GEMC GEMC Georgia Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle MAGAZINE Gifts for gardeners page 34 Readers' favorite potluck recipes page 38 DECEMBER 2 19 Georgia `TheCelebratingtheGeorgialifestyle Nutcracker' ushers in the holidMayA sGeaAsZonI N E page 20 Georgia Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle Jekyll's Island Treasures hunt page 16 Keeping ChristmMasA G A Z I N E page 24 GEMC www.georgiamagazine.org Cover_1219.indd_in_progress.indd 1 11/12/19 5:42 PM GMAG Trim Size Template.indd 1 11/12/19 10:04 AM Contents DECEMBER 2019 VOL. 75, NO. 12 ROCK CITY GARDENS COURTESY TIM CAVENDER BOTANICAL INTERESTS 10 16 The midwinter magic of Jekyll's Island Treasures hunt Visitors search to claim one-of-a-kind, blown-glass globes. By Sarah Russell 20 A holiday tradition Across Georgia, "The Nutcracker" ushers in the season. By Amber Lanier Nagle 24 Keeping Christmas All is merry and bright at events statewide. By Pamela A. Keene 34 On the cover Lilla Simmons dances "The Waltz of the Snowflakes" as part of the Nutcracker of Middle Georgia's 2018 performance at The Grand Opera House in Macon. Simmons will portray Clara in this year's performance. (Photo by Greg Guest.) 03_TOC_1219.indd 1 24 COURTESY JEKYLL ISLAND AUTHORITY 16 4 MAILBOX 6 PICTURE THIS? 8 GEORGIA NEWS 10 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 14 CURRENTS 27 GEORGIA'S ENERGY OUTLOOK 28 AROUND GEORGIA For the towns of Santa Claus and Bethlehem, `tis always the season 34 GEORGIA GARDENS Gifts for gardeners 36 MY GEORGIA Substitute Santa saves the day 38 GEORGIA COOKS Readers' favorite potluck recipes 42 SNAPSHOT Holiday memories www.georgiamagazine.org 3 11/13/19 11:13 AM MailBOX Comments from our readers Compiled by Jennifer J. Hewett Baby Barn did not disappoint I am always delighted to receive Georgia Magazine at my home in Pike County. In particular, your September 2019 issue offered a detailed article about the Georgia Grown Baby Barn during the Georgia National Fair in Perry. [See "Oh, baby!" page 18; bit.ly/ggbb919.] Oh, BABY! Georgia Grown Baby Barn brings farming to life By Pamela A. Keene ANDY HARRISON `It's a marvelous process to watch an animal come into this world. The Baby Barn is a wonderful opportunity to educate people about what we do and why we do it.' -- Lee Jones, veterinarian, Georgia Grown Baby Barn VeVteetreirnianrairainanBrBardadHHeienisn,sr,irgihgth,tf,rformomthteheUUninvievresristiytyofof GGeoerogrigaiaCCololellgeegeofoVf eVteetreirnianrayryMMedeidciicnieneanadndaaBaBbayby BaBranrnamambabsassasdaodroar sassisitswt witihththtehededleivlievreyryofoaf acaclaf.lf. V eteetreirninarairainanLLeeeJoJonnesesknknewewththisisbbiritrhth wwoouuldldbbeeuunnuususuala,lb, buut ht heeddididnn't'et xepxpecetct twtwinins.sA. As sththeeoofffifciicailavl evteetreirninarairainanfofor rththeeGGeoeor-rgigaiaNNataitoionnalaFl aFiari'rs'sGGeoeorgrigaiaGGrorowwnnBBababyyBBaranrn, J,oJonneses wwasasppooisiesdedtotoasassissitswt witihthththeefifrisrtsdt deleilvievreyryoof tfhthee bbrarnandd-n-newewpprorogrgarmam. H. Heewwasasininfofor rsosommeesusurprprirsiesse.s. BBeseisdidesesththeeddeleilvievreyryoof tfwtwoohheaelatlhthy,yf,efmemalaele HHoolsltsetienincaclavlevse,sJ,oJonneseswwasasamamazaezdedataththeennuummbbereroof f spspecetcattaotorsrsananddththeierirersepspoonnseseoonnooppenenininggddayayoof tfhthee BBababyyBBaranrnlalsatsOt Octcotobbere.r. "T"Thheyeyspspoonntatnaneoeouuslsylybbrorokekeinintotoapapplaluauses,e"," JoJonnesesasyasy.s". I"'Iv'evebbeenenataltilvievsetsotockckbbiritrhths soonnfaframrms s wwhhenenththeeddaiariyryfaframrmererananddI Iwwoouuldldtrtardadeehhigihgh-f-ifvievse,s, bbuut It'Iv'evenneveevrerhheaeradrdapapplaluauseseataththeebbiritrhthoof cf aclavlevses bbefeoforer.e"." TThheeBBababyyBBaranrnisisaapprorojejcetcot of tfhtheeGGeoeorgrigaiaDDe-epparatrmtmenent ot of Af Agrgirciucultluturer'es'sGGeoeorgrigaiaGGrorowwnnpprorogrgarmam. . "T"ThheepplalnanwwasastotopprorovivdideeGGeoeorgrigaiaNNataitoionnalaFl aFiarir atattetnenddeesesththeeoopppoortrutunnitiytyoof af alilfiefteitmimeewwitihthaachchanancece totowwitintnesesssaalilvievebbiritrhthoof af acaclaflof onnceceaaddaya,y","sasyasys 18 Georgia Magazine September 2019 A newborn calf is nuzzled by its mother shortly after birth. ANDY HARRISON ANDY HARRISON Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black. "Through the hard and tireless work of our team and partners, we were able to double and sometimes even triple that opportunity. The enthralled expressions on the faces of both children and adults as they stood there attentively was all the evidence we needed to know that the Baby Barn was a rousing success." The Baby Barn will be open for its second year at the 30th annual Georgia National Fair Oct. 3-13 at Above: Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black reacts with the crowd observing a calf birth at the Baby Barn last year. Left: Baby Barn ambassadors help take care of the calves and other animals during the fair. www.georgiamagazine.org 19 ANDY HARRISON 18-21_Baby_Barn_B_0819.indd 18 8/14/19 11:11 AM 18-21_Baby_Barn_B_0819.indd 19 8/13/19 4:47 PM ISTOCK.COM / GLOBALP Never having heard anything about the Baby Barn in its startup last year, I was delighted to hear of its success and return this season. Because of your article, I attended the fair this year in hopes of witnessing a live birth at the Baby Barn. We all know that nature is unpredictable; however, not only did I see a bull calf being born but also a baby heifer calf! I even suggested a name for the Holstein heifer calf--Little Georgia--and the crowd voted for it overwhelmingly. What a highlight this was for me, and I recommend you attend next year if it is offered again. Who knows? Maybe you will even see Little Georgia in the future at the Georgia Grown Baby Barn. --Karen Yates, Williamson PHOTO MICHAEL BOATRIGHT, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED / WWW.MICHAELBOATRIGHT.COM The pipes are calling 20 Georgia Magazine August 2019 Georgia's majestic, historic organs are show-stoppers By H.M.Cauley "T he king of instruments" long has been the nickname for the pipe organ, the majestic music-maker, of which the earliest versions have been traced to the third century B.C. In more modern times, organs have been associated with grand churches and cathedrals, where the ability to produce dramatic sounds can captivate, inspire and often awe an audience. The "king" moniker also stems from organs' ability to mimic each orchestral member, from highpitched flutes to brassy trumpets to ground-swelling basses. While many contemporary organs are now electronic and digital, a few classic pipe organs still survive around the state, each with its own story of how it came to call Georgia home. In the case of Johns Creek United Methodist Church, the organ's story has its roots in 9/11. On that day, the morning prayer service at Trinity Church Wall Street in New York City had just ended when tragedy struck, and the debris that rained down on the neighborhood found its way into the church. "They were afraid that caustic dust got sucked up into the organ," says Johns Creek Methodist organist Jeremy Rush. "That sort of thing is deadly in a pipe organ because of all the delicate parts. So the church mothballed it." In 2007, when Johns Creek Methodist was in the planning stages for a new building, an organ was on the drawing board, but after the economic downturn, the $4 million allotted for an instrument was cut. The church's organist at the time had contacts who offered options, including refurbished organs. And at the same time, Trinity Church was looking for someone to take on its organ, which was languishing in storage. For $1, Johns Creek Methodist acquired the 8,000-pipe organ and had it cleaned, installed Top left: Organist Ken Double says the Fox Theatre's Mighty Mo is one of the most distinctive instruments in the theater world--and one of the largest. Left: The 1928 Mller organ at the Rylander Theatre in Americus is one of only three theater organs in Georgia, along with those at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta and the Grand Theatre in Fitzgerald. COURTESY RYLANDER THEATRE 20-23_Pipe_Organs_C_0819.indd 20 7/11/19 7:46 AM COURTESY JOHNS CREEK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Kudos from readers I was fascinated by the article "The pipes are calling" about historic organs. [See August 2019, page 20; bit.ly/pipes819.] The Grace Episcopal Church in Clarkesville has an antique organ that has been restored and is still played in the services there. Please keep the good magazines coming. I look forward to finding them in my mailbox! --Virginia Gladden, Demorest I was greatly impressed by the well-written article "The pipes are calling" and accompanying pictures in the August edition. I hope that the date of next year's visit from the Trinity Church Wall Street choir at Johns Creek United Meth- odist Church will be well-publicized because I'd like to attend. Maybe it should be listed in your monthly calendar to attract statewide attendance! --Rebecca Sullivan, Carrollton I can't wait until next month to see what all you good folks put into the magazine. Keep up the good work! --Wayne Toney, via email Trivia winner! Thank you so much for the Target gift card that you sent to me for winning the March 2019 trivia contest. I love to do the trivia questions and read the interesting articles in Georgia Magazine. Keep up the good work! --Sandra Moore, Rayle EMC member, Springfield From THE EDITOR For many people, "The Nutcracker" is as much a part of their seasonal celebration as is trimming the tree or visiting Santa, and it often provides a child's first exposure to both ballet and classical music. Dance companies all over the country will present their take on Tchaikovsky's classic ballet this season, and Georgia is no exception. Read "A holiday tradition," starting on page 20, to find a performance near you! While we can't promise a white Christmas in Georgia this year, our state will become a winter wonderland this month as a lineup of holiday happenings gets underway. See "Keeping Christmas" on page 24 to learn about Yuletide events such as tree lightings, train excursions, historic home tours and parades that are sure to get you and your family into the spirit of the season. It's been said that there's no place like home for the holidays, but Georgia's Christmas-themed towns, Santa Claus and Bethlehem, might beg to differ. Both of these small municipalities become tourist destinations during November and December, as people from all over the state visit in order to mail their Christmas cards with festive postmarks. Turn to page 28 to find out how "The City That Loves Children" and "The Little Town Under the Star" keep Christmas in their hearts all year long. Finally, we jump ahead to January as we visit Jekyll Island for a unique treasure-hunting experience. Starting New Year's Day and continuing through February, participants search for clear plastic globes that they can redeem for one-of-a-kind, blown-glass floats. These colorful collectibles mimic the glass floats formerly used on fishermen's nets but are actually studiocreated works of art. See page 16 for all the details. Enjoy! Share your thoughts. Email us at magazine@georgiaemc.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity and space. Laurel George Editor 4 Georgia Magazine December 2019 04_Mailbox_Ed_notes_1219.indd 4 11/14/19 8:37 AM CRISP AIR, DON'T CARE. II HHAAVE A FIXED RATE WITH WALTON GAS Visit www.waltongas.com/save or call 770-427-4328. GMAG Trim Size Template.indd 1 9/12/19 10:07 AM Picture this? Guess where this is and you could win a $25 gift card! In "Picture this?" the reader whose photo of a Georgia place is published wins a $25 Target gift card--as does the person who correctly guesses what the photo is and where it was taken. The winner's name (drawn at random from correct guesses) and the answer will appear in a future issue. The winning photo selected by our sta will be published in exchange for the gift card; Georgia EMC claims no right in and will ultimately destroy or delete all photos that are not selected. If you're ready to guess or have taken a photo for us to consider, email picturethis@georgiaemc.com or mail to "Picture this?," P.O. Box 1707, Tucker, GA 30085. Submissions should be 300-dpi photos of locations that are accessible to the public and easy to identify. Please send photos and guesses separately. Guesses for the December contest must be received by Dec. 20, 2019. With all correspondence, please include your name, mailing address and phone number. SEPTEMBER 2019 Our winners from September 2019 are Maria Guardia, of Kathleen, who submitted the photo, and Tatiana, Isabela, Ariana and Ayken Gruters, all of Fort Valley, who correctly guessed it is a bench shaped like an armadillo at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon. 6 Georgia Magazine December 2019 Georgia Magazine, the largest-circulation monthly magazine in the state, is published by Georgia Electric Membership Corp. (GEMC), the trade association for Georgia's 41 consumer-owned electric utilities. On average, more than 540,000 members welcome the magazine into their homes each month. Georgia's not-for-profit electric cooperatives provide reliable, safe and affordable electric service to more than 73 percent of the state's land area, serving 4.5 million residents. For more information, visit www.georgiaemc.com. EDITOR Laurel George MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Hewett, CCC PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Gayle Hartman ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kevin Braun, CCC ASSOCIATE EDITOR Amy Schneider ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jim Jess STAFF ASSISTANT Mae Coleman ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Laine Kirby Wood, (770) 289-5700 Harold Chambliss, (678) 906-4050 NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE American MainStreet Publications, (800) 626-1181 DESIGNERS Trudie Thibodeaux, Kerstin Weis Georgia Magazine (USPS-473120, ISSN 1061-5822) is published monthly by GEMC, P.O. Box 1707, 2100 East Exchange Place, Tucker, GA 30085. Periodicals postage paid at Thomaston, GA, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send changes to Georgia Magazine, P.O. Box 1707, Tucker, GA 30085. Acceptance of advertising by Georgia Magazine does not imply endorsement by the publisher or Georgia's electric membership corporations of the product or services advertised. GEORGIA MAGAZINE'S LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN, OR OMISSIONS OF, ADVERTISEMENTS, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES TO THE ADVERTISER'S BUSINESS, SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF CHARGES FOR THE ADVERTISEMENT THAT WAS OMIT- TED OR IN WHICH THE ERROR OCCURRED. Georgia Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Manuscripts, photographs and artwork must be accompanied by self-addressed, stamped envelopes to be returned. Georgia Magazine reserves the right to edit any material published. How to get in touch Subscriptions: Contact your electric cooperative first; they may send the magazine by request. Or send check or money order for $10 (12 issues) or $16 (24 issues) to the address below. Allow 4-6 weeks for first issue. Change of address: If you personally subscribe, mail your address change to the address below. If you receive the magazine through your electric co-op, please contact that office directly. Article submissions or story ideas are welcome for review; send to the address below. Guidelines are available by emailing magazine@georgiaemc.com. 2100 East Exchange Place, Suite 510, Tucker, GA 30084 (770) 270-6500; in Georgia, (800) 544-4362 Website: www.georgiamagazine.org Email: magazine@georgiaemc.com Visit www.georgiamagazine.org for more of everything you love about Georgia! 6-7_in.pt_staff_1219.indd 6 11/13/19 11:17 AM New rate plans, now with more minutes! Easier is better with the Jitterbug. The Jitterbug Flip, from the creators of the original easy-to-use cell phone, has big buttons and an exclusive 5Star Urgent Response button on the keypad. 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GreatCall does not guarantee an exact location. Jitterbug, GreatCall, and 5Star are registered trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. Copyright 2019 GreatCall, Inc. DLGRC_017266_R1_20191125_FLIP_GEORGIA_DEC.indd 1 GMAG Trim Size Template.indd 1 10/15/19 1:42 PM 11/12/19 10:03 AM GEORGIA News Compiled by Jennifer J. Hewett Arts, humanities contributors honored Georgia glimpses Getting foxy. Two baby fennec foxes are the newest additions to the North Georgia Zoo in Cleveland. Zaire and Emeka arrived this summer and live in the zoo's nursery. As one of the world's smallest fox breeds, fennec foxes typically weigh less than 4 pounds when fully grown. Through the zoo's Young Fox Encounters, these cuddly creatures can interact with zoo guests. For info, visit myfavoritezoo.com. MYFAVORITEZOO.COM S VISITCOLUMBUSGA.COM GEOFF L. JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY OFFICE OF GOV. BRIAN KEMP Gov. Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp, third and fourth from left on front row, gather with the 2019 Governor's Awards for the Arts and Humanities winners. G ov. Brian Kemp announced the 10 winners of the 2019 Governor's Awards for the Arts and Humanities at a ceremony Oct. 24 at the Georgia Capitol. "Georgia is home to a strong arts and humanities culture that fuels creativity and innovation," Kemp said. "Growing and sustaining our arts and humanities sectors can create a catalyst for community revitalization and local economic development across the state." Individual 2019 winners are photographer, collector and philanthropist Lucinda W. Bunnen, Atlanta; visual artist Christopher Johnson, Cuthbert and Columbus; historian, writer and artist Hermina Glass-Hill, Kennesaw and Midway; arts and humanities philanthropists Kathy Prescott and Grady Thrasher, Athens and Atlanta; arts advocate Rick McKnight, Columbus; and musician and arts leader Angelica Hairston, Atlanta. Winning organizations are Common Good Atlanta in Atlanta for providing college humanities classes to Georgia inmates; the Madison-Morgan Conservancy in Madison-Morgan County for historic preservation; the Jessye Norman School of the Arts in Augusta and Richmond County for arts education; and the Mercer University Press in Macon for promoting literary excellence and the humanities. The awards are sponsored by Georgia Humanities in partnership with the Office of the Governor and the Georgia Council for the Arts. Athens painter Cecel Allee created the unique awards presented to this year's recipients. For more information on the awards and this year's recipients, visit bit.ly/2019govaw. Georgia has had five capitals: Savannah (1777-85), Augusta (1786-89), Louisville (1789-1807), Milledgeville (1807-67) and Atlanta (1868-present). Source: New Georgia Encyclopedia Angels in Columbus. One of the hottest photo spots in Columbus could be called heavenly. Colorado artist Kelsey Montague painted angel wings in downtown Columbus near 11th Street and Broadway. The interactive artwork was commissioned by Columbus-based Aflac and encourages people to pose in front. Montague painted a special wings mural at puppy height nearby so dogs can be angels, too. For these and more Instagram-worthy spots in Columbus, visit bit.ly/igsncol. Paper chase. The exhibition Cut and Paste: Works of Paper, which features artwork made of paper by Georgia artists, will travel throughout the state for the next two years. Organized by the Georgia Museum of Art and the Lyndon House Arts Center in Athens, the exhibit's first two stops were the Lyndon House and the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking in Atlanta. Next stops will be the Museum of Arts and Sciences, Macon, Dec. 5-Feb. 14; the Albany Museum of Art, Albany, Feb. 27-June 27; and the Telfair Museum of Art's Jepson Center for the Arts, Savannah, Aug. 1-Feb. 21, 2021. For details, visit bit.ly/capttour. --Pamela A. Keene 8 Georgia Magazine December 2019 8-9_GA_News_SW_1219.indd 8 11/14/19 10:44 AM Praise for Georgia spots! MYFAVORITEZOO.COM xes fully ounwith om. S everal Georgia destinations were lauded as Cond Nast Traveler reader favorites in the magazine's November 2019 issue. High praise went to Savannah for its historic preservation, bed-and-breakfasts and good food, as it was ranked fourth on the Top 10 U.S. Small Cities list. The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport was honored as the No. 2 Best Airport in the U.S. Two Atlanta hotels landed on the Top 20 Hotels in the South list; Hotel Clermont took the No. 13 spot, and the Ellis Hotel rounded out the list at No. 20. Among the Top 20 Resorts in the South were the Greyfield Inn on Cumberland Island, ranking No. 4; the Lodge on Little St. Simons Island, No. 7; Barnsley Resort in Adairsville, No. 8; the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, No. 14; and The Cloister on Sea Island, No. 19. For a list of all winners, go to bit.ly/cntrc19. VISIT SAVANNAH VISITCOLUMBUSGA.COM GEOFF L. JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY e - y da by us, e: vel rs. ens, on m l on, , ts, s, eene Left: Visitors stop by Savannah's Forsyth Park for a selfie at the park's famous fountain. Above: A chef-prepared Southern breakfast welcomes guests at the historic Hamilton-Turner Inn in Savannah. Find it this month! Want to win a $25 gift card? Are you a resourceful reader? One lucky reader who nds and submits the correct answers to these trivia questions will win a $25 Target gift card. 1) What Georgia town's city hall is located at 25 December Drive? 2) Well-known men in Macon, including a local chief meteorologist, have appeared as what character in the Nutcracker of Middle Georgia's performances of "The Nutcracker"? 3) Southern Tree Plantation's longtime Santa was sidelined during the Christmas season with what type of injury? 4) How many hours does it take to create each glass oat awarded in the Island Treasures hunt? 5) What is the name of the congealed salad recipe made by Mary Murphy's mother every Christmas? TARGET gift card $25 How to enter: Send an email to trivia@georgia emc.com with the answers to all ve questions by Dec. 29, 2019. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. (If more than one person answers all the questions correctly, we'll draw from among all correct answers to determine the $25 Target gift card winner.) www.georgiamagazine.org 9 8-9_GA_News_SW_1219.indd 9 11/14/19 10:43 AM classical chamber music, will perform at the Savannah Music Festival. EVENTS Calendar DECEMBER Compiled by Pamela A. Keene COURTESY THE ROCK RANCH Country Christmas at T he Rock Ranch in The Rock celebrates the season in style from Nov. 28 through Dec. 25, o ering a drive-through holiday light display, visits with Santa, wagon rides and other family activities on select nights. "We're open every day from Thanksgiving night through Christmas Day," says Adam Pugh, general manager of The Rock Ranch. "Our one mile of light displays is open for people to drive through during our Drive-Through Christmas Lights Nov. 28-29, Dec. 1-5, 8-12, 16-18 and 22-25. "Other nights, folks can park their cars and enjoy our Country Christmas Nights and all the festivities." During Country Christmas Nights, Nov. 30, Dec. 6-7, 13-15 and 19-21, The Rock Ranch o ers tractor-pulled wagon rides through the light displays, the Christmas Express Train with dancing lights and bubble snow, Santa's Workshop and visits with Santa, as well as shopping, dining and entertainment. "Every year our event just continues to grow," Pugh says. "It's our gift to the community and a chance for people to make holiday memories." Reservations are required for Country Christmas Nights. For more information or to make reservations, visit therockranch.com, or call (706) 647-6374. --Pamela A. Keene Event details and costs are subject to change; please verify before attending. e Rock Ranch I Historic High Country Forum On Ice, through Jan. 6, Forum River Center, Rome. Indoor ice skating and a 100-foot ice slide. (706) 291-5281. bit.ly/formriv. 7th Annual March of the Toys Parade, Dec. 6, downtown, Ball Ground. Marching bands, floats, Peachtree Clown Alley, superheroes, plus gift vendors, Santa and Mrs. Claus; new, unwrapped toys will be accepted for Toys for Tots. (770) 735-4263. bit.ly/marotp. "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," Dec. 6-8, 13-15, Historic DeSoto Theatre, Rome. Stage adaptation of the bestselling book. (706) 295-7171. bit.ly/rmthea. Lessons and Carols, Dec. 7, College Chapel, Berry College, Mount Berry. Traditional English Christmas program with Scripture readings and carols performed by the Berry College choirs. (706) 232-5374. bit.ly/berrycar. "The Messiah," Dec. 7, City Auditorium, Rome. The Rome Symphony performs the classic work by composer George Handel. (706) 291-7967. romesymphony.org. Christmas Back Home, Dec. 13-14, City Auditorium, Rome. Classic Christmas songs featuring Scott Thompson, Brent McDonald and friends. (678) 642-2997. bit.ly/xmasbckh. Christmas with Cherokee Chorale, Dec. 14-15, Canton First United Methodist Church, Canton. Holiday music, including "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and the "Hallelujah Chorus." (614) 302-0160. cherokeechorale.org. Possum Drop, Dec. 31, downtown, Tallapoosa. See Spencer, the stuffed possum, herald 2020, plus music by On the Border, an Eagles tribute band. (678) 250-3767. thepossumdrop.com I Northeast Georgia Mountains Christmas in Cornelia with Lights Spectacular, through Jan. 1, Cornelia City Park, Cornelia. Drive-through holiday light display. Ice skating, marshmallow roasts, hayrides, Santa, Dec. 12-14. (706) 778-8585. bit.ly/disccor. Mountain Country Christmas Lights, Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28, Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee. Arts and crafts, caroling, entertainment, food. (706) 896-4191. bit.ly/gamtnfg. Old-Fashioned Christmas, Nov. 29-Dec. 21, downtown, Dahlonega. Festival of trees, carriage rides, concerts, parade on Dec. 7, Santa; events vary each day. (706) 892-9741. bit.ly/dahxmas. "A Christmas Story," Dec. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, Holly Theater, Dahlonega. Stage version of the popular movie about Ralphie and his wish for a Red Ryder BB gun. (706) 530-5162. hollytheater.com. Holiday Bazaar, Dec. 7, Cornerstone Baptist Church Family Life Center, Hartwell. More than 40 vendors with home dcor, ornaments, birdhouses, jewelry, clothing, baked goods. (706) 436-3544. bit.ly/hartbaz. Christmas at the Inn, Dec. 7, 14, Traveler's Rest State Historic Site, Toccoa. Traditional holiday music, inn decorated in 1890s style. 10 Georgia Magazine December 2019 10-13_Calendar_SW_1219.indd 10 11/13/19 3:33 PM (706) 886-2256. bit.ly/gsptrvr. Mistletoe Market, Dec. 7-8, Helen Arts & Heritage Center, Helen. Locally made, handcrafted art and fine crafts, plus artist demonstrations. (706) 878-3933. helenarts.org. Christmas on Green Street, Dec. 8, Green Street, Gainesville. Parade, music, strolling magicians, carriage rides, Santa. (770) 297-5499. bit.ly/dtgaines. A Celtic Christmas, Dec. 13-14, Swails Center, Emmanuel College, Royston. Concert by Savannah River Productions' Celebration Choir, the Celtic Rovers, Irish Broads and others. (706) 376-7397. bit.ly/savprod. Ciyadh Wells, Dec. 15, Sautee Nacoochee Center, Sautee Nacoochee. Classical guitarist from the University of Georgia performs. (706) 878-3300. snca.org. n Atlanta Metro Traveling the Silk Road, through Jan. 5, Fernbank Museum, Atlanta. Life-size models, artifacts and hands-on activities tell the story of the ancient Silk Road connecting Southeast Asia to Africa and Europe. (404) 929-6300. bit.ly/fbankmu. Winter Art Competition Exhibit, Dec. 5-19, Cultural Arts Center of Douglasville, Douglasville. Works of art by Douglas County students. (770) 949-2787. artsdouglas.org. Sparkle! A Celebration of Kids, Creativity and Magic, Dec. 6, Thrasher Park, Norcross. Carriage rides, tree lighting, concerts, marshmallow roasting. (770) 448-2122. norcrossga.net. Christmas Eve and Other Stories, Dec. 8, Infinite Energy Center, Duluth. Concert by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. (770) 626-2464. bit.ly/inftenerg. Hometown Christmas Parade, Dec. 14, Lawrenceville Square, Lawrenceville. Santa Claus, live reindeer, floats. (770) 963-2414. lawrencevillega.org. Home by Dark at Christmas, Dec. 19, Infinite Energy Center, Duluth. Music and stories by nationally known songwriters. (770) 626-2464. bit.ly/inftenerg. n Presidential Pathways All Things Christmas, through Jan. 13, Artisans on the Square, Greenville. Exhibit of Nativities and toys collected by Toots and Ed Hobson. (404) 386-1328. bit.ly/grnvart. "Jingle ARRGH the Way! A `How I Became a Pirate' Christmas Adventure," Dec. 4-8, Riverside Theatre Complex, Columbus. Stage production based on the "How I Became a Pirate" books, presented by the Columbus State University Theatre Department. (706) 507-8444. bit.ly/csuthea. "Cinderella: The New Broadway Musical," Dec. 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, Springer Opera House, Columbus. The classic story told through the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein. (706) 327-3688. bit.ly/sprngop. "A Christmas Carol," Dec. 7, R.E. Lee Auditorium, Thomaston. Actor Dwain Penn voices Regions are determined by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. See its online calendar at www.exploregeorgia. org for additional events. 24 characters to tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge. (770) 567-4113. bit.ly/xmascart. Hills and Dales Holiday Tours, Dec. 7-28, Hills and Dales Estate, LaGrange. Tours of the Callaway home, decorated in vintage style. (706) 882-3242. hillsanddales.org. The Honor Tree, Dec. 7-31, Roosevelt's Little White House, Warm Springs. Adorn three holiday trees with photos of those who have served or are serving in the nation's armed forces. (706) 655-5870. bit.ly/roosvwh. COURTESY THE ROCK RANCH ROB ST. CLAIR How Far to Bethlehem?, Dec. 6-8, Lithia Springs United Methodist Church, Lithia Springs. Drive-through Nativity with animals and multiple scenes. (770) 948-5429. e 2019 Children's Christmas Parade, Dec. 7, Midtown, Atlanta. Marching bands, floats, large balloons. (404) 785-9402. choa.org/parade. Historic Norcross Holiday Tour of Homes, Dec. 7, Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center, Norcross. Tour five historic and modern homes decorated for the holidays. (770) 623-3600. bit.ly/gwintour. "A Christmas Carol," Dec. 7, 12, 14, 18, 21-22, Aurora Theatre, Lawrenceville. One-man show re-creates this holiday classic with a twist. (678) 226-6222. auroratheatre.com. Atlanta Record Show, Dec. 8, Doubletree Hotel, 2055 South Park Place, Marietta. Vinyl LPs, compact discs, 45 singles, music collectibles. (770) 463-2727. bit.ly/atlreccd. Gingerbread Village, Dec. 3-Jan. 5, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Columbus. A dozen gingerbread creations from local businesses, schools and families on display. rivercenter.org. (706) 256-3612. www.georgiamagazine.org 11 10-13_Calendar_SW_1219.indd 11 11/13/19 3:33 PM DOMINION ENTERTAINMENT GROUP EVENTS Calendar Candlelight Tour of Homes, Dec. 8, various locations, Senoia. Visit historic homes decorated for the holidays. (770) 727-9173. enjoysenoia.net. Holiday Tour of Homes, Dec. 8, Hilton Avenue, Columbus. Celebrate the season with music, history and architecture. (706) 322-0756. bit.ly/hstcols. Children's Christmas Celebration, Dec. 14, Hills and Dales Estate, LaGrange. Gingerbread house-making, sing-along, story time, Santa. (706) 882-3242. hillsanddales.org. communities in the 20th century through photos, objects, film, audio and interactive technology. (706) 468-8994. jaspercountycoc.com. The Ten Tenors, Dec. 13, Monroe County Fine Arts Center, Forsyth. Australian tenors sing ballads, pop and rock music. (478) 994-2031. monroefinearts.org. New Year's Eve Ball Drop, Dec. 31, downtown, Forsyth. Celebrate the new year with the Forsythia ball drop and a concert by The Conquest Show Band. (478) 994-7747. bit.ly/nyevedrp. n Classic South A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols, Dec. 3, Sacred Heart Cultural Center, Augusta. Choirs and community leaders present a traditional English Christmas program. (706) 8264700. bit.ly/sacrdht. n Plantation Trace Lights Along the River, Dec. 1-31, Earle May Boat Basin Park, Bainbridge. Drive through more than 50 lighted Christmas displays along the Flint River. (229) 243-8555. bit.ly/lightsrivr. North Pole Express, Dec. 5-7, 12-14, ABAC's Georgia Museum of Agriculture, Tifton. Story time with Mrs. Claus, train rides to the North Pole to visit Santa, refreshments. (229) 391-5205. bit.ly/npeabac. Sunset Boat Tour, Dec. 7, 23, 29, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Fargo. Tour Billy's Lake to see and hear wildlife and experience the changing colors of the sky. (912) 637-5274. bit.ly/scfspark. Christmas Parade, Dec. 12, downtown, Bainbridge. Floats, music and Santa. (229) 243-8555. bit.ly/bbxmaspar. Festival of Lights Christmas Parade, Dec. 12, downtown, Moultrie. Floats, music and the theme "A Christmas to Remember." (229) 890-5455. bit.ly/dtmoutr. "A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tale," Dec. 6-7, 13-15, Bartow Community Club, Bartow. Pooh, Piglet and their friends help Eeyore find his tail. (478) 364-3340. "Black Nativity: A Gospel Christmas Musical Experience," Dec. 21, City Auditorium, Macon. Adaptation of Langston Hughes' original "Black Nativity," which retells the story of Mary's and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem through the lens of a modern-day church. (478) 803-1593. maconcentreplex.org. Christmas in the Park, Dec. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, A.H. Stephens State Park, Crawfordville. Christmas dis- plays by community n Historic Heartland partners, churches and businesses decorate the park. (706) 456-2602. bit.ly/ahsgsp. Harlem Globetrotters, Dec. 6, Macon Coliseum, Macon. Performance basketball team showcases Progressive Wassailing Christmas Tour of its athleticism on the court. (478) 803-1593. Historic Homes, Dec. 7, Pierce Memorial United maconcentreplex.org. Methodist Church, Sparta. Traditional wassail (hot, spiced cider) and holiday tour of homes. Keeping Christmas at Old Richland Church, (706) 444-7412. historicsparta.org. Dec. 6-7, Richland Church, Jeffersonville. Tradi- tional music, period readings from 1860 to1865, Christmas in Oglethorpe, Dec. 14, Historic plus Father Christmas. (478) 230-9096. Courthouse Square, Lexington. Parade, food, bit.ly/histrch. entertainment, Santa. (706) 340-1049. lexingtonga.org. Live Nativity, Dec. 6-8, Oakland Baptist Church, Warner Robins. Outdoor staged play of the Historic Pulpits & Pews Christmas Tour, birth of Christ with live animals and a replica Dec. 14, various locations, Wilkes County. Bus of Bethlehem and its people. (478) 923-3533. tour of historic churches in Wilkes County. oaklandwr.com. (706) 678-5001. washingtonwilkes.org. 33rd Annual Victorian Christmas, Dec. 12-13, downtown, Thomasville. Carolers, street performers, musicians, St. Nicholas. (229) 228-7977. thomasvillega.com. "Hansel and GretelPeppermint Pops," Dec. 14, West Campus, Building J, Albany State University, Albany. Albany Symphony performs Engelbert Humperdinck's version of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale with singers, dancers and orchestra. (229) 430-8933. albanysymphony.org. n Magnolia Midlands Christkindlmarket, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 6-8, 13-15, Dublin Carnegie, Dublin. Holiday market with a German flair, food vendors, Santa. (478) 279-2615. bit.ly/chrstkind. Holiday Celebration, Dec. 6, downtown, Statesboro. Arts and crafts, parade, Chili Town Cook-off. (912) 764-7227. bit.ly/sbdfirst. Christmas Concert and Journey to Bethlehem, Dec. 8, various locations, Hawkinsville. Tour Nativities at five churches and sing carols with the Middle Georgia Concert Band, starting at the Hawkinsville Opera House. (478) 783-1884. bit.ly/hwkop. "The Nutcracker," Dec. 13-15, Averitt Center for the Arts, Statesboro. Classic holiday ballet features the Statesboro Youth Ballet and professional guest artists. (912) 212-2787. bit.ly/avrtctr. Crossroads: Changes in Rural America, Dec. 7-Jan. 11, Monticello-Jasper Visitors' Center, Monticello. Traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibition highlights the evolution of rural Christmas Concert, Dec. 17, Historic Beth Salem Church, East Church Street, Lexington. Oldfashioned Christmas concert. (706) 340-1049. lexingtonga.org. 33rd Annual Christmas Extravaganza, Dec. 14, downtown, Sylvania. Parade, crafts, music, family activities, live Nativity. (912) 564-7878. screvencounty.com. 12 Georgia Magazine December 2019 10-13_Calendar_SW_1219.indd 12 11/13/19 3:36 PM Christmas on the Pond, Dec. 14, General Coffee State Park, Nicholls. Storytelling, hayrides, at marshmallow roast, Santa. (912) 384-7082. bit.ly/gspgencof. er. n Georgia's Coast Yuletide Glow, Dec. 14-23, Stubbs Park, Dublin. Visit a Christmas wonderland with light displays. (478) 272-4002. bit.ly/ytglowd. Christmas Tree Lighting, Dec. 5, Bradwell Park, e Hinesville. Food, kids' activities, games. (912) 368-4445. libertycounty.org. 23rd Annual Christmas Parade, Dec. 6, downtown, Hinesville. Music, floats and Santa. (912) 368-4445. libertycounty.org. VISITDUBLINGA.ORG 39th Annual Hofwyl Plantation Christmas, Dec. 7, Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation Historic Site, Brunswick. Christmas on a Southern rice plantation in the 1850s with re-enactors, carols, refreshments and candlelight tours. (912) 264-7333. bit.ly/hfwgsp. Diamonds' hit "Little Darlin'." (912) 754-1118. Museum, Savannah. Performance by the Savan- A Colonial Christmas, Dec. 7, Fort Morris marstheatre.com. nah Theatre Troup, Savannah Children's Choir me Historic Site, Midway. Colonial refreshments, and local musicians. (912) 651-6823. yule log, 18th-century music, caroling and firing "A Storybook Christmas," Dec. 13-15, St. Marys bit.ly/saredkc. of the Christmas guns. (912) 884-5999. Little Theatre, St. Marys. A family searches for bit.ly/gspftmo. the best Christmas after the father goes off to Events for the March 2020 issue war. (912) 729-1103. bit.ly/stmthe. are due by Dec. 15. m- Silver Bells and the Diamonds, Dec. 7, Mars Email calendar@georgiaemc.com. See more Theatre, Springfield. Classic tunes from the '50s and '60s, including holiday favorites and the Salvation Army Red Kettle Community Concert, Dec. 19, Georgia State Railroad event listings at georgiamagazine.org. 4, y, iry 5. f. , e . , y 10-13_Calendar_SW_1219.indd 13 www.georgiamagazine.org 13 11/14/19 8:54 AM Currents News from Georgia's electric co-ops Compiled by Amy Schneider Learners Today, Leaders G Tomorrow COURTESY COASTAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE COURTESY COASTAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Coastal Electric brings high school students to work Reid Kroken snaps a photo of Coastal Electric Cooperative employees at work during a work-study program with Coastal's marketing and communications department this summer. F our high school students spent part of their summer break learning the ropes of work at an electric cooperative. Through Midwaybased Coastal Electric Cooperative's Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow program, the rising seniors spent June 3-July 25 gaining on-the-job training in customer service, engineering, operations and marketing and communications. "We want to help bring experience-based education to the forefront, and apprenticeships, starting with our high school students in their senior year, are actually the model to fill those jobs," said Whit Each of the Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow participants received a $500 scholarship from Coastal Electric Cooperative at the end of the summer. From left are Daphanie Harris, human resources manager at Coastal; Kevin Tooley; Reid Kroken; David Krupp; JaKayla Chargois; and Natalyn Morris, human resources coordinator. Hollowell, Coastal Electric CEO. Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow is a work-study pro- gram conceived by Daphanie Harris, Coastal Electric's human resources manager. "During high school, students discover a lot about who they are and what types of careers they would like to pursue," Harris said. "We recognize that students are not always aware of the many rewarding careers that the co-op has to offer, so we hope our work-study program will help bridge that gap." "I wanted to be a part of this program because I wanted to learn more about the workforce, while at the same time learn about a field I was interested in," said Kevin Tooley, who worked in the operations department. David Krupp appreciated the real-world experience. "I have worked side-by-side with everyone in the engineering department," he said. "They have each taught me different things and had me do different tasks, all the while growing my work experience and real-world problem-solving skills." Reid Kroken, who worked in the marketing and communications department, learned that "graphic design is a skill that can be utilized pretty much anywhere. I have gotten to experience what it is like and learn how to design signs, design advertisements and take pictures that are actually used to promote a company instead of doing it just for fun or at school." JaKayla Chargois worked in customer service and gained an appreciation for cooperatives. "I enjoy the way everyone treats each other and engages with one another," she said. "To me, that is the very thing that keeps this business going, especially when everyone is familyoriented and genuinely cares for each other." 14 Georgia Magazine December 2019 14-15_Currents_SW_1219.indd 14 11/14/19 9:44 AM RICHARD LUBRANT COURTESY COASTAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE STEVE CHALKER / JEFFERSON ENERGY COOPERATIVE Co-ops return to Sunbelt Ag Expo G eorgia's electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) welcomed thousands of attendees to their exhibit during the 42nd annual Sunbelt Agricultural Expo Oct. 15-17 in Moultrie. In addition to free pop- corn and bottles of cold water, the exhibit offered visitors electric-safety demonstrations; a display provided by Mitchell EMC in Camilla that detailed A new photo op at the EMCs' Sunbelt Ag Expo booth this the restoration efforts after Hurricane Michael last year; year allowed children to appear to be lineworkers in a bucket truck. and a new photo booth featur- ing a line truck bucket, in which children could have photos taken in lineman gear. Rainy, overcast skies kept the Touchstone Energy hot-air balloon grounded for the first two days of the expo, but the balloon--piloted by Ohio native Bob Scobee--flew over the final morning of the event carrying the American flag. Volunteers from Tucker-based Georgia EMC and Green Power EMC as well as co- ops throughout the state staffed the event. Jefferson Energy Cooperative in Wrens sent its high-voltage trailer and a crew to run four daily electric-safety demonstrations, with help from Carroll EMC (Carrollton), Colquitt EMC (Moultrie), Coweta-Fayette EMC (Palmetto) and Snapping Shoals EMC (Covington). Irwin EMC in Ocilla provided its climbing pole trailer for children to wear a lineman belt and pretend to be a lineman. Other cooperatives providing volunteers were Altamaha EMC (Lyons), Coastal Electric Cooperative (Midway), Diverse Power (LaGrange), Flint Energies (Reynolds), Grady EMC (Cairo), Ocmulgee EMC (Eastman), Okefenoke Rural EMC (Nahunta) and Planters EMC (Millen). --Kaleb Frady Feline victorious Jefferson Energy Cooperative in Wrens was awarded third place in the haybale category of the Thomson-McDuffie Chamber of Commerce's Fall Crow/Hay Bale Contest. The face of a black cat-- dubbed Jefferson the Co-op Cat--was created by Jefferson Energy employees Brady Hadden and Suzanne Saunders and was on display near the old courthouse on Main Street in Thomson. Residents voted for their favorites through the chamber's Facebook page, and winners were announced on Oct. 22. KALEB FRADY LAKE CHATUGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SHORTTakes When it counts: Pat Merritt, vice president of community and economic development at Tuckerbased Georgia Electric Membership Corp. (EMC), will be one of 66 leaders statewide serving on the governorappointed Complete Count Committee. The task force will work to ensure that the 2020 U.S. Census includes every Georgia resident, with the goal of achieving an accurate count and, subsequently, the correct number of congressional representatives and amount of federal funding. Nurturing businesses: Jasper-based Amicalola EMC recently donated $20,000 to the Collaboration On River's Edge (CORE), Gilmer County's workplace-innovation space. An initiative of the Greater Gilmer Community Foundation, CORE's mission is to house entrepreneurs and startups, o er co-working and mentorship opportunities, serve as a new-venture incubator/accelerator, teach and train for employment success and provide a community meeting place. Fish story: Blue Ridge Mountain EMC in Young Harris was one of four sponsors of the inaugural Reelin' It In for Veterans Fishing Tournament on Nov. 2. The tournament, which drew 32 two-angler teams competing for $7,500 in prizes, was held at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee and raised $500 for the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) chapter. Milestone in giving: Sumter EMC in Americus recently topped the $1 million milestone in its Operation Round Up donations. In Operation Round Up, EMC members opt to round their monthly bills up to the next dollar, and the difference goes into a fund for charitable causes in the community. www.georgiamagazine.org 15 COURTESY GREYSTONE POWER CORP. 14-15_Currents_SW_1219.indd 15 11/14/19 9:44 AM The mid wi Jekyll's Isl By Sarah Russell COURTESY GLASS QUEST Mark Ellinger, owner of Glass Quest Hand Blown Art Glass Studio, blows out a float, using wet newspaper to shape the glass. 16 Georgia Magazine December 2019 16-18_Jekyll_Island_1219.indd 16 11/14/19 9:50 AM mid winter magic of ll's Island Treasures Jekyll Island's iconic Driftwood Beach is one place visitors can explore while taking part in the Island Treasures adventure. THORITY COURTESY JEKYLL ISLAND AUTHORITY Silently they broke free from their teth- and collectors value the unduplicatable ers, and the waves carried them ashore. For designs, beautiful colors and individual decades they were a beachcomber's treasure: stamps. the hollow glass balls that fishermen used to float their nets. By the 1950s, they had been replaced by steel, aluminum and later plastic floats, and even the memories of them began to disappear like foot- In a friendly game of one-upmanship, COURTESY JEKYLL ISLAND AU "[Marcus just trade off will] make one, I'll make one. We'll all day," Ellinger says. "They [the JIA] just let us have fun, experiment, try different colors. They prints on the ocean's edge. always seem beautiful, no matter what." In a bit of midwinter magic, beautiful glass floats have Meanwhile, the JIA selects employees to be members of its returned to Jekyll Island. Since 2003, an adventurous game of Beach Buddies group. For the reward of a float to keep, Beach hide-and-seek known as the Island Treasures event has taken Buddies hide the clear plastic floats during their designated place from New Year's Day through February. Visitors scour the week. The JIA provides an overall strategy so that floats are island for clear plastic globes that are hidden each day and then distributed evenly over the island. For the public's safety and the exchange them for one-of-a-kind glass works of art. health of the environment, floats are not hidden in the dunes, "It is a fun little nod to the tradition and the history of the marshes or golf courses or on private property. During the two- island," says Alexa Orndoff, director of marketing and commu- month event, 300 of the plastic floats--each with a numbered nications for the Jekyll Island Authority tag inside--are hidden in plain sight, but (JIA), the stewards of the island. cleverly so as to invite discovery of all that Like Santa's workshop, the Glass Jekyll has to offer. Quest Hand Blown Art Glass Studio in Like the glass floats for which they Stanwood, Wash., is bustling during the are redeemed, the plastic floats are holiday season. Each year, the JIA selects large--4 inches to 5 inches in diameter. one of its exclusive roster of glass artists They are bigger than a softball but smaller to create the next year's floats. This year, than a cantaloupe. Glass Quest owner Mark Ellinger and son "They are very large," says Erin Evors, Marcus have been chosen again to create a former Beach Buddy. "A smaller person the floats for the 2020 event. In a process could hardly hold it in one hand." that spans 24 hours, the Ellingers melt clear glass, color it, blow the floats, stamp An incentive to explore each with a number and place the floats In the National Historic Landmark in a 950-plus-degree furnace, which is District, Evors would place a float on a gradually cooled. bench or the steps of a cottage. This 240- The original fishermen's floats were acre area was developed in the late 1800s made quickly and cheaply of recycled for the members of the Jekyll Island Club. glass, and the resulting imperfections A winner displays her glass float. Each plastic It was described in 1886 as "the richest, made each unique. Each of the Island globe hidden on the island contains a number the most exclusive and the most inac- Treasures floats is one of a kind as well, that corresponds to a specific glass float. cessible club in the world" by Munsey's www.georgiamagazine.org 17 16-18_Jekyll_Island_1219.indd 17 11/14/19 9:50 AM COURTESY GLASS QUEST COURTESY JEKYLL ISLAND AUTHORITY Beach Buddies have hidden plastic globes near the historic Horton House. COURTESY GLASS QUEST COURTESY JEKYLL ISLAND AUTHORITY COURTESY JEKYLL ISLAND AUTHORITY Top inset: Marcus Ellinger heats up glass to make it pliable at Glass Quest Hand Blown Art Glass Studio in Stanwood, Wash. Left inset: Participants in the Island Treasures event look for plastic globes around Jekyll Island and exchange them for glass floats at the Guest Information Center. Magazine. The focal point is still the Jekyll Island Hotel, surrounded by "cottages"--the winter mansions of the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and other wealthy families. Some cottages still host guests as well as shops and galleries. Eight miles of wide, flat beaches invite visitors to walk or bike while beachcombing. The picnic tables at St. Andrews Beach Park provide a place to eat lunch as visitors are searching. At the iconic Driftwood Beach, a float might wait on an ancient sun-bleached branch. If the Glory Beach area looks familiar, it may be because the movie "Glory" was filmed in the area. The movie producers had the boardwalk leading to the beach built while they filmed there. Parts of Jekyll Island also have appeared in many other film and TV productions, including "The Legend of Bagger Vance," "Magic Mike XXL" and "The Walking Dead." Another area to search for the floats is the Horton House. The home was built in 1743 of tabby, or crushed oyster shells. The Jekyll Island Campground has overnighted floats as well. Even if there's not one at the doorway of Mosaic, the island's interactive museum, visitors will experience great tales of Jekyll's past. Claiming the prize After someone finds a float, he or she brings it and a photo ID to the Guest Information Center. The numbered tag inside the plastic float is matched to the corresponding glass float, and the winner's smiling face is posted to the Jekyll Island Facebook page, facebook.com/jekyllisland, which provides updates on the search. To keep the game fair for all, the JIA registers the floats and limits them to one per household per season. For those who didn't find one of the Island Treasures plastic globes or who want additional floats, the Guest Information Center sells floats there and online. And yes, they will float beautifully in a pool or pond. How do people react to their floats? "They are ecstatic. The biggest grins--especially kids. So precious!" Evors says. "Each [glass float] is gorgeous, but they're all different. No two are the same." While there is no cost to take part in the Island Treasures event--not even for the floats that are found--there is a small parking fee that goes to support the island. "It is a fun experience to come out and look for them, but really the true treasure of coming to Jekyll is all the other things you can explore around the island," Orndoff says. Sarah Russell is a freelance writer in Hot Springs, Ark. For more information Jekyll Island Guest Information Center, 901 Downing Musgrove Causeway, Jekyll Island. (912) 635-3636, info@jekyllisland.com, jekyllisland.com. Open Mondays through Saturdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. FAQ and video of the event: bit.ly/islandtreasuresinfo A map of some hiding locations: bit.ly/islandtreasuresmap Glass Quest Hand Blown Art Glass Studio, Stanwood, Wash. (360) 629-7005, glassquest@gmail.com, glassquest.com 18 Georgia Magazine December 2019 16-18_Jekyll_Island_1219.indd 18 11/14/19 9:51 AM Official Energy Provider of GHSA since 1999 Good luck to all teams competing in the 2019 GHSA State Football Championships December 13-14 at Georgia State Stadium! FROM YOUR LOCAL EMCs: Altamaha EMC Amicalola EMC Carroll EMC Central Georgia EMC Coastal Electric Cooperative Colquitt EMC Coweta-Fayette EMC Diverse Power Flint Energies Grady EMC GreyStone Power Habersham EMC Hart EMC Irwin EMC Jackson EMC Jefferson Energy Middle Georgia EMC Mitchell EMC Ocmulgee EMC Oconee EMC Okefenoke REMC Planters EMC Rayle EMC Slash Pine EMC Snapping Shoals EMC Southern Rivers Energy Sumter EMC Three Notch EMC Upson EMC Washington EMC Facebook "f " Logo RGB / .ai Facebook "f " Logo RGB / .ai Learn more: georgiaemc.com GMAG Trim Size Template.indd 1 11/12/19 10:12 AM A holiday tradition Throughout Georgia, `The Nutcracker' ushers in the season By Amber Lanier Nagle KEIKO WEST PHOTOGRAPHY GN IST L ucy Sheppard drew in a deep breath then exhaled slowly to suppress a wave of butterflies as the curtains at Macon's Grand Opera House opened last December. "Everyone enjoys dancing in `The Nutcracker,' but for me, it was a special honor to be cast as Clara last year," remembers 16-year-old Sheppard, a junior at Columbus High School who drives to Macon to dance. For many Georgians, taking in a performance of "The Nutcracker" kicks off the holiday season, but for the dancers, the legendary ballet is the culmination of weeks of hard work. "We auditioned in September and began rehearsing in October," says Sheppard, who will perform different roles this year. "It's a lot of work, but it is so fun and rewarding." In Macon, locals fill more than 100 roles. Six professionals perform key roles, such as the Snow Queen, the Snow King and the Sugar Plum Fairy. "In the finale, Clara dances with the professionals onstage. I loved that," Sheppard says. "I'll never forget the bow at the end. The audience was clapping and on their feet, and I was so happy that I cried." OCK.COM / JAMMYDESI Tradition and surprises in Macon "It all started with Jean Evans Weav- er," says Alice Sheridan, artistic director Above: Lucy Sheppard portrays Clara in the Nutcracker of Middle Georgia's 2018 production. Right: Graceful ballerinas perform to Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" by the Nutcracker of Middle Georgia. 20 Georgia Magazine December 2019 20-22_Nutcracker_1219.indd 20 KEIKO WEST PHOTOGRAPHY of the Nutcracker of Middle Georgia, midganutcracker.com. "She envisioned a local production of `The Nutcracker' that would rival those presented across the country by premier ballet companies." Back in 1985, the ballet was produced on a shoestring budget--no costumes, no scenery or sets and no professional dancers. "Today, we have it all," Sheridan says. "We perform at Macon's magnificent Grand Opera House. Our backdrops are stunning, designed by Bobby Berg, who is from Macon but lives in New York. Our costumes are gorgeous, we hire top professionals to come in for certain roles, and our local dancers, cast members and volunteers are all fabulous." More than 120,000 people have attended 11/14/19 10:49 AM ME MARKETING SERVICES Left: Katherine Whitlock (as Clara) accepts a nutcracker figurine from Hadley Campbell (portraying Herr Drosselmeyer) in the Statesboro performance of "The Nutcracker." Campbell has performed in the show for the last six years, and this year three of his granddaughters are also in the show. Bottom left: Young performers dressed as mice dance around Clara in the Statesboro School of Dance's "Nutcracker" performance in 2018. The story of `The Nutcracker' Set to the familiar musical score by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, "The Nutcracker" begins on Christmas Eve, as Clara's eccentric godfather presents her with a wooden nutcracker doll. She and her brother fight over the figurine and break it, but her godfather mends it. After bedtime, Clara creeps downstairs to check on her new toy. The clock strikes midnight, and the toys under the tree spring to life. The now-life-size Nutcracker leads toy soldiers in a battle against the Mouse King and mischievous mice. Clara strikes the Mouse King, which breaks a magic spell and turns the Nutcracker into a handsome young man--her godfather's nephew, who had been cursed years before. Clara, the young man and her godfather travel to faraway lands. Clara eventually floats back to bed. When she wakes the next morning, she wonders if it was all a dream. ME MARKETING SERVICES ISTOCK.COM / SUNNYCHICKA Macon's performances--many of them returning each year to witness the magic. The last few years, well-known local men have surprised the crowds by playing Mother Ginger, a beloved character who eases on stage wearing a wide skirt that hides a host of young dancers. "One year, local Chief Meteorologist Ben Jones from WMAZ-TV was Mother Ginger," she says. "Another time, Jim Crisp, founding artistic director of Theatre Macon, helped us out." Sheridan is particularly proud of their community-outreach campaign, "Nutcracker Gives Back." "Our dancers ring the bell for The Salvation Army," she says. "They wrap and deliver presents to the Methodist Home for Children and Youth and they dress in their costumes and visit with children battling cancer at Jay's HOPE Foundation's Christmas party." In Dalton, the show must go on In Dalton, spectators who bring canned food donations to a showing of "The Nutcracker" receive $1 off their tickets. "And we perform a free showing of `The Nutcracker' for all fourth-graders in our public school system," says Berrien Long, director of the Dalton Arts Project, daltonartsproject.org/ nutracker, which has organized the ballet for more than 25 years. "We provide study guides to the teachers in advance so they can talk about it in class before the performance, and that helps the students understand the story. For some of them, it's the only live production with professional sets and costumes they will ever see." The 350 cast members and dozens of volunteers come from throughout Northwest Georgia. "Some of the dancers from our first performances www.georgiamagazine.org 21 20-22_Nutcracker_1219.indd 21 11/14/19 10:49 AM Toy soldiers come to life in Dalton's rendition of "The Nutcracker." Presented by the Dalton Arts Project, this year's "Nutcracker" will feature more than 350 local and guest performers. KRISTI RUSSELL are parents of children dancing in this year's `Nutcracker,'" she says. To the audiences, Long's "Nutcracker" productions are perfect, but she is often managing crises in the background. "Our Sugar Plum Fairy had the flu one year, but she walked out on stage and delivered an unforgettable performance," Long remembers. "We've performed in the middle of ice and snow storms." A water main broke near their performance venue one year. The city cut off the water, rendering the restrooms inoperable, but Long's volunteers found a workaround, sending patrons and dancers to temporary buildings nearby. "And one of the big sets fell over in the middle of a show--kaboom!" she says. "Things don't always go as planned, but we keep dancing and smiling no matter what." Something for everyone in Statesboro "The Nutcracker" offers performance COM opportunities in Statesboro for dancers of all /J ages and skill levels, both female and male. AMMYDESIGN See `The Nutcracker' this season Statesboro, Dec. 8, statesboroschoolofdance.com/nutcracker Macon, Dec. 11-15, midganutcracker.com Dalton, Dec. 13-14, 20-21, daltonartsproject.org/nutracker "Everyone has a part, including my students with special needs. They become Sugar Plum Fairy attendants and carry the crown to Clara," says Shay Morgan, who owns the Statesboro School of Dance, statesboroschoolofdance.com/nutcracker. She has directed the community's "Nutcracker" performances since 2011. Her other students progress from year to year. "The youngest performers--3- and 4-yearolds--are cherubs," she says. "The next year, they perform as mice. The year after that, they become soldiers, then gumdrops, and so on. They know if they were part of the party children last year that they may be a big mouse or a peppermint twirl this year, and they look forward to their next role." By the time the dancers reach middle school and high school, they've played most of the minor roles in the production and dance as dolls, flowers and snowflakes. "We're a small community, so even the parents are involved," Morgan says. "It's humorous backstage. The dads pull the ropes to make it snow, and I'm telling them: `More snow! More snow!'" The stress level is high, but Morgan has learned over the years to enjoy the moment. "When the music starts, we have a good time," she says. "I love it, our dancers love it, our parents love it and our community loves it. `The Nutcracker' really is a magical experience." Amber Lanier Nagle is a freelance writer living in Adairsville. 22 Georgia Magazine December 2019 ISTOCK. 20-22_Nutcracker_1219.indd 22 11/14/19 10:49 AM ADVERTISEMENT Now available in the U.S. without a prescription! Popular French Diet Pill Goes On Sale Nationwide Clinical study shows active ingredients trigger weight loss in the abdomen without harmful side effects; guaranteed results or get 110% of your money back A compound that triggers weight loss in the abdomen has been used safely in France for years. It is now available in the United States without a prescription. The pill contains ingredients that not only burn belly fat... but... also help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Plus, at just two dollars per daily dose, it's very affordable. Today marks the nationwide release of this pill in the United States. 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Keene Live Nativities, holiday parades, tree lightings, Santa sightings, Victorian carolers, train rides-- Georgians celebrate Christmas in a variety of ways. In a state where white Christmases are rare, holiday cheer can be found in any weather. Lightings, performances and parades Alpine Helen seems to have a head start on the holiday festivities with its dozens of downtown buildings that are outlined in twinkling white lights year-round. "Being a Bavarian village just lends itself to celebrating the holidays," says Jerry Brown, executive director of the Alpine Helen Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Downtown is certainly dressed up for Christmas, with larger-than-life, 15-foot-tall figurines of Santa and his reindeer, nutcrackers, Christmas trees and our colorful carousel and the Christkindlmarkt. We're even more festive than we already are during the rest of the year." Brown says the North Georgia town sometimes gets a dusting of snow in December, but Helen is not dependent on snowflakes to bring Christmas cheer. The Lighting of the Village on Nov. 29 signals the official start of the holiday season. "This year, we're celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Lighting of the Village," Brown says. "And each year it just keeps getting bigger and better." The 12th annual Christkindlmarkt takes place Nov. 30Dec. 1, 7-8 and 14-15 and will feature food, music, entertainment and shops filled with German and local items. For more information, visit helenga.org. Christmas bells, wedding bells In a Christmas event with a historic twist, Roswell will commemorate a wedding with a presidential connection. On Dec. 22, 1853, young Mittie Bulloch married Theodore "Thee" Roosevelt Sr. in a ceremony at her family home, Bulloch Hall in Roswell. "This occasion is accurately re-created each year during the holidays to tell the story of this romantic time," says Danielle VISITCOLUMBUSGA.COM LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY LLC TOM MCCOOL Alpine Helen's holiday celebrations include music by local choirs, visits with Santa and festive decorations. 24 Georgia Magazine December 2019 Elves, gingerbread people and other Christmas characters bring holiday cheer on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Above left2:4-A2l6p_iKneeepHinegl_eCnh'rsishtmoalsi_d1a2y19c.ienldedbr2a4tions include music by local choirs, visits with Santa and festive decorations. 11/13/19 11:22 AM Left: Roswell's Bulloch Hall hosts a celebration of Mittie Bulloch and Theodore "Thee" Roosevelt Sr.'s marriage. Mittie and Thee were the parents of future president Theodore Roosevelt. Below left: Port Columbus' Pirate Santa visits the National Civil War Naval Museum. Below right: Uptown Broadway's giant tree brings people to the heart of downtown Columbus. CITY OF ROSWELL VISITCOLUMBUSGA.COM VISITCOLUMBUSGA.COM LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY LLC Purdie, marketing manager for Visit Roswell. "Mittie and Thee became the parents of former President Theodore Roosevelt." This year's re-enactment of "Mittie's Wedding" takes place Dec. 19 at Bulloch Hall. Bulloch Hall is decorated for the season in modern holiday style and is open for tours in addition to the performance. For more information, see visitroswellga.com. Decking the halls in Columbus Actors will make holiday magic Dec. 12-15 and 20-22 with "A Tuna Christmas," a comedy about the fictitious town of Tuna, onstage at the Springer Opera House in Columbus. "`A Tuna Christmas' is one of Columbus' most popular shows and has been a holiday tradition for 18 years," says Shelby Guest, vice president of Visit Columbus GA. "It's set in Tuna, the third-smallest town in Texas. Two actors play 21 characters--men, women, boys, girls and pets--with quick costume changes and Southern humor. I know people here in Columbus who say they couldn't celebrate Christmas without seeing it." Uptown Broadway's Tree Lighting takes place Dec. 6 in downtown Columbus. The next morning, the Bi-City Christmas Parade starts in Phenix City, Ala., and crosses the Chattahoochee River to Columbus with floats, marching bands and Santa. The National Civil War Naval Museum, portcolumbus. org, also puts a historic spin on Christmas, when carolers in Victorian garb and a pirate-themed Santa welcome guests to the Christmas at the Museum open house Dec. 7-8 for holiday activities and music. Light up the night This year marks the 25th anniversary of Rock City Gardens' Enchanted Garden of Lights. This award-winning holiday experience features four themed "realms"--the Magic Forest, Arctic Kingdom, North Pole Village and Yule Town-- www.georgiamagazine.org 25 24-26_Keeping_Christmas_1219.indd 25 11/15/19 12:22 PM ROCKCITY GARDENS BIBLICAL HISTORY CENTER SAM SHORTLINE Above: Jack Frost and Inara the Ice Queen preside over the Arctic Kingdom at Rock City Gardens' Enchanted Garden of Lights. Above: Santa visits with a young passenger on the SAM Shortline Railroad's Candy Cane Express excursion from Cordele to Plains. Left: "A Visit with Mary and Joseph" at the Biblical History Center in LaGrange allows people to experience the history and culture behind the Christmas story. along with entertainment, seasonal treats such as hot chocolate and gingerbread and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. "My memories of Rock City began in the year 2000, when my choir from Lee University started singing here annually," says Public Relations Manager Meagan Jolley, who has worked at the attraction for 14 seasons. "It was magical and certainly made an impression on me. Now I still get to be a part of that memory-making every year for myself and for our guests." The Enchanted Garden of Lights continues nightly through Jan. 4. For more information, visit seerockcity.com. All aboard for fun! Holidays and trains just seem to go together, and trains in Blue Ridge and Cordele celebrate the season in style. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, brscenic.com, pulls out all the stops for its Santa Express excursions, Nov. 29-Dec. 23. Santa and Mrs. Claus visit with children, and guests are entertained with a Christmas story on the one-hour ride. Choirs provide a backdrop of holiday music, and Christmas characters roam the train cars. In Cordele, the SAM Shortline Railroad, samshortline.com, offers several family-friendly Christmas experiences. On Nov. 30, visitors can take a trip to the Plains Christmas Festival for the town's Christmas parade and tree lighting. Passengers can hop aboard the Candy Cane Express Dec. 6-7, 11, 14 and 20 for a ride to Plains featuring seasonal music and elves handing out candy canes. On Dec. 13, the North Pole Express 26 Georgia Magazine December 2019 travels from Georgia Veterans State Park to downtown Cordele for a visit with Santa and a tour of Cordele's Downtown Winter Wonderland. The reason for the season Live Nativities re-create the miracle of Christmas, and LaGrange's Biblical History Center presents its rendition with Follow the Shepherd Walks, Dec. 3-20. Costumed tour guides interact in-character with visitors to portray what Nazareth and Bethlehem would have been like at the time of Jesus' birth. "Follow the Shepherd Walks bring the story of the birth of Jesus to life through visitors' talks with shepherds and others who lived during that time," says Christy Barker, curator at the Biblical History Center. On Dec. 14, the center presents "A Visit with Mary and Joseph." Mary and Joseph, Herod, Roman soldiers, shepherds and others tell their stories in personal exchanges with guests during the day. As the sun sets, the live Nativity production begins, with choirs, animals, Mary's and Joseph's arrival at the inn and the birth of Jesus. "The story you've read 100 times before truly becomes real," Barker says. "And it's even better because it's in a setting that's archaeologically authentic." The holidays are a time to celebrate, remember family traditions and create new memories. With all that Georgia offers in December, what will your Christmas be like this year? Pamela A. Keene is a freelance writer living in Flowery Branch. 24-26_Keeping_Christmas_1219.indd 26 11/15/19 12:23 PM GEORGIA'S Energy Outlook By Bill Verner What's happening with rural broadband? H undreds of thousands of Georgians have been asking this question for several years now. These voices are being heard, as lawmakers in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., have launched several rural broadband initiatives. Comparison of FCC and Georgia maps Elbert County FCC maps Tift County Lumpkin County Defining the problem My daughters in middle school know they've got to define a problem before it can be solved. Unfortunately, the Federal Communications Georgia maps Commission (FCC), which is responsible for producing and maintaining accurate broadband maps, earns a failing grade. FCC maps, which use data submitted by cur- rent service providers, have been grossly overstat- ing the areas considered "served" by broadband providers. Why are the FCC maps important? Unserved Served Source: Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative Simply put, federal funds for rural broadband have been distributed using the FCC's flawed These maps illustrate inaccuracies in the broadband maps being used by the FCC. The errors in these maps persuaded Georgia officials to develop their own maps. maps. It's no wonder that rural broadband access is such a mess. Thankfully, Georgia is leading the way nationally in defining the broadband problem $600 million pilot rural broadband initiative, ReConnect, and has with new, accurate maps. received applications requesting more than $1.4 billion. A second Recent developments: round of applications for an additional $550 million in ReConnect Deana Perry, executive director of the Geor- funding will begin early next year. gia Broadband Deployment Initiative (GBDI), The FCC recently announced plans for a $20 billion rural broadband testified to state lawmakers that a detailed program, the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, which should be broadband map showing areas served in launched by the end of 2020. Georgia will be completed by June 30, 2020. Under pressure from Congress, the FCC EMCs authorized to consider broadband options recently started a process to revamp its maps, Gov. Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) on April 26, authorizing but it could be another two to three years electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) to provide broadband services. before completion. Being a retail broadband provider may not be feasible for many EMCs, but Funding SB 2 also provides all EMCs greater latitude to leverage their own infrastructures--power lines and rights of way, etc.--to help remove barriers to Without accurate maps to define the problem, broadband deployment for other service providers. it's almost impossible to provide reasonable esti- Thanks to the passage of SB 2, EMCs have taken significant actions in mates of how much it will cost to bridge the digital just the past few months: divide. Some cost models suggest the price tag could EMCs led or supported three of the five USDA ReConnect far exceed $1 billion in Georgia alone. applications from Georgia. Recent progress on funding: EMCs initiated or are evaluating feasibility studies or other ways The GBDI has developed the framework for a to advance broadband deployment. broadband grant program, and state lawmak- We know it's frustrating for those who suffer from no or inadequate ers will soon be considering initial funding service. But take heart, rural Georgia: Significant progress is being made, for this new grant program. although patience will be required as steps are taken to bridge the digital The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) divide. Stay informed at garuralbroadband.com. began accepting applications this year for its Bill Verner is senior vice president of Georgia EMC in Tucker. www.georgiamagazine.org 27 27_GEO_SW_1219.indd 27 11/13/19 3:28 PM Around GEORGIA By Amber Lanier Nagle FBoerthtlheehetomw,n'tsisoaf lSwaanytsa tChleausseaasnodn. phone rings in a brick building embellished with pine boughs and bright red bows in Santa Claus, a tiny town in Southeast Georgia. "We get calls from all over the world, all through the year," says Sue Grisham, city secretary. "Sometimes the kids call, and sometimes a parent is on the other end of the line, and I realize that I'm on their speakerphone." Most of the time, the caller inquires whether a particular child is on Santa's naughty or nice list. Grisham plays along and gives an Academy Award- Santa Claus, a small town in Southeast Georgia, pays tribute to its namesake with a welcome sign at the border. worthy performance. "I say: `Well, let me see ... Hmmmm. There's his name. Oh, my ... It's really, really close. I think if he is very good the rest of the year, he'll make it to Santa's nice list, but he's going to have to be on his best behavior,'" she says with a laugh. When a child calls and asks to speak directly with the jolly old elf, Grisham handles it like a pro. "I explain to them that Santa is at his other home at the North Pole, and then I offer to take a message," she says. "They usually accept that." People who live in Santa Claus and other towns with Christmas-themed names usually embrace the novelty of it all. A few Georgia communities boast Christmassy names, making for a merry and bright holiday season. Here comes Santa Claus Toombs County; population: 175 28 Georgia Magazine December 2019 AMBER LANIER NAGLE Back in the '30s, Calvin Greene, who ran a little pecan stand on Highway 1, believed that naming his community Santa Claus would entice motorists traveling from Maine to Key West, Fla., to stop and purchase pecans. His idea worked, and after the town was incorporated in 1941, Greene served as its first mayor. "Then [real estate developer] Bill Salem developed the city in the '60s," Grisham says. "He added water, sewer and streets and built houses." Today, during the holidays, the town of Santa Claus becomes somewhat of a tourist destination, as people from all over Georgia drop by to have their Christmas cards postmarked with the words "Santa Claus, Georgia." "We stamped 4,200 cards last year," Grisham says. "We used 28-33_Around_GA_SW_1219.indd 28 11/14/19 11:05 AM COURTESY CITY OF SANTA CLAUS WANDA COLLINS to stamp more than that, but people don't send Christmas cards like they used to. They still visit, though. A trip to our town is a holiday tradition for a lot of folks." o Residents of Santa Claus live on roads like Rudolph Way and Candy Cane, Noel, Dancer, Prancer and Sleigh streets. City Hall is located at 25 December Drive. City officials named a short walking trail at the edge of the woods Reindeer Trail. A museum chronicles the history of the place known as "The City That Loves Children." A tiny gift shop--open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.--sells T-shirts, hats, orna- A ments, postcards and other souvenirs. (Visitors may need to go to City Hall first to be let into the museum and gift shop across the street.) A prayer garden surrounds a 40-seat chapel that hosts nondenominational church services on Sundays at 11 a.m. "Our town stays decorated year-round, and our Christmas tree stays up all the time, too," Grisham says. "We hold a tree lighting on the first Thursday of December and sing Christmas d carols. We believe in Santa Claus here, and we share the magic of Christmas with the many visitors who stop by." o O little town of Bethlehem Barrow County; population: 600 AMBER LANIER NAGLE The folks of Bethlehem also surround themselves with Top and top inset: The town of Santa Claus has the word Christmas all year long. Located between Lawrenceville and "believe" featured prominently on its mail stamp and on Athens, the town's name pays homage to the city of David, birth- the box into which "Santa's mail" is deposited. r place of Jesus. Bethlehem's historical record credits Judson L. Above: Sue Grisham, city secretary, marks a piece of Moore, a well-known gospel songwriter and publisher who lived outgoing mail with the city's popular stamp. Visitors in the area, with naming the town. often come to the town around the holidays to get their "Bethlehem became incorporated in 1902," says Kathy Christmas cards stamped before mailing them. www.georgiamagazine.org 29 28-33_Around_GA_SW_1219.indd 29 11/14/19 11:01 AM Around GEORGIA JASON ASTEROS AMBER LANIER NAGLE AMBER LANIER NAGLE In Bethlehem, "The Little Town Under the Star," the mail stamp features an image of the wise men and the phrase "Christmas Greetings from Bethlehem." Calvin Mansfield, Bethlehem postmaster, holds a piece of mail stamped by one of the city's visitors. Bridges, town clerk. "Moore suggested naming it Bethlehem after the Bethlehem First United Methodist Church, a church that's been here since the late 1700s." The city's tagline reads, "The Little Town Under the Star." Street names reinforce the town's theme: Manger, David and Mary avenues; Joseph, Shepherd and Angel streets; and Holly Lane. Indeed, the one HpolnacoersabwleithmCenhtriiosntms:aAssfyewnaomtheser Though not necessarily named for Christmas, here are a few other places in Georgia with holiday-ish names. Are there others? Let us know. Jolly is an unincorporated community in Pike County near Zebulon named for the "jolliness" of its original settlers. Holly Springs, a city between Canton and Woodstock in Cherokee County, was named in 1906 for a stand of holly trees. Dasher, a city in Lowndes County south of Valdosta, was named for one of its early settlers, O.P. Dasher. Mistletoe Corners is an unincorporated community in Columbia County. Garland is a community in Lumpkin County. Jesus Junction, in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, showcases three churches at the intersection of Peachtree Road, East Wesley Road and West Wesley Road. Angel Falls is a lovely cascading waterfall in Rabun County, near Clayton. Emanuel County in Southeast Georgia was named to honor former Gov. David Emanuel. St. Marys is a coastal town in Camden County that borders the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base. traffic light in the town dangles above the intersection of Christmas Avenue and Star Street. For many locals and visitors, Christmas isn't Christmas without witnessing the town's re-enactment of Jesus' birth more than 2,000 years ago. "Our live Nativity scene is a major draw in December," Bridges says. "A lot of people turn out to see one of the two Nativity performances. This year, the performances will be Sunday, Dec. 22, and Monday, Dec. 23--both at 7:30 p.m. under the star." She describes the setting. Beneath a bright star perched 65 feet in the air, locals dressed in costumes gather around a manger in the town's square. Though adults portray figures such as Mary, Joseph and the wise men, enthusiastic children dress as angels with white robes, wings and halos. Presented by the Bethlehem First United Methodist Church for more than 50 years, the Nativity comes alive as a preacher narrates and reads Scriptures. The church choir sings Christmas carols in between readings, and everyone enjoys refreshments afterward. As is the case in Santa Claus, out-of-towners drive from all over the Peach State to have their Christmas cards stamped with the Bethlehem postmark and a special "Christmas Greetings from Bethlehem" ink stamp, which is available for customers to use. Bridges says that Bethlehem's post office stamped more than 120,000 letters and cards during the 2018 holiday season. "Watching the live Nativity scene, having cards stamped with the Bethlehem postmark or just taking in our Christmas lights--it's all about traditions and making the holidays memorable for families," Bridges says. "Our little town is special, and we welcome everyone to come and see for themselves." Amber Lanier Nagle is a freelance writer who lives in Adairsville. 30 Georgia Magazine December 2019 28-33_Around_GA_SW_1219.indd 30 11/14/19 11:05 AM AMBER LANIER NAGLE WINTER TRAVEL GUIDE WIN A $200 GIFT CARD Enter by sending in the coupon on page 33, or online at georgiamagazine.org. Looking for the perfect winter getaway?... Edisto Beach, SC A perfect getaway to indulge yourself and relax this winter. With lower off-season rates, golf and a pet friendly beach, how can you resist? Marine Parade Arts and Crafts Street Parade Car Show Art Show Food Kids Activities Nightly Entertainment www.blessingofthefleet.com www.edistochamber.com 843.869.3867 28-33_Around_GA_SW_1219.indd 31 www.georgiamagazine.org 31 11/14/19 11:01 AM CARTERSVILLE-BARTOW COUNTY between Atlanta, GA & Chaaanooga, TN GMAG Trim Size Template.indd 1 11/12/19 10:02 AM Sign up for Georgia Magazine's E-blast Want to know what's in the current issue of Georgia Magazine-- and what's on the horizon? Subscribe to the E-blast list for the latest information on articles, contests, partnerships and more, delivered right to your inbox. To subscribe, visit bit.ly/gamagnews. There's more to see and do online! Make New Friends Just off the beaten path WHERE history AND nature flow DiscoverAlbanyGA.com WINTER TRAVEL GUIDE To get free information on the destinations listed here AND qualify for the giveaway drawing, check the ones you're interested in and clip and mail this form. Or enter online by clicking the contest link at georgiamagazine.org. Online responses will be entered in a drawing for a $25 Walmart gift card! Mail this coupon to: Georgia Magazine, Decemeber 2019 Prize Drawing, P.O. Box 1707, Tucker, GA 30085. Albany Bartow-Cartersville CVB Blessing of the Fleet/ McIntosh County Edisto Beach, SC Kingsland CVB Towns County CVB Please include your name and address: Name: Address: Check out our website at georgiamagazine.org Featuring: Even more event listings! Archive of back issues Quick links to our contests Links to current issue's stories 28-33_Around_GA_SW_1219.indd 33 City: State: ZIP: Email: By providing this email address, you agree to receive email communications from Georgia Magazine. Contest is open to persons 18 and over, except employees of Georgia Electric Membership Corp. and advertising and promotion agencies involved with this promotion. Only one entry per household, please; duplicate entries will be deleted. In order to receive information and enter the drawing, entries must be received by Jan. 15, 2020. www.georgiamagazine.org 33 11/14/19 11:02 AM GEORGIA Gardens GEORGIA Gardens By Helen Newling Lawson Gifts for gardeners D o you have a gardener on your holiday shopping list? These gifts are sure to delight both under the tree and out in the garden. Garden decor Add an artful touch to the garden with weather-resistant Art Poles from Studio M. Poles are available in multiple sizes and designs that add much- needed color in the dreary winter months. Customized L designs are also available. Prices: $58 and up. (314) 333- 5001; studio-m.com. CROWN BEES L CORONA TOOLS STUDIO M ORBIT IRRIGATION L L`Bee' ready for holiday giving Enlisting native bees to help pollinate gardens is as easy as providing a place for them to raise their young. But bee houses made from bamboo or other materials that facilitate the spread of disease can hurt more than they help. Instead, charming cedar bee houses from Crown Bees allow gardeners to provide a clean nesting site and are available in a variety of sizes and styles. Upgraded kits include nesting materials and a certificate redeemable for the bees themselves. Prices: $42.95 and up. crownbees.com. 34 Georgia Magazine December 2019 A smarter way to water Gadget junkies will love this one: the B-hyve Smart Sprinkler Timer uses Wi-Fi to connect with local weather data, automatically adjusting your watering schedule to the current rainfall and climate conditions. Plus, you can control it using your smartphone while you're away from home. Available at Lowe's and Home Depot stores and online through Orbit Irrigation Products. Prices: $99 and up. bhyve.orbitonline.com. L Comfort on the go Gardening is good for the soul but hard on the knees. Kneelo knee pads from Burgon & Ball provide multiple layers of wearable and water-resistant cushioning. Hook-and-loop fasteners keep these pads firmly in place, and the patented design prevents them from digging into the backs of your knees or restricting movement. You might want to give a second pair for the workshop or garage; they're great for maintenance work, too. Price: $32. (800) 847-7863; coronatoolsusa.com. 34-35_Gardens_B_1219.indd 34 11/14/19 11:12 AM COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA PRESS / COVER PHOTO: JAMES R. LOCKHART s Just for her Made in the U.S. for and by women, the Womanswork gardenglove gift set contains Arm Savers gloves (long cuffs protect from scratches, sun and insect bites), hand cream and plant snips with a sheath. The set comes nicely packaged in a matching drawstring pouch and gift box. Price: $49. (800) 639-2709; womanswork.com. BOTANICAL INTERESTS s WOMANSWORK STUDIO M s A celebration of Georgia gardens This well-researched and beautifully photographed book by co-authors Staci L. Catron and Mary Ann Eaddy invites readers to ignore the weather outside, curl up in a warm chair and enjoy a tour of some of Georgia's most gracious and historic gardens. Featuring both private and public landscapes, "Seeking Eden" (University of Georgia Press, 2018) continues the story of gardens first documented in the Atlanta-based Peachtree Garden Club's "Garden History of Georgia, 1733-1933." Price: $49.95. ugapress.org. 34-35_Gardens_B_1219.indd 35 Seeds for pollinators The Pollinator Garden Gift Set from Botanical Interests bundles three seed collections (Save the Bees Flower Mix, Milkweed Butterfly Flower and Precious Pollinators Mix), packaged with biodegradable garden stakes to help gardeners keep track of what they've planted, a 2020 desk calendar featuring botanical illustrations and a fun "I love pollinators" bumper sticker. Other gift set options include Spectacular Sprouts, a combination of seeds ideal for growing sprouts at home; Kitchen Garden, which supplies everything needed for growing micro- and baby greens; and Urban Garden, a collection of seeds for vegetables that are easy to grow in containers. Prices: $20 to $55. (877) 821-4340; botanicalinterests.com. Helen Newling Lawson is a freelance writer and Master Gardener in Forsyth County. www.georgiamagazine.org 35 11/14/19 11:13 AM My GEORGIA By Byron McCombs Substitute Santa saves the day P icture day with Santa Claus on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day has become a wonderful tradition at Southern Tree Plantation, our family's Christmas tree farm in Blairsville. For more than a decade we were fortunate to have the services of a local-legend Santa Claus. Each year we looked forward to picture day at the farm with excited children scattered throughout the barn awaiting their opportunity to visit with Santa. The routine annual event turned otherwise one Thanksgiving Eve in 2014 when we learned that our longtime Santa was sidelined with a Christmasseason-ending knee injury. Apparently climbing in and out of chimneys as well as the wear and tear of children sitting on his knee had taken their toll. The previous week, Georgia Bulldogs star running back Todd Gurley suffered a similar knee injury. Our star Santa and Gurley were both out for the rest of the season. The Bulldogs were blessed to have St. Nick Chubb as a substitute for Gurley, both of whom now play in the NFL. Unfortunately, we did not have a second-string Santa. As we sat around the dinner table in search of a solution, we discussed the slim chances of finding an available Santa with one day's notice and at the height of demand for their services. We concluded Santa Dale Grizzle's last-minute fill-in at Southern Tree Plantation in 2014 led to a standing appointment there every Friday after Thanksgiving. that whoever might be available at this point would have to be the embodiment of a "Bad Santa." Our search for a substitute Santa began with a lead from my sister, who connected us to the Real Bearded Santas of North Georgia, a group providing networking and fellowship for professional Santas. A right jolly old elf from that group was kind enough to send out a Facebook message alerting his realbearded brothers of our dilemma. Incredibly, Santa Dale Grizzle responded and was available that Friday. I couldn't help but wonder why Santa Dale was available. Reluctantly, with visions of Bad Santas dancing in my head, I called him up. He sounded Santa enough, so, with picture day only 24 hours away, I invited him to our Christmas tree farm. When Santa Dale appeared at the farm and I saw him with his real beard, twinkle in his eye, rosy cheeks and sincere smile, I laughed in spite of myself. He saved the day, arriving just in the nick of time. Like Rudolph, Santa Dale has gone down in history for us. He has served as our Santa on picture day for six years now and, we hope, will continue to do so for many more Christmas seasons to come. Byron McCombs is the staff assistant at Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corp. in Young Harris. He and his brother, Howard, operate Southern Tree Plantation, southerntreeplantation.com. Professional Santa Dale Grizzle came to the rescue of brothers Howard McCombs, left, and Byron McCombs when their family's Christmas tree farm faced a Santa crisis. 36 Georgia Magazine December 2019 To submit a My Georgia story, send the essay (no more than 500 words) and 300-dpi digital photos by email to mygeorgia@georgiaemc.com or by mail to the address listed on page 6. A self-addressed, stamped envelope must be included for photos to be returned. Published essays pay $100. Georgia Magazine reserves the right to edit submitted pieces. 22_My_GA_1219.indd 36 11/13/19 3:56 PM Enjoy the Ease of Showering Safely So You Can Stay in the Home You Love! Introducing the ALL NEW Walk-In Shower! CSLB 983603 F13000002885 13HV08744300 Upgrade your bathroom, upgrade your life. With a new walk-in shower, you can make sure your bathroom ages as gracefully as you do. This shower was designed by experts, with you in mind, focusing on safety and convenience when it matters most. Discover how a walk-in shower can help reduce the risk of falling, Call today and receive exclusive savings of up to $750 OFF giving you the freedom to enjoy your bathroom again. Commercial Grade Non-Slip Floor Optional Built-in Seat or FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY Easy-to-reach Shower Wand Fold Down Safety Seat Call Toll-Free 1-888-449-4044 Professionally Installed in 1 day Lifetime Warranty Tru Temp Anti Scald Shower Valve Optional Barrier Free Ergo L Shaped Grab Bar Wheelchair Accessible www.SafeStepShower.com With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Shower. Not applicable with any previous walk-in shower purchase. No cash value. Must present o er at time of purchase. Call Now Toll-Free 1-888-449-4044 for more information and ask about our Senior Discounts. Financing available with approved credit. GMAG Trim Size Template.indd 1 11/12/19 10:04 AM GEORGIA Cooks By Jennifer J. Hewett Favorite potluck recipes from readers ISTOCK.COM / RAWPIXEL T he holidays are here, along with festive parties, office gatherings and family dinners where you might need to bring a dish to share. Looking to take something triedand-true, but not sure what to prepare? This month Georgia Magazine readers share their favorite potluck recipes to help take some of the stress out of your holiday to-do list. 38 Georgia Magazine December 2019 HOT CHICKEN SALAD Judy Dunn, Flovilla (Central Georgia EMC member) 2 cups chicken, cooked, diced 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 cup celery, diced 2 teaspoons pimiento, chopped 1/2 cup slivered almonds 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 (10.75-ounce) can cream of chicken soup 2 tablespoons onions, grated 1 small green pepper, chopped 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated Combine all ingredients except cheese. Pour mixture into a greased 2-quart baking dish. Top with cheese. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes. Serves 6-8. 38-40_Cooks_New_1219.indd 38 11/15/19 12:40 AM 1 BUTTERNUT SQUASH CASSEROLE Jimmy Lee, Warner Robins (Flint Energies member) 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 3 cups cooked, mashed butternut squash 1/2 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla Topping 1 cup coconut 1 cup light brown sugar 1/3 cup flour 1 stick butter Combine sugar, eggs, butternut squash, milk, salt and vanilla, mixing well. Pour into a buttered, 9x13-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine coconut, light brown sugar and flour. Sprinkle topping over butternut squash mixture. Melt butter and pour over coconut mixture. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until brown. Serves about 15. BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE Sue Mastrario, Sycamore (Irwin EMC member) 1 pound elbow macaroni 1 stick butter Salt and pepper, to taste 1 stick pepperoni, sliced, quartered 1 (14.5-ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, chopped but not drained 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese 1 cup mozzarella cheese Cook macaroni according to package directions until mostly done. Drain noodles (do not rinse). Add butter and salt and pepper. Add pepperoni and stir well, letting the heat from the macaroni bring out the flavor of the pepperoni. Stir in stewed tomatoes. Add cheeses and stir well. Pour into a greased, 9x13-inch baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, until bubbly. Serves 12-15. HASH BROWN POTATO CASSEROLE Mary A. Shields, Marietta (Cobb EMC member) Casserole 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen hash brown potatoes 1/2 cup margarine, melted 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 3 tablespoons minced onions 1 (10.75-ounce) can cream of chicken soup 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese Topping 2 cups crushed cornflakes 1/2 cup margarine, melted Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together casserole ingredients. Pour into a 9x13-inch casserole dish. In another bowl, mix together topping ingredients. Spread over potato mixture. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden. Serves 8. ISTOCK.COM / HANNAMARIAH SWEET AND SOUR PORK MEATBALLS Simon May, Fort Wayne, Ind. Meatballs 2 pounds ground pork 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon McCormick Szechwan seasoning 1/2 cup frozen green bell peppers, chopped 2 scallions, chopped 1/4 cup breadcrumbs Sweet and Sour Sauce 1 (2-1/8-ounce) packet Kikkoman Sweet & Sour Sauce Mix 1/4 cup rice vinegar 2 (6-ounce) cans pineapple juice 1/4 cup tomato paste 1/2 cup Smucker's apricot-pineapple preserves Preheat broiler. Line a heavy-duty baking sheet with aluminum foil; set aside. In a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients and mix thoroughly with your hands or a wooden spoon. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place meatballs on prepared baking sheet and broil 6 inches from the heat source for 8-10 min- utes, turning once. For sauce, whisk together all sauce ingre- dients in a large bowl. Add several meatballs at a time to the bowl of sauce. Coat meatballs with sauce and transfer to a 5-quart slow cooker using a slotted spoon. Repeat until all meatballs are well-coated. Pour remain- ing sauce over meatballs. Cover and cook on low setting for 4-6 hours. Strain and defat the cooking sauce. Serve meatballs with sauce on the side. Serves 6 as a meal; 10-12 as an appetizer. MORE www.georgiamagazine.org 39 38-40_Cooks_New_1219.indd 39 11/15/19 12:41 AM GEORGIA Cooks COURTESY MARY MURPHY "This is a very old recipe, and my mother, Rubye Murphy, made it every Christmas. It could be placed in molds, but she served it the old-fashioned way--in a square, glass refrigerator dish--and everybody helped themselves," Mary Murphy says. MOTHER'S CRANBERRY SALAD Mary Murphy, Sandersville (Washington EMC member) 1 pound cranberries 2 cups sugar 1 envelope unflavored Knox gelatin 1/2 cup orange juice 2 cups hot water, divided 1 small package orange gelatin 1 cup chopped celery 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple (do not drain) 1 cup chopped pecans Grind the cranberries and mix with sugar. Let stand overnight in refrigerator. Dissolve unflavored gelatin in orange juice, then add 1 cup hot water, stirring to dissolve it well. Dissolve orange gelatin in 1 cup hot water, stirring to dissolve it well. Add gelatin mixtures to cranberries, then add celery, pineapple Rubye Murphy and pecans, mixing well. Pour into molds or a square Pyrex dish. Chill until firm. Serves 8-10. "Every time I take this recipe to a potluck, I bring home an empty bowl," Jan Rutland says. FAVORITE BROCCOLI SALAD Jan D. Rutland, Clayton (Habersham EMC member) Salad 2 heads broccoli 1/2 large red onion, chopped 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/2 cup golden raisins Dressing 1 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar Chop broccoli into bite-size pieces. Peel broccoli stems and also chop. In a large bowl, mix together broccoli, onion, walnuts and raisins. In a separate bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sugar and apple cider vinegar. Pour dressing over broccoli mixture and toss to cover. Chill salad until ready to serve. Serves 8. "I think of this recipe as a `new bride recipe' because it is very simple to follow and one I have used many times," Vivian Andrews says. "I usually have all the ingredients on hand, without having to make a trip to the grocery store." CHICKEN LAKE SINCLAIR Vivian W. Andrews, Milledgeville 2 chicken breasts Water Salt, to taste 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 40 Georgia Magazine December 2019 1 (8- or 10-count) can Pillsbury biscuits 1 (10.75-ounce) can cream of chicken soup Black pepper, to taste Mrs. Dash seasoning, to taste 1 medium can crispy fried onions Spray a 10-inch square Pyrex dish with cooking spray, coating well. Boil chicken in salted water with chopped celery and onion (to flavor the chicken). Remove chicken, let cool then chop into bite-size chunks. Remove biscuits from can and lay them flat on a cutting board. Slice each biscuit into 4 pieces. In a bowl, mix together soup, chopped chicken and biscuit pieces. Stir well, adding pepper and Mrs. Dash (and any other seasoning desired). Pour into prepared casserole dish and top with fried onions. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Serves 6-8. GRANNY'S RED BEANS AND RICE Arlene Ferguson, Poulan (Diverse Power member) 5 cups water 1 (16-ounce) bag long-grain white rice 1/4 cup frozen chopped onion 1 (15-ounce) can chili beans 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce 1 pound smoked sausage links, chopped 5 beef bouillon cubes Dash garlic salt Dash onion salt Dash Tony Cachere's Creole seasoning Salt and pepper, to taste In a large boiler, combine all ingredients. Bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Serves about 6. 38-40_Cooks_New_1219.indd 40 11/15/19 12:38 AM Georgia MarketPlace Georgia MarketPlace Arco Steel Buildings 1-800-241-8339 BBB A+ rating for 40 years! 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Subscribe to the E-blast list for the latest information on articles, contests, partnerships and more, delivered right to your inbox. To subscribe, visit bit.ly/gamagnews. GEMC GEMC Georgia Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle MAGAZINE Follow us online! Georgia www.Cgeleeboratringg tiheaGmeorgaiaglifeastyzleine.org MAGAZINE 41_MP_1219.indd 41 GEMC Georgia Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle MAGAZINE U-pick page 38 farms Growing page 50 figs TH URE ure Georgia E AGRICULT Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle Issue Th M A G A Z I N E e Agricult SEPTEMBER 2019 GEMC GEMC Issue Georgia Georgia CelebratingtheGeorgialifestyle Grown BabMyABGaArZnI N E page 18 www.georgiamagazine.org 01_Cover_0919.indd 1 Businesses in bloom page 22 Georgia's pcaitgreu2s6industry 8/12/19 11:20 AM ORDER FORM Send Georgia Magazine to a friend! GEMC Georgia Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle MAGAZINE Voluntourism opportunities page 32 Serving through page 42 veterans agriculture GEMC Georgia Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle MAGAZINE GIisTvshuineeg NOVEMBER 2 19 Specialty products Georgia Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle MAGAZINE from Georgia page 16 ecZffoonoosrAetsrtvlaantitoan's page 24 GEMC www.georgiamagazine.org Cover_1119.indd_in_progress.indd 1 sFTuohpuepnHodoratmtsioenDepot veterans page 28 10/9/19 6:23 PM Yes! Send 1 year (12 issues) for just $10 Please send a subscription to: Name Address City State ZIP County Yes! Send 2 years (24 issues) for just $16 Please send a subscription to: Name Address City State ZIP County Please notify the recipient of gift. Your email address: Please make check or money order payable to Georgia Magazine and mail to: Georgia Magazine Subscription Request, 2100 East Exchange Place, Tucker, GA 30084. Please allow 4-8 weeks. Sorry, credit card orders not accepted. www.georgiamagazine.org 41 11/14/19 3:50 PM SNAPShot By Jim Jess Holiday memories Upcoming themes: "Springtime in Georgia," "Cute toddlers" 2 3 1 1. Laci Jane, left, and Lanslie Mae wear reindeer antlers while celebrating Christmas with their grandmother, Barbara Waters, of Dallas. Laci Jane is the daughter of Paul and Michelle Barron, of Dallas, and Lanslie Mae is the daughter of Timothy and Ginger Moss, of Douglasville. (All are GreyStone Power members.) 2. Crew enjoys a 4 nap during his rst Christmas. He is the son of Chan and Erica Carter, of Wrightsville (Washington EMC). 3. Caroline exclaims, "It's just what I wanted!" She is the daughter of Colin and Amber Mills, of Mahomet, Ill., and the granddaughter of Mark and Elizabeth Hodges, of Warner Robins (Flint Energies). 4. Phyllis Bruce submitted this photo highlighting a family tradition. When her grandchildren were young, Bruce would put their most recent school pictures into homemade felt ornaments and hang them on her Christmas tree. At the top, from left, are photos of Julie Noles and Lindsey Truitt, the daughters of Bill and Lisa 42 Georgia Magazine December 2019 5 Booth. At the bottom, from left, are Sidney Green and Emily Green, the daughters of Johnny and Michele Green. They all live in LaGrange (Diverse Power). (Lisa Booth and Johnny Green are employees at Diverse Power.) 5. Marilyn McNeely (center, in red suit), of Clarkesville (Habersham EMC), is surrounded by members of her family, dressed as elves on Christmas morning. From left: Wiley, Kitty and David Hartley; Ellen Silbermann, Marilyn McNeely, Hallie Hartley and twin sisters Maddie and Lizzie Silbermann. The Hartleys are from Atlanta, and the Silbermanns live in Union, Conn. (Mat Silbermann, Ellen's husband and the twins' father, was not able to make the trip to Georgia for this gathering.) "Snapshot" submissions: Send photos, along with names of children and parents (or guardians), city of residence, electric co-op (if served by one), phone number, email address and mailing address, to Snapshot, 2100 East Exchange Place, Suite 510, Tucker, GA 30084. Or send crisp digital (300 dpi) photos to snapshot@georgiaemc. com. 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SCUOPUERPON Great Value Professional Features FLUX 125 120 VOLT EASY FLUX 125 WELDER INPUT WELDER HIGH OR LOW VOLTAGE CONTROL VARIABLE CONTROL EASY TO USE AC OUTPUT DC CLEAN WELDS CONVENTIONAL TRANSFORMER TECHNOLOGY ADVANCED INVERTER POWERFUL & EFFICIENT $11999 Customer Rating 90 AMP @ 20% DUTY CYCLE 90 AMP @ 30% LONGER RUN TIME ITEM 63583/63582 shown 32 LBS. WEIGHT 15 LBS. LIGHT & COMPACT 179 99 179 SA8V0E $ $ $ COMPARE TO 99 IRONTON MODEL: 45433 99 $ 99 199 $ Customer Rating 99 ITEM 56359/56355 shown COMPARE TO $ S2A5V9E 439 $ LINCOLN ELECTRIC MODEL: K2513-1 *86220747* *86220968* 86220747 86220968 LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 1/30/20* LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 1/30/20* SUPER COUPON SUPER COUPON Customer Rating 29 PIECE RAPID PUMP 1.5 TON TITANIUM LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM DRILL BIT SET FLOOR JACK Weighs 33 lbs. COMPARE TO DEWALT $ 6814 MODEL: DW1369 Customer Rating $10 18 SAVE 83% $ 99 NOW99 ITEM 5889/62281/61637 shown $59 SAVE $91 NOW99 COMPARE TO K TOOL 151 79 $ 42 $ 99 MODEL: KTI63094 ITEM 60569/68053/62160/62516 64552/64832/64980/64545 shown *86222898* *86222910* 86222898 86222910 LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 1/30/20* LIMIT 2 - Coupon valid through 1/30/20* SUPER COUPON Customer Rating SUPER COUPON 4 CHANNEL WIRELESS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM WITH 2 CAMERAS 30" x 18" HARDWOOD DOLLY 1000 lb. capacity Customer Rating Night vision $2NO19W99 SAVE $40 $ 24999 259 ITEM 63842 COMPARE TO $ 99 ALC MODEL: ALC-AWS3266 *86224818* 86224818 LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 1/30/20* SUPER COUPON 10 FT. x 10 FT. PORTABLE SHED Customer Rating 19 15 COMPARETO MILWAUKEE $ 97 $ 99 SAVE 39% MODEL: 33700 $N1O1W99 ITEM 38970/92486/39757/60496/62398/61897 shown *86225181* 86225181 LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 1/30/20* SUPER COUPON RECIPROCATING SAW Customer Rating WITH ROTATING HANDLE $1N2OW 999 SAVE COMPARE TO SHELTER LOGIC $29999 $170 $ 15999 MODEL: 70833 ITEM 56184/63297 shown *86226492* 86226492 LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 1/30/20* SAVE 66% COMPARE TO PORTER-CABLE $5998 Blade sold separately. $ 2999 $N1O9W99 MODEL: PCE360 ITEM 65570/61884/62370 shown *86227449* 86227449 LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 1/30/20* *Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 1/30/20. At Harbor Freight Tools, the "Compare to" price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the "Compare to" price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of "Compare to" should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate. hft_georgiamag_1219_M-REG163162.indd 1 GMAG Trim Size Template.indd 1 10/16/19 2:43 PM 11/12/19 10:05 AM GMAG Trim Size Template.indd 1 11/13/19 8:02 AM