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...
No Other Options
In the summer of 2002, Steven Fisk was like any other 5 year old; he played with toys, took naps and discovered new things every day. His Mom and Dad had just opened the Rum Creek Golf Course, where for the next ten years he would spend almost every waking moment. Chris Fisk, Steven’s Dad, enjoyed the game of golf but opening Rum Creek was a business venture in an area of town that could use the distraction. He had no idea or dreamed of Steven becoming a golfer. Steven wanted to spend time with his Dad, so he would...
Anger Issues
Can you remember a time when you got really angry with somebody? Has it happened lately? The truth is we all get angry at times. Even Jesus got angry. In fact there are a couple well-documented times where Jesus showed some real righteous anger. Don’t let anyone tell you it is “unChristian” to be angry. Anger is an emotion that is part of being human. However, generic troche there are appropriate and inappropriate ways to deal with anger. How do we deal appropriately with anger? The Apostle Paul has this advice: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful...
Triple A
Academic. Athlete. Actor. Sterling Blackburn is quiet, observant and impeccably mannered on the outside, and the quintessential high school achiever on the inside. “I just want to be the best that I can be with what God has given me,” is how this 16 year old student at Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (ELCA) describes his approach to life. As we walked through the corridors of ELCA toward the library for our interview, students and teachers alike gave Sterling looks of approval and support. Once we reached the library, I asked Sterling to tell me about himself. He began by talking...
The Miracle of Giving
Stockbridge residents Daniel and Frances Puerto have volunteered at Piedmont Henry Hospital for 10 years but their giving spirits reach far beyond the local community – all the way to Honduras. Their connection with Honduras dates to 1998 after Hurricane Mitchell devastated the area. Father Gregory Hartmayer of their parish, Saint Philip Benizi Catholic Church, visited Honduras in 1999 and returned with a deep desire to help the people recover. Plans to establish a sister parish in Honduras began, and the connection has grown stronger each year. “It’s not that we’re rich, but we have the means to help,” said...