Georgia Magazine - July 2019 - 4

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Comments from our readers * Compiled by Jennifer J. Hewett

Georgia
Georgia
Georgia
Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle

March's familiar sights

GEMC

MAGAZINE

page 38

Recipes from Georgia
Grown Executive Chefs
page 42
MARCH 2019

GEMC

Restoring
thelifestyle
Celebrating the Georgia
Cyclorama

Gardening with native
plants

page 16

MAGAZINE

Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle

GEMC

I saw the March 2019 issue-very nicely done.
I remember seeing the old Cyclorama as a kid at
Grant Park. [See "The circle is unbroken," page 16;
bit.ly/cycl319.] I see a letter to the editor from my
hometown (Griffin), and I even recognize the Indian
mounds in "Picture this?".
Nice issue across the board, and the new look is
really strong! Keep up the great work.
-Keith Phillips, via email

MAGAZINE

Astronaut Shane
Kimbrough
page 20

Burr Performing
Arts Park
www.georgiamagazine.org

darkneintsso light

From

LAUREN HOWARD PHOTOGRAPHY

has a disability.
'Brooklyn will never know she
raise her.' Hunt
That's how we have chosen to
-Lexie
May 2019

Georgia Magazine

4/11/19 11:35 AM
his_one_0519.indd 26

GGeorgia
eorgia
Georgia
Georgia
Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle

GEMC

MAGAZINE

Old-fashioned
chrysanthemums
page 36

Salads for all occasions
page 42
MAY 2019

Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle

GEMC

The
MAGAZINE
Miracle
League

Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle

page 20

GEMC

MAGAZINE

Stuck on
Stuckey's
page 16

Center for
the Visually
Impaired
page 26

www.georgiamagazine.org

01_Cover_0519.indd 1

4/11/19 2:27 AM

to find profesThe Hunts knew they needed
At 6 months old, Brooklyn
sional help for their daughter.
the Center for the Visually Impaired
started receiving services at
organization for the blind and
(CVI) in Atlanta, Georgia's largest
than 4,000 clients each
more
serves
CVI
visually impaired. The
such as the BEGIN program
year through an array of services,
the Florence Maxwell Low Vision
for children younger than 5;
e services; and the STARS
Clinic; New View adult rehabilitativ
school students.
high
and
program for elementary, middle
impacted by vision loss-from
"We serve people of all ages
says CVI President Fontaine
low vision to total blindness,"
of
I've witnessed the resilience
Huey. "Time and time again,
their vision, pick
lose
people
the human spirit. I've watched
off and move forward. Everyone
themselves up, dust themselves
help."
to reclaim their life. We can
should have the opportunity
Hunt attends the BEGIN preToday, 3-year-old Brooklyn
days a week and attends Bartow
school class at the CVI three
pre-K one day a week.
County Schools' Pine Log Elementary
and mobility training with her
She receives some orientation
cane at both facilities.

VISUALLY IMPAIRED

he days after Brooklyn Hunt's
birth in November 2015 were
bumpier than her parents, Rydal
residents Trey and Lexie Hunt,
6 pounds,
had expected. Brooklyn weighed
and she
4 ounces when she was born,
pediatrician
wasn't gaining weight. Their
for more tests
sent her back to the hospital
and evaluations.
with
"Brooklyn wasn't tracking things
dilated all the
her eyes, and her pupils were
mentioned
time," Lexie Hunt says. "They
her brain. We
that it could be an issue with
a brain tumor,
have
might
Brooklyn
feared
of which
cancer or some other issue-all
frightened us."
and
After more blood work, an MRI
delivered
an ultrasound, a team of doctors
Seven-weekshocking news to the Hunts.
old Brooklyn was blind.
a rare
She has septo-optic dysplasia,
condition
(one in 10,000 births) congenital
pment of
that resulted in the underdevelo

We are thrilled to be part of the May
2019 issue of Georgia Magazine! [See "From
darkness into light," page 26; bit.ly/
cvim519.] The article really shows the impact the Center for the Visually Impaired is
making on the individuals we serve and
their families.
-Center for the Visually Impaired,
via Facebook

Learning to live,
reclaiming a life

By Amber Lanier Nagle

26-29_B_Visually_Impaired_Use_t

2/11/19 3:29 PM

Feedback on May's issue

COURTESY CENTER FOR THE

Three-year-old
Brooklyn Hunt
navigates the
world with her tiny
white cane.

page 26

01_Cover_0319.indd 2

gland.
her optic nerves and pituitary
and at
"It was a lot for us to take in,
of the life
first, we grieved for the loss
life we
we had imagined for her-the
"But
wanted her to have," Hunt says.
grievafter a few weeks, we stopped
[Brooking and chose to approach
way.
lyn's blindness] in a different
said,
Our family came together. We
has a
'Brooklyn will never know she
chosen
have
disability.' That's how we
to raise her."

The Center for the
Visually Impaired
builds skills,
confidence

I enjoy the magazine every month, but
the May issue was extra-good. Many
thanks.
-Lawrence Burton, Washington

I just wanted to let you know about the
awesome response I have gotten from Georgia
Magazine readers. As of mid-May, we had received
hundreds of e-mails and calls from folks looking for
local leagues to play, volunteer or donate. We also
have had a few requesting starter packages to
possibly build a Miracle League in their local
community.
It has been a real pleasure working with you,
and we greatly appreciate your willingness to spread
The Miracle League's mission. I know many families' lives will forever be changed from reading your
article and getting hooked up with a local Miracle
League. Thank you!
-Stephanie Davis, vice president of national
programs, The Miracle League, Conyers

New to Georgia
June's issue was my first issue since moving to Georgia. I thoroughly enjoyed
reading the magazine and plan to check out a few of the events mentioned within.
Thank you!
-Lisa Sarmiento, Kathleen
Share your thoughts. Email us at magazine@georgiaemc.com. Please include your name,
address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity and space.

Georgia Magazine

June 2019

From THE EDITOR
Artists and arts organizations
play an important role in our state.
According to the Georgia Department
of Economic Development, the creative
industries-including the visual and
performing arts, culture, film, music
and digital entertainment sectors-
represent a combined $62.5 billion in
economic impact. In this issue, we focus
on Georgia's arts scene and how it helps
build strong, vibrant communities.
Perhaps the most visible organizations promoting creativity in our communities are the numerous arts centers,
alliances and councils around the state.
These groups seek to foster an understanding and appreciation of the arts
through classes, exhibits, events and
outreach programs. Read "The heART
of the community," starting on page 32,
to see how their efforts are making the
arts accessible to people of all ages.
The importance of art education
in schools is often underestimated,
but research has shown that it helps
children connect knowledge to personal experience and self-expression. This
emphasis on learning through experience is at the heart of the Steffen
Thomas Museum of Art's Art$mart
outreach program for at-risk students.
All three components of the
program emphasize a strong work ethic,
a drive to succeed and the ability to
have a positive impact on one's community. See "Changing lives through
art," starting on page 16, to learn how
these students are enriching their own
lives and those of others.
Finally, we give a nod to the
importance of art to the human spirit
with a profile of BiLan Liao, whose
paintings explore the trauma of her
early years in Mao's new China. Turn to
page 20 to learn how talent, determination and a belief in the American dream
led her to achieve her goal of freedom
in the U.S.
Enjoy!

Laurel George
Editor

http://www.bit.ly/cycl319 http://www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.bit.ly/cvim519 http://www.bit.ly/cvim519 http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Georgia Magazine - July 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - July 2019