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Augusta Christian Schools

Education Options

The mission of Augusta Christian Schools is to prepare students to serve Jesus Christ as Lord, partnering with family and church, instilling high standards spiritually, academically, socially and physically.

“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

313 Baston Road, Martinez, GA 30907
Phone: (706) 863-2905, Admissions Ext 206

 

 

 

 

 

See our website at  augustachristian.org

Christian School Augusta Georgia

Martinez Animal Hospital

Dental Care

Martinez Animal Hospital was founded in 1970 by Dr. Grayson Brown and Dr. James Wilkes. We practice small animal medicine, as well as equine, and exotics. Our team of doctors and medical staff are like one big family, and we take pride in providing the best quality care to you and your pet!

February is National Pet Dental Health Month!

Email: martinezanimal@yahoo.com

3942 Washington Rd. Martinez, GA 30907

Hospital Hours
Monday – Friday:
08:00AM – 05:30PM

martinezanimalhospital.vet

Animal Dentistry Augusta

Wall-to-Wall Wow Factor

In The Home
Ashley Ford’s Lincolnton home

Photography by Joe Bailey

From the foyer to the covered porch, this Lincolnton home is full of surprises.

If the walls of Ashley Ford’s Lincolnton home, where she lives with husband Patrick and sons Will Ford and Brent Harsey, could talk, they likely would say she has an eye for design.

“I like design,” says Ashley, who owns cabinet painting company Southern Swag and served as general contractor for the construction of their home. “Not everybody can visualize things, but it’s my business. I like helping people visualize things and making it happen.”

She hired subcontractors to start building in January 2022, and the family moved into the house in October 2022.

“It probably was the most fun I’ve ever had,” Ashley says. “I loved watching it from the slab being poured to the roof being shingled.”

From hanging wallpaper to painting outdoor flooring, her mother, Dee Tinley, who lives in a mother-in-law suite at the house, helped as well. “She was my support system,” says Ashley.

Photography by Joe Bailey‘Wow’ Moment

To design the home, Ashley found a house plan that she liked and started tweaking it to meet their needs. She says the most difficult part of building was getting the plan the way she wanted it, but there were certain features she definitely had in mind.

“I did not want an open floor plan,” she says. “I like walls. I like art, pictures and mirrors that I can hang on the walls.”

The wall between the foyer and the dining room is a work of art itself.

To accent this wall, Ashley found vintage doors at Charles Phillips Antiques in Theodore, Alabama, outside of Mobile. She is a longtime follower of the shop on Facebook, so she decided to visit the store in person.

When she first spotted the doors, they were filled with colored antique glass and some of the panes were broken. More importantly, however, she saw their potential.

She had new glass installed, painted the doors and framed one in each wall on either side of the entryway from the foyer to the dining room. The stunning results speak for themselves.

“It was just something I visualized when I saw those doors in Alabama,” says Ashley. “I wanted people to have a “Wow!” moment when they came in the house.”

The wide foyer also features a distressed white chest against the opposite wall, which is accented with wallpaper. With a frame that is made of antique wooden fishing lures, a round mirror above the chest is an eye-catching conversation piece as well.

Hickory wood flooring, which is found throughout the house, extends from the foyer into the dining room, where a white chandelier hangs from the tongue-and-groove cathedral ceiling. Furnishings include a black china cabinet and a farmhouse table with an upholstered, skirted chair at each end and a pair of cane-back chairs on either side.

A rug with a black and white diamond pattern ties the décor together.

Gathering Spots

The dining room also shares the cathedral ceiling with the kitchen, which is Ashley’s favorite room in the house.

“It has a great flow,” she says. “So many people can get in the kitchen, and the island is big enough for everyone to gather around it.”

With quartz countertops, large workspace and lots of drawers, the island is the focal point of the room. A wooden candlestick and greenery atop a two-tiered dessert stand accent the island, and two round, four-candle light pendants hang above it.

Other kitchen features include a farmhouse sink, stainless steel appliances, brushed gold hardware, custom-built cabinetry and a custom wood range hood. The hardware includes knobs on the cabinets and long handles on the drawers.

The ceramic tile backsplash, with its vertical tiles and herringbone pattern above the cooktop, is another prominent attribute in the kitchen. “I had one backsplash put up, but I decided I wanted something different,” Ashley says.

A white lamp and greenery bring a homey feel to the space.

Ashley also added a wall between the living room and kitchen to the floor plan.

In the living room, rich blue pillows and window treatments accent the white, beige and gray color scheme. The space also features a raised-hearth, wood-burning, brick fireplace with a custom-made white oak mantel.

Furnishings include a leather ottoman between two couches and two chairs against the wall that separates the living room and kitchen. Bringing the colors in the room together, two large side-by-side paintings featuring a heron found the perfect home on the wall.

Ashley Ford’s Lincolnton homeNatural Flow

The master bedroom, another one of Ashley’s favorite spots in the house, has a natural flow to the master bath, walk-in closet and laundry room.

“I like the bedroom because it’s cozy,” she says.

Ashley and her mother hung the wallpaper on an accent wall in the master bedroom and the master bath, and Ashley also painted a console table and a dresser in the bedroom. While the console has a retro look, the sage green dresser features a large gold diamond on each column of drawers.

Two square wood ottomans rest at the base of the canopy bed, which features an upholstered, studded headboard and footboard. A pair of serpentine nightstands flank either side of the bed, and a door leads to the covered porch outside.

Photography by Joe BaileyThe master bath features tile flooring, quartz countertops, a double vanity and a walk-in shower with two half-walls, a hexagon tile floor and tile walls.

A starburst light fixture and built-ins accent the walk-in closet, while the connecting laundry room/mudroom features tile flooring, ample cabinet space, a built-in bench and a striking light fixture.

“The light fixture is made out of a plastic material,” says Ashley. “It’s very interesting, fun and catches your attention as you walk in the door.”

The décor in the boys’ bedrooms illustrates their interests as well. Will’s bedroom highlights his love of sports, and Brent’s room showcases his outdoorsmanship. Two upholstered cube ottomans sit at the foot of the bed in both of their rooms.

In the Jack-and-Jill bath that separates their bedrooms, a pair of clerestory windows above the double vanity lets in natural light. The bath also has tile flooring, quartz countertops and a pocket door that leads to the tile, walk-in shower.

In Dee’s mother-in-law suite, which has a separate entrance, abstract art and blue kitchen cabinets liven up the space.

“It’s so bright in here in the morning, so we went with color on the cabinets,” says Dee.

The suite also includes LVP flooring, a sitting area, an eating area with a wood pedestal table and two chairs, a bedroom and a bath.

Breaking Down Barriers

The outdoor living space of the home, which is situated on 4-plus acres of land, is just as inviting as the interior.

Ashley and her mother painted the black and white squares on the concrete floor of the covered porch, which overlooks the saltwater pool. The porch also features a tongue-and-groove ceiling and an eating area with a wood table and wicker chairs.

In addition, the sitting area has two ceiling fans with lights, a TV on the wall, a rug and metal furnishings including two loveseats and two chairs.

The front porch features a brick floor, tongue-and-groove ceiling, recessed lighting and a porch swing on either end. Bronze metal roofing covers the front porch as well as the two dormer windows on the side of the house.

Ashley and Dee also installed the shutters on either side of the three sets of double doors that lead into the house. They hung the Bahama shutters on windows to the laundry room and Brent’s bedroom as well.

As much as Ashley likes separating the rooms in the house with walls, however, she might enjoy breaking down barriers even more. She takes great pride in her skills in a male-dominated field, but she would love to have company.

“I think more women need to do this type of work,” she says.

By Betsy Gilliland

Speed of Lights

Travel

Photos courtesy of Explore Cabarrus

All is bright at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the holiday season.

Normally, racecars zip around the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. However, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season actually slows down vehicles at the NASCAR site in Concord, North Carolina.

With the 14th edition of Speedway Christmas, cars can travel leisurely through the Charlotte Motor Speedway property (about 13 miles from Charlotte) to see a show featuring more than 5 million lights that are synchronized to popular Christmas tunes on 101.3 FM.

OK, OK, there is a fast lane for drivers that simply can’t help themselves, but most visitors enjoy the route at a slower pace.

“Speedway Christmas has become a can’t-miss holiday tradition for many families across the Southeast,” said Greg Walter, Charlotte Motor Speedway executive vice president and general manager. “That’s not something we take lightly. Every year we look for ways to make the show bigger, better and brighter, delivering on our promise to create remarkable events and help visitors make lasting memories.”

Around the Track

Winding their way through the holiday light displays, visitors ride along a 4-mile course that includes the legendary oval, pit road and infield road course.

The theme of this year’s display is Santa’s Beach Party, where St. Nick and his elves enjoy a coastal getaway.

Cars, vans and trucks travel through light displays featuring a forest of Christmas trees and other scenes, as thousands of lights have been added, reconfigured and redesigned this year. A brand new concourse has been added as well.

Tickets are available online or at the gate. While advance purchases are available, they are not required. However, all advance tickets must be purchased for the specific night you plan to go.

Drive-up passes, which are available at the gate, are recommended for those who are unsure when they will attend.

The show is open rain or shine, and Friday and Saturday are the busiest nights.

Pit Stop

Of course, a visit to Speedway Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a pit stop at the infield Christmas Village. Access is free with vehicle admission, and the Christmas Village is open Thursday through Sunday nights.

The Christmas Village features concessions, fire pits for roasting marshmallows, photos with Santa, merchandise vendors and a 360-degree selfie camera in Victory Lane. New attractions include a lighted candy winter wonderland walking trail, two mazes and a rotating assortment of vendors and artisans that changes each week.

The outdoor food court features pizza, hot dogs, corndogs, chicken tenders, turkey legs, BBQ, gyros, pitas, doughnuts, ice cream, funnel cakes, candy and kettle corn. Beverages include soft drinks, coffee, hot chocolate, apple cider, water, beer and wine.

If the holidays simply aren’t complete without your favorite Yuletide films, then you’re in the driver’s seat. The speedway’s 16,000-square-foot HDTV transforms into a drive-in movie screen during the light show, playing holiday hits like Elf, The Grinch, Christmas Vacation and Polar Express Thursday through Sunday nights until Christmas.

However, the Christmas Village and movies will be open nightly December 14 to December 23.

In addition, visitors of all ages can enjoy a new four-lane sledding/tubing hill in front of Charlotte Motor Speedway from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, excluding Christmas Eve, until January 7. Offering unlimited one-day rides, these tickets are $20 per person for light show visitors and $25 per person for others.

Tickets for this activity are sold at the booth beside the tubing hill in the CMS Fan Zone. They are not available online or at Speedway Christmas ticket booths.

Snowland and Sea Life

While they’re in the area, visitors can add other attractions to their Christmas list. Great Wolf Lodge is home to Snowland, an annual holiday celebration with an 80,000-square-foot indoor water park that is kept at 84 degrees. Other activities include Snowflake Story Time, Snowland Yoga Tails, arts and crafts, games, visits with Santa and snow flurries in the lobby.

Holiday shoppers can visit Concord Mills, which is home to more than 200 stores, restaurants and entertainment options. They include Lionel Retail Store, the only store directly owned by the 119-year-old train maker; mini golf; go karts and other outdoor fun at The Speedpark; and Sea Life Aquarium.

From Friday, December 1 through Monday, January 1, the interactive aquarium will feature the Sea of Lights, an underwater holiday experience with thousands of holiday lights and more than 30 decorated Christmas trees. The aquarium also includes a 180-degree ocean tunnel where tropical sharks and graceful rays glide overhead.

If You Go:

What: Speedway Christmas

Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, North Carolina

More Info: charlottemotorspeedway.com, visitcabarrus.com

By Morgan Davis

Merry Mischief!

In The Home

From whimsical elves to life-size Santas, this Evans house is all decked out for the holidays.

Photography by Sally Kolar

At the Evans home of Bridget Flynn and Jack Edwards, every room is brimming with Christmas cheer.

“She loves decorating for Christmas. It’s her passion,” says Jack. “She invites friends over to see everything. She puts so much into it that people need to see it.”

Ever-Growing Collection

Bridget started collecting Christmas décor about 15 years ago.

“It grows more and more every year,” she says. “I started with the RAZ elves I have in the Christmas tree in the living room, and it just escalated from there. When I first saw the elves, I fell in love with them. I love their faces and their expressions.”

She starts decorating in mid-October, and she works as hard as any elf in Santa’s workshop to create holiday magic in their home.

Although she has a thing for elves, Bridget also has certain brands that she likes including Mark Roberts, Katherine’s Collection, MacKenzie-Childs, Regency International and Karen Didion. She always keeps an eye out for specific pieces that she wants to add to her collections.

“If it’s not available, I will search until I find it,” Bridget says. “I start looking early to see what’s coming out for the year. I shop for Christmas all year long. When we go to the mountains, I hit all the Christmas stores.”

Last year the newest addition to the décor was a large nativity scene that Jack found at a local department store. He had planned to give it to Bridget as a Christmas gift, but the sales associate convinced him to buy it after the holiday when it would be half price.

He got enough figures in 2021 to start it, and others have given her pieces for the collection as well. The nativity scene is the first thing the couple sees when they enter the house from the garage.

“I don’t get excited about a lot of things, but I really enjoy the nativity scene,” says Jack, the son of a Methodist minister.

The Fun Room

The lower level décor also reflects Jack’s lifelong fondness for Snoopy, where the “Peanuts” character is the star of the holiday decorations.

Resting on a blanket of “snow,” a Christmas vignette in the garage features Snoopy, Woodstock, a doghouse with snow and colored lights on the roof, and a Christmas tree.

In the sitting room, stuffed Snoopys and other ornaments hang from a tree. One of Bridget’s friends crocheted the red and white skirt under the tree as well as an identical skirt beneath the dining room tree.

The basement also includes statues of Snoopy, the Grinch, an elf and Mickey Mouse in the sitting room.

On the final night of a visit to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Bridget “earned” the right to purchase the Mickey Mouse statue after she beat Jack in a game of pool.

“I said if I won the last game, I was going to get Mickey Mouse,” she says. “The ball did exactly what I said it was going to do. We stopped on the way home to get Mickey.”

The basement décor also features a snowman that Bridget made out of fishbowls and filled with Mickey Mouse Christmas decorations. Other decorations include Ralphie, clad in his pink bunny suit, of A Christmas Story fame and a 1957 turquoise Chevy Bel Air convertible with Elvis behind the wheel and Barbie riding shotgun.

“The basement is my fun room,” says Bridget.

Gingerbread & Peppermint

Bridget loves gingerbread houses, so naturally, she centers the kitchen décor around food.

The kitchen table includes a gingerbread house centerpiece with a gingerbread tree on either side, and round red and white placements that resemble peppermint candies. A gingerbread wreath hangs on the door from the basement.

A RAZ elf sits on the secretary in the kitchen, while another elf with a pretzel in his hand lounges on the counter.

“I buy little things to put in their hands,” says Bridget. “I can change it each year.”

The first gingerbread house that Bridget ever bought rests behind the cooktop. Other kitchen decorations include a gingerbread train, block letters spelling out the word “Merry,” reindeer with candy cane antlers and peppermints on their backs, a red boot and a bow made of MacKenzie-Childs ribbon on the tree.

A Mark Roberts elf with a sweets shop sits on the island, where a cake stand is covered with individually wrapped Little Debbie Christmas cakes that Bridget shares with guests.

The gingerbread theme continues into the dining room, where the table also features a gingerbread house centerpiece. A gingerbread man and woman with flashing lights sit atop the china cabinet.

“I use a lot of whimsical decorations,” says Bridget.

While the sideboard includes red and green balls and a pair of nutcrackers, the Christmas tree is filled with painted ornaments that pop with glitter and gold.

Three hot air balloons with a Mark Roberts elf inside dangle from the entryway between the dining room and living room.

Bridget also keeps a container filled with Christmas soaps in the half bath. Since Christmas is for sharing, she gives a soap to their guests before they leave.

Always Room for Elves

In the living room, RAZ elves in the tree are accompanied by poinsettia ornaments as well as red, green and white balls. Christmas picks spray out from the treetop, and lighted red and green decorative presents sit beneath the tree.

A life-size Santa sits in a chair in the corner. On the chest, a Mark Roberts elf occupies an ornate Katherine’s Collection chair and rhinestone trees top a pair of drums.

A rocking horse and giant pillar candles on candlesticks add to the Christmas cheer, and of course, there’s always room for more elves. Another Mark Roberts elf sits by the grandfather clock, which is one of 100 clocks that was made to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Dollywood, and a RAZ elf hangs on the clock.

Stifling a yawn, a sleepy Mark Roberts elf reclines in a chair while holding a sign that reads “free kisses.”

However, Bridget has a better idea. “I wish the elves would learn how to clean,” she says.

A wreath decorates the wood-burning stove, which belonged to Jack’s parents, on the fireplace hearth. A Noel banner hangs from the mantel, where flocked greenery, another Mark Roberts elf and two reindeer rest on top.

“We keep the lights low at night so the Christmas lights stand out,” says Bridget.

Four Victorian carolers line the serpentine chest in the foyer, and two black lantern streetlights stand on either side. Bridget’s sister makes all of the bows for her.

Accompanied by two more lanterns, a life-size nutcracker stands guard at the end of the hall. Even the doorknobs throughout the house are decorated with festive tassels, jingle bells and elves.

Snug in Their Beds

The three bedrooms get into the Christmas spirit as well.

A Santa in a chair recites “The Night Before Christmas” in the master bedroom, where more carolers and candles stand on the dresser.

“I use artificial LED candles since I have so many of them,” Bridget says.

To honor Jack’s family, a small tree on the dresser is decorated with White House and Masters Tournament ornaments. His brother, who lives in Virginia, sends him a White House ornament every year, and their grandfather, who helped build Augusta National Golf Club, was the first golf course superintendent at the property.

A Katherine’s Collection fairy sits daintily in the center of the bed, and a Santa, two trees and a musical snow globe occupy a bedside table.

“I always find a place for something, but I don’t put everything out every single year,” Bridget says.

In the “peacock” bedroom, the tree is decorated with peacocks and peacock feathers, gold and teal balls, gold tassels and teal poinsettias. A peacock sits on a glass-topped table at the foot of the bed, and elves dressed in teal rest on the bedside tables next to the four-poster bed. A wreath made of peacock feathers hangs on the door.

The chest of drawers features a teal-outfitted Mark Roberts elf, a gold and teal runner, a glass bowl filled with gold and teal balls, and a pair of white pillar candles wrapped in a peacock motif.

The “animal print” bedroom includes a mannequin Christmas tree with a red bodice and a red sash tied in a bow at the waist. A red skirt with leopard-print trim surrounds the base of the tree.

A leopard-print runner stretches across the dresser, and gold and red ribbon are tied around a lamp. A Katherine’s Collection gnome and a Mark Roberts elf are part of the décor as well.

Even though Bridget, who would love to open a Christmas shop when she retires, starts decorating early in the season, she never really finishes. “I will mess with everything until the day I take it down,” she says.

Jack doesn’t argue. “When I leave,” he says, “it doesn’t mean the decorations will look the same when I get home.”

By Betsy Gilliland

Baked Sea Scallops

Food
  • Great Seafood Appetizers12-16 jumbo sea scallops
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and cracked pepper, to taste
  • 2 limes, halved

Wakame seaweed, for garnish (or you can substitute fresh dill, parsley or tarragon)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place shells on sheets and add scallops (or place scallops directly on sheets). In a small glass bowl, whisk together oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Spoon over scallops and bake 20 minutes (do not overcook or they will be tough). Remove from oven and lightly sprinkle with lime juice. Garnish with seaweed or fresh herbs. Makes 12-16 appetizers.

Get the Party Started

People

Entertain like a pro with these tips from a local caterer.

Food is meant to be shared with family and friends, and longtime local caterer Bill Coxwell believes there is no better way to make others feel special than by throwing them an unforgettable party with fabulous cuisine.

“The meal should crescendo from a good appetizer to an outstanding entrée to a showstopping dessert,” says Bill, the owner of Sweet Azalea Gourmet Shop, Café and Catering in Augusta.

While the food is the centerpiece of any special occasion, the cookbook author and Johnson & Wales University culinary alum says people often make a couple of common mistakes when planning a party. Hosts underestimate the amount of time it takes to get everything done and forget to make a good checklist.

However, from making a guest list to budgeting, planning a menu to creating a beautiful tablescape, carrying out a theme to selecting a caterer, Bill shares some of his best tips for stress-free entertaining.

The Guest List

• Invite a mix of people to a party, including “the” person who can talk to anybody about anything. “If everybody at a dinner party works at the library, then you’re going to have only one topic of conversation,” says Bill. “You need to have a mix of people so they can make new acquaintances and find things in common.”

• Decide if you want to have an indoor or outdoor party, or if you want to rent a venue to accommodate more guests. If planning an outdoor party, however, consider the season and whether or not it’s feasible to leave the doors open.

• Start small by entertaining two or three couples if you haven’t hosted a lot of parties. “I like smaller parties because you can be a little more intimate with the food and put more into the presentation,” Bill says.

• Expand the guest list if you have a nice patio that can serve as an overflow area.

The Budget

• Watch for sales and freeze foods up to two or three months in advance.

• Serve dips and spreads rather than items that are served as individual bites.

• Take advantage of seasonal fruits and vegetables such as cranberries and fresh sweet potatoes during the holidays.

• Remember than you can put down a deposit for a party such as a wedding reception and pay the balance later.

• Don’t pay someone else to do something you can do yourself.

The Menu

• Think about the foods that guests would like to eat. In other words, hosts can serve something they don’t like. “It’s about the guests,” Bill says. “It’s not about you.”

• Consider the time of year when planning a menu. For instance, don’t serve chili in July.

• Vary the color and texture of the food.

• For an engagement party, try to serve favorites of the couple.

• For a wedding reception, serve food that appeals to all ages.

• Choose universally accepted, well-received entrees. If you’re on a budget, serve pork tenderloin instead of beef tenderloin or shrimp dip instead of pickled shrimp.

• Decide how creative you want to be. “I always try to do one dish that’s a little different,” says Bill.

• Serve signature items and foods that you prepare well.

• Outsource foods you’re not comfortable preparing.

• Serve people something they don’t get at home. Let the guests experience the food rather than taste it.

• Don’t skimp on beverages. Top brands let guests know you value their company.

The Portions

• Learn by doing. Practice making a casserole dish and spoon it into six-ounce portions to determine how much food you need to feed your number of guests.

• Consider the demographics of the party. While Bill says he learned at culinary school to offer two to three hors d’oeuvres per person, he doesn’t stick to that rule. For instance, men will eat more of an hors d’oeuvre that includes meat.

• Have too much food rather than not enough. “I’d rather look at it than look for it,” says Bill. However, he notes, some people don’t mind running out of food because it signals that the party is over.

The Serving Pieces

• Plan on 1.5 plates per person.

• Have at least two napkins per person for a cocktail party.

• Use disposal plates and glasses for a large or informal gathering.

• Use glassware for smaller groups, especially at night, to make the gathering feel more intimate and formal.

• Save the fine china for a group that will appreciate it.

• Let the dishes and crystal complement each other.

• Look for unusual serving pieces at flea markets. “You might not use them more than once a year, but it makes the guests feel like the host took the time to set the table to make them feel special,” says Bill.

• Take inventory of your serving pieces and make sure you have the items you need. Do you have toothpick holders? Are your trays large enough so that they don’t need to be replenished constantly?

• Take out serving pieces a week before the party to polish and clean them. Put a sticky note on each piece with the name of the dish that will be served from it.

The Tablescape

• Don’t underestimate the power of presentation.

• Elevate some items on risers for a buffet, but make sure the base is sturdy.

• At large parties, set up stations to eliminate a traffic jam at the main table. They can include iced tea, desserts or a farmers’ market spread with fruits, vegetables and cheeses.

• Use fabrics that complement the serving pieces, whether you use silver and fine china or pottery and baskets.

• Line the table with mint julep cups that are filled with flowers or greenery instead of putting one massive floral arrangement in the middle of the table.

• Arrange charcuterie boards tastefully and artfully.

• Remember that simplicity is elegance.

The Theme

• Name the food to match the theme. For instance, baked corn dip can become Mexican Street Corn Dip for a Cinco de Mayo party. For a Mardi Gras party, call sliced pork tenderloin Gator Tail or crab dip Cajun Crab Dip. “The food itself can carry out a theme most easily,” Bill says.

• Serve a signature beverage with a fun name such as Swamp Water Punch for a Halloween party or Bog Bayou for a Mardi Gras party.

• Write the food and beverage names on place cards or chalkboards to put next to the dishes.

• Fill gift bags with theme-related favors such as a corkscrew for a wine tasting party.

The Caterer

• Ask people for references when selecting a caterer.

• Get menus from several different caterers before hiring one for your party.

• Meet with the caterer ahead of time to plan and discuss the party.

• Invite the caterer to your home or venue in advance so they can see the space where they will be working.

• Know the charges up front. Are delivery, cleanup, plates, forks or cake cutting included in the price, or do these services involve extra fees? Does the price include the caterer’s staff?

“Catering is much more than food,” Bill says. “Caterers are an extension of the host or hostess. They should make the host look good and the guests feel good. When guests leave, they should think, ‘That was a great party.’”

Chilled Apple Cider Mocktails

Beverages
  • FALL MOCK TAIL2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 Honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
  • 12 ounces chilled spiced apple cider
  • 4 ounces chilled ginger ale
  • Ice cubes
  • Rosemary or cinnamon sticks for garnish

On a small plate or saucer, combine sugar and cinnamon. Use apple slice to wet the rims of glasses and then dip rims evenly into sugar mixture; set aside. In a small pitcher or carafe, combine chilled apple cider and ginger ale. Pour into prepared glasses up to 2/3 full and add 2-3 ice cubes. Garnish with apple slices and rosemary or cinnamon sticks. Makes 2 servings.

Martinez Animal Hospital

Pet Care

Martinez Animal Hospital was founded in 1970 by Dr. Grayson Brown and Dr. James Wilkes. We practice small animal medicine, as well as equine, and exotics. Our team of doctors and medical staff are like one big family, and we take pride in providing the best quality care to you and your pet!

3942 Washington Rd. Martinez, GA 30907
CALL US TODAY AT 706-863-1223

martinezanimalhospital.vet

Veterinarian Martinez Georgia

Care More Animal Hospital

Pet Care

Care More Animal Hospital is a full-service, AAHA accredited veterinary medical facility, located in Martinez, GA. The professional and courteous staff at Care More Animal Hospital seeks to provide the best possible medical, surgical and dental care for their highly valued patients. We are committed to promoting responsible pet ownership, preventive health care and health-related educational opportunities for our clients.

Care More Animal Hospital strives to offer excellence in veterinary care to Augusta, GA and the surrounding areas.

Please take a moment to contact us today, to learn more about our veterinary practice and to find out more information about how Care More Animal Hospital can serve the needs of you and your cherished pet.

4016 Old Blackstone Camp Rd
Martinez, GA 30907
Phone: (706) 650-1839

Or visit our website at caremoreanimalhospital.vetstreet.com

Euchee Creek Veterinary Clinic

Pet Care

Euchee Creek Veterinary Clinic was founded in 2023 by Dr. Summer Covar and Dr. Hailie Huggins, both CSRA natives. Our dedicated and caring team of professionals offers a vast array of experience and expertise while eager to help your fur-friends. We believe your vet experience should be comfortable for both pet and owner. We look forward to welcoming your pet to our family.

770 Gateway Center Blvd
Grovetown, GA

Call US 706-556-7900

eucheecreek.vc@gmail.com

www.ecvetclinic.com

Euchee Creek Verterinary Clinic Animal Hospital

Aesthetic Essentials of Augusta

Resource Guide

Amy Faircloth, RN, BSN, has more than 25 years of experience in med-surg, ENT, plastic surgery and operative services. As an Augusta native and the founder of Aesthetic Essentials of Augusta, she is proud to put her city on the map of aesthetics.

Augusta – 1220 Georgia C Wilson Dr. Suite C | Augusta, Georgia 30909| 706-434-8304

Atlanta – 104 Sycamore Place Suite A | Decatur, Georgia 30030 | (706) 833-4256

AEAugusta.com

Beauty and Wellness Boutique

Dermatology Specialists of Augusta

Resource Guide

The staff at Dermatology Specialists of Augusta is committed to provide the highest quality and most compassionate care to all of our patients. We specialize in Medical, Surgical, and Cosmetic Dermatology. We offer numerous treatment options and the latest techniques to help you look and feel your very best. We custom tailor treatments for your skin type and condition. We are especially concerned about the rising incidence of skin cancer and encourage you to have regular skin cancer screening exams.

1203 Town Park Lane | Evans, Georgia
706.650.SKIN (7546)
AugustaDermatology.com

Dermatology Augusta, Georgia