Augusta Canal and Uncle Sam (He's watching you!)

Saturday 8th of May


Saturday morning began with an early start for Steve, Allison, Andrea and Roy as they went for a n adrenalin filled bike ride with local Rotarian Larry Lynn in an area designed for off road cycling. This gave a chance to blow out the cob webs and work off some of the fried food which has been consumed in copious amounts of late.

Gareth went with Rotarian Indira Donegan, (who is actually a Major in the US Army) to the local shopping Mall for the morning, as the team had arranged to meet after lunch, there was much gift buying and product browsing carried out with military precision.

Later on the team met at the visitors centre for the Savannah Canal and were taken around the museum which explains the history of the canal and how Augusta has developed around it, sharing some similarities with Manchester regarding the production of cotton and use of industrial canals.

After this the team took a leisurely boat ride along the canal to see some of the industrial remains and enjoying the some of the indigenous wildlife such as Yellow Bellied Turtles, Cranes and we were even informed that alligators do frequent these parts too!

The temperature was warm to say the least, that day it was hovering in the low 30C’s. After the boat ride the team enjoyed a little ‘down time’ which involved some of us retiring back to our host families for a short whilst the girls took back to the downtown area for another spot of shopping.

Later that evening the plan was to attend a local amatuer dramatics production which was actually on the Army base in Augusta called Fort Gordon, the purpose of this base is this is where much of the army’s and some government communications are managed from and on trying to access the local wifi we noticed it was aptly named ‘Big Brother is watching’.

This was a dinner and theatre venue in which we were served by a well stocked buffet with tasty deserts and excellent seats close to the stage along with many of our rotary friends.

The play was called The Dixie Swim Club and was what could be describe as a ‘chick flick’. A play about feminine friendship and we don’t mean the type you find on specialist websites!

We were impressed with the acting ability of the cast and we mostly managed to pick up on the southern humour and quips.

We’d spent some good leisure time in Augusta with good weather and to end our stay on a laugh with the play was a bonus which finished things nicely for us.

By Gareth

Martinez-Evans, Augusta home of James Brown

Friday 7th May


The girls took the opportunity whilst in a town that actually has sidewalks to run off some of those calories before being presented with another lovely breakfast. This morning it comprised of delicious fluffy pancakes with maple syrup and sausages and unavoidably the discussion around the breakfast table turned to politics despite this not being on the menu! - We appreciate any updates from folk back home as the hung parliament debates unfold.

Jane has been a wonderful hostess and the team said their farewells and hauled their ever growing suitcases and bags into the van. At this point the girls took off with Alan who had offered to escort them to the next destination in his car, but not without a quick stop off at a place suitably named ‘Shooters’ where they had their gun desires met and adrenaline pumped as they each had the opportunity to grip a 9mm Gloch pistol and ‘fire at will’ at the target! Yet another tick on our wish list, well for the girls anyway! Thanks Alan.
(So Alan, how come only the girls got invited ? Something we should know about ?)

The team all met up at the ‘Double Tree Inn’ and gave another professional presentation to a large audience which comprised of three rotary clubs in the area, Martinez Evans, Columbia County and Columbia County West.

Team members were introduced to the host families they would be staying with and for the first time in the trip everyone was to be separated. You would think by now we would all be sick of the sight of each other by now, especially the girls who hadn’t spent a night apart yet but to be honest it felt a bit like we were losing a limb!

Before splitting to go with families the team had a tour around one of the main attraction in the area, the national science centre ‘Fort Discovery’. This is a great interactive, educational facility with hands on activities, many based on training that is given to the tactical departments of the US army. This unique facility was set up by the US army and is run as a partnership between the army and a non-profit organisation. As well as the static venue that we toured there are also mobile units that are sent out to schools and events throughout America.

After freshening up at our host families homes, everyone met up in downtown Augusta where we were lucky to experience the monthly celebrations of ‘First Friday’ where local musicians take to the streets aiming to attract custom into the area and just have a great time! The multicultural atmosphere was electric and as we browsed the arty shops we were entertained by hip-hop artists and live bands playing on every street corner. We were treated to a feast at the Bees Knees and then strolled the streets and soaked up the downtown vibes and made sure not to forget one iconic feature of this town and gathered for a photo with the king of funk himself James Brown!

By Andrea

Photo's to follow

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