January is always a good time to reflect back on the year behind you and look forward to the new year.
For me, 2018 was a year like most with good times and bad times. Times of tears and times of laughter. Many wonderful memories of time spent with my family. Putting on our hats and going to tea with my mother and sister. Family dinners we turned into special occasions with the seven of us all enjoying our time together.
Some times were difficult due to medical issues. I had a tooth pulled that led to a lot of pain after I got an infection. I had a headache for six weeks without a break. That was very trying as I was in constant pain for the entire six weeks with no relief. My mother had a surgery that was meant to be routine but turned into something scary when she got blood clots in her lungs and leg.
People who were important in my life, some from years ago and some more recent, died in 2018 and I’m still mourning their passing even though I know they were suffering from medical issues and are no longer suffering.
Career-wise, I covered 100 or more meetings or events for the newspaper. I wrote features about wonderful people in our communities. I wrote about trips I took, including a cruise to Maine and New England and that amazing trip to Hawaii. I shared some of the jewels I found in Loudon, Tenn., Columbia, S.C., Albany, Ga., Aikens, S.C. and many other destinations I visited.
My role as a mentor at Foothills Education Charter High School turned into a new position as the coordinator of the mentor program. I continued to be amazed and blessed by what Foothills offers. I am supposed to be an encourager to the students and mentors but I am so encouraged by them.
I spent time with friends who are like family, including going on trips and out to dinner and concerts with Sherry, holiday dinners and lunches with Gail and Beckie and lunch out with my newspaper co-workers. Then there are those friends I don’t see as much but are still very special to me and who I pick up right where we left off when I see them again, even though it may have been months or even years since we saw each other. Thankful for social media for keeping me in touch with Renee, Becky and many other friends who live across the country.
As for the new year, I’m sure I will cover hundreds more meetings, mentor more students and travel to new destinations. There will also be trying times and heart-ache. But one thing I know is that we should cherish every moment and enjoy life and to have a strong faith. That will get us through the bad times and help us enjoy the good times even more.
Features
Doing nothing can lead to something
BY ANGELA GARY
“Sometimes the thing to do is nothing. Doing nothing often leads to the very best something.”
Where did this insightful thought come from, you might ask.
Was it some well-known philosopher?
Was it a religious leader?
Nope. This nugget of wisdom came from Winnie the Pooh.
On a recent long flight, I passed the time by watching movies. I watched seven movies in all, which is more than I’ve seen in the past year. It’s a great way to get your mind off of the fact that you are up in the clouds in an airplane.
One of the movies I watched was “Christopher Robin.” It’s a whimsical look at Pooh’s friends, Tigger, Eeyore, Owl, Piglet, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo, traveling to London to help Christopher remember the joy of life.
I enjoyed the movie but the thing I enjoyed the most was some of the wisdom coming from Winnie the Pooh.
I found myself making notes of some of the conversations between Pooh and Christopher. I guess the reporter in me comes out even when I’m off duty and supposed to be relaxing.
A few of the comments from Pooh that I wrote down were:
“People saying nothing is impossible but I do nothing every day.”
“Sometimes when I’m going somewhere and I wait somewhere comes to me.”
“I always get where I’m going by walking away from where I’ve been.”
I also found a few comments from Christopher Robin that made me grab my notebook and jot them down.
This included:
“Dreams don’t come for free. You have to fight for them.”
(To Pooh), “You’re different and people don’t like different.”
Pooh and Christopher Robin also had a conversation about a ballon that I also enjoyed and made me think a little deeper about what they were really talking about.
Pooh: I would like a balloon.
Christopher Robin: You don’t need a balloon.
Pooh: I don’t need one but I would like one ever so much.
Christopher Robin gets Pooh a balloon.
Later, balloon flies away
Pooh: Now my balloon is gone.
Christopher: You didn’t need it anyway.
Pooh: I didn’t need it but it did make me very happy. Did it make you happy.
Christopher: No not really.
You never know where you will find pearls of wisdom that make you think.
For more opinion columns, see this week's issue of the Banks County News. Ron Bridgeman, Charles Phelps, Chris Bridges and Loran Smith are among the columnists featured in this week's issue.
“Sometimes the thing to do is nothing. Doing nothing often leads to the very best something.”
Where did this insightful thought come from, you might ask.
Was it some well-known philosopher?
Was it a religious leader?
Nope. This nugget of wisdom came from Winnie the Pooh.
On a recent long flight, I passed the time by watching movies. I watched seven movies in all, which is more than I’ve seen in the past year. It’s a great way to get your mind off of the fact that you are up in the clouds in an airplane.
One of the movies I watched was “Christopher Robin.” It’s a whimsical look at Pooh’s friends, Tigger, Eeyore, Owl, Piglet, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo, traveling to London to help Christopher remember the joy of life.
I enjoyed the movie but the thing I enjoyed the most was some of the wisdom coming from Winnie the Pooh.
I found myself making notes of some of the conversations between Pooh and Christopher. I guess the reporter in me comes out even when I’m off duty and supposed to be relaxing.
A few of the comments from Pooh that I wrote down were:
“People saying nothing is impossible but I do nothing every day.”
“Sometimes when I’m going somewhere and I wait somewhere comes to me.”
“I always get where I’m going by walking away from where I’ve been.”
I also found a few comments from Christopher Robin that made me grab my notebook and jot them down.
This included:
“Dreams don’t come for free. You have to fight for them.”
(To Pooh), “You’re different and people don’t like different.”
Pooh and Christopher Robin also had a conversation about a ballon that I also enjoyed and made me think a little deeper about what they were really talking about.
Pooh: I would like a balloon.
Christopher Robin: You don’t need a balloon.
Pooh: I don’t need one but I would like one ever so much.
Christopher Robin gets Pooh a balloon.
Later, balloon flies away
Pooh: Now my balloon is gone.
Christopher: You didn’t need it anyway.
Pooh: I didn’t need it but it did make me very happy. Did it make you happy.
Christopher: No not really.
You never know where you will find pearls of wisdom that make you think.
For more opinion columns, see this week's issue of the Banks County News. Ron Bridgeman, Charles Phelps, Chris Bridges and Loran Smith are among the columnists featured in this week's issue.
Kane Brown kicks off tour in Duluth, Ga.
Country artist Kane Brown stood before thousands of fans at the Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth, Ga., on Jan. 10, kicking off his first headline arena tour and spoke on his excitement at “living his dream.”
“This is my first headline tour,” he said. “I’m really scared and really excited at the same time. I’m living my dream. Thank you. It’s awesome.”
The “Live Forever Tour” that kicked off in Brown’s home state of Georgia includes 22 stops across the country from Jan. 10 through March 8.
A special moment in the concert in Duluth came when Brown looked out into the audience for his Nana and thanked her for what she has done in his life.
Nana joined him on stage for a hug and Kane then sang his song, “Learning,” about the time in his life that his Nana came to his rescue.
He was just 6-years-old when his Nana saw the bruises on him. Three weeks later, she had his step-dad in jail.
“My Nana showed up, she was super protective,” he sang. “Had a tear in her eye. She saw how I was neglected. She was super protective...Now I’m seven years old with a story to tell.”
The song also stresses the importance of forgiveness: “Forgiveness is something we gotta know. ‘Cause if you hold on forever, it’ll hurt your soul. That’s why I’m learning how to let it go.”
Brown sang his hits, “What If” and “Heaven,” as well as songs from his new album, “Experiment, including “Short Skirt Weather” and “Lose It.”
Brown also did the song that he said got his career started, “Used to Love you Sober,” and a mash-up that included “Stand by Me.”
Brown’s smooth distinctive voice, lyrics that hit home and his personable stage presence make for a wonderful combination. Be sure and catch him on one of the tour stops.
OPENING ACTS
Brown’s opening acts were RaeLynn, a contestant on The Voice, and Granger Smith.
RaeLynn included several songs she wrote that were personal to her, including “Love Triangle” about her parent’s divorce and “Bra” about a break-up that included the lyric, “Breaking up with you was like taking my bra off…feeling free and loose…”
Another favorite was RaeLynn’s rendition of TLC’s “No Scrubs,” which had the audience singing along with her.
Smith, who plays guitar and keyboard during his set, sang “They Were There,” a patriotic song honoring those men and women who serve their country.
Smith also left the stage and returned as his alter ego, “Earl Dibbles Jr.” and performed “The Country Boy Song.”
RaeLynn and Granger also both returned to the stage during Brown’s set and joined him for a song.
It was an entertaining evening and a great start to Brown’s headlining arena tour.
The Infinite Arena in Duluth is also a great venue, with lots of free parking, great concessions and a friendly staff.
“This is my first headline tour,” he said. “I’m really scared and really excited at the same time. I’m living my dream. Thank you. It’s awesome.”
The “Live Forever Tour” that kicked off in Brown’s home state of Georgia includes 22 stops across the country from Jan. 10 through March 8.
A special moment in the concert in Duluth came when Brown looked out into the audience for his Nana and thanked her for what she has done in his life.
Nana joined him on stage for a hug and Kane then sang his song, “Learning,” about the time in his life that his Nana came to his rescue.
He was just 6-years-old when his Nana saw the bruises on him. Three weeks later, she had his step-dad in jail.
“My Nana showed up, she was super protective,” he sang. “Had a tear in her eye. She saw how I was neglected. She was super protective...Now I’m seven years old with a story to tell.”
The song also stresses the importance of forgiveness: “Forgiveness is something we gotta know. ‘Cause if you hold on forever, it’ll hurt your soul. That’s why I’m learning how to let it go.”
Brown sang his hits, “What If” and “Heaven,” as well as songs from his new album, “Experiment, including “Short Skirt Weather” and “Lose It.”
Brown also did the song that he said got his career started, “Used to Love you Sober,” and a mash-up that included “Stand by Me.”
Brown’s smooth distinctive voice, lyrics that hit home and his personable stage presence make for a wonderful combination. Be sure and catch him on one of the tour stops.
OPENING ACTS
Brown’s opening acts were RaeLynn, a contestant on The Voice, and Granger Smith.
RaeLynn included several songs she wrote that were personal to her, including “Love Triangle” about her parent’s divorce and “Bra” about a break-up that included the lyric, “Breaking up with you was like taking my bra off…feeling free and loose…”
Another favorite was RaeLynn’s rendition of TLC’s “No Scrubs,” which had the audience singing along with her.
Smith, who plays guitar and keyboard during his set, sang “They Were There,” a patriotic song honoring those men and women who serve their country.
Smith also left the stage and returned as his alter ego, “Earl Dibbles Jr.” and performed “The Country Boy Song.”
RaeLynn and Granger also both returned to the stage during Brown’s set and joined him for a song.
It was an entertaining evening and a great start to Brown’s headlining arena tour.
The Infinite Arena in Duluth is also a great venue, with lots of free parking, great concessions and a friendly staff.
Head to Orlando for family vacation
BY ANGELA GARY
When planning a family vacation, we usually plan the trip around one big attraction. We want a hotel that is as close to the attraction as possible.
We also want a hotel that offers plenty of things to do on the property so that we don’t even have to move our car if we don’t want to.
We were able to check everything off of our list on a recent trip to Orlando, Fla., to visit SeaWorld. We stayed at Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld.
The hotel offers a free shuttle to the park, which is definitely a plus. It’s also an easy walk from the hotel to SeaWorld.
The hotel also offered lots of outdoor fun and dining, which meant we didn’t have to leave in search of things to do.
At SeaWorld, you can check out some of the favorites of visitors, such as the Dolphin Show and the Shamu Show, as well as some new attractions, including the Sesame Street area which is being installed now.
The first thing we did at SeaWorld was stop for a photo with the Shamu character, who gave us a hug. We then headed over to the Dolphin Theater, which was a lot of fun, with visitors on the first few rows getting splashed by the dolphins. We also enjoyed the Arctic Area and the thrilling rides located throughout the park. It really does offer something for everyone.
We spent one day at SeaWorld and the rest of our long weekend trip at the hotel, where we found two large pools, outdoor games (shuffle board and a life-size checker board), mini golf, a fitness center and three outdoor fire pits that are a fun gathering spot in the evenings.
The hotel is a relaxing oasis, located on 28 acres of lush native palm trees and tropical fountains. You will feel that you are away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando, but you are actually just minutes away from some of the main attractions.
Special events, including outdoor movies at the pool, smores at the fire pit and arts and crafts for the youngsters are also offered. It’s such a beautiful property with lush landscaping and festive lights at night that we enjoyed spending as much time outside as possible.
Be sure to get an activity guide at the front desk. Some of the activities planned throughout the year are: Pool Party, Family Field Day, Selfie Scavenger Hunt, S’mores Night, double feature movies at the pool and crafts in Hideaway Cove.
Upcoming spring break activities, for March 13-25, include waterball, teen movie night, pool party (featuring hair-wraps, braids and airbrush tattoos).
We really enjoyed dining on the property. During our stay, we had several meals at Laguna, where you can sit indoors or outdoors, overlooking the pool area. Laguna is a full-service restaurant that offers a breakfast buffet, with omelets made to order, and lunch and dinner with salads, sandwiches, steaks and seafood on the menu.
I highly recommend the sweet citrus glaze salmon, served with orange-pineapple-ginger and honey-glaze, roasted sweet potato wedges, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, asparagus and tropical salsa.
The Market, located next to Laguna, was our stop for a quick breakfast. Starbucks products are offered, as well as pastries, sandwiches, salads and pizza.
Barefoot Bar is located pool-side and is a great place to get lunch while you are enjoying the sunshine.
I can’t forget to mention one of my favorite parts of a DoubleTree stay— those amazing chocolate chip cookies. We had a warm cookie on our arrival and another “for the road” when we headed home.
The hotel is located at 10100 International Drive in Orlando. For more information, call 407-352-1100 or check out the website, www.dtresortorlando.com.
To get the 10 percent “Experience Orlando” discount on your stay, book online and use the promotional code, “EXO.”
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at Angieeditor@aol.com.
When planning a family vacation, we usually plan the trip around one big attraction. We want a hotel that is as close to the attraction as possible.
We also want a hotel that offers plenty of things to do on the property so that we don’t even have to move our car if we don’t want to.
We were able to check everything off of our list on a recent trip to Orlando, Fla., to visit SeaWorld. We stayed at Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld.
The hotel offers a free shuttle to the park, which is definitely a plus. It’s also an easy walk from the hotel to SeaWorld.
The hotel also offered lots of outdoor fun and dining, which meant we didn’t have to leave in search of things to do.
At SeaWorld, you can check out some of the favorites of visitors, such as the Dolphin Show and the Shamu Show, as well as some new attractions, including the Sesame Street area which is being installed now.
The first thing we did at SeaWorld was stop for a photo with the Shamu character, who gave us a hug. We then headed over to the Dolphin Theater, which was a lot of fun, with visitors on the first few rows getting splashed by the dolphins. We also enjoyed the Arctic Area and the thrilling rides located throughout the park. It really does offer something for everyone.
We spent one day at SeaWorld and the rest of our long weekend trip at the hotel, where we found two large pools, outdoor games (shuffle board and a life-size checker board), mini golf, a fitness center and three outdoor fire pits that are a fun gathering spot in the evenings.
The hotel is a relaxing oasis, located on 28 acres of lush native palm trees and tropical fountains. You will feel that you are away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando, but you are actually just minutes away from some of the main attractions.
Special events, including outdoor movies at the pool, smores at the fire pit and arts and crafts for the youngsters are also offered. It’s such a beautiful property with lush landscaping and festive lights at night that we enjoyed spending as much time outside as possible.
Be sure to get an activity guide at the front desk. Some of the activities planned throughout the year are: Pool Party, Family Field Day, Selfie Scavenger Hunt, S’mores Night, double feature movies at the pool and crafts in Hideaway Cove.
Upcoming spring break activities, for March 13-25, include waterball, teen movie night, pool party (featuring hair-wraps, braids and airbrush tattoos).
We really enjoyed dining on the property. During our stay, we had several meals at Laguna, where you can sit indoors or outdoors, overlooking the pool area. Laguna is a full-service restaurant that offers a breakfast buffet, with omelets made to order, and lunch and dinner with salads, sandwiches, steaks and seafood on the menu.
I highly recommend the sweet citrus glaze salmon, served with orange-pineapple-ginger and honey-glaze, roasted sweet potato wedges, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, asparagus and tropical salsa.
The Market, located next to Laguna, was our stop for a quick breakfast. Starbucks products are offered, as well as pastries, sandwiches, salads and pizza.
Barefoot Bar is located pool-side and is a great place to get lunch while you are enjoying the sunshine.
I can’t forget to mention one of my favorite parts of a DoubleTree stay— those amazing chocolate chip cookies. We had a warm cookie on our arrival and another “for the road” when we headed home.
The hotel is located at 10100 International Drive in Orlando. For more information, call 407-352-1100 or check out the website, www.dtresortorlando.com.
To get the 10 percent “Experience Orlando” discount on your stay, book online and use the promotional code, “EXO.”
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at Angieeditor@aol.com.
How did you get here?
BY ANGELA GARY
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve arrived somewhere and been asked, “How did you get here?”
The person wants to know the route I took and you would think that would be an easy answer. That’s not the case any more.
I used to have road maps with highlights of my route. I don’t even have a road map or atlas any more.
Now, I just punch the address in my GPS and go wherever it tells me to go. I usually have no idea how I got where I’m going. I just follow the voice on the GPS.
While my experience with GPS has been mostly positive, I did have one trip where I ended up on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.
I was sure I was lost but that lovely voice on the GPS stated, “You have arrived at your destination.”
My friend insisted that the cow path to the left had to be driveway that we were looking for. I pointed out that it didn’t look like a car had been on that road in some time.
I was in a new car at the time and was not going to drive it down that path. My friend got out and walked a little ways before returning and confirming that it was not a driveway.
We did eventully find where we were going. It was just a little ways down the road where we had stopped. It really was “the middle of nowhere,” so I guess that is why the GPS was slighly off.
I really am lost without my GPS. It’s hard to imagine how we made it without them.
I remember heading out to Key West, Fla., many years ago with my sister and a friend. We had no GPS or cell phones.
With just an atlas with a highlight marking the path from Commerce, Ga., to Key West, Fla., we headed out. We made it without any problems.
I wonder if I’m the only who who talks to that “voice” on the GPS. When I miss a turn and she tells me to make a u-turn as soon as possible, I have to admit I might have yelled at her a time or two.
Then when I don’t make a u-turn and she has to recalculate, I have also been known to snap at her.
What about when you want to make a stop for gas or to use the bathroom? She goes crazy telling you what to do to get back on the correct route. That too can be irritating and cause me to “talk back” to the GPS.
While I love my GPS, I may have to make another change to find my way around.
With map apps on iphones, GPS will probably become obsolete soon. It’s much easier to have one device, an iPhone, that serves as everything.
I haven’t started using my phone as a GPS yet, but I have used it to find the closest Chick-fil-a or Starbucks, two places you need on a road trip.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers. She can be reached at Angie@mainstreetnews.com.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve arrived somewhere and been asked, “How did you get here?”
The person wants to know the route I took and you would think that would be an easy answer. That’s not the case any more.
I used to have road maps with highlights of my route. I don’t even have a road map or atlas any more.
Now, I just punch the address in my GPS and go wherever it tells me to go. I usually have no idea how I got where I’m going. I just follow the voice on the GPS.
While my experience with GPS has been mostly positive, I did have one trip where I ended up on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.
I was sure I was lost but that lovely voice on the GPS stated, “You have arrived at your destination.”
My friend insisted that the cow path to the left had to be driveway that we were looking for. I pointed out that it didn’t look like a car had been on that road in some time.
I was in a new car at the time and was not going to drive it down that path. My friend got out and walked a little ways before returning and confirming that it was not a driveway.
We did eventully find where we were going. It was just a little ways down the road where we had stopped. It really was “the middle of nowhere,” so I guess that is why the GPS was slighly off.
I really am lost without my GPS. It’s hard to imagine how we made it without them.
I remember heading out to Key West, Fla., many years ago with my sister and a friend. We had no GPS or cell phones.
With just an atlas with a highlight marking the path from Commerce, Ga., to Key West, Fla., we headed out. We made it without any problems.
I wonder if I’m the only who who talks to that “voice” on the GPS. When I miss a turn and she tells me to make a u-turn as soon as possible, I have to admit I might have yelled at her a time or two.
Then when I don’t make a u-turn and she has to recalculate, I have also been known to snap at her.
What about when you want to make a stop for gas or to use the bathroom? She goes crazy telling you what to do to get back on the correct route. That too can be irritating and cause me to “talk back” to the GPS.
While I love my GPS, I may have to make another change to find my way around.
With map apps on iphones, GPS will probably become obsolete soon. It’s much easier to have one device, an iPhone, that serves as everything.
I haven’t started using my phone as a GPS yet, but I have used it to find the closest Chick-fil-a or Starbucks, two places you need on a road trip.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers. She can be reached at Angie@mainstreetnews.com.
Traditions are the ties that bind us together
BY ANGELA GARY
On Christmas Eve, the family gathers together and enjoys a meal, which always includes Mom’s homemade chocolate pie. My sister makes chocolate delight and I put together my famous pickle tray, since I don’t cook.
We sit around the Christmas tree in the living room and open our presents and look to see what Santa put in our stockings.
The ornaments on the tree always includes the cardboard Christmas cookie I made in elementary school, the reindeer my sister made and a clear ball with pieces of the strand that was on my parent’s tree when they were a young newly-married couple.
Holiday music is also a tradtion for many families. My sister always listens to the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Christmas songs. I make sure to listen to “Mary, Did you Know” and “Feliz Navidad” at least once time during the Christmas season.
On New Year’s Day, we gather together again with Mom and Dad and eat a meal of collards, black-eyed peas, hog jowl and cornbread.
We reflect on the year that just ended and look forward to the new year. We make resolutions and plans on how we will improve in the new year. We might not accomplish these resolutions but we have high hopes and plans with a new year ahead of us.
On family birthdays, we gather together for a family meal. The person celebrating the birthday choses their favorite meal and cake. I always ask for Mom to make her wonderful fried rice and a homemade strawberry cake.
Traditions give us a sense of comfort and peace. Traditions tie family’s together and give them a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Traditions are an important part of our culture. They form the foundation of our families.
Traditions remind us that we are a part of a history that is filled with menories of the past and hopes for the future.
Traditions reflect on our values, our faith and our character. They give us a chance to reflect on and celebrate things that are really important in life.
Traditions give us the opportunity to create memories with our family and friends that we will always treasure.
Traditions give us a chance to take a moment to reflect on what is imporant in our lives and to celebrate these things.
During this holiday season and as a new year approaches, take time to enjoy your traditions and to make new traditions.
To make family traditions even more special, take time to talk about them with your children. Tell them why the traditions are important and let them help with planning the special activities.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at angie@mainstreetnews.com.
On Christmas Eve, the family gathers together and enjoys a meal, which always includes Mom’s homemade chocolate pie. My sister makes chocolate delight and I put together my famous pickle tray, since I don’t cook.
We sit around the Christmas tree in the living room and open our presents and look to see what Santa put in our stockings.
The ornaments on the tree always includes the cardboard Christmas cookie I made in elementary school, the reindeer my sister made and a clear ball with pieces of the strand that was on my parent’s tree when they were a young newly-married couple.
Holiday music is also a tradtion for many families. My sister always listens to the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Christmas songs. I make sure to listen to “Mary, Did you Know” and “Feliz Navidad” at least once time during the Christmas season.
On New Year’s Day, we gather together again with Mom and Dad and eat a meal of collards, black-eyed peas, hog jowl and cornbread.
We reflect on the year that just ended and look forward to the new year. We make resolutions and plans on how we will improve in the new year. We might not accomplish these resolutions but we have high hopes and plans with a new year ahead of us.
On family birthdays, we gather together for a family meal. The person celebrating the birthday choses their favorite meal and cake. I always ask for Mom to make her wonderful fried rice and a homemade strawberry cake.
Traditions give us a sense of comfort and peace. Traditions tie family’s together and give them a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Traditions are an important part of our culture. They form the foundation of our families.
Traditions remind us that we are a part of a history that is filled with menories of the past and hopes for the future.
Traditions reflect on our values, our faith and our character. They give us a chance to reflect on and celebrate things that are really important in life.
Traditions give us the opportunity to create memories with our family and friends that we will always treasure.
Traditions give us a chance to take a moment to reflect on what is imporant in our lives and to celebrate these things.
During this holiday season and as a new year approaches, take time to enjoy your traditions and to make new traditions.
To make family traditions even more special, take time to talk about them with your children. Tell them why the traditions are important and let them help with planning the special activities.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at angie@mainstreetnews.com.
Making memories
BY ANGELA GARY
I spread the show schedule and map out in front of me as I made a list. So many choices.
Santa or Rudolph and Clarice?
Mrs. Claus or the Snow Angel?
A performance of “A Christmas Tree” or watching “The Polar Express” in 4D.
My youngest nephew, Grayson, celebrated his 11th birthday a few weeks ago. I asked what he wanted me to get him and he said, “a vacation with you.”
It’s clear that he has inherited my love of travel. I planned a weekend trip that wasn’t too far from home but had lots to offer for an 11-year-old and his aunt.
After school on Friday, we headed to Stone Mountain for his birthday gift. It was a gift for me too as I got to experience a place I had visited as a child through Grayson’s young eyes.
We fit in everything on our list on Saturday, plus a few additions to our plans. I didn’t have “The Polar Express” on our list but Grayson wanted to check it out.
It ended up being one of our favorite stops. Those 4D glasses you wear really do make a difference. You will feel like you are onboard the train as it races across the ice. You might even feel some of the snow and ice hitting you in the face.
We loved everything with the Christmas parade being one of our favorites.
The float carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped right in front of us.
Santa looked out into the crowd and pointed to Grayson in his red Georgia Bulldog hoodie. “I love Georgia too,” Santa said, as Grayson smiled.
We spent eight hours exploring Stone Mountain and I was more than a little tired late that evening when we were walking through the park and “Frosty the Snowman” started playing. Grayson began singing along and dancing.
I was tired but not too tired to join him in singing along and dancing. Although my dance moves might have been a little slower than his.
Our last stop at Stone Mountain was to see Santa and get a photo with him.
As I was snapping away, Grayson was talking to Santa. I asked later what he told Santa he wants for Christmas and he said “a vacation.”
He really is a lot like his Aunt Angie! Guess it’s time to start planning our next adventure.
I love giving “experiences” as a gift instead of “things.” Grayson, like most kids, really doesn’t need anything.
I hope his birthday gift was one where we made memories that he will always cherish. I know that I will.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at Angie@mainstreetnews.com.
I spread the show schedule and map out in front of me as I made a list. So many choices.
Santa or Rudolph and Clarice?
Mrs. Claus or the Snow Angel?
A performance of “A Christmas Tree” or watching “The Polar Express” in 4D.
My youngest nephew, Grayson, celebrated his 11th birthday a few weeks ago. I asked what he wanted me to get him and he said, “a vacation with you.”
It’s clear that he has inherited my love of travel. I planned a weekend trip that wasn’t too far from home but had lots to offer for an 11-year-old and his aunt.
After school on Friday, we headed to Stone Mountain for his birthday gift. It was a gift for me too as I got to experience a place I had visited as a child through Grayson’s young eyes.
We fit in everything on our list on Saturday, plus a few additions to our plans. I didn’t have “The Polar Express” on our list but Grayson wanted to check it out.
It ended up being one of our favorite stops. Those 4D glasses you wear really do make a difference. You will feel like you are onboard the train as it races across the ice. You might even feel some of the snow and ice hitting you in the face.
We loved everything with the Christmas parade being one of our favorites.
The float carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped right in front of us.
Santa looked out into the crowd and pointed to Grayson in his red Georgia Bulldog hoodie. “I love Georgia too,” Santa said, as Grayson smiled.
We spent eight hours exploring Stone Mountain and I was more than a little tired late that evening when we were walking through the park and “Frosty the Snowman” started playing. Grayson began singing along and dancing.
I was tired but not too tired to join him in singing along and dancing. Although my dance moves might have been a little slower than his.
Our last stop at Stone Mountain was to see Santa and get a photo with him.
As I was snapping away, Grayson was talking to Santa. I asked later what he told Santa he wants for Christmas and he said “a vacation.”
He really is a lot like his Aunt Angie! Guess it’s time to start planning our next adventure.
I love giving “experiences” as a gift instead of “things.” Grayson, like most kids, really doesn’t need anything.
I hope his birthday gift was one where we made memories that he will always cherish. I know that I will.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at Angie@mainstreetnews.com.
Always a smile and kind word
BY ANGELA GARY
I was so sorry to hear of the death of Mike Rector, who wrote a column for The Jackson Herald for many years.
He was so proud to be writing a column for the newspaper. He spent a lot of time putting his “ramblings,” as he called his writing, together each week.
It was always a very long column with his thoughts on politics and local events, sprinkled with humerous anticdotes.
He appreciated receiving input on his columns, whether it was positive or negative.
When a political column hit a nerve with some local readers, we were flooded with letters from people who disagreed with Mike.
He didn’t mind people disagreeing with him. He just didn’t want this to mean the end to his column. It didn’t and he continued to write.
Mike also did the work on the Banks County News office. When I first saw the building, I thought it was beyond repair. He brought it back to life to house the newspaper office and newspaper museum.
Mike rescued me two times over the years we worked together. One time I had locked myself inside the Banks County News office.
I’m not sure how I did that but I couldn’t get out. I called the main office and they sent Mike over. He had the door open in just a few minutes.
Another time I left a meeting carrying my camera, purse and notebook. I got all of this in the car only to realize I was in the wrong white Ford Taurus.
Mike saw me in the parking lot and came over to help me quickly get all of my stuff out and into the correct car.
Mike always had a kind word and smile for me. When I was going through a difficult time, he had words of encouragement.
Several times in the past year, a few of us in the news room went out for lunch with Mike. He enjoyed keeping up with what was going on at the newspaper and in our lives.
Mike had friends across Jackson County. Just mention his name and you are likely to get a smile and a story about him.
Mike’s last column in this newspaper was in the Oct. 3 issue. He wasn’t able to actually type it out because of his health but asked his daughter to type it as he dictated what he wanted to stay. His column was important to him and he wanted to get a message out.
Mike will be missed by his readers and all of us at the newspaper office. It won’t be the same without his smiling face going through the office, greeting us all with a kind word.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at angie@mainstreetnews.com.
I was so sorry to hear of the death of Mike Rector, who wrote a column for The Jackson Herald for many years.
He was so proud to be writing a column for the newspaper. He spent a lot of time putting his “ramblings,” as he called his writing, together each week.
It was always a very long column with his thoughts on politics and local events, sprinkled with humerous anticdotes.
He appreciated receiving input on his columns, whether it was positive or negative.
When a political column hit a nerve with some local readers, we were flooded with letters from people who disagreed with Mike.
He didn’t mind people disagreeing with him. He just didn’t want this to mean the end to his column. It didn’t and he continued to write.
Mike also did the work on the Banks County News office. When I first saw the building, I thought it was beyond repair. He brought it back to life to house the newspaper office and newspaper museum.
Mike rescued me two times over the years we worked together. One time I had locked myself inside the Banks County News office.
I’m not sure how I did that but I couldn’t get out. I called the main office and they sent Mike over. He had the door open in just a few minutes.
Another time I left a meeting carrying my camera, purse and notebook. I got all of this in the car only to realize I was in the wrong white Ford Taurus.
Mike saw me in the parking lot and came over to help me quickly get all of my stuff out and into the correct car.
Mike always had a kind word and smile for me. When I was going through a difficult time, he had words of encouragement.
Several times in the past year, a few of us in the news room went out for lunch with Mike. He enjoyed keeping up with what was going on at the newspaper and in our lives.
Mike had friends across Jackson County. Just mention his name and you are likely to get a smile and a story about him.
Mike’s last column in this newspaper was in the Oct. 3 issue. He wasn’t able to actually type it out because of his health but asked his daughter to type it as he dictated what he wanted to stay. His column was important to him and he wanted to get a message out.
Mike will be missed by his readers and all of us at the newspaper office. It won’t be the same without his smiling face going through the office, greeting us all with a kind word.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at angie@mainstreetnews.com.
Head to Thoroughbred Country for history and culture
BY ANGELA GARY
When you think of South Carolina’s Thoroughbred Country, horse races, steeplechase and polo likely come to mind. While Aiken, S.C., and the surrounding area offer plenty of horsing events, you will find so much more. On a recent visit, we were so impressed with the history and culture found in the area, as well as the wonderful restaurants and shopping that we included in our long weekend visit.
While in Aiken, we stayed at the historic, and elegant, Willcox Hotel, located at 100 Colleton Avenue SW, which is within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants. While we found so many fun things to do in Aiken, I believe it’s worth going to the town just to stay at the Willcox Hotel. It really is that wonderful.
The historic hotel has been operated as an inn since 1900. The Willcox became known in those early days for its atmosphere, top-notch service and amazing architecture and design. Those are among the reasons visitors continue to come to the Willcox. The wonderful food is another reason visitors and locals go to the Willcox. We enjoyed dinner one evening at the Willcox, where the meals are made with locally-sourced items.
To get yourself familiar with Aiken, start your trip with Marty Bailey who operates Tailored Tours of Aiken. She picked us up at the hotel and took us on a driving tour to many historic and beautiful parts of the town. The tour included the horse district, downtown area and churches.
We learned about the summer homes of the Astors and Vanderbilts on “Millionaires Row” and the story about how comedian Minnie Pearl bought her first straw hat and dress that became an integral part of her routine when she was in Aiken. We also learned about the eccentric first owner of the Hope Diamond who wore the huge gem as a necklace and sometimes put it on her dog’s collar.
We also learned about the horse district, which includes Whitney Polo Field, the oldest continuously used outdoor polo filed in the country. Polo has been played in the area since 1882.
Aiken has a thriving downtown with lots of shopping and restaurants to choose from. We enjoyed dinner one evening at Malia’s Restaurant, located in the historic downtown.
We spent one day exploring the Thoroughbred Country communities of Barnwell, Denmark and Blackville.
In Barnwell, we shopped at the Little Red Barn Pottery & Art Gallery owned by Elizabeth Ringus, known for her “face vessels.” You will find lots of local artwork and pottery in the shop where 35 artists are represented.
In Denmark, we stopped at the Jim Harrison Gallery, which offers original work and prints. Harrison got his start painting those iconic Coca Cola signs on buildings across the south, later using the Coca Cola signs in his artwork.
In Blackville, we had a wonderful lunch at Miller’s Bread Basket, which is a family- owned restaurant offering Amish-Mennonite style food. Make sure you save room for desert. We enjoyed the most amazing pies, including pineapple and shoo fly.
We also made a stop in Blackville at the Healing Springs, where Native Americans believed in the springs’ natural healing powers. Of course, we all drank some of the water with hopes it would help with our ailments. We saw several local people filling up jugs with the water. In 1944, Lute Boylston deeded the one-acre tract where the springs are located to God.
For our last night in Thoroughbred Country, we moved over to North Augusta, with the highlights being a night in the historic Rosemary Inn Bed & Breakfast, a tour of the Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site and a visit to Colonial Times: A Day to Remember at the Living History Park. We also had dinner at Manuel’s Bread Café at Hammond’s Ferry, South Carolina’s river front.
Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site has been named one of the “Top Ten Sites to Visit in South Carolina.” It provides a look at antebellum life in the area. The home was built in 1859 with James Henry Hammond and his family living there.
The Living History Park, is located at 299 West Spring Grove Avenue in North Augusta, and offers special events where demonstrations and living exhibits are presented. The Colonial Times celebration featured pottery, weaving and spinning, quilting, candle-making, blacksmithing and other demonstrations, as well as a Colonial dance at the barn.
Rosemary Inn Bed & Breakfast, located at 804 Carolina Avenue, North Augusta, is a delightful place to stay with beautifully furnished rooms, charming hosts and a delicious breakfast offered. Kelly and Diana Combs were so attentive to our needs.
To start planning your trip to Thoroughbred Country, check out the website, www.tbredcountry.org.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at Angieeditor@aol.com.
When you think of South Carolina’s Thoroughbred Country, horse races, steeplechase and polo likely come to mind. While Aiken, S.C., and the surrounding area offer plenty of horsing events, you will find so much more. On a recent visit, we were so impressed with the history and culture found in the area, as well as the wonderful restaurants and shopping that we included in our long weekend visit.
While in Aiken, we stayed at the historic, and elegant, Willcox Hotel, located at 100 Colleton Avenue SW, which is within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants. While we found so many fun things to do in Aiken, I believe it’s worth going to the town just to stay at the Willcox Hotel. It really is that wonderful.
The historic hotel has been operated as an inn since 1900. The Willcox became known in those early days for its atmosphere, top-notch service and amazing architecture and design. Those are among the reasons visitors continue to come to the Willcox. The wonderful food is another reason visitors and locals go to the Willcox. We enjoyed dinner one evening at the Willcox, where the meals are made with locally-sourced items.
To get yourself familiar with Aiken, start your trip with Marty Bailey who operates Tailored Tours of Aiken. She picked us up at the hotel and took us on a driving tour to many historic and beautiful parts of the town. The tour included the horse district, downtown area and churches.
We learned about the summer homes of the Astors and Vanderbilts on “Millionaires Row” and the story about how comedian Minnie Pearl bought her first straw hat and dress that became an integral part of her routine when she was in Aiken. We also learned about the eccentric first owner of the Hope Diamond who wore the huge gem as a necklace and sometimes put it on her dog’s collar.
We also learned about the horse district, which includes Whitney Polo Field, the oldest continuously used outdoor polo filed in the country. Polo has been played in the area since 1882.
Aiken has a thriving downtown with lots of shopping and restaurants to choose from. We enjoyed dinner one evening at Malia’s Restaurant, located in the historic downtown.
We spent one day exploring the Thoroughbred Country communities of Barnwell, Denmark and Blackville.
In Barnwell, we shopped at the Little Red Barn Pottery & Art Gallery owned by Elizabeth Ringus, known for her “face vessels.” You will find lots of local artwork and pottery in the shop where 35 artists are represented.
In Denmark, we stopped at the Jim Harrison Gallery, which offers original work and prints. Harrison got his start painting those iconic Coca Cola signs on buildings across the south, later using the Coca Cola signs in his artwork.
In Blackville, we had a wonderful lunch at Miller’s Bread Basket, which is a family- owned restaurant offering Amish-Mennonite style food. Make sure you save room for desert. We enjoyed the most amazing pies, including pineapple and shoo fly.
We also made a stop in Blackville at the Healing Springs, where Native Americans believed in the springs’ natural healing powers. Of course, we all drank some of the water with hopes it would help with our ailments. We saw several local people filling up jugs with the water. In 1944, Lute Boylston deeded the one-acre tract where the springs are located to God.
For our last night in Thoroughbred Country, we moved over to North Augusta, with the highlights being a night in the historic Rosemary Inn Bed & Breakfast, a tour of the Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site and a visit to Colonial Times: A Day to Remember at the Living History Park. We also had dinner at Manuel’s Bread Café at Hammond’s Ferry, South Carolina’s river front.
Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site has been named one of the “Top Ten Sites to Visit in South Carolina.” It provides a look at antebellum life in the area. The home was built in 1859 with James Henry Hammond and his family living there.
The Living History Park, is located at 299 West Spring Grove Avenue in North Augusta, and offers special events where demonstrations and living exhibits are presented. The Colonial Times celebration featured pottery, weaving and spinning, quilting, candle-making, blacksmithing and other demonstrations, as well as a Colonial dance at the barn.
Rosemary Inn Bed & Breakfast, located at 804 Carolina Avenue, North Augusta, is a delightful place to stay with beautifully furnished rooms, charming hosts and a delicious breakfast offered. Kelly and Diana Combs were so attentive to our needs.
To start planning your trip to Thoroughbred Country, check out the website, www.tbredcountry.org.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at Angieeditor@aol.com.
Dancing with a cowboy in Luckenbach
BY ANGELA GARY
I was leaving the dance hall in Luckenback, Texas, when I grabbed a cowboy for a photo and a quick dance. I didn’t know the cowboy and am usually pretty shy.
I just grabbed him and asked him to pose for a photo. How could I miss the opportunity for a photo with a cowboy in Luckenbach, Texas! I was sure that dancing with a cowboy in Luckenback, Texas, would be a memory I would never forget. This happened seven years ago, so I was right in that it created a memory I would never forget.
I also got on the dance floor and clogged during our night in Luckenbach. This is also something I wouldn’t normally do but decided it was another one of those once-in-a-lifetime things.
Every Georgia lady of a certain age knows how to clog. I didn’t realize that until I was at the dance hall at Luckenbach and someone asked me if I wanted to clog. I was a bit puzzled and asked how she knew I clogged. The lady smiled and told me every lady who grew up in Georgia in the 1980s knows how to clog.
I’m not sure if that’s true or not but I do know how to clog. So, that’s how I ended up clogging at the dance hall at Luckenbach, Texas, the small town made famous in that song Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings sang in the 1970s. I was in nearby Fredericksburg, Texas, with friends and when we found out Luckenbach was just 13 miles away, we had to check it out.
I grew up hearing the song by Willie and Waylon but I didn’t realize that Luckenbach is a real place. The night we arrived, the house band was actually singing the Waylon/Willie song. It was so surreal to be walking up to the famous dance hall as that song was playing.
Luckenbach is tiny and actually has a kind of ghost town feel to it. One of the main buildings houses what was once a post office, saloon and general store.
Today, the building houses a souvenir shop where you can get T-shirts, magnets and other items with the town’s motto, “Everybody’s somebody in Luckenbach, Texas.”
As for Fredericksburg, it is a charming Southern town filled with German culture with a Texas twist that is a fun place to visit. Located a one-hour drive from San Antonio, Fredericksburg, is in the heart of Texas Hill Country with its scenic beauty and rolling countryside.
Fredericksburg is rich with the culture of the Germans who settled in the area and formed the town 160 years ago. The food, crafts, architecture, music and history of Germany is found throughout the town and is one of the reasons visitors keep returning to explore the area.
We enjoyed exploring the downtown area where there are more than 150 specialty shops and boutiques. Artwork, fashion, jewelry, antiques, home décor and more are to be found. The unique and individual shops are not the same kind of shops you find in malls across the country. Instead, you will find one-of-a-kind treasures. There are also 14 art galleries in the downtown historic district.
I was leaving the dance hall in Luckenback, Texas, when I grabbed a cowboy for a photo and a quick dance. I didn’t know the cowboy and am usually pretty shy.
I just grabbed him and asked him to pose for a photo. How could I miss the opportunity for a photo with a cowboy in Luckenbach, Texas! I was sure that dancing with a cowboy in Luckenback, Texas, would be a memory I would never forget. This happened seven years ago, so I was right in that it created a memory I would never forget.
I also got on the dance floor and clogged during our night in Luckenbach. This is also something I wouldn’t normally do but decided it was another one of those once-in-a-lifetime things.
Every Georgia lady of a certain age knows how to clog. I didn’t realize that until I was at the dance hall at Luckenbach and someone asked me if I wanted to clog. I was a bit puzzled and asked how she knew I clogged. The lady smiled and told me every lady who grew up in Georgia in the 1980s knows how to clog.
I’m not sure if that’s true or not but I do know how to clog. So, that’s how I ended up clogging at the dance hall at Luckenbach, Texas, the small town made famous in that song Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings sang in the 1970s. I was in nearby Fredericksburg, Texas, with friends and when we found out Luckenbach was just 13 miles away, we had to check it out.
I grew up hearing the song by Willie and Waylon but I didn’t realize that Luckenbach is a real place. The night we arrived, the house band was actually singing the Waylon/Willie song. It was so surreal to be walking up to the famous dance hall as that song was playing.
Luckenbach is tiny and actually has a kind of ghost town feel to it. One of the main buildings houses what was once a post office, saloon and general store.
Today, the building houses a souvenir shop where you can get T-shirts, magnets and other items with the town’s motto, “Everybody’s somebody in Luckenbach, Texas.”
As for Fredericksburg, it is a charming Southern town filled with German culture with a Texas twist that is a fun place to visit. Located a one-hour drive from San Antonio, Fredericksburg, is in the heart of Texas Hill Country with its scenic beauty and rolling countryside.
Fredericksburg is rich with the culture of the Germans who settled in the area and formed the town 160 years ago. The food, crafts, architecture, music and history of Germany is found throughout the town and is one of the reasons visitors keep returning to explore the area.
We enjoyed exploring the downtown area where there are more than 150 specialty shops and boutiques. Artwork, fashion, jewelry, antiques, home décor and more are to be found. The unique and individual shops are not the same kind of shops you find in malls across the country. Instead, you will find one-of-a-kind treasures. There are also 14 art galleries in the downtown historic district.
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