Jan 17, 2010
Art teachers show off their work
By Jennifer L. Johnson - news@onlineathens.com
Published Saturday, January 16, 2010
WATKINSVILLE - Hannah Chapman can't remember the last time she saw one of her mother's pieces on an art gallery wall.
The 18-year-old college freshman made the trip down from Virginia to see an exhibit of works by area art teachers in the Myers Gallery at Athens Academy.
Twenty-four teachers from public and private schools in Clarke and Oconee counties are participating in the Art Teachers Invitational, conceived after Athens Academy art teacher Lawrence Stueck saw an exhibit at the University of Georgia of Clarke County students and thought it was time for a show of their teachers' work.
The exhibition features teachers from 20 schools, including Clarke Central High School, Oconee County High School, Athens Montessori School and Athens Academy. Steuck subtitled the exhibit "February 24, 1875" - the day before Oconee County became separate from Clarke County - to emphasize the participation of schools from both sides of the county line.
"We're kind of putting these counties back together in a way," Stueck said. "Teachers from both counties are coming together and showing art they've made in the last year, or maybe years ago, back before they got so busy teaching."
Chapman's mother was one of those teachers whose job made it hard to produce work outside of the classroom.
"I really wish my mom had more time to do this," Chapman said at an artists' reception Thursday. "Since she's had kids and gotten real busy with teaching school, it's been hard for her."
Frances Chapman taught kindergarten through eighth grade at St. Joseph Catholic School for 25 years and was excited about the opportunity to have her own work on display.
"It feels good to be creating again, and I think it's good for my students to see that," Chapman said. "It sets a good example for my kids - especially the older ones - to see me making and having my art outside the classroom."
Michael Spronck, 85, began painting 10 years ago after retiring from a career in management consulting, and visited the exhibition to see what Athens art teachers were creating in their own time.
"I've always been a strong supporter of art, especially in the schools," Spronck said. "I like to attend every opening I can, and I think it's also important to support art of all types."
Spronck especially liked "Neanderthal Man" by Athens Academy art teacher Mary Presnell, who used mosaic-like scraps of paper in layers to give the face of a primitive man a kind of 3-D effect.
"Neanderthal Man" also was a favorite of University of Georgia art student Camille Hayes, a 2007 Athens Academy graduate who came back to see her former teachers' work.
"I feel like you can really tell who was an elementary, middle and high school teacher through their art, and that just means they're well-suited to what they're teaching," Hayes said. "I'm really glad that I came because people here had different types of work to see."
Stueck was pleased with how the show turned out.
"It's a nice range of work from a lot of talented people," he said. "As a teacher, we're so used to dragging our kids' work around, it's a nice change of pace to have ours exhibited."
In fact, one teacher was so used to showing her students' work that she initially brought their work instead of her own, he said.
The exhibit gives teachers an opportunity to show students that there are other career paths out there for art teachers, though many of the artists really enjoy their jobs.
"One of the kids just asked me today why I wanted to be a teacher," said Dan Smith of Gaines Elementary School. "You get to do art every day."
Seeing their work exhibited is a rare occurrence for some teachers.
"I think the last time I worked a show was maybe eight years ago," said Jeff Barnett, an art teacher at Clarke Central High School.
Barnett is a single father and has been working as a teacher for 14 years, and hasn't had much of an opportunity to do charcoal sketches like the one he contributed to the exhibit.
"I like to say that there's an artist that lies inside of all of us, and you just need someone to dig it out of you," he said. "That's why I love teaching, so I get to inspire my students and let them have experiences like this one."
The Myers Gallery at Athens Academy is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and the exhibition will remain open through Feb. 12. Call (706) 549-9225 for more information.
Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Saturday, January 16, 2010
Published Saturday, January 16, 2010
WATKINSVILLE - Hannah Chapman can't remember the last time she saw one of her mother's pieces on an art gallery wall.
The 18-year-old college freshman made the trip down from Virginia to see an exhibit of works by area art teachers in the Myers Gallery at Athens Academy.
Twenty-four teachers from public and private schools in Clarke and Oconee counties are participating in the Art Teachers Invitational, conceived after Athens Academy art teacher Lawrence Stueck saw an exhibit at the University of Georgia of Clarke County students and thought it was time for a show of their teachers' work.
The exhibition features teachers from 20 schools, including Clarke Central High School, Oconee County High School, Athens Montessori School and Athens Academy. Steuck subtitled the exhibit "February 24, 1875" - the day before Oconee County became separate from Clarke County - to emphasize the participation of schools from both sides of the county line.
"We're kind of putting these counties back together in a way," Stueck said. "Teachers from both counties are coming together and showing art they've made in the last year, or maybe years ago, back before they got so busy teaching."
Chapman's mother was one of those teachers whose job made it hard to produce work outside of the classroom.
"I really wish my mom had more time to do this," Chapman said at an artists' reception Thursday. "Since she's had kids and gotten real busy with teaching school, it's been hard for her."
Frances Chapman taught kindergarten through eighth grade at St. Joseph Catholic School for 25 years and was excited about the opportunity to have her own work on display.
"It feels good to be creating again, and I think it's good for my students to see that," Chapman said. "It sets a good example for my kids - especially the older ones - to see me making and having my art outside the classroom."
Michael Spronck, 85, began painting 10 years ago after retiring from a career in management consulting, and visited the exhibition to see what Athens art teachers were creating in their own time.
"I've always been a strong supporter of art, especially in the schools," Spronck said. "I like to attend every opening I can, and I think it's also important to support art of all types."
Spronck especially liked "Neanderthal Man" by Athens Academy art teacher Mary Presnell, who used mosaic-like scraps of paper in layers to give the face of a primitive man a kind of 3-D effect.
"Neanderthal Man" also was a favorite of University of Georgia art student Camille Hayes, a 2007 Athens Academy graduate who came back to see her former teachers' work.
"I feel like you can really tell who was an elementary, middle and high school teacher through their art, and that just means they're well-suited to what they're teaching," Hayes said. "I'm really glad that I came because people here had different types of work to see."
Stueck was pleased with how the show turned out.
"It's a nice range of work from a lot of talented people," he said. "As a teacher, we're so used to dragging our kids' work around, it's a nice change of pace to have ours exhibited."
In fact, one teacher was so used to showing her students' work that she initially brought their work instead of her own, he said.
The exhibit gives teachers an opportunity to show students that there are other career paths out there for art teachers, though many of the artists really enjoy their jobs.
"One of the kids just asked me today why I wanted to be a teacher," said Dan Smith of Gaines Elementary School. "You get to do art every day."
Seeing their work exhibited is a rare occurrence for some teachers.
"I think the last time I worked a show was maybe eight years ago," said Jeff Barnett, an art teacher at Clarke Central High School.
Barnett is a single father and has been working as a teacher for 14 years, and hasn't had much of an opportunity to do charcoal sketches like the one he contributed to the exhibit.
"I like to say that there's an artist that lies inside of all of us, and you just need someone to dig it out of you," he said. "That's why I love teaching, so I get to inspire my students and let them have experiences like this one."
The Myers Gallery at Athens Academy is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and the exhibition will remain open through Feb. 12. Call (706) 549-9225 for more information.
Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Saturday, January 16, 2010
Vegan food healthy for you and flavorful, too
By Jennifer L. Johnson - news@onlineathens.com
Published Wednesday, January 13, 2010
If you've ever had an Oreo cookie, drank a Red Bull or made pancakes with Bisquick, you've had vegan food.
"I love to point that out to people," said Angell Darvalics, a volunteer with Athens Vegetarians, a group that is working to debunk the myth that all vegan food tastes like cardboard.
"We're not here to force people into our lifestyle, but just to let them know that this food is good and it can be delicious."
The veggie-eaters wanted to introduce vegan food to new people and decided to start by showing their thanks to volunteers giving back to the Athens community.
In November, they dished out soups, breads and desserts to Athens Area Habitat for Humanity workers building a house on Redfern Circle in Athens.
"We targeted Athens Area Habitat for Humanity because they have a great mission and we wanted to let them know how much we appreciate it," Darvalics said. "They also work very hard, and if anyone's going to appreciate a hot meal, it will be some construction workers."
Habitat always is looking for people to volunteer to feed the workers at construction sites on Saturdays, Darvalics said.
"Thank you so much for thinking of us," said Beau Harvey, the construction manager at the site.
Harvey waited until most of the crew had eaten before he filled his own bowl.
"I like to make sure that all my workers get food first," Harvey said. "Even if I don't eat, these people are my food - they fill me up and keep me going."
The food included a no-meat chili made by Darvalics' husband, Keith; a split pea soup made her mother, Mary; a lentil soup made by Mary Fox; and a tarragon "beef" and barley stew made by Pat Priest.
Priest's husband is a physician at St. Mary's Hospital. They've enjoyed a vegetarian diet since 1991, when they saw a truck on the highway crammed with chickens.
"Since we went vegan (last) January, my husband's been evangelical about this lifestyle," Priest said. "It's so much healthier and I eat so much of a broader palette than most people do."
Shelia McAlister - whose roller derby team, the Classic City Roller Girls, helped build the Redfern Circle house - understands why some people might be turned off by vegetarians.
"I think there's nothing worse in the world than a self-righteous vegetarian, so I don't like to explain to people when they ask why I'm a vegan," McAlister said. "But it's so nice to come to something and be able to choose whatever I want."
Winterville's Artie Alford, also with the Classic City Roller Girls, wasn't surprised that the split pea soup she sampled was tasty, since she used to work at Earth Fare.
"The soup is really good," Alford said. "We volunteered a few years ago building a house out in Madison County, but they didn't feed us like this."
After lunch, Harvey - who is a meat-eater - pocketed the recipes that the vegan group offered.
"The experience was greater than the anticipation," Harvey said.
The Athens Vegetarians have about 150 people members and welcome anyone interested in vegetarian or vegan cooking to join.
"I didn't see a single full bowl thrown away," Darvalics said. "That's what these type of events are all about - getting people to see how good vegan food actually is."
The group's Web site is www.meetup.com/AthensVegetarians.
Awesome Vegan Chili
(Keith Darvalics)
3 cans red kidney beans (or a mix of kidney and red beans), drained
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 large can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 large yellow onion, chopped in large pieces
4 bell peppers, a mix of green, red and yellow, cut into large pieces
2 portabella mushrooms, cut into large pieces
1 package of regular mushrooms or portabella mushrooms, cut into large pieces
Chili powder (equivalent of 2 packages) or 2 packages of chili seasoning
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon paprika
1/2 cup vegetable oil
In a large pot, warm the vegetable oil. Add the chopped yellow onion to the oil and begin to sauté. With the onion sautéing add the salt, pepper and paprika. Mix routinely and cook long enough to allow the onion and seasoning to reduce into and flavor the oil (approximately 15 minutes).
Mix in the can of diced tomatoes and let simmer for 10 minutes. Mix in the kidney and pinto beans, add and mix in half the chili powder/seasoning. Cover the pot and let mixture cook on medium for 10 minutes.
Mix in the bell peppers, add and mix in the remainder of the chili powder/seasoning. Cover pot, and let mixture cook for 20 minutes.
Mix in all mushrooms. Cover pot and cook for 15 minutes.
► Note, at this point, you will want to determine if the amount of seasoning is satisfactory to your taste. If it seems to be a little light, add more at this time.
Throughout the cooking process, the goal is to get the ingredients to blend and cook down leaving all ingredients, except the mushrooms, cooked well. You want the mushrooms to be cooked, but not over cooked, leaving them firm enough not to break into too many pieces.
Variations: To spice it up, add 2 or 3 chopped jalape os. Season with chili powder to your preference.
Tarragon 'Beef' and Barley Stew
(Pat Priest)
2 tablespoons canola or olive oil
About two cups diced onion
4 or 5 cloves of garlic, diced or pressed
1 bay leaf
1 stalk of diced celery
4 carrots, cut into rounds
6 potatoes, cubed
1 1/2 cups of chopped mushrooms (stems removed)
28-ounce can of chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Veggie broth or bouillon to make about 4 cups
1 cup pearled barley
1 cup cubed, dried textured vegetable protein (dark-colored works great)
2 cups frozen corn
1 can garbanzos
2 teaspoons or more fresh-frozen tarragon
1 teaspoons or more oregano
1 sprig of rosemary
Add green vegetables you have on hand for color (such as spinach or lima beans or green peas)
Season with salt and pepper and chopped chives.
Sauté onions and garlic in oil until translucent. Add bay leaf, carrots, celery and potatoes and cook about 10 minutes. Add a little water if the mixture sticks to the pan. Add mushrooms and cook until tender. Stir in tomatoes and their juice, vegetable broth and tomato paste. Add barley and TVP cubes and bring mixture to a boil. Turn heat to low and simmer, adding tarragon and other spices. Cook until everything is just about tender. Add frozen corn, garbanzo beans and peas or spinach about 5 minutes before serving. Add salt and pepper. Season with chives or other fresh herbs you have on hand.
Lentil Vegetable Soup
(Mary Fox)
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, diced
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 potato, diced
2 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon oregano
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon basil
2 tablespoons parsley
1 14.5-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 cup dry lentils (cleaned and rinsed)
7 cups liquid (vegetable broth and water)
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar added before serving
Mix all ingredients together in a slow cooker. Cook eight to 12 hours. Variations: Any vegetable may be added.
Split Pea Soup
(Mary Darvalics)
1 small onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 large carrots, diced
3 large potatoes, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
8 cups vegetable broth
1 vegetable bouillon cube
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
2 cups split peas
Salt and pepper to your taste
Sauté onions in oil until tender, approximately five minutes. Add garlic and sauté one to two minutes. Add vegetable broth; bring to boil. Add spices, split peas and vegetables. Cover, reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring occasionally for at least four hours.
Published Wednesday, January 13, 2010
If you've ever had an Oreo cookie, drank a Red Bull or made pancakes with Bisquick, you've had vegan food.
"I love to point that out to people," said Angell Darvalics, a volunteer with Athens Vegetarians, a group that is working to debunk the myth that all vegan food tastes like cardboard.
"We're not here to force people into our lifestyle, but just to let them know that this food is good and it can be delicious."
The veggie-eaters wanted to introduce vegan food to new people and decided to start by showing their thanks to volunteers giving back to the Athens community.
In November, they dished out soups, breads and desserts to Athens Area Habitat for Humanity workers building a house on Redfern Circle in Athens.
"We targeted Athens Area Habitat for Humanity because they have a great mission and we wanted to let them know how much we appreciate it," Darvalics said. "They also work very hard, and if anyone's going to appreciate a hot meal, it will be some construction workers."
Habitat always is looking for people to volunteer to feed the workers at construction sites on Saturdays, Darvalics said.
"Thank you so much for thinking of us," said Beau Harvey, the construction manager at the site.
Harvey waited until most of the crew had eaten before he filled his own bowl.
"I like to make sure that all my workers get food first," Harvey said. "Even if I don't eat, these people are my food - they fill me up and keep me going."
The food included a no-meat chili made by Darvalics' husband, Keith; a split pea soup made her mother, Mary; a lentil soup made by Mary Fox; and a tarragon "beef" and barley stew made by Pat Priest.
Priest's husband is a physician at St. Mary's Hospital. They've enjoyed a vegetarian diet since 1991, when they saw a truck on the highway crammed with chickens.
"Since we went vegan (last) January, my husband's been evangelical about this lifestyle," Priest said. "It's so much healthier and I eat so much of a broader palette than most people do."
Shelia McAlister - whose roller derby team, the Classic City Roller Girls, helped build the Redfern Circle house - understands why some people might be turned off by vegetarians.
"I think there's nothing worse in the world than a self-righteous vegetarian, so I don't like to explain to people when they ask why I'm a vegan," McAlister said. "But it's so nice to come to something and be able to choose whatever I want."
Winterville's Artie Alford, also with the Classic City Roller Girls, wasn't surprised that the split pea soup she sampled was tasty, since she used to work at Earth Fare.
"The soup is really good," Alford said. "We volunteered a few years ago building a house out in Madison County, but they didn't feed us like this."
After lunch, Harvey - who is a meat-eater - pocketed the recipes that the vegan group offered.
"The experience was greater than the anticipation," Harvey said.
The Athens Vegetarians have about 150 people members and welcome anyone interested in vegetarian or vegan cooking to join.
"I didn't see a single full bowl thrown away," Darvalics said. "That's what these type of events are all about - getting people to see how good vegan food actually is."
The group's Web site is www.meetup.com/AthensVegetarians.
Awesome Vegan Chili
(Keith Darvalics)
3 cans red kidney beans (or a mix of kidney and red beans), drained
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 large can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 large yellow onion, chopped in large pieces
4 bell peppers, a mix of green, red and yellow, cut into large pieces
2 portabella mushrooms, cut into large pieces
1 package of regular mushrooms or portabella mushrooms, cut into large pieces
Chili powder (equivalent of 2 packages) or 2 packages of chili seasoning
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon paprika
1/2 cup vegetable oil
In a large pot, warm the vegetable oil. Add the chopped yellow onion to the oil and begin to sauté. With the onion sautéing add the salt, pepper and paprika. Mix routinely and cook long enough to allow the onion and seasoning to reduce into and flavor the oil (approximately 15 minutes).
Mix in the can of diced tomatoes and let simmer for 10 minutes. Mix in the kidney and pinto beans, add and mix in half the chili powder/seasoning. Cover the pot and let mixture cook on medium for 10 minutes.
Mix in the bell peppers, add and mix in the remainder of the chili powder/seasoning. Cover pot, and let mixture cook for 20 minutes.
Mix in all mushrooms. Cover pot and cook for 15 minutes.
► Note, at this point, you will want to determine if the amount of seasoning is satisfactory to your taste. If it seems to be a little light, add more at this time.
Throughout the cooking process, the goal is to get the ingredients to blend and cook down leaving all ingredients, except the mushrooms, cooked well. You want the mushrooms to be cooked, but not over cooked, leaving them firm enough not to break into too many pieces.
Variations: To spice it up, add 2 or 3 chopped jalape os. Season with chili powder to your preference.
Tarragon 'Beef' and Barley Stew
(Pat Priest)
2 tablespoons canola or olive oil
About two cups diced onion
4 or 5 cloves of garlic, diced or pressed
1 bay leaf
1 stalk of diced celery
4 carrots, cut into rounds
6 potatoes, cubed
1 1/2 cups of chopped mushrooms (stems removed)
28-ounce can of chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Veggie broth or bouillon to make about 4 cups
1 cup pearled barley
1 cup cubed, dried textured vegetable protein (dark-colored works great)
2 cups frozen corn
1 can garbanzos
2 teaspoons or more fresh-frozen tarragon
1 teaspoons or more oregano
1 sprig of rosemary
Add green vegetables you have on hand for color (such as spinach or lima beans or green peas)
Season with salt and pepper and chopped chives.
Sauté onions and garlic in oil until translucent. Add bay leaf, carrots, celery and potatoes and cook about 10 minutes. Add a little water if the mixture sticks to the pan. Add mushrooms and cook until tender. Stir in tomatoes and their juice, vegetable broth and tomato paste. Add barley and TVP cubes and bring mixture to a boil. Turn heat to low and simmer, adding tarragon and other spices. Cook until everything is just about tender. Add frozen corn, garbanzo beans and peas or spinach about 5 minutes before serving. Add salt and pepper. Season with chives or other fresh herbs you have on hand.
Lentil Vegetable Soup
(Mary Fox)
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, diced
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 potato, diced
2 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon oregano
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon basil
2 tablespoons parsley
1 14.5-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 cup dry lentils (cleaned and rinsed)
7 cups liquid (vegetable broth and water)
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar added before serving
Mix all ingredients together in a slow cooker. Cook eight to 12 hours. Variations: Any vegetable may be added.
Split Pea Soup
(Mary Darvalics)
1 small onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 large carrots, diced
3 large potatoes, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
8 cups vegetable broth
1 vegetable bouillon cube
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
2 cups split peas
Salt and pepper to your taste
Sauté onions in oil until tender, approximately five minutes. Add garlic and sauté one to two minutes. Add vegetable broth; bring to boil. Add spices, split peas and vegetables. Cover, reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring occasionally for at least four hours.
Jan 12, 2010
Recyclers ready to chip away at trees
By Jennifer L. Johnson
Published Saturday, January 09, 2010 Athens Banner-Herald
Now that New Year's Day has come and gone, most people are packing up their holiday decorations and taking down the Christmas trees.
Keep Georgia Beautiful organizations across the state will hold "Bring One for the Chipper" events today to give locals a place to recycle their trees into useful mulch - and give them an incentive to do it.
While Chipper donors often get a free seedling, anyone who drops off a tree at one of the seven sites set up in Athens this year will get a packet of yellow poplar and dogwood seeds donated by Ferry Morse Seed Co. to plant in their own yards.
In Athens-Clarke, volunteers expected to collect about 500 Christmas trees, about the same number that came in during last year's event.
The drop-off locations include Barrow Elementary School, Chase Street Elementary School, the Clarke County Tag Office on Lexington Road, Cofer's Home and Garden Showplace on Mitchell Bridge Road, the Georgia Square Mall theater parking lot, Sandy Creek Nature Center and the Winterville Public Works Building, and are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volunteers gave away more than 830 seedlings in Athens last year, when the campaign collected 18 tons of Christmas trees.
"We hope that people will plant these trees to replace the ones that they had in their homes over the holiday," said Stacee Farrell, executive director of Keep Athens Clarke-County Beautiful. "Lots of volunteers come out every year and help make this possible."
Donated trees will make the trip out to the Athens-Clarke Landfill on Lexington Road, where they'll be ground up into mulch.
In the past, homeowners could buy the mulch to use in their yards, but the county has plans for it this year.
The Christmas tree mulch will be used for school gardens, community gardens and improvement projects like those planned Jan. 18 for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service hosted by HandsOn Northeast Georgia.
After today's Bring One for the Chipper, a handful of places still will accept trees for recycling. The tag office, Winterville Public Works building and the Georgia Square Mall parking lot will have bins marked "Christmas trees only" until Tuesday night.
After that, the landfill, located at 3700 Lexington Road, will accept trees free of charge.
Log on to www.keepathensbeautiful.org or visit www.keepgeorgiabeautiful.org to find a recycling location in your community.
Published Saturday, January 09, 2010 Athens Banner-Herald
Now that New Year's Day has come and gone, most people are packing up their holiday decorations and taking down the Christmas trees.
Keep Georgia Beautiful organizations across the state will hold "Bring One for the Chipper" events today to give locals a place to recycle their trees into useful mulch - and give them an incentive to do it.
While Chipper donors often get a free seedling, anyone who drops off a tree at one of the seven sites set up in Athens this year will get a packet of yellow poplar and dogwood seeds donated by Ferry Morse Seed Co. to plant in their own yards.
In Athens-Clarke, volunteers expected to collect about 500 Christmas trees, about the same number that came in during last year's event.
The drop-off locations include Barrow Elementary School, Chase Street Elementary School, the Clarke County Tag Office on Lexington Road, Cofer's Home and Garden Showplace on Mitchell Bridge Road, the Georgia Square Mall theater parking lot, Sandy Creek Nature Center and the Winterville Public Works Building, and are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volunteers gave away more than 830 seedlings in Athens last year, when the campaign collected 18 tons of Christmas trees.
"We hope that people will plant these trees to replace the ones that they had in their homes over the holiday," said Stacee Farrell, executive director of Keep Athens Clarke-County Beautiful. "Lots of volunteers come out every year and help make this possible."
Donated trees will make the trip out to the Athens-Clarke Landfill on Lexington Road, where they'll be ground up into mulch.
In the past, homeowners could buy the mulch to use in their yards, but the county has plans for it this year.
The Christmas tree mulch will be used for school gardens, community gardens and improvement projects like those planned Jan. 18 for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service hosted by HandsOn Northeast Georgia.
After today's Bring One for the Chipper, a handful of places still will accept trees for recycling. The tag office, Winterville Public Works building and the Georgia Square Mall parking lot will have bins marked "Christmas trees only" until Tuesday night.
After that, the landfill, located at 3700 Lexington Road, will accept trees free of charge.
Log on to www.keepathensbeautiful.org or visit www.keepgeorgiabeautiful.org to find a recycling location in your community.
Jan 2, 2010
300 military dogs have care packages coming
After-Christmas treats for Iraq deployed
300 military dogs have care packages coming
By Jennifer L. Johnson
Published Saturday, January 02, 2010
Especially during the holidays, people remember soldiers far from home and try to get them some creature comforts that will make the time away from their families a little more bearable.
So when Tom Wargo learned that hundreds of four-legged soldiers might need some supplies, too, he decided to help.
As a thank-you to the canine soldiers this holiday season, Daffy's Pet Soup Kitchen is sending more than 1,000 pounds of dog food, treats and brushes to U.S. military dogs deployed to Iraq.
Daffy's is a volunteer and donation-run pet food bank in Lawrenceville that has redistributed pet food donated by community members, pet food manufacturers and retails stores to pet owners in need.
"Years ago, I was handing stuff out of the back of my truck," said Wargo, who founded Daffy's and handles 30,000-40,000 pounds of dog food through his warehouse each month. "I knew there was a big need, but not that big a need."
Wargo turned his attention to the pups overseas after he received an e-mail from the Humane Association of Georgia - a coalition of humane societies, animal control and rescue groups - about Girl Scout Troop 60667 in Macon, which was sending care packages to dog-handlers in Iraq.
Wargo had just received a donation of dog brushes designed to attract dirt while combing through dog coats, and thought they'd be perfect for animals in the dusty Middle East.
The Girl Scout troop was sending about 50 pounds of dog paraphernalia, said Wargo, and weren't able to handle the 1,000 brushes and 500 pounds of dog food Daffy's was offering. They referred him to the U.S. War Dogs Association, a group of retired dog-handlers in New Jersey who could get the packages directly to the dog kennels at bases in Iraq.
"We know they're not going to get them there for Christmas anyway, since it can take three weeks to get stuff over there," Wargo said. "But we're still including all the Christmas cards and letters and pictures that people were sending for the handlers and soldiers in Iraq."
More than 700 dogs are working with the military in Iraq, according to Wargo, whose group is shipping items to about 300 of those dogs in 45 kennels on military bases. As the dogs rotate into the war zone, handlers will be able to select items for their furry friends.
Daffy's will continue to send treats and brushes to canine soldiers, but Wargo is looking forward to sending other gear that handlers say their dogs really need.
"You start out thinking, 'Oh wow - this is really going to help out,' " Wargo said. "And then you find out that there are 700 dogs in Iraq, and they need things like eye goggles and bulletproof jackets that are going to help them survive over there."
Once the War Dogs Association sends Wargo its wish list, he'll post it on the group's Web site, www.daffyspetsoupkitchen.com.
Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Saturday, January 02, 2010
300 military dogs have care packages coming
By Jennifer L. Johnson
Published Saturday, January 02, 2010
Especially during the holidays, people remember soldiers far from home and try to get them some creature comforts that will make the time away from their families a little more bearable.
So when Tom Wargo learned that hundreds of four-legged soldiers might need some supplies, too, he decided to help.
As a thank-you to the canine soldiers this holiday season, Daffy's Pet Soup Kitchen is sending more than 1,000 pounds of dog food, treats and brushes to U.S. military dogs deployed to Iraq.
Daffy's is a volunteer and donation-run pet food bank in Lawrenceville that has redistributed pet food donated by community members, pet food manufacturers and retails stores to pet owners in need.
"Years ago, I was handing stuff out of the back of my truck," said Wargo, who founded Daffy's and handles 30,000-40,000 pounds of dog food through his warehouse each month. "I knew there was a big need, but not that big a need."
Wargo turned his attention to the pups overseas after he received an e-mail from the Humane Association of Georgia - a coalition of humane societies, animal control and rescue groups - about Girl Scout Troop 60667 in Macon, which was sending care packages to dog-handlers in Iraq.
Wargo had just received a donation of dog brushes designed to attract dirt while combing through dog coats, and thought they'd be perfect for animals in the dusty Middle East.
The Girl Scout troop was sending about 50 pounds of dog paraphernalia, said Wargo, and weren't able to handle the 1,000 brushes and 500 pounds of dog food Daffy's was offering. They referred him to the U.S. War Dogs Association, a group of retired dog-handlers in New Jersey who could get the packages directly to the dog kennels at bases in Iraq.
"We know they're not going to get them there for Christmas anyway, since it can take three weeks to get stuff over there," Wargo said. "But we're still including all the Christmas cards and letters and pictures that people were sending for the handlers and soldiers in Iraq."
More than 700 dogs are working with the military in Iraq, according to Wargo, whose group is shipping items to about 300 of those dogs in 45 kennels on military bases. As the dogs rotate into the war zone, handlers will be able to select items for their furry friends.
Daffy's will continue to send treats and brushes to canine soldiers, but Wargo is looking forward to sending other gear that handlers say their dogs really need.
"You start out thinking, 'Oh wow - this is really going to help out,' " Wargo said. "And then you find out that there are 700 dogs in Iraq, and they need things like eye goggles and bulletproof jackets that are going to help them survive over there."
Once the War Dogs Association sends Wargo its wish list, he'll post it on the group's Web site, www.daffyspetsoupkitchen.com.
Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Saturday, January 02, 2010
Jan 1, 2010
Releasing the helm of The Ark
By Jennifer L. Johnson
Published Friday, January 01, 2010
After more than two decades directing The Ark, a faith-based help agency, Laura MacArthur begins the New Year as a retiree.
The mother of five children, MacArthur looks forward to getting a chance to do all the things she never had the time to do. Even so, she will miss coming into work, she said.
"I'm leaving not because there's anything wrong or because I'm unhappy, but just because it's time," said MacArthur, 64. "I don't think there are a lot of people who can say that they truly love their job and wake up each morning happy to come in to work."
MacArthur helped found The Ark, a cooperative effort of 35 local church congregations offering support to people who need assistance with basic needs like rent and utilities.
"We're not all things to all people, but what we do is fantastic in the sense of these short-term needs," MacArthur said.
Anyone who comes to the organization can get some kind of help, even if it's not financial. Most of the financial help goes to working people.
More than just money, The Ark gives people knowledge, a referral to another agency like the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank or information about how to cut a telephone or cable bill.
Most of The Ark's clients - or "neighbors" - are single women with children.
"It's how we do things here that matters," MacArthur said. "We do it with care and with respect - even when we say no."
MacArthur helped form The Ark while working as outreach director at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, where she saw requests for help triple in the first six months she worked there. MacArthur saw how local churches struggled to coordinate services and how families applied to church after church for assistance.
"As part of my job at Emmanuel, I looked into the possibility of creating a place for these people to go and get help from all of these congregations," MacArthur said.
Founders worked for nine months to set up The Ark and establish its first headquarters on property owned by Emmanuel, which also paid MacArthur's salary at first. After a year, the nonprofit began renting space from the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank on Barber Street, where The Ark is still located.
MacArthur, a native of Bethesda, Md., with a background in social work, moved to Athens in 1983 so her husband could work at the Navy Supply Corps School.
MacArthur will stay in Athens and focus on her two dogs, spend time outdoors and continue going to the book club started by friends at The Ark.
"The nature of this job is that you create friends. I'll continue to be friends with all the employees and volunteers here," she said. "There have been such great people who have come through The Ark that have made it what it is."
The volunteers are the reason MacArthur never felt burned out at work, she said. Laughing together helped boost their spirits even in the face of the tough situations they handle every day.
Over the years, MacArthur was most satisfied when The Ark came together with other organizations for a project, like helping the Clarke County School District provide clothes for a child in need.
"Yes, we might just be the money part, but what if they didn't have that?" MacArthur said. "We don't get funding from the government so we can do what we think our religious congregations would want us to do in those situations."
MacArthur will be replaced as executive director by Lucy Hudgens, a Rome native returning to the state after spending eight years at Outward Bound, where she was program director of operations in South Carolina.
"Laura has been a wonderful teacher, who has really been able to give me a strong foundation and a background about why we do what we do for this community," said Hudgens. "We will continue to do what The Ark has been able to do for the last 20 years."
The Ark will celebrate its 21st anniversary on Jan. 15 while MacArthur enjoys a late Christmas with her five children and seven grandchildren in a rented eight-bedroom house on Fripp Island, S.C., far from The Ark's Barber Street home.
After devoting two decades to The Ark, MacArthur doesn't plan on checking in on the organization to see how it's faring.
"I have never considered the Ark to be about me because we have so many different committed people," MacArthur said. "The Ark is going to stand on its own - it doesn't need me checking in. I would have failed if it did."
Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Friday, January 01, 2010
Published Friday, January 01, 2010
After more than two decades directing The Ark, a faith-based help agency, Laura MacArthur begins the New Year as a retiree.
The mother of five children, MacArthur looks forward to getting a chance to do all the things she never had the time to do. Even so, she will miss coming into work, she said.
"I'm leaving not because there's anything wrong or because I'm unhappy, but just because it's time," said MacArthur, 64. "I don't think there are a lot of people who can say that they truly love their job and wake up each morning happy to come in to work."
MacArthur helped found The Ark, a cooperative effort of 35 local church congregations offering support to people who need assistance with basic needs like rent and utilities.
"We're not all things to all people, but what we do is fantastic in the sense of these short-term needs," MacArthur said.
Anyone who comes to the organization can get some kind of help, even if it's not financial. Most of the financial help goes to working people.
More than just money, The Ark gives people knowledge, a referral to another agency like the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank or information about how to cut a telephone or cable bill.
Most of The Ark's clients - or "neighbors" - are single women with children.
"It's how we do things here that matters," MacArthur said. "We do it with care and with respect - even when we say no."
MacArthur helped form The Ark while working as outreach director at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, where she saw requests for help triple in the first six months she worked there. MacArthur saw how local churches struggled to coordinate services and how families applied to church after church for assistance.
"As part of my job at Emmanuel, I looked into the possibility of creating a place for these people to go and get help from all of these congregations," MacArthur said.
Founders worked for nine months to set up The Ark and establish its first headquarters on property owned by Emmanuel, which also paid MacArthur's salary at first. After a year, the nonprofit began renting space from the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank on Barber Street, where The Ark is still located.
MacArthur, a native of Bethesda, Md., with a background in social work, moved to Athens in 1983 so her husband could work at the Navy Supply Corps School.
MacArthur will stay in Athens and focus on her two dogs, spend time outdoors and continue going to the book club started by friends at The Ark.
"The nature of this job is that you create friends. I'll continue to be friends with all the employees and volunteers here," she said. "There have been such great people who have come through The Ark that have made it what it is."
The volunteers are the reason MacArthur never felt burned out at work, she said. Laughing together helped boost their spirits even in the face of the tough situations they handle every day.
Over the years, MacArthur was most satisfied when The Ark came together with other organizations for a project, like helping the Clarke County School District provide clothes for a child in need.
"Yes, we might just be the money part, but what if they didn't have that?" MacArthur said. "We don't get funding from the government so we can do what we think our religious congregations would want us to do in those situations."
MacArthur will be replaced as executive director by Lucy Hudgens, a Rome native returning to the state after spending eight years at Outward Bound, where she was program director of operations in South Carolina.
"Laura has been a wonderful teacher, who has really been able to give me a strong foundation and a background about why we do what we do for this community," said Hudgens. "We will continue to do what The Ark has been able to do for the last 20 years."
The Ark will celebrate its 21st anniversary on Jan. 15 while MacArthur enjoys a late Christmas with her five children and seven grandchildren in a rented eight-bedroom house on Fripp Island, S.C., far from The Ark's Barber Street home.
After devoting two decades to The Ark, MacArthur doesn't plan on checking in on the organization to see how it's faring.
"I have never considered the Ark to be about me because we have so many different committed people," MacArthur said. "The Ark is going to stand on its own - it doesn't need me checking in. I would have failed if it did."
Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Friday, January 01, 2010
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