8th Annual "Cars for Kids" Show

Reprinted from the South Fulton Neighbor, September 10, 2008

Chris Manley/Staff

James Harper, President/CEO of Georgia Baptist Children's Home in Palmetto, readies his 1996 Corvette and 1977 Chevy Silverado for the 8th Annual Cars for Kids Show

Little Red Corvette
Children's home to host car show
By LaTria Garnigan South Fulton Neighbor Senior Writer

On Sept. 20, the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home will host its eighth Annual Cars for Kids Show. The show will be held on its Palmetto campus, located at 9250 Hutcheson Ferry Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
It is free for visitors to attend, and for those who wish to enter their antique, classic cars for display cost is $15 by Monday and $20 up until the day of the event.
The car show benefits the children’s home by getting people on the campus that might not have any other reason to be there, according to James Harper, president/CEO.
“A lot of folks come just to look at the cars and we always try to give them some information about the children’s home,” said Harper.
He said they discovered if they could ever get someone to come onto the campus, it changes them.
“They can’t ever hear about the children’s home again and not have a mental picture of where it is or what its like,” said Harper.
Besides being able to see the cars, many visitors just come to have a fun-filled family day outside and enjoy the company, food and many activities for kids that are available. Activities include live entertainment, moon bounce, face painting, games, racing ducks and more.
Vehicles range from antique fire trucks, old tractors, some fast cars, dragsters and other restored vehicles. Harper is entering a 1977 Silverado which he had restored last year. The truck, now belonging to his wife, was her late father’s truck, and was only used on the weekends. Harper also will showcase his 1996 Corvette he purchased a few years ago.
In past years they have had about 60 to 80 cars shown, depending on the weather. They always have a good crowd of lookers come and enjoy the day, said Harper.
The children’s home has been in operation since 1872. They serve school-age children (6 to 18) from broken homes, abusive or neglectful situations, and most of the children are coming from state custody (DFCS), Department of Juvenile Justice or other organizations from the state, said Harper.
“These days the children we work with have sometimes pretty severe psychological needs and part of our ministry is to give them whatever it is they need to be healthy and successful,” said Harper.
The home is affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention, which has about 3,500 churches in the convention.
“We are an agency of the convention which means the Georgia Baptist Convention actually elects our trustees,” he said. “Then the trustees are responsible for setting the direction for the children’s home. Ultimately they are the legal ones responsible for the ministry and the children’s home.”
Harper mentioned they have trustees from all over the state of Georgia. This campus is one of three in the state; there is one in Meansville and one in Baxley, which is the largest as far as land area.
The Palmetto campus covers about 300 acres and features a chapel, campus residential homes for girls and boys, a maternity home for unwed mothers who need assistance until their baby is born, a recreational facility with a private school for those not integrated in area public schools and more.
Information: (770) 463-3800 or visit www.gbchfm.org.

New Favorite Pictures

These are my new favorite pictures of Jake! Above is Jake and me on Nanny Betty's front porch. As you can see, Jake and I look remarkably alike...at least our hats look similar! Jake is a great baby.
This is my other favorite picture...Jake, Nana and me on vacation at Panama City. I hope this is just the first of many vacations we can take with him!

James' Toy

I have wanted a Corvette for 40 years! In May 2007 my dream became a reality! I purchased a 1996 Corvette Convertible. The picture above shows me with my prize at the Children's Home "Cars for Kids" Show in September. I can't wait til Jake is big enough to ride with me!

My Favorite Picture (So Far!)

This is my favorite picture (so far). Can you tell why?

Jake and Great Grandparents

Well, Jake is 4 weeks old now. He is a little over 8 pounds, and is developing his own unique personality. We are very proud of him!

He has been busy traveling to meet his new relatives. Pictured below is Jake with his grandparents. Can you tell that they are proud of him, too?


This is Jake with his five generations of relatives. Great Great Grandmother Nanny Shewbert is holding him. To her left is proud Mom Andrea. In the back are his Aunt Fabby (Allyson) , Great Grandmother Nanny Betty Adams, and Grandmother Nana Nette (Lynette Harper). Not many children can claim to be a part of such an enduring family.

This is Jake with his Mom, Paw Paw (James), and Great Grandmother Dot Harper (Mamew).

This is Jake with Mom, Paw Paw, and Great Granddaddy Charlie Harper (Pop Charlie).

We all love him so much!

Jacob William (Jake) Brown

Jacob William (Jake) Brown made his arrival on Saturday, March 29, 2008. He arrived at 9:01 PM. He hit the scale at 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and is 19 1/2 inches long. Andrea, Jason and Jake are doing well. Nana Nette and Paw Paw are elated!

Being A Mother

My daughter emailed me this...the daughter who is about to become a mother! She got the email from her mother-in-law.


Both men & women, sons & daughters - need to read this

BEING A MOTHER...After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to
take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years,but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.
'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

'I thought that it would be pleasant to spend sometime with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.'She thought about it for a moment, and then said,'I would like that very much.'

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary.

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said,as she got into the car. 'They can't wait to hear about our meeting.'

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching upon recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.

As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed.

'How was your dinner date?' asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife.You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.'

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct .. somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring ....somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a 'good' mother, your child will 'turn out good'.... somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said 'good' mothers never raise their voices .... somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first .... somebody doesn't have two children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books....somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery (or going through a long adoption process).... somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten ... or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back..somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home....somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.... somebody isn't a mother.

Pass this along to all the 'mothers' in your life and to everyone who ever had a mother. This isn't just about being a mother; it's about appreciating the people in your life while you have them....no matter who that person is.

What is a Grandparent?

This was emailed to me from one of my children.

What is a grandparent?

(taken from papers written by a class of 8-year-olds)

Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of her
own. They like other people's.

A grandfather is a man grandmother.

Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come
to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run. It is
good if they drive us to the store and have lots of quarters for us.

When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty
leaves and caterpillars.

They show us and talk to us about the color of the flowers and also
why we shouldn't step on "cracks."

They don't say, "Hurry up."

Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes.

They wear glasses and funny underwear.

They can take their teeth and gums out.

Grandparents don't have to be smart.

They have to answer questions like "why isn't God married?" and "How
come dogs chase cats?".

When they read to us, they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for
the same story over again.

Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't
have television, because they are the only grown ups who like to
spend time with us.

They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they say
prayers with us every time, and kiss us even when we've acted bad.

Witty Sayings

I have always been attracted to witty sayings...phrases that make you think! I will give you a few with the authors (if I know them!) I don't claim ownership of any of these. Please send me your favorites!

Lie low and peep high!
Homer Morris for those times when trouble comes.

Get all you can and can all you get.
Homer Morris

They will go with you where the bears are.
Homer Morris describing friends through thick or thin.

Never play "chicken" with someone who has less to lose than you do.
Never send a girl to do a man's job.
Books are your friends.
Always be thinking.
Joe Crocker

Never wrestle with a pig. Both of you will get nasty, but the pig likes it. John McCain

Be sincere. Be brief. Be seated. FDR

A long road to a little house. Kenny Thompson

You can observe a lot by watching.
When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
The future ain't what it used to be.
If you don't know where you're going, you'll wind up someplace else.
Yogi Berra

Never go to a gun fight with a knife. Jon Harper

Feeling like a ground floor tenant in a two-story outhouse.

Torture like going into a lion's den wearing pork-chop britches.
Kenny Thompson

Never argue with a fool...a passerby may not know which one is the fool! Richard Munn

Behind every successful man is a supportive wife...and a surprised mother-in-law!

I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.
Winston Churchill

The ablest man I ever met is the man you think you are.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil, and you're a thousand miles from the cornfield.
Dwight D. Eisenhower

What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself.
Abraham Lincoln

Old age is like a plane flying through a storm. Once you're aboard, there's nothing you can do.
Golda Meir

All men are equal before fish; fish make no distinction between presidents and garbage collectors.
Herbert Hoover

Why God Created Children

This was emailed to me from one of my own children......


WHY GOD CREATED CHILDREN

To those of us who have children in our lives, whether
they are our own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or
students...here is something to make you chuckle.
Whenever your children are out of control, you can take
comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did
not extend to His own children.
After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and
Eve. And the first thing he said was, "DON'T!"
"Don't what?" Adam replied.
"Don't eat the forbidden fruit." God said.
"Forbidden fruit? We have forbidden fruit? Hey Eve...we have forbidden
fruit!!!!!"
"No Way!"
"Yes way!"
"Do NOT eat the fruit!" said God.
"Why?"
"Because I am your Father and I said so!" God replied, wondering
why He hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants. A few
minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He
was ticked!
"Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit?" God asked.
"Uh-huh," Adam replied.
"Then why did you?" said the Father.
"I don't know," said Eve.
"She started it!" Adam said.
"Did not!"
"Did, too!"
"DID NOT!"
Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that
Adam and Eve should have children of their own. Thus the pattern
was set and it has never changed.

BUT THERE IS REASSURANCE IN THE STORY!
If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children
wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself. If
God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would
be a piece of cake for you?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT!
1. You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to
walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to
sit down and be quiet.
2. Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own children.
3. Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young.
4. Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat
word for word what you shouldn't have said.
5. The main purpose of holding children's parties is to remind
yourself that there are children more awful than your own.
6. We child-proofed our home, but they are still getting in.

ADVICE FOR THE DAY!
Be nice to your kids. They will choose your nursing home.
AND FINALLY: IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF TENSION AND YOU GET A HEADACHE,
DO WHAT IT SAYS ON THE ASPIRIN BOTTLE:
"TAKE TWO ASPIRIN" AND "KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN"

Congratulations to Dr. Paul Baxter

Dr. Paul Baxter is the pastor of First Baptist Church on the Square in LaGrange, GA. Dr. Baxter is one of our Trustees of Georgia Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries, Inc. February marks Dr. Baxter's 25th anniversary at First Baptist. That is quite an accomplishment in Baptist life...the average tenure of pastors in our convention is something around 2 years! I congratulate Dr. Baxter on 25 great years and thank him for his service as a Trustee of the Home!

Georgia Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries, Inc.

Here is some information on the Home.

Georgia Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries, Inc. is one of the oldest and largest child care agencies in Georgia. We have been reaching out to hurting children
and broken families since 1872, and serve hundreds of children and families each year.
We provide hope and healing to those who need a place of safety and shelter. We are able to reach our mission by developing new and innovative ways to serve the families and children of today.

During the Great Depression, Cooperative Program funds were stretched; therefore it
was mutually agreed that the Georgia Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries
would raise its own funding. Churches, individuals, businesses, and foundations help make it possible for us to be the hand that reaches out to a child in need.

Today, our programs allow us to help more families and children than ever before.

Campus Residential Programs: These ministries provide residential care for troubled
children, youth, and families. Christ-centered programs on three campuses, located in
Baxley, Meansville, and Palmetto, work together to meet the basic physical needs of our children, as well as assist them in personal development and spiritual growth.

Group Home Residential Care: Available in communities across the state, these group
homes have the capacity to serve five to eight children. We have group homes located in
Brooks, Carrollton, Demorest, Ellijay, and Newnan.

Maternity Care: Our maternity program includes a facility on the Palmetto campus providing a safe place for pregnant young women and guidance for unwed mothers and their child.

Emergency Shelters: Based in Thomaston and Douglas, emergency shelters are available to respond to immediate placement needs for children and youth. Our campuses and group homes can provide emergency placements when needed.

Diagnostic and Assessment Program: The Diagnostic and Assessment Center on the
Palmetto campus is provided to meet the needs of children and youth with more severe mental health/behavioral issues. A complete assessment is provided and residents can remain in the program for longer term care if needed and appropriate.

Camp Hawkins: This summer camping program is designed to meet the needs of children with developmental disabilities. This ministry has expanded to include a weekend respite care program called "Matthew's Time" for children with more severe
disabilities.

The Nelson Price Treatment Center: Teenagers today struggle with the temptation of
readily available drugs and alcohol. The Nelson Price Treatment Center is helping to meet that need through a twelve-step Christian program designed for teens and their families through residential treatment.

Good Shepherd Therapeutic Center: Located in Warm Springs, Georgia, this unique
farm based residential program for boys provides both short and long-term care and
offers an outpatient therapeutic riding program.

Adoption Services: We are licensed to provide adoption services for infants and children. We have partnered with Buckner Baptist Benevolence of Texas to offer
adoption services of children living in foreign countries. These services are provided on
a cost recovery basis.

Community Child and Adolescent Services: We offer a full range of coordinated mental health and community support services including individual counseling, family counseling, psychiatric services, nursing services and pharmacological services.

Foster Care: We are licensed to place children in Foster Families throughout Georgia.


Georgia Baptist Children's Homes
and Family Ministries, Inc.
1-800-252-0872
Phone:770-463-3800
Fax: 770-463-6415
www.gbchfm.org

Charles Schultz Philosophy

You don't actually have to take the quiz. Just read the email straight through, and you'll get the point (an awesome one) that it is trying to make!

Take this quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier? The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care. Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." Charles Schultz!

Influence

This is a devotion I did at the Palmetto Campus, January 28, 2008:

Fred Rogers, host of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” had a tradition every time he spoke. He always asked his audience to pause for a moment of silence and think about all those who have helped them become who they are. Once, in a prestigious gathering at the White House, he was given only 8 minutes to address children’s issues and still he devoted one of those minutes to silence. “Invariably, that’s what people will remember,” he says, “that silence. Usually a person from the past floats into mind-a grandparent, or an elementary school teacher, or an eccentric uncle or aunt.”

In our lives, there are always people who have influenced us. For most of us, the greatest influences are parents…but that is not always the case, as with many of our children. I personally was most influenced by my parents. My Daddy was a bivocational pastor, who always held another fulltime job, either as a teacher or later in life working for the state labor department. My Mama had been a teacher in the World War 2 era, when high school graduates could teach elementary schools. She never went to college, so after the war she worked a variety of different jobs, from cleaning houses to sitting with sick folks, to working in a preschool, to “debeaking” baby chicks. From both of my parents I learned the value of education and the wisdom of working for a living.

My grandfather (Papaw) may have been the single most influential person in my life. I always thought he lived with us, but in actuality we lived with him in his house. He outlived 2 wives, both of whom died before I was born. He raised chickens in a 20x80 chicken house, and also was a carpenter. He worked building houses well into his 70’s, eventually dying at age 97. He was a smoker into his 70’s…bought Tampa Nugget cigars by the box…I can remember traveling with him and his lighting up a cigar in the car…fogging everything with the smoke! He smoked until age 72 when he was selected as a Deacon in my Daddy’s church. He quit smoking then, telling people he didn’t think Deacons should smoke…so he started chewing Red Man chewing tobacco which he did until he died! My Papaw was the one who took me to Little League practice and games when my parents were busy with their other tasks.

Another of the very influential persons in my life was Mr. C.J. Roper. He was the Principal and 8th grade teacher at Chestnut Mountain Elementary School. He was the hardest teacher I ever had, expecting perfection in all our classes. He was also the coach of the Chestnut Mountain Warriors basketball team. I have no doubt the Mr. Roper could have been successful in any field had he wanted to do so. He taught with skill and creativity. Our little team only had an asphalt court to practice on. I remember running through sneakers at the rate of a pair a month! I remember he scheduled time for us to use a gymnasium for practice…it was like country coming to town! Before we left for the gymnasium, we practiced how we were going to practice, so there would be no wasted time. I remember he was frustrated with us one time as we practiced on our asphalt court. The next day he got a ladder and placed ½ of a tire, cut by circumference, on each goal. Of course, the shooting area on the goal was drastically reduced. We practiced that way all season… we had to be more perfect in our shooting than ever before. But it worked. Our little team went undefeated, and won the Hall County Elementary School Championship… there is a trophy at Chestnut Mountain to this day.

From a spiritual standpoint, Mrs. Bedell Skelton was another of my influences. Mrs. Skelton taught the primary and junior age boys in BTU. I was one of those 4 boys in her class and we were hellions! Mrs. Skelton never lost her patience with us. I still remember the night she brought us Milky Way candy bars as a bribe to behave through our class…she told us we could have the candy bars, but only if we behaved and listened to the lesson! We didn’t do a very good job that first night (Milky Ways were not our favorites!) Mrs. Skelton brought Snickers the next week and never had another problem with us. I don’t remember a single thing she taught, but I know that the 4 boys in that class grew up to be deacons and preachers!

(Lloyd and Bedell Skelton raised 7 children of their own: Edward, Lurene (O’dell), Jimmy (in Alabama), Vivian (Newton), Bobby, Harold Dean, and Carolyn (Horton). Bobby has been a pastor and coach, and works for Chic Fil A as the head of the Winshape Center at Berry College. Carolyn is a pastor’s wife.)

Mr. Gene Evans worked with the Home for over 20 years…he and Mrs. Evans (Irene) cared for hundreds of children. Mr. Evans did more therapy with more children than most professionals, usually teaching them about lawnmowers and cutting grass, but really teaching them about life. I heard one young man say his memory of the Home was sitting with Mr. Evans in the kitchen of the cottage, listening to the Braves on the radio, watching Mr. Evans drinking coffee and twirling his nose hairs. And I am sure it was a pleasant memory!

I know you are thinking about some of the people who have influenced you. But what about the children and youth you are influencing? There are some who are watching you every day, mostly without your knowledge. There are some that you probably like and enjoy being around. What will their memories of you be?

One of my favorite writers is Philip Yancey. One of his books is Soul Survivor in which he tells of the 13 persons who have influenced him most. One of those is Dr. Paul Brand, an orthopedic surgeon and missionary who devoted his life to working with patients with Hansen’s disease, commonly called leprosy. Dr. Brand developed several procedures and creative ways of doing surgery to help lepers, and at the same time did so in the name of Jesus. One of his patients was a man named Sadan. In talking to Yancey about Dr. Brand, Sadan said he was happy that he had the disease. “Apart from leprosy I would not have known these wonderful people or the God who lives in them.”
Another patient named Namo had suffered from leprosy for over 20 years when he met Dr. and Mrs. Brand. They were the first persons in over 20 years who touched him. Namo had a photograph of Dr. Brand with an inscription underneath, “MAY THE SPIRIT THAT IS IN HIM LIVE IN ME.”

Good Places to Eat

If you know me, you know I love to eat! A few years ago, I started compiling information for a book to be entitled, A Preacher's Guide to Eating in Georgia. I didn't entitle it "....Dining...", because I was not concerned about ambience. I wasn't interested in fancy places or chains. I was looking for those places that only locals would know about. I will include some of my favorites in this section, and I encourage you to tell me of your favorites...please give me directions as well, so I can find them!

The following are my some of my favorites:

Bamboo Star, Tyrone, GA- a great Chinese place on Highway 74.

Benton Lee’s Restaurant, Baxley, GA-some of the biggest steaks you will ever have.

Blue Creek Bar B Que, Highway 75 North, Cleveland, GA-Another great barbecue place. I think they are only open on the weekends.

Blue Willow Inn, Social Circle, GA-A little more up-scale than some of the other places, but their buffet is great!

Bulloch House, Warm Springs, GA-another great buffet!

Boxcar Restaurant, Tyrone, GA-a great meat and three vegetables kind of place.

Curt’s Restaurant, Oakwood, GA-try the fried chicken especially.

Deer Lodge, Hiawassee, GA. Located on Highway 75 between Helen and Hiawassee. The steaks are great, they grow their own!

George and Louie's, Remington Avenue, Thomasville, GA-a little Greek, a few burgers, and great seafood!

Katie's Restaurant, Lincoln Street, LaGrange, GA-a great buffet.

Loretta’s Restaurant, Oakwood, GA-a meat and three vegetables kind of place.

Miss Emily’s Restaurant, Palmetto, GA-the atmosphere is not great, but the fried cornbread is to die for.

Mother’s Kitchen, Newnan, GA-located in an alley (no kidding!) next to the old Brown Steel Mill building, one block off the square in Newnan. Get there early for lunch, 'cause when she runs out of something, that's all she wrote!

Shirley’s Restaurant, Newnan, GA-located on Bullsboro Drive...all you can eat. This place can make you eat yourself to death!

Tarrer Inn, Colquitt, GA-Lynette and I ate there a few Sundays ago. Located on the square in Colquitt. As good a buffet as I have ever had.

Gateway Restaurant, Donaldsonville, GA-I haven't eaten there yet, but it comes very highly recommended.

Worley’s Townhouse, Whigham, GA-Located on Main Street, which is also Highway 84. A great little buffet.

Again, please let me hear of your favorites!

About My Family

The Harpers/Browns with some of our favorite people: UGA Head Coach
Mark Richt (back row, middle) and FCA Representative and former UGA
All-American Dicky Clark (back row, left)

This is my first attempt at creating a blog. I hope what you read is somewhat worth your time!

My name is James Harper. I live in Palmetto, Georgia and I am the President and CEO of Georgia Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries, Inc. I will write more about the Homes later.

I am married to Lynette Adams Harper, who is originally from Cleveland, Georgia. Lynette is the Lead Guidance Counselor at Northgate High School in Coweta County. Lynette and I have two daughters. Allyson is our older daughter and is also a teacher at Northgate High School. Our younger daughter is Andrea and she is married to our only son-in-law, Jason Brown. Andrea is a first grade teacher at Central Elementary School in Carrollton, Georgia. Jason is employed with Lowe's in Newnan, Georgia. Andrea and Jason are expecting our first grandchild in April. We are all very excited...he is going to be named Jacob William Brown (Jake). Jake will be one spoiled young 'un!