Most people think tourism applies strictly to visitors. But after living in one place for a while, it might be time to become a tourist in your own hometown. Henry County is full of hidden treasures. For example, did you know there’s a Statue of Liberty in your own backyard? Tucked into Stockbridge’s Municipal Park, just across from City Hall, this miniature replica of the iconic American monument remains somewhat of a mystery, with no clear record of when it was installed or why. While Panola Mountain State Park is well known throughout the community for its events and guided...
Scoop Up Memories This Summer
On the corner of Griffin Street and Keys Ferry Street sits a group of rocking chairs under a black-and-white striped awning. The curlicue store lettering above and welcoming facade invite guests to venture inside and enjoy a sweet treat. Upon entering, guests are met with comforting aromas and an array of sweet treats—from candies to chocolates to ice cream to drinks both cold and warm and more. Brandy Blackburn, Scoops McDonough Owner and Operator, shared that Scoops hopes to evoke a sense of nostalgia with their vintage barstools, checkered floors, and variety of sweet treat offerings. “We kind of want...
The Empty Bedroom Photo
This year marks the sixth anniversary. The night before, our son Liam had shown slight signs of improvement at CHOA in his battle against C. diff. Filled with cautious hope, I decided to return the following evening, May 10, with my friend Shane. I expected to see a little boy full of renewed energy and joy. But when I opened the door to his fourth-floor hospital room, I was met with something far more heartbreaking. His albumin levels had plummeted. His lungs had filled with fluid. He was barely conscious. The sound of his voice had become sharp and strained—a...
My Creativity is How I Survive
“My opinion, from the beginning of our professional relationship, is that Mia Broder is an outstanding artist. I think anyone who views her art would agree that she is a genius with creating a relief multi-media that the observer can become lost in by forming a relationship with each. What I love about being associated with Mia for the last 20 years is watching how she ‘threads’ her emotions into a piece, as if it is an additional ‘medium’ of her visual acuity, both sensory and intellectually.” -Keith Sweat, owner of Georgian Gallery. I believe that the hard and the...
Our World School
On Lake Dow Road in McDonough stands a school like no other. Our World School launched in 2016 to provide custom-tailored education to children diagnosed with special needs. “We’re the only private, K12, special education school serving students in the south metro Atlanta area,” said Head of School Don Dunlap. While private schools aren’t required to provide each student with an IEP, or individualized education plan, OWS uses them to ease students’ transition to or from public schools and provide a level of accountability for teachers. Principal Kimberly Walden collaborates with teachers to implement each child’s IEP and support the...
Compassion and Skilled Hands
A family pet looking for a place to lay down jumps on the bed only to be startled at finding 9-year-old Kase Henderson already in the bed. In an instant, the dog reacts, and Kase is bitten on the face, tearing his nose. The family rushes to the emergency department at Piedmont Henry Hospital, where Dr. Takintope Akinbiyi, a Board-certified plastic surgeon with Advanced Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Center, is called in to care for Kase. Dr. Akinbiyi determined that Kase had suffered an extensive laceration to the left side of his nose that went through the nasal cavity, extending into...
Where You At?
“Where you at?” A phrase used in common slang it’s a question seeking someone’s physical location or someone’s position on an issue. It’s the first question put to every human beginning from God (Genesis 3:9). The Lord God called to the man and the woman and said to them, “Where are you?” They were hiding from God. We still do the same thing today in so many ways. We’ve eaten of the tree of knowledge of good and evil and we believe we know better than God. We use our knowledge to believe the church is no longer good and...
Dogs: The Everyday Heroes Who Make Life Better
On my recent trip to Mazamitla, Mexico running into the universal behavior of the most loyal companionship was no exception, and I had my camera to record it. Whenever I travel internationally, I always take the time to observe the behavior of dogs. It’s fascinating to see how they interact with people, and their surroundings. One stared at me through a balcony, another one protected the child outside the family business, and one waited patiently outside the restaurant hoping I had leftovers for him. No matter where I go, dogs always tell a unique story about the place and its...
Nonprofit Empowering Children Through Music
Jerry Hesselink founded Henry For Music Inc. in 2015 with a vision to provide children with access to musical instruments and quality music education. “He had a dream that music should be accessible to every child. So, he started collecting instruments to give to students at zero cost, and that was the foundation of Henry For Music,” said Kevina Love Franklin, president/CEO and teaching artist for Henry For Music. Ten years later, Hesselink’s vision has more than come to life and continues to flourish. Through generous donations, Henry For Music collects used instruments, restores them with the help of community...
‘A Guiding Light’
Ms. Neal is “comforting,” “inspiring,” “wonderful,” “encouraging,” “caring,” “trustworthy,” “like a mother,” “brilliant.” Students in Brandi Neal’s choral class at McDonough High School (MHS) shared these heartfelt sentiments, underscoring her transformative and impactful teaching style. Neal joined MHS in 2022 as director of choral and piano studies, quickly amassing an impressive list of accomplishments. Last October, she was named Henry County Schools (HCS) 2024 Teacher of the Year for her achievements and efforts to promote, strengthen, and expand fine arts programming at MHS, enrich the school culture, and ensure students have access to opportunities to develop their talents. Under her...