MILTONville

The Milton Experience, Part Two: Dorinda's Prayer Garden

2012-01-12T10:22:00.005-05:00

This is the second spot you would see on your journey if you decided to travel the "backroads" of Milton, Georgia. If you blink, you'll pass this one by just like Charles Day's Barber Shop, but if you've lived here a long time then you probably wonder as I have about to whom does this place belong and how long has it been there?

So back in March of 2008, I stopped to ask. I met Dorinda, mostly known as Dee to her friends around here. Dee has her own small chapel behind this little garden which she showed to me. This place actually sits on a main thoroughfare though and not a small road.

As I drive by each day, I always remember stopping to say hello or wave as I drive by if I happen to see her. It's heartwarming to know that I can wish them well as I drive by these "neighbors" because we've met. I would say that because of where her house sits so close to Birmingham Crossroads, Dorinda's garden is just perfect so close to the road. It's her Art.

I often think of bringing flowers and leaving them by the gate.

2012-01-05T14:41:00.002-05:00

Miss Fannie Holcombe

2012-01-04T19:56:00.002-05:00

Mr. Westbrook's Hands

2012-01-04T19:41:00.000-05:00

Great Old Milton Family Photographs

2012-01-03T16:39:00.001-05:00

The Milton Experience, Part One: Mr. Charles Day's Barber Shop

2011-12-31T12:49:00.002-05:00

The Barber Sign is back!! It's been five years the old fashioned striped barber sign has been gathering dust on the ground. You wouldn't know the whole story unless you had the amazing opportunity to know Charles Day. I'm lucky that I do. He is the kind of man who makes you smile and feel better when you see him. He is just a humble guy that has been living in the same house for umpteen years on Hopewell with his beautiful wife Carolyn. If there is anyone in town that can tell stories about growing up in Milton, it is Mr. Charles Day. There are several people who can do this here, but to have the experience of talking to him in his barber shop one night could top the list of The Milton Experience.

First of all, Mr. Day has been cutting hair in that little brown place forever. He's been cutting the locals' hair in a real barber chair with the aquamarine canister filled with combs and all. He wears a starched and ironed powder blue barber shirt. And while he cuts your hair for about 12 bucks, you will hear stories of times gone by and his life in Milton, Georgia. You will most certainly leave feeling much better just like the sign reads at the swinging screen door.

Charles Day and his four siblings actually grew up in the house many in the City of Milton are now referring to as The Hopewell House. I have met Jean (Day) Hay and Edwin Day, both are still in the area. They have wonderful stories about that old house and remember the days having to go fetch water from the well. They remember the stories passed on about the star painted on the ceiling by missionaries passing through the area.

Several years ago, I convinced the mayor, Joe Lockwood, to get his haircut by Charles. I figured they knew each other at some point but what an opportunity to watch the interaction between the "old" and the "new". Native Family/Resident and New City/Mayor. Abbe Laboda and I went over there and took photos, listened and wrote a story.

As I passed by the little brown shack the other day and saw the sign back up and thought.... Yeah for Charles Day. His friends, the mayor, seems everyone was telling him to put the sign back up that he was told to take down by a new city employee years ago. That sign ordinance or something like that. They all told him it was a mistake, and go ahead and put it back up. Mr. Day wouldn't do it. He keeps quiet about that stuff and didn't find it that important I suppose.

Well, now it is back to looking like it did for who knows how many years in the Old Milton and how charming to see what once was, wasn't lost forever.

Here's our story from back in 2008....

Mr. Charles Day and His Barber Shop

By Patti Silva and Abbe Laboda

March 2008

Close your eyes for just a moment and picture the tiny chocolate brown building facing Cogburn, just south of Francis Road. It sits behind a majestic oak tree guarding a home-built red barn. The sign reads: Tuesday and Thursday Open 7:00pm. You have probably passed it a thousand times during Milton’s rush hour and wondered what it is and who is inside. This is Mr. Charles Day’s barbershop. The barbershop, the barn and his home, which he shares with his beautiful wife Carolyn, were built by Mr. Day in 1961.

After passing it for some time, leave it to Patti to stop and say hello. The next thing I know we are sitting in this tiny building on a Tuesday night getting a history lesson, not to mention a lesson on haircutting. We were touched by the heart on his sleeve, inside-out warmth of this 80 years young barber and how he stood on his feet for three hours cutting hair and relating stories. We learned about horses and buggies, old storehouses, crops, how to make butter and how folks stored sweet potatoes. There were tidbits of Milton families and about old Milton County. (He started a story on his Granddaddy McClesky which we will revisit at a later date.) We learned that Mr. Day also has a barbershop in Sandy Springs and his patrons included Eddie LaBaron, Jack Nix, Lester Maddox, Jim Aldridge, Charlie Brown, Sid Bream and Wally Fowler.

On that Tuesday night a few of his customers included Randall Cagle, whose father Edward Cagle pastored Boiling Springs Baptist Church on Birmingham Road for almost 40 years, and Milton’s first mayor, Joe Lockwood, and his second grade son, Charlie. Surprise and laughter filled the room when, upon arrival, Charlie and Mr. Day recited each U.S. President in exact order. Afterwards, the quick-witted Mr. Day recited the Smithfield Address for us in another lesson.

He had lots of stories to tell, but one stood out in particular. It's about growing up in this area during the Depression through the late 1950’s, and what life was like back then. It is best told in his own words:

“My Granddaddy McClesky, old home place is the house on the hill, across from the church on the corner of Hopewell and Birmingham.” (It is said to be one of the oldest houses in Milton and Fulton County which was built in the early 1800’s. Some people refer to it as the Hopewell House, others refer to it as the McClesky house. It still has a painted ceiling in the parlor of a Moravian Star of Bethlehem. The Moravians were a group of missionaries that came through the area about 1820.) “My granddaddy McClesky bought that house sometime between 1910 and 1915. He thought that was the most beautiful he’s ever seen.”

“I lived there 11 years until I got married and moved here. Our family were sharecroppers. My granddaddy didn’t own his own farm, so he borrowed money from his brother, who owned Seven Gables Farm, to start a country store. That was H.D. McClesky’s granddaddy. He was very tight with his money. My granddaddy ran that country store on the barter system. He had eggs, butter, chickens, rabbits and more. We would trap rabbits, which was legal at the time, and sell them. That’s how we made a little extra spending money. You see, I was born during the Depression. We didn’t have money, but we had plenty to eat. (If you, our readers, remember our column on Dorris and Hazel White, you’ll recall Dorris said the same.) I can remember Christmases when we would get a little bit of fruit and maybe a chocolate or two and what a treat it was and how proud we were.”

“We didn’t have loaf bread like we have today, but we had home biscuits, country ham, home canned vegetables and sweet potatoes. To preserve them [sweet potatoes], we made a pile and then laid sticks and straw, and then some boards or whatever we could find and packed it with dirt. We built it up like a tepee. It was a lot of work. Then in the winter when we needed some potatoes you’d scratch out a hole to get them. A lot of people did that when I was a boy.”

“People raised hogs and dairy cows. I can remember when I was in high school everybody in the county had a dairy cow. I remember when I saw a dairy truck pull up. I couldn’t believe it that you could get your milk from a truck. It was about 1953 or 1954, while I was a senior in high school. If somebody would have told me that when I raised my three children that we wouldn’t need a dairy cow or had to go out to a well to raise water or go out to the outhouse on a cold morning I wouldn’t have believed it. We didn’t have electricity and lived in shotgun houses. It was just the way of life, but we got by.”

“I have the perfect solution to our water crisis. Back then we had all the water we wanted. We had to go out to the well and draw it in a bucket and bring it back in. Give everybody all the water they want. Put a spigot out in the street that would be impossible to hook up a water hose. They could have all the water they wanted for free, but they had to go out and get it. Then when you have to go out and get that stuff and bring it in the house (it won’t be wasted). But nowadays we are so spoiled. I’ve seen my own mother and sister let the water run in the sink in the kitchen. I can’t stand to see that water run.”

“I used to have a barber who worked for me. One day he was shaving a man and he let the water run. I timed him and he let that hot water run 57 minutes wide open. There’s no sense in that. I was the one who had to pay the bill. People take it for granted. Staying too long in the showers. All this stuff has been mentioned in the paper. I can still see my brother and sister with a 1/3 glass of water brushing their teeth. Why 1/3 glass and not a full glass? Because we had to go out and get it. You think about what you’re doing. You use it wisely. We got by. Again, give everybody all the water they need, but they have to go out and get it. The ones that are not able to go get it, let the neighbors get the water for them.”

“When I was a boy the men folk help the widows in the community. They would help get the water and keep their woodpile high. The men saw to it that they had what they needed.”

“In 1940, we lived at the Campground, the family whose house was closest to us had all caught the old fashioned flu and were in bed. That winter we had a lot of snow, about a 1 ½ ft. Mother and daddy were tending to their livestock and to the well. Remember nobody had electricity. It was close to zero degrees and it was cold. I remember I was almost five in January. The snow drifts were so high you couldn’t see where the ditches were.”

“Mother didn’t have any boots so Daddy would take a stick through the snow while he walked to the neighbor’s house and packed the snow as he went. Mother took two fertilizer bags and lined her feet with them and tied a string to keep them on, then follow daddy’s footsteps over there. She’d start a fire in the wood stove, milk their cows and tend the chickens. [The neighbors] were so sick they had to use portable potties or buckets and it was so cold they would freeze so she would have to warm them up and pour it outside. The two teenage girls were so sick that they were vomiting and had disentary and messed up their bedclothes. Momma would wash their clothes and bed by hand and have to hang them in the house so they wouldn’t freeze. On the third day their medicine was starting to run out. So daddy walked to the country store up at Joe Percell’s. That store burned and now it’s an antique store. Joe Percell started telling people as they came into the store about them and what was happening. Well, we had only been in that community for one year but the word spread. Oh, the people started to come in the next day and they sat with them around the clock. They set a fire night and day and tended to them until they got well. Mother was like a nurse, bathed them, helped them on the bed pan, whatever needed to be done. They kept that family from dying.”

“In 1943 my daddy nearly died from double pneumonia. My brother and I plowed part of our land with George Turner. He got all the neighbors to help out one morning. The men plowed our garden and the women carried the manure out of the barn by baskets full to put in the garden. They planted nearly 15 – 18 acres of cotton and 20 acres of corn. There were 39 teams of mules and everyone was working on our farm. They had it done by 11:00 that morning.”

“That was when neighbors knew how to be neighbors.”

It was inspiring to listen to the recollections of a past generation. There is no doubt that the older generations of our Milton today deserve all the respect and kindness we can provide. Our generation is one that can learn from the past to curb our hurried and self-centered lives and strive to be better individuals by lending a hand to our neighbors by simply being kind.

If you want an honored experience that you’ll never forget, take a moment one Tuesday or Thursday evening to stop at Mr. Day’s barber shop for an old fashioned, expert haircut. Then later, when you drive by Mr. Day’s, remember to wave and show him that neighbors still know how to be neighbors.

Meet "Driving Miss Daisy"

2011-12-27T13:12:00.002-05:00

This is Driving Miss Daisy. Had I not moved to a place like Milton, Georgia I would surely never have a pot bellied pig in my kitchen. I had already done the backyard chicken thing for almost 10 years since moving here so I figured, it was the next step in my Miltonville experience.

Where do you begin to get a pig even if you wanted to get one, was my first thought. I live in North Georgia and it wasn't as hard as I thought. One day little 8 week old Driving Miss Daisy ended up in my arms squealing like you have never heard in your life. Ear plugs wouldn't have worked. My husband and I were both raised in the city and have always lived in large ones, until we moved to Milton. Now we understand sayings like, "She eats like a pig" or "playing 'possum". Seriously, I have a lot to learn about living on a "Farm-ette". For one thing, Driving Miss Daisy isn't about to go driving in my car with me anywhere like I thought she would....

8 Chickens, 2 dogs, 2 frogs, 1 cat, 1 guinea pig, and 1 real Pig.... and one turkey was just added to the family. Meet Taco.

Crabapple Community Yesterday and maybe or maybe not Tomorrow

2011-12-24T01:18:00.013-05:00

Built in the late 1930's and formerly known as the Crabapple Community Building, now referred to as the Crabapple Community Center in the downtown Historic Crabapple area of Milton, Georgia is at risk of being demolished. In it's place, City of Milton's Parks and Recreation Department plans to build a pocket park. Yet there is a park just down the same road being built now. This charming community building was used for generations of native Milton families for such events as weddings, boy scouts, art and canning classes, square dancing, voting, craft shows, church retreats, family gatherings and others.

To tear it down and not consider a pocket park next to the existing building at the very least appears not upholding what has been preached near and dear to the City's mission statement and general aesthetic and design for a multi-purpose use, and for current and future historical value for the community.

Rather than tear it down because the City of Milton estimates the cost of renovation to be in excess of $75000, citizens propose using the community to take the opportunity to first look into the possibility of rebuilding and renovating the community center, by the people & for the people, before they bring in the bulldozers. About six months ago, the exterior of the building was cleaned, the paint changed from deep red to off white and the front and sides landscaped for an Eagle Scout project. We want more time.

Once it is gone, it is gone forever. Little gems like the first Milton Voting Place on Birmingham, the Buice Country Store at the Crossroads, Charles Day's little barber shop on Hopewell Road, and the Bethwell Community House and Crabapple Community Center are the things that make up the "ville" in MILTONville.

2011-12-20T21:53:00.002-05:00

There are some people you meet in life and think, wow what a heart that woman has. I mean you can just feel it. She has a smile that is incredibly warm and she softens your day when you pass by her. Her voice was sweet. Her work was giving her time to our children in our local school. This is Faye Manders. It breaks our hearts to know she's passed away today. At Hopewell Baptist, I remember seeing her singing in the choir and at silent cake auctions and all the other exceptionally close gatherings, Faye was just always there to lend a hand. As all the woman of Hopewell, Faye cooked and served and took care of her family, and church family. Faye was very connected to that extended family. Perhaps the most touching part for me, was how when my daughters attended Summit Hill Elementary, Faye was often there during the freezing cold Winter months at carpool to greet them first thing each morning. Again, with her beautiful smile, her sweet soft voice, and her very warm hands.

Rest well sweet Faye.... one of those who gets a zip line pass, with that bursting full feeling in your heart... right into Heaven. xoxo

2011-12-20T18:04:00.002-05:00

Holiday Best Rolled Sugar Cookies

2011-12-20T17:54:00.001-05:00

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

Foodies: Matilda's Cottage Farmer's Market TODAY

2011-12-10T09:59:00.003-05:00

Last week, Barbara, one of the farmers at Matilda's Farmers Market who brings produce, honey, and fresh whole milk and fresh eggs called to say that she would not be able to make the market that day because she had to go to a funeral in Tennessee that morning. Barbara went on to say that she had gotten up that morning at 3am to milk her cow so that the cow would not be uncomfortable all day from not being milked. It's impressive that Barbara would get up extra early in the freezing cold, go out to the field and fetch her cow so that the cow would not suffer the discomfort of not being milked until she got back home. Knowing this, Mary Jane of Matilda's Cottage said, "I am getting milk from someone who treats her animals humanely is it is very important to me. I stopped drinking milk years ago but I will drink hers because I know that it is healthy and pure from a cared for healthy animal. Her butter is delicious too and all fresh, fresh, fresh!!!" Getting this quality of food is a delicacy these days and it's available to you today. So go and meet Barbara. She also has fresh free range eggs from healthy chickens.

Last week they also had a new vendor who sells freshly made Kiefer, and a connoisseur of probiotics.

Heavenly Hookies will be also be there today. You may ask...
What is a HOOKIE? (Who-Key) "A creation of delicious cakes, blended icings, hand dipped in premium milk, dark and white chocolates, topped with sparkling sugars and edible candies. Each HOOKIE is carefully crafted by hand over a 2 day period. Each is totally unique and the secret ingredient in all our product is LOVE." Their pastry tarts are made from scratch, and are hand rolled and filled with delicious fresh fruits, nuts, jams and granola.

Some of the other wonderful products you'll find at the farmer's market are:
Toad Haven Farm (Fresh Produce)
Rosemary Knoll Eatable Delights (Pesto, Salsa, Pepper Jellies, Spiced Nuts, Fudge, Cheese Balls, and more)
Noemi's Cocina (Tamales)
David's Garden (Pickles, Chow,
Soup Base, Mixers, Jams, Jelly, Sauces)
Essential Light Aromatherapy
...and many more that will be featured each week.

Produce is certified organically grown and some produce is sustainably grown.

For more information about this market, visit their site by clicking HERE.

MaTiLdaS CoTTaGe

377 South Main Street

Alpharetta, Georgia 30007

770.754.7831

Milton Business Alliance Holiday Party

2011-12-09T00:09:00.006-05:00

Dale Jackson, MBA Chairman

Lauren Holmes, MBA Vice-Chair

(From R to L)

Tonight was Milton Business Alliance's Holiday Celebration at the home of Kevin and Mandy White. The food was outrageously delicious and abundant, catered by local businesses Milton's Cuisine and Boga Tacqueria. Dessert by Jilly's Cupcakes. What a wonderful evening of meeting local folks determined to connect their business endeavors and visions, and creating the perfect place to live and work.

The MBA Mission Statement reads:

The mission of the Milton Business Alliance is to promote and maintain a positive environment in which both new and existing Milton businesses can thrive.

Click HERE for membership and information about The Milton Business Alliance.

GOOD News

2011-12-08T14:11:00.000-05:00

Milton, Georgia...
Placed 9th in Best For Quality of Life according to bizjournals.com

This is great news... Of course, we already knew this :)

Click HERE to read the whole story.

Weekend "Foodie" Event

2011-12-01T22:49:00.000-05:00

Saturday Farmer's Market

at Maltilda's Cottage...

An exciting new market is growing right here in our area. Every Saturday from 12:30-5:00pm. Stop by and find fresh local eggs, produce, baked goods, tamales, pickles, jams & jelly, sauces and more. Some produce is certified organic

while others are sustainably grown.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a vendor, please contact Mary Jane at 678.480.6932

Spread The Word

and Support Our Local Economy

MaTiLdaS CoTTaGe

377 South Main Street

Alpharetta, Georgia 30007

770.754.7831

matildasgallery@msn.com

Book Signing at The Broadwell Cottage

2011-12-01T09:49:00.004-05:00

Robert Myers will be signing books at The Broadwell Cottage

this Saturday, December 3rd from 11am-2pm.

The Broadwell Cottage

765 Mid Broadwell Road

Milton, Georgia 30004

Click HERE to read more about the book.

Christmas in Crabapple

2011-11-30T22:19:00.008-05:00

The 4th Annual Christmas in Crabapple

Holiday Celebration

will take place Saturday, Dec. 17 from 2-5pm

in Milton’s historic downtown Crabapple.

Enjoy Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday music favorites from local children’s choirs, a community bonfire and photos with Santa. This year’s event also boasts free rides on a holiday train and

a brand new “North Pole Passport” program featuring more than 20 participating local businesses.

As part of this program, families will be whisked from shop to shop, receiving small gifts and partaking in holiday activities. Those who return with a passport stamped by every participant will receive

a free, limited edition gift.

A limited amount of spaces are available for this exciting program, so make sure you RSVP to crabapplecommunityassoc@yahoo.com
by Dec. 5 to reserve your family’s spot.

Love, Love, LOVE Thy Neighbor

2011-11-30T09:00:00.002-05:00

The Milton Love Project began 1-1/2 years ago in the garden of a local man named Mr. Bobby Poole. After noticing that his pasture was not being prepared for his annual Field of Sunflowers, a couple of us went into his field n the middle of the night and planted a row of silk sunflowers. We grabbed a piece of wood and a garden stake and drew a heart on the front. We added a message to the back of the sign and a handmade card and left it for him in his field. The feeling in our own heart, from surprising and showering this Milton native with love and support, was overwhelming joy.

We decided to continue this act of love, came up with a name and thus, The Milton Love Project was born. We immediately developed a mission statement which reads:

The Milton Love Project ("The MLP") is a partnership of citizens focused on one thing: LOVE; By providing community outreach, bridging citizens with community members, supporting and encouraging one another, thereby creating a sense of small town connectedness by making a difference through random acts of kindness in Milton, Georgia.

For more information, visit The Milton Love Project website at:

http://themiltonloveproject.com/

If you would like to get involved, please visit the Facebook Page at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Milton-Love-Project/233748426692396

Jack of Trades is Back In Town!

2011-11-16T11:44:00.005-05:00

Several months ago, one of the best places to shop for all kinds of great things (old, new and everything in-between) reopened in Milton. They came right back to their old location in the old Buice Country Store at the intersection of Birmingham Road and Birmingham Highway. Every time I drive by, I smile. It says something about how wonderful a place we live that the proprietor, Jackie Mannaert, came back to us! By now, you may have stopped in to see the store. If you haven't yet, you really must go and check it out.

Find them on Facebook

Jack of Trades
850 Hickory Flat Road
Milton, GA 30004
770.753.0266

Meeting The Mayor

2011-11-16T11:22:00.004-05:00

(Continued from last post.... )

Less than a week went by after I wrote to the mayor of Milton about Mr. Dorris White wanting to see him again, and I received two emails back from Joe Lockwood. The first said just three words, "Save your money." Very funny, so the mayor has a sense of humor.

Another day went by and he wrote that I could go and get my Coca-Cola. So many thanks to Joe for that and I knew this was the beginning of much more than repaying a bet.

I went over and visited with Dorris and Hazel White and sat on their front porch in weathered white wooden rocking chairs sipping our sodas. We talked for a long time and they continued telling me their story. They had been rocking on that porch for so many years.

Before I left the White's, I asked them this question: What is the one thing you most want to tell people, like me who have moved here, about what it was like growing up in Milton.

Mr. White's answer was emphatically this: "Wave to your neighbor as you go by. All you new people need to know this is what we do here."

You could see the sadness in his eyes. No one was waving back anymore as they sat on their porch watching all these people go by, hundreds of them. I had to tell everyone what I heard firsthand. And they wanted to tell me much more because I was so interested in listening. And learning about the things that are at risk of disappearing altogether.

Waving to your "neighbors" could be a thing of the past. Not just a wave to those you recognize but to all those you don't.

When I first moved to Milton, I had never experienced waving to people as you drive by, like on Freemanville Road when someone is mowing and they look up and wave hello. You saw that all the time. No more. They stopped waving to us because no one waved back.

I thought I would try a social experiment a couple of years at Dorris and Hazel's house. When my children were with me visiting, we would allow them to stand on this big rock in their front yard facing the road. The kids made up a name for the game, Sweet or Sour. Do you know that at most only 10 out of at least 80 people who visibly looked straight at them waved back, to little girls just waving to them and saying hello, on a "country" road? I understood what they were talking about. How could we keep that sweet custom alive in Milton?

I didn't wait to work anything out, I just did it. I had this intense feeling that we absolutely could not wait for the perfect moment, or equipment, or someone who knew what they were doing. We just had to push play. A local paper published our first story of three written as editorials, ... And MILTONville had its first oral history project! To be continued.... In the meantime, check this out.

I had to try something so I started writing down what most all the locals were telling me, no one waves anymore.

Meeting The Hardeman's and The White's

2011-05-23T00:14:00.015-04:00

I drove by this white old country store for a few years imagining what it once was back in the days I only get to dream about... It is called the Hardeman Store, which is now sometimes referred to as the Chatham Store but actually it has almost always been the Hardeman Store. The Chatham's and the Hardeman's are related through Howard Chatham, David Chatham's father. Until a couple of years ago, the place was on visible concrete blocks. I used to ask around about it's history and it took about another year until I met Mel Hardeman at that corner. In the meantime, I'd met a few folks who'd attended The Hopewell School down the road and used to stop by the store everyday walking home after school.Mel was walking with a cane and taking a long drag off his cigarette when I saw him out of the corner of my eye as I was driving by one day, and I whipped in to the driveway next to the store. We had a half hour conversation about his "daddy", Mr. Bill Hardeman, who owned that store. I found out all kinds of interesting history about this area in that first meeting and asked if I could come by again and hear more from his dad and bring dinner or leftovers by occasionally as they both didn't cook and ate out every day. Every night they took out vegetables from Midway Meal House up on Hwy 9. Every Milton native I've met goes to that place for the vegetables. They even have fatback.

Mel's mother had passed away some eight years before I met them. My two young girls would sometimes come with me to visit the Hardeman's. One fond memory is bringing over ice cream and having "drumstix" together while sitting in the shade under a tree in Mr. Bill's yard. He told us lots of great stories which I unfortunately did not write down and sadly, a few years after we met, Mr. Bill passed away.

A few months later, on the way home I stopped by to say hello to Mel and saw this Black Lab run across the street on Hopewell Road during rush hour. I couldn't believe my eyes as I watched this dog maneuver through traffic and avoid getting hit by a car. The dog then crossed Thompson and ended up beating her best friend home. Mel told me that dog is named Lady and that his how I first learned of Dorris (also known as Doc) and Hazel White.

Like many of you, I saw the White's sit out on their front porch every day for years. Lady was always nearby on the grass right in front of them. Finally one day I had the hunch to stop to say hello even if I only had a few minutes. I just followed that little voice that says just go do it already. Go say hello.

This time just Dorris was on the porch. He was sitting there in his favorite old worn chair next to the table with his denim overalls on and such a pleasant smile on his face. You could tell he had been living in his home for many years and had lots of stories. I really wanted to hear them. I knew someone had to take his oral history down and my fear was that it would be passed by because we are all so busy with life.

I didn't mention this at first. Hazel came out the screen door and I asked him what he thought about our new City of Milton. Dorris said that he voted for the mayor but didn't care too much for all the City stuff and he didn't vote for it either. I could sort of tell since his home is the one that used to have a blue handmade sign in his front yard under a big magnolia tree that read in bright red lettering "Vote No to Milton".

He told me that the mayor came by one day when he was campaigning and sat on the porch and they had a real nice chat but now that he was elected, he would never come by and see him again. It was all just politics or something like that. I didn't know that mayor at that time, but I told Dorris that since he didn't have email I would send one to the mayor, Joe Lockwood, and relay the message. If Mayor Lockwood came by to visit him, then he owed me a coke. If he didn't, then I owed him one. We shook on it and then I said goodbye.

I sent an email to Mayor Lockwood who I know now to call Joe. I told him the first time I met him that he should have used the slogan "Every small town needs a mayor named Joe". I saved the email, here it what I wrote:

11 January 2006
Good Afternoon Mayor Lockwood,

I was sitting on the porch at Dorris and Hazel White's earlier today enjoying the sunshine and discussing a favorite subject lately, the future of Milton, with Mr. White. He said he hasn't seen you since you last sat on his porch. He said you'll never come 'round again now that you're elected. He said he'd love to sit with you again on his porch and shoot the breeze and discuss our beloved city.

I said -- that I heard that you are the kind of person that would come by if you knew that Mr. Dorris White was looking for you. To sit on his porch. And talk about stuff.

And now, we have a bet.
For a Coke.

That is exactly how I first met The White's. (And soon after, my first Mayor :) To Be Continued....

2011-05-12T09:34:00.000-04:00

For 4 years I wrote almost every single day about the most wonderful people I met and the beautiful places I saw in the city of Milton, Georgia. Just before the City was incorporated I had this overwhelming desire to create the town I wanted to live in and my idea was to capture all that I love about living here. I knew the possibility of the way of life in this northwest corner of Fulton would change and I wanted to try and preserve it, in my own way, even if in my own mind.

At the time, I had no idea or prior interest in how a city was formed and how local government worked. I come from "the big city". Actually, a few of them. I had never before had a huge interest in writing, I'd never blogged, or built a website, had an interest in history, or taken photographs like I did then. And I had never met a mayor.

And so, I created a website in October 2006 called MILTONville USA... Live in Georgia. Love in Milton.

They should of called the city Miltonville. Even Jan Jones once said that to me. It's a much better description in a one word name.

I stopped writing for the last few years because I wanted to find the next step in making my "perfect" vision of Milton a reality. I got involved in a few committees at City Hall and started the Milton Arts Committee and had displays of local artists' work in the Council/Court Room. I did that for a year. I started taking the initiative to use my voice and make a difference at city council meetings. I learned that the council and staff welcomed my ideas, they have always been very patient and listened, encouraged me to learn about how a city works and I realize how fortunate I am. Because of this, I have something many relocated families may not have found here yet, the warm feeling in your heart of being "connected" to a place. Even if you have never lived anywhere remotely similar to a place like this.

One of the places I come from is San Francisco/Marin County, California. For the first ten years I lived there, as I drove over the Golden Gate Bridge every day, I literally, and audibly, gasped at the magnificent beauty and thought about my blessings every single day. I couldn't believe how lucky I was. That is exactly how I feel about my life here in Milton, Georgia. It's been almost nine years and I still feel this way. This little dot on the map in "the sort of rural" South has completely captured my heart.

....... What I have found, almost nine years later, like mine, there are so many families that have hopped off the "relo bus" to stay in a place like this...

In a place that looks just like Miltonville.

RECIPE: Best Tomato Pie

2009-07-06T17:26:00.001-04:00

Ingredients:

6 fresh ripe home grown tomatoes peeled * and sliced into 1/4 inch slices
¼ Vidalia onion very thinly sliced
½ box Boar’s head precooked bacon cut into small pieces
1 /4 pound Boar’s Head Canadian cheddar graded
2 cups Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise
Piecrust (home made or store bought)
Salt and pepper

Put piecrust in pre headed oven until it sets up firm but isn’t done
Dry sliced peeled tomatoes on paper towel, salt and pepper
Line bottom of pre cooked piecrust with thinly sliced onion
Layer on tomato slices
Layer on bacon and cheese
Cover with Mayonnaise

Return to oven and cook until cheese is melted and mayonnaise is slightly brown.

* to peel tomatoes cut a small X on the bottom and place in boiling water for 1 min. Remove and place in ice water to cool. Skin slips easily off.

Landmark Milton Roadside Garden

2009-06-04T11:12:00.005-04:00

Pete Mansell. As in "Mansell Road" family. Cool, huh? A super nice guy. Look at that smile.

Charles and Blanche: A Love of Gardening (and each other). Really Great Folks.

Charles Castleberry's Garden, corner of Freemanville and Mayfield.

The Very First Tomato!

Summer Is Here

2009-05-27T15:19:00.003-04:00

Nothing better than sitting on a porch swing in Milton, Georgia.

Visiting with Miss Fannie

2009-05-21T21:28:00.002-04:00

Driving along Mayfield Road, I always see Fannie Holcombe at some point during the day tending to her garden. She keeps a really large one every year. You know the place by the large Holcombe Machinery sign right there near Freemanville. Her son, Bobby, is always close by working with her. I saw them out there the other day and stopped with the car full of kids so they could see Miss Fannie again. They love roaming around her place with all the old stuff, tractors and barns.

Stopping by to see our Milton friends are always such good, warm times.

Local Underground: D&M Greenhouse

2009-05-17T06:00:00.001-04:00

Mr. English, one of our Milton Neighbors gets his tomato plants here at D&M Greenhouse every single year and he is part of the farming underground here in Milton, Georgia. When I met him in Crabapple a couple of months ago he told me which kind he grows best - Super Fantastic. The only place he knows to get the best plants is at D&M. In fact, if you're a local then you already know about this place. You'd really have to be in the know, though. The Mansell family (as in Mansell Road, that family) has D&M grow their family's tomato plants especially for them every year. It's a jewel of a find. You've got to go and check them out!

Take the back country roads to get there from Milton: Birmingham Road West turns into Hickory Flat. Turn left at Stop Sign at Sugar Pike. Go straight until it ends at Hwy 140 and turn left onto highway. Take right at Mountain Road and drive down a couple hundred feet. It's on your left.

RECIPE: Scalloped Potatoes (a la Milton Cowboy)

2009-05-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon unsalted butter 2 tablespoons olive oil
6 ounces pancetta or bacon, cut into 3/4 inch pieces
2 large yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 teaspoons minced garlic 2 pounds all purpose potatoes, like white rose or long whites, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
1 cup grated Gruyere, or Swiss cheese
2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish and set aside. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring, until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Add the onions and season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until the onions begin to caramelize, about 20 minutes. Add the and garlic and cook 1 minute. Spread a layer of potatoes in the bottom of the prepared dish, slightly overlapping the slices. Season with salt, and top with a layer of the onions followed by more potatoes and onions. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Add the cream, top with cheese and cover with foil. Roast until nearly all the liquid has been absorbed, about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until golden brown and bubbly, an additional 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Tip Its good to place a pan under baking dish incase it boils over in the oven.

The Mayor's Family Pet

2009-05-15T11:21:00.002-04:00

.... The new Golden Lab puppy sure is sweet but this one is my favorite.

RECIPE: Chicken Pot Pies

2009-05-09T06:00:00.001-04:00

I felt like making a Chicken Pot Pie the other day and used the easy recipe off the biscuit box and no one in my family would eat it. It looked beautiful but they thought it tasted very "pasty". I love Pot Pies so I thought I can't give up yet, I'll have to find another recipe and give it another go around.

So I looked in the first place I thought of and that's the cookbook by my Milton Cowboy friend. He has hundreds of pages of his favorite Southern, and all his other favorite, recipes. Here's the one I found under Chicken Pot Pies....

Ingredients:

8 Tbs. (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, cut into 1/2" cubes

1/2 cup all-purpose Flour

4 cups low-sodium Chicken Broth

1/2 tsp. chopped fresh Thyme

1 Bay Leaf

1/2 cup each chopped Onions, Celery, Carrots,

white button Mushrooms, and red skinned Potatoes

1 cup Chicken Meat

1/2 cup cooked fresh or frozen peas

Salt and freshly Ground Pepper, to taste

4 (6") squares Puff Pastry

1 Egg, beaten with 1 tsp. water

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour; cook, stirring constantly, 1 -2 minutes. Slowly add broth, whisking until smooth; bring to a boil. Add thyme, bay leaf, onions, celery, carrots and mushrooms. Cook until tender about 5 minutes. Add potatoes, chicken, peas, salt and pepper. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; cool 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Divide mixture among 4 ovenproof bowl; place on baking sheet. Brush pastry with egg mixture. Bush rims of bowls with water. Place pastry square on top of each bowl, pressing edges lightly. Bake until puffed amd golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

4 Servings

Go Pick Some Strawberries...

2009-05-08T06:00:00.002-04:00

The strawberries are in at “pick-your-own” farms around the state.

The whole family can enjoy picking their own fruit right off the vine and taking it to the dinner table. The strawberries are ripening at most berry picking farms, so why not spend a Saturday morning with your child filling a bucket or two? Pick-your-own farms like Washington Farms in Watkinsville and Loganville, Adams Farm in Fayetteville and Southern Belle Farm in McDonough are open and ready for business.

Kids love to pick berries and eat them straight from the vine. It’s a great lesson on “where food comes from,” as well as just good, quality family time.

There are many pick-your-own farms around the state—strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and more can all be picked by families during the season. Choose one near you and call ahead to make sure it is open. (Sometimes farmers have to close the berry fields for a day or two so they can replenish.) Remember, it’s best to pick in the morning when it’s not so hot. Then, grab your sunscreen, a hat, plenty of drinking water, and maybe a snack or two—and go pick!

You can find more information about pick-your-own farms or other Farm Experiences in Georgia HERE.

Projected ripening dates for U-Pick crops:

Strawberries: mid-April – June

Blackberries: end of May – June

Raspberries: mid-May – mid-June

Blueberries: June 1 – August 1

A Mother and Daughter Story

2009-05-06T11:17:00.005-04:00

Remembering My Mother

by Dianne Harvey, The Paisley Farmhouse

It's hard to believe it's been two years since I lost my mother.

Growing up I was the baby of three girls— Debbie, Donna, and (Me) Dianne. Mama was the center of my universe! I was pretty spoiled, I guess, but she loved us girls with all her heart & soul, as did my daddy.

In 1973 my oldest sister Debbie was killed in an auto accident at only 17 years old. Our family was crippled with pain and grief, and we didn’t think mama would ever be the same. But because of our strong faith (and a peace that surpasses all understanding), in time, we went on to be happy and lived life the best we could without Debbie.

Years later my sister and I got married and had our own kids. Both of my parents came alive again when grand babies arrived! Memories of those days are so special to me. I’m especially thankful that our kids grew up with devoted, loving grandparents. To this day they are filled with amazing memories of their Nannie and Pop that will be with them for the rest of their lives.

What my parents chose to have written on their headstones was "the parents of Deborah, Donna & Dianne"; We were the most important things in their lives. That hit me so hard after my mom passed away. They wanted to be remembered for that above anything else.

I wish so badly that I could spend Mother's day with my mom now. For all of you out there who still have your mom here's a tip: It's not about the gift. (I know strange coming from a gift shop owner, right?) It's about spending (unrushed) time with her.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you moms out there; you do God's most important work!

(In memory of my mom and dad—Helen and Hubert Satterfield)

Farm Fresh Eggs For Sale

2009-05-04T06:00:00.005-04:00

Grown right here in Milton. Support your local farms and gardens. You'll find another roadside sign on Henderson Road (near Birmingham), at Hassel Farms.

And a really groovy green barn.

Classic Milton Moment: Turtle Crossing

2009-05-03T13:09:00.007-04:00

We were taking a drive along Freemanville, heading north towards Henderson, when I saw the little something in the road. But by the time I could stop I would have been way past it so I carefully judged the distance to drive over it with out smashing the thing. Slowly stopped and went into reverse, and there he was - the Every Summer Road Turtle heading across the street. Uh-o, Oh-Noooo...here comes another car and so I couldn't back up after all.

Well what do you know, they did the exact same thing. Slowed. Stopped. And then as we waited ahead to see what would happen, a boy got out of the passenger side, ran around and picked up the little guy and very gently carried him across the road so he could get there safe and sound.

That was a classic Milton moment. Still slow enough to live and see turtles. And wild turkeys, and bunny rabbits.

Celebration of Life: Miss Verna Morris Wright

2009-05-02T21:01:00.016-04:00

As if by Divine intervention, this morning it stopped raining just in time and stayed dry for several hours while much of the original Milton community sat in Hopewell Baptist Church for the funeral service of Verna Morris Wright. She passed away last week at age 96, but had been in the very sanctuary I was sitting in for her entire life. And now, her final resting place is at Hopewell, as well.

Hopewell was her roots. All those she touched sat in the pews thinking about what her grandson and former pastor of Hopewell Baptist Alan Sutton said about today being a celebration of her life and the fact that she had long been ready to go back to where she knew as Home. If you knew her, then you absolutely knew that.

Miss Verna Morris' entire life was centered around her faith, her family and friends, and her piano. Over and over, we heard stories about her infamous Front Room. It's the place where she played the piano by ear while her only daughter Marion, Bud all the grandkids - and whoever else was around visiting - would sing with her. Good old fashioned hymns and folk music.

Miss Verna Morris had a garden. A real big garden just like all the other real Milton families. One story that her son-in-law Bud Sutton, also a former pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church, told us was how she liked to keep on moving. Never stop. He thanked all those at the service today who over the years had brought over pecans, and peas, and peanuts. Whatever they brought, Miss Verna Morris peeled and shelled and cracked. Bud asked her one day, "Maw-maw, why don't you give your hands a rest for awhile. She replied, "Better to wear out, then rust out." That's the way she saw it, always.

If you ask folks that really knew her, much more than I did, then you know what a impact she had to those she helped along the way of Life. And she always smiled at you.

Alan read a bible verse that describes well the character of Miss Verna Morris Wright...

"10: Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11: The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12: She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13: She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14: She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15: She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16: She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17: She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18: She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19: She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20: She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21: She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22: She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23: Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24: She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25: Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26: She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27: She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28: Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29: Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30: Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31: Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates" (Prov. 31).

With those words in heart and mind, we all began to sing as loud as we could with the beautiful and magnificent sound of the chorus in front of us. I thought to myself that surely Miss Verna Morris was smiling down on all of us from above shouting... I love you all and now I'm on my way. Praise the Lord.

Jennifer Taylor Grew Up in Birmingham Park

2009-05-02T06:15:00.005-04:00

Jennifer Taylor Hohenberger, affectionally known to her family, friends and old Milton neighbors as "Fudge", grew up in the only home still standing in 202 acres of pristine parkland in the the City of Milton, now called Birmingham Park.

Last Saturday about 400 volunteers cleaned up the grounds and the home which had been vacant for quite some time. Jennifer always tells me stories about growing up in Milton and how much she loved her horse called Noble. She also loves to talk about her grandfather, Christopher Lamb, lovingly referred to as "Pop-pop" by all those who knew him, young and old.

Before Pop-pop passed away, he asked his family to do only one thing. To spread his ashes around the pasture on the 4o acre parcel they had owned and lived over 19 years. Jennifer asked the caretaker of the property who said yes, and with her family had a memorial service for Pop-pop. Then they all watched as Jennifer rode Noble around the pasture spreading his ashes. After she circled in one direction, she and Noble turned around and spread fresh flowers over the ashes.

Jennifer grew up with her five sisters in that home once addressed 16050 Old Bullpen Road. Her parents, Bill and Karen Taylor purchased the home and 40 acres back in 1980 and lived there until 1997 when Fulton County purchased their land.

I told Jennifer I would do everything I could do to encourage the City of Milton to name a trail after her Grandfather. Lamb's Run.

Honor those who have gone before us.
Luckily in our community, Milton tries to do just that.

Charles Castleberry is Getting His Garden Ready!

2009-05-02T06:00:00.003-04:00

If you see him out there, as with any Milton neighbor, just honk and wave in support of our local roadside farmers. They love to wave back and say hello.

Fresh Eggs For Sale in Milton

2009-05-01T06:00:00.002-04:00

Wendy McGrew raises backyard chickens and calls the coop "The Taj". Now we can all enjoy their produce. To earn some money over the Summer months, her boys have opened an honor system Fresh Egg Stand at their Home Sweet Home on Freemanville Road, just south of Dinsmore Road.

The eggs are beautiful, in all different colors. Go and support a local farmer, or two!

Raymond & Edna Westbrook's Garden

2009-04-30T21:14:00.006-04:00

As I was driving by The Westbrook's, I noticed Edna and her friends Bobby and Winona Cagle in her garden. Since Raymond hasn't been feeling so great these days, Edna is in charge of planting this year. And just like the good folks in Milton have been forever, they still help each other in times of need. Like now...

Miss Verna Morris Wright R.I.P.

2009-04-29T19:37:00.006-04:00

At 5:45 this morning, we lost a special woman in the Hopewell Community, Miss Verna Morris Wright. At age 96, she was the eldest member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Milton, Georgia.

I met Miss Verna Morris several years ago at the church and then went to visit her one day at home while she was living with her daughter and son-in-law, Marion and Bud Sutton.

The thing I remember most is how soft and cool her hands were and how she held mine while I talked with her. She always had a sweet smile and loved to talk about growing up here in Milton.

Miss Verna Morris's late husband, Virgil Wright, is the first cousin of the mothers of my friends, Joyce Walker Samples and Byron Burgess. Joyce told me today that she remembers Miss Verna Morris as someone who always had a smile of encouragement to all that knew her. And she always loved to play the piano by ear.

Miss Verna Morris was loved by all in the Hopewell Community and beyond. She will be missed but all who Believe say she has gone to be with the Lord and have Peace in knowing this to be true.

To my Sutton Family friends, I thank you for opening your home, and your hearts, so that I could spend time with such a beautifully faithful woman who loved to sing. I can almost hear her now in Heaven. God Bless.

CLICK HERE for more about Miss Verna Morris Wright.

Mrs. Verna Morris Wright, age 96 of Alpharetta, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2009. She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil T. Wright.
Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Marion and Bud Sutton of Alpharetta; grandchildren, Cynthia and Scott McWhorter of Cumming, Tim and Mary Lou Sutton of Woodstock, Loren and Denise Sutton of Cumming, Alan and Sandra Sutton of Cumming; brother, Willis H. Parks of Smyrna; sister-in-laws, Annie Ruth Parks of Palmetto, Winnie Wright of Alpharetta, Evelyn Estes of Cumming; 8 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, special friend, Helen Avery.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 2nd at 11:00 am at Hopewell Baptist Church with Rev. John Lummus, Rev. Kenny Collett, Rev. Alan Sutton and Rev. Lee Gaddis officiating. Mrs. Wright will lie in state at Hopewell Baptist Church at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Ingram Funeral Home on Thursday, April 30th from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm and Friday, May 1st from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm.

RECIPE: Grilled Zucchini With Mint and Red Chili

2009-04-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

This recipe requires a little patience because it’s best to let the flavor of the zucchini develop slowly on a not-too-hot grill, rather than just char them quickly. They get a wonderful, almost fried flavor.

INGREDIENTS:
5 medium-sized zucchini (each about 1/2 pound)
1/2 cup olive oil, divided in half
1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
a dozen large mint leaves, finely sliced
as much very thinly sliced red chili as you can handle
coarse salt
Preheat your grill to medium.

Cut each zucchini in half crosswise and then cut each half into 1/8" planks. In a very large bowl, toss the zucchini with 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Lay the zucchini on the grill and cook for about four minutes per side, keeping the heat moderate so you’re sweating them and not really giving them a ton of color. Turn the heat up to high and grill for about a minute more on each side to mark them. Depending on the size of your grill, this may need to be done in batches.

Remove the zucchini to a large platter. Whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil with the vinegar, mint and chili (I just use the bowl I originally tossed the zucchini in). Drizzle this over the zucchini, being sure to evenly distribute the chili, sprinkle with coarse salt and serve.

SERVES: 8
TIME: 15 minutes

Bimingham Park Clean Up a HUGE SUCCESS!!

2009-04-26T04:55:00.051-04:00

Many hundreds of folks showed up in their grubbies, with chain saws and shovels in hand, to clean up the most beautiful open space in the City of Milton - 202 acres of spectacular land called Birmingham Park. What a great day of service, fellowship and lots Fun!

Volunteers, of all ages, help clean Birmingham Park:

My friend Jennifer grew up in this home, the only house on the 202 acres of parkland:

City of Milton Employees, City Council, CH2M Hill, LDS Members & Volunteers:

Lunch and Rest Hour:

Many Thanks To Our Local Food Sponsors:

The Park:

Meet Milton Artist Marcia Blake

2009-04-24T06:00:00.007-04:00

Marcia Blake has the most beautiful garden right here in Milton, Georgia. Full of flowers and quaint walking paths. Including an art studio which sits out back of her home in Kensington Farms.

It's an artist's dream come true. Marcia looks out a gigantic floor to ceiling window as she creates her art. And everything is perfectly white in the background of the amazing colors in her artwork.

I had the privilege of meeting Marcia at her studio several months ago and asked if she would allow me to exhibit her work at City Hall as part of the Milton Arts Committee. She graciously accepted. It is perfect timing with the celebration of Earth Day. Her work is all about green things.

This month begins a new art exhibit at Milton City Hall featuring Marcia's photographs. Photographing flowers are her passion and her work can be found adorning the walls in the Council/Court Room.

The show runs now through June at 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Milton GA.

Below is just a tiny sample of her work. The colors are amazing up close.

Stop by and Smile.

RECIPE: "Poke" with Figs

2009-04-21T06:00:00.001-04:00

A reader's recipe for the fig jam I found under the tree.

Go down to Publix and get yourself a pork tenderloin. Be sure it is a plain one and not marinated in something.

Dry it (because it makes it brown better) Put some EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) in a pan and quickly sear the tenderloin on all sides.Remove tenderloin and set aside. Geglaze the pan with OJ (or white wine) and save.

Deglaze= heat up pan,pour in OJ in and scrape all the stuff (fond=juices/pieces of meat, etc) off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon and set aside.

Put seared tenderloin in a preheated oven and cook at 350 for a few minutes, maybe 25 (depending on how pink you like your pork).

The last few (5) minutes brush on some fig jam.

Heat the OJ and reserves (pan drippings or fond) to serve as gravy.

Remove pork from oven and let sit 5 min before slicing into medallions. Slice, plate up, and drizzle with OJ gravy.

Nice side dishes are white rice and sautéed pineapple rings.

Assuming you haven't cooked much pork tenderloin. (How'd you guess? Was it the Passover post?)

It's really very versatile but you gotta be careful and not overcook it. Like pork chops and other pork that doesn't have alot of fat it can dry out quickly and become tough. If you pull it out of the oven and it's too pink, don't worry, just slice it and put the medallions in the pan and cook them to your desired doneness.

Pork roast, Boston butts, picnic hams and pork shoulders have so much fat you can cook them r-e-a-l slow for hours and the meat will fall apart (a.k.a. Bar-b-que) but we'll save those recipes for the 4th of July.

Bon Appetit!

REPEAT: Charles Day, The Barber

2009-04-18T09:26:00.002-04:00

Woke up this morning thinking of my friend, Charles Day and his family so I've decided to post this story again. Enjoy.....

Mr. Charles Day and His Barber Shop

By Patti Silva and Abbe Laboda

March 2008

(Unedited version of the story in today's Milton Herald)

Sutton's Service

2009-04-14T10:19:00.005-04:00

My refridgerator is on the blink so I called Tim Sutton today who runs THE BEST service company in our area. Tim is son of a former pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church, Bud Sutton. And Bud Sutton's best friend is my "uncle" Steve Rosenthal, also the best Allstate agent. Buds's other son Loren also called me this morning about something else.

It's gonna be a Sutton Family day for me. Tim comes by this afternoon to fix the fridge. Maybe he'll tell me a funny little secret about his Dad. I love that guy.

Anyway, if you ever need an appliance repair company or any referral for that matter, just call Tim and he'll help you out. Honest, reliable, local and all the best of adjectives to describe a man and his company!

Sutton's Service

Tim Sutton

82 Marietta St

Alpharetta, GA 30009
(770) 442-3778

Roadside Gardens Popping Up All Over Milton

2009-04-10T06:00:00.002-04:00

As you drive through town, notice all the families starting their roadside gardens, getting the dirt ready for all those Summer vegetables!

Sheep Sheared on Providence Road

2009-04-09T05:00:00.000-04:00

Emory Reeves, The "Mayor" of Crabapple

2009-04-07T10:27:00.007-04:00

There are times when I listen to it and sometimes I don't, and this morning I am so regretful that I didn't listen to that "voice" last week. In fact, I didn't listen all last year when it would pop up occasionally and be put off.

But last Tuesday and Wednesday it was so loud and clear and still I was just too busy planning to leave for Spring Break. And now, I won't have the chance to go and visit with Mr. Reeves and tell him what I've wanted to tell him over the last year. Thank You for all his kindness whenever I would visit with him over at his shop in Crabapple. And thanks for his lesson of Love.

In fact, I just told the story last week about how I convinced him to sell me his store sign. I always knew how invaluable that would be to me one day as a reminder of the good days in Crabapple. I have the old Coca Cola bottles he gave to me. And the book by Celestine Sibley because he wanted me to know about her, since I was a transplant, and I love to write about Milton. I have the hat from the first Crabapple Antiques Fair.

But most of all, I have this memory. Every time I would go and visit Emory, he would always tell me the story about meeting his wife Virginia. In his later days, he often repeated himself as we all knew but how I would love to hear that story over and over. I wish I could remember all the specifics now but honestly, I used to study his face and hands, especially his eyes and peek into his heart when he spoke about his dear Virginia. I concentrated more on those things than the words because it was so heartwarming to feel his love for her. I remember thinking how perfect it was. What a lucky man to know that kind of love, and to always want to share it with someone like me who he didn't really even know too well.

And there is one more thing that only someone who knew Mr. Emory Reeves would know... His twitch. The way he patted his heart with his hand whenever he spoke to you.

What a great man who leaves a legacy of Love in Crabapple.

Following is his Obituary:

Emory Reeves was called the mayor of Crabapple because he cared so much about the rural north Fulton County community.

He fought to preserve its rustic charm as traffic and sprawl encroached an area known as a haven for antique lovers. Emory and Virginia Reeves owned and operated Crabapple Corners Antiques, a blue and white building near the intersection of Birmingham Highway and Broadwell and Mayfield roads. Late AJC columnist Celestine Sibley was a regular at the shop. She held book signings there for decades.

Emory Reeves, a World War II veteran, retired from BellSouth after 36 years. Mr. Reeves was usually the first person to greet shoppers when they entered the store. He’d talk incessantly, wear a smile and offer shoppers a free Coke, said Dolle Reeves, his sister-in-law.

“He had these small bottles of Coca-Cola — you know sometimes people can’t drink all of those big ones,” she said. “That became one of his trademarks. He loved to laugh and have a good time. Very hospitable.”

Emory B. Reeves, 87, of Atlanta died Saturday of a suspected heart attack at St. George Village in Roswell. A graveside service is 11 a.m. Tuesday at Westview Cemetery. H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Reeves retired from BellSouth after a 36-year career. That’s when he started helping out at the antiques shop. The Reeveses also owned a rug store in the same area; they sold both businesses four years ago.

Mr. Reeves was called “The mayor” for a good reason. He wanted what was best for the Crabapple community and worked to that end. One example: In 1998, he and other business owners opposed a developer’s plan to build 11 office buildings in the area. Mr. Reeves convinced the county that antiques and offices would be a poor fit for an already busy intersection. The county shot down the $10 million project.

“They called him the mayor because he was the head of the community,” said family friend Georgene Fitts of Roswell. “He was wonderful.”

Mrs. Reeves said her brother-in-law got a kick out of being called mayor. But he took seriously all the honorary title entailed.

“He wanted the best for Crabapple,” she said, “and he didn’t mind taking his time to see that the Crabapple community received recognition.”

Ms. Sibley, the AJC columnist, became good friends with Virginia and Emory Reeves. When she died in 1999, Mr. Reeves was quoted in a story that appeared in The Atlanta Constitution. “Readers have been dropping off flowers,” the World War II veteran said. “She signed books here for more than 30 years for us. I was known as Mr. Crabapple and she was known as Miss Sweet Apple.”

Additional survivors include his wife, Virginia Reeves of Atlanta; and a brother, Frank Reeves of Milton.

RICK BADIE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Meeting Mr. English

2009-04-02T11:53:00.010-04:00

Today is one of those days when my heart races with joy, excitement, love and the opportunity I have living here in Milton, Georgia. But Love reigns over all.

Sometimes I wish that I could videotape my life so you all could see what happens to me when I just go about my day. Like this morning...

I went back to my favorite dentist, Dr. Grove in Crabapple, and came in still laughing at the great April Fool's Day joke that Tim Enloe pulled on me (and a couple thousand others :) about selling his land to Walmart. Part of the parcel of land belongs to J.L. and Helen English who live on Mayfield Road.

Well what do you know, Mr. English was Dr. Grove's next appointment. I had a half hour in between my leaving and him arriving, so I ran to Kroger and at the check out stand I mentioned to Bob the cashier that I was so excited to meet a man I've heard about for years named Mr. English. I told him I was going back to Dr. Grove's to finally meet him. Bob tells me that Dr. Grove is also his dentist! I asked to take his photo and he said no unless I bought a $1 MS shamrock thing and I said I would be back. And I will soon.

I ran back over to Dr. Grove's office and there he is - Mr. English - sitting quietly on the couch in the waiting room. I introduced myself and told him about the April Fool's joke and he laughed and smiled wide. He thought it was pretty funny. I'm guessing he thought I was too because he had this look on his face in the beginning, like who the heck is this lady??

I asked if he knew all these Milton friends of mine like Joyce Walker Samples, Fannie Holcombe, Raymond Westbrook, Charles Castleberry, Dorris White and many others. And, of course, he knows all of them. What I noticed most about Mr. English, was his smile. It looked just like Raymond Westbrook's on the day I met him almost four years ago.

I wish I could have snapped a photo of his beautiful smile so those of you who know Raymond could see the similarity. Then I got to thinking that what I probably noticed was their heart reflected in their smile and maybe that's why they looked alike. These are really, really good people - all these original Miltonians.

Mr. English is one of the most loved folks in Milton. Just ask anyone who knows him and listen to what they say about him. Lisa, Dr. Grove's assistant, has been telling me how he is her favorite patient. How she loves him so much. How he's taught her how to grow tomatoes. Dr. Grove says Mr. English is his Hero. You should listen to the way Dr. Grove describes Mr. English too. He says he wants to be that man.

So, I asked Mr. English if he would teach me how to grow tomatoes and he did. In fact, now I know why Tim and Ginger Enloe's were so fabulous last year. It's because he also taught them how to grow tomatoes. I learned the trick.

After Mr. English was called for his appointment, a woman who was in the waiting room whispered to me that I should just go and buy the tomatoes from Mr. English this Summer. I asked how she knew and she said that she's been getting hers for years from him. I asked if she was a Milton resident. And yes, she's lived here all her life. She's now up on Freemanville Road. Her name is Connie Hunter.

I introduced myself and told Connie that I write a blog about Milton and she told me she's already read Miltonville. How could she know about it? Turns out at the last Milton Round Up I met her sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and Mike Webb, who had vintage cars at Birmingham Village. I remember them well.

Bob the Kroger cashier told me, "I know the Mayor!" I said so do I!

Funny how small this place is and how we are all so connected, one way or another. This is exactly why I say "Live in Georgia and Love in Milton"!

And why I'm so passionate about writing these stories so you'll know why too.

Little Lamb on Providence

2009-04-02T06:46:00.004-04:00

The lamb was born, what a sweet season....

Rainbeau Orchids Grand Opening

2009-03-29T06:00:00.003-04:00

Milton Garden Club Co-President, Sharon Murphy (on Right)

Thousands of Orchids

Owner Sue Baker

Rainbeau Orchids

1470 Redd Road

Milton, Georgia

770.619.9156

www.rainbeauorchids.com

Charles Castleberry's Overalls

2009-03-26T05:00:00.000-04:00

I Love when I see laundry hanging on a line. I wasn't lucky enough to grow up knowing what sheets smelled like after drying in the sun. When I see Mr. Castleberry's overalls hanging to dry, it makes me smile. A real wide grin. What a wonderful feeling!

(My husband just said he would install a clothes line for me so I can experience it for myself.)

Hanging with The Holcombe's

2009-03-25T06:00:00.001-04:00

Miss Fannie Holcombe and her son Bobby

Bobby planting Potatoes

The Potato Buds

Fannie planting Corn

The "Big M" Tractor from 1960's (very cool!)

Good friend Dean Roper on a newer machine.

As I passed by Miss Fannie Holcombe's place this afternoon, I noticed her son Bobby planting the garden so I made a U-turn to go say hello. This is the best time of the year, when I get to watch all my Milton friends getting their roadside vegetable gardens plowed and planted and then get watch them grow all season. It really is one of the best things about living in Milton, Georgia. Roadside Vegetable Gardens and Honor Stands. Good hard work by loving hands.

I'm fascinated by how they plant and tend to the land along the roadside. The potatoes are started from older potatoes. Same for the corn. I never knew that. I just go to Scottsdale or Lowe's and pick out plants to start my garden. I learn a lot from these folks. Like when Miss Fannie told me she could never eat all the stuff she plants each year and so I told her she could sell it at the local Milton Market. You would never believe what she said. She would NEVER dream of selling her vegetables. They are grown to give away. Dean said he thinks it's bad luck to sell your vegetables like that. Wow. Made me really think about the message. That is exactly the difference between the old and the new Milton. I kinda hope we cherish the old ways more than the new. We sure could learn a lesson or two from the real folks and farmers.

Visiting neighbors like The Holcombe's is why I love living here. We really are blessed here more than the average person would understand. It's more to do with the Soul of the place than the big fancy homes moving in. Go out and meet these folks while they are still here. They are so full of Love and Life.

It's a Beautiful Thing.

This place called Milton, Georgia.

M is for MILTON!

The Homestead on Fox News

2009-03-24T08:57:00.005-04:00

Watch the News: Listen to Joe and Dawn Lockwood on Fox, Channel 5, talk about "The Homestead" (Click the arrow on bottom left.)

You can see more of The Homestead by clicking HERE.

Sunday Message

2009-03-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

A Good Song for a Sunday,

or any day....

Click Here

Got Cake?

2009-03-21T21:52:00.007-04:00

My silent bids won at the Cake Auction at Hopewell last night....

Louise Bell's Strawberry Cake

(Abbe and I won this one for the second year in a row.)

Marion Sutton's Baptist Pound Cake

Lois Penley's Easter Cake

There's nothing better than homemade cake.

Got my cake and I'm gonna eat 'em too. I mean three!

Hopewell Baptist Church

2009-03-20T22:46:00.008-04:00

Some photos from the BBQ and Gospel Concert at Hopewell Baptist Church....

The Ladies Dishing Up The BBQ

My Dinner Plate

Faye Manders and Regina Baker (daughter of Dorris & Hazel White)

Byron Burgess (Milton Historian)

Louise Bell (as in Bell Memorial Park)

Joyce (Walker) Samples (as in The Rock House), and Jean (Day) Hay

Roger and Sue Martin (as in The Manor)

Bud and Marion Sutton (as in Most Musical Family in Milton)

Some Of The Chuck Wagon Band Albums Thru The Years

The Chuck Wagon Boys

The Chuck Wagon Band Tour Bus

Chuck Wagon Performance

Silent Cake Auction

What a great evening! I wonder if I won a cake!

It was so good to see my Hopewell friends.

Charles Castleberry's Garden

2009-03-20T22:26:00.006-04:00

I stopped by to see Charles Castleberry's garden and take a photo of his turnip greens now gone to seed. The yellow flowers are so pretty against the green of the field next to his house. As I was going around his house to turn around I saw a young man relaxing outside and asked him to stay put and not move so I could snap a photo. It was his grandson, Chris Hendricks. I love meeting new folks especially when they're kin to someone I've already met in Milton.

A sash of purple fabric was put on his bean poles several years ago by a woman who was driving by his garden and asked if she could place it during Lent. Charles said okay and it's remained there ever since.

If you live in Milton, you know exactly where his house is since it's on a major travelled corner. If you see him in his garden, honk as you pass by. Folks like to wave hello back.

Chicken Lovers Unite!

2009-03-19T18:00:00.006-04:00

As The Chicken Whisperer always says, it sure was an "Egg-citing" day!

Early this morning I went to Roswell City Hall to support Andrew Wordes who had a court case to defend having backyard chickens. Seems the way the City's ordinance is written he can have them (even Roswell Mayor Jere Wood thinks so), but the City Ordinance Enforcer thinks otherwise.

Former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes took on the case and came to the courthouse this morning to represent Andrew. Along with 50 or so of us fellow chicken lovers. It was a great sight to see. Most all of us were dressed in yellow shirts with large buttons saying I Love Chickens.

Also in attendance was every news outlet from every major network, CNN, Joan Durbin of the Neighbor News, Hatcher Hurd of Appen News, and many others. The City had created a chicken stink and we were there to make sure the stink only comes from wet manure in our gardens.

You should have heard all of us talking about our beloved chickens and the joy from raising them for fresh eggs and even companionship. They make excellent pets.

Thee case of the chickens is not over. We must go back in May as the case was delayed in order to allow the City more time to discuss the wording of ordinance and whatever else they do legally. Personally I think it might have to do more with public relations. I'm fairly certain they enjoyed having Barnes in their courtroom.

Thank Goodness for Milton's AG-1 zoning!

May it live on forever.

Here are a few photos....

Andy Schneider aka The Chicken Whisperer

Andrew Wordes, "The Defendant" and Proud Chicken Lover

Our Buttons of Support

Our Signs of Support

Kathleen Smith, Milton Resident and Chicken Owner

Denise Moss (in green), Milton Resident and Chicken Lover

Hatcher Hurd, Appen Newspapers (Milton Herald)

Alison Byrnes (in red), Milton Resident and Proud Chicken Owner

Jenelle with her sweet Beauregard

Former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes with Andy and Andrew at the Press Conference

Words from The Chicken Whisperer, why we were there...
About a month ago Andrew received a warning from Roswell Code Enforcement that keeping backyard pet chickens was unlawful in the City of Roswell. Andrew and myself looked into it, and noticed that there were no laws that clearly or specifically stated that a City of Roswell resident could not keep backyard pet chickens. After several phone calls and visits to the city regarding this matter, it was determined that the one area in the code it stated anything about poultry was written poorly, and did not specifically state a resident could not have backyard pet chickens. Code Enforcement disagreed so we requested a meeting with the Mayor’s office. During our meeting with the Mayor of Roswell, Jerry Wood (who also happens to be an attorney), he also stated that he saw nowhere in the Roswell code that prevented Roswell residents from keeping backyard pet chickens. Then more City of Roswell officials joined in the meeting, and the Mayor told them the same thing! At one point the Mayor told the city officials “they were really reaching” regarding the current wording of the current code regarding poultry. The Mayor also stated and I quote, “ If I were you (talking to Andrew) I would get my citation, hire an attorney, and come kick the city’s ass.” It was also mentioned that Andrew should try to have the law changed to allow the keeping of backyard pet chickens, but again the Mayor stated, “There is no law to change because according to the current code he can have backyard pet chickens”. At that point we all got up and the meeting was adjourned. Well, as stated in our last posting about this case this is far from over. That became a reality on Tuesday when Andrew got a citation from the Code Enforcement Officer for keeping backyard pet chickens unlawfully.

News: Click HERE

Video: Click HERE

Rural Beauty

2009-03-18T09:19:00.005-04:00

I love the Rural-ness (or what's left of it) in Milton. My friend Ken Hall took this photo and I wonder if he knows about my fascination with old mailboxes. The more beat up the better for me. The color of this one is outstanding, especially next to the Spring flowers.

Meet a Milton Fireman

2009-03-17T22:37:00.005-04:00

I went to my favorite dentist office, Drs. Grove and O'Rourke in Crabapple this morning and heard some strange noises while I was in the waiting room. Strange bird noises. I peeked behind the door to find office assistant Laurelle talking with a guy about hunting wild turkeys. Well, that got me interested since I've been seeing so many wild turkeys these last few weeks all around Milton. So I found out that this guy making hen calls was none other than a Milton Fireman named Josh Payne who is also a patient of Dr. William Grove. He works at Fire Station 42 and grew up arournd here. He does make a great hen call. If you ever go by the station, ask him to call for you. It's pretty funny. I asked if he ever shot a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner and he explained that in Milton City Limits, you cannot fire a gun. I should say anymore, since I've heard folks did shoot until we were incorporated as a City. Now you have to use a bow and arrow. And yes, he has caught a wild one and said it was pretty tasty. Much better than Butterball.

I learn something new every day. Although I'm not into hunting, yet, I'd love to learn how to get one of these wild birds on my dinner table. Just for the sustainable food part.

Josh, it was nice meeting you!

Paging Roger Martin

2009-03-17T13:28:00.003-04:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about Roger Martin and wondering how long it would take for him to get this message. Word sometimes travels fast around these parts. If you know him, tell him his Miltonville friend is asking about him.

Poodle Rescue and Dog Club in Milton!

2009-03-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

Deborah Blatchley is the founder and President of the newly licensed Georgia Poodle Rescue and Georgia Poodle Club (for owners of all size poodles/mixes) right here in Milton, Georgia...the first of it's kind. Also, all dogs adopted from the rescue will be trained in basic obedience and pack leadership (with instructions to their new owners).

As the new Poodle Rescue, we need help. Our dogs are in foster homes right now, but we need help in converting the small building into a shelter. Right now we have two senior white standards, whose owners died, and who need to be adopted together (Jake and Flirt). They have been very well kept, are in splendid health, are up to date on vaccinations and we have their grooming and vet records. We also have a tiny teacup senior, from a suspected backyard breeder, who I Had to bring to the emergency room due to him having pneumonia, kennel cough, and severe periodontal disease with the worst tartar buildup on his canines that I've ever seen. It must be an 1/8 inch thick! And we know that the bacteria from this goes into the bloodstream and affects the heart, liver, and kidneys, which can lead to severe complications and death. He also was not neutered and has no other front upper or lower teeth, and is very skinny with his hip and backbones sticking out. Before any further medical work can be done, we need to build up his health first. He is full grown but only weighs five pounds! I've had a company donate a product to help resolve the periodontal disease without having to need an operation and have received the okay from our vets to research and experiment with this safe product. I am hoping it will work.

Let me tell you about Walter. Walter was a stray picked up by animal control. His hair was so overgorwn (about 10 inches long) and so matted everywhere that they had him listed as a sheepdog mix. His hair looked like that of a woolly mammoth (hence the name beginning with a "W")! He was a very large dog. I had to see this dog for myself as I suspected that he was really an overgrown black standard poodle.......and that he was! Although he was in poor condition, he was a happy guy, only wanting to be loved, give love with his kisses, stay by your side and obey you by waiting for the next instruction, and to play with the ball. I didn't know if he had a right eye or not because he had such a large hair mat there that covered his eye which prevented him from opening his eye. He also had a big hair mat at his lower end that prevented him from defecating properly. Once the hair mats were removed, he was very relieved, as he could see and defecate. I slowly scissored his hair off at Animal Control and found that he had severe conjunctivitis in both eyes, and was extremely underweight where his back bone, rib bones, and hip bones protruded through his skinny body (the overgrown hair made everyone think he was fat but that was't the case underneath). He also had a chipped canine tooth that needed repairing. In spite of all this, he showed his happiness when you were near him by talking to you and waggning his hind end and tail the fastest I've ever seen a dog wag it! He also got along great with other dogs and had a great temperament. I had to leave him there for the next few days to be neutered. I picked him up the day after he was neutered and his neuter incision was very infected with pus! I rushed him directly to the vet, who put him on medication. Walter was making good progress! I personally trained him in pack leadership and obedience and he caught on very quickly! He was turning out to be a very good adoptable candidate! We even had an adoption waiting list for him!

A few days later, after bringing another new little poodle to the emergency room late at night, the following morning I woke up and Walter's throat was largely swollen! He was frozen with fear! I rushed him to the vet, who kept him overnight on medication and IV fluids. He thought Walter may have been bitten by a snake, even though he couldn't find any puncture wounds but the other signs had told him it may be a snake. The following day when I received a call early in the morning from my vet, I knew it couldn't been good. Walter had passed in the evening. I cried so hard for him. It wasn't fair to him. He was given another chance at life, was so willing, was so appreciative of being rescued and finding love and was doing so good, only to have this happen. My eyes still fill with tears every time I tell his story.
If only........I say to myself.

This is indicative of some of the situations we've experienced thus far. We really can't advertise yet until we get our web site up and running (need help), get our brochurestogether (need help), and get our business cards printed, along with donations , volunteers, and more. However, right now, until we get our web sites up and running, until we get our 501c3 tax status to take in donations (A local lawyer wanted to charge me $1500! for the 501c3 review, of which I've already performed the majority of the work) I need an experienced non-profit lawyer to donate their time to quickly review the almost 30-page IRS document I've completed before I submit it with the fees to the IRS...as again I need this done because most people don't want to donate funding unless they get a tax write off), and all money is coming out of my own pocket. And I'm trying to create my own separate business (the first of it's kind) to pay the bills and have a portion of all proceeds to support the rescue. We are in need of more foster homes and monetary donations to help pay for the medical and other expenses.

Other than money to help pay the bills, our wish list includes (but is never limited to) donations of Spot's Stew dog food (can be purchased at the new PetCo near Target in Milton), towels, blankets, dog beds/kuranda beds, an electrician/plumber to donate their services to help convert the existing building into a shelter (electricity and a spicket already there but needs to be extended/retrofitted), hot water heater, grooming table/tub/supplies as poodles are high maintenance dogs where grooming is essential to avoid health problems, (grooming table, arm, steps to get large dogs onto table, scissors, clippers, stiptic powder, natural ear/eye cleaning solutions, natural shampoo), insulation for the building (20x24 ft building), a butcher to donate scraps/other, gift certificates to PetCo/PetBasket/Home Depot/Lowes/Whole Foods/Harry's, a carpenter/roofer to fix the small leak in one corner), a small HVAC system to heat and cool this small space, lighting, donation of the kennel runs, donations of Odoban (available at WalMart in cleaning supply section or in concentrated gallons at Sam's Club for $9.98), stacked washer/dryer (due to space restrictions), Gift Certificates/Credit to Alpharetta Animal Hospital for Georgia Poodle Rescue, web designer to donate their time (I've already purchased the domain names, SSL, and two years of hosting from Godaddy.com but need someone to set it up as I have no time to learn the web language-I lack time so much that I usually don't have time to eat until around midnight every night and falling asleep while I'm eating it.). I was at the All But Dissertation stage of my Phd, but have run out of time and have forgone that due to the other pressing and important needs of this effort, especially in today's critical economy.

There's too much more to mention, but I started the Georgia Poodle Club Incorporated and Georgia Poodle Rescue (the first of it's kind in Georgia) because there was a real need for people and poodles that needed to be fulfilled in this state, especially in today's economy. Poodles and mixes were being let out on the streets to starve, be abused, or die because owners couldn't afford to keep them, either through illness, death, food expense, not being able to train them properly grooming expense or they didn't realize the cost involved with caring for poodles, which is much more than a non-poodle dog. Some find their ways to the scary shelters, where they are either adopted if they are lucky (or brought back) or are killed by heart stick, gas, or the needle. My mission and vision is to have a club that will not only allow purebred poodles but poodle mixes where people can learn economical ways of being able to keep their poodles, including, grooming, feeding, training, boarding, medical care, nutritional care, research and much more. I plan to have the club membership also support the rescue, which falls under the club, hold classes to the general public (at a low cost to support the rescue) and to teach the club members how to groom, if poodle owners don't want to learn that or can't then our club members will be able to groom at a low cost, in which the funding raised will be used to support the rescue and much more. The club members will also be a knowledgeable captured audience to help foster the poodles if they wish.

Please help spread the word for assistance.

Thanks,
Deborah Blatchley
deborah.blatchley@gmail.com

Flock of Seagulls, I mean TURKEYS!!

2009-03-15T12:30:00.006-04:00

My husband called to say he just passed a flock of Wild Turkeys at the corner of Thompson and Hopewell Roads, just behind the old Hardeman Country Store. I hurried up the kids and we all jumped in the car in our pajamas and went to take a look. These were six of 'em. Big ones! Cindy's rooster was cockadoodledooing at them from next door. Making a big ruckus. I wonder if anyone recognized us all out there in our PJs. Sort of embarrassing but I take chances when it comes to seeing things like this.

One Happy Horse

2009-03-13T06:00:00.002-04:00

Or Two.

Bead Bug Birthday

2009-03-11T06:00:00.001-04:00

We celebrated my daughter's birthday at The Bead Bug located in Historic Crabapple. What a great time for all; the children and the grownups. Owner Mary Menendez and jeweler Lisa Waldorf couldn't have been nicer or more patient with the girls. What a fabulous place to throw a birthday party. And what a great place to play and create anytime...

The Bead Bug

780 Mayfield Road

Milton GA 30009

678.297.0706

www.mybeadbug.com

Cool Events: Party at The Homestead

2009-03-09T22:35:00.010-04:00

Last Saturday evening, my friend and fabulous photographer Nikki Haslett attended the Roswell Women's Club 13th Annual Showcase Home Preview Party at The Lockwood's new home called The Homestead. Take a look at some of the photos and see more on Nikki's website HERE.

RECIPE: Beef Stroganoff

2009-03-04T06:00:00.002-05:00

This is the best Beef Stroganoff recipe ever, and perfect for the cold weather we've been having these days...

1-1/2 pounds Sirloin Steak, cut in 1/2 inch strips

1/4 cup Flour

1 teaspoon Salt

2 small Onions, chopped fine

1/2 pound Mushrooms, cut in pieces

1 clove Garlic, chopped fine

3 tablespoons fat

2 tablespoons Flour

1 cup Beef Bouillon (canned)

1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

1 cup Sour Cream

Large bag Egg Noodles (or Rice or Toast)

Roll steak in 1/4 cup flour and salt. Pan fry onions, mushrooms and garlic in fat for 5 minutes. Add steak and brown evenly, and then remove meat, onions, garlic and mushrooms from pan. Combine 2 tablespoons flour with drippings in the pan; add bouillon and Worcestershire sauce. Cook until thickened. Add sour cream and heat slowly until gravy simmers. Add beef and vegetables and heat through. Serve hot over noodles, rice or toast. (Note: A tart accompaniment like spiced fruit or tossed salad is good with the stroganoff.)

Wild Turkeys

2009-03-02T20:10:00.005-05:00

As I was driving along Hopewell Road this afternoon, I saw these gigantic birds. I mean they were really tall. They started to cross the road in front of me which would have been a big mess had I hit them, besides expensive from the therapy I would have needed from killing these wild creatures. (I swerve, carefully, to avoid hitting birds and squirrels.) Anyway, a few of us jumped out to catch a better glimpse of these magnificent birds. I took this photo with my iPhone so it's not as clear as I'd like but still you get the idea. You just don't get to see sights like this everywhere and it's one of the reasons I LOVE living in Milton, Georgia!

Sneak Peak: Roswell Women's Club 13th Annual Showcase Home

2009-03-02T06:00:00.002-05:00

THE HOMESTEAD....

A new home with a storied past,
a 100-year-old caretaker’s cottage,

and a stable, all nestled on 30 acres of rolling hills

and pastures in North Fulton.
March 8th – March 29th 2009

There is so much more to see.....

Kitchen and Keeping Room

Main Living Room

Dining Room

Master Suite

Second Level Living Room

Exquisite Pool

One of the Many Views

Detail, Details...

Bronze Hardware Detail

Gas Lamps

Located in magnificent Milton, Georgia.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.

Restaurant Review: Veranda

2009-02-27T21:55:00.006-05:00

Today I met some girlfriends for lunch at Veranda Greek Taverna, located in nearby Roswell. What an incredible meal. I can't even begin to tell you how UNBELIEVABLY delicious was every single morsel! The ingredients are perfectly fresh. The presentation was outstanding. Every bit of the experience was wonderful. There were seven of us so we each ordered at least two Tapas plates each. At $5 a plate it was a bargain. I was so taken by the place that I've already scheduled another lunch date there next week. If you haven't been to The Veranda, you must go ASAP! Here's a sample view of a few of the Tapas....

Milton Moms Make Jewelry

2009-02-27T06:00:00.005-05:00

North Fulton Women Bonding Through Baubles
by Candy Waylock, Appen Newspapers
February 04, 2009

Somehow you just know these three ladies would have become fast friends, even if their love of design and making jewelry didn't bring them together in a business venture. They are as different as the one-of-a –kind jewelry each produces; but so in tune they easily finish each other's sentences.

Meet the ladies of Lynx.

Janell Stephen – soft-spoken and uniquely kind – creates jewelry which expresses her love of architecture and nature, and who gains inspiration for her pieces by taking a walk in the woods or observing the colors outside her windows.

Fiery, ever-laughing Charlene Gabriel is drawn to precious metals and clays, perfecting a process in her home kiln to create jewelry with nearly pure silver. The approach has expanded her creativity tenfold, and she spends up to 40 hours a week creating new pieces.

"There's so much you can do with [the kiln process]. I almost hyperventilate thinking about all the possibilities," she notes.

The third member of the Lynx trio is Lisa Waldorf, whose strength of personality and cool confidence are reflected in the statement pieces she produces, using her material of choice – beads. She has shopped all over the country, and the world, searching for the perfect beads for the perfect pieces.

Waldorf gains her inspiration from her two children, noting "they give me so much inspiration for my work...and never fail to help me come up with new ideas for my jewelry."

Separately, the three have been making jewelry for many years. Together, they joined forces about five years ago, creating Lynx ("a wild passion for jewelry" as their motto.) The name came about much like their partnership, a bit by accident, and a play off "links," a nod to the jewelry. The three live in North Fulton – Stephen in Alpharetta and Waldorf and Gabriel in Milton – and between them juggle six kids under age 13, volunteer commitments and their growing business.

Stephen and Waldorf first met six years ago when their children were in preschool together. At the time Waldorf was already making her own jewelry; Stephen was involved in photography and design and looking for a new outlet for her creative side. They would run into each other in jewelry-making classes. Waldorf loved working with beads ("I was waiting outside the first day the Bead Bug opened [in Milton]," she remembers), and Stephen was just discovering her talent in the art.

Gabriel, who moved to Milton from South Jersey nearly two decades ago, had also been making jewelry for some time by then, after a previous career in interior design. She met up with Waldorf through their kids' school functions at Summit Hill Elementary in Milton.

Their love of designing jewelry bonded the three. Over the past five years, the trio has built up their business from home shows and casual get togethers, to major shows around the Southeast. They are also displayed at trendy boutiques from Cape Cod to Florida, but one gets the distinct impression that getting big is not the goal.

In fact, it was not until just recently Lynx even had a website. The thought of being "online" felt too much like being a corporation, something the three have never aspired for Lynx. This is a creative escape – the chance to let loose creative juices and find satisfaction in the process. They spend hours each week creating their jewelry – each of them maintains a home workshop – but at no time does one get the impression this is a job for any of them.

"I think if we ever started thinking this was a job, we would probably lose interest," says Stephen, who moved to Alpharetta six years ago from her native Boston.

They appear almost surprised that their jewelry is so sought after, with friends, husbands of friends, teachers and the occasional stranger calling to ask to see their collection. At a recent festival in Crabapple, they sold out of everything before the day was over.

The pieces are never mass produced and no two are ever alike; similar, perhaps, but never identical. Waldorf says that is one reason they shun going to the next level of wholesale – business owners would expect duplicates of hot selling pieces. Lynx would prefer staying small and personal.

"All of our jewelry is different, and to us it's art, not replications," said Waldorf, who grew up in Michigan but has lived in Milton for 16 years.

There is an ownership and pride to each piece, regardless of which of the three made it. During a photo shoot, they were anxious to ensure all three had pieces represented. One would expect such personalization to come with a hefty price tag, but that is not the case. This stuff is beautiful – and affordable – with pieces beginning around $10 and going up to $300 for the most intricate of pieces.

The hours they spend working on their jewelry mandates a supportive family, and they are quick to credit their families.

"My husband [Scott] is very supportive and likes to see me happy and creative," said Stephen. "He is the first person I show my new jewelry pieces to and he is my biggest fan."

Gabriel readily admits she couldn't do her design without husband, Mark, noting his patience with the time she spends on Lynx allows her to "explore the creativity that I crave!"

Locally, items from Lynx can be found at Broadwell Cottage and the Bead Bug in the Crabapple Junction, as well as online at www.lynxjewelry.net, through home parties, art shows and other artists showcases. They occasionally teach classes at the Bead Bug, with Gabriel also teaching classes at Bead Bayou in Cumming.

The Buice Store

2009-02-25T20:11:00.007-05:00

Funny how things come in threes. Today the topic of the Buice store was the thing....

The antique store there now, Jack of Trades closes its doors this week due to their lease being lost. What a great place for unique collectibles and old furniture. What a loss. There are two more locations so as soon as I earn their address, I'll post it here on Miltonville.

I went to see my esthetician Jennifer Hohenberger this morning and she said she has been reading Miltonville and likes to hear about my daily escapades. She mentioned the Buice Store and what great memories she has growing up in our area. Jennifer remembers my dear friend Joyce Walker Samples from her days Northwestern Elementary School. Another six degrees connection made today. I love this stuff. It happens all the time here in Milton, Georgia.

Jennifer told me that every day after school, her bus driver Mr. Allen would stop at Buice's before dropping her off at home for her after school snack. Buice's offered charge accounts and she would just buy whatever she wanted and her parents would pay the bill at the end of the month. Seems that's how the Buice's ran things. Built on Trust. Those were the Good Old Days. I wish I'd moved here earlier enough to have know Mrs. Betty Buice and hear her stories (and tasted her Friendship Bread).

The third thing is the almost frantic calls made tonight about the rumor that the store/property has been sold to a developer who will tear the old red building down. I'm searching for the truth. I do know that a Korean gentleman owned the property about three years ago when I inquired about it back then. It was for sale for about 1.5 million. I also hear the Dinsmore Family has something to do with that corner.

My friend Abbe Laboda and I are determined to get the facts and make certain that building never is razed. We love it too much along with thousands of other locals. We'll stand in front of the bulldozers if we have to. We'll lay down right in front of them. No way anyone is gonna take that jewel of history away from the residents of Milton, Georgia.

It will make me cry if they do. It'll just break my heart!!

Wouldn't it make a neat post office with a big American flag in front.

So Mayberry. So Miltonville.

A Touch of History: The Rucker Family

2009-02-17T06:00:00.004-05:00

The Ruckers, Simeon Bluford Rucker and his family, moved from Alabama, after the onion crop came in, to Crabapple in the 1830's. He purchased large tracts of land when he arrived. In 1833 he built his two story log cabin on one of these tracts of land. The farm consisted of the main house, a separate cook house, a wash house, canning house, and a smoke house. Today, the only original building that still exists is the smoke house.

The house is located on the corner of Broadwell Road and Old Rucker Road. It still has some its original wood flooring, mantles, hand painted wall boards, and the outside clapboards across the front and left side of the house. The chimneys are original and capped with handmade bricks made on that very land. Some of them have dog prints on them where the dogs stepped on them while they were drying in the sun.

The Rucker Home place has been a home to many generations of Ruckers. It began in the 1830's with Simeon Bluford Rucker's eight children, John Rucker's ten children. John Rucker's daughter, Jennie, would have dances and parties. She loved music. She lived in the house until 1942, when she passed away.

John Rucker joined the Confederate Army in 1862. After being wounded in a battle in Virginia, he was sent back to the area as a conscription officer. When the Union troops were closing in on him in 1864, he wasn't sure that he get away alive. On the wall over the left shed porch, he wrote in chalk "John Rucker Aug 3, 1864" to mark the time. During the restoration to the house, care has been taken to preserve the inscription. It can still be read today. Dorcas David (read more about her here), John's Granddaughter, as a young girl, traced over the marking with chalk to preserve the handwriting. She was later the principal of Northwestern Elementary School from 1957 to 1973, when she retired.

For the next forty years, many families moved in and out of the house. In 1981, the house was sold and a year long restoration began. The kitchen that was added in 1890 could not be salvaged and was rebuilt. The side porches were closed in and made accessible only from the inside, instead of opened to the outside like before. In 1984, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation recognized this restoration and presented an award to its owner at that time. Today, the house is owned by Sammy and Debbie Benson. It is well preserved and beautifully decorated.

The Rucker family also owned a cotton gin right in Crabapple. It used to be the Raven's Nest and now is a home to several shops. It is located next door to Milton’s. Did you know that most of the area around Crabapple and Alpharetta were cotton fields?

The Rucker family also had some great baseball players in it. Nap Rucker, Johnny Rucker's uncle, left Crabapple to play baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers. In his ten year career, he won 135 games with his famous knuckleball. In 1935 and 1936 he served as the Mayor of Roswell. Nap's nephew, Johnny Rucker, was featured on the cover of the 1940 Life magazine, which we own a copy of. He led the National League in at-bats in 1941 and got the nickname of "The Crabapple Comet" because of his speed. He played for the Giants and the Crackers. My husband’s grandfather, Malcolm Rucker, also played baseball in the Mill League and Semi-Pro. He was looked at for the Majors, but not taken due to his age. He was a left handed pitcher that had a knuckleball that was virtually unable to be hit.

The Rucker family cemetery used to sit in the woods down a dirt road. Now, it sits in the middle of a subdivision straight across Rucker Road from Broadwell Road. It is surrounded by an iron fence and only accessible by key.

-Tammy Rucker

Chickin Feed

2009-02-10T06:00:00.002-05:00

This is a great website.

Check it out....HERE

The Chickin Feed Story
Chickin Feed is a company dedicated to simple, fun and effective ways to improve nutrition for today's modern families. (Chickin Feed has nothing to do with feeding farm animals. It's an affectionate term for children.) Chickin Feed believes that a greater awareness of what makes up a balanced daily diet will lead to better overall eating habits. And hopefully to a lifetime of healthy eating.

Chickin Feed was started by mother hen, Leslie Smith Grant, a mother of two with no good nutrition training to speak of. It began while trying to come up with a simple way to teach her children about what they should be eating each day (and to remind herself as well). "I needed a simple way to keep the important information - what makes up a balanced daily diet - literally in front of my children."

You can find Chickin Feed products right here in Milton at The Broadwell Cottage in Historic Crabapple.

Milton High School Presents...

2009-02-05T20:36:00.002-05:00

CINDERELLA

Tonight (Thursday): 7PM

Friday Night: SOLD OUT

Saturday: 10AM, 2PM and 7PM

Tickets: $8.50

Available at the Door or Online by clicking HERE.

Milton Fields

2009-02-03T07:00:00.002-05:00

A few days ago, I received this letter from Jim Bell at Milton Fields and I thought I would pass it along to you....

Dear Patti,
For the past 18 months, I have been planning and developing Milton Fields, a natural burial ground (www.miltonfieldsgeorgia.com). Milton Fields offers a viable alternative for people seeking a more natural and economical approach to funeral arrangements than what traditional cemeteries provide.

Admittedly, death is not high on most people’s lists of conversation topics. Whether you’re under 40 or over 50, thinking about death can be uncomfortable. However, like taxes or retirement, it is wise to have a plan in place before the event.
Before developing Milton Fields, I had arranged funerals for several family members. In the process, I was amazed at what I discovered about the funeral and cemetery industries. The more I learned, the more convinced I became that pre-planning is essential. None of us want our loved ones to struggle with expensive decisions during a highly emotional time.

For the last year, I have researched pricing at all of the major funeral homes and cemeteries in Metropolitan Atlanta. While this information is readily available, it is confusing. Many services are “a la carte” and are presented in ways that don’t allow purchasers to understand the total cost involved.

Several friends who have experienced a recent loss knew I was developing a cemetery. Each has shared with me their shock at the hurried, stressful process and huge cost of final arrangements. Most of us turn the responsibility over to a funeral director without much thought. This can be a costly mistake. Lee Leikam, president of Green Burial Consulting, notes that, “Families will spend up to a year planning a wedding, but less than an hour planning an expensive funeral.”

For the last several years, the price of a funeral has been increasing by an average of eight percent per year. Pre-need purchasing can therefore save your estate thousands of dollars. Beyond cost savings, natural burial provides a meaningful, ecological and beautifully simple approach to the end of life. As it pays tribute to the deceased, it also celebrates the living by preserving green space.

You may have already made your arrangements or may have a family plot. If not, I offer you, your family and friends another option to consider – Milton Fields. No matter your preferences, I urge you to make pre-need arrangements and to put your wishes in writing.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and to consider the importance of pre-planning. If I can answer any questions about pre-planning, Milton Fields or natural burial, please contact me. I would sincerely appreciate you sharing this letter with your family and friends.

Kind Regards,

Jim Bell 770-751-1445

Kevin Warmath R.I.P

2009-01-31T22:25:00.009-05:00

At 10:15 this morning, our community lost a truly great man who embodied the spirit of Milton (and Alpharetta). I didn't know Kevin very well, but over the last two years he supported my Miltonville blog and occasionally gave me tips on how to make it better in terms of marketing myself. Kevin had his own website called LiveInAlpharetta.com and it is an excellent one to read about local real estate and important issues facing our community.

I had been following his blog after we met online and then about a year later I ran into him outside of a house he listed in my subdivision. A couple of weeks after I met him in person, I wrote him and said I thought he should put better photos on his website because he was much better looking than the old photos. He kind of laughed and probably couldn't believe I said that to him but little did he know that I had also emailed Joe Lockwood, Mayor of Milton GA, and told him the same thing. Anyway, Kevin did take my advice when I said he should call my friend Nikki Haslett to take the new photos. Turns out he already knew Nikki and so he made an appointment with her.

This is not the point of this blog entry, but I smile when I think about it. Now that I've learned more about him this past week, he probably didn't mind my "out of the box" comment.

There is a website called CaringBridge.org (click here and then enter "kevinwarmath" and if you read even just a few of the Guestbook entries you will get a glimpse of how incredible this man was, a devoted father and loving husband and great friend to all he met. He is an inspiration to so many, even those of us who didn't know him well.

Milton has lost a great neighbor. Could we pay tribute to him in some way. A friend mentioned starting a prayer chain for him a couple of days ago. Perhaps we could start one now in his memory. A Milton Prayer Chain. I have learned from living here with so many passionate neighbors who have taught me about Prayer and Love, that it does make Miracles.

When I pass all those LiveInAlpharetta.com stickers posted around town, I'll remember his legacy. Kevin Warmath will be missed and many tears will be shed. We have truly lost a Milton Hero.

May he rest in Peace.

Thank You!

2009-01-01T06:00:00.002-05:00

Well, it's been a wonderful two plus years in Miltonville. Last January 1st, I decided to post every day for an entire year and I think I almost did it. Certainly the posts have exceeded 365!!

I want to thank Y'all for your interest in this project. And to all the folks I've met along the way, I thank you for your friendship. It has been a wonderful journey into the past of the place I love to live....

Patti Silva

MILTONville

The Milton Experience, Part Two: Dorinda's Prayer Garden

Miss Fannie Holcombe

Mr. Westbrook's Hands

Great Old Milton Family Photographs

The Milton Experience, Part One: Mr. Charles Day's Barber Shop

Meet "Driving Miss Daisy"

Crabapple Community Yesterday and maybe or maybe not Tomorrow

Holiday Best Rolled Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter, softened2 cups white sugar4 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract5 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon salt

Foodies: Matilda's Cottage Farmer's Market TODAY

Milton Business Alliance Holiday Party

GOOD News

Weekend "Foodie" Event

Book Signing at The Broadwell Cottage

Christmas in Crabapple

Love, Love, LOVE Thy Neighbor

Jack of Trades is Back In Town!

Meeting The Mayor

Meeting The Hardeman's and The White's

RECIPE: Best Tomato Pie

Landmark Milton Roadside Garden

Summer Is Here

Visiting with Miss Fannie

Local Underground: D&M Greenhouse

RECIPE: Scalloped Potatoes (a la Milton Cowboy)

The Mayor's Family Pet

RECIPE: Chicken Pot Pies

Go Pick Some Strawberries...

A Mother and Daughter Story

Farm Fresh Eggs For Sale

Classic Milton Moment: Turtle Crossing

Celebration of Life: Miss Verna Morris Wright

Jennifer Taylor Grew Up in Birmingham Park

Charles Castleberry is Getting His Garden Ready!

Fresh Eggs For Sale in Milton

Raymond & Edna Westbrook's Garden

Miss Verna Morris Wright R.I.P.

RECIPE: Grilled Zucchini With Mint and Red Chili

Bimingham Park Clean Up a HUGE SUCCESS!!

Meet Milton Artist Marcia Blake

RECIPE: "Poke" with Figs

REPEAT: Charles Day, The Barber

Sutton's Service

Roadside Gardens Popping Up All Over Milton

Sheep Sheared on Providence Road

Emory Reeves, The "Mayor" of Crabapple

Meeting Mr. English

Little Lamb on Providence

Rainbeau Orchids Grand Opening

Charles Castleberry's Overalls

Hanging with The Holcombe's

The Homestead on Fox News

Sunday Message

Got Cake?

Hopewell Baptist Church

Charles Castleberry's Garden

Chicken Lovers Unite!

Rural Beauty

Meet a Milton Fireman

Paging Roger Martin

Poodle Rescue and Dog Club in Milton!

Flock of Seagulls, I mean TURKEYS!!

One Happy Horse

Bead Bug Birthday

Cool Events: Party at The Homestead

RECIPE: Beef Stroganoff

Wild Turkeys

Sneak Peak: Roswell Women's Club 13th Annual Showcase Home

Restaurant Review: Veranda

Milton Moms Make Jewelry

The Buice Store

A Touch of History: The Rucker Family

Chickin Feed

Milton High School Presents...

Milton Fields

Kevin Warmath R.I.P

Thank You!

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt