THURSDAY, APRIL 14 - APRIL 28, 2011
VOL. 01 NO. 07
Location for new Griffin-Spalding
airport sparks heated debates PG 2
WHEN YOU GET A GRIP, YOU GET THE GOOD STUFF PRINTED BI-WEEKLY | WWW.THE-GRIP.NET
East Griffin Baptist Church adds to its
already long list of ministries
The Women on Mission (WOM) of East Griffin Baptist
will open a transitional housing ministry for women and
children on April 17.
JESSICA GREGORY
East Griffin Baptist Church (EGBC) is
not the type of church that opens up
to preach on Sunday and is closed for
the rest of the week. Dropping by
the church on a Thursday morning,
visitors will witness a bustle of
activity; parishioners and needy
individuals coming to find what they
need at the weekly “Compassionate
Services.”
The compassionate services of
EGBC include a food pantry, lunch
LIFESTYLE
What is a doula?
Birthing options for expectant
mothers, and why you don't
necessarily have to rush to the
hospital.
» pg. 4
ENTERTAINMENT
Looking for
something good
to eat?
Read the second installment
of our staff writer's food
crawl - Arve's, Home of the
Hoodburger. » pg. 3 African-American residents (32.7
percent of the population). Ten years
BUSINESS earlier, 18,076 - or 30.9 percent - of
Kick @$$ Job of the
Week: Aeronaut
David Harwell gets to spend
his weekends getting paid to
do something he says he'd be
doing for free anyway. » pg. 7
Griffifi n’’’s regional Independent Press
Express your opinion in
the "Get a Grip" poll at
www.the-grip.net
or send an editorial to
Grip editors
service, men and women’s clothing
closets, drug education, and most
importantly, counseling services.
“We don’t just give them a bag of
groceries and send them home,”
said Charles Killingsworth, pastor of
EGBC.
Seven years ago, when Pastor
Killingsworth began preaching at
EGBC, he says the church was in
dire need of a revival. With the help
of many volunteers, Killingsworth
began what he calls a ministry of
love, and soon parishioner and
Sunday School attendance tripled.
COMMUNITY
CENSUS SNAPSHOT: Spalding County
The U.S. Census Bureau last month
released 2010 population data for 567
Georgia and its counties. Here's
some of the latest information
provided by Three Rivers Regional
Commission about Spalding County:
64,073
Total population, up from 58,417 in
2000 - a 9.68 percent increase.
38,986
Number of white residents - (about
60.8 percent of the population). In
2000, 38,435 - or 65.8 percent - of the
residents were white. Multi-racial (1.4 percent of the
population), compared with 401 - or
20,937 0.7 percent - in 2000.
A QUICK LOOK AT GRIFFIN
residents were black.
2,451
Hispanic residents (3.8 percent of
the population). In 2000, only 947
- or 1.6 percent - of residents were
Hispanic.
For complete census data on Spalding, Griffin, Orchard Hill and Sunny Side, visit www.the-grip.net.
Grippits - news at "The 'Hoodburger'... lived up
a glance PG 7 to its reputation, and the
homemade potato chips were
GRIFFIN COUNTRY CLUB so great that I finished every
REGROUPS TO REBUILD single morsel on my plate."
MEMBERSHIP PG 2 PG 3
“We call it the comeback church,”
said Killingsworth with a large smile.
“This church is over 100 years old.
We’re a poor church, but we still gave
out $13,000 of assistance one year to
help people with utilities, rent and
food. It’s amazing what took place
here.”
Immediately following the worship
service on April 17, EGBC will dedicate
their latest additions to their ministry
of love, the Faith and Grace houses,
which will be used for the WOM's
transitional housing ministry for
women continued, » pg.2
FUMC preschoolers finish bike
safety lessons with 'Bike Day'
The four-year-old preschoolers of First
United Methodist Church ushered in
springtime on two wheels.
JESSICA GREGORY sidewalk and not in the street;
wearing shoes to protect tiny
Every year about this time, toes, and to keep their bike in
good repair and the tires filled
Asian-American residents (0.9 preschoolers at FUMC are
percent of the population), completing handmade booklets with air.
compared with 388 - or 0.6 percent
about bike safety. As the weather
- in 2000. warms, kids are itching to take out "We set up a course in front of the
79 their bikes, trikes and scooters,
and FUMC director Dianne Isaacs
church; we blocked off the road
and set up a "gas station," stop
The number of residents who wants to make sure they play signs and various other street
identified themselves as other races,
(0.1 percent of the population)
safely. "Children need to be
reminded to follow safety rules
signs that the children had to
follow."
compared with 39 - .06 percent - in
2000.
this time of year," she said.
With set-up complete, the 17
870 Lessons learned include always
wearing a helmet; riding on the continued, » pg.2
See WWW.THE-GRIP.NET SUPPORT OUR
for more story-related WONDERFUL
23,643 - Total population, up ADVERTISERS AND
photos, videos and editorial.
from 23,451 in 2000.
770.227.1857 CHECK THEIR ADVERTS
-
9,719 White population, down P.O. BOX 2251
from 10,830 in 2000. REGULARLY FOR
GRIFFIN GA 30224 COUPONS &
12,280 - African-American Jessica Gregory, Publisher
population, up from 11,647 ten years
ago. jessica@the-grip.net GREAT DEALS!
 2   April 14 - April 28, 2011
City and county moving forward on airport design, but « bikes, cont.
many citizens express opposition to location
The preliminary layout for the new Griffin-Spalding airport spans 740 acres in east Griffin
between Jackson and High Falls Roads. Land acquisition will affect 117 home and land
owners in the area, and could possibly begin within the next six to eight months.
JESSICA GREGORY He told the commissioners, “I cannot Commissioner Flowers-Taylor still had
Many Spalding County residents
attended the joint city and county
commissioners meeting held on April
7 to express their opinion on the
new location planned for the Griffin-
Spalding County airport and the
relocation of State Route 155.
Nine citizens addressed the
commissioners regarding the airport
relocation after the invitation for
public comments. Kathy Noble, of 876
Musgrove Road, was the first to speak
in favor of the airport. She states that
though she lived in the immediate
outskirts of the airport and was in
the “worst of possible worlds” of not
being paid for her property but living
nearby, she supports the new and
bigger airport. “This is something
that needs to happen so Spalding
County can move forward,” she said.
Peter Snider, of 119 Banks Road,
would be one of the 117 homeowners
whose property would be purchased.
An East Griffin Baptist Church volunteer helps a local woman find clothes in their
Compassionate Services free clothing closet.
« ministries, cont.
transitional housing ministry for
women and children.
The dedication will also be used to
thank their many volunteers and
those who helped make the houses
possible with their monetary,
service or material donations.
The Faith House will be for women
only, and will allow them to stay for
up to two years while they learn,
save money and develop budgeting
and life skills to ensure their success
when they leave. The Grace House
will be for women with children.
preschoolers were
afford to start again. Are we looking
at imminent domain or will we receive
fair market value?” Donnie Norton,
who also resides on Banks Road,
echoed Snider’s sentiment when he
said, “I don’t know what I’m going to
do when y’all tell me to move. I need
to know you’re going to pay a decent
price.”
Discussion of fair payment for
property values ensued for much
of the meeting, after LPA Group
representative Mike Ryder presented
the company’s airport study.
Ryder assured commissioners and
homeowners that displaced citizens
have rights under the Federal
Uniform Relocation Act, which
guarantees displaced homeowners
will be paid enough money to find
equal or comparable habitation to
their current home, and also covers
relocation expenses such as moving
vans.
EGBC has partnered with the
Christian Women’s Job Corp in
Griffin, who will provide each
woman a mentor to teach life, job
and computer skills to help these
women get their lives back on track.
Volunteers are still needed, says
Jan Stowell, president of Women
on Missions, as well as items such
as twin size beds and bedding,
window screens, gutters, and
monthly sponsorships to provide
food and training.
For more information or to
volunteer, contact Cathy Mutter or
Jan Stowell at 770-227-7847. Ω
top storieS
let loose to ride the
course.
Though FUMC didn't
have enough interest
in a kindergarten
class, their preschool
classes are staying
full, and Isaacs
mentions that
she is considering
opening a second
preschool class
and spaces are still
available. Contact
Dianne Isaacs at 770-
228-0166 for more
information. Ω Above: Avery Johnston pumps Emma Kate Kirkland's
bicycle "gas" for her in true gentleman style.
Startup nonprofit receives grant from
Spalding County Collaborative
Editor's Note: In the March 31 edition, stationary. We will also purchase
The Grip mistakenly identified Nicole computers to maintain records and
reservations, wanting more assurance Arnold as Nicole Anderson. teach computer skills," said Arnold.
that the residents of this east Griffin
community will have adequate JESSICA GREGORY One of Arnold's goals is to provide
compensation. She mentioned that On March 30, God's Divine Favor many outdoor experiences for the
a cause for concern is that many was awarded a grant in the amount women and children, including a
residents of this area live in mobile of $5,000 from the Spalding County garden and raising small farm animals,
homes, which may not be worth Collaborative. such as chickens. "If we are financially
more than $11,000. “Where are they able, we would also like to purchase
going to find housing for that much gardening tools. This will allow us to
money?” she asked. Nicole Arnold, founder of God's Divine plant vegetables, which will teach self
Favor, is currently in the process of sufficiency as well as bonding with
Mayor Joanne Todd told the group getting the women and childrens' the children," Arnold continued. "We
present that there will be more public group home up and running. are very excited about this grant!"
hearings before land acquisition for
the airport site. Arnold proposed the concept of God's
If an ordinance is approved, the
Divine Favor to the Spalding County group home would be located at 390
The city commissioners approved commissioners on Monday, March
the item, to go forward with the new 21. Current county zoning ordinances Hosannah Road, on three acres of
airport, with a six to one vote, William have no provisions for group homes property owned by Arnold’s mother,
Evans of district two opposing. who currently lives in Germany. The
that include both women and current capacity for the house would
The county commissioners approved children. be between three to five women
the item as well, with a three to two with their children, and would service
vote, Gwen Flowers-Taylor and Bob "This grant will assist in obtaining women with children under 12 for up
Gilreath opposing. Ω administrative items as well as to one year. Ω
brochures, business cards and
Griffin Country Club optimistic new plan will keep club alive
JESSICA GREGORY They have rolled out enticing new you reach a seat,” said Hamilton.
Griffin Country Club (GCC) President membership fees that start at $55 And Hamilton suspects that the new
Tom Hamilton knows the statistics. per month for singles and $95 for chef, Joey Roberts, is keeping a little
He’s watched as over 400 country families. notebook of diner’s requests and
clubs across the nation have closed personal seasoning preferences in
their doors over the past five or so The club has also widened its service the kitchen, since he is frequently
years, and has seen the decline in the base by opening certain amenities seen polling diners on how they like
memberships at the GCC. to the public, while still maintaining their meals.
tee times and privileges for members.
“The whole country club experience “We have studied the cost and As marketing director, Palmer
has evolved over the last 10-15 concept of a ‘private‘ club and has also increased social events,
years,” said Hamilton. The economic determined that it makes a lot more including beer tastings, Irish dancer
downturn a few years back has sense to serve a broader community,” visits and meet the chef nights, as
seemingly solidified the shift away said Hamilton. well as continuing the traditional
from country club life and dues. events, such as the Annual Susan G.
Another mark of a good country club Koman golf tournamnet that will be
is the “extra mile” of customer service, held June 25.
From its beginnings of a club with
a nine-hole golf course in the 60s, which Hamilton feels confident the
through expanding in 1984 with the staff of GCC provides. “Arthur has “We feel very confident that the plan
second nine and up until about two been a fixture at our bar for years. we have in place will be effective at
years ago, the GCC was a private club, He will often have your favorite drink putting the GCC back in a strong
and a mainstay in the community, waiting for you on the bar by the time financial position,” said Hamilton. Ω
said Hamilton.
Rumors often abound that the GCC
is closing its doors or discontinuing
its dinner service, but Marketing
Director Mick Palmer and Hamilton
want to assure Griffin that they’re
around to stay.
In order to fight the exodus
movement, Palmer and Hamilton
recognize that business models must
change and adapt to fit the needs
of the members they wish to serve.
With money on everyone’s mind
these days, it seems a obvious choice
for the first move to be lowering
membership dues, which GCC is in
the process of doing.
 arts & entertainment
Griffin artist gets national air time on John Boy and Billy Show
JESSICA GREGORY
Local country crooner Ben Ratliff
recently packed up and headed north
to Charlette, NC, to get some time on
national airwaves with The John Boy
and Billy Show, legendary country
and classic rock radio personalities.
Ratliff and the Smoke on the Water
crew appeared on the show to help
promote what turned out to be a very
successful fourth annual Smoke on
Ratliff and Hound working on "The Legend of Booger Branch" “Hound” Brown.  We laughed the entire time we were
Thrifty mom turns tool shed
into gift, craft & thrift shop
A coup d'état turns a husband's tool shed
into a chic "chicken coop," a thrift & craft
store called "The Chicken House."
SUBMITTED BY NINA DEMPSEY
Well, looks like Mama has taken
over the tool shed!  No, really.
 
I asked for a "little house" out back
for extra storage, because there
is no attic in this house, so that's
what I got.  Well, almost.  Rest in
this thought: when you marry a
contractor, you never get it exactly
like you wanted it. My precious
The 'Hoodburger' : Finger-lickin' food that pays homage to
restaurant's original location
KATIE BROWER
When I drove up to Arve’s in the
Spalding Village Shopping Center, I
was unsure of what to expect. I ran
into the managers of Arve’s when I
was visiting the last restaurant on
my food crawl, Uncle B’s, and they
promptly gave me a coupon for “One
Free Hoodburger.” With a name like
that, how could I not be thrilled to
test it out?
Walking into Arve’s, my jaw literally
the Water BBQ & Bluegrass Festival.
True to all the personalities present,
food and fun were mixed in with the
promotion work. “When we pulled
into the parking lot of The John
Boy and Billy Studio, Carl The Cook
already had the grill fired up - at 9
a.m.” said Ratliff.
“I was in the studio with members of
the Smoke On The Water committee
and my songwriting buddy John
After sucking
down my first beef
dog from Carl’s
grill, Hound said,
‘lets get to work.’”  1707 N. Expressway
Ratliff and Hound
finished up a song
they had started
earlier that day
in honor of John
Boy’s birthday.
“The song was
titled “The Legend
of Booger Branch,”
poking
little outbuilding for
crafts or scrapbooking
turned into a tool shed
for him.  Yep, that's
exactly what he did.
Somehow, my big
50th birthday present
turned into "Okay, I
built you an attic space
in my new tool shed."   
Are you kidding me? 
So, since last
July, I have been waiting
patiently to overthrow
the government ‘round
here and move my
dream gift shop into the
tool shed.  I don't want
much, just a place  to
sell my little  "happy's"
some vintage finds from
the streets of Griffin and
Fayetteville, and my new
line of travel bags Le' Beau
Sac.    You  know a girl just
has to have her own tool
shed too.  It was mutiny at
the tool corral.
Now that I’ve taken over
the tool shed, “Chicken
House Thrift & Gift” will be
open for business four or
five times per year.    Our
dropped. This restaurant, with its
sport-décor and bright colors, had all
of the potential in the world – easily
comparable to your favorite chain
sports bar. The kicker? This restaurant
has economy-proof prices that made
a cheap-o like me squirm in my seat
with excitement. Our waitress was
adorable and super-friendly, chatting
us up and making sure we were
comfortable.
Their signature menu item, the
hoodburger, lived up to its reputation
April 14 - April 28, 2011   3
fun at John Boy and his farm, which
is named “Booger Branch,’” Ratliff
laughed.
 
“We went ‘on air,’ Monday, March 28 Serving Great Steaks and Prime Rib Since 1988
at 12:30 to record Wednesday’s show,
and we were in the studio for about
two hours. Hound and I played “The STARTING AT ONLY
Legend of Booger Branch,” the Smoke
on the Water guys played the wordy
word game, and Nash Austin, another
$5!
cowriter of mine, beat out John Boy
on his birthday and won the game. 
there.  If this whole music thing
doesn’t work out, I want to have their
job.  It was a lot of fun and can’t wait
to go back,” said Ratliff.   770-228-5442
To check out the Ben Ratliff Band,
find them on facebook or visit www.
reverbnation.com/benratliffband.
The Ben Ratliff Band will be playing
at the Pheonix Rising Event Center
in Thomaston with Ty Herndon and
Tyler Hammond Band on May 7.  On
June 4, he will play at Smith’s Old Bar
with Connor Christian. Ω
770-227-7715
first weekend sale will be this
Friday and Saturday, and joining
for our first sale is Granny's Stitch. 
“Granny,” Miss Jane Pearson, has
been sewing for more years than
she wants to let us know, and
is known far and wide for her
beautiful quilting.    Miss Jane ON-SITE JEWELRY REPAIR
will be here with her famous
quilts and her crafts too.    We
CORNER OF 10TH & SOLOMON, GRI FFIN
The Easter Bunny is coming!
will have clothes, shoes, purses,
jewelry,    lamps, scrapbooking
materials, books, hand made
What will he put in your basket?
quilts and of course our new Le'
Beau Sac bags and much, much
more.
Chicken House Thrift & Gift is
located at 19 Ballard Drive, Griffin For every $10 you
spend in Rita’ s ,
and will be open Friday, April 15
from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday,
receive a ticket to
April 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nina
can be reached at 404-775-5094. Ω
win an Easter
basket and plush
with its quarter-pound beef patty
topped with scrambled hamburger
meat, secret sauce, cheese and the
bunnies.
works stuffed between thick slices of
Texas Toast. The homemade potato
chips were so great that I finished
every single morsel on my plate.
Another shout out needs to go to Drawing will be held
the Buffalo Chicken Philly - it was April 23. You don’t have
incredible (in that really sinful kind of to be present to win.
way).
Owner Jeff Freeman said the
origins of the hoodburger lie in
his years cooking burgers for
firemen buddies, as well as his
grandmother-in-law's recipe
for scrambled hamburgers
with a secret sauce. When they
opened the original Arve's on
Tinsley Street, a deli in the back
of a convenient store, Stephanie
and Jeff Freeman combined
their recipes and named it the Griffin’s ONLY
"hoodburger," in honor of their
first Arve's location. Jewelry Supercenter
As I left, I was promising a quick
return. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Arve's has two locations - one
at 331 Tinsley Street, and one
the north side of Griffin in the
Spalding Village shopping center.
The Freemans plan to open a third
location on Meriwether Street by
September of this year. Ω
 4  April 14 - April 28, 2011
LIFESTYLE
“GET A GRIP”: POLL OF THE WEEK Doulas can offer support and birthing options to expectant mothers
JESSICA GREGORY such as breech births.
Each week at www.the-grip.net a “Get A Grip” poll will Beth Davidson gave birth to all three of her children
be posted. The results and any related content will be in the comfort of her own home. “I felt like it was Many mothers who employ doulas often opt for
natural, holistic childbearing methods, such as home
published in the consecutive print edition of The Grip. unnecessary for me to have a birth at the hospital,” she
explains. “It was not a religious decision, nor was it and natural births.
Visit www.the-grip.net and cast your vote today! about any extremist view regarding modern medicine.
I just thought that if I had a healthy pregnancy, that was “In the big picture, we risk cheating ourselves out
what we wanted,” she continued. of natural birth by applying blanket protocal that is
Last Week’s Poll Results: Current Poll: defined in medical terms and not in natural terms, “ said
Davidson, “It’s more fear or risk-driven [to give birth at
“I think that at some point, I got turned off by the
Should Georgia’s tax Do you oppose or support automated path an obstetric patient is sometimes put a hospital] rather than expecting our bodies to work
naturally,” said Davidson.
through. After hearing 'This is just the way we do it,'
system overhaul include the new Griffin-Spalding a few times during my pregnancy, we just started to
In it’s first study [1998] of infant mortality risks for babies
new levies on services? airport? wonder, ‘Why is this the way everyone does it?’”
delivered by certified nurse midwives in the U.S, the
Davidson’s questions led her into birth advocacy - Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that
VISIT THE-GRIP.NET learning about pregnant women’s’ options, as well as the risk of experiencing an infant death was 19 percent
9% NOW TO VOTE!
the benefits and risks of the standard procedures of the
American birth situation. Her research then led her to
lower for births attended by certified nurse midwives
than for births attended by physicians.
YES become a practicing doula.
The practice of midwifery (not providing doula care) in
The Grip is accepting A doula is a woman, or man, who provides non-medical Georgia is currently unlawful, because the certification
letters to the editor support to other women and their families during the that is required by state law is unavailable. There are,
pregnancy, labor and post-partum periods. Doulas however, several midwives that are certified in other
concerning this subject, make the expecting mother aware of her options and states that practice in Georgia and lobby for legislation
both for and against, to
91% NO be published in the April
resources for giving birth. During labor, doulas practice
counter-pressure, massaging, and generally provide
that would make direct-entry midwives legal.

YES - 1 votes ; NO - 10 votes
28 print issue of The Grip.
Letters should be emailed
to jessica@the-grip.net
or posted to PO Box 2251,
Griffin, GA 30224.
physical comfort to help a laboring mother find relief
without chemical intervention.
The terms ‘doula’ and ‘midwife’ are not interchangeable,
as licensed midwives have medical training and can
provide care during certain more difficult deliveries
Davidson realizes that home and natural births are not
for every woman, nor for every baby. “It’s not necessary
for a woman to completely buy into a home birth or
a completely medical birth. It’s just important women
understand their options and have the freedom in their
labor to choose what’s best for them." Ω

PET OF THE WEEK: Nellie UGA working on funding to keep GA Automated
SHIBA INU Environmental Monitoring Network operating
MIX The dean of the University of
Georgia’s College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences has
- MEDIUM expressed confidence that its
- ADULT network of weather monitors will
- FEMALE be saved.
Nellie is a Over the last 20 years, the College
lovely mixed of Agricultural and Environmental
breed dog Sciences at the University of
who strongly
Georgia has developed an
extensive network of automated
resembles a weather stations across the State of
Shiba Inu. She
Georgia known as the AEMN. The
was rescued Georgia Automated Environmental
from a high kill Monitoring Network, or AEMN, has
shelter where she had been housed with her litter of puppies. She is happy and provided current and historical
affectionate, easy-going with other dogs, and will be a great addition to your information at no cost.
family. Nellie is equally happy to be romping and having fun or cuddling with
her person just doing nothing. Her smile and spirit are infectious. Is Nellie the In order to keep the system afloat,
dog you and your family have been looking for? Adoption fee: $125 Contact those who use the system will now
Dawn at zephyrlewis@gmail.com for more information, or to apply to adopt. have to pay for access to the once-
free information, and many current
users have expressed a willingness
787 Shady Lane, Williamson to pay for the system in order to
E STATE S AL E Contact Ann: 678-873-9601 keep it going.
Fri/Sat/Sun | April 15,16,17 | 8a.m. - 5p.m. The operation of the AEMN requires
Bedroom Furniture, Tables, Bookcases, over $300,000 annually which has
traditionally been provided from
Dining Room Set, Kitchen Items, Elvis, a combination of state funding
Sport Collectibles, Clocks, Jacuzzi, Desks, Books, and contracts and grants. These
Rugs, Yard Items, Tools, TV, Rocking Chairs, funds are no longer available due
German China, Classic Cars, Barbie Dolls, to the loss of state funding and key
personnel. Continued operation
of the AEMN will be possible only
if sustainable financial support
totaling $300,000 is pledged soon.
"We want to continue operation of
the AEMN as a service of the College
of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, but we need dedicated
funding to keep it running while we
develop a long-term, sustainable
business plan," reads the AEMN
website.
Although technically “automated,”
the AEMN requires 24/7 support,
including staff who travel around
the state diagnosing data
interruptions, repairing or replacing
equipment, and providing routine
maintenance.
Computer and file maintenance,
sensor calibration, accommodation
of data requests, and overall
administration require additional
staff.
Consequently, unless $300,000 per
year in ongoing support becomes
available from one or a few major
sources in the very near future, we
will begin to dismantle individual
AEMN stations in late July 2011. Ω
Who uses AEMN?
In September 2010 the AEMN had 565,000
hits by over 60,400 separate visitors,
representing 49 states and 82 countries.
Almost 300,000 of the hits were from
within Georgia.
County agents polled informally at
meetings repeatedly identify the Georgia
Weather Network as their main source of
current weather information, as it is for
many of the farmers they support.
The regional energy utility Southern
Company, requiring information on power
demand and temperatures for billing
purposes, makes extensive use of AEMN.
They are responsible for about 13% of site
visits.
An article in the U.S. Golf Association
online newsletter on August 11, 2010
documented severe drought damage to
Georgia golf courses, using AEMN data
extensively.
Peanut growers use a calculator at the
AEMN site to determine risk of tomato
spotted wilt, and fruit producers
utilize a chilling degree-day calculator
to determine if their fruit have met
dormancy requirements for bloom in
spring.
Visit www.griffin.uga.edu/AEMN for more information

Toys, Harley Davidson Items, Quilts

$5 LOT BOXES & MUCH MORE! SATIRE: Spring may cause DIY disease in local men
VALID CONCERNS AND HELPFUL SOLUTIONS to alleviate all remaining symptoms After this miserable failure, the
A semi-regular column devoted to by going golfing or fishing for the sufferer usually calls it quits for the day
addressing issues, tackling problems remainder of the day. Mild cases also and retires to his recliner to rethink his
and giving all-around good advice to provide immunity to a recurrence strategy. The next morning he awakes
the leaders and citizenry of the greater of the disease as memories of the and decides that he should play golf
Griffin-Spalding County area. previous work repress the desire to and clear his head before resuming
do any further work. his task the next weekend. Four
DIRT MCGIRT months later, a contractor arrives to
The real danger of this disease lies survey the situation and begins work
After an unusually long and cold in the moderate to severe cases that on the new grill and patio area by first
winter, spring has finally arrived in result in the immediate undertaking removing several truck loads of debris
full force in Griffin. A drive down any of major renovations that are far covering the work site. Removals fees
street reveals that the dogwoods and beyond his level of expertise or alone often total more than $1500.
azaleas are in full bloom, and the trees follow-through. Symptoms are
are unleashing their yellow wrath on made even more severe by watching There are only two known cures to
cars and sinuses. Aside from itching home improvement shows wherein DIY; sweat and time. The more severe
eyes and running noses, spring also viewers watch a team of experienced the symptoms are the more sweat
unleashes another malady; one professionals build a beautiful and time are required to alleviate the
that predominately effects the male outdoor grill and patio area over illness. Recently scientists have been
population. the course of several months. The experimenting with other treatments
afflicted viewer comes to believe that such as expanded television coverage
Whether it is caused by the pollen, he too can accomplish the same task of golf tournaments, home brewing
the lack of football on television or by himself, for around $250 and by kits and 300-page Victoria Secret
the desire to get out of the house and the end of the day. catalogues. These treatments have
do something, many men begin to shown promise but are still waiting
exhibit symptoms of a serious medical After seven trips to the home FDA approval.
condition known as DIY. This scientific improvement store, roughly $1500
name of this disease is Doitias in materials and tools, seven beers So wives, don’t let the initial desire
Yourselfium but, like so many diseases and nine hours of intense labor, the to help around the house cloud your
in our lazy society, we generally just sufferer has constructed a stone judgment and snowball into a brick
use the acronym DIY. structure resembling a cross between and mortar fiasco. When the man of
a collapsed chimney and a ransacked the house seems unusually interested
Mild cases of this affliction often result Egyptian tomb. This pile of rubble has in HGTV or begins sketching
in planting gardens, fertilizing lawns been thoroughly coated in cement blueprints on paper plates, suggest
and removing Christmas trees from and contains no less than five tools a round of golf or a day on the lake
front porches. These mild cases of DIY and six beer cans entombed within. with the buddies. The loss of a day’s
are generally harmless and symptoms Wives are often heard to remark that companionship will save hundreds
will subside within one to three hours a team of chimpanzees armed with and possibly your sanity in the end. Ω
of actual work. Sufferers often attempt malt liquor and a box of power tools
could produce a similar result.
lifestyle
Spinal stenosis can really 'get on your nerves' Remember to draw
DEAR DR. BOB: My lower back
pain has slowly increased to
the point that it feels like a vice
squeezing my spine. My legs
burn, and now I have muscle
weakness when I try to stand,
especially when I have been
seated for a while, like at a
restaurant. What is happening
to me?
Got a question for Dr. Bob? Email
it to IrisCity@aol.com.
My opinion in this scenario is that you
likely have spinal stenosis. Stenosis
is a term that basically means that
a hole is smaller than it should be,
so that anatomical structures that
go through that hole are squeezed.
When nerves are compressed, you
may feel pain, numbness, tingling,
or even muscle weakness. Where
the symptoms appear will depend
on which nerves are being squeezed.
This condition is frequently
degenerative, and commonly found
in seniors.
In the lumbar spine, several causative
possibilities exist. One is that a disc,
the cartilage that fits between the
vertebrae, may bulge or protrude into
the canal that houses the nerves that
go to the lower extremities. Another
possibility is that some ligaments that
border the spinal canal may enlarge
and thicken, causing a squeezing
effect on the adjacent nerves. It is
also possible that a portion of one
or more vertebrae that connects the
front part of the bone to the back of
the bone, called a pedicle, may be
congenitally short. A more ominous
possibility is that there is something
abnormal taking up space in your
spinal canal, such as a tumor or cyst.
For diagnosis of this condition, the
most critically important piece is a
thorough physical examination from
someone who is educated to do
musculoskeletal diagnosis. X-ray is
helpful to rule out problems in the
bone or alignment of the bones, and
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is
useful to evaluate discs and ligaments.
An excellent physical exam and good
imaging together greatly increase the
accuracy of the diagnosis.
A word of caution is due here:
sometimes physicians who are
not familiar with musculoskeletal
diagnosis are quick to send patients to
an MRI. If the MRI shows some degree
of stenosis, there is a tendency for a
premature consultation for surgery.
Please know that you cannot predict
Yes, we are making loans.
South Hill Street • North Expressway • West Taylor Street
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April 14 - April 28, 2011   5
strength from God's
grace in times of need
DUSTY TAKLE
What is God’s grace? A shortened
version: It’s God’s unmerited favor.
Often times God’s grace is confused
with God’s mercy. It’s by God’s mercy
that I don’t really get all that I deserve.
But, it’s God’s grace that we can draw
from when we go through difficult
DR. BOB HAYDEN times.
Health
a patient’s outcome based on the film Oswald Chambers writes, “The
grace you had yesterday will not
alone. We have seen patients with
very significant stenosis by physical be sufficient for today. Grace is the
overflowing favor of God, and you can
exam and on film who have done
very well with conservative care. always count on it being available to
draw upon as needed.”
So how is spinal stenosis treated?
There is great hope for positive results “To draw upon as needed….” The
with this condition, but it is not one measure of grace God gives someone
that is “cured.” It can be controlled. who just lost their child is much
greater than the measure of grace I
The conservative medical approach might need for a financial struggle.
includes bedrest, pain medication, But, His grace is always sufficient. No
muscle relaxers, and heat application. matter what situation we are in. We
These methods are unlikely to be just have to draw on it.
helpful, as none of them addresses
the cause of the problem. Shortly before our third child arrived, I
began to worry how I would manage
The chiropractic approach to life with the stresses of a newborn, two
this condition will include spinal kids in school, and being so far away
decompression, using a distraction from family. But, I was reminded of
manipulation or a mechanical the time when my oldest was born,
decompression table. These and I was suddenly faced with single
techniques both decrease pressure motherhood. I was reminded of how
in the discs and stretch the ligaments a sweet baby boy began sleeping
that cause the stenosis. Additionally, through the night early. I remembered
active exercise, muscle strengthening, the overwhelming peace in our little
stretching, and patient education home and the grace to endure each
about sleeping posture, lifting day.
techniques, weight loss, and proper
nutrition will be addressed. In our What was it that made that first year
clinic, we are likely to ask you about of being a single mother so peaceful?
your mattress, as support for your I’m pretty sure it was God’s grace in
spine while you sleep is of great my life. I never stopped crying out
importance to your recovery. to Him. I never stopped praying that
God would make something great of
Lastly, and always as a last resort, my disappointments in life. I drew
surgery should be considered ONLY upon His grace as I needed it. And, it
after conservative care has failed to was always sufficient. It was always
control the condition. While surgery enough. He will always give you grace
always carries risk, sometimes it for whatever season of life you are in.
cannot be avoided, and surgical No matter where God has you, He will
decompression may be necessary to
preserve the viability of a nerve so give you exactly what you need to
that full function is returned post- endure any season.
operatively. Few patients will ever
need surgery due to stenosis because Sometimes, I forget to draw on that
conservative chiropractic care is so grace today. That unmerited favor of
successful. God. So, He reminds me of how His
grace was sufficient when… NOW SER
VING
Find someone who is good at
SEAFOOD
musculoskeletal diagnosis and take And when… And when...
control of this condition. If you ignore HushPu pp
:
it, it will control you—and really get And, then? I pray and draw upon that Fro g Leg ie s,
on your nerves. Ω grace again. Ω s, Cr ab C
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 6  April 14 - April 28, 2011
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Saturday, April 16; Friends of the
Garden Spring Plant Sale; UGA
Research and Education Garden; 8
a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday, April 18; Wind Soloists of
New York; Griffin Auditorium; 7
p.m.
Monday, April 18; Griffin Spalding
Chamber of Commerce Business at
the Tee Golf Tournament; Sun City
Peachtree; shotgun start at 12 p.m.
Monday, April 18; Family Night at the
Public Library; Flint River Regional
Library; featuring programs for
families to encourage their children
to love reading.
Monday, April 18; Spalding County
board of commissioners meeting; 6
p.m.; Spalding County Courthouse
Annex; public is welcome.
Tuesday, April 19; Business After
Hours; Liberty Technology, Griffin;
5 p.m. to 7 p.m; Ipad give-away.
Thursday, April 21; Flint River Book
Club; discussing Liz Murray’s
Breaking Night in the library board
room; 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, April 22; Good Friday worship
service at St. George’s Episcopal
Church; service begins at noon
with portions of Mozart’s Requiem;
Joining St. George's choir, under
the direction of Angie Mankin with
organist Sidney Melton will be
soloists Cathy Willis, Nancy Stone,
Erin Mulder, Stephen Mulder and
George Brown; church visitors are
welcome.
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770-.228-.8200 143 N. Hill St reet in Hi storic D owntown Griffin, Georgia
Tuesday, April 26; City of Griffin board
of commissioners meeting; City
Municipal Courtroom; 6 p.m.;
public is welcome.
Tuesday, April 26; Take Shape for Life
sponsored by Iris City Chiro; 6:30
p.m.; Championship Martial Arts,
210 East Solomon Street; Public
invited "What have you got to
lose?"
Friday, April 29; Flint River Iris Society
Iris Show; UGA Research and
Education Garden; open to the
public; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, April 30 & May 1; The
Great Griffin Mayfling; Features
Southeastern Reptile Rescue Show,
Souterh Cruisers of Griffin Car
Show, Texas Hold ‘Em poker; music,
food and crafts; Griffin City Park;
Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 21; The Dragon Dash
5K run; St. George's Episcopal
School in Milner;  The .5 mile Fun
Run begins at 8 a.m. and the 5K
begins at 8:30.  Registration forms
can be downloaded at www.sges.
org.
Saturday, May 6; Southside Riders
Tab and Can Collection Night at
Fat Daddy’s Saloon in Zebulon;
featuring JB Walker and The Cheap
Whiskey Band, prizes will be given
to the persons to bring in the most
can tabs and aluminum cans.
Saturday, May 13; Grand Opening
of Fat Daddy’s BBQ Company
and Saloon in Zebulon; featuring
Stallings Road and Tyler Hammond
and $400 first prize Bikini Contest.
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community
Series of Friends Events kickoff Comcast partners with
encouraged 'painting your art out' One Town, One Goal,
4-H & Boy Scouts for
'Comcast Cares' Day
JESSICA GREGORY
On Saturday, April 30, local Comcast
employees will join volunteers from
One Town, One Goal; Spalding County
4-H; and the Boy Scouts for another
mini-project day in the Thomaston
Mills neighborhood called "Comcast
Cares Day."
Comcast Cares Day is Comcast’s
annual company-wide day of service
in which tens of thousands of Comcast
employees, along with their families
and friends, volunteer in their local
communities.
"We are committed to improving the
SUBMITTED On Monday, March 28, 30 people gathered in the Art Room of quality of life in local communities
St. George’s Episcopal School to kick off the school’s Series of Friend Events where our customers and employees
(SOFE). The night was called “Paint Your Art Out,” and the people gathered live and work. Comcast works with
made sure that the event lived up to its name! existing local nonprofit organizations
to positively impact each community
Participants arrived to a box dinner and beverages, an easel and a canvas we serve while using our resources
and paints and a brush. Dinner and mingling were the first orders of to bring visibility to important local
business, and then Meredith Thacker, artist in residence at St. George’s issues," Comcast wrote in an April 2011
Episcopal School, called the group to order. The creating began in earnest press release.
with tentative strokes of the paint brushes, but soon the room was alive
with laughter and energy. The colors and strokes became bolder, and the Vicki Hyatt, Special Projects
blooming artists became more confident under the gentle tutelage of Coordinator for the city of Griffin, says
Thacker. though Comcast Cares Day will not
be as big as the One Town, One Goal
Proclaiming that “can’t” is a word never used in the art room, Thacker guided build day that was recently held on
the group through each step of the process, explaining and demonstrating Saturday, April 2, the volunteer time,
with clear instructions. As the evening progressed, the participants materials and grant money that will
became curious about each other’s canvas and milled around the room to be provided by Comcast will certainly
give encouragement and praise. The end product was a painting that each help the Thomaston Mills project.
participant took home to display proudly.
Anyone interested in volunteering
St. George’s Episcopal School will be announcing more SOFE events must sign up at comcastcaresatlanta.
through the community, the SGES website and social media. Be ready to com and join Spalding County 4-H. Ω
join us for our next SOFE! Ω
Solomon Street GRIFFINITE EARNS BENCH PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE
SUBMITTED Zack (Z-man) Presley, is the new Georgia state bench-press champion.
He is shown below setting the new record at Stone Mountain, Georgia on
Barber Shop April 2, 2011. Z-man is 54 years old and is still breaking records throughout
the Southeast. Anyone interested in watching Z-man train can go to Tuck's
Powerdome in Griffin. Z-man is being trained by Chip E'dalgo, a world class
107 W. Solomon bench-presser. Z-man will be  going for the new world record in November
Street, Griffin 2011. Image Credit: Yvonne Rivera            
“There are no strangers here,only
friends who haven’t yet met.”
Come Meet our Team:
Tina Colwell,
Owner/Barber
Tammy Liles, Barber
Kandi Thacker,
Barber/Stylist
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 - 6
Sat 8:30-1
Closed Wed
7th graders organize 5k, 'Mooovin' It for Heifer'
678-603-1496 SUBMITTED Seven students of the graders are determined to make a
Find us on Facebook
Sixth Grade class at St. George's difference locally, with their race,
Episcopal School have organized a and globally, by contributing all
Mooovin’ It for Heifer International proceeds to Heifer International.
5K Run at The Rock Ranch. The race It is wonderful to see this level of
will be Saturday, April 16 at 10 a.m. generosity, compassion, hard work,
The annual Rock Ranch Easter Egg and determination in a group of
Hunt will take place immediately young people.
following the run.  Proceeds from the
5K will benefit Heifer International, an The St. George’s Episcopal School
organization that buys farm animals student organizers are available
for poverty stricken families around to answer any questions and give
the world. Interested runners may additional information about the
obtain more information and sign Mooovin’ It for Heifer 5K at 770-358-
up for the race at www.therockranch. 9432. Ω
com or www.sges.org.
f to b & l to r: Jake Edwards, Gracen Boatright, Allie Edwards,
The St. George’s Episcopal Jacob Scanlon, Brandon Coile, Alex Turner, Gabe Parker
School student
organizers took it
upon themselves to
spearhead this service
project and have
overseen all aspects of
the project including
the obtaining of
corporate sponsors
and the procuring
a major venue (The
Rock Ranch). The
children have been
working tirelessly on
advertising, logistics,
and all aspects of this
5K race. These sixth
 business & government
Grippits GA needs tougher bullying laws to
gripp•its /'grɪp ɪts/, noun
1. A small piece of sometimes-
useful information.
2. A disease that one catches
from being too knowledgeable.
In a sentence: After reading
The Grip cover to cover, little
Suzie came down with a severe
case of the grippits.
*The Grip has caught wind that the
only known cure for the grippits is a
few shots of whiskey.
GRIFFIN: City Commissioners passed an
approval for a one-time waiver of late
fees for utility customers with delinquent
accounts who pay all past due amounts
and bring their account current during the
month of April.
GRIFFIN: On May 3, 2011 from 5-7 p.m. at
the City of Griffin Government Office at
100 S. Hill Street, the Georgia Department
of Transportation will hold a Public
Information Open House concerning
projects to improve operations at eight
intersection locations in the city of Griffin.
The Open House will be informal and the
public is invited to attend anytime during
these hours. There will be no formal
presentation.
SPALDING: County Commissioners tabled
a decision on relocating the route of Hwy
155 to N. McDonough Rd., after hearing
many citizens voice their concern for safety
at the joint city and county commissioners'
meetings on April 7.
BUSINESS: Marshalls will hold an open hire
on Monday and Tuesday, April 18 & 19 at
Hibbett Sports. The new off-price retailer
will open its Griffin location on April 28.
The store will employ 60 in both full- and
part-time positions.
GEORGIA: Senate Bill 88 [requiring children
to ride in car safety seats until age 8 or
until weighing 40 pounds or stand 4 feet
9 inches tall or have a written exemption
from a physician] has been sent to Gov.
Deal to be signed into law.
WATERING: The Georgia Water
Stewardship Act allows daily outdoor
watering for plants only between the
hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. by anyone
whose water is supplied by a water
system permitted by the Environmental
Protection Division. Outdoor water use
for any purposes other than watering of
plants, such as power washing or washing
cars, is still restricted to the current odd/
even watering schedule. Odd-numbered
addresses can water on Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Sundays. Even-numbered
and unnumbered addresses are allowed
to water on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Saturdays.
David Harwell spends most
weekends hovering high
above civilization, floating
among the clouds. And
gets paid for it. Sounds like
one kick @$$ job.
Close right and below: David gets his
balloon into the air. Far right: David's
most memorable balloon trip, a helium
balloon ride with friend Bucky Brown
(on right in basket)
protect all students, especially LGBTs
Let’s face it. We’ve all
seen old television shows
and movies of bullies tak-
ing lunchboxes or push-
ing kids in lockers. Usu-
ally, these bullies were
bigger and mostly just
harassed the smarter,
nerdier kids at school.
Later in life, the bullies
would “get what they de-
served” by growing-up
into good-for-nothing
slobs and the bullied
would become successful JENNA HOWARD
businessmen.
Political Columnist
These are no longer the
images of bullying that occur in our
schools. Instead, bullying has been
taken to the next level with stalking,
assault, violence, and even death.
Schools are supposed to be a place
where all children feel safe in their en-
vironment. Yet recent images of teen
suicide have become immediately
associated with the topic of bullying
in schools. Those who are bullied are
no longer limited to wearing glasses.
Instead, it encompasses any “deviant”
mainstream behavior; gender, obe-
sity, religious affiliation, and homo-
sexuality.
Bullying is far too often swept under
the rug in schools as something that
is inevitable. While bullying is morally
and ethically wrong for any group of
people, one group still remains invis-
ible under state and federal protec-
tion. The LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgender) students in schools
receive the least amount of protec-
tion for being bullied. There are
studies that show LGBT students are
constantly harassed and assaulted
because of their sexual orientation
and/or gender identity (yes, those are
two separate aspects of a person).
Further, these studies show that
school officials often ignore it or find
that LGBT students provoke the ha-
rassment. A survey by the Gay, Les-
bian, and Straight Education Network
(GLSEN) showed that 69 percent of
gay and lesbian teens report verbal
and physical abuse at school. This
percentage only includes teens who
are active in their identities; the num-
ber is much higher if we include the
students who are only suspected of
being LGBT. In the past two years, the
rates of LGBT suicide and violence in
schools have increased dramatically.
One that received a lot of media at-
tention recently was the 18-year-old
homosexual Rutgers University stu-
dent who committed suicide after his
Kick @$$ Job of the Week: Getting paid to float on air
What makes an aeronaut qualify as a Kick
@$$ Job?
What better job could you have
than flying hot air balloons at home
in Williamson, Georgia, all over the
Southeast at balloon rallies, and in
New Mexico, Canada and France?
What exactly is an aeronaut?
An aeronaut is a pilot that flies
lighter-than-air aircraft; more
specifically hot air or gas balloons.
How did you become interested in
ballooning?
Hot air balloons use propane to
heat the air to make them ascend,
which is how
I got into
ballooning. I
sell propane
gas at Blue
Flame Gas Co.
and two of
my customers
were bringing
in these
strange-
looking tanks
to get them
April 14 - April 28 , 2011   7
roommate put a video
camera in his dorm
room. Another was
the white, gay male
who was murdered at
the University of Wyo-
ming. In fact, the U.S.
Department of Health
and Human Services
reported that lesbian
and gay teens are
eight times more likely
to commit suicide than
any other teen group
in America.
Currently, there is no
federal anti-bullying
legislation for LGBT individuals. Op-
ponents of a state anti-bullying
law argue that it would be redundant
since there is a federal hate crime law.
Yet, this protects race, color, national
origin, and religion. Further,  federal
hate crime law only protects indi-
viduals from infringement on federal for used
rights such as voting.  LGBT students
would not be protected under the 250 Gallon Tank
federal hate crime law because there
is no mention of sexual orientation or *While Supplies Last with minimum of
gender identity. 100 Gallon Propane Purchase
In order to solve this, 22 states have Expires 2/2012
implemented state-sponsored leg-
islation to include the LGBT  in their
hate crime laws. Georgia isn’t one of
these states. In fact,  Georgia has no
state-sponsored hate crime legisla-
tion. Georgia did implement its own
anti-bullying law that was signed in
1999 and strengthened in 2010. This
legislation still makes no mention of
sexual orientation and gender iden-
tity.
This legislation only requires that
schools adopt anti-bullying poli-
cies and educate students about the
harms of bullying. There is still no
mention of specific types of bullying
or educating students on different
types of sexual orientation and gen-
der identity.
Sadly, most LGBT teens in Georgia are
still harassed even with this type of
legislation in place and many school
officials are still ignoring the problem.
One can only wonder if the hetero-
sexual norms which are taught, re-
inforced, and rewarded in our public
and private lives are punishing those
who follow any other behavior.
Regardless of how you feel about sex-
ual orientation and gender identity,
these individuals are students. These
students are our children. These chil-
dren are our future. Our future needs
more protection. Ω
filled with propane. I asked them For some reason, they never think
what the tanks were used for and that I am a pilot. I also get, ‘How do
they said to fly hot air balloons. I said you steer them?’
I would like to see this and shortly
afterwards, in September 1980, I took Well, how do you steer them?
my first balloon flight. I was hooked. You’re at the mercy of the wind. That’s
why we have a chase crew, to pick us
How often do you take your balloon up? up at the end of the journey.
We try to fly most weekends, if the So many passengers assume we’re
weather is good. Good weather going to take off and come back to
means winds blowing at less than 10 where we started. It doesn’t work
miles per hour and no rain. that way - often. I’ve had a few flights
where the wind took us right back to
Describe the process of getting a balloon off where we started.
the ground.
It takes a crew of approximately three What’s the funniest story you have about one
people and the pilot to inflate the of your ballooning adventures?
balloon and get it airborne. This takes I’ve had the Federal Aviation
about 15 minutes. We use two people Administration (FAA) called a few
to hold the balloon open at the basket times because of some of the places
and an inflation fan that blows cold air I’ve had to land a balloon. One time,
into the balloon. When the balloon is while I was chasing my former wife’s
completely full of cold air, we use a balloon, she had to land in the middle
propane burner to finish the inflation.
Now with the hot air balloon upright,
it’s time to help the passengers into
the basket (the technical term is a
gondola, but all ballooners just call it
the basket). Now we add more heat
and away we go.
of GA 400. I caught the basket in the
How much propane do you burn during a one- median. I think I’ve landed a balloon
hour balloon ride and how fast does a balloon in every median of every major
go? interstate in the Southeast.
One flight burns about 18 gallons,
and you go exactly the speed of the What’s your most memorable flight?
wind. I’ve flown in 50-miles-per-hour A long-time aeronaut friend of mine,
winds. High winds make for rough Bucky Brown, wrote a bucket list that
landings. included a 450-mile helium balloon
ride from Albuquerque, NM to Dodge
What’s the best thing about your job? City, KS. He built the basket and had
The best thing about my job is that I the balloon made. The great thing
get paid to fly balloons, which I would about helium is you can stay up for
do anyway for free because I love it so hours, and it’s total silence, unlike
much. the loud propane burner needed for
hot air balloons. We got up to 13,000
What’s the one thing you hear most when you feet high, clocked about 30 miles per
tell people what you do? hour, and crossed over the Rocky
‘So you’re a part of the chase crew?’ Mountains at midnight. Ω