The Current

NATALIA
THE
THE
CURRENT
FINDS RICH CULTURAL GROUND(S) AT HOME
TEMESGEN
TEMESGEN
'CUES
CULTURE
LOCAL BBQ AND WHERE TO FIND IT
BEST
LIVING IS EASY
THE
OUR SUMMER ARTS & CULTURE GUIDE
WITH
ART DIRECTORY
THE
WHO IN LOCAL ART
WHO'S

CURRENT
MAKING WAVES ALONG THE CHATTAHOOCHEE
THE
EDITOR'S LETTER
Visitors, locals, professionals, students ‒ they're all a part of the growing number of people
coming to the Chattahoochee Valley every season.
But who are they? Artists, medical students, soldiers, educators, classical musicians, filmmakers,
computer programmers, chefs, bankers, young professionals spanning every demographic, families,
retirees. They're coming here, to our community, and then many of them are choosing to stay.
But why?
What is often presented as a complicated answer really boils down to one simple thing: A multigenerational,
diverse population of people are coming ‒ and staying ‒ in the Chattahoochee
Valley. They're staying because of the vibrant cultural landscape that envelops them when they
arrive.
Over the past year, our team at The Columbusite has worked to give a voice to more than one
hundred local artists and over forty organizations supporting the arts in our region. What we've
learned is that our community wants, merits, and needs a voice for our unique cultural
environment.
The Current is yet another way we hope to achieve this goal. You, our readers, have asked for
more information on local artists and the organizations that support them. You have asked for
insight on events, food, and regional travel. You will find all of that here.
We've worked to make The Current an active resource. A resource for locals to dive deeper into
the bountiful plenty of cultural gems here. A place for visitors to get their feet wet. And most
importantly, a voice for everything making waves along the Chattahoochee.
with our Summer Arts & Culture Guide
There's a new current here, and it's changing everything.
Here's to the ride.
CARRIE BETH WALLACE
Founder & Editor in Chief
Follow along on Instagram and Facebook @thecolumbusite

I N THI S I S S UE
Entrée des Artistes
Homeward Bound
Natalia Temesgen: On Being Home
Impressed to Dress: Loren Corcoran, Fashion Designer
Worth the Drive
RushSouth
A Day at Callaway
Food + Bev
Sunday Brunch at Bare Roots
Culture 'Cues: Top Local BBQ and Where to Find It
Local Living
The Livin' is Easy: Our Summer Arts & Culture Guide
Coming in Hot: RiverCenter's Upcoming Season
Schwob Summer Music Festival
Momstrosity Makes its Mark

a publication of T H E C O L U M B U S I T E
CURRENT
THE
CARRIE BETH WALLACE
Founder & Editor in Chief
LULIE WALLACE
Creative Director
INTERNS 2018-2019
Abby Barnett
Emma Baum
Amy Wood
Courtney Fields
Emiline Meyers
CONTRIBUTORS 2018-2019
Mandy Ochoa
Theresa Garcia Robertson
Natalia Temesgen
Charlotte Gallagher
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS 2018-2019
Eliza Morrill
Jennifer Corcoran
Carrie Beth Wallace
ON OUR COVER
Local playwright, Natalia Temegen, chats about her new series called Grounds. The web
series is set to release this Fall and was filmed with a local production team from Springer
Film Institute on location at Fountain City Coffee. Temesgen is pictured in front of new
local public art mural by Yoyo Ferro.
4

Columbus
Georgia
rapidly changing
the landscape of
southern culture

Story by Carrie Beth Wallace
BOUND
HOMEWARD
n the once sleepy little town of Columbus, Georgia, rapid
change crests upon whitewater and within the hearts of
Iyoung artists returning to reclaim the city as their home.
6

There's a contingent of young female artists who
have come home to settle down and work in their
hometown. Many of the artists are Columbus
natives who have spent the beginning of their
careers in large cities like Charleston, Nashville,
or New York City.
So what's bringing them back to the
Chattahoochee Valley? We asked several local
artists why they've chosen to return to home to
live and work here.
Above: Teil Duncan Henley sits with some of her lovely ladies. Photo by
Minette Hand.. Previous page: A painting of Columbus, Georgia's iconic
riverfront by local artist Kate Waddell.
Teil Duncan Henley is one of the growing
network of young women choosing to work and
live here. "The primary pull to Columbus was to
be near my large family and to attend
CrossPointe Church," said Henley. "It is a
wonderful added bonus that Columbus has only
blossomed since I have been gone! The food,
downtown atmosphere, river activities, CSU art
facilities, and outreach opportunities just keep
popping up and providing so much life to this
town. I absolutely loved Charleston as it is filled
with artists of every kind: graphic designers,
chefs, well-curated boutique owners, interior
designers, musicians- there was an incredible
amount of stimulation. Moving home to Georgia
where the pace is a little slower and the overall
"hype" is not quite as loud, but I think will allow
for a more concentrated focus on the evolvement
of my work with less distractions, along with new
inspiration from family life, Georgia pines and
hills, changing seasons, and riverside culture. I
am so excited to be back home."
Katie Jacobson is another young artist who has decided to move back to Columbus to work. "I love this community
because it is so supportive and inspiring in endless ways," said Jacobson about the beautiful atmosphere here. "I
experienced other cities and loved them, but at the end of the day home has always felt like Columbus. I love being close
to family, old friends, and all the new friendships that have come since I moved back. There is a energy here that is so
exciting to be apart of. As an artist, it's inspiring being surrounded by so many passionate creatives."
with our Summer Arts & Culture Guide
THE LIVIN' IS EASY
Jessica Kennedy is a graduate of Columbus State University and co-founder of The Columbus Collective, a new startup
hosting popup art exhibits. Due to the blossoming cultural environment Kennedy found in Columbus, she and her
husband have decided to stay in Columbus as well. “My husband Michael and I both live and work here. Whether you
are into art, motorcycles or kayaking, the best thing you can do is find an active community and pour into it. My
husband loves the outdoors, but for me, it’s Columbus’ art community," said Kennedy. "Thanks to The Columbus
Collective, I found a community that needed me as much as I needed them. I’ve never felt like I had more of a purpose.
I’m here to stay.“
A R T
I R E C T ( O R Y )
D
WHO IN LOCAL ARTS & CULTURE
WHO'S
The arts in the Chattahoochee Valley continue to flourish. Artists continue to settle down and invest in Columbus'
renaissance . New organizations emerge every season. Educational programming is on the rise. It isn't stopping. The
question is — what's to come? ◼
7

NAT
ALIA
TEM
ESG
EN.
on being home
Written by Natalia Temesgen
Images by Carrie Beth Wallace

It was morning, already hot. I was sitting in the back seat
of my mom’s minivan, looking out the window as we
drove past the thin bridge-driveways along Cherokee
Avenue. Sarah McLachlan’s “Adia” played on the radio. It
was the summer of 1998.
We had only lived in Columbus a short time then. In my
early childhood in New York, I grew up taking dance
lessons and auditioning for commercials and movies.
When we moved to Rochester, MN for my father’s job, I
got into the children’s theatre and took ballet classes. It
only made sense that I was now on my way to Day 1 at
the local theater camp.
That year, Springer Academy was held at St. Elmo
Elementary School due to renovations at the Opera
House. We made the right turn onto Garrard Street and
pulled into a parking lot. Mom and I walked into the
building where I would meet other artsy, unique, and
outgoing kids. I got my gray shirt with the drama faces
printed in green. I wrote my first name in the box. In the
summers to follow, I began to write my nickname, “Nat,”
which Academy Director Ron Anderson would call me
from then until he passed away many years later.
As a young camper, I began to understand what it meant
to be an artist. We were children, but we were still
encouraged to treat theatre as a craft. I met people there I
would go on to work with as an adult. Sara and Jef
Holbrook, the dynamic couple behind the Springer Film
Institute and producers of my web series “Grounds,” were
my classmates. Sally Baker, the current director of the
Springer Theatre Academy, was my teacher. Some others
I came to know there are now professional artists working
in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Europe. But some
of us are still here. And what we learned then has become
foundational to what makes our local arts scene so
powerful today: every voice is important, good art
requires discipline and hard work, and a production is
more powerful when its artists truly collaborate.
I spent a decade in the Northeast after graduating from
Columbus High School in 2004. I studied playwriting in
college and graduate school, and began working as a
playwright in Manhattan. The opportunities for theater
professionals in New York are overwhelming. Calls for
new plays, especially plays by emerging writers, are
plentiful. I began to have a promising early career. Upon
returning to Columbus in 2013, I panicked at the thought
that the only producing theater in town was the Springer
Opera House.
One theater can only do so many shows, especially new
plays which can be financially risky. I knew I needed to
return to those early lessons of collaborative artwork if I
wanted to continue thriving as a playwright.
In 2014, I produced a staged reading and subsequent
full-scale production of my play “The Old Ship of Zion”
at the National Civil War Naval Museum. This journey
drew me to two of my dearest theater collaborators:
Jonathan Samuel Eddie Perkins, director of the Fountain
City Slam, and the late Tamara L. Curry-Gill, actor and
director.
I worked with near strangers who became like family.
The production was a financial success, thanks in part to
the early support of local residents with a vision for arts
and culture and the strong attendance of the
performances.
I believe the artistic journey of 2014 was responsible for
my biggest growth as an artist thus far. I would put it
above graduating from Tisch with my MFA or being
produced off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane. Because that
year back home in Columbus, I finally put old lessons
into practice.
9

I had to believe in myself, trust that my voice was important, and so were those of my characters. I had to exert a level of
discipline and hard work that was unprecedented for me. I wasn’t simply writing. I was a business executive, a fundraiser,
an HR rep, a PR professional, an accountant. Finally, I had to learn that even in a city without multiple theaters looking
for new work, there was still a talented community of seemingly tireless artists ready to collaborate and make things
happen.
I am convinced that Columbus is generous to the arts in ways that Manhattan could never be. I am also convinced that we
are just as artistically rich, though our opportunities appear fewer. Innovation is a mark of the Columbus artist. And with
each passing year, Columbus appears to be on the brink of an indie arts renaissance. Community members, now is your
time to walk this road with us. Show up to the events that pop-up and surprise you. Donate to the projects that seem
exciting and even a little risky. Believe in our voices as we believe in each other, and witness the incredible power of the
local indie arts scene for yourself. ◼
10

COMING IN HOT
RIVERCENTER'S JIM RUTLAND TALKS PROGRAMMING THE 2019-20 SEASON
iverCenter’s 2019-2020 season was announced in May to immediate local acclaim. The list of titles
was released first to the media where gasps could be heard as each of the TSYS Broadway on
Broadway titles were announced. RENT. Fiddler on the Roof. CATS. Two of the first major tours of
shows still currently running on Broadway: Beautiful : The Carole King Musical and Waitress, the hit
Rmusical by Sara Bareilles.
Gladys Knight will be here in November as the headliner for Synovus' Center Stage series. The Atlanta Symphony
Orchestra is coming in April. Columbus will also host a free performance in March of one of the largest military
tours put together in the last decade. There’s also a contemporary ballet set to music by Bach and David Bowie.
Another musical called Escape to Margaritaville, which is based on the music of Jimmy Buffet. Next year’s
programming for children will include The Pout-Pout Fish, The SpongeBob Musical, Pilobolus, and What Do You Do
with an Idea? Cantus Columbus will close 20 years of performances will their final concert at RiverCenter.
Next year will bring a lot of potential growth and change with this new season. RiverCenter will host its second
national tour in two years. The producers and directors of RENT have decided that Columbus is the perfect place
for their cast to come and complete their final rehearsals for the latest tour pickup before heading out to perform.
This means that Columbus will get see the first performance of the show.
“For a city of our size to receive a national tour launch is a big deal,” said Jim Rutland, RiverCenter’s Program
Director. “No other theatre in the state of Georgia is launching one this year.”
The national tour launch of RENT will mean more than a great performance to open RiverCenter's season though.
The cast and crew are expected to need around a hundred nights in local hotel rooms, caterers for each day of
rehearsal, in addition to all of the materials and supplies they’ll purchase locally. Overall, it's estimated that an
economic impact of $200,000- $300,000 will come to the community as a result.
Rutland said the 2019-20 season has been in the works for quite some time. “The booking process begins over a
year in advance. We don’t book specific dates at first, it’s really more of working out the general timelines for the
shows we’d like to have. Then, there are two conferences that happen each year where a lot of the business and
initial booking conversations take place.”
Sometimes, the plan doesn’t work out though. “This season we had a particularly heartbreaking situation. The
company producing Ain’t Too Proud wanted to do their broadway launch here. It happened fairly late in the game,
and during the three to four-week period they were looking at, we had another show booked. We just couldn’t find
acceptable dates that would work for both organizations, so we had to ultimately pass on the opportunity.”
12

Managing the booking of so many different shows in a season can be a challenge for Rutland and his team. “Often, we
will hold dates for more than one title until we see how things play out. Sometimes, their tour schedule will change and
the dates won’t work out for us. Other times, it all works out beautifully and the first company we spoke with ends up
being the show that we book. It’s all just a part of the process.”
RiverCenter’s team has set a goal to continue to work toward hosting more national tours. “It’s a wonderful opportunity
for us as a performing arts center, but it’s also an incredible way for us to increase visibility for our city,” explained
Rutland. “Launching national tours is a big push for exposure. All of the national tours we work with list RiverCenter
and Columbus, Georgia as the place where their tour launched from. It’s a really valuable thing to be able to say.”
There is one obstacle to this goal, though. The new sales tax law to benefit theatre companies didn’t cross over to the
Senate this year. “It really hurt us,” explained Rutland. “I was in conversations with four different production
companies in the country at the time. They produce pretty much everything. Broadway tours, equity tours and
everything in between. When the legislation didn’t cross over into the senate, most of them walked away.”
The only ones that didn’t walk away were the companies who had already been here. “Once these companies have come
through Columbus and the RiverCenter, they are always eager to come back,” said Rutland. “They love the facilities
and they can’t believe we can accommodate two semi trucks in our loading dock.” When a production rolls into town,
the first thing they have to do is unload everything. Most venues in big cities don’t have a lot of space around their
venue, which makes the process tedious and difficult. RiverCenter’s location and setup makes it simple.
“We have a 50 foot push from the loading dock to center stage. Most places have elevators, rain, snow, and all kinds of
other things that make loading in a production more difficult. A lot of planning went into ensuring the RiverCenter was
a state of the art facility that is easy to work in for production companies. It’s one of the things that RiverCenter does
really well.”
Rutland said that retaining companies is not a problem. “All of the production companies that have been here want to
come back. They know how great this community is. Uptown is exploding, we have restaurants, we have hotels and
more being built. There’s the river and tons of recreation - people just like being here.”
For companies that haven’t been here though, the sales tax is an impediment. “I am really hopeful that the legislation
will go through this year. It’s not that big of a deal,” Rutland explained. “There is already legislation on the books that
is really good for film, and it’s a really wonderful thing. Now, they have parameters they’re trying to add for stage
productions and concerts. The issue is the threshold that you have to hit. It’s too high”
Currently, a production company has to hit a threshold of $500,000 and tour for 52 weeks to get 15% of their total
expenditures in the state of Georgia as a tax incentive. “The length of the tour and the cap are impractical for regional
tours. Our tours spend around $350,000 and only run for about 30 weeks. The request is that the threshold be reduced
to $100,000 and reduce the tour length by about half. This would cover national tours and tour pickups like RENT.”
This new legislation is important because similar tax breaks exist in other states. This means that Georgia loses out to
states that can offer the productions tax incentives elsewhere.
“If we are able someday to have the tax incentive locally for companies to produce their tours here, there is no limit to
the number of tours we could host each year,” explained Rutland. “If we have the dates, we can host them. It’s just a
matter of having the ability for the legislation to benefit them enough for them to choose to produce the shows in
Georgia.”
The legislation hurdle hasn’t slowed down RiverCenter though. The 2019-20 season is a testament to the hard work of
RiverCenter’s staff and the growth of our community. RiverCenter’s guests can expect to see state of the art, current
productions with some of the finest stars in live theatre on stage. And, if the trend continues, each season will only get
better and better. ◼
13

THE ART DIRECTORY
ur community is bustling with artists of all different mediums and styles. We
see them on social media, in magazines, and encounter their work in museums
or galleries around town. But due to the impact of our digital world, artists can
often feel elusive to the average person.
Who are they? Where do they work? Where can someone find a list of local
artists and their work online? How do you reach out if you're looking to
network? Where do you go to put a face with a name before you purchase a
piece? How do you request a commission or find out about new work before it's
released?
These questions and many others are some of the most common things we've been asked by locals in our first
year. After some extensive research in markets similar to our area, and many conversations with local artists,
we hope our new Art Directory is a good first step into bridging the gap between visitors, locals, and the artists
we love.
We are thrilled to introduce a visual guide to artists who are either from or working in our region. This guide is
complete with clickable links to connect you with each artist and their work. This is the first installment, with
two more installments to come: one for performing artists, and one for arts organizations, galleries, and
businesses.
It is our hope that this online resource continues to grow into a conduit of creativity and connection for all of us
living in this beautiful place we call home.
14

click the images to be directed to each artist's work and website
for image sources, view page 14.
DIRECTORY
ART
Erin Gregory
fine art
Bo Bartlett
fine art
Lulie Wallace
fine art, textles
Bunny Hinzman
fine art
Kate Waddell
fine art
Amy Sherald
fine art
Jessica Kennedy
fine art
Najee Dorsey
fine art
Eliza Daffin
large format photography
15

click the images to be directed to each artist's work and website
for image sources, view page 14.
DIRECTORY
ART
Garry Pound
fine art
Betsy Eby
fine art
Teil Duncan
fine art
Courtney Johnson
jewelry
Katie Jacobson
fine art
Eliza Morrill
photography
Coulter Fussell
textiles
Mollie Jenkins
pottery
Ralph Frank
fine art
16

click the images to be directed to each artist's work and website
for image sources, view page 14.
DIRECTORY
ART
Jarrett Key
fine art
Trey Walker
adventure photographer
Kate Scrivner
fine art
Helen Brooks
fine art
Ximena Rozo
textiles
Elyse Mixon
jewelry
Natalia Temesgen
writer
Gina Tew
designer + illustrator
Rani Garner
fine art
17

click the images to be directed to each artist's work and website
for image sources, view page 14.
DIRECTORY
ART
Lark Champion
textiles
Sally Bradley
fine art
Evelyn Henson
illustrator
Theresa Garcia
Libbie Rothschild
Mary Margaret
Robertson
writer
sculpture
Monsees
sculpture
Are we missing someone?
Submit an artist here.
18

ART DIRECTORY BIBLIOGRAPHY
THE
Because we believe in taking every measure to ensure artists receive credit for their work.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Click on the multicolored arrows below to be directed to the precise location of each image featured in our directory.
Erin Gregory, This Must Be The Place 6 | 48x60 | @ Stellers Gallery
Bo Bartlett, School of the Americas | 76x76 | @ Bo Bartlett Center
Lulie Wallace, Aquatic Plant No. 3 | 30 X 40
Bunny Hinzman, Untitled, No. 4 | 14x18
Kate Waddell, Paris in the Rain | 36x48
Amy Sherald, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama | @ National Portrait Gallery
Jessica Kennedy, Portrait courtesy of the artist
Najee Dorsey, Black Art in America, Portrait courtesy of the artist
Eliza Daffin, Returning, Silver gelatin print
Garry Pound, Self Portrait, 2012 | 5'x8'
Betsy Eby, Force Majeure | 48x60
Teil Duncan, image by Hailey Wist, courtesy of the artist
Courtney Johnson, jewelry designer, Bent by Courtney
Katie Jacobson, Palo Alto | 220 x 24 | mixed media on canvas
Eliza Morrill, photographer, bridal portrait of Ivey
Coulter Fussell, Self Portrait 2018 from Piecework Collective
Mollie Jenkins, ceramic pottery
Ralph Frank, artist
Jarrett Key, fine artist, hair painting, image courtesy of the artist
Trey Walker, adventure photographer, image courtesy of the photographer
Kate Scrivner, Pastel Abstract | 24x36
Helen Brooks, Assembly Line | 9x12 | acrylic mixed media
Elyse Mixon, jewelry, image courtesy of the artist
Natalia Temesgen, writer, our image
Gina Tew, designer + illustrator, Sunshine Flowers
Rani Garner, Misty Lake | 30x30 | @ Two Sisters Gallery
Larkin Lane Designs, Photo courtesy of the aritst
Sally Bradley, Untitled
WHO'S WHO IN LOCAL ARTS & CULTURE
Evelyn Henson, Map of Columbus
Theresa Garcia Robertson, writer, image by Eliza Morrill
Libbie Rothschild, White Aura, image courtesy of the artist
Mary Margaret Monsees, fine art, image courtesy of the artist
19

the living
is easy
with our Summer Arts & Culture Guide

JUNE
EVENTS
View our online calendar here!
June 1-2, 2019 Columbus Georgia LGBT Pride Festival, Downtown Columbus
June 1, Bites of Uptown Food Tour, My Boulánge
June 1, Burger Wars 2019, The Railyard, Opelika, AL
June 1, Art for the Ark, Jarfly
June 1, Company C 14th Annual Spring Production No Apologies, The RiverCenter
June 3, New Moon Ceremony, River Flow Yoga and Wellness
June 4, Children's and Young Adult Used Book Sale, Auburn Public Library
June 4-5, Kinky Boots, The RiverCenter
June 6, 7th Annual Bunco Bash, Courtyard by Marriott Columbus/Phenix City - Riverfront
June 7, Neon Ride, Wild Leap Brew Co.
June 7, SummerNight 2019, Downtown Auburn, AL
June 8, Chattahoochee Valley Daylily Festival, Columbus Botanical Garden
June 8, Knobby Knees Music Festival, Flint Riverkeeper, Albany, GA
June 8, Free Outdoor Movie - Presented By Navy Federal Credit Union, Woodruff Park
June 8, City Farmers Feast 2019, The UP Factory
June 8, 2019 Denim and Diamonds with Old Dominion, Columbus Civic Center
June 13-15, 18-22, 25-29 Corduroy at 10:00 AM, June 16, 23 & 30 at 2:00 PM CSU Theatre
June 14, The Columbus Collective Presents ART at No Shame Theatre, Springer Opera House
June 14-15, Galactic Fan Expo, Coca-Cola Space Science Center
June 14-29, Legally Blonde: The Musical, CSU Theatre Department
June 15, Chattahoochee Brews & Views Walking Tour, 900 Front Ave, Columbus
June 15, The FUBU Photo Exhibit by GSV, Pop Uptown
June 15, Full Moon TreeTop Adventure, Callaway Gardens (Monthly)
June 16, Second Annual Fountain City Father's Day Blues Festival, Columbus Civic Center
June 17, ColGAthtr Artists Monthly Happy Hour: June!, Jarfly (monthly)
June 20, Summer Concert: Ft Benning Jazz Band, The Columbus Museum
June 20, Karaoke for Kitties (and Puppers Too!), The Uptown Tap
June 21-22, Frogtown Crawfish Festival, Woodruff Park
June 21, 16th Annual Juneteenth Western Dance, Columbus Convention and Trade Center
June 22, A Night in Paris, Pine Mountain
June 22, Westville Columbus Opening Day, 3557 South Lumpkin Road, Columbus, Georgia
June 22, Day in Clay, Dean Road Ceramic, Auburn, AL
June 22, Wild Leap Wing Jam 2019, Wild Leap Brew Co., LaGrange, GA
June 22, Auburn Food & Wine Festival, Twenty-One Acres, Auburn, AL
June 22, Early Show! Marona and Goodwin Rainer, Fountain City Coffee
June 23, Holistic & Handmade Festival, Breathe Holistic Health & Wellness Spa
June 27, Downtown West Point Pop-Up Markets, 707 3rd Ave, West Point, GA
June 28, Summer Movies at the Park!, Municipal Park, Opelika, AL (once a month)
June 28, Bring It! Live: The Dance Battle Tour, The RiverCenter
June 28, The Brewery Comedy TOUR returns to Beacon, Beacon Brewery Co., LaGrange, GA
June 29, Red, White & Blueberry Bash, Donald E. Davis Arboretum, Auburn, AL
21

JULY
EVENTS
View our online calendar here!
July 4, Cool Pool Summer Splash Celebration, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park
July 4, Campsite Decorating Contest, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park
July 6, Art Exhibition, Cold Overton Church
July 10, Young Professionals Leadership Edge, CoWork Columbus
July 14, Sunday Snapshot Gallery Tour, The Columbus Museum (monthly)
July 18, ColGAthtr Artists Monthly Happy Hour: July!, Jarfly (monthly)
July 19, Kids Drive-In Movie, Opelika SportsPLEX
July 19, Fantastic Fridays: Jongleur de Paris, The Columbus Msueum
July 20, New! Museum Book Club, The Columbus Museum
July 20, Full Moon TreeTop Adventure, Callaway Gardens
July 22-28, Columbus Restaurant Week presented by U.S. Foods, Yalla Public Relations
July 25, St. Paul and The Broken Bones, Sweetland Amphitheatre
July 25, Downtown West Point Pop-Up Markets, 707 3rd Ave, West Point, GA
July 25, Summer Concert Series: Bonaventure Quartet, The Columbus Museum
July 26-28, Friends BIG Book Sale, Columbus Public Library
July 26, Fantastic Fridays: A Seusome Twosome, The Columbus Museum
July 26, Summer Movies at the Park!, Municipal Park, Opelika, AL
July 26, Alabama, Columbus Civic Center
July 27, Flint Fest, 506 Thundering Springs Rd, Molena, Georgia
AUGUST
EVENTS
August 1-3, Wild & Scenic Film Festival presented by Georgia Power, Riverside Theater
August 3, RENT 20th Anniversary Tour, The RiverCenter
August 3, End of the Summer Movie, Duck Samford Park, Auburn, AL
August 6, Harry Potter Night at Your Library!, Mildred L. Terry Public Library (monthly)
August 15, Guest Lecture Series: Michael Jordan, National Civil War Naval Museum
August 17, Celebration of Life Butterfly Release, Columbus Botanical Gardens
August 22, Summer Concert Series: Rabbitfoot, The Columbus Museum
August 29, Downtown West Point Pop-Up Markets, 707 3rd Ave, West Point, GA
August 30 - September 1, Mastering Night Photography at the Hot Air Balloon Festival, Callaway Gardens
Check our online calendar this summer for more events as information becomes available.

SUMMER JUST GOT A LITTLE BRIGHTER
CHATTAHOOCHEE
VALLEY LIBRARIES
F R E E S T E A M P R O G R A M S F O R K I D S A L L S U M M E R
S C I E N C E • T E C H N O L O G Y • E N G I N E E R I N G • A R T • M A T H
S E E T H E S C H E D U L E

FAMILY
EVENTS THIS SUMMER
June 2 Mini Makers: Wild About Gears, Columbus Public Library.
June 3, Wild About Building with The Home Depot, Mildred L. Terry Library
June 4, Harry Potter Night, Mildred L. Terry Public Library
June 6, Wild Science (Ages 5-12). North Columbus Public Library.
June 10-14, Clement Kids Art Camp, Westminster Campus
June 13-15, 18-22, 25-29 at 10:00 AM, June 16, 23 & 30 at 2 PM, Corduroy, Riverside Theatre
June 14-15 Galactic Fan Expo, Coca-Cola Space Science Center
June 15, Ninja Warriors: Library Edition (Ages 5-11), Columbus Public Library
June 17-21 Clement Kids Ballet Camp, Westminster Campus
June 19, Juneteenth Celebration, Mildred L. Terry Public Library
June 29 Sensory Play Saturday (Birth – 5), North Columbus Public Library
July 3, Fourth of July Celebration. Mildred L. Terry Public Library
July 5, LEGOS @ the Library. North Columbus Public Library
July 11, Rock Painting Party (Ages 3-12), North Columbus Public Library
July 12, Chattahoochee Challenge Kids Fun Run
July 13, Scientific Saturday (All Ages), Columbus Public Library
July 18, Ventriloquist Marc Griffiths, Columbus Public Library
July 19, Fantastic Fridays: Jongleur de Paris, The Columbus Museum
July 22-26, Clement Kids Drama Camp, Westminster Campus
July 25, Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party North Columbus Public Library
July 26, Super Splash Party in the Garden,. 11:00 a.m. Columbus Public Library
July 26, Fantastic Fridays: A Seusome Twosome, The Columbus Museum
24

A D A Y A T
CALLAWAY
Written by Carrie Beth Wallace
Callaway Gardens is the area's largest regional attraction with over 2,500 acres to explore. Founded in 1952 by
Cason and Virginia Callaway, the Gardens were established to be a destination where people could enjoy being with
nature as they experienced how nature could play a positive role in their lives. Nearly 70 years later, Callaway
Gardens remains an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of life.
Families from all over the southeast make the trip annually to retire to the Gardens for a few days. Callaway's event
schedule boasts everything from a food and wine festival to their famous holiday light show, Fantasy in Lights. In
the summer, families travel to attend Callaway's various camps and outdoor events.
But what about local families who just want to go for the day?
Summer is the perfect time to take a drive out to Pine Mountain and spend some time at Callaway. Admission prices
may vary depending on the time of the year, so check online before you go. If you're only able to go for the day, we
suggest renting bicycles to explore the grounds. Bicycle rentals are available for all ages, and bike trailers are
available for young children. As the paths contain some uphill pedaling, Callaway even has tandem bikes for older
children who might need the extra help getting around. We recommend driving to the Discovery Center to park for
the day. From there, you can rent bikes and head out in any direction you please.
Not up for cycling? No problem. It's easy to get around Callaway a number of ways. Consider renting a golf cart or
just driving from attraction to attraction. If you plan to walk, study the park map before you head out. Some of the
attractions are far enough apart that you might need to drive depending on the ages in your party. In the heat of
summer, it's good to know you can get water and snacks at any attraction shop throughout the park. We're partial to
the strawberry shortcake popsicle at the Discovery Center cafe, though!
A must-do at Callaway in the summer is an afternoon on Robin Lake Beach. Pack your bags and head out for a day
at the lake. Picnics are allowed in the park, but food is also available for purchase at Callaway's beach cafe. After
the beach, dry off and change for a trip to the Day Butterfly Center. The tropical indoor butterfly habitat is a mustsee
any time you're in the park. Wear bright colors for a chance to have a butterfly land on you, and don't miss the
educational information docents have to share about the Day Center. It's a great opportunity to learn something new
as a family.
Before you leave, don't miss the chance to stop by the Ida Cason Memorial Chapel. on Falls Creek Lake Built by
Cason Callaway as a memorial to his mother, the Chapel's beautiful stained glass windows feature images from
throughout the Gardens. If you happen to be there on a Sunday, don't miss one of the weekly organ recitals — one of
the region's best kept secrets ‒ given by local musicians. ◼
25

A R T
D I R E C T ( O R Y )
THE
with our Summer Arts & Culture Guide
EASY IS LIVIN' THE
WHO'S WHO IN LOCAL ARTS & CULTURE

with our Summer Arts & Culture Guide

Impressed
to Dress
M E E T F A S H I O N D E S I G N E R
L O R E N C O R C O R A N
Story by Courtney Fields
Images by Carrie Beth Wallace
Columbus brides no longer need to travel to bigger cities to
find the perfect wedding dress. The wedding dress of your
dreams can be created for you in the heart of our city.
Custom wedding gown designer Loren Corcoran wants you
to bring your vision boards and print out your favorite
pins to craft your ‘this is the dress’ aha moment right here
in Columbus.
Since 2015, Corcoran has been creating these moments for
brides, but her journey to Loren Elizabeth Designs began
several years prior. Corcoran was unsure of her calling as a
student and single mother at Auburn University, but
enrolled as a fashion merchandising student.
After completing one project that pushed her to create a
dress for a window display, Corcoran’s professor
encouraged her to venture into fashion design. She had no
prior knowledge of design and didn’t even know how to
sew, but she followed her gut and changed her major to
fashion design.
With the help of her professors and after being mentored
by a Columbus area seamstress, Kristin Morgan, Corcoran
began to learn the ropes (or rather, seams) to become a
fashion designer. Through her mentorship, she was also
able to get involved with New York Fashion Week
beginning in 2014. Under the direction of Sherri Hill,
Corcoran along with two others are responsible for altering
nearly 60 dresses within 5 days, along with dressing the
models backstage and taking each of their measurements.
28

Details, details.
Details are an essential element of Corcoran's style. On the
previous page, Corcoran is pictured working on a custom cape
of a rehearsal dinner dress she's designing for a local bride. "I
just love the details here," Corcoran said to us as we watched
her work. "These tiny pearls and the delicate way this cape
will drape over the bride's silk strapless dress... it's going to be
perfect. I love that the pretty little details are what is
important to her."
On this page:
(Top) Details of fabrics used in previous dresses.
(Bottom left) The designer's Bernina Sewing Machine.
(Bottom right) Corcoran in her studio.

After growing in the craft, Corcoran’s sister
entrusted her with one of the highest honors- the
responsibility of designing her wedding gown. With
only three months but a vast amount of faith in her
sister who lived far away, Samantha awaited her
fairytale dress. And when she tried it on, Corcoran
says that her sister shed tears of joy because
everything came together. Loren says that she
wouldn’t be where she is today if her sister hadn’t
encouraged her to take that step.
Today Loren Elizabeth Design is located at Bibb
City Studios among a group of artists including
painters, photographers, interior designers, and
more! Her goal is to continue creating custom
wedding gowns and to eventually move into the
world of resort-wear for honeymoons and vacations.
At this point Corcoran is unsure if she will enter the
world of mass-production for her gowns. For now,
each dress is made and named specifically for the
person wearing it.
Though it took a while for Corcoran to be able to
call herself a fashion designer, she is now confident
and excited about the possibilities. As a fashion
designer and single mother, she wants to inspire
other moms that “you can follow your dreams and
make a living of it. It is possible.” She says to
persevere, look for your dream job, and don’t settle.
Especially for your wedding dress! You can visit
Loren Elizabeth design studio at Bibb City Studios,
or virtually on her website and Instagram. ◼

SUPPORT LOCAL
ARTS & CULTURE.
NO GIFT IS EVER TOO SMALL.
THE COLUMBUSITE

CULTURE
TOP LOCAL BBQ & WHERE TO FIND IT
'CUES
STORY BY CARRIE BETH WALLACE

C
olumbus, Georgia is no stranger to good barbecue. In fact,
some of the most popular menus in the Chattahoochee
Valley have their roots deeply steeped in the Southern
summer fare. As is the case in most towns below the
Mason-Dixon Line, locals have strong opinions on where
to go for the best. It's no secret where family
barbecue allegiances lie, and if you've lived here long
enough, there's no doubt you've been a part of a heated
barbecue debate between family friends a time or two.
Whether served out of an airstream, a hole in the wall,
or even in an old bus, it's hard to describe our city's
aesthetic without barbecue at the heart of it all. It's just
a part of who we are.
If you're new to these parts, it's helpful to know that
Country's BBQ is the household name around here and
has been since 1975. With three locations spanning the
area, it's not hard to find yourself in one of their wellworn
booths sipping sweet tea and watching the Braves
(hopefully) beat the Yankees. We're partial to their
brisket tacos, but other popular dishes are the brunswick
stew and chopped barbecue plate.
Another local staple is 13th Street BBQ. The selfproclaimed
home of the pork chop sandwich, 13th Street
BBQ is a favorite among millennials who grew up
heading to its original location in their teens. Now
though, you can get 13th Street BBQ in Columbus,
Phenix City, and Cataula ‒ meaning there's likely a pork
chop sandwich waiting on you within ten minutes driving
time.
Looking to switch things up? Take a spin down River
Road to one of our favorite local BBQ hotspots, Clearview
BBQ. With a simple menu and a cash-only policy,
Clearview is a favorite for its quintessential, oldfashioned
hometown vibe. Not sure what to order? Just
ask. There's likely to be a local regular standing in line
near you that'll offer their opinion on which sandwich
and sauce you should try. If you're asking us, we'd
recommend the Old-Fashioned Sandwich with baked
beans and potato chips. But that's just us.
If the concept of traditional BBQ has you bored, now's
the time to snap out of it. At Smoke Bourbon & BBQ you
can enjoy a modern take on traditional barbecue dishes
and sides. Local food star Mark Jones' inventive menu
has earned Smoke a reputation for pushing the limits of
Southern BBQ in a phenomenal way.
Looking for something different?
Try a brisket taco from Country's BBQ. Texas Brisket marries
with chipotle mayo, bacon, cheese, and cilantro for a modern
Southern take on traditional Mexican street tacos.
We swear by the pork nachos — any time, any day.
Other popular menu items include the Pig Mac
sandwich, the pimento cheese wontons, and the
Smoke BBQ Burger. As with any Mark
Jones restaurant, we'd recommend always asking what
the kitchen is up to when you visit. You just never
know what new menu item you might get to try first.
Last, but certainly not least is Zombie Pig BBQ. The
small veteran-owned business serves up some
seriously big flavor that's won award after award.
Their loyal posse regulars that'll swear Zombie stands
toe-to-toe with any place in town. They even have
gluten free options, which can be hard to find when it
comes to barbecue. The restaurant has gotten more
than local attention, though. Zombie Pig was recently
featured in an online article by Sports Illustrated's
Andy Staples who was taken back by Zombie Pig's
flavor and texture. "This was the meat that filled the
best pulled pork sandwiches at the family gatherings
of my childhood," he said. "Each bite took me back to
ping pong tournaments and July 4 fireworks."
So whether you're just in town for a few days or you
live here year-round, give our local 'cues a chance.
Barbecue is at the heart of our local culture, and no
matter your preference, there's something on the
menu for you here.
Keep in mind, our list isn't an exhaustive one. Did we
leave out your favorite? Contact us here to let us
know what to try next! ◼

Sunday
A R E R O O T S
B
Brunch
Written by Carrie Beth Wallace
reshness abounds at the Farmacy this summer. With an everrevolving
menu of seasonal ingredients and newly completed
renovations, guests will find Bare Roots has nailed the farmto-table
aesthetic from first look to final (delicious) bite. FOver the past five years, Sunday Brunch has become a local staple
thanks to residents and tourists heading to Uptown's multiple hip
eateries now offering the meal each week. This growth has led to an
underlying battle for the best Sunday brunch — a dining debate you
won't hear locals complaining about anytime soon. Food has a new
place in our community and the quality of each meal served just
keeps getting better. It's hard to argue Bare Roots
Farmacy hasn't had a large part in the rapid
improvement of Columbus' food culture.
Not sure you'd agree? Their Sunday
Brunch for the summer is a weekly
demonstration of why and how the
Farmacy has been a major catalyst
for local food upping its game.
Every Sunday, visitors can order
from a variety of dishes suited for
any diet. Though the menu does
change each week, it's guaranteed
that the kitchen will offer items that
are vegetarian, gluten-free, and
organic.
Bare Roots Farmacy's Chicken & Pimento Cheese Biscuit.
Wine and traditional orange or grapefruit juice
mimosas are served alongside a well-versed craft
beer menu complete with many regional favorites
like Omaha Brewery, Pretoria Fields, and a new
brew or two from Macon Mounds. They even have a
gluten-free Bourbon Peach Kombucha Ale on tap for
those needing an alternative option from the bar.
Not big on alcohol? No problem. Try the lemonade or a cup
or two of River Rock Roasters' organic coffee. It's local as well.
The summer brunch menu is thoughtful, inclusive, and far-reaching. Classic dishes are entirely
transformed by the addition of locally-sourced, and often organic, ingredients add a surprising
depth of flavor to the menu. Favorites include the popular Stuffed Breakfast Sweet Potato, the
Power Breakfast, the Gluten Free Chicken Fingers, and the Chicken & Pimento Cheese Biscuit.
It's helpful to know that each menu item is served with a side unless otherwise noted. The
restaurant's sides rotate more often than the menu items, but tend to be a highlight of the meal.
Recent sides have included apple coleslaw, gouda grits, and a southern potato salad that evoked
a summer vacation in my childhood spent at a picnic table with my grandmother.
All in all, we're convinced locals and visitors alike will be lined up to dive into Bare Roots'
summer Sunday Brunch this season. Our advice is to go early, sit on the patio, and make plans
to take your time. Find out who the musician is. Strike up a conversation with your neighbors.
Wave goodbye. Hold the door for the next person headed in. Oh, and order that potato salad. ◼
35

THEIR MARK
Momstrosity takes the nation by storm as a voice for healthy communities and foster care
MAKING

Stephanie Hollifield and Eliza Morrill are local
next door neighbors who became best friends
nearly five years ago when they bonded over a
series of shared interests. Their mutual desire
for life lived well in community led them to create
Momstrosity, one of the fastest growing online
communities for families raising children - biological
or otherwise.
Momstrosity is comprised of a website, social media
channels, and weekly live videos that reach nearly 2
million people a month. Each week, Hollifield and
Morrill sit down together and discuss a range of topics
from potty training to adoption. Their infectious blend
of realism and humor sets them apart from other
brands in their market. In just under a year their
content has been featured on The Today Show, BBC,
Good Morning America, People, The Bump, Ebony, and
PopSugar.
It's not all fun and games, though. Momstrosity is
popular for offering more than the typical articles for
moms. The brand has a depth and substance due to
their shared passion for life lived in healthy
communities, and how that can translate to families
involved with foster care.
Read on to learn more about Momstrosity, how it began,
and the ways Hollifield and Morill hope their work is
changing the narrative around foster care locally and
around the nation.
Q: How did Momstrosity get started?
A: (Stephanie) Eliza moved in next door almost five
years ago. She was childless at the time and I had three
kids.
A: (Eliza) Which was a relatively normal number of
kids…
A: (Stephanie, laughing) It was so normal. Anyway, we
are among the youngest families on the street, so when
Eliza moved in my husband and I were like, “They’re
ours.” We called dibs. So we worked really hard to
become their best friends. Seriously. It was our New
Year’s Resolution one year.
A: (Eliza) …. What?
A: (Stephanie) No, really. It was. You should feel
creeped out and honored.
Anyway, as we started talking with them and getting to know
them, we realized that we had a lot of the same ideas. We
had both wanted to build community for parents. Eliza
started blogging through parenthood which led to our
conversations about foster care opening up.
As we got to be closer friends, we decided we should start a
podcast. We joked about it for years, and then one day Eliza
called and said she'd ordered a microphone from Amazon and
it was on its way.
Q: Seriously? You just ordered a microphone?
A: (Eliza) I mean, yes. But then, we did a little research and
realized that before we started a podcast, we needed a
website and social media pages to direct people to.
And then, we got a little sidetracked by the Kiki Challenge.
Q: Yes, about that…
A: (Stephanie) I can’t watch it now. It’s so terrible. But it was
the only way we were going to get a thousand followers
overnight.
(Eliza) That’s exactly right. And it's exactly what happened.
Q: The video you made is so funny.
A: (Eliza) Well, thanks. I just think it resonated with people
because it was a parody about potty training. Which is the
worst part of parenting toddlers, hands down.
(Stephanie, laughing) Amen. Amen. Amen.
So after the video released, people went a little crazy and we
decided to just put the podcast on the back burner and grow
our website and social media following first.
Q: Are you glad you decided to go that route?
A: (Eliza) Absolutely. I think it was a very good thing for us
because it let us grow and learn valuable lessons about our
brand and our collective voice along the way.
We’re gearing up to launch our podcast this summer, and I
think that if we didn’t have the fan base that we have now, it
would have been very difficult to succeed. I mean, we don’t
know if the podcast will succeed or not, but it definitely has
a much better shot now that we have followers to direct
there to listen.
37

Q: What was your goal with Momstrosity?
A: (Eliza) The whole point of Momstrosity was to form a
community for moms that aren’t making pinwheel
sandwiches in their kid’s lunch box every day. For moms
who love their kids but need some space. And then also on
the flipside of that, we want to show people that families
don’t have to look alike to be families.
We know that foster care and adoption are very scary to
people. We get it. We understand it. But we want to
normalize foster care and shed a light on the need for foster
care. We want people to know that this is a great thing to do.
And not just for the kids - it’s been the best thing we’ve ever
done for our family.
(Stephanie) Yes. I also think it’s important to talk about our
audience. We felt like there was this space on the internet
for the “hot mess mom” where it’s cute to be frazzled.
There’s that, and then there’s the Pinterest mom. We just
felt like we were somewhere in-between. I mean, we are a
mess but we’re not like frazzled mess moms. And we do want
to learn how to do things better - how to feed our kids better,
which sunscreens work best, and anything that can help us
or our kids - but that’s not our lives.
(Eliza) We do a lot of stories and try to create a good mix of
the emotional aspects of motherhood and the hard truths of
things, but also simplifying your life because none of us have
a lot of time. For example, here are “Our Five Favorite Car
Seats This Year” so that you don’t have to find them all
yourself. You know, things that are practical that actually
help people. Instead of something like “Here are Eight Ways
to Make Peas Look Cute on Your Child’s Plate.” Moms need
practical tips that help them out and save them time, and
that’s what we try to share.
(Stephanie) Yes. Our biggest overarching theme is parenting
within community. We just think it’s so important.
Community provides us with so much as parents. The
opportunity to help when we can, get help when we need it,
and share in life along the way.
(Eliza, laughing) It’s true. We say “we’re sister wives without
the sex stuff” - which is funny, but it’s also true. Last week,
I was at the DFCS office with one of my children and I was
going to be late to pick up my twins from school. Without
hesitation, Stephanie was like “I’ll just get them.” I said,
“How?” And she said, “AJ’s home so I’ll go get my kids and
bring the back to my house and then I’ll go get your kids and
bring them back to my house until you get home.” She saved
me.
(Stephanie, laughing) A lot of people say that about me.
(Eliza) No really, we just do that. All of the time. We call
each other and ask if the other needs something from ALDI.
If they do, we just pick it up. Everything doesn’t have to be a
twelve step complicated process. Especially things like that.
Q: That’s amazing. How else do you help each other?
A: (Eliza) I mean, my kids are younger. I have four under
four. Stephanie’s are older. She has a seven, eight and nine
year old. I ask her all of the time, “Is this normal?” It’s just
really nice to have someone in your community who you can
trust and confide in. We know we can always go to each other
with anything. It’s life-changing as a mom to have
community in our lives and we’re passionate about creating
it for other women.
Q: What motivation did you have for joining in this
together?
A: (Eliza) Our families. We’re both foster parents and have
biological children as well. When we go out, people think
we’re a daycare or a school. We really wanted to break down
the barrier and mystery of how our daily lives function with
our families, and with each other.
38

Q: I really believe that your commitment to standing in
that middle ground of motherhood and keeping a sense
of humor is what makes Momstrosity so relatable to so
many women. Is it hard to keep a sense of humor?
A: (Stephanie) Sometimes, it’s easy to get lost in the
“should.” We often spend time thinking about what we
should be doing or what we should or shouldn’t say. What we
do when we get stuck there is to just come back to being who
we are.
Another thing is that we do have a lot of deep, hard issues
that we talk about because we believe so strongly about
them. I think that if you don’t come at topics like that with a
sense of humor and with a commitment to discussing both
sides, you’re going to lose your audience and have potential
for conflict. Our audience knows that we are going to always
admit when we don’t know the answer, that we will make
mistakes, and that we’re committed to hearing both sides of
the discussion every time.
There is so much hard truth on the internet and so many
polarizing conversations that happen all of the time. We want
to present those topics, but not in a way that divides.
(Eliza) Yes. Absolutely. I’d also love to add to what Stephanie
said. I think it’s key for our audience to know that we realize
that each person is going to either love us or hate us, and
we’re not really interested in towing that line. First of all,
because that’s not productive. Second, because we just can’t
constantly worry about things like that. Momstrosity is about
creating community for people who want to have meaningful
conversations. Because our followers run the gamut of origin,
color, family dynamic, and even whether or not they’re
moms or not. We have grandparents in our audience.
Stephanie is right. You can’t just be like, “We need to talk
about…” If you spend your time doing that online, it’s just
not interesting and it’s unproductive. What we try to do is
come at things from an honest perspective, in relationship
with one another, with humility and humor, and we believe
that we’re able to get much farther that way.
Q: Well, there’s no doubt that you’re resonating with
people all over the world. What about locally? What are
your goals for local impact moving forward?
A: (Eliza) I hate to use the phrase “change the narrative”
because it’s overused. But honestly, we really want to help
create a community of moms both on a local and national
level that provides a network of people to help one another
through this season of life.
(Stephanie) We’re also looking into meetups. We have several
cities with a high volume of Momstrosity followers, and we’d
love to select some people to start meetups in those places.
You know, completely laid back, low pressure meetups for
moms who are looking to network.
(Eliza) The other thing is that we’re really trying to get
people more involved in foster care. Many people do not
realize that you don’t have to be a foster family to be
involved. You can become a foster family, but you can also
be a respite family, an emergency care family, or just get
involved locally by supporting families who foster. Even just
taking someone a meal can be an enormous help to a mom
who has a new child in her home.
The biggest goal is to help people realize there’s a lot of
misinformation about foster care. There’s a huge stigma
around it, and a lot of people don't know how much say they
can have about the types of children they parent. Whether
you feel more equipped to parent a toddler or a teen, the
need is there, and there is something everyone can do. Teens
are incredible and are often overlooked because statistically
people would rather parent younger children. However,
there's such a need for teen caregivers, and some people feel
called to help in that way.
Q: What’s the best thing that’s come out of this venture
for you?
A: (Stephanie The most rewarding thing that has happened to
us out of Momstrosity are the incredible number of messages
that we get from families wanting to learn more about foster
care. We’ve gotten many that have said, “We signed up to
become a foster family because of you.”
That’s just a really beautiful thing.
It is the sweetest thing. And it’s happening because they see
us and they see that we are normal. They see that our
children are just children. That in some cases our most high
maintenance kids aren’t necessarily our children from foster
care. At the end of the day, what we want people to see is
that it’s just kids.
We have just published a new resource for people wanting to
get involved with foster care. We hope it will be a great place
to direct people who are considering bringing children into
their home. It really is the best thing we both have ever
done. ◼
39

MOMSTROSITY'S
TOP LOCAL PICKS
Stephanie: Bare Roots Farmacy
1 B E S T B R U N C H
Eliza: Bare Roots
2 L O C A L O R G A N I Z A T I O N
C O N N E C T W I T H M O M S T R O S I T Y
Stephanie: Young Lives
Eliza: Highland Gallerie
3 D A T E N I G H T S P O T
Stephanie: Mabella's
Eliza: Nōnic
Making Their Mark was written by Carrie Beth
Wallace.
All images featured are property of Momstrosity.
4 S P O T T O P L A Y
Stephanie: The dinosaur playground
behind Columbus Public Library
Eliza: Our garden at home.
5 C O F F E E H O U S E
R E A D M O M S T R O S I T Y ' S
P O S T " H O W T O B E C O M E A
F O S T E R P A R E N T " H E R E . > > >
Stephanie: Iron Bank Coffee Company
Eliza: Iron Bank
40

TOP 8 THINGS TO DO AT AMERICA'S NEWEST WHITEWATER PARK
RushSouth

Welcome to Columbus, Georgia where outdoor adventure coexists with urban development. A place where there is
intentional space for fresh air and culture to mingle freely. A destination with a Southern landscape that still feels fresh
and inviting. A place where locals are happy to serve as tour guides, and where developers choose to raise their families.
This is Columbus, Georgia. And it's a place where everybody who's anybody is about to
RushSouth
RushSouth.
Headed here before the crowds? Here are our top 8 things to do at America's newest whitewater park:
RAFT
RushSouth's whitewater park was named "one of the top 12 man-made
adventures on the planet" by USA Today. So what are you waiting for? For the
full experience, we recommend a trip when the water's high, but slower trips
are also available if that's more your speed. Start here to book your trip.
WATCH
With 360° of adventure, there's always something to watch going on at RushSouth.
Settle in on RiverWalk Island to watch rafters and kayakers tackle the rapids, or
head down river for a concert or a show. Not sure what's happening? Check out our
calendar for an updated schedule of what's going while you're here.
PLAY
RushSouth isn't just for grownups. The whitewater park is also home to two play
areas for kids. The Harmony Playground at Woodruff Park is perfect for children
of all ages and has musical instruments to play. Here in the heat of summer? Pack
your swimsuits and head to the splashpad also located at Woodruff Park - just
across the street from our local whitewater outfitter.
Welcome to the only place in the country you can zipline across two state lines.
Book a trip with Blue Heron Adventures to experience their one-of-a-kind ziplining
experience across the Chattahoochee River and back.
FLY
WALK
The Loop at RushSouth is home to more than just outdoor adventure. Culture
abounds here. Mere steps from the RiverWalk are some of the region's top parks,
restaurants, art galleries, and performing arts centers. Interested in catching a little
culture? Check our website for the scoop on what's happening while you're here.
Walkable attractions include Spark Art Park, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts,
the Bo Bartlett Center at Columbus State University, Riverside Theatre, the Coca
Cola Space Science Center, Phenix City Amphitheater, and more!
42

EAT
The Chattahoochee Valley is the origin of some pretty incredible food. Walkable
restaurants include Epic (the only AAA Four Diamond Award winner in the
region), 11th & Bay, Nonic, Country's BBQ, Chili Thai, The Loft, Mabella's,
Smoke Bourbon & BBQ, Ride on Bikes Smoothie & Juice Bar, and more!
DRINK
In addition to fantastic dining, Columbus is home to some of the most popular craft
breweries south of Atlanta. Walk to Chattahoochee Brewing in Phenix City or head
into Uptown to The Cannon. RushSouth also has its own private label brew from
Omaha Brewing Company that's set to be distributed soon. Ask about it at any local
restaurant where alcohol is served.
RELAX
Need to take it easy for awhile? At RushSouth, relaxation is built in. Head to Phenix
City's new hammock park along the RiverWalk or take a S.U.P. Paddleboard Yoga
class. Laid-back evenings are also in store with regular concerts and festivals
happening at night. Can't seem to find a quiet place to sit? Ask around. Locals are
usually happy to help, and can steer you to the closest place to put your feet up. ◼
Connect with RushSouth here.
Story and images by Carrie Beth Wallace
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THE RIVERWALK
_________________________________________________________________________
THE RIVERWALK
WOODRUFF PARK
GET TO KNOW
" THE LOOP "
PARK
14TH STREET PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
RushSouth
SPARK
ART
THE
PARK
RAPIDS
13TH STREET BRIDGE
EAGLE &
POWERHOUSE
PHENIX
CHATTAHOOCHEE
EVENT SPACE
BREWERY
TO BROADWAY
RIVERWALK
ISLAND
S.U.P.
GEORGIA
ALABAMA
YOGA
FISHIN
G
BLUE HERON
ZIPLINE
ROPES
COURSE
PLAYGROUND
________________________________________________________________________________
WHITEWATER
OUTFITTER
BLUE HERON
ZIPLINE
SPLASHPAD
CSU
RIVERSIDE
HAMMOCK PARK
THEATRE
THE BO
BARTLETT
FLYFISHING
CENTER
PHENIX CITY
DILLINGHAM BRIDGE
AMPHITHEATRE
TO RIVERCENTER FOR
THE PERFORMING ARTS
44
MAP © THE COLUMBUSITE

2019
JUNE 23-29
SCHWOB
MUSIC FESTIVAL

he Schwob Summer Music Festival provides an immersive musical environment for wind, brass, percussion, voice
and guitar students. Open to students ages 14-18, the festival's enrollment has increased dramatically for its second
Tyear. The intense program is intended to assist its students in their preparation for college auditions and beyond.
Features include one private lesson per participant, daily masterclasses, access to Schwob School of Music's renowned
faculty, chamber ensemble rehearsals and coaching, participation in wind ensemble, choir, or guitar orchestra. It also offers
workshops on musician wellness, exploratory classes on entrepreneurship, musicianship, world drumming, and conducting,
vocal workshops, collaborative activities, and festival performances.
Students have the option to either participate as residential campers or day campers. Residential students' tuition includes
housing and three meals a day, while day campers' tuition includes lunch and dinner. Faculty instructors are as follows: Dr.
Andree Martin (flute), Dr. Susan Tomkiewicz (oboe) Dr. Lisa Oberlander (clarinet), Dr. Stephanie Patterson (bassoon), Dr.
Joseph Girard (saxophone), Dr. Robert Murray (trumpet), Dr. Natalie Brooke Higgins (horn), Dr. Bradley Palmer (trombone),
Mr. Bernard Flythe (tuba/euphonium), Dr. Paul Vaillancour (percussion), Dr. Jamie Nix (wind ensemble director), Dr.
Michelle Folta (voice), Dr. Michelle Debruyn (voice), Dr. Ianthe Marini (choir director), Dr. Andrew Zohn (guitar & guitar
orchestra director,) and Mr. Michael Gratovich (guitar).
Festival performances will take place in Legacy Hall at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in Uptown Columbus. For
more information, call 706 - 641 -5124 or visit the festival's website here. ◼
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