MIDDLE GEORGIA GEMS

Macon-CASEY BAKER'S ICE CREAM

2009-06-09T16:50:00.005-04:00

Meet Casey Baker...business owner, entrepreneur, 13-year old. Yes, I said 13. Because of her age, Casey couldn't get a traditional summer job. Not one to let little things stand in her way, she started her own business. With a little financial help from Dad, Casey got her own ice cream pushcart bicycle and hits the streets of downtown Macon each day. I caught up with her at First Friday, bought an ice cream sandwich and found out the money from Dad is a loan, not a gift. She has to pay him back from the profits. She also intends to expand her business by getting a second pushcart next summer. Flag her down and buy and ice cream or two. Not only will you help Casey, you'll feel like a kid again. Ice cream just does that to ya.

Macon-BETWEEN THE BREAD CAFE

2009-05-02T20:14:00.007-04:00

I love fish. This is supposed to be a picture of the most incredible blackened grouper sandwich I've ever eaten. Instead, the photo appears to be all about the fries (which were very yummy) and is evidence that photography should be left to professionals. Yes, I took this picture of my lunch. Between the Bread Cafe at the corner of Second and Mulberry in downtown Macon has the absolute best blackened grouper sandwich in existence. It's topped with lettuce, tomato and cajun mayonnaise and comes with fries, fruit or pasta salad. I was going for the fruit when Jessie, my server, said I should really try the fries. Okay...I ordered the fries. Hey, it was a special day. Friday!

At night, Between the Bread Cafe becomes Michael's On Mulberry and serves a blackened sea bass dinner that is so good you'll want to eat there every night.

Between The Bread Cafe serves lunch Monday-Friday from 10:30-2pm and Michael's On Mulberry serves dinner Monday-Saturday from 5-9.

Macon/Warner Robins-RUN FIT SPORTS

2009-04-22T19:17:00.001-04:00

I hate buying shoes. Past experiences have left me with shoes that are too tight, too big, rub my little toe wrong...nag, nag, nag. Then I met Perry Slaughter, got a pair of shoes from Run Fit Sports and now have happy feet. Run Fit Sports has a fancy machine that measures the pressure points on your feet and they know a bunch of other hoodoo that helps determine exactly what kind of shoe best fits and supports your foot.

When I went in, I didn't even look at or pick up a pair of shoes...just got my foot measured, stepped on the magic machine and within five minutes they had five pair of shoes for me to try on. They all felt great. I had a hard time deciding but finally picked this sporty pair. Now I have a pair of great-fitting, awesome-feeling shoes and no more excuses not to hit the treadmill.

Run Fit Sports has two locations...Forsyth Road in Macon and Watson Boulevard in Warner Robins.

goRoundTown™ Middle Georgia

2009-02-05T17:13:00.001-05:00

goRoundTown™ Middle Georgia is the brainchild of Larry Najera of Najera Design. This multimedia hyperdirectory to the Middle Georgia community allows you to immerse yourself and experience high definition virtual reality (HDVR) tours of museums, parks, shops, restaurants, places and events. Very cool stuff and a great way to show others your home town.

Perry-NEW PERRY HOTEL

2008-07-29T21:01:00.004-04:00

New Perry Hotel

The Bedroom
In Suite 230

Recipe For A Rejuvenating Overnight Trip
1-Leave work early on Friday
2-Drive to Perry and check into The New Perry Hotel where
every room is decorated just a little differently and a history
lesson is around every corner
3-Nap
4-After dinner, stroll around enjoying the quiet charm of downtown
5-Visit The Tavery (inside the hotel) where live music is featured in a intimate setting every Friday and Saturday night
6-Sleep like a baby
7-Breakfast at The Swanson
8-Visit the shops along Carroll Street
9-Head back to your life feeling like
you've been on vacation for a week

New Perry Hotel

Hampton - SKY SOLDIERS

2008-07-16T20:11:00.000-04:00

Technically, Hampton is not in Middle Georgia. Umm, about an hour drive. Yep, we should include it, especially since it is home to Atlanta Motor Speedway and the Sky Soldiers.

When I went to the Sky Soldiers demonstration at River Forest in Forsyth Saturday, I was a little nervous. This thing doesn't have any doors! For a $50 donation, patrons could ride in a real deal (YES-this helicopter was in service in Vietnam) Huey helicopter. It was a blast. Trust me. Check their schedule, find the next demonstration, donate the money and do one of the coolest things ever. While we were flying, I couldn't help but think of the soldiers that had been in actual combat in the very craft we were flying in that day. My thanks to you and all men and women who have ever been or are still in service to this country.

This group is composed of veteran military aviators who performed the same type of missions they demonstrate in actual combat.

I trusted this woman with my life...again. CW3 Patty Meek is a Senior Aviator, Maintenance Test Pilot and A&P mechanic with 6700 flight hours. Patty has 20 years of service and served with distinction in Operation Desert Storm.

The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that preserves authentic, flyable examples of Army aircraft and uses them in aerial demonstrations and presentations so that the symbols of America's military legacy may always remain in our skies. Their funding is entirely from donations made by private individuals and corporations. The website has tons of information, including demonstration schedules and directions to visit their facility in Hampton. Call Shanda Elkins at 770-897-0004 to set up a time. Visit their website to learn more or make a donation. armyav.org

Macon - FOUNTAIN CAR WASH

2008-07-10T15:12:00.001-04:00

I originally went to Fountain Car Wash to talk to Chuck Duggan about the special $3 exterior car wash, but our conversation veered to his electronic sign and why there is a new Bible verse posted there each week.

After Chuck bought out his partners and became sole owner of Fountain Car Wash in 2002, he was itching to install an electronic sign which, at the time, was not all that common and quite expensive. He prayed about that sign and one day a guy happened by with one on the back of his truck. He explained to Chuck that he could have the sign on a lease to own basis. Up it went and Chuck honored a promise he made to use the sign to glorify God. Every week, ever since, he puts up a new Bible verse. He started with the New Testament and today is in I John. The coolest part of the story though is the new friends he has made and new people he has met because of the verses. He said at least once or twice a week someone stops by to talk about those verses, someone just leaving the Medical Center after hearing good or bad news, someone who was having a rough day, someone who just wanted to say they appreciated seeing them.

Now, about that $3 wash. All day Wednesday and every other day from 5pm-7pm (except Sunday, of course) an exterior car wash is $3. What a deal! Fountain uses recycled water and all of their detergents are environmentally safe. Remodeling is in progress with plans for other special features to be added. All of the full service features you are used to are still in place, but if you've ever wanted to stay in the car and ride through the wash, now you can, for only $3.

Gray - KEMA'S HOBBY

2008-07-01T20:33:00.001-04:00

I'm downright embarrassed to admit Kema's Hobby in Gray was open almost a year and half before I heard about it. I immediately got in the car, drove to Gray and introduced myself to Kema Clark. I love books and I love this store. With over 40,000 books in stock, you're bound to find what you're looking for. If not, Kema will order it. She admits she's been surprised by the amount of ordering folks do.

Kema left Jones County when her job with Ford Motor Credit took her to California, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Michigan more than once. After 26 years, she retired and high-tailed it back to Gray where, in February 2006, she opened Kema's Hobby. In addition to books, you'll find great coffee, displays by local artists and an outstanding comic book selection. Kema's son, Jim Clark, was the inker for the last 4 Spiderman comic books and is the inker for Ex Machina.

Kema's Hobby carries some new and tons of used books and you can trade your old books for store credit which can be used for half the purchase price of stuff you're buying.

A couple of weeks ago, Vince Dooley was at Kema's. His cell phone died and, needing to get in touch with friends, he stopped and asked to use her phone. Kema said he was very generous with his time, chatting and signing books. She never did tell me if he bought anything.

Kema's Hobby is open 10-6, Monday-Saturday.

Perry - THE GRILLMASTER

2008-07-01T20:13:00.001-04:00

The Grillmaster is on Sam Nunn Blvd in Perry, exit 136 off I-75, and features smoked meats including chicken halves, pulled pork, sliced beef brisket, and pork ribs. They offer some great sides that compliment the taste of their smoked meats. My friend Tammy says the potato salad is to die for. She orders a big batch when attendance to an event requires bringing a covered dish. (I think she tries to pass it off as her own. Don't tell I told.) The baked beans are out of this world.

In addition to their “Foods to Go” menu, the Grillmaster specializes in hand-cut steaks of Black Angus Beef so you can create your own masterpiece at home on the backyard grill. The Grillmaster will even marinate your pre-ordered steak. How's that for service? For special events, The Grillmaster has smoked turkeys and spiral sliced hams you can order by calling Randy Head or Brad Stanley at 478-218-RIBS (7427).

Randy started cooking BBQ at the Big Pig Jig and never quit. In February 2007, he opened The Grillmaster where he makes his own sauce and can brag (which he doesn't) that Davis Love III is a loyal customer when he visits Perry. Yep, that's his picture hanging on the wall.

The Grillmaster is open Tuesday-Thursday from 11-8 and Friday and Saturday from 11-9.