If you have driven through Hampton lately and noticed a new local spot drawing attention, that is likely Via 14 Restaurant, a family-rooted concept blending Mexican, Italian, and American favorites under one roof. Sandra has lived in McDonough for more than two decades, so when the opportunity came to open a new concept in Hampton, it felt like the right fit. She appreciates the town’s character and wanted to create a place where families, friends, and neighbors could gather around food that offers something for everyone. Owner Sandra Palacios brings more than 30 years of restaurant experience to Henry County....
A Legacy of Care
When Isabel Castro began her career with Aylo Health at the front desk in McDonough, she didn’t imagine her role would lead her to the clinical side. At the time, her work supported clinic operations behind the scenes. It wasn’t until she was offered the opportunity to join a medical assistant training program through Aylo Health that she began to consider a more hands-on role, caring for people in a new way. “It wasn’t something I originally had in mind,” Isabel said. “But it felt right, and having my mom as a medical assistant really encouraged me to take that...
Dr. Cindy Balsam Builds Confidence First, Then College Plans
Community Christian School’s college prep culture is easy to describe on paper. Students explore multiple post-high school pathways, from four-year universities to military service, two-year programs, and trade schools. Families are included. Courses are matched to student interests. Scholarships and outcomes are celebrated. But the real engine behind that culture is a person. After nearly a decade at Community Christian School, Dr. Cindy Balsam has become the kind of counselor students look for in the hallway, the kind of educator parents call years after graduation, and the kind of steady presence that helps a teenager stop counting themselves out. “It...
From Task to Patient
On a quiet afternoon near the end of chemotherapy, a nurse named Melissa paused at Caroline Mason’s chair and asked a deceptively simple question: “So, Caroline…what’s next?” Caroline didn’t have an answer, at least not right away. The question lingered through the beeps and hushed corridor noise until it settled somewhere deep, amid months of fighting and fatigue. What had made her happiest before everything changed? Caring for other people. That truth rose to the surface. “I’ve always wanted to be a nurse,” she finally said—a whisper that would become a life she hadn’t yet dared to imagine. In March 2021,...
Lifelong Learning Through Faith and Community
Talking about myself doesn’t come naturally, because my focus has always been on the people God places around me and the work happening through the church. But my journey helps explain why lifelong spiritual learning has become such a central part of my ministry. I was born in Wisconsin and raised mostly in Mississippi, and I first sensed God calling me into ministry as a teenager when I was given the chance to preach at age fifteen. Even so, my path wasn’t straight. For many years I worked in business and technology in places like Nashville, Boston, and Phoenix, gaining...
Empson’s Deli: On the Move
If you wandered Southlake Mall in the early 1980s, you know there was a restaurant called Subs, Salads, and Soups. Owned and operated by Empson Fogle and his son, the restaurant eventually left the mall and became Fogle’s. When they moved to Rock Quarry Rd. in 2006, the name changed to Empson’s Deli as a tribute to the founder. The popular deli is on the move this spring to The Bridges at Jodeco plaza, located at Chen Parkway in McDonough. Empson’s Deli will now have more space – 3,000 square feet – and will be able to offer more of...
Beyond Business
The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter at Creekside Christian Academy may be young, but its vision is anything but small. In just its second year, the chapter is redefining what it means to prepare students for leadership in a rapidly evolving world. Under the direction of Anne Dammel, Creekside’s Director of Marketing and lead FBLA advisor, the focus extends far beyond competitions and business fundamentals. “Our goal isn’t just to prepare students for their future careers,” Dammel explains. “It’s to help them discover who they are, identify their God-given gifts, and step confidently into leadership. If I can help...
McDonough’s Mini Soccer Pitch
Local and state community organizations, businesses and leaders came together to make soccer more accessible to Henry County residents of all ages. “Growing up in Henry County there was nowhere to just play soccer — we had to hop fences and find random fields,” admits Sam Morrison, now director of operations for Georgia Revolution FC, a professionally managed soccer club in McDonough. He and his brother Alec grew up playing soccer since they were toddlers. They played on teams and at their schools, but if they wanted to go out on a Saturday afternoon to play a quick fun soccer...
Energy Drink and Teen Heart Health
Energy drinks may seem like a quick fix for tired kids and teens, but the health risks can outweigh the benefits. According to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Electrophysiologist Dr. Robert Whitehill, the high levels of caffeine and other stimulants commonly found in these beverages can cause significant stress on a child’s heart. Energy drinks are designed to stimulate the nervous system, and that stimulation can lead to cardiovascular effects, especially in teens who may already be sensitive to caffeine or have underlying heart conditions. Dr. Whitehill would like parents to understand the potential risks, which may include: Many energy drinks...
Piedmont Henry’s New Tower Set to Open Before Summer
Construction began on Piedmont Henry Hospital’s new patient tower in April of 2024. Since the day CEO David Kent rode into the groundbreaking event on a front loader, over 400 men and women have worked on the massive expansion and renovation project, keeping it on budget and ahead of schedule. The first patient in the new tower was originally scheduled for August 2026, but it is now expected in June. Crews will spend the next few months equipping the rooms and getting the tower ready for occupancy. The $212 million project increases Piedmont Henry’s bed capacity by 112 beds. The...