What were you thinking of when you were 11 years old? It probably fell along the lines of what you were going to do after school or what chores you had waiting on you or what friends you were going to hang out with on the weekend. Those were the things that seemed to be the most pressing. But those things seem to pale in comparison to the thoughts, dreams, and aspirations of a self-assured, multi-talented, bright 11 year old in Locust Grove. All three descriptions of this young student could be considered understatements; he quickly captures your attention. One...
Horses and Warriors
When I walked into the stables on a brisk Friday morning, canada hospital I was greeted by the smells of fresh hay, sales leather and horses. My attention went immediately to the American flag hanging front and center in the galley between the stalls. Each horse inside seemed content with eating or waiting for a tidbit from one of the helpers. I was searching for Sara Reams, the director of Camp Calvin Horses & Warriors. She quickly found me and greeted me by sticking a name tag on my sweater. Several volunteers were working around the stable at a pleasant...
For God and Country
Rufus Brantley was born on Halloween, 1923. He was and is still a treat. He may appear to be a typical WWII veteran, but Mr. Brantley’s story is anything but typical. Entering the U.S. Army at the age of 20, Private Brantley was soon deployed, as the popular song says – “Over There”. That song title became a refrain as Private Brantley’s over there deployments took him first to Africa with a Tank Destroyer Battalion, then to Italy for the Allied invasion. From Italy he went over there to France for the southern invasion and crossed the Rhine River with...
Coach Bull
When Coach Bull walks in the room, you take notice. His six foot five frame carries 270 pounds of intimidation that is quickly dissolved by his warm smile. If there were a way to build your ideal coach, you can guarantee that Bull would be the mold. James Bull Martin grew up in East Point and graduated from Russell High. He admits his desire for football was greater…but he also played basketball to stay in shape. On the basketball court, he soon discovered an underlying talent. After receiving his degree in Finance from Clarke Atlanta University, James went on to...
Dreams of an Author
Brittany Glynn’s story shows that if you want something badly enough, it really can happen. She grew up a Southern girl in McDonough, Georgia, with the dream of being an author and began writing a Christian romantic suspense novel when she was just fourteen. But, as happens to many authors, several publishers, and agents initially turned down Brittany’s books, yet, her love for writing pushed her onward. At nineteen, Brittany reached out to her favorite, best selling author, Kristen Heitzmann, to share with her a story she longed to write. The story took place near where Kristen lived in the...
Harvesting a Connection
A master carpenter guides his tools to find the true organic purpose of what was once dead to bring it back to life. Like a painter with a canvas, the carpenter transforms the piece of wood to an object that will provide joy to himself or others. Likewise, a songwriter repurposes experiences, highlights beauty, sorrow, ecstasy – to share his vision and bring an emotional encounter with his feelings and those of others. Anthony Aparo does the latter having been influenced by the former. His grandfather, a master carpenter, instilled in him hard work and a love for nature –...
The Pyke Brothers – State Champs, Scholars & Southern Gentlemen
Chad and Chandler Pyke are great ambassadors for Henry County in their daily lives as students at Woodward Academy. They are State Champions in their chosen sport of wrestling along with being scholars and southern gentlemen. The brothers live in McDonough and train year-round at The Compound Wrestling Center, search a local gym. Last year, best they achieved something very special when they both took home State Championship titles in their respective weight categories, becoming the first brothers in Woodward Academy’s history to win wrestling championships in the same year. At press-time, healing they were headed back to the State...
Shingleroof Campground
Shingleroof Campground (www.shingleroof.org) could be called a two hundred year living time capsule. The land we now know as Shingleroof Campground hosted camp meetings as far back as the 1830’s. Purchased as a permanent campground in 1932, usa advice it is a reflection of a historic time in Henry County and America. During the early nineteenth century when the Protestant Church membership rolls were decreasing and the general population was increasing by leaps and bounds, buy the camp meeting movement began. The pastors and churches could not sit behind closed doors in prayer, so they adopted the philosophy of: “If...
Role Models + Hard Work = Success
“School, practice, school, practice and throw in some time to sleep, that’s my routine,” says Jessie Welch, a senior at Strong Rock Christian Academy. Jessie keeps a very busy schedule balancing a 4.37 GPA with cross-country running, baseball and basketball. Just minutes after we spoke, he was heading out of town for a two day basketball tournament. Yet, not everything is about Jessie’s school and sports activities. Community matters immensely to him. Along with spending time with family and friends, he also helps others at a homeless shelter in Forest Park, GA, in a ministry founded by his grandfather. Every...
Educating for Life
My wife Crystal and I moved to Henry County in July 1991. That month, we walked into Eagle’s Landing High School to prepare my classroom for the upcoming year and were promptly met by an assistant principal who politely but firmly informed us that students were not permitted in the building without escort. Our t-shirts, shorts, and twenty-something youthfulness confused the assistant principal who had not yet met us since this was only our second day at the school. After some explanations and laughs, we were able to proceed to my room and begin the exciting work of preparing for...