

and other extras were coachedduring filming.

09_1112_44-49 10/23/09 10:44 AM Page 48

09_1112_44-49 10/23/09 10:44 AM Page 49

Most ofthose trunks are still

stacked in his basement workshop.He’s been too busy with customers’trunks.

The majority of the trunks arefrom 1900 to 1920. At that time,“there was a lot of traveling goingon,” Merrick said. As travel optionswere somewhat restricted, “peoplewould go and they would stay acouple of weeks. That was the theory

behind it. If you carry atrunk, you obviously carryquite a lot.”

Nearly all the trunksMerrick has encounteredhave been in pretty sorryshape.

“Every trunkpresents a

differentchallenge,” Merrick

said. “This is what makes itfascinating.”

The biggest problem is a rottedbottom.

“A wet floor is the number-onetrunk killer,” Merrick said. The watercauses deterioration to the wood andmetal.

Every square inch of metal,whether hardware, bracket or body, isgone over with a wire brush, “becauseyou’re always going to have rust,”Merrick said.

Restoring a trunk is a slow,deliberative process.

n thedays beforeinterstatehighways andairplanes,suitcases onwheels andbackpacks, theessential pieceof luggage wasthe trunk.

And unlikesuitcases they alsocame in very handy inthe household forstorage of linen, papersand even hopes. Prettymuch everybody hadone.

Many trunks fromthe early 20th centuryhave been passed downover the years and becometreasured family heirlooms.

Treasured though they may be,many haven’t weathered the years wellat all.

Bottoms rot, sides rust or peel orcrack, and of course the handles break.

That’s where Jack Merrick ofSenoia comes in. He began restoringtrunks in 1996 and estimates he’srestored 80 or more.

He’s bought a few in those years aswell, deals too good to pass up. Heeven got three free trunks in exchangefor restoring the owner’s favorite.


FULL OF

MEMORIESSenoia’s Jack Merrick enjoys

restoring vintage trunks

Story and photos by Sarah Fay Campbell

“

09_1112_50-59 10/23/09 10:13 AM Page 50

Before

Senoia's Jack Merrick takes turn-of-the-century trunks and returns them to theirformer splendor.


“Before” photos courtesy of Jack Merrick

09_1112_50-59 10/23/09 11:37 AM Page 51

52 | N E W N A N - C O W E T A M A G A Z I N E52 | N E W N A N - C O W E T A M A G A Z I N E

Leather trunk handlesalways need to bereplaced. Merrick usesheavy duty, triple layerleather which he handdyes. Square trunk nails,at left, attached to theremains of a handle,must be cut off and priedout, above.

One man brought thistrunk to Merrick to berestored as a surpriseChristmas gift for hiswife. It had been in hiswife’s family forgenerations.

Before

09_1112_50-59 10/23/09 10:13 AM Page 52


“You can’t rush. Because if you rushit, you’re going to lose the quality – andthe whole intent of the restorationwork,” Merrick said.

First up is removing the handlecovers and anything else that needs tocome off.

That requires cutting off the nails.All antique trunks are made with

nails. Trunk nails are tapered like a spike,and the heads are bent over flat with ahammer.

“On an original trunk, you willnever see a screw holding any of thehardware,” Merrick said. “If you evercome upon a trunk and it’s got screws init, walk away from it.”

He cuts the nail heads with aDremel and carefully pries off the pieces.

“We’re talking about 100-year-oldwood. You have to be careful with thesethings,” Merrick said. “It takes time andpatience.”

Newnan banks

Changing the way

The owner of this paintedtrunk inherited it from hermother, and had Merrickfreshen the existingcolors and return theinterior, covered in redfabric, to the standardpaper and acryliccovering.

Before

09_1112_50-59 10/23/09 10:13 AM Page 53


wallpaper,essentially the modern version of theoriginal. Customers can pick out anywallpaper they want.

Merrick came up with the idea oftrunk restoration when he and severalco-workers were pondering what theywould do after retiring from Delta.None was planning to stop workingaltogether. “I can’t just sit around andwatch the grass grow. I would’ve beendead in three months,” Merrick said.The idea “just came to me all of asudden.”

He liked the trunk restorationidea because it was different. He’dalways enjoyed light woodworking,and drew on his metal shop skillsfrom high school.

It wasa very good choice.

“I love recreating somethingfrom the past,” Merrick said.

It makes it even more meaningfulthat “people really enjoy these things.They have put them to a purpose anda good use, at the foot of the bed tostore their blankets in.”

“I figure that I’m giving the pieceanother 50 years of life – for thecurrent generation and the generationafter that to be able to share andenjoy,” he said.

“If I can make it fit somebodyelse’s dream, or memory from theirgrandmother … and people comeinto their house and say ‘Hey,where did you get that?’ and theysay, ‘From my grandmother,’ andcome back and tell me – it’sbeautiful,” he said.

“To me, that is success.” NCM

He tries to keep the trunks asoriginal as possible. Whenreplacement is a must, he can orderfrom suppliers of reproduction pieces;Merrick also makes his own woodenstaves.

The locks almost always have tobe replaced, because at some timeover the 100 year or so life span,“somebody’s tried to jimmy the lock,”Merrick said.

The trunks have a skeleton ofyellow pine; exterior materials can bewood, metal, canvas, leather orpressed tin.

Most of the trunks have a stainedfinish, which he does with oil-basedstains, “wet sand hand rubbed to getthe finish I want,” Merrick said.

When the outside is complete, it’son to the inside.

The inside gets cleaned, andcracks filled. It is recovered in

The results of the restorationwork are often astonishing. Thecleanup of this trunk revealed aunique metal design. Theowner purchased this trunkfrom a Senoia antique shop.

Before

Before

09_1112_50-59 10/23/09 10:13 AM Page 54

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Candlelight Shopping Dec. 10th – Extended Hours!

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Join us on LaFayette Square to enjoy the classic holiday movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Downtown restaurants and shops will be open to get a jump on holiday shopping.

Join Santa and Mrs. Claus on the Chamber Plaza and let him know you have been good this year.

The theme this year is “It’s A Wonderful Life”. Join us downtown to enjoy the biggest parade event of the year.

An Affair to RememberBradley’s Antiques and MoreCountry’s BarbequeElliebelle’sLemon Tree Antiques,Gifts and RestaurantLaGrange Art Museum

Mighty Joe’s PizzaPlum SouthernSolomon’s Stephens ExclusivesSugermeyer’s Sweet ShopSmith and Thomas Interiors

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NOV. 13, 14, 19, 20, 21Neil Simon's Rumors, LafayetteTheatre Company, 7:30 pm

NOV. 14Stencil Notecards Workshop,Hills & Dales Estate, 10:00 amYouth Musical, LaFayette Square,4:00pm

NOV 15Lafayette Theatre Company, NeilSimon's Rumors, 2:00 pm

NOV. 20Holiday Flicks on Bricks, “It’s aWonderful Life,” LaFayetteSquare, 6:00 pm

NOV. 22March of Dimes NightWalkthrough Callaway Gardens

Fantasy in Lights, 4:00 pmAnnual Open House, DowntownLaGrange, noon to 5:00 pmHoliday shopping in DowntownLaGrange, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

NOV. 2810:00 amChristmas Wreath Workshop I,Hills & Dales Estate, 10:00 am

DEC. 3Visit with Santa on the ChamberPlaza, 3:00 pm - 5:30 pmAnnual Downtown ChristmasParade, 6:00 pm

DEC 4, 5, 6Christmas Choir Celebration,Explorations in Antiquity Center, 7 pm

DEC. 4, 5The Nutcracker, Lafayette

Theater Company, 7:00 pm

DEC. 5Christmas Wreath Workshop II,Hills & Dales Estate, 10:00 am

DEC. 6The Nutcracker, Lafayette TheaterCompany, 2pmWest Georgia Hospice Tour ofHomes, 2:00-6:00. Lessons and Carols, CallawayAuditorium, 7:30:00 pm

DEC. 10Candlelight Shopping, DowntownLaGrange (extended hours)Christmas with the LSO, CallawayAuditorium, 7:30 pm

DEC. 11- 13, 18 - 20, 24Follow the Shepherds Walks,Exploration in Antiquity Center,6:30 pm

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By W. Winston Skinner | Photos courtesy of the Skinner family


> LOCAL HERITAGE

09_1112_60-63 10/23/09 10:20 AM Page 60

Here Aunt Ophelia Hunter“admires” my Christmasoutfit, circa 1964. Gettingready for a Christmasdinner, opposite, are mygrandmother, Carney HunterTrammell; great aunt, HettieHunter; my mother, SaraJane Skinner; and greataunt, Ophelia Hunter.


ince last Christmas, I have passed thehalf century mark, and my first

memories of the holiday seem to betaking on a nostalgic glow. Plus, thebirth of Clair Lynn Kight in Marchmeans I am now somebody’s grandpa

and can, therefore, be excused if more ofmy stories start with “Back in my day ...”

When I was born, my parents lived in thelittle home they built when they married, alongHighway 27A at the edge of my mother’s family’sfarm. I was the only grandchild on both sides.Though my Trammell great-grandparents diedbefore I came along, my position as the firstgreat-grandchild secured me considerable Yuletidegenerosity since the family included mygrandfather’s unmarried sister, Nellie, anindependent, college-educated bookkeeper, andtwo businessmen brothers, Lester and Rhodes.

Christmas centered around family and church.In those days, church was Luthersville Baptist. Iremember receiving – in Sunday School – a tinynativity scene formed of molded brown plastic and

dabbed, not too meticulously, with colorfulpaint. I could not have treasured it more if ithad been carved from wood in the originalstable at Bethlehem. The tiny artifactrepresented for me the story of the infant Savior,“the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay” on thatsilent night that in my mind always was coldand snowy.

It did snow one Christmas as we werecelebrating. Mom and Dad had invited thegreater Trammell family, and Tom Jarrard,Mom’s first cousin, brought his fiancee, Nancy,to meet us all. I can still see them standing onthe front porch with snowflakes falling behindthem. It was a magical Christmas moment, andNancy has proven herself a Christmas gift to betreasured.

On another occasion, Mom prepared aChristmas meal for Aunt Hettie and AuntOphelia Hunter, her mother’s unmarried sisters.This festive gathering has gone down in familylore because of my unique ensemble. I was about5 years old, and Mom had selected a matching

09_1112_60-63 10/23/09 10:20 AM Page 61


outfit for me. I, however, was particularly proud of my newPJs. When I decided to wear my pajama top over my dressshirt, Mom remonstrated only briefly and then returned toher dinner preparations. A prized family photo shows AuntOphelia – elegantly dressed – looking at me as if I had lostmy mind.

Aunt Hettie and Aunt Ophelia lived in an oldplantation plain style house in south

Coweta’s Bexton community. The old place hadbeen built around 1860 by the Presbyterianpreacher but had been in our family for decadesby the time I first remember it. My great-grandmother was born, married and died there.On Christmas Day, her descendants by the

dozens gathered there. Iremember the yearUncle Cecil Huntertold a long growncousin who had puton a few pounds,“My, how you havegrown.” And Iremember beingterribly disappointedone year to open mygift to find anelegant pinknightgown. Momquickly figured outthat Aunt MildredHunter was

Dad, who I later learned grew up in lean

circumstances, marveled at how the two

sisters got everybody in the family a small

gift ... from their wages at the Moreland

Knitting Mill.

Mom helps me try out a special gift,a toy piano, at Granny Carney’shouse some 45 years ago.

09_1112_60-63 10/23/09 10:20 AM Page 62


puzzled by the little boy’s outfit she had received.There was always an abundance of food, conversation and

love at Aunt Hettie’s. Dad, who I later learned grew up in leancircumstances, marveled at how the two sisters got everybody inthe family a small gift – for him often a pair of socks – fromtheir wages at the Moreland Knitting Mill.

Christmas also always included a gathering at Granny andGrandDaddy’s home just over the Meriwether County line inLuthersville. Their home was a bit more elegant, a Victorianfarmhouse that is my cousin Bob Trammell’s law office today.There was always a bountiful meal followed by distribution ofpresents in their living room, redone for courting as theirchildren reached adolescence. Uncle Rhodes and Uncle Les werealways there with their respective ladies, Janie Walthall andGibbs Bexley. Granny, Miss Janie and Miss Gibbs were girlhoodfriends from Bexton. Aunt Virginia Jarrard and her family alwayscame from Gainesville – which seemed very far away at thattime.

My Dad went to graduate school in Athens when I wasschool age, and we later lived in Brunswick for several years. Oneyear, we came home at Christmas. My brothers, Robert andRhodes, and I wondered aloud as to whether Santa could find usat Uncle Rhodes’ and Uncle Lester’s. We should have known thejolly old elf was well acquainted with our bachelor great-uncleswho had eyes that twinkled just like his.

Aunt Nellie had died by then. I slept in her room onerestless Christmas Eve – listening for reindeer. When I awoke thenext morning, the usual treasures there – the steel pennies on themantel, the old adding machine, Aunt Nellie’s monogrammedmirror – held no charm. I wanted to see if Santa had found us.He had, and he had brought GI Joe with him.

The simple majesty of a manger scene, the smells of holidayfood, hugs from cousins, gentle teasing from GrandDaddy,“Silent Night” – memories of Coweta Christmases past bring aluxurious extra measure of joy to this most blessed season. NCM

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By Tina Neely | Photos by Bob Fraley

hen Decemberrolls around, the

Neely house is alllit up, inside and

out, with trees,garland and lights.

We deck the hallsfrom top to bottom. Most of thetrees are strategically placed in frontof windows for a lovelyChristmastime view, and manypeople stop and ask how manyChristmas trees we have. I tell themwe have eight full size trees and a

couple of small ones. Why so many?I do love Christmas – I love all theholidays – but Christmas is time todecorate for the biggest birthdaycelebration of them all, the birth ofour Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Decorating starts the week ofThanksgiving and takes at least fivedays. We play Christmas music, loadup a trailer full of storage containersfrom the barn, and work from roomto room with pure joy andexcitement for the upcomingholiday season. No longer using real

trees due to some incidents withwatering on the 70-year-oldhardwoods, we pull out the man-sizeboxes of artificial ones. I could justkiss the person who invented treeswith limbs pre-hung and pre-lit.Stand it up, fluff it out, plug it inand voila, it’s ready to decorate!

In hopes you’ll be inspired tocreate something lovely in your ownhome this Christmas, we are alldecorated and would love to giveyou a tour of our trees and theirspecial themes.


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THE SNOWMAN TREE is my mostfavorite tree. It’s all in primary colors, lots ofblue with touches of red, green and a gold-yellow. This tree is for the children and has alltheir special ornaments on it: picture ornaments,characters and special ornaments from funvacations. It’s fun, whimsical and simplydelightful. I always “save” some of this tree’sornaments for garland on the mantle andfurniture to tie it all together. Because this is thekids’ tree, all the ornaments are non-breakableexcept for the souvenir Mickey ears from ourChristmas visit to Disney one year. Garland ismade of little “snowballs” and snowman heads,and the tree is topped with a sweet snowman.Presents are wrapped to match the trees, too.


THE MANGER SCENES ANDANGELS TREE adorns the sunroomand looks so lovely from all angles. It’sfull of glass manger scenes, angels, ballsof gold and silver, and white feathers,which remind me of angels’ wings. Thistree features garland of pearls and jewelsand is topped with a lovely angel. Underthis tree are gold and silver boxes andon the tags are written in gold theFruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

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THE FARM FUN IN THEPLAYROOM TREE may be small (only4 feet tall), but it’s full of fun. Red balls,country ribbon, and cranberry beads andbuttons as garland are joined byornaments of cows, pigs and chickenswearing Santa hats. Burlap wrappedaround the bottom serves as the perfecttree skirt.

Close to becoming my favorite tree is theSANTA TREE in the kitchen/keeping room. Fatand fluffy and hung with white lights and the old-timey big red ones, this tree is full of all thingsSanta. Glitter balls and red bead garland withpeppermints are topped with “Santa belt” ribbonthat inspired it all. My most favorite garland onthe tree and mantle is that of Santa pants andshirts. The theme is carried on to the fireplacemantle, the pot rack light over the island and thechandelier over the table. I’ve even got a new ideafor a tablecloth featuring the perfect big Santabelly. Take a red tablecloth, lay a black runnerdown the middle, and for a perfect shiny buckle,use foam cut into shape and covered in gold glitter.

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MEMORIES IN RED, GREEN ANDGOLD is the theme of this tree, full ofcolorful balls and ornaments and the sweetestlittle Santa and Mrs. Claus ornaments thatused to hang on our tree when I was a child.I “save” ornaments from this one when Idecorate it, too, to hang from the chandelierand put in the garland on the furniture. It’stopped with a lovely angel I got at anornament swap.

Moving upstairs to the kids’ rooms, we havea PINK IS FOR PRINCESSES TREE in honorof our twin girls. Hung with pink and pastellights, it features glitter fairies, princesses,butterflies, teacups, ballerinas and all thingsgirly. It’s wrapped at the bottom with a smallquilt that matches their beds. Because I let thegirls decorate this one with me, and it gets a bitheavy on the front side (we actually had it fallover last year), we’ve gotten smart and startedwiring it to the wall.

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In son Jackson’s roomwe have what I call theCHARLIE BROWNTREE, a sweet little treefilled with love and lots ofornaments he’s made overhis childhood. There arecolored lights andNutcrackers galore, hisfavorite. He’s had it sincehe was a baby, and sincesmall trees need love too,we keep this one instead ofupgrading to a bigger one.It’s wrapped lovingly atbottom with a babyblanket from Jackson’s firstChristmas.

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Here are some ideas:

• Shop year round. Local craft stores have awonderful selection of Christmas items they puton sale even in the summer months.

• On vacation, pick up a special orna-

ment or two. Let the children select aspecial new character ornament every year,too. It’s neat to have ornaments that have aspecial story to go with them.

• Don’t limit yourself to specialty

Christmas shops. Shop everywhere for orna-ments, even local discount stores. You never knowwhat you might find or can make out of something. Ihave paired 50-cent plastic balls with fancy $50 crystal balls, and when it’s all mixed together it looks beautiful.

• Use artificial trees but still want that wonderful Christmastree smell? Get branch clippings the tree farms and

tree sellers are throwing out. Tuck them into your mantlegreenery and trees. It smells yummy and doesn’t cost a thing.

• And the best tip for starting a new Christmas tree for yourhouse? Start the day after Christmas. All the trees andornaments are half price or more. If you have enough patienceto wait until then, you get twice as many for the same price.

Merry Christmas with lots of love to you and yours from theNeely house! NCM

Finally, the newesttree I’ve been working onlooks like a MARDIGRAS TREE to me.Garland in lime greenglitter reminds me ofseaweed, and there arelots of jewel colors,glitter and glass, evensome peacock feathers. Ilove that I found amanger scene in thesame brilliant colors andglitter that sits soperfectly next to it, andI’m adding moreornaments and pieceseach year.

Want tostart a

new treefor your

house?

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By Alex McRae | Photos by Jeffrey Leo

Old photos of furniture like the one atright serve as inspiration for Dr.

Charles Barron’s woodwork, which hethen designs and creates from scratch.

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ome people preservetheir past in stories orsongs. Dr. CharlesBarron’s most preciousmemories are

captured in the swirlinggrains, rich hues and fine details ofthe furniture he has crafted forloved ones over the past threedecades.

Each piece was built onrequest, each with a particularpurpose. And each comes completewith its own unique tale.

“I can tell you a story aboutevery piece I’ve ever built,” Barronsays. “They each mean somethingspecial to me.”

Woodworking was never acareer ambition, but Barronexhibited some crude carpentryskills as a lad when he, his brotherHarold and some neighborhoodboys used scrap wood from a locallumber yard to build a full-sizedmerry-go-round, Ferris wheel androller coaster that soared 20 feethigh.


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74 | N E W N A N - C O W E T A M A G A Z I N E74 | N E W N A N - C O W E T A M A G A Z I N E

Dr. Charles Barron, a retired dentist, today enjoyswoodworking and has crafted secretaries, cabinets,

chests, tables, huntboards and sideboards.

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“It was the area’s first theme park,”Barron says with a laugh. “We didn’thave any idea what we were doing, butthe other kids really liked it.”

Woodworking was the last thingon his mind when Barron completedEmory dental school in February1946 and one month later, boughtthe only dental practice inMeriwether County. The postwareconomy was booming, and betweenprivate patients and work for theRoosevelt Institute in Warm Springs,Barron had more business than hecould handle.

Things got even busier in 1947when he met, wooed and marriedLavinia York, an Athens, Ga. girl whocame to Meriwether County to teachschool.

“My life was absolutelywonderful,” he says. “I was as happy

as a young man could be.”Barron’s career hit an

unexpected bump in 1954 whenthe U.S. military came calling. Asevere eye injury suffered whilecompeting for the Emory swimteam in 1942 disqualified Barronfrom service in World War II, butduring dental school, he received amilitary commission. As the Koreanconflict wound down, he was calledto active duty and eventuallystationed at Ft. Benning inColumbus, Ga.

In his spare time, Barron“liberated” pieces of mahogany andplywood from a post warehouse andbuilt simple furniture and a duckboat for hunting trips. Before hemoved on to bigger projects, Barronwas discharged from the service andopened a practice in Newnan. After

that, there was little time for otherpursuits.

“I played at the woodworking,”he says, “but I didn’t really mindbecause I was having so much funpracticing dentistry.”

That changed in 1980 whencolon cancer put Barron’s dentalpractice on hold. As he slowlyrecovered from surgery, Barronvisited his friend A. L. Fuller, anattorney who years earlier hadswapped his law books for lumberand gained renown as awoodworking craftsman.

Barron asked for a few tips.Fuller gladly complied and beforelong Barron was carving dovetailjoints, applying paper-thin veneers,and creating scrollwork and inlays sodelicate they are best appreciatedwith a magnifying glass.

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“I had a knack for it,” Barronsays. “I was as surprised as anyone.”

The family orders startedpouring in and Barron’s once-modestworkshop was soon packed with finewoods, glues, varnishes, stains andtools ranging from clamps, sandersand joiners to saws capable of cuttingeverything from stout framinglumber to fragile strips 1/32 of aninch thick.

Barron built secretaries, cabinets,chests, tables, huntboards, sideboardsand even some rustic pieces for hishome on the Chattahoochee River.

Once Barron sees a picture orgets an idea, he designs and creates apiece from scratch. The work is

painstaking and meticulous.Projects are measured inmonths and Barron is paid incompliments instead of cash.He wouldn’t have it any otherway.

“I never thought aboutselling anything,” he says.“Most of it was for mychildren and you can’t put aprice on that.”

Barron has traveledwidely and his souvenirs oftenincluded pieces of woodpicked up abroad and turnedinto keepsakes or gifts. Hehas carved Hawaiianironwood, Icelandic arcticbirch, Danish horse chestnutand countless other leftoverlimbs into everything fromshoe horns to letter openersto a giant sewing needle.

“It keeps me busy,” hesays, “and it’s a great way toremember places you’vevisited.”

Lavinia passed away 10years ago, and several yearslater Barron married longtimeacquaintance Melba Sport.More woodworking requests

followed as Barron’s extended familygrew.

Barron retired from dentistrymore than two decades ago, but stillspends hours each week in thebasement workshop. He saysdentistry will always be his first love,but admits that woodworkingenriched his life in ways he neverexpected.

“I got satisfaction from bothdentistry and woodworking,” Barronsays, “but that doesn’t really matter.What’s important is makingsomething for others to treasure. Ifwhat I build makes someone elsehappy, then that’s really all thatcounts.” NCM

— Dr. Charles Barron

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By Elizabeth Richardson

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Most people are lucky enough to have at least oneChristmas memory that stands out in their mind.

You can’t forget that feeling of unwrapping the mostperfect present. Maybe you received that Easy-Bake Oven ortoy train set you’d been asking Santa for. Perhaps you weretreated to the trip of a lifetime with that special someone, orwelcomed a bundle of joy in time to celebrate the holidays asa family.

Coweta County’s own Stephanie Butcher, Jim McGuffeyand Elizabeth Almon get nostalgic around the holidaysthinking of their best Christmas gifts to date.

Stephanie Butcher –Coweta County’s ExtensionCoordinator – got quite theholiday surprise on the eve ofChristmas 2007.

Stephanie and her then-boyfriend, Kirk Butcher, hadbeen dating for severalmonths, and he invited her tohis home on Christmas Eve tocelebrate with him and histwo children, Tori, 14, andTrevor, 10.

After they’d all exchangedgifts, Kirk – who had beenvideotaping the occasion –handed the camera to hisdaughter and directedStephanie’s attention to thelone present that remainedunder the tree.

“It was the most beautifulbox you’ve ever seen,” saidStephanie. “It was a red boxwith a window in it. Therewas green, white and red

sparkly tissue paper inside.”Stephanie discovered a

ring box inside – though shequickly convinced herself thatit was earrings. But, it wasn’t.It was Kirk’s late mother’sengagement ring.

“It’s the most beautifulring I’ve ever seen in my life,”she said. “I was so excited.Then Kirk got down on oneknee and proposed – and Isaid yes.”

It had been nearly 50years since Kirk’s father hadproposed to his mother withthat ring. Kirk’s mother diedin a car accident in 1990.Kirk had the band customizedfor his bride so she wouldhave a ring that was bothsentimental and unique.

“It meant the world tome because of the historybehind the ring and what itmeant to Kirk,” she said.

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Elizabeth Almon wasliving in a foster home inTennessee in 1999. ThatChristmas, when she was 14years old, she was in theprocess of being adopted bythe Almon family ofNewnan.

Elizabeth had beenvisiting with the family foraround six months andwould stay with them aboutevery other weekend whilethe adoption process wasunder way. While she was inNewnan, she slept on thecouch or on an air mattresson the living room floor.

Christmas morning

came and Elizabethunwrapped a puzzling gift.

“I was sent on ascavenger hunt inside andout in my pajamas on acrazy cold Christmasmorning,” said Almon.

Her clues eventually ledher back inside and upstairsto her now-brother Tripp’sbedroom. She opened thedoor to find the entireroom had been redone.There was new furniture,the walls had beenrepainted and the space wasredecorated.

“I didn’t get it at first,”she said. “I think it took a

few seconds before I realizedit was my own room, thatTripp gave up his room forme. Then, I cried.”

She had gone frombeing in and out of fosterhomes to sleeping in theliving room of her soon-to-be family’s home. As of thatChristmas, she had a placeto call her very own.

“Sleeping in the livingroom was amazing to me – Iwas with a family and I hadpeople who cared aboutme,” she said. “But then Ihad my own room in thehouse – I had a place in thefamily.” NCM

Jim McGuffey takesthe greatest pleasure inthe simplest of Christmasmemories.

“My all-time favoritegift was Christmas itselfwhen I was a little boy,”he said. “But there werememorable occasions thathave stayed with me allthese years.”

At 72 years old, hevividly recalls being about5 years old in World WarII — a time when SantaClaus “had a hard timegetting around tohouses.” His father, who

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morning, McGuffey andhis three brothersawakened to find 20-30little toy jeeps around thebase of the tree that wereexact replicas of old WWIIjeeps. McGuffey’s fatherhad been making them formonths leading up toChristmas.

“Christmas time was aspecial time of the year forfamily,” said McGuffey.“We spent Christmas in thehouse with meals, storiesand singing. It was aboutjust being together andhaving a good old time.”

was a frugal handyman bynecessity, worked forGeorgia Power Companyas a substation operator.

One Christmas, hisfather found a small metalcar and decided to fix itup. He repainted it andadded a Georgia Powersticker as the finishingtouch.

“That was what Santabrought me that year, andnobody had anything likethat – it was the onlyGeorgia Power car in theneighborhood.”

On another Christmas

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ne dollar andeighty-seven cents.

That was all. Andsixty cents of it was

in pennies. Penniessaved one and two at a

time by bulldozing the grocerand the vegetable man and thebutcher until one’s cheeks burnedwith the silent imputation ofparsimony that such close dealingimplied. Three times Della counted

it. One dollar and eighty-seven cents.And the next day would beChristmas.”

Thus opens O. Henry’s tale ofthe fateful (or maybe not so fateful –we shall see) giftgivers Jim and Dellain The Gift of the Magi. Times arehard, money is scarce, and it isChristmas, but there is still a deepdesire to celebrate with the giving ofa special gift. The dictionary definesa gift as “something given voluntarily

without payment in return, as toshow favor toward someone, and/orhonor an occasion.”

In Unplug the ChristmasMachine: A Complete Guide toPutting Love and Joy Back into theSeason, Jo Robinson and Jean Staehelireport that many Americans aredissatisfied with the way theycelebrate Christmas. “The oneconcern that unites virtually all thepeople we’ve talked to is a yearning

The GiftGarden

of the

> The Thoughtful Gardener

Story and photos by Katherine McCall

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09_1112_82-89 10/23/09 10:38 AM Page 83


for a simpler, less commercial, moresoul-satisfying celebration. There is auniversal wish to end the year with afestival of renewal that rekindles ourfaith, brings us closer to the peoplewe care about, and brings light andlaughter to the dark days of winter.”A solution they offer is giving morethought to what and why we arecelebrating while keeping in mindwhat is most important to us. Manypeople profess gifts are not high ontheir list of priorities, but, in reality,gifts become our main focus during

the holidays. So, in light of Jim andDella’s dilemma, I have given somethoughts and words to the gifts ofgardening: Creativity, continuity andbeauty. Gifts that are a blessing toboth the giver and the recipient.

As a gardener, the options forcreativity seem limitless and essential.In the planning of my borders,vegetable garden or hardscape, I canbe imaginative with flowers, shrubsand trees. Sometimes the wintermonths spent planning and dreamingare the most enjoyable as our

inventiveness is not bounded bymoney, time and effort. Throughoutthe year, visiting gardens, public andprivate, provides fertile ground forideas to incorporate into one’s owndesigns. Inspiration begetsinspiration, and a consequence of thebeauty we have created is thecompelling desire to capture andshare it – similar to Monet atGiverny, whether it be by brush,camera or pen. Amazingly, as onebecomes more creative, it stimulatesothers’ imagination and becomes thegift you give – they are touched in away that inspires them to becomemore resourceful and creative in theirown lives. As creative beings, wepossess a need for expression – thegarden is the ideal place to let loosethat creativity.

Continuity has an importantplace in our lives as well as creativity.We all feel a certain satisfaction andnormalcy when the flowers bloomeach spring, schools reopen in thefall, and the full moon appears eachmonth. Continuity gives structureand expectation to our lives. EdithSchaeffer says it well in The HiddenArt of Homemaking: “We aresurrounded with ‘things’ which givecontinuity to life. We have emotionsof satisfaction, quietness, familiarity,continuity, when we scuffle throughthe leaves at fifty-five in exactly theway we loved to do when we werefive.”

The “things” with which we aresurrounded are the things of thegarden – seasons, growing plants,weather. If you are not outside in thenatural world, do you really noticeand really experience the freezingcold of January frost, the nothingnessof a tiny seed bursting into exuberantflower, and the heady drum of thecicada in the blurry August heat? The

A garden is a grand

teacher. It teaches

patience and careful

watchfulness, it teaches

industry and thrift,

above all it teaches

entire trust.”— Gertrude Jekyll

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continuity of the things of thegarden enriches one’s life and allowsone to pass the gift on to others inthe form of memories and lifelessons. How difficult it might be totalk to a child or adult about deeplife issues, but in the garden thesematters are played out before yourvery eyes on a daily basis and so

provide living examples. “A garden isa grand teacher. It teaches patienceand careful watchfulness, it teachesindustry and thrift, above all itteaches entire trust.” To GertrudeJekyll’s words I would add “faith.”

The gift of beauty from ourgarden seems obvious – myriad andseemingly miraculous instances of

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growth and life, innumerableexpressions of color, shape andfragrance in astonishing blooms,and the immense diversity ofprolific vegetables and herbs. Allour senses are engaged as wereceive the garden’s gift. But thedimension of beauty goes deeper.As human beings we werecreated to be in a garden. Wecan become dehumanized as welive constantly with technologyand machines and we are notexposed to our living, growing,responding world. Theexperience of things like thewarm gritty earth, flitting lazydragonflies, and early morningfog are all gifts presented to us!And once we get outside andenjoy those gifts, we are able toshare them with others.

And so we return to thepoorly furnished little flat withJim and Della embracing on thecouch – the two who each gavetheir own treasured possession tobuy a Christmas gift for theother and in the processrendered the gifts useless. But arethey really useless? O. Henryfinishes the tale: “But in a lastword to the wise of these days letit be said that of all who givegifts these two were the wisest.O all who give and receive gifts,such as they are wisest.Everywhere they are wisest. Theyare the magi.”

They each gave a portion ofthemselves to the other – a truegift. As Ralph Waldo Emersonso succinctly states, “The onlygift is a portion of thyself.” TheGift of the Garden is thecreativity, continuity and beautyone creates with a garden whichwe in turn share with others as aportion of ourselves. NCM

09_1112_82-89 10/23/09 10:38 AM Page 87

But Smith and her husband of 44 years, Henry, share atrue avocation which is their passion and purpose in life –caring for children. They had two children of their own,Bernard (who sadly died at 28), and their adult son Adrian.They’ve also made room for some 135 foster children andadoptive children over the years.

“When we were raising our two boys, people helped usout and we wanted to give back. We love the kids,” shesays, “but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy.”

Currently they have nine children living in their five-bedroom home, five of whom they’ve adopted.

Meet a Newnan-Coweta Magazine READER ...

FRANCES SMITH If you drive or walk around Newnan’s Courthouse

Square, chances are you at least know who “Miss” FrancesSmith is. She’s the beloved school crossing guard for bothNewnan High School and Elm Street. She says she’s “beenputting children across the street” so long that she “crossed”their parents, too, and loved every minute. She is also thewell-known parking ticket administrator who deftly rides heryellow scooter while flicking little white marks on car tiresin downtown Newnan. She enjoys her work and says mostpeople understand she’s just doing her job, although she hasbeen chased before and that wasn’t fun.

As the mother of nine (at the moment), how do you find moments of peace for yourself in a very busyhousehold?Nine o’clock at night is my time because the little ones are in bed and the older ones are doinghomework or in their rooms doing computer games or other things. I get in my recliner and find a movie,call my sister or my husband calls on the phone. He is a truck driver and doesn’t get home until late sowe talk. It’s a peaceful time for me.

Can you share some great money-stretching tips that other families might find helpful?I don’t buy anything unless it’s on sale, but I don’t really use coupons because I have to buy two ofeverything and I don’t usually need it. I’m a BIG Target shopper! Also, if it goes on sale within 14 daysafter you bought it, Target will give you the price adjustment.

What are some of your favorite things to do in and around Newnan and Coweta County? We are a big family so it is expensive to go places, but we also just like hanging out at home. We have atrampoline in the backyard and a nice yard to play in. But we do get out and do things. We like to go forice cream, go to church, go to Kid’s Castle Playground (Carl Miller Park), and go to the Elm Streetplayground. I also like to pack picnics for the kids.

Do you have any dreams that you have yet to pursue in your life?I’ve been so blessed, I have a birthday coming up and Harry asked me what I want and I told him“nothing” – I need nothing. We have saved and made a few real estate investments that we hope willhelp the kids down the road if they need it, so I’ve had a great life. I guess one dream would be I wouldlike a kitchen because my kitchen is a small, walk-in kitchen. But I’m not a fancy person, I’m plain. Just abigger kitchen that works better to make food for so many people.

Do you follow a regular menu plan or do you mix it up from week to week? Do you pack the freezer orprepare meals on a day to day basis? I cook almost every day but we eat out maybe twice a month – maybe something like McDonald’s orpizza. I buy Kroger meat on sale and freeze it and cook on weekends and prepare a couple meals at atime. The kids will also ask for their special favorites like sloppy joes or spaghetti.

Any special place you’d like to take the family, if money were no object?We took the kids to Disney World and they didn’t act like they loved it that much – the lines andeverything. But the boys’ ROTC commander told them that all Americans really should go to Washington,D.C., and I would love to take all the kids there – especially the bigger ones. I know we would all enjoythat trip, especially the older ones. Plus you get into the museums and everything free! NCM


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Not able to be a foster parent at this time but want to help a foster child in need?The Smiths volunteer for the JOY PROJECT, which provides a meaningful

Christmas for foster children in need. Often, foster families simply do not have theextra money it takes to purchase the desired Christmas items for their foster children. You can “adopt”a foster child for Christmas and provide them with some desperately needed clothing items and threeitems on that child’s (reasonably priced) wish list.

For more information, call the Smiths at 770-683-9217.


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rom the porch of the white-columned, antebellumhouse on Parks Road, Mary and Bill Fowler hearechoes of the past. The pastures stretching out on all

sides of the house are filled with memories of theirthree children and friends on horseback, their national


By Martha A. Woodham | Photos by Bob Fraley

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championship horses and the 30 horses that once inhabited theirEcho Lane Farms.

Today the Fowlers have downsized. Only nine mares andgeldings – warmbloods and Thoroughbreds – inhabit thelarge, 14-stall barn just a pleasant stroll from the house, and

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Bill and Mary Fowler and theirchampionship horses live atEcho Lane Farms in Newnan.Below, Mary gives lessons toMeg Morgan.

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five of those are retirees. “There are only so many hours

in the day, and I just can’t do all ofthose horses anymore,” says Mary,but her schedule belies her. She hasthe four young horses to train, yet

manages to find time to give dressagelessons and travels frequently tojudge horse shows.

The Fowlers first discovered theirhome in 1967, when they had cometo Coweta County looking for a

horse farm in the days when I-85went only as far south as Palmetto.Bill, now retired, was a Delta AirLines pilot, and Mary, a former flightattendant, had been managing thecouple’s investments in apartmentrentals. He had given her a saddle asa wedding present and promised hera horse some day. As they drove upto the house, neglected for decades,the weeds were taller than their car.

The house had been built by apatriarch of the Parks family, a long-time Coweta clan, but the house hadchanged hands and had never beenupdated. Without a foundation, itwas perched on rocks, one chimneywas gone and some former residenthad nailed old license plates overholes in the floor.

“As a teen, I always wanted to liveon a farm and redo an old house,”Mary says. “I just never thought itwould be an antebellum house!”

Mary and Bill Fowler firstcame to Coweta looking fora horse farm back in 1967.

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The Fowlers, with a backgroundin refurbishing apartment buildings,were not dismayed by the house’scondition. They parked a house traileron the 46.6-acre property and livedthere for a year while they renovated.Today a tour of the 1850s-era houseshows many of Mary’s loving touches,including her grandmother’s antiquedresser turned into a stand for thepowder room sink.

The Fowlers’ devotion to theirhorses also shines throughout theirhome. Hanging just inside the frontdoor is an oil painting of a horsegrazing in front of the Tybee IslandLighthouse. The horse is Tybee Light,who was a favorite of Mary’s and theU.S. Dressage Federation’s Horse ofthe Year in 1991.

Almost every room of therestored mansion holds some equinetouch – a painting or statuette orbooks about horses. Photographs ofthe couple’s favorite horses, includinga photo of Mary jumping as ateenager, hang in the back hall, wherethe walls also hold engraved awards

Mary Fowler, above,gives a riding lessonat Echo Lane Farms.

Student Meg Morgan,at right, gives a treat

to Bosphous.

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recognizing the couple’s champions. In addition toTybee Light, Talisman and Delta Pilot also earnednational Horse of the Year honors.

“My horses have won a lot of spectacular thingsnationally, and I was lucky to have them,” she says.

Mary doesn’t remember learning to ride. It’s justsomething she’s always done, growing up in Ohio (Billis a native Georgian, which explains the Echo LaneFarm colors of blue and gray). Although her parentsnever bought her a horse, she always found a way toride, and she showed hunters as a teenager.

“If it’s in your blood, it’s in your blood,” she says.The couple bought a horse when their oldest child,

Melissa, was just seven weeks old. That $200 horse wasjust the beginning as the Fowlers gradually becamemore involved in showing and foxhunting. In the1970s, Mary and her children showed their horses atthree-day events, an equestrian triathlon that meantthat Mary had to add dressage to her riding repertoire.In addition to jumping obstacles set up in a ring andout in a field, event riders must perform dressage testsin a rectangular arena. The Fowlers also began breedinghorses, bringing their young horses along and trainingand showing them.

By 1980, Mary was concentrating on dressage,which is training to develop the horse’s natural athleticability, willingness to work and attentiveness to hisrider. Competitive dressage involves nine progressivelevels with multiple tests within each level. Mary wasso dedicated she took lessons in all kinds of weather.She recalls a session with former Olympic dressagerider Elizabeth Lewis when it was so cold that thecoffee Lewis was holding froze.

Today Mary is a top-ranked dressage judge, flyingaround the country to horse shows. Riding in showsherself is still a thrill for her, but she is also devoted tosharing her vast knowledge of dressage with herstudents.

“One of my biggest joys right now is developing arider to get the most out of her horse,” she says.“People try to deal with horses like they are people, butyou have to understand how they think. You have todeal with horses the way they are, not how people are.”

Mary points to a plaque hanging on the wall of herhome that she says sums up a life with horses: “Mayyour horse never stumble; your cinch never break; yourbelly never grumble; and your heart never break.”

Although she knows the heartache of losing abeloved horse, she also knows the joy that they bring.After all, horses are in her blood. NCM

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Most people can name their favoriteMunson calls. Want to know his? Ten arelisted, including game descriptions andwhat he thinks of those calls now. By theway, Larry had no idea what a “hobnailboot” was when he made that call in the

2001 Georgia-Tennessee game.(“We just stepped on their facewith a hobnail boot and broketheir nose!” was the famousline.)

There is a timeline ofLarry’s life – most of it dealingwith football. There is a thankyou note to the people whohave meant the most to him.There is even speculation aboutthis year’s team and a sense ofdread about that OklahomaState game (Larry always wasprophetic).

But mostly, there’s Larrybeing Larry.

It is, Barnhartsays, “a universal

truth that Georgia fans every-where will confirm: the experi-ence of a big Georgia victorywas not complete until youheard what Larry had saidabout it.”

That truth and that Voiceare gone, and even he can’tbelieve it. Now, however, wehave his account, his memo-ries, our Legend. Thanks,Larry, for everything.

South of BroadBy Pat ConroyNan A. Talese, $29.95Reviewed by Holly Jones

Pat Conroy’s new book is not for thefaint of heart, the lighthearted, or – let’sjust say it – the book is dark.

The South, sex, suicide, scandals andpsychiatrists – on these topics, PatConroy is king. Specifically, in South ofBroad, Conroy’s latest backhanded loveletter to Charleston, Conroy is LeopoldBloom King.

Leo is a coke-bottle-and-horn-rimmed bespectacled teenager with a facenot even his mother loves; but his story isnot all despair and dark secrets. The heartof South of Broad is friendship, the life-

From Herschel to a Hobnail BootBy Larry Munson and Tony BarnhartTriumph Books, $24.95Reviewed by Holly Jones

“In themere confinesof a book,” asksTony Barnhart,“how do yousum up the lifeand career of aman who,unbeknownstto him, provid-ed the sound-track to yourlife and to thelives of so manyothers?”

It’s simple,really. “LetLarry be Larry,”Barnhart says.

That’s what Larry Munson andBarnhart’s collaboration, From Herschel toa Hobnail Boot, is – Larry being Larry.Told in first person in a stream of con-sciousness and memories, the book isLarry’s story, the way he sees it. AsUniversity of Georgia fans know, Larrysees things uniquely – and when it comesto his own life, he sees things quitehumbly.

The book isn’t all Georgia football.Did you know the great Munce has neverhad a sense of smell? It left him withsome disgusting jobs in World War II.Larry loves fishing and hunting becausehis dad taught him to do both. Larry cre-ated a fishing show when he lived inNashville where he was both host andcameraman.

He taught Joe Torre how to playgolf. And when Larry was 18, he spent aweek playing piano for the TommyDorsey Orchestra. One night he accom-panied “a skinny kid from Hoboken”named Frank Sinatra.

He’s called games for the AtlantaBraves, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Chiefs,minor league baseball, college basketball,and yes, college football. Larry’s heart, theheart of this book, and the hearts ofeveryone who loves Larry, are with theDawgs.

THE BOOKSHELF sustaining kind Leo makes on June 16,1969, or Bloomsday, the annual com-memoration in Dublin celebrating the lifeof Irish writer James Joyce and the eventsin his novel Ulysses.

Sheba and Trevor Poe, Leo’s newneighbors and twins, are flamboyant andfragile. Niles and Starla Whitehead aretroubled runaways at the orphanage.Betty Roberts lives at the orphanage withthe Whiteheads. Then there is IkeJefferson, son of the new football coach –the first black high school football coachin Charleston. Finally, there are Chad andFraser Rutledge and Molly Huger,Charleston pedigrees. Chad and Fraser arebrother and sister; Molly is Chad’s girl-friend.

Leo meets them all on Bloomsday1969, and 20 years later those friendshipsare still the core of Leo’s life.

The story is a breathtaking roller-coaster of events, with more twists andturns than the latest Dan Brown novel.Leo’s narrative flashes back and forthbetween 1969 and 1989, showing howthese friendships were so tightly bonded

and haveaffected thelives of eachteenager.

Sheba,now a moviestar, comesback toCharlestonlooking forhelp findingher brotherwho is dyingof AIDS. Sothe gang,minus Chad,goes to SanFrancisco fortwo weeks, insearch of their

lost friend. Leo’s wife Starla has run awayagain, in search of herself but all the whilebegging Leo for a divorce. Leo’s troubledchildhood, centered around his belovedbrother Steve’s suicide, comes back tohaunt him. There’s also the dark forcethroughout the novel, an evil man whostalks and attacks the friends, leaving smi-ley faces with a single tear painted in fin-gernail polish as his trademark. Thenthere’s Hurricane Hugo, which hitsCharleston right as the friends thinkthings couldn’t get any worse.

Yes, it’s dark. But somehow, Conroyturns dark into such an intricately woven


09_1112_90-100 10/23/09 11:40 AM Page 96

tapestry that the dark and the light needeach other – the terror and the tender aresoulmates, formed in the heart of LeoKing.

For here, Conroy is King, and Southof Broad a crown jewel.

Cookie Craft ChristmasBy Valerie Peterson and Janice FryerStorey Publishing, $14.95Reviewed by Angela McRae

In 2007, Valerie Peterson and JaniceFryer released their Cookie Craft to ravereviews. Aspiring cookie bakers every-where were treated to one of the besthow-to guides imaginable, with clear,step-by-step photos and diagrams andcharts that made even a beginner eager tomaster the art of baking decorative cook-ies. These women have elevated cookiebaking to an art form, and they are con-vinced anyone can follow their simpleadvice.

Now, in a move that will have cookiebakers everywhere firing up the ovensonce more, the ladies have just releasedCookie Craft Christmas: Dozens ofDecorating Ideas for a Sweet Holiday.

You know the kind of elegant, beau-tifully decorated cookies you see in storesand bakeries for $5 each? You can makethem yourself! (“Yes! We! Can!”)

“While writing and decorating forthe year-round Cookie Craft,” the authorssay, “we realized we could fill a wholebook with just Christmas shapes – eachone in its own way a treasured symbol ofthe season – and the idea for this follow-up was born.”

The cookie creations all begin theirlives as either sugar cookies, gingerbreador chocolate cookies. Recipes are includ-ed, as well as a supply list good for begin-ners. Some of the recipes are super simple

andinvolvedecorat-ingcookiesbeforethey arebaked.“After-bakingtech-niques”are alsodis-cussedindepth,

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

January/February 2010 Ad Deadlines

Published: January 6, 2010; Contract Ads: November 25, 2009; New Ads: December 4, 2009.

Call 770.683.6397 for details and advertising information.

Maritime Air Charters. . . . . . . . . . . . 75McManus Family & Cosmetic

Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Morgan Jewelers/Downtown . . . . . 35Newnan Academy Preschool &

Child Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Newnan Station Tire & Service . . . . 9Phillips Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87Piedmont Newnan Hospital. . . . . . . . 2Plum Southern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Radiation Oncology Services . . . . . . 3the ritzy roost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59R. S. Mann Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . 11The Skin Spa at Newnan

Dermatology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Southern Brokers Real Estate. . . . . 86Southern Charm & The

Craft Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75Southern Crescent Equine

Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95The Southern Federal Credit

Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95Stephens Exclusives. . . . . . . . . . . . . 57StoneBridge Early Learning

Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Ten East Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . 35The Times-Herald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Towne Club at Peachtree City. . . . . 21Traditions in Tile & Stone . . . . . . . . . 81Uniglobe McIntosh Travel . . . . . . . . . 6United Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53University of West Georgia . . . . . . . 27Valentine Weight Loss . . . . . . . . . . . 21Watts Furniture Galleries . . . . . . . . . 56Wesley Woods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Wedowee Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71West Georgia Center for

Plastic Surgery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69West Georgia Hospice,

Tour of Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56The White Orchid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56The Wynn House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Artisan Jewelry Company . . . . . . . 63Ashley Furniture

HomeStore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Bank of Coweta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100BB&T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Benton House Senior Living

Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Brothers Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Brown’s Pools & Spas, Inc.. . . . . . . . 49Cardiovascular Consultants of

Georgia, P.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47Center For Allergy & Asthma . . . . . . 5The Centre For Performing

& Visual Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Chin Chin Newnan Chinese

Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Connie’s Antiques & Etc. . . . . . . . . . 58Coweta-Fayette EMC . . . . . . . . . . . . 99Crescent Veterinary Hospital . . . . . 93Discovery Point Child

Development Centers . . . . . . . . 81Downtown Church of Christ . . . . . . 87Edible Arrangements . . . . . . . . . . . . 71Farm Bureau Insurance . . . . . . . . . . 71First United Methodist Church

of Newnan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Franklin Road Animal Clinic. . . . . . . 58Heritage Retirement Homes of

Peachtree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37The Heritage School . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Hollberg's Fine Furniture . . . . . . . . . 69Hoofer’s Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56Jack Peek’s Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77Kimble’s Events By Design. . . . . . . . 58Knox Company, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33LaGrange Development

Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55Lee-King and Lee-Goodrum

Pharmacies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Let them eat Toffee! . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Loads of Joy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69Main Street Newnan . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

including recipes and instructions formaking royal icing and piping or “flood-ing” it onto cookies.

There are traditional Santas andsnowflakes and Christmas trees andangels, but there are also cookies featuringa pickup truck with a Christmas tree intransport, cookies that are personalizedand used as placecards, and even a“Blades of Glory” cookie in the shape ofan ice skate featuring edible “luster dust”


on the blade.If you’re planning to ship cookies or

host a cookie exchange, there are sugges-tions for you as well.

“Though the holiday season isalways busy, making time for tomorrow’smemories has never been more impor-tant,” the authors say.

And for their readers, makinggood cookie memories has never beeneasier. NCM

09_1112_90-100 10/23/09 11:40 AM Page 97

Beautiful glittering ornaments adorn the trees at the Neely home in Newnan (see feature on page 64). If you’ve gota photo you’d like considered for “Last Look,” send a copy to Newnan-Coweta Magazine, P.O. Box 1052, Newnan,GA 30264 or e-mail it to [email protected] (300 dpi JPEG format). Please send copies or digital images only, asphotos will not be returned.

>LAST LOOK

— Photo by Bob Fraley


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We may have a long name, but it stands for one simple thing—comfort.The comfort that comes from a soothing bubble bath. And from knowing you’re getting the highest level of service, combined with consistently low rates. Just give us a call, and we’ll give you a straight, helpful answer. Plus we offer the same great price plans—fixed and variable—whether you are a new customer or you’ve been with ussince the beginning. For the best in natural gas, sign up today at cfemcnaturalgas.com or call 770-502-0226.


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Documents

Newnan-Coweta Magazine, Nov/Dec 2009