Georgia Magazine - May 2023 - 4

MailBOX
From THE EDITOR
Comments from our readers * Compiled by Jennifer J. Hewett
Imagine attending an event
All aboard!
Thanks so much for the write-up on the SAM
Shortline excursion train in the February issue.
[See " Still on track, " Around Georgia, page 26;
bit.ly/sam0223.]
A LaGrange couple saw the article and were
so intrigued that they got tickets for the April
excursion train to the Americus Hot Glass Craft Beer
Festival. Other friends from around the state have
commented that they enjoyed the story and plan on
riding in the future. Your Calendar of Events also
has helped direct visitors to our other special trips,
such as the upcoming Day Out With Thomas train ride.
We appreciate what you do to expose your readers to the wide variety of events
and destinations around Georgia.
-Nelson McGahee, chairman, Friends of SAM Shortline, via email
Reading the February 2023 cover
feature on the SAM Shortline excursion
train brought back memories from when I
rode the train in November 2007. During
the stop in Plains passengers were greeted
by former first lady Rosalynn Carter. She
was so kind and happily granted my wish
to have my picture taken with her!
And as an avid Bundt cakes baker and
Bundt pan collector, I also enjoyed reading
the Georgia Cooks article, " The best of the
Bundts take the cake, " in the same issue. [See page 30, bit.ly/bundt0223.]
Every month I look forward to getting the magazine in the mail and reading it.
-Ana Raquel Morales, Powder Springs
Around GEORGIA By Victoria Scharf DeCastro
Loving LaGrange
Destination LaGrange
T
here's no limit to things to see and do in
LaGrange. With cultural experiences,
outdoor adventures and fine dining,
there's something for everyone year-round in this
Middle Georgia city near the Alabama border.
Here are a few places to visit in LaGrange.
Charlie Joseph's
This popular, family-owned restaurant
has been around since 1920 and is known for
the variety of hot dogs on its menu and for the
extensive collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia
that covers the walls. Although hot dogs are a
highlight of the offerings, they aren't the only
food that draws a crowd. Customer favorites also
include hamburgers, sandwiches, soups, homemade chili and Brunswick stew. Child-friendly
meals and daily specials are also on the menu. Charlie Joseph's prides itself on high-quality
food, a family atmosphere and friendly service. (706) 884-0379, charliejosephs.net.
I look forward to each issue! Georgia is an amazing
state I'm proud to call home-and this from a
Pennsylvania native. Georgia Magazine does an
excellent job of highlighting all the state has to offer.
I was excited to see LaGrange featured in the April
LaGrange Art Museum
Housed in a former jail (circa
1892) and within walking distance of
the town square, the LaGrange Art
Museum offers visitors an opportunity
to learn about and appreciate the
visual arts. The museum houses
contemporary American artworks by
world-renowned artists, including
Frank Stella, Larry Zox and Camille
Billops, plus Georgia artists Lamar
Dodd, Howard Finster, Mildred
Thompson, Larry Walker, Benny
Andrews and John Lawrence. " We
have 700 pieces in our permanent
collection, " Executive Director Laura
Jennings says. The museum presents
traveling exhibits and boasts a vibrant
education and outreach program.
Admission is free, but donations are
appreciated. (706) 882-3267,
lagrangeartmuseum.org.
Continued on page 30
28 Georgia Magazine April 2023
28-33_Around_GA_0423.indd 28
We're not the only town able to brag, surely.
3/9/23 6:11 PM
-Ruth Rocap, LaGrange
Editor's note: Be sure to check out our January 2021 Around Georgia article [page 30;
bit.ly/ant0121], which mentions several Georgia shops. Please keep the story ideas
coming! If you have one to share, email us the details at magazine@georgiaemc.com.
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.
4 Georgia Magazine May 2023
issue. [See " Destination LaGrange, " Around Georgia,
page 28; bit.ly/lagr0423.] I was delighted to retire here
and most days think I'm living [in] a Hallmark movie!
I wondered if you missed the opportunity to
mention our fantastic antique shops? They are full
of wonderful treasures. Perhaps someone could
do an article on an " antique trail " across Georgia?
characterized by thought-provoking
speeches, videos and conversations. An
event organized by local volunteers and
geared toward bringing people together
and sparking new ideas. That's exactly
what a TEDx Talk delivers.
To date, more than 13,000 TEDx
Talks have been held in more than 150
countries. These events cover a wide
range of subjects designed to foster
learning, inspiration and wonder. Read
" Georgia TEDx Talks, " starting on page
16, to learn how our state is participating
in this global phenomenon and
how you can be a part of it.
Next, we visit an organization that
also has a global impact: the Georgia
Ports Authority (GPA). This Garden
City-based network of deep-water ports
and inland terminals is a gateway from
which raw materials and manufactured
goods are transported throughout the
U.S. and around the world.
The GPA operations and privatesector
and port-related businesses
account for more than 561,000 jobs in
Georgia and contributed $3.8 billion
in state and local taxes in fiscal year
2021. Turn to " Georgia's gateway to the
world, " starting on page 22, to find out
more about the GPA's economic impact
and its role in bringing new business to
the state.
Brasstown Bald, 125 miles north of
Atlanta in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is
the highest point in Georgia. On a clear
day, visitors can see four states-
Georgia, North Carolina, South
Carolina and Tennessee-from the
observation deck at the summit of the
4,784-foot peak.
Visitors can reach the deck on foot
or by car. Plaques on the overlook's
railings identify visible landmarks, and
viewing scopes are available for those
who'd like to take a closer look. Turn to
" Brasstown Bald: where heaven and
nature sing, " starting on page 26, to
learn more about what this iconic
destination has to offer.
Enjoy!
Laurel George
Editor
Laurel George
Georgia
Georgia
Georgia
Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle
®
MAGAZINE
Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle
®
MAGAZINE
Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle
®
SAM Shortline
Georgia's only rolling state park
MAGAZINE
page 26
The Flat Rock
Archive
page 16
Accessible
www.georgiamagazine.org
nature spots
page 20
Wolf Creek Trout Lily
Preserve
page 24
Bundt cake recipes
page 30
FEBRUARY 2023
GEMC
GEMC
GEMC
VISIT LAGRANGE GEORGIA
VISIT LAGRANGE GEORGIA

http://bit.ly/sam0223 http://www.georgiamagazine.org http://bit.ly/bundt0223 http://bit.ly/lagr0423 http://www.lagrangeartmuseum.org http://bit.ly/ant0121

Georgia Magazine - May 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - May 2023