Washington, Wilkes County - Step back in time

Thursday 6th May


The team were treated to a Historic walk this morning around the hometown of history and Legends. We stepped back in time and experienced the stirring days of Colonia America, the Confederacy and the Victorian Era. These time periods are still alive in the grand old homes, tree shaded streets and historic sites in Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia.

” If your born in Wilkes County your assured of a place in Heaven” our driver Randy informed us. “So you go up to the gates and que up under ‘W’ then” quipped Roy.

Washington has a small Rotary Club and lunch time saw us deliver our presentation to our smallest audience yet which comprised of just 18 Rotarians. The gig may have been small but the reception we received was wonderful and with ‘Yard Bird’ ? on the menu this truly would be a memorable event.

The afternoon saw the team spilt up between various activities (some more strenuous than others). Roy and Gareth went to check out the Washington, Wilkes County Middle and High School to look at their facilities. Steve was whisked away by Jerry the Deputy Sheriff / Volunteer Fire fighter and taken to a rural Fire House. The Fire Chief had taken time out from bailing hay in the adjacent field to proudly show Steve his shiny red fire trucks. Meanwhile the girls were busy putting their sun cream through its paces by the pool, basking in the 96 degree Fahrenheit sunshine.

A quick trip to the local Library enabled Steve chance to upload the text from the previous three days Blog but not enough time for the pictures.

Roy and Gareth were also taken by Buddy to visit a local industrialist named Kerry who owned an extensive collection of classic cars and trucks. The vehicles were displayed in individual garages, which were decorated with retro lighting and furniture including some original juke boxes, still in working order.

He had a large collection of rifles and pistols, enough in hand just in case the Yankees were to re-invade!

Quentin Tarantino!

His home was situated on a site of over 400 acres, including his own stock of cattle, although Kerry was a very wealthy man, he was very down to earth with his attitudes and was very gracious to open up his private home.

The evening saw us all entertained at ‘Skeets’ house which was another wonderful building in this Idyllic town. The food we received was fantastic, who ever thought ‘Shrimp and Grits’ could taste so good.

More photo’s to follow

Alps, Bullfrogs, Farm Animals and Granite

Wednesday 5th May


Awaking to another beautiful morning the team were reluctant to leave this idyllic location. We had spent such a short time in White County but really felt at home in the presence of our hosts. In particular we would like to thank Maria for her companionship at Lucille’s Mountaintop Inn and also the staff who not only prepared our meals but made us feel so welcome and at home.

At 9am Melissa and Mustang Jack arrived and ferried the team just a short distance away to the alpine village of Helen. This area had been built up as a Bavarian village tourist destination and you truly felt that you were in the European Alps, (well almost, as your average middle age tourist in Austria isn’t packing heat in the form of a 9mm semi automatic pistol, obviously needed due to the potential of a crime being committed at some point in this beautifully tranquil picturesque part of the world. Ed). The group enjoyed a spot of window shopping as most of the shops didn’t open until later.

Melissa and her husband James had very kindly invited us and some of our White County friends over to their home for brunch....and what a brunch they had prepared! On our arrival we were met by Bellamy (one of Melissa and James’s daughters) who was thrilled to show us around the grounds and all it’s inhabitants which included pot bellied pigs (Steve not included although he’s getting there!), goats, a pony and a highland cow.

Melissa and James are the owners of ‘Honeybrook Catering’ and had laid out a fine spread for brunch. It must be said they served up some of the best tasting shrimp grits yet and other eats and salad, followed by a deliciously gooey selection of cakes which were all appreciatively devoured to the sounds of ‘Jeremiah and the Bull Frogs’ entertaining us with a selection of chilled out guitar tunes from Eric Clapton to Bob Marley. The whole occasion was again so lovely and it was difficult to move on from the great company, not to mention the sun-drenched veranda!

Website - Jeremiah and the Bullfrogs

To travel to our next destination, the team travelled in convoy with some (guess who) team members taking advantage of Mustang Jack’s al fresco option. We loitered around for a short while at a meeting point in a car park where we were met by Alan and his buddy, ‘Buddy’ who we had met what seems like such a long time ago now, at the district conference. Wishing fond farewells to Mellissa and Chris we continued on our journey to Washington through Elberton, the granite capital of the world (or at least of Georgia).

On our arrival we were met by Jane, the owner of the bed and breakfast where we will be staying for the next two nights. The house is the oldest we have stayed in so far dating back to 1775.

We had a little time to relax so most of the team headed out to check out the local area as for the first time we were informed that there were shops and a town square within walking distance, although everything closed at 5pm there was a certain presence felt from the stuffed animals in the taxidermists.

At 6:30 we headed out to the Fitzpatrick Hotel where we enjoyed another delicious meal after which a couple of the team had a game of non-competitive bowling on the Wii...which they won!

Back at the B&B we all enjoyed tea and cakes before retiring to bed.

By Andrea

Sheriff's and Shooting Star's - Welcome to White County

Tuesday 4th May


Despite feeling fragile Andrea managed to get out of bed early and visit the Challenged Child facility again. This time she was delighted to be able to get some real hands-on experience and work with some of the children in the class room. Steve also enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Long Street Restaurant with Fire Chief Jon Canada. Grits is the perfect cure to a hangover! Jon then took Steve on a quick tour a more run down area of the town, known locally as ‘Little Mexico’ where ‘illegal Aliens’ line the sidewalks early in the morning waiting to be picked up to work on the black market. With the economy in a bad way most of these unfortunate souls were waiting in vein. This was a side to America that we had been shielded from so far on our trip and was a true insight to the dirt behind the shine.

The rest of the team enjoyed a slow morning at the coffee house in the town square and at 10.15am Brian picked us up again and we went to pick up Andrea from the school. From the school we headed back to the highway and our next destination – White County.

After being dropped off at a bank car park (they have drive-thru cash machines here by the way) we were met by Rick and Mustang Jack. This is not to say Jack was a wild horse – but he did have a great deal of horse power under the bonnet of his 2008 Mustang convertible. A tidy 4.6 litre engine! The girls leapt at the opportunity to bask in the Georgian sun and get a ride in the car while the boys followed in convoy behind.

This already sounds pretty cool, does it not? Well, that is not the half of our entrance into that charming county! As we flew down the highway we were given a Sherriff’s escort. Road junctions were held up for us, cars pulled to the side of the road, flashing lights, sirens, the works! The girls took the events all in their stride however and treated the motorists to the ‘royal wave’ as we sped along.

We challenge any other rotary district to top that one – a fly by from the Air Force perhaps?

Too soon our journey was over however and we were met by a welcoming party at the doors to our next rendez-vous – the White County rotary meeting. Here we met more lovely people and president of the Rotary club of White County, Maria Flynn. We thanked Sherriff Neil for our spectacular entrance and tried to tame our windswept locks for the photos. We delivered our talk to the 50 strong crowd and enjoyed a lunch cooked by Melissa’s (American GSE team member) husband and staff.

After the lunch and laden with gifts from the Sherriff and Fire Chief and a signed copy of ‘In the Shadow of Yonah’ by local author Garrison Baker, we were taken to Blackstock Vineyard for a tour and wine tasting. Some of us may have treated ourselves to a bottle or two! The wine was lovely and thanks.

Feeling a little snoozy we then crawled back into the van (which is not looking too tidy now, as you can imagine) and were driven to our evening destination – Lucille’s Mountain top Inn. What a place! Stunning views of the wood covered mountains, a huge bedroom each with en-suite, enormous veranda complete with porch swing and rocking chairs.

The team with Maria Flynn at Lucille's Mountain Top Inn

http://www.lucillesmountaintopinn.com/

The team had some ‘down time’ in the afternoon and at 6.30pm a select few arrived to enjoy the delicious food prepared for dinner.

After having been spoilt rotten again and each given a hamper of White County produce, we sat on the porch and watched shooting stars go by, sipped on wine and rocked (in more ways than one).

If only Gareth had agreed to be spread in meat juices and hover near the woods, we could have topped off a perfect day with a bear sighting. Sometimes that boy can be so selfish!

By Allison

Monkey around in Gainsville

Monday 3rd May


Bright and early Brian from Gainsville rotary took over the driving duties and we arrived at our next club. As we were a tad early (1hr 30mins!) we decided to check into our motel and collect our thoughts before returning to the church to give our talk.

After our presentation to a 130 strong crowd we were divided up for our vocational visits. Allison went to visit INK (Interactive Neighbourhood for Kids) which is a mini town with shops and businesses and various other kid sized attractions aimed at giving them a fun, interactive and educative experience. Phillippa Lewis Moss who is on the board of directors and an active volunteer was the guide but it was also lovely to meet the staff and find out how passionate and dedicated they were. Gainsville is rightly proud of this innovative place.

Gareth was whisked off to the city hall to meet the finance director Melody N. Marlowe. He enjoyed a good chit chat and they compared revenue streams and local funding issues. Steve had a whistle stop tour of the whole of the fire department and got to drive a big fire truck. Roy visited a trailer manufacturing plant specialising in car transporters. Although the plant was very old the quality of production was excellent with good metal blasting and spray finishes. It was a very well planned tour.

Andrea visited the Challenged Child and Friends which is an integrated school taking 50% main stream kids and 50% special education students. It was impressive to see the two mix so well. The 6 therapy rooms offered the children physio therapy, occupational health and speech and language therapy. Andrea also visited a day care facility for the elderly offering services to senior citizens. She also signed a confidentiality agreement so she could work in the school the next day.

At four o’clock we met at a wonderful museum which had an original log cabin dating from around the 1820s. It also had a memorial garden for the men and women of Gainsville serving in the armed forces and displays inside which told the story of Gainsville through the history, industry and people of the area.

That evening we were sadly denied the opportunity to go onto lake Lanier but instead were rewarded with a wonderful dinner at Rotarian president Rick’s house with his family and several invited guests, and Chris. The fish was delicious (another entry for the recipe book) and company even better. We were sad to leave.

So sad in fact that we felt obliged to drown our sorrows until around 1am in the morning at a local bar called The Monkey Barrel. We now know why the Rotarians have been unwilling to leave us to our own devices and we suspect that someone behind the bar served us a ‘bad pint’ at one point.

Some of us definitely felt a little fragile the next morning.

By Allison

Photo's to follow

12 Stone Church

Sunday 2nd May

As it was a Sunday and as is tradition in these parts, the team headed off to Church this morning, unbeknowing what they were about to encounter.

The south east of the USA is known as the Bible belt and there are subtle reminders everywhere you look.

We have experienced lots of cutural differences since our arrival and have become accustomed to holding hands whilst seated around the dinner table as our host blesses us and the food we are about to receive but I don’t think any of us were quite prepared for what we experienced today.

Our destination was ’12 Stone Church’ and as we approached, the roads were coned off and traffic marshals in bright orange hi viz jackets guided us to one of the few remaining spaces at the rear of a huge car park.

A small section of the carpark

Police control the traffic on the way into the church

Naively some amongst us were looking for a traditional looking building with a spire and bell tower however what we had before us was more in line with Manchester Central Convention Centre on a larger scale.

12 Stone Church

http://www.12stone.com/

12 Stone Church is quite large but by no means the biggest of dozens in South Gwinnett. Seating capacity is a mere 2,500 for the main hall and it’s first up best dressed.

However if you don’t manage to get in all is not lost as there are two overflow theatres complete with state of the art extra large widescreen video, enhanced with digital audio for your viewing pleasure, which brings the total capacity to around 3000.

Our guide informed us that due to the limited capacity of the building and such a large demand of followers, they hold not one but three services at full capacity, one after the other every Sunday.

You do the Math!

On entering this impressive holy building a warm familiar scent caressed our nostrils, what could it be? A quick glace over one’s right shoulder revealed the source, a Starbucks Coffee shop, of course. A Cappuccino, Blueberry Muffin and a quick check of your emails over the free wifi service. What better way to relax before the up and coming service.

Sarbucks Coffee Shop

As special guests we were given a tour behind the scenes and first stop was the ‘green room’ where we got the chance to meet the rock band who were chillin’ before the gig.

Behind the scenes control room

We then had special access to the prayer room which was the most holy place in the entire building with a great view of the stage. Here the holy men and women of the church would kneel and pray that the performance would go well and also pray for everyone inside.

Goodwill messages in the prayer room

The church caters for all people of all ages from kindergarten through to pensioners. Separate special services are held for children who can sing, dance and have fun whilst having the importance of Jesus Christ and the love of God embedded at an early age.

Kindergarten Area

Kids Studios

We knew that we were in for something quite special as we entered the main air conditioned hall. The atmosphere was quite electric as we parked our bums in the comforting cinema style seats complete with drinks holders for our oversized Starbucks coffee cups.

The Main Worship Hall

The Rock group took to the stage and every one danced the morning away in the stalls and were positively encouraged to great everyone around.

The guest speaker was a gentleman named John C Maxwell who is a well known motivational speaker in the USA, a New York Times best selling author who has sold over 18 million books worldwide. He told us a story of how he was once flying high at the top of his game and appeared on the front cover of ‘Success’ magazine. However the main theme of his teaching was that ‘Were all just one step away from stupid’ and as such he then showed us a mugshot of him in the county jail just after he had been arrested for trying to take a loaded gun in his briefcase through an international airport. The gun was given to him as a present for his wife and the silly fellow had forgotten it was in there!

‘Well I guess stupid is as stupid does’ said Mr Maxwell and he explained how he used to be judgemental of others and this was God’s way of correcting him. Mr Maxwell truly had a rough time however he also explained that in times of crisis, previous credibility goes a long way and it certainly did in his case. On the positive side, due to all the publicity he received, his book sales hit record highs.

The service ended with the Rock band and everybody got the chance of more singing and dancing after which we were told we could get copies of three of Mr Maxwell’s book which he would be signing in the lobby.

We rushed out excitedly to receive our free copies only to discover that they were $20 a pop and going like hot cakes. Praise the Lord!

The remainding day was spent with Rob Pomder and his family at their beautiful lakeside property. The team would like to thank Rob for allowing us to relax at his home and wish his parents well after their home was flooded during heavy rainfall in Nashville

The Mall and Stone Mountain

Saturday 1st May


After a long and busy week we were all feeling the need for a little of that ‘retail therapy’ which Andrea is fond of telling us about in her presentation. At 9am we were picked up from the Garden Plaza complex by Jack and shortly after dropped off at the Georgia Mall. Think the Trafford Centre only with carpet, not as much natural light but plenty of good shops. This was possibly the first time since we arrived at Manchester airport that we were able to split up and be on our own! With this new found freedom the various members of the team pottered about the Mall, some treating themselves more than others... not mentioning any names...Steve and Allison... think Apple gadgets and clothes respectively!



Roy meanwhile had put us all to shame and gone out at 8.30am to play football with local children and experience soccer coaching American style.

After a relaxing afternoon we were once again reunited and this time we were taken to a stunning natural landmark which the Georgians are rightfully proud of – Stone Mountain. Mr and Mrs Copeland were our delightful hosts for the evening.

http://www.stonemountainpark.com/

Our first engagement for the evening was to walk up this enormous lump of rock (which has a proper geological term but alas – geography was never my strong point, apologies for forgetting). However, Andy made the mistake of telling us that a good time to get up there was 20mins- a pleasant evening stroll now became a sweaty charge up the hill and the summit was taken after just 18mins. The views were spectacular, as you can see.

The girls set off up Stone Mountain

Garth makes it to the top

Closely followed by Roy

Windy at the Top

The City of Atlanta in the distance, simply stunning views!

Once we reached the bottom we jumped back in the van and went to our evening rendezvous- fireworks and laser show at the base of Stone Mountain, projected onto the famous carving of three Confederate heroes (bigger than the Mount Rushmore carvings). The Copelands produced blankets for the kids to sit on and chairs for the oldies. I daren’t tell you who was who! And like any seasoned picnicing group we found a great spot on the lawn and marked our territory. We also had a delicious picnic and some of us went for a wander around a Gulliver’s World-esque theme park.

The largest stone carving in the world (bigger than Mt Rushmore!)

The Memorial Carving depicts three Confederate heroes of the Civil War: Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee and Lt. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson

At 9.30pm once the sun had set we lay back and watched the show unfold. There was a mixture of stories told from the history of Georgian music, the story of the American Civil War, an homage to all things American (mainly the military forces) and of course, the star spangled banner was sung with gusto. The laser and fireworks were amazing and the music enhanced the spectacle although the photos never do it justice – take our word for it!

Last stop at about 11pm was a roof-top bar in Lawrenceville where the group all enjoyed some tasty tap beer, except for our exotic friend Garth who sipped on an Appletini. After a long day we were all glad to get home to bed, making sure we would be bright eyed and bushy tailed for church in the morning.

By Allison

Schools and Baseball

Friday 30th April


Thankfully all team members rose again and enjoyed a buffet breakfast at the home before setting out to learn more of the school system here in Gwinnett County.

First stop was Peachtree High School which was quite something. We were met by Bonnie Driskoll, the assistant principle who guided us around the school which is the largest in the county with 3,100 pupils aged 12-18. The school was a maze of corridors with a huge dining hall at its heart. We are recognising more and more that the Georgian people are no strangers to early mornings and this is instilled in them at an early age as here at Peachtree High School the day begins at 7am. Because of the sheer size of the school lunchtimes are staggered and some eat lunch as early as 10.30am!

Bonnie escorted us outside to take a look at the ‘Special Olympics’ which is an event for Special Ed students to have their sporting talents recognised and no matter what their level of ability they will receive certificates and medals for taking part, or even attempting to take part. Unfortunately the games hadn’t yet started but it was very positive to hear of such an event and see the excitement of the pupils preparing for it.

Straight from the school we headed to the Gwinnett County Public Schools Instructional Support Centre. Here we were met by a lady named Kelly who explained that this huge converted industrial unit was the central hub for all of the public schools in Gwinnett County. The centre houses educational professionals and performs many important tasks such as controlling the air conditioning to all schools, sending out educational television broadcasts that can be accessed by the teachers and training staff how to use the new, innovative education technology such as touch pads and digital projectors. The team had great fun testing out the texting pads and had their wits pitted by the digital educator. Thankfully it appears that we are all smarter than an 8th grader!

The team enjoyed a little time to relax at the Garden Plaza before heading out the see our second baseball game. This time we saw the Gwinnett Braves (who are just one down from being pro’s). We wore our Braves T shirts (supplied by Gwinnett Rotary club – thank you) and proudly cheered them on to a comfortable victory.

By Andrea