Steamed Mussels A favorite among diners at Pasta Max Cafe, Owner and Chef Douglas Zitz shares the recipe for his Steamed Mussels. Ingredients: 20 Fresh mussels 1 teaspoon chopped fresh garlic 4oz dry white wine 2oz heavy cream 2oz whole butter Pinch of salt & fresh ground pepper 1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil 1 teaspoon chopped Italian parsley Directions: Combine all ingredients except herbs in a saucepan. Cover and cook on high heat until mussels open. Remove from heat. Add fresh herbs. Serve immediately.
Ready, Set, Grow! Symposium
Henry County Master Gardeners are busy planning their annual county symposium. Since 2017, with the exception of 2020, Henry County Master Gardeners have held the event in the extension office on Lake Dow Road. The symposiums are hosted to educate the public on horticultural matters and establish community relationships. This year’s theme is “Ready, Set, Grow!” and will feature four speakers for the September 9 event. The keynote speaker, Joe Lamp’l, is one of the country’s most recognized and trusted personalities in gardening and green living. He produces and hosts a popular gardening podcast, The Joe Gardener Show, and founded...
Get Moving Again
A new facility in McDonough is now open to help people with their physical therapy needs. Hands of Hope Physical Therapy & Wellness, a company based in the northeastern United States, has partnered with Total Athlete Sports Complex on McDonough Parkway to open a dedicated sports rehabilitation facility, although other rehab services are available there as well. “We see anybody who is in need or seeking service, from post-operation to pre-surgery strengthening, any type of pain and any range of people starting from children all the way to older adults,” says Shiv Patel, DPT. Hands of Hope has 15 locations,...
Designed to Love
Love is a funny concept. In our culture, we say we love everything, from sports and food to our spouses and kids. I was browsing through a student’s Instagram page and noticed something strange in their bio. Under their profile picture, they had four emojis listed in this order: a heart, a cross, a taco, and a girl who was identified by his girlfriend’s name in parentheses. Honestly, I did not know what to think about this. On one hand, I thought, “He’s a winner! He prioritized loving tacos over loving his girlfriend.” But on the other hand, I thought,...
Stepping Forward with the City of McDonough
The City of McDonough is celebrating and reflecting on 200 years of history. Citizen engagement plays a pivotal role in the growth and prosperity of any city. It strengthens the bond between local authorities and residents, enhances decision-making processes, and fosters a sense of ownership and pride within the community. In the City of McDonough, this concept has taken center stage as the Mayor and Council work diligently to cultivate greater engagement among its citizens. Recognizing its importance, the City of McDonough’s leadership is actively seeking to create an inclusive environment that empowers residents to contribute their ideas, concerns, and...
Begin to Heal
In 2006, at eight months pregnant, Lori Beth Blaney was in a head-on automobile accident resulting in the loss of her daughter Rachel. In the aftermath, Blaney began to look for others online who experienced loss and researched how to begin to heal. During her search, a few similarities stood out to her from those who shared their own experiences. “There were two things that came through in every single conversation that everyone struggled with,” said Blaney. “Those two things were a sense of avoidance by family members, friends, or the medical staff about the loss, and the other was...
A Labor of Love
A part of Henry County history is coming back to life. “So much history, so much beauty! A gem of Hampton,” says Kendra Sutherland, the woman taking on the task of a historic fixer-upper. Now this big city girl is calling Hampton home after falling in love with a house, originally built in 1900, that needed renovations. Much needed renovations. Her Hampton house journey has taken her from a fixer-upper to a complete redo. Even though people may have thought she bit a little more than she could chew. It didn’t matter because this house meant something to her. “She’ll...
Disc Golf, Anyone?
People from near and far are interrupting their travels on I-75 and stopping in Henry County for a new sporting adventure. What started as an ordinary recreational offering for local residents is rapidly growing into something much bigger. J.P. Moseley Park has become a destination of choice for many aficionados of disc golf, one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. The park now has a 37-hole layout that gives players the option of choosing whether to play nine, 18, or all of them in one day. The more recently developed holes are especially challenging, and the officials would...
Cultivating Beauty, Resilience, and Tradition
In the heart of Locust Grove, a blossoming paradise awaits those seeking vibrant colors, fresh scents, and a deep-rooted connection to the land. Strickland Farms, owned by Thomas and Tara Strickland, is a testament to the power of resilience and the pursuit of a dream. What began as a personal journey of healing has grown into a beloved community treasure, where flowers and vegetables flourish in harmony. Thomas Strickland’s life took an unexpected turn when he endured a life-altering accident that left him with a broken back. This transformative experience ignited a profound desire within him to create something meaningful...
Scoop. Pass. Cradle. Score.
It’s the sport you’ve probably heard of but know little to nothing about – lacrosse – and it’s growing here in Henry County. Currently, there are four schools in the county fielding boys’ lacrosse teams: Ola High School, Union Grove High School, Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy, and Strong Rock Christian School. Numerous coaches and players from these teams began playing lacrosse on a Henry Youth Lacrosse (HYL) rec team. “The first youth lacrosse offering in Henry County was part of a multi-sport sampler the YMCA offered in 2007,” recalls Jeremy Porter, head coach of the Union Grove High School boys’...