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Happy Holidays by Billy Idol

Listen To This

Picture this: it’s Christmas Eve. Snow is hopefully (but not likely) falling softly outside, lights are twinkling on the tree, cinnamon and chocolate waft through the air and suddenly, harking from the HI-FI speakers, you hear a familiar gravelly voice that shakes the tinsel, rattles the ornaments and rolls a parade of jingle-janglin’ good times into the mix.

That’s right — Happy Holidays, Billy Idol’s 15-track Christmas basharole is here, bursting with festive flavor to add a dash of rebel Yule spice to your holiday soundtrack.

Don’t let Billy’s brand of swagger fool you; he clearly knows how to balance naughty and nice.

From the opening riffs of “Jingle Bell Rock,” Billy slaps on a red leather jacket, revs up the reindeer and tears straight into a festive fireball of tunes so good it’ll convince Santa to ditch his sleigh for a Harley and Rudolph for a Les Paul.

His rendition of “Winter Wonderland” drops a punky-honky-tonky twist onto the fire, while the vintage chops of “Let It Snow” has holiday dive-bar party vibes.

With a magical high-hat of old-fashioned fun, “Frosty the Snowman” taps onto the set with a version so cool you’ll melt, and his warm and cozy rendition of “Silent Night” is a pure crooning classic.

For those used to holiday sonic stockings filled with Mariah Carey’s high notes and Nat King Cole’s roasted chestnuts, Happy Holidays is no lump of coal. It’s got attitude, charm and enough pick-up to provide a festive free ride over the hills and through the woods with something in the trunk for everyone.

– Chris Rucker

Teacher of the Year

People

Tabitha Purvis of Euchee Creek Elementary School has been named the 2025 Columbia County School District Teacher of the Year.

Purvis currently teaches fifth grade math and science. As part of her winnings, she will receive a free one-year lease for a new BMW 228 Coupe Sedan, courtesy of Taylor BMW. The car also comes with complimentary insurance on behalf of Acrisure Insurance and a $1,000 gas gift card from Affordable Auto Insurance.

Pictured, from left: Dr. Steven Flynt, superintendent; Tabitha Purvis and Katy Yeargain, principal of Euchee Creek Elementary School.

Every Valley by Charles King

Literary Loop

From New York Times bestselling author Charles King comes the moving, true story behind one of the best-known pieces of music ever written: Handel’s Messiah.

But George Frideric Handel’s work of triumphant joy was born in an age of anxiety. Britain, in the early Enlightenment, was a place of astonishing creativity but also the seat of an empire mired in war and conflict. Against this turbulent background, King has crafted a cinematic drama of the entangled lives that shaped a masterpiece of hope.

In Every Valley, he presents a dissenter stirred to action by ancient prophecy; an actress plagued by an abusive husband and public scorn; a penniless sea captain determined to rescue the city’s abandoned infants; and an African Muslim held captive in the colonies hatching a dangerous plan to get back home. At center stage is Handel, himself, composer to kings but, at midlife, in ill health and straining to keep an audience’s attention.

Weaving historical events with personal stories, King pulls back the curtain to reveal the scandal and intrigue, opportunists and thugs, deep pain and soaring optimism that show how flawed individuals and unrelated lives came together to produce the brilliance that is Messiah.

Parades and Tree Lightings

Buzz

It’s time for twinkling lights, joyous music and winter wonderlands in Columbia County:

Evans
On Thursday, December 5, Christmas in Columbia County will take place from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Evans Towne Center Park. The event will include live music, ice skating, a holiday market, pictures with Santa, a Christmas lights display and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.

The Merchants Association of Columbia County also will hold its annual Christmas parade on Sunday, December 8 beginning at 3 p.m. Featuring nearly 150 entries, the parade will follow Washington Road and end at Evans Towne Center.

Grovetown
The city will hold its annual Christmas parade on Saturday, December 7 at 10 a.m. The theme will be “Rock N’ Roll Re-Do” since last year’s event with the same theme was canceled due to inclement weather. The parade begins at Augusta Tech in Grovetown and ends at Grovetown Middle School.

Festivities will continue that evening from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. with the annual Christmas Festival at Liberty Park. Grovetown’s own winter wonderland will include food and craft vendors, games, music and fun for all ages.

Harlem
Christmas in Harlem 2024 has a full slate of activities planned for Saturday, December 14 in the downtown area from morning ’til night. Vendors will sell their wares at a holiday market, which will include a kids’ area and concessions, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The twilight parade begins at 6 p.m. at Harlem City Park and follows West Milledgeville Road and North Louisville Street to West Forrest Street, where the tree lighting ceremony starts about 6:45 p.m., or whenever the parade ends, on the library lawn.

At 7 p.m. little ones can line up to have their picture taken with Santa. A showing of the movie, Elf, under the stars also will begin about 7 p.m. after the tree lighting ceremony has concluded.

Holiday Symphonies

LIFE + STYLE

Christmas music and the holiday season go together like Santa and his reindeer, and the Augusta Symphony will present two holiday performances this month.

Holiday Spectacular at the Miller will include seasonal classics that will appeal to the entire family. The concert, which has been moved from its original location to the Miller Theater, will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 8. Tickets are $15.

For Christmas music with a Celtic twist, Augusta Symphony presents Sounds of the Season: A Chloë Christmas on Thursday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m.

The concert will feature Chloë Agnew, an original and former member of the Celtic music group Celtic Woman. Tickets for the performance, which also is at the Miller, are $49 to $102. For more information, visit augustasymphony.com

Half Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy by Tieghan Gerard

Literary Loop

New York Times bestselling author Tieghan Gerard has been busier than ever. In her fourth cookbook, Half Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy, she returns with a collection of more than 120 soul-warming recipes that use simple ingredients and are easy to get on the table — dishes short on time yet big on flavor.

This collection leans into the comfort food she’s known for, but with an eye toward getting it ready in a hurry. With many recipes doable in one pot or pan, most in under 45 minutes, and a more-is-more focus on flavor (but not ingredients), you’ll be feasting fast.

Start your day with Maple Bacon Pancakes, snack on Cheesy Roasted Shallot Bread, and make Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Bang Bang Sauce your family’s new favorite. Enjoy delicious twists like Sheet Pan Mac & Cheese with all the Crispy Edges, and finish it all off with something sweet, like a Dark Chocolate Pistachio Cake with Cream Cheese Icing.

Relying on basic ingredients and Gerard’s signature knack for making sauces and dressings, these dishes will make your meals feel like a warm hug. If you’ve ever needed a belly full of comfort and a plate bursting with fresh, unexpected flavors — and wanted it all right now — Half Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy will hit the spot.

Icy Adventure

Buzz

It’s time for ice skating and light displays, fair food concessions and a fire pit.

Get ready to lace up those skates — nothing says holiday fun like spending time on the ice. Kicking off its seventh year, Evans On Ice will open this year’s season on Thursday, November 14 at Evans Towne Center Park and run daily through Monday, January 20.

“I think people are going to want to do something to bring the family together and have a little bit of normalcy this year,” says Mike Boerner, who co-owns Evans On Ice with his wife, Christine.

When school is in session, hours of operation will be 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Friday, noon until 10 p.m. Saturday and noon until 9 p.m. Sunday. Hours will be noon until 10 p.m. every day, including holidays, when school is out.

Tickets, which include skate rentals and unlimited rink time, are $14 on weekdays and $17 on weekends and holidays. Season passes cost $140 per person, but avid skaters should get them early. “We sell out of season passes every year,” Boerner says.

In addition, Evans On Ice will hold special hours for homeschooled students from 10 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, November 19; Friday, December 6; Tuesday, December 17 and Thursday, January 9.

For those who are new to skating, Evans On Ice will offer a four-lesson package for $100. The 30-minute lessons will begin at 9 a.m. on four Saturdays – November 16 and 23 and December 7 and 14. The student to instructor ratio is 8:1, and sessions cover the fundamentals of ice skating.

A tent with seating for 24 guests also will be available to rent for private parties in two-hour time slots. Hosts must provide their own food and beverages, and ice skating tickets are not included in the tent rental.

If all the action works up your appetite, Evans On Ice will offer fair food concessions such as hamburgers, hot dogs and fries – with a twist this year.

“We will have a permanent food truck onsite, and we’re going to build the rink around it this year,” Boerner says.

A fire pit, where families can roast marshmallows, will operate on weekends and holidays.

For more information, visit evansonice.com.

Photos courtesy of Kraft Visual Productions and Christina Lieu Photography

Gratitude by Earth, Wind & Fire

Listen To This

Love, hope, provision, benevolence and the strength of community have been on the hearts of many as we navigate a new normal and the undoing of our landscapes and livelihoods after Hurricane Helene. Humanity, at its purest and most vulnerable state, was tested and strengthened overnight with a continuous outpouring of unconditional love.

With these thoughts, we reopen the vault of 1975 for Earth, Wind & Fire’s double album of heart, soul and light, appropriately named Gratitude.

At its core, this 16-track album honors life’s many layers. Whether it’s the celebratory highs or the quieter, more introspective moments, each track is a reminder to pause and give thanks.

A powerful live rendition of their smash hit “Shining Star,” is a radiant, uplifting groove that sets the tone for the entire album. Other gems include “Sing a Song,” an anthem of resilience, positivity and perspective, and “Can’t Hide Love,” a perfect metaphor for gratitude itself. Just like love, the need to give thanks can’t be hidden; it’s a natural response to life’s abundance.

Almost 50 years after its release, Gratitude remains a timeless testament to the group’s genius and its ability to create music that resonates across generations. But more than that, it’s a reminder of the power of thankfulness.

Every track is lit with cornucopia-packed energy and emotion, inviting us to reflect on what we have, celebrate the joys of the present and approach life with an open heart. So, whether you’re listening to it for the first time or rediscovering it after many years, let Gratitude fill your heart with appreciation for the blessings in your life, both big and small.

– Chris Rucker

Healing and Peace

Georgia

Photos courtesy of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

A traveling Vietnam War Memorial comes to north Georgia.

After the devastation of Hurricane Helene and the hardships local residents endured in its aftermath, they might feel more grateful than usual during this season of thanksgiving.

Perhaps one meaningful way for people to count their blessings and enjoy a time of reflection would be a daytrip to Dahlonega to see The Wall That Heals. This three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors the more than 3 million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Vietnam War.

The Wall bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice during the conflict, and it will be on display from Thursday, October 31 until Sunday, November 3.

Activities in Dahlonega will include an In Memory Program and Agent Orange Awareness Ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, November 1 and a closing ceremony at 1:30 p.m. on the final day.

The Wall
Visitors can make rubbings of individual service member’s names on The Wall, which is 375 feet long and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Machine engraving of the names, along with LED lighting, provide readability of The Wall day and night.

Like the original Memorial, The Wall That Heals, which features 140 numbered panels, is erected in a chevron-shape and lists the names by day of casualty.

The Mobile Education Center
The 53-foot trailer that carries The Wall That Heals also transforms into a mobile Education Center, which tells the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall itself and the divisive era in American history.

The exterior of the trailer features a timeline of “The War and The Wall” and provides additional information about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Additional exhibits give visitors a better understanding of the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the collection of items left at The Wall.

Hometown Heroes features photos of service members on The Wall who list their home of record from the local area. The photos are part of The Wall of Faces, an effort to put a face to every name inscribed on The Wall in Washington, D.C.

The In Memory Honor Roll includes photos of local Vietnam veterans honored through the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s In Memory program, which honors the service members who returned home and later died. Digital photos are of In Memory honorees from the state where the exhibit is on display.

A replica of the In Memory plaque that resides on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site in Washington, D.C., reads: “In Memory of the men and women who served in the Vietnam War and later died as a result of their service. We honor and remember their sacrifice.”

The Items Left Behind display features remembrances representative of those left at the Memorial in Washington, D.C., in honor of those on The Wall.

Since The Wall began touring in 1996, it has been on display in more than 700 communities nationwide.

If You Go:
What: The Wall That Heals

When: Thursday, October 31 – Sunday, November 3; open 24 hours a day

Where: University of North Georgia, Dahlonega

How Much: Free

More Info: vvmf.org

Symphony Sounds

Buzz

Augusta Symphony will be a little bit classical and little bit mariachi in its two performances this month. The Sounds of the Sky concert on Friday, November 1 will include performances of Tchaikovsky’s Suite from Swan Lake, Rautavaara’s Cantus Arcticus and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5. Tickets are $27 to $79.

On Saturday, November 7, audience members can head south of the border for a musical fiesta with Mariachi Cobre – Disney World Epcot’s official ambassadors to the world of mariachi music, the traditional folk music of Mexico. Tickets are $49 to $102.

Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Miller Theater. For more information, visit augustasymphony.com.

Ruling the Roost

LIFE + STYLE

Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on the area, but at least one brood of plucky chickens survived the wrath of the storm.

During the early morning hours of September 27, Evans residents Hannah and Ryan O’Hagan huddled with their two young children, Jane, 4, and August, 15 months, in their living room as Hurricane Helene raged outside.

They could watch the storm through three big windows that were protected from the elements by their covered porch.

In their backyard, five more family members of the feathered variety – Ruth, Naomi, Diana, Camilla and Marlo Thomas – were clustered together in their chicken coop. With no dire warnings for the area in the weather forecast, the O’Hagans hadn’t reinforced their chickens’ home beforehand.

“I didn’t realize how dangerous the storm was,” Hannah says. “I didn’t know to be concerned about my human babies. I wasn’t worried about the chickens.”

Thumbs Up
Once the storm subsided, Hannah walked onto their porch to survey the damage to their property.

“A lot of pine trees had come down,” she says. “The coop was smushed. We could hardly see it. We couldn’t get to it.”

Fearing the worst, Ryan gingerly made his way outside, crawling over uprooted trees and debris to reach the chicken coop.

“I told him to give us a thumbs up if all of the chickens were there,” says Hannah. “He jumped up on a tree to let us know they were OK.”

The family was overjoyed that the “bawk bawks,” as August calls them, were safe and sound.

“Jane was really worried about them,” Hannah says. “She started jumping up and down when her dad popped up with a big smile on his face.”

Once Ryan saw that all the chickens had survived, he was able to joke about the situation. “To make Jane laugh, I said, ‘I guess we won’t be taking them to Chick-fil-A,’” he says.

After the storm, the chickens waited about an hour before deciding it was safe to venture out.

“They started marching to the trees in a line like they were in a parade,” says Hannah.

New Home
The O’Hagans got their chickens in May and built the coop themselves from a prefabricated kit.

“We have about an acre of land, and I thought we should put all of that space to good use,” Hannah says. “We thought the chickens would help teach Jane some responsibility, and we send her out every morning to get the eggs.”

Ruth and Naomi, Barred Rock chickens, are now nine months old. They let their three seven-month-old sister chicks, Diana and Camilla, who are Plymouth Rocks, and Marlo Thomas, a Green Queen, sleep under their wings when they were babies.

Hannah and Ryan have yet to decide if they’re going to build another chicken coop. In the meantime, the chickens are living in a “luxury apartment,” or what’s left of the storage-shed-turned-makeshift-chicken-coop. The shed is much sturdier, Hannah says, and they might fashion a screen door for it.

After all, she adds, “The chickens didn’t make it through a hurricane to get attacked by a fox.”

Post-storm, however, the birds kept trying to sit on broken remnants of their coop.

“I’ve been trying to convince the chickens to move into their new home, but they’re refusing. They’re sleeping on a root that is closer to their old coop,” says Hannah.

They sometimes perch on a beam in the shed, and the O’Hagans got them new boxes where they can lay eggs.

“The chickens only sleep in the coop. They wander around our property all day,” Hannah says. “When it starts to get dark, they go in the coop.”

To recharge after the storm, the O’Hagans spent a couple of nights at an Airbnb in Lexington, South Carolina. Although their family was away, the chickens never got lonely. If neighbors didn’t come to see them, then they went to visit the neighbors.

“They always came back to our yard at the end of the day,” says Hannah.

Happy Together
Although Hannah worried that the chickens might not lay eggs after the stress of the storm, they found 15 eggs in a box one morning several days later.

The chickens’ personalities seem to be intact as well.

Ruth is still the “mother hen.”

“Ruth is definitely everyone’s favorite. She’s an angel. She’s the friendliest,” says Hannah. “The other chickens follow her around. She’s their leader.”

She also likes to keep the brood together.

“Ruth yells if she can’t find someone,” says Hannah. “She got separated from everyone by a tree after the storm, and she started yelling for them.”

Naomi is still her aloof self, and “the royals” can’t be apart.

“Diana and Camilla get upset if they’re separated from each other,” says Hannah. “They’re friendly and sweet.”

Marlo Thomas still has beauty and brains.

“Marlo looks very fancy. She’s calm and peaceful,” Hannah says. “She’s smarter than the other chickens.”

And they’re still just as happy to see their people as their people were to see them after the storm.

“The chickens like for everyone to love on them,” Hannah says.

Columbia County Fair

Buzz

The fair is still on! Midway rides, demolition derbies, concerts and other fun return to the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Grovetown October 31-November 10.

Presented by the Merchants Association of Columbia County, this year’s special attractions include the Jurassic Kingdom Dinosaur Show, Banana Derby, American Motor Drome Company Wall of Death, Wardrobe of Wishes, magician shows, master chainsaw carver, petting zoos and more.

Nightly admission is $10, and children ages 5 and under are free. On November 10, active duty and retired military personnel with a valid ID are just $5 admission at the gate. Parking is free, and additional admission specials are available on select nights.

Fair-goers should note that backpacks are not allowed, and after 7 p.m., ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent. For more information, visit columbiacountyfair.net.

Sticks & Strings

Buzz

The third annual Kelley Brothers Sticks & Strings Concert and Golf Tournament is returning to Columbia County.

The concert will be held Sunday, November 17 at the Performing Arts Center, and the golf tournament is scheduled for Monday, November 18 at Champions Retreat.

Along with John, Josh and Charles Kelley, concert performers include Brett Young, Randy Houser, Chris Baron of the Spin Doctors, Ryan Hurd, Bryce Leatherwood, Megan Davis Campbell and Patrick with his Midnight Choir as the house band to back up all of the artists.

Concert tickets begin at $59. For more information, visit KelleyBrosGolf.com.

New Festival

Buzz

Columbia County will hold its inaugural Cultural Festival on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2 at Evans Towne Center Park.

The event will be held from 3 p.m. t 7 p.m. each day and give festival-goers an opportunity to experience different cultures through food, song, dance, arts and clothing. For more information, visit columbiacountyga.gov.

Incorporation and Consolidation

Buzz

County Manager Scott Johnson says he hopes the state legislature will take up Columbia County’s incorporation/consolidation proposal in the legislative session that begins in January.

In the meantime, the county has created a hub site, which is an extension of the county website, where residents can find information pertaining to the proposal from Q&As to the announcement of open forums and public meetings.

“The hub site will be a one-stop shop for people to get all the information they need about incorporation and consolidation,” Johnson says.

Under the proposal, the county’s unincorporated land area, which excludes Grovetown and Harlem, would be incorporated into a city. The new city then immediately would consolidate with the county government.

A feasibility study that was completed earlier this year found that incorporation and consolidation would be fiscally feasible.

However, it did not address the social, political or governance aspects of the proposal. In addition, if it becomes reality, Grovetown and Harlem would be landlocked with no possibility of further growth through annexation.

Voters will have the final say in the matter, which could take two more years to decide.

“Everyone will have the opportunity to vote,” says Johnson. “That includes Columbia County and the cities of Harlem and Grovetown.”