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On Stage

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Columbia County Performing Arts CenterAn ogre, a love story, Irish dancers, a rom-com and two notorious murderesses are set to take the stage this season at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center.

While the previous lineups included four shows, the 2024-25 Broadway in Columbia County series will feature one-night showings of five musicals.

“Our goal is to bring in entertainment options for the community, and we had an opportunity to add an additional show this year,” says Katie Cason, the PAC assistant general manager. “We’re thrilled to have five shows.”

The season kicks off on Friday, October 4 with Shrek the Musical. Based on the Oscar-winning animated film, Shrek tells the story of a lovable ogre who finds himself on a life-changing journey with a wisecracking donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue.

“People of all ages know and love the story of Shrek,” says Cason.

On Monday, December 2, Hadestown will take the stage. Winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and the Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album, this show is a timeless love story. The musical intertwines the lives of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice and of King Hades and his wife, Persephone, as it takes the audience on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back.

Hadestown has been in the market before, but people aren’t as familiar with that name,” Cason says. “I think people will be excited to see it for that reason. It’s a great story of mythical tales.”

The third show, Riverdance 30 – The New Generation, is a twist on an old favorite with new choreography and costumes. As part of its special 30th anniversary tour, the show – perfect for a date night – is scheduled for Friday, February 14.

On Thursday, April 24, Pretty Woman: The Musical will offer a fresh take on a favorite Hollywood rom-com. “People know and love this storyline, so I think it will be popular,” says Cason.

The season wraps up on Wednesday, May 14 with Chicago. The story, set in the Windy City’s Jazz Age, follows two of Cook County Jail’s most notorious murderesses – vaudeville star Velma Kelly and chorus girl Roxie Hart – as they become fierce rivals in their competition for headlines amid a media frenzy.

Worldwide Weekend

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Photos courtesy of Arts in the Heart of Augusta

Art, international food, music and dance are the stars of this annual outdoor festival.

Arts in the Heart of Augusta represents cultures around the world with flair, but as one of the area’s most well-known events, it also helps the community shine.

This year the awarding-winning festival, which regularly attracts 100,000-plus attendees, will feature more than 150 juried fine arts and crafts artists from across the United States.

In addition, 20 authentic cuisine booths will populate the global food village. Food booths will include fare from Jamaica, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, China, Germany, India, France, Ireland, Laos, Sudan, South Sudan, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Lebanon, Trinidad, Philippines, Latin America and the Pacific Islands. A specialty beer garden also will be part of the festivities.

Arts in the Heart of Augusta represents cultures around the world with flairAlong with international cuisine, the festival will offer five stages of non-stop entertainment that include everything from hip hop to jazz to rock. The Global Stage on the Augusta Common will feature cultural music and dance as well as popular music into the evening.

An indoor Jazz Stage offers jazz, blues and roots performances. Also indoors, the Soul Suite Stage will be the place to find poetry, storytelling, acoustic music, soul, spoken word and improv.

The Family Stage also will return with performances that appeal to children and families, and the Community Stage will showcase the area’s local talent.

Arts in the Heart of Augusta represents cultures around the world with flairPerformers will include the platinum-selling Austin alt-rock band, Fastball, which will take the Global Stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 21. The band includes guitarist Miles Zuniga, guitarist/singer Tony Scalzo and drummer Joey Shuffield.

Fastball’s chart-topping hits include “The Way” and “Out Of My Head.” In addition to old favorites, the group will perform songs from its new album, Sonic Ranch.

Jazz performer Georgia Muldrow will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, September 20 on the Jazz Stage. Her Overload album was nominated for a 2020 Grammy, and she has collaborated with famed musicians such as Robert Glasper, Adrian Younge, Ambrose Akinmursire, Justin Brown’s Nyeusi and Keyon Harrold.

Arts in the Heart of AugustaThe large Family Area will be packed with interactive children’s activities, street performers, public art and a Young Artists Market. Atlanta puppeteer Lee “That Puppet Guy” Bryan will be a featured performance on the Family Stage.

Local artists will paint live all weekend with the return of Artzilla. The Authors Lounge, featuring Georgia authors and book signings, also will be back. Limited edition 2024 festival merchandise, including the collectible Festival Teddy Bears, will be available as well.

Arts in the Heart was named the Best Festival by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2020 and “Best for 2023” Festival – ranked 52nd best in the entire country – by Sunshine Artist.

Arts in the Heart of Augusta represents cultures around the world with flairThe festival will be held on Broad Street and the Augusta Common. The festivities were slated to take place this year at its original location on and around Telfair Street. However, it was moved after the road construction schedule for Telfair Street was announced in July. Road construction on Broad Street, which initially prompted the relocation, will now start in 2025.

No pets or coolers will be allowed onsite. However, lawn chairs are welcome. The festival will be held rain or shine. Updates about inclement weather will be posted on the Arts in the Heart home page and social media.

If You Go:

What: Arts in the Heart of Augusta

When: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Friday, September 20; 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, September 21 and 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, September 22

Where: Downtown Augusta

How Much: $15 in advance; $20 at the gate; VIP – $80 single, $150 for two; free for children 10 and under; badges are good for the entire weekend

More Info: artsintheheartofaugusta.com

Symphonic Seventieth

LIFE + STYLE

 Augusta Symphony turns 70Classical, rock, holiday, cinematic and family friendly music. This year promises to be another lively season as Augusta Symphony turns 70.

“All of the concerts are upbeat and celebratory,” says music director Dirk Meyer. “We’ll mix the known with the unknown as we have done the last two years.”

Symphony Series

This year, the Symphony Series, which is appropriately called “Seventieth,” will include six concerts that celebrate seven decades of music that has been inspired by nature and nurture.

“I included several works throughout the season from 1954, and there are a few more from the 1950s,” says Meyer.

The season opens with Sounds of the Sea on Friday, September 27. The program includes Festive Overture, which was composed by Dimitri Shostakovich in 1954; Two Latin American Dances by Lena Frank, an American composer of contemporary classical musical who often draws on her multicultural background; and La Mer by French composer Claude Debussy.

In addition, guest artist Orion Weiss will accompany the orchestra on piano for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. “I have wanted to bring him here for several years,” says Meyer.

On Friday, November 1, Sounds from the Sky will feature three works that describe bird songs. The concert will include Tchaikovsky’s Suite from Swan Lake and two pieces by Finnish composers – Cantus Articus by Einojuhani Rautavaara and Symphony No. 5 by Jean Sibelius.

Cantus Anticus incorporates tape recordings of birdsong that Rautavaara made near the Arctic Circle. “It’s totally different from anything you’d expect. People are going to love this piece,” says Meyer.

In Symphony No. 5, Meyer says, “The last movement captured 20-plus swans that were flying above Sibelius.”

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Sounds From the Heart on Saturday, February 8 will feature guest artist Anastasia Petrunina on the violin for Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1, which was written in 1954.

“She performs a concerto with us every year,” says Meyer. “For years she has wanted to perform this with us. It’s her favorite piece of all time.”

The Symphony will present two concerts in March – Sounds of the Classics on Saturday, March 8 and Sounds From the East on Saturday, March 29.

Sounds of the Classics will include More Seasons by Michael Abels, a black composer who wrote music for television and film, and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 1. In addition, guest artist and celloist Santiago Cañón-Valencia of Colombia will accompany the orchestra on Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1.

As guest artist for Sounds From the East, pianist Adam Golka will join the musicians for Saint Saens’ Afrika and Fazil Say’s Silk Road.

“He uses a lot of unusual techniques on the piano. He doesn’t just play the keys. He also plucks the strings,” says Meyer. “He plays the piano in ways you don’t think of. It’s fun to hear, and it’s fun to watch.”

The performance also will include Mozart’s Overture from The Abduction from the Seraglio and Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade.

Fittingly, the finale for the Symphony Series on Saturday, May 3 is entitled Celebrating Augusta.

“We want to celebrate our 70th anniversary, and we also want to celebrate Augusta,” says Meyer.

This concert will include two works that were written in 1954 – the opening piece, Khatchaturian’s Suite From Spartacus, and Bernstein’s Candide Overture.

Still’s Symphony No. 1 will feature videography celebrating Augusta and the CSRA by guest artist and photochoreographer Nicholas Bardonnay.

“He takes a piece of music and choreographs his pictures to it,” says Meyer. “He’s creating a piece for us that will celebrate the history of the orchestra, the history of the Miller Theater and the history of our region.”

In addition to accessing the archives from the Augusta Museum of History for photos, Meyer says, “We will ask our audience members to submit photos of Augusta to us.”

The concert will conclude with Respighi’s Pines of Rome. “The Pines of Rome is really powerful,” Meyer says. “It will end with trumpets throughout the hall.”

Pops! Series

The Pops! Series will include tributes to a pair of American rock stars – Bruce Springsteen and Tina Turner.

On Thursday, October 10, Bruce in the USA will showcase Matt Ryan from the “Legends In Concert” cast. He began playing the Springsteen character in 2000.

“This is a show that was first created for Vegas. It tours across the country,” Meyer says.

The Mariachi Fiesta on Thursday, November 7 will feature the band, Mariachi Cobre from Disney World’s Epcot Park.

Sounds of the Season: A Chloë Christmas on Thursday, December 12 will showcase Irish singer Chloë Agnew, a former member of Celtic Woman. The program will include music with Celtic-inspired themes and traditional holiday tunes.

“Last year when we brought back the holiday concert for the first time in many years, people really loved it,” Meyer says.

In The Music of Tina Turner on Thursday, February 20, Broadway star and American Idol finalist LaKisha Jones and others will perform some of her hits such as “Proud Mary” and “River Deep, Mountain High.”

The Pops! Series wraps up on Thursday, April 24 with Star Wars: A New Hope when Meyer conducts the full orchestra for the movie soundtrack by John Williams.

“We perform all of the music from the movie, and the movie plays while we perform the music live,” says Meyer, an avid Star Wars fan.

Family Concerts at Columbia County Series

Also for the young and young at heart, the Family Concerts at Columbia County Series will include afternoon performances of Halloween at the Symphony on Sunday, October 27 and Holiday Spectacular on Sunday, December 8.

Regardless of the featured music, however, the shows generally share one common trait.

“I mostly try to end the concerts on an upbeat note,” says Meyer. “I want people to leave with a good feeling inside.”

The Symphony and Pops! performances will be held at Miller Theater, and the Family Concerts will take place at Hardin Auditorium. For more information, visit augustasymphony.com.

Accolades for Evans

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top five cities in Georgia by USA TodayEvans recently was named one of the top five cities in Georgia by USA Today.

Using 16 different metrics, the publication’s Homefront research team ranked Evans second overall out of 32 cities for having the lowest crime rate of the 32 cities, one of the state’s lowest unemployment rates at 2.5%, top-rated schools and amenities such as Evans Towne Center Park and Savannah River access.

With a typical home value of more than three times the median household income, Evans also ranked third for home affordability.

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

Literary Loop

The Life Impossible by Matt HaigFrom New York Times bestselling author Matt Haig comes an enchanting tale of hope, wonder and personal transformation.

When retired math teacher Grace Winters inherits a run-down house on a Mediterranean island from a long-lost friend, curiosity gets the better of her. She arrives in Ibiza with a one-way ticket, no guidebook and no plan.

Among the rugged hills and golden beaches of the island, Grace searches for answers about her friend’s life and how it ended. What she uncovers is stranger than she could have dreamed. But to dive into this impossible truth, Grace must first come to terms with her past.

Filled with wild adventure and a touch of magic and mystery, this is a story of the life-changing power of a new beginning.

“In a world that seems to be getting more unstable by the moment, Haig’s novels are a steady ship in rough seas. . .the author’s insistence on the power of connection to change lives comes through loud and clear,” says Kirkus.

Evolve by Phish

Listen To This

Evolve shines like multi-colored sunbeamsLike a surprise summer storm—unexpected, exhilarating, full of twists — Phish, a band known for its relentless innovation and live improvisation, delivers a supersonic cyclone of tuneage with its 16th studio album, Evolve.

Evolve shines like multi-colored sunbeams of wonder with a familiar, yet fresh, maze of melody and rhythm surrounded by a vibrant torrent of rock, funk and jazz. Rooted in traditional rock ’n’ roll but always flipping the script, band members noodle, zap, slap and stomp through a well-worn map with new routes and landmarks scribbled in the margins.

One of the album’s most intriguing moments comes with “Pillow Jets,” a track that starts as a lullaby before spiraling into a cacophony of sound. It’s the kind of song that could only come from a band that swims in unpredictability, where each note feels like it’s balancing on the edge of a new adventure.

“Oblivion” and “A Wave of Hope” maintain a high-energy vibe filled with bluesy riffs and soaring solos that recall the band’s jam roots, but it’s in the quieter moments where the album shows its depth in creating a space where listeners can lose themselves or find something new.

In Evolve, Phish has crafted an album that celebrates its past and leaps into the unknown. Inviting listeners to join them on a journey, the record doesn’t end with the final track but continues to evolve with each listen.

Whether you’re a Phish newbie or a seasoned Phan, Evolve will resonate with you long after the last note.

– Chris Rucker

Fired Up

LIFE + STYLE

annual FireK FiveK fundraiserFor 10 years FireK has been fully engulfed in its mission to raise funds for firefighting families that are battling cancer, and the nonprofit organization has no plans to extinguish its efforts.

FireK held its first 5K run in 2014 when a group of local veteran firefighters banded together to support co-workers who had been diagnosed with cancer. This year the annual FireK FiveK fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, October 5. The event features professionally timed USATF-certified 5K and 10K races, firefighter team races and a one-mile fun run for kids. The registration deadline is Saturday, September 28.

Other activities include a kids’ fun zone with bouncy houses, face painting, super heroes, fire safety house, live music with a DJ, a free hot dog lunch, door prizes and an awards ceremony. Fire apparatus also will be on display.

annual FireK FiveK fundraiser FireK supports the financial needs of firefighting families battling cancer with direct cash disbursements to spend as needed without reservation. In its first 10 years of operation, the nonprofit has provided $40,000 to 40 fire service families in their battle against 13 types of cancer. The organization also connects recipient families, post diagnosis, with resources to increase survivability and wellness.

In addition, FireK provide firefighters with no-cost preemptive cancer testing that meets NFPA specifications and IAFC recommendations. The organization also connects firefighters with resources to mitigate or minimize exposure risks.

annual FireK FiveK fundraiser Any firefighter or immediate family member that has been diagnosed with cancer may be nominated to receive financial assistance. FireK disperses a minimum of $1,000 to at least three recipients every year. An independent panel of firefighters from local departments determines the order in which nominees are assisted.

If You Go:

What: FireK FiveK

When: Saturday, October 5; 10K race begins at 9 a.m.; 5K race begins at 9:15 a.m.

Where: Evans Towne Center Park

How Much: $30 for 5K; $45 for 10K

More Info: firekfivek.com; sign up at itsyourrace.com

Golf Course to Reopen

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Jones Creek Golf Course is slated to re-open in August 2025

Sally Kolar photo

Jones Creek Golf Course is slated to re-open in August 2025, the Jones Creek HOA recently announced.

The property reached an agreement with Bond Global of Aiken, which opened a driving range there in April 2023, to renovate and reopen the golf course.

Jones Creek originally was designed by Rees Jones and redone by Tom Fazio, and the design will not change.

Because of an unresolved lawsuit against Columbia County about stormwater runoff that flooded parts of the layout, the golf course has been closed since September 2018. 

State Certification

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Georgia Association Chiefs of Police Georgia Law Enforcement Certification ProgramThe Columbia County School District Police Department recently received state certification by successfully completing the Georgia Association Chiefs of Police Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program.

After a rigorous application and process review, the CCSDPD joins the ranks of only 140 top law enforcement agencies to successfully demonstrate best practices for effective and professional law enforcement.

Out of 700 law enforcement agencies across the state, 41 are school police and the CCSDPD is one of only five of the state’s 180 school districts with certification. Cornerstones of the certification program include professionalism, positive community support, transparency, ethical conduct and more.

As part of the accreditation process, the CCSDPD met a required 141 standards covering nine areas essential to effective law enforcement. Additionally, the typical 36-month process was completed by the CCSDPD in 13 months.

Pollinator Count

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community members across Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and now Florida are invited to help count pollinators as part of the annual Great Southeast Pollinator Census, a UGA Extension projectOn August 23 and 24, community members across Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and now Florida are invited to help count pollinators as part of the annual Great Southeast Pollinator Census, a UGA Extension project.

Participants are asked to spend 15 minutes observing a favorite flowering plant and counting the insects that land on it, from butterflies and bees to dragonflies and beetles.

No experience is required, and all ages are invited to join the count – individuals, families, schools, youth groups, co-workers, gardeners and any other interested community members.

A census guide is available online that contains all of the details – how to count, how to identify insects that you see and how to submit the counts. There also is a counting sheet that can be printed to take to the garden.

For more information about the project, visit gsepc.org.

The New Classic Home by Paloma Contreras

Literary Loop

Paloma Contreras How do you design a space that successfully mixes traditional and modern elements? In The New Classic Home, award-winning interior designer Paloma Contreras demonstrates how to successfully pair seemingly disparate pieces from different eras and styles to create harmonious, timeless and balanced interiors.How do you design a space that successfully mixes traditional and modern elements?

In The New Classic Home, award-winning interior designer Paloma Contreras demonstrates how to successfully pair seemingly disparate pieces from different eras and styles to create harmonious, timeless and balanced interiors.

Contreras, who has been featured in many major publications including House Beautiful, Vogue, Elle Decor, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, artfully walks readers through the process of mixing old and new, blending vintage pieces into even the most contemporary of settings to create spaces that feel both elegant and inviting.

With full-color photographs and accessible design tips for balancing color, scale and proportion, the pages also illustrate how to highlight elements of any architectural style, freshen classic silhouettes, and create layered, interesting spaces that celebrate the character of a home.

The New Classic Home is a showcase of beautiful interiors and a source of inspiration for those looking to include an element of modern surprise with a touch of elegant antiquity. It encourages readers to embrace their personal style while appreciating the enduring appeal of classic design.

Snake Oil King by Widespread Panic

Listen To This

Southern soul, Widespread PanicBust out the box fans and sweet tea — the sons of Southern soul, Widespread Panic, are back with an oasis of chilly, wet awesomeness that’s been brewing for nine years. Snake Oil King is a high-octane, six-pack of tunes that slings a dizzying blend of Panic’s swagger and gritty-hooked storytelling that quenches the ears and fans the soul.

From first splash, Panic brings the party with the funk-laden blues jam, “We Walk Each Other Home.” The rockin’ raft of Widespread’s effortless wonder floats from track to track, and the signature harmonic and lazy-hazy vocal blend of lead singer John Bell and keyboardist JoJo Herman can be found on the back-porch-groove ditty, “Tackle Box Hero.”

As the lush-layered arrangements of “Snake Oil King” drift into a Lowcountry sunset, the album appropriately wraps with “Small Town,” a big-splash melodic sizzler that brings it all home with a misty waterfall of dreamy Panic bliss to instantly calm the bark of these dog days.

With a Widespread celebratory toast to their classic formula, the hollerin’ sons of Athens, GA strike all the familiar chords for the die-hards and open the floodgate for newbies to devour and come back for seconds.

This isn’t just an album; it’s a triple-scoop masterpiece of emotion-commotion with a jammin’ ice-cream truck full of surprises.

– Chris Rucker

Searching for a Legend

Beyond the Peach State

A mythical (or not) creature brings bigtime adventure to the Appalachian Mountains.

Whether they call him Bigfoot, Sasquatch or Yeti, true believers have scoured wooded areas from Appalachia to the Pacific Northwest – and all corners of the globe – for sightings of the legendary figure.

In the southwest corner of Virginia, near the commonwealth’s smallest town of Norton, the creature answers to a different name – Woodbooger. And anyone who goes there will find him hiding in plain view in the wilderness of nearby Flag Rock Recreation Area.

Just beyond the parking area for the 1,000-acre park, a giant statue of the tall, hairy, humanlike being towers over a gravel path that leads to Flag Rock Overlook.

The Woodbooger became part of local lore in 2011 when Animal Planet filmed an episode of its program “Finding Bigfoot” in southwest Virginia. Courtesy of this national exposure, tourists flocked to the area in search of the elusive forest dweller. Taking full advantage of the creature’s newfound notoriety, the Norton City Council declared Flag Rock Recreation Area a Woodbooger Sanctuary in 2014.

Woodbooger. Nestled beneath High Knob NortonExplorers Delight

Visitors often take pictures of themselves with the Woodbooger statue. Explorers also are welcome to come to the area and search for the mysterious creature or photograph evidence of the beast’s existence as long as they don’t damage its habitat.

However, Norton is not only a base for those in search of the Woodbooger. Nestled beneath High Knob – the highest point in the Cumberland Mountains – the town is centrally located between two main highways, U.S. 23 and U.S. Route 58 Alternate, near the crossroads of Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.

The 4,200-foot High Knob summit is part of Stone Mountain which, at 13 miles wide and 26 miles long, connects many of the communities and recreation sites in the High Knob Region. Along with the city of Norton, the region includes nine Southwest Virginia communities in Wise, Scott and Lee counties.

Offering a variety of outdoor adventures, the region also is home to three state parks (Clinch River, Natural Tunnel and Southwest Virginia Museum), the more than 90,000-acre Clinch Ranger District on the Jefferson National Forest and other community parks and trails.

Activities range from hiking, hunting and horseback riding to camping, cycling (road, gravel and mountain) and climbing or bouldering on miles of cliffs. The region’s waterways offer opportunities for fishing and paddling as well.

In addition, the 40-plus mile Thomas Jefferson Scenic Byway Loop passes by additional recreation sites, scenic vistas and trails.

Stone Mountain, the High Knob Observation TowerObservation Tower and Overlooks

Located five miles above downtown Norton atop the summit of Stone Mountain, the High Knob Observation Tower is a popular destination for hikers. Distant peaks as far away as Great Smoky Mountains National Park and West Virginia are visible from the tower.

A one-mile trail (also the start of the 15.6-mile Chief Benge Scout Trail) travels from the observation tower parking lot to High Knob Recreation Area.

Evenings are prime time to tour the area as well. Since the Woodbooger is a nocturnal creature, a spectacular sunset just might get explorers in the mood for a nighttime adventure.

The observation tower, along with two overlooks, is an ideal spot to watch the sunset.

Powell Valley Overlook, located on U.S. 23 North between Big Stone Gap and Norton, offers sweeping vistas of Powell Valley and surrounding mountains.

At 3,200 feet in elevation, Flag Rock Overlook also provides a great vantage point to watch the sun dip below the horizon. The lights in downtown Norton illuminate the surrounding hillsides as well.

A daytime hike to Flag Rock Overlook showcases the reasons that the Woodbooger would feel at home in the region. Highlighting the area’s natural beauty, the scenic trail to the overlook provides panoramic views of the Appalachian landscape.

The almost three-mile out-and-back trek, which begins at Legion Park in Norton, requires hikers to navigate gradual inclines and rocky terrain along forested paths lined by towering trees. Yellow blazes mark the trail, but don’t forget to keep an eye out for the Woodbooger. If you don’t spot the real thing, well, the statue is only a few steps from the overlook.

In Good Company

The city’s Flag Rock Recreation Area is three miles above downtown Norton on the lower slopes of High Knob. The park is most often associated with “Flag Rock,” which can be seen from downtown as a rock outcrop capped by an American flag.

The stars and stripes have waved atop the rock pillar since the 1920s when a German immigrant is said to have scaled the outcrop and erected the flag to symbolize his love for his newfound home.

In addition, the Woodbooger is not the only one to enjoy sanctuary status in these parts. The Flag Rock Recreation Area also has been designated as a Green Salamander Sanctuary to protect the species’ habitat. It is the country’s only town or city property given special designation for this species.

There are 20-plus salamander species within the borders of Norton and Wise County, giving the region one of the world’s highest concentrations of salamander diversity.

If you spy a Green Salamander, consider yourself lucky (few trained herpetologists get to see the species) – and be sure to keep your distance. They don’t respond well to being handled, and the chemicals on humans’ skin can harm the amphibians.

Festivals and Food

Along with the elusive Woodbooger and Green Salamander, the region is home to many outdoor festivals. The annual High Knob Outdoor Fest is August 10-18, with adventures designed for beginners and experts alike.

Activities include an outdoor photo contest, kayak and canoe rides, a bouldering clinic, stargazing program, nature painting classes, outdoor yoga, forest botanicals festival, trail runs, mountain bike poker ride on the Flag Rock Area Trails system and more.

The festival culminates with a celebration in downtown Norton from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, August 17, that features live bands, a craft beer and wine garden, food trucks, local artisans and outdoor gear vendors and demonstrations. For more information, go to highknoboutdoorfest.com.

Aiming High

Sports
Jacob Judson, now 16 years old, was looking for a hobby, so he decided to try shooting at a local 4-H wobble trap team meet

Photos courtesy of Cyle Foley, Lefty Ray and Jonathan Johnson

Only two years after taking up sporting clays, a local phenom represented Team USA on an international stage.

It all started in February 2022 with an email about wobble trap shooting from the Columbia County 4-H Club. Appling resident Jacob Judson, now 16 years old, was looking for a hobby, so he decided to try shooting at a local 4-H wobble trap team meet at Columbia County’s old landfill.

After pulling a trigger for the first time ever at that event, Jacob was hooked on shooting sporting clays even though he had “never hunted in my life.”

He kept entering sporting clays events – and doing quite well, thank you – across the Southeast, and currently, he competes about 30 weekends a year.

“Jacob is still a name that people are trying to figure out,” says his father, Jonathan.

Spoiler alert: He’s making it easy for them.

Reaching His Goals

Beginning in E Class at the bottom of the shooting world rankings, Jacob rose to the Master Class in 11 1/2 months. Two years after taking up the sport, he represented his country at the 2024 World FITASC (pronounced FEE-task) Championship in Hudson, Wisconsin June 27-30 as a Junior member of Team USA.

For the uninitiated, FITASC an acronym for the international version of American sporting clays is the Olympics of the shooting world.

Jacob had to participate in at least four regional shoots to be able to qualify for Team USA at FITASC. Although the competitors came from across the world, they primarily live in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe.

Before the competition, it was hard for Jacob to comprehend his achievement. “When I got the Team USA jersey, that’s when it really hit me,” he says.

Marching in the opening ceremony with his teammates was surreal for him. “It’s hard to explain,” he says. “It was great to represent my country.”

He represented America well. Jacob finished 20th in the Junior division out of almost 100 competitors, and he finished in 130th place in the entire 950-person field, which included shooters of all ages.

In the FITASC competition, shooters faced a series of eight parcours, or courses. Each parcour had 25 targets, which were launched from different stations, for a total of 200 targets. The shoot is based off of a menu board, and participants cannot mount their guns until they see the target.

Jacob met his individual goal of hitting at least 20 clays in each parcour and finished with a score of 166.

“I was happy about it,” he says. “It was a good score.”

Building Competitors

The overall winner of the competition, Zach Kienbaum of Savannah, who is also Jacob’s coach, had a score of 189.

He helps Jacob develop his skills and keep things in perspective.

“At that age, I don’t really care how he shoots,” Kienbaum says. “We’re building competitors for the future. I want to build the best adult Jacob. I want to build the best competitor we can.”

Kienbaum, who coaches many high-level adults, normally doesn’t teach teens unless they’re committed and serious about the sport.

“Jacob is the type of kid that I like working with,” he says. “He came out of nowhere. A year ago, no one really knew who he was. He burst onto the scene.”

Kienbaum says Jacob’s raw talent, along with his low-key demeanor, sets him apart from other shooters.

“He has a great attitude. He’s calm and even-keeled,” says Kienbaum. “His mind just understands what he’s trying to do.”

In Master Class events across the country, Jacob often competes against men in their 30s and 40s who have been shooting for years.

“It’s hard to compete against them. They have a lot more experience and a lot more control in what they do,” says Jacob. “I try to shoot with my coach whenever I can. I try to pay attention to what he’s doing and copy it.”

In addition, Jacob, who started shooting at Pinetucky Gun Club in Blythe in June 2022, has continued to hone his skills with the club’s team, the Pullits. Charles Dolan of Pinetucky says Jacob is the gun club’s first shooter to achieve a national ranking.

“He has worked with the right coaches. He has worked with the right people,” says Dolan. “He has a natural ability and great hand-eye coordination. He has put in the hard work, and that’s what it takes.”

Making Friends

Despite his considerable talent, Jacob says one of the most rewarding aspects of the sport is the people he meets.

“They all compete against each other, but they’re friends at the same time,” says his mother, Lynn. “They want to beat each other, but they’ll give each other a hug afterward.”

Admittedly shy, Jacob, a junior in Columbia County’s Virtual Academy who previously attended Harlem High, says the competitions bring him out of his shell.

“When I’m at a shoot, I’ve had to meet people and learn how to talk to them,” he says.

Reconnecting with friends and meeting new ones, as well as getting experience with more difficult targets, was his favorite part of the FITASC competition.

“I’m friends with a lot of people in the sport, and it was great seeing people I know,” Jacob says. “Meeting other people from around the world is a cool experience, too.”

Incorporation and Consolidation

Buzz

consolidated government.A multi-phased process that could bring changes to Columbia County is underway but far from over.

Déjà vu, anyone? As it did in the early 2000s, Columbia County once again is exploring the possibility of forming a consolidated government.

This time, however, the county is following a different path. Under the current scenario, the unincorporated portions of the county first would incorporate into a city, and the initial phase of the process – a fiscal feasibility study – is complete.

The study found that it would be feasible fiscally for Columbia County to incorporate its entire land area, excluding the cities of Grovetown and Harlem, into a new city and then merge with the county to create a consolidated government.

“This is something we’ve talked about for a long time. When we look at the financial aspects of this, it just makes sense,” says Scott Johnson, county manager.

While the study found that incorporation and consolidation could be feasible fiscally, it did not address the social, political or governance aspects of the proposal.

Under incorporation and consolidation, the new municipality would become Georgia’s sixth largest city. However, voters will have the final say in the matter, which could take three years to decide.

Fiscal Feasibility

A feasibility study is required by the state House of Representatives before it can consider legislation that proposes incorporation. Now that the report is complete, legislation could be drafted this year and come up for a vote the following year. “It could go before the voters the year after that,” Johnson says.

However, he says the next step is to gather public input, which could begin in late spring or early summer.

“Some people are very excited about the possibility. Some people are very apprehensive about it,” Johnson says. “We’re gathering information, and we’re going to put it before the voters.”

Conducted by Valdosta State University, the study is available online at columbiacountyga.gov.

The report concludes, “Based on our analysis, we find existing revenues of $248 million exceed likely expenditures for the services identified to be provided, projected at $191 million, and therefore have concluded that the City of Columbia is likely fiscally feasible.”

According to the study, consolidation could provide the county with additional revenue streams such as franchise fees, which are paid by companies or utilities to operate within a county or municipality.

For the purpose of the study, Georgia Power fees were examined. As of March 2023, the county franchise fees were 1.1839% of usage cost, and Georgia Power’s municipal franchise fee rate was 3.0647% of usage cost.

“Franchise fees would go up if we were inside a city,” Johnson says. “We’re missing out on $8.4 million in revenue.”

While county residents’ power bills would increase annually by about $23, he continues, the new municipality could use the fees to reduce the current millage rate of 4.895 by 0.808 mills to 4.087.

Other potential revenue sources could include an increase in hotel/motel taxes, grants and expanded code enforcements.

What About Grovetown and Harlem?

“There are a lot of unanswered questions,” says Gary Jones, Grovetown’s mayor and a lifelong Columbia County resident. “From a personal standpoint, I like the aspect of having a rural area in the county.”

In addition, Grovetown and Harlem would be landlocked with no possibility of growth through annexation.

According to the county’s Geographic Information Systems Department, Grovetown has 556 acres of undeveloped land. However, Jones says, “Areas that are undeveloped are in the inner core. We need to spread out so we don’t have so much traffic congestion.”

He says he would like to negotiate with county officials in the near future about letting the city accumulate more land through annexation.

According to the county GIS department, Harlem has 1,843 acres of undeveloped land.

“We have at least two active developments with a third having started with their infrastructure and one more development that will be a combination of commercial and residential to start in the coming months,” says Debra Moore, Harlem city manager. “These are all within what I would call Harlem proper, with areas out toward the actual city limits to still be developed on both the north side and east side of the city.”

In the study, Harlem mayor Roxanne Whitaker and Elaine Matthews, Grovetown city administrator, raised other issues as well. They included sales tax distribution, intergovernmental agreements, public safety, the organizational structure of the new government and community identity.

“We have been told that there will be no changes, that all will continue to work as it is now,” Moore says.

Johnson also says that residents would be able to keep their current mailing addresses.

“The county has always given us a voice and a seat at the table, but it is still something to consider and think about. There has been some discussion with the mayor and council, but we have no concrete comments pertaining to being in support of or not in support of this move by the county,” Moore says. “We are waiting and watching to see what the next step is and will go from there. We understand that, as a city, our residents who live within our city limits will not have a vote in this matter as it impacts those who live in the unincorporated area more directly.”