It’s 9:30 a.m. on a Monday, and Henry County Schools’ dual enrollment culinary arts students are preparing for classroom instruction at the Academy for Advanced Studies (AAS). However, it is not a typical day. Chef Tricia Vera introduces two guests interested in learning about the program and instructs students to change into cooking gear and relocate to the adjoining kitchen. Then, she announces the menu item for the day. Eggs. The students appear surprised at Vera’s choice. However, bewilderment quickly gives way to a sense of urgency as they gather cookware and ingredients. Vera explains they are learning different ways...
Ranchitos and Recipes
When Sheena Castellanos decided to go on a mission trip with other Strong Rock Christian School families to Nicaragua, the original plan was to help build ranchitos – small sheds – while also teaching families about the love of God. However, a new mission arose when Castellanos arrived at the village and observed the food menu. Castellanos, who received a culinary arts degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta, has been cooking for a very long time. In 2005, she opened The Grand Gourmet, a catering company based in McDonough. Her love for cooking inspired her to further assist the...
Grown with Love
In 2003 a Master Gardener steering committee took Daniel Webster’s quote – “Let us not forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of humanity.” – to heart with an interest to design and build the county’s first community garden. With the assistance of the director of the Heritage Senior Center along with the county commissioners, the Heritage Village Community Garden planted its first garden in the spring of 2004 and obtained 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit status. In the following 20 years, other community gardens have been developed – Windy Hill, Cubihatcha, Farm Bureau, and Wesley...
Distractions
I am a proud husband, parent, & pastor. If you share any of these labels, you (like me), have probably asked yourself the question, “where has the time gone?”. I’m not too old to have forgotten begging for time to speed up when I was a child and now it truly seems as though we’re stuck in fast forward. Have we managed to speed up time? In a word no, but it certainly feels like we have, doesn’t it? There is another explanation as to why the world and time itself seems to be evaporating before our eyes, not because...
Italian Cream Cake
Despite its name, the Italian Cream Cake may have roots in Texas… or is it Canada? It is said that the first record of the Italian Cream Cake was in 1913 in Canada, while the first known publication of the recipe is the Plano News in Texas. It’s believed to have been the creation of an Italian baker who moved to the United States. Whatever the story, the Italian Cream Cake is a classic. Here, Amy Watkins, known for her tasty sweet treats at her Daisy Mae Bakery inside Thompson’s Market in McDonough, shares her version of the classic Italian...
Feeling Renewed
On our recent trip to Costa Rica, my wife and I were eager to escape the daily grind and immerse ourselves in the beauty of my native country. We’d spent the past few days exploring rainforests, relaxing on sandy beaches, and indulging in the local cuisine. But, despite the stunning scenery, the everyday stresses of life back home still lingered in my mind. The morning we were leaving, we decided to take a walk on the beach. We spotted something unusual among the sunrise joggers and people doing yoga. There, weaving his way through, was a man impersonating none other...
Teen Seeks to Mentor Local Youth
When asked his favorite things to do, Austin Dennard is quick to answer with basketball, gaming, and praying for others. A freshman at McDonough High School, he is a leader both on the basketball court and off. Austin spends much of his time reaching out to the youth in the community and encouraging them to join him at the Malachi Project, a local faith-based youth program. Describing himself as a “man of God,” Austin states he would rather be spending time with others at the Malachi Project if he knows he is “changing lives.” Established in 2015 by Pastor Terrell...
An Affinity for Acrylics
Creating art does not come naturally to everyone, but sometimes, the urge to get creative can bring beautiful results. McDonough resident Yasna Grainger has not been an artist her entire life, but she has found a calling in working with acrylic paint. Acrylic, according to Grainger, is “her favorite medium due to its forgiving nature.” Grainger does not only paint with acrylics, however; she also creates mixed media art pieces, junk journals, and works with watercolors. When speaking with Grainger, she stated that she was shocked to be contacted for this article, since she did not consider herself an artist....
Rewarding Positivity
Athletes are often faced with intense competitions, losing games and stressful situations, and one organization wants to recognize students who can shine outside of that. “About 98 percent of kids who play high school sports won’t go on to play in college, but they all will go on to be productive members of society,” says Ryan Pederson, vice president of Positive Athlete, an organization started by him and his father Scott more than 10 years ago to recognize students for their character. “Most athletes retire by age 35, so what are you bringing to society after that — what are...
Adventures in Authorship
Dr. Andrea Carter may have settled into her retirement home in Henry County, but she is far from being retired. In recent years, the career educator has embarked on a new venture that allows her to “stay in the conversation,” as she puts it, on a topic that is near and dear to her heart—student literacy. “We have had students who have issues with literacy as long as I’ve been in education, which is more than 30 years,” she said. “I wanted to stay in the conversation not by being in the classroom but by providing tools that can be...