Spring Home & Garden 2021

— SPRING —
HOME & GARDEN
2021
FREE!

PUBLISHED BY
Houston Publications, Inc.
1210 Washington Street
P.O. Box 1910
Perry, GA 31069
Phone: 478-987-1823
www.hhjonline.com
Houston Home Journal
PUBLISHER
Cheri Adams
cadams@hhjnews.com
Advertising
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Lori Kovarovic
lorik@hhjnews.com
Nathan Mathis
nmathis@hhjnews.com
Staff Writers
MANAGING EDITOR
Kendra Norman Holmes
kholmes@hhjnews.com
Amira Bevill
abevill@hhjnews.com
Tyler Meister
tylerm@hhjnews.com
Creative
ADVERTISING DESIGN
Kayley Trischan
production@hhjnews.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Ashley Eberhardt
ashleywe@georgiaprinters.com
Contents
COLORFUL REMINDERS THAT
LIFE IS STILL BEAUTIFUL
6
“LET ME BE PART OF YOUR
FAMILY STORY”
14
STAY BUSY FOR ANOTHER
AT-HOME SPRING SEASON
20
WELLSTON DECORATING
CENTER: MAKING THE
WORLD MORE BEAUTIFUL
24
Spring 2021
3

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Colorful reminders that
life is still beautiful
By: Kendra Norman Holmes
HHJ Managing Editor
“When I was a little girl at my grandmother’s house, I would
see flowers. My grandmother and my mother both loved
them. When I saw all the beautiful colors, I fell in love with
them too. My planting started in my mother’s yard, and
in my grandmother’s yard. I remember all the times when
people would come by and say, ‘Oh, what a beautiful yard!’”
Perry resident, Eula Fluellen is now 75 years old, and her
love for flowers has not diminished in the least. If anything,
it has blossomed … pun intended.
Born in Henderson, an unincorporated community in
Houston County that is about eight
miles south of Perry, Fluellen is the
second of 13 children born to her
parents. She is the only one among
them, however, that embraced the
generational love for buds and blooms
to the degree that her mother and
grandmother did.
“I think my other brothers and sisters
love flowers too, but they probably
just think this is just too much work,”
Fluellen said. “It’s definitely a lot of
work, but when I look at the beauty of
what comes out of the work, it’s worth
it for me.”
Fluellen said that these days, she’s pretty much a “homebody,”
but inside the home is not where you’ll most likely find her.
She is outside in her yard as much as possible, doing what
she does best.
“They had contests where I lived,” she further recalled. “They
judged who had the most beautiful yard in Henderson, and
my grandmother and mother would always win.”
Fluellen said that she started out with marigolds and
zinnias because that was all that her family had access to at
the time. Each year, she would pick the seeds, let them dry
out, and then plant again the next year.
“Then I remember that there was this lady who had some
pretty flowers that I didn’t know anything about,” she
shared. “I just loved those flowers, so I asked her for some
seeds, and she actually gave them to me. I planted those
flowers everywhere I could until the day my grandmother
said, ‘Don’t you dig up any more of my yard. We’ve got
enough flowers!’” Fluellen said through laughter.
Now, in her own home and with her own well-manicured
yard, there is no limit to her planting.
During spring and summer, her lawn,
which can easily be seen on the side of
Highway 341 in Perry, is filled with
the vibrate colors that only flowers
can bring.
“My husband has asked when I’m
going to stop adding to the beds, but
there’s no such thing as having too
many flowers,” she insisted. “The more
flowers I plant, the less grass he has to
mow; that’s what I say.”
Fluellen is the mother of four
children—two sons and two daughters.
Of them, her oldest daughter seems to
appreciate flowers the most, but whether or not Alfreda
would ever take her appreciation to the level of her mother’s
remains to be seen.
Daylilies are Fluellen’s favorites. She has about 2,000 of
them blooming each season. Much of how to care for and
manage her massive collection came through “learningby-doing,”
but she also learned a lot from connecting with
others who share her passion.
“I think it was in 1992 that I joined a daylily club. We would
Spring 2021
7

meet once a month and discuss how to care for daylilies. I
also learned some things from going on the internet and
getting tips from hybridizers. You can learn a lot from
them,” she pointed out.
Hybridizers are people who cross-breed plants, and one
of these individuals would make an appearance every few
months at the daylily meetings. Fluellen is a member of
two groups: the Middle Georgia Club and The Heart of
Georgia. The latter holds its monthly meetings in her home.
Since COVID, however, the meetings have been placed on
hold. While members have voiced the desire to return to
in-person meetings, Fluellen, having had her own personal
experience with the disease, is not quite ready.
“I suffered with COVID back in December,” she divulged.
“It started with a headache and a sore throat. I didn’t think
anything about having COVID, I was just treating it like
you’d treat any other headache and sore throat. Next thing
I knew, I lost my sense of smell. I was cooking chitterlings
and couldn’t smell them. I knew something was wrong
then,” she said, laughing.
The next day, she lost her sense of taste and soon was having
a feeling of pressure in her chest and back. Although she
got quite ill in the process, in hindsight, Fluellen realizes
how blessed she is. She was never hospitalized and was
never placed on a ventilator in spite of the fact that her
lungs were affected. She knows that many people in her age
group that contracted the coronavirus didn’t live to share
their experience.
“It could have been worse,” she remarked. “I’m thankful.”
Fluellen received the second COVID immunization
shots at the end of February. Even though she’s been
duly inoculated, she still has some lingering issues
from having had the disease. With the month of March
comes the first day of spring, and like any flower enthusiast,
Fluellen is ready to get out in her yard full speed ahead.
She’ll have to take it one day at a time, though. Her physician
has ordered required rest and recuperation, but Fluellen is
on the mend and is already making small strides to ensure
that her crop of flowers is as plentiful and beautiful as ever
this year.
“I plant daylilies throughout the year except for the months
of July and August because those months are too hot. I love
annuals. I plant salvia, SunPatiens, marigolds, zinnias—
just a variety. When they bloom, you see all sorts of colors.
They are like colorful reminders that in spite of everything
going on around us, life is still beautiful,” she stated.
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When Fluellen’s yard is in full bloom, awed passersby will
stop their cars in the middle of the road to capture photos
of the majesty. She shared that buses of people have come
by to look at her collection.
Her passion has also converted into a source of income.
Each year, people from miles around come to her home to
purchase flowers that they take back to their own homes to
plant or re-pot.
When asked for advice that she would give to a newbie
who was interested in planting their own personal flower
garden, Fluellen recommended her favorite.
“Daylilies—that’s the place to start,” she assured. “They
are not hard to grow at all. When I plant my daylilies, I
mix soil conditioner and potting soil together, using half
potting soil and half soil conditioner. I mix them together
until they’re well blended. Then, I dig a hole about 12 inches
down and pour the dirt halfway in the hole. I take some
fertilizer—I use Nutricote fertilizer 365 days out of the
year—and I sprinkle some in the hole and put dirt on top
of that. Then I mound the hole up, and I spread the roots
of the daylily over that mound. Then I fill it in with the
remaining soil and pack it. Once you get through planting,
you water it. Daylilies do need to be watered regularly to
keep the soil moist, but that’s it.”
For those that want to give it a try, Fluellen recommends
the last of March or the beginning of April as the time
to start planting daylilies. She said that planting can
be done through June; however, whatever isn’t planted
by that time should wait until September and October
because temperatures in the months of July and August
are too high. It’s important to note that once November
arrives, the soil starts to become too cold for planting. All
daylilies should be in the ground at least six weeks prior to
cold weather.
Spring 2021
9

.
We want
to help start
your story.
Every flower in the yard fondly known as “Eula’s Roadside Garden,” has a
name and is clearly marked as such. The hybridizers from which she buys
them for planting in her yard are the ones responsible for giving the plants
their unique identities. What’s remarkable is that some of them are named in
Fluellen’s honor, including “The Remarkable Eula Fluellen” and one simply
named “Eula.”
Almost all of the work done in her massive flower garden is carried out by
Fluellen alone. From the planting and fertilizing to the weeding and watering.
She’s even the one to dig up plants
that customers purchase.
“I’m 75 years old,” she said looking
out into her yard of plants that are
just weeks away from blooming.
“I’ve been doing this since the 90s,
so it’s been over 30 years. I’ve been
in the business of selling them for
probably about 10 years now. This
is what keeps me active. This is
my longevity.”
Bonnie “Michelle”
SMith, eSq.
DOinG What is
riGht anD Fair
alWays Matters.
even When
nO One is
lOOkinG.
• Real Estate Closings
• Real Estate Litigation
• Business Corporation, LLC,&
Non-Profit Organization
• Probate Administration,
Wills, & Trusts
• State and Federal Appeals
• Employment Discrimination
• Professional License Issues
for Doctors and Attorneys
Hannah
(478) 953-3661
P.O. BOx 8633
Warner rOBins, Ga 31095
bonniemichellesmith.com
10 www.hhjonline.com

Locally Owned and Operated
LOCALLY OWNED
HARDWARE | NURSERY
GARDEN CENTER | ANIMALS
602 GA-247, Bonaire, GA | 478-923-9707
At Houston Hardware & Garden Center
LLC, we provide that charming “small
town” feel when you’re looking for
quick hardware items. No need to
bother with any big retailers. We’re
conveniently located right on Hwy
247 South in Bonaire, GA. We have
been happily serving the Bonaire and
surrounding community for over 30
years. Our store has been family owned
and operated since 1982. We offer a “price match promise,” as we’ll gladly
match anyone’s prices for the same items. We believe in supporting local
small businesses.
While checking out our well-stocked nursery, be sure to ask our expert
staff for any plant, flower or tree advice. Our stock changes by season,
especially our nursery items & we stock all the freshest garden seed,
flowers and fertilizers. You can also find all the useful garden tools like
trimmers and shovels to make your garden the most beautiful in Houston
County.
We also supply deer seed for hunting purposes, along with live bait.
We also have live chicks for sale and have a large supply to choose from.
All of our animals and animal products
depend on the season, so please give us a
call to see what we currently have in the
store.
We take small businesses very seriously,
and treat all of our customers like
family. Stop by today and see why we’re
everyone’s favorite one-stop shop in
Bonaire, GA.
We’re here to help and serve you!
478-922-1410
Protectors Of Health & Property
For Over 45 Years!
Locally Owned And Operated.
107 Westcliff Blvd.
Warner Robins
Spring 2021
11

12 www.hhjonline.com
Middle Georgia’s
Newest
Bad Boy Dealer!!!

5 Tips to Crown Your Lawn King of Spring!
Those winter chills are finally history and it’s time to
focus on outdoor fun again. Your lawn is the perfect
spot for family gatherings, sports competitions,
barbecues and relaxing afternoons, so why not make it
the best it can be? Before your calendar fills up, apply
these five tips and your lawn will be in great shape for
the entire season.
1. Clean up. Whether it was packed under the snow or
blown in by the wind, the winter season leaves more
than its fair share of debris behind. Grab a rake and get
started raking up all of this garbage. Once the lawn is
clean, apply a thin layer – about a quarter-inch thick –
of compost to give your lawn a boost and start it in the
right direction.
2. Reseed the bare patches. Your travels around
your lawn to rake up debris will probably reveal some
bare patches. If you do happen upon a patch of barren
ground, loosen the top 2-4 inches. Level the soil with
your garden rake and cover the area with a mixture of
grass seed and fertilizer. You could also replace the
fertilizer with compost. Pat the surface with the flat end
of the rake when finished to ensure the seed remains in
place. Water as necessary.
3. Aerate your lawn. Aerating allows oxygen, water
and other nutrients to reach your grass’s roots, and it’s
one of the best things you can do to support your lawn.
Travel across your yard with a manual or gas-powered
aerator, punching holes in the ground. Make sure to pass
over each area only once. After you’ve finished aerating,
spread compost, fertilizer or peat moss over your
yard. The fertilizer will be absorbed quickly through the
holes created by the aeration.
4. It’s time to mow. Optimal grass length is 2.5-3.5
inches, so cut your grass as frequently as needed to
achieve this length without cutting more than a third of
each grass blade. Mowing high and often will produce
a heartier lawn that is more adept at keeping weeds
away, as well as making it less susceptible to heat and
drought. The new Z200 series of residential zero-turn
riding mowers from Husqvarna (change hyper link to
dealership URL for Z200) handles your mowing duties
in a snap. The Z200 zero-turn platform features
SmartSwitch technology that gives you one-touch steering,
real-time feedback and keyless security so you can
mow the lawn quickly and enjoyably every time.
5. Add color and contrast. Landscaping adds immediate
scenic interest to your space and allows you to
showcase your creativity as well. If you choose to add
annuals or perennials to your space, plant them in odd
numbers and in tiny pockets around the yard – this
produces a more natural appearance. You can also add a
centerpiece to your yard, such as a sculpture, fountain,
fire pit or horseshoe pit. Any of these focal points provides
a gathering place and an excuse to enjoy relaxing
afternoons on your beautiful lawn all season long.
To learn more about Husqvarna and the Z200 series of
zero-turn mowers, visit Husqvarna Arrowhead Tool &
Equipment Co. on Facebook or www.arrowheadtec.com.
Spring 2021
13

“ Let me be part of
your family story.”
By: Amira Bevill
HHJ Staff Writer
Buying a home, especially the first one, is one of the
biggest milestones in a person’s life. Finding the perfect
home to place your roots is no easy decision, but it can be
exciting and an incredible learning experience when you
have the right Realtor® to fit your needs. Buying a home
usually requires dozens of legal forms, numerous reports,
required disclosures, and other technical documents. A
knowledgeable Realtor® will help you negotiate the best
deal and avoid delays or costly mistakes and provide the
professional help needed for the next phase of your life.
One of our local Realtors® is Amanda Fiebig. She is the
owner and broker for AF Realty Group in Perry and serves
all of Middle Georgia. Fiebig began her journey of real
estate in Colorado while serving in the Air Force. Being
a paralegal at the time, she came across the opportunity
to work for a development company that was building
single family, multi-family sub-divisions and commercial
properties. She became intrigued with the whole process
and soon became a part owner of the development, real
estate, mortgage and closing/title company.
In 2013 she made the decision to be closer to family and
moved to Georgia to plant her roots for her family and
her new business. Other than her surrounding family
being a large factor with the location of the move, Fiebig
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also considered several advantageous opportunities in the
middle Georgia area, specifically in Houston County.
Falling in love with middle Georgia, Fiebig shared, “One
of the biggest things I saw here in Houston County was
how friendly everyone is, the affordability of housing, low
cost of living and the great education system.”
The Fiebigs made Perry their home base and have loved
every moment since moving here. Being close to Warner
Robins and the Robins Air Force Base, Fiebig felt a
familiar sense of community in the military town. “After
you serve, there is always going to be a soft spot in your
heart where you miss wearing the uniform and being
part of that community. In real estate, however, I feel so
blessed that I can help so many families and I really feel
like I’m still getting to serve, just in a different capacity.
And with the base being right here, it still feels like home,”
Fiebig explained.
Being involved, serving, and providing a helping hand to
other businesses and families encapsulates the heart of
Fiebig and AF Realty Group. She attributes much of the
success of AF Realty Group to the community they serve.
“We wouldn’t have the success we have had without the
great support from the community. They refer business to
us, they are a part of our family, and so we always love to
give back.”
AF Realty Group works to educate the client so that
they know what to expect through the whole process.
Guiding clients in how to make beneficial financial
decisions, Fiebig believes that figuring out the financing
piece is the next step before looking at homes as many may
not initially realize what all to consider. She shared, “I
help them look at their total costs in purchasing the home
because there are some cost you might not be aware of such
as home inspection cost, appraisal fees, closing costs that
the lender is going to charge, HOA fees, local and state
fees, taxes and attorney cost for closing the home. You
just want to make sure that you’re fully aware of all the
financial commitments.”
Such a monumental decision for the client is not taken
lightly by Fiebig or the Realtors® with AF Realty Group.
Working so closely together with their clients helps
establish a bond that she describes as truly feeling a part
of each individual story. “One thing you’ll hear us say all
the time is to let me be a part of your family story. We get
to spend so much time together, whether you are buying or
selling a home, we get to know the family and the children
and the dog and the cat. Really, you truly do become part
of that family story and it is an exciting time for everyone,”
Fiebig explained. Sharing in that excitement, celebrating
the milestones, and creating relationships is the heartsong
As for AF Realty Group, they strive to provide the best
customer service possible. Confident that they can meet
every need of their clients, they prioritize spending time
to listen and understand what each specific client wants,
staying knowledgeable on the latest trends in the market,
and work to stay educated to provide top quality service.
Fiebig shared that their company creed is, “Service is not
what we do but who we are.”
In order to better serve their clientele, she explains that
communication is key. Between the extensive list of
documents and requirements involved in a real estate deal
at the local, state, and federal level, navigating through the
information and relaying it clearly is an important part of
a Realtor’s® job. Since there are so many moving parts to
buying and selling a home, AF Realty Group works to
keep their clients educated and feeling secure throughout
the process. “It is really important that the buyer feels
comfortable with everybody involved,” Fiebig stated. “Once
you get started you will have your Realtor®, your loan officer,
your home inspector, the closing attorney’s office, different
contractors that you are working with if repairs have to be
done with the home, the listing agent, the seller... It’s pretty
incredible when you look at the number of people that are
involved in just a single transaction.”
Spring 2021
15

of the company as they wind up sharing the same goals
with their clients.
With the past year’s pandemic, adjusting to the learning
curve of keeping virtual all while staying personable was
one of the challenges
that many faced. Being
an optimist and seeing
the silver linings of
how the pandemic has
forced businesses to
take new and creative
approaches to serve
their clients, Fiebig
explained how video
has really changed the
game for Realtors®
across the board.
However, serving many
military families, AF
Realty Group had the
upper hand with some
experience with virtual showings to military members and
families moving to the area from out of the state or country.
“We realized that the videos actually show the home better
than the pictures. You can see the layout better. There are
things that we don’t always see in the photographs. When
you’re walking through, you sometimes just see the main
areas of the home.” The video world has been beneficial for
people to rely on as a point of reference and has also helped
eliminate unnecessary showing activity and minimized
exposure to buyers
and sellers. Fiebig
plans to continue the
practice even when the
pandemic is long gone
and hopes others will
do the same.
According to Fiebig,
finding the perfect
home starts with
finding the perfect
Realtor®. Finding the
Realtor® that best fits
your needs can launch
the whole process of
then walking through
the many steps and procedures to achieve your dream.
Realtors® are preparing potential homebuyers on multioffer
situations and how to approach what they are calling
a “seller’s market’ due to the low inventory of homes and
16 www.hhjonline.com

interest rates that are at historical lows. Locating a lender
to assist you in your financial endeavors becomes key.
Realtors® work with so many lenders and can recommend
successful and customer-oriented lenders that understand
this market and timelines, thus kickstarting the next steps.
Fiebig’s advice for buyers and sellers alike can help the
experience run smoother, and safer.
For Buyers:
• A Realtor® can help take the guesswork out of trying
to buy a home and will represent you and your interest.
They can even help you purchase a home listed for sale
by owner.
• Be clear about the type of home style you are looking
for and your wants and needs
• Be sure to look at homes within your budget -- not
over -- not in this market
• Limit the demands in the offer -- it is a seller’s market
• Be willing to allow the seller temporary occupancy
after closing if needed
• Offering shorter due diligence periods in your offer
is helpful
• Ask your loan officer about the ability for family to
give gift funds to help with closing costs if needed
• Get pre-approved before asking to see a property
For Sellers:
• A Realtor® can guide you through all the forms,
disclosures and technical documents to avoid
costly mistakes
• A Realtor® has the best reach to advertise your home
• A Realtor® has the best way to market your home
• Prepare your home to show its best qualities
• Declutter, take down any personal effects
• Maybe store excess furniture and household goods in
a storage facility
“We created AF Realty Group to serve you by being your
best resource for real estate services in the Middle Georgia
area! Our dedicated team is the highest educated and has
the highest standards of customer centric and dedicated
service. You will not be disappointed. We have countless
exceptional endorsements from loyal clients who not only
come back but recommend us to their family and friends.
We will not be happy until you are happy!”
– Amanda Fiebig
Save big on our #1 selling* compact tractors,
featuring the versatility to handle every job
and a wide range of performance-matched
attachments. Stop in for a demo today.
912 JERNIGAN ST
PERRY, GA 31069
478-987-1173
www.walkerrhodestractor.com
Walker Rhodes Tractor Co.
Spring 2021
17

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ALFA INSURANCE NAMES
AGENT JEREMY LASSETER AGENT OF THE YEAR
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alfa Insurance Agent Jeremy Lasseter of
Warner Robins was recently honored with the 2020 Agent of the Year
Award for Georgia during the company’s annual awards ceremony. He
also received the Top Commercial Producer Award, the Top Property
Producer Award, and the Distinguished Service Award – Gold Level.
The ceremony, held Feb. 25 at the Renaissance in Montgomery,
recognized Alfa’s best agents and managers for their dedicated service
and commitment to policyholders.
Lasseter has served as an Alfa agent since July 2017. He represents the
company’s full line of insurance for auto, home, life and business.
Lasseter and his wife, April, are the proud parents of two boys— Austin
and Cameron.
Alfa and its affiliates provide insurance and other financial services to
nearly 1 million customers in 11 states. Learn more at AlfaInsurance.com.
From left are Alfa Insurance President Jimmy Parnell,
April Lasseter and Agent Jeremy Lasseter.
Let Us Light Up
Your Home
This Spring!
Southern Lighting has been serving middle
Georgia since May, 1987. They have more
than 2,500 light fixtures and ceiling fans
on display. There is also a nice selection of
framed mirrors, pictures, lamps and floor
lamps. So whether you are looking for one
special light or a whole house full including
recessed down lighting, smoke detectors or
doorbells, Southern Lighting can help with
all your lighting needs.
478.929.0624
If you’re building a new home or remodelling
an existing one, you have already discovered
how many decisions there are to make regarding
your lighting and lighting fixtures.
There are several highly skilled professional
lighting consultants who are trained to help
you make your selection of lighting fixtures.
Their goal is to continue to offer thousands of quality lighting products and cutting edge customer service at highly competitive prices. For more
information about Southern Lighting, you are invited to visit their Showroom Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Please check out their website Southernlightingga.com
or visit their store at 2508 Moody Road, Warner Robins, GA 31088.
Spring 2021
19

20 www.hhjonline.com

Stay busy
for another
at-home
spring season
By: Tyler Meister
HHJ Staff Writer
Springtime comes with the promise of potential. It comes
in on a warm wind, cooling rains and hopeful hearts. In the
spring, we have cookouts, egg hunts and tax days (though
we don’t have to talk about that last one). But more than
that, most prevalent in the promises of spring, is that of
rebounding life.
The grass turns greens, the trees bud and flowers bloom.
Crops are planted with dreams of a bountiful harvest and
fruits begin to grow, hopefully to a bursting ripeness. Now
is a time of planting. Now is the time for gardens.
However, we also need to keep in mind the times. This
will be the world’s second spring amidst a pandemic, and
regulations and guidelines haven’t shifted too severely. The
common pillar of it all? Stay away from people. Stay six feet
apart. Don’t collect in big groups. All very good rules to
abide by in the world we live in right now.
Luckily, gardening isn’t a group project, although it
certainly can be. The green thumb’s retreat doesn’t require
a large workforce; it’s not a pastime that necessitates the use
of many hands. It simply requires one person who’s willing
to get a little dirty, who has a bit of patience and care about
them, and who has a bit of time to look after the seeds they
sow. It’s a perfect activity for someone stuck at home due to
Spring 2021
21

a pandemic. Some may even consider it therapeutic.
Tim Lewis, owner and operator of Lewis Farms Nursery
in Elko, Georgia, is one of those people. Lewis was born
and raised in Elko, where he learned to grow various
flowers and crops with his grandparents. He then went
on to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College,
where he received his degree in Agriculture, and then
moved on the University of Georgia, where he received his
degree in Agricultural Economics. After receiving his
degrees, Lewis returned home and took a job at his high
school alma mater. Lewis taught Agriculture at Perry High
School for 13 years, and then worked with the United
States Department of Agriculture at the Byron Experiment
Station for the next three years. After his time there, he
began his business, Lewis Farms Nursery, full time.
Needless to say, Lewis can be considered an expert on the
topic of growing gardens.
With spring coming, Lewis said it’s a good time for some
pre-planting upkeep. Trim hedges back now and prune
any flowers and shrubs, as long as they don’t bloom in
the early spring. Gardeners can begin getting a layout for
any new gardens put together as well. Lewis mentioned
that now is a good time to ahead and fertilize gardens
too. Also, consider building raised beds for plants.
These will allow the soil to stay nice and loose, which
helps the plants’ roots, but also makes it far easier for water
to seep into the soil. Additionally, it assists in making
sure that the ground soil is a good temperature to start
growing in.
Once that’s all done and spring has really hit its stride,
once the grass has hit a “green-up,” as Lewis put it, flower
gardeners can really start planting.
“You’ve got your annuals,” Lewis began. These are flowers
that live and grow for one season, but then die toward the
end. It includes beautiful, though temporary, flowers like
petunias, marigolds and begonias. “That’s the good thing
about annuals, they have a long bloom period.” These
flowers will bloom in the spring and through the summer
until fall.
In opposition of that are perennials. Flowers in this category
need to be planted only once, and they will consistently
bloom each year. This attribute can be found in flowers like
lilies and gaillardias
But Lewis pointed out that before you can even begin
planting, you have to consider the ground you’re planting
in. “Soil, from a gardener’s standpoint, is really your most
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precious resource,” Lewis said. To keep the soil healthy and
nutritious, planters should avoid chemicals and insecticides
as best as they can. These things are unavoidable due to
various insects like aphids and spider mites, but Lewis
stressed, “As much as you can, stay away from your severe,
dangerous chemicals.”
Another good way of putting some nutrients back into the
soil is to plant something called a “cover crop” in the offseason.
This, according to Lewis, is something like wheat
or rye grass that is planted in the fall and left through the
winter and into spring. It stops the soil from being eroded
away, and when mowed out or tilled up, it will bring
nutrients back to the soil for spring garden plants.
Watering, or course is another concern; however, based
on information shared by Lewis, unless there’s a drought,
planters shouldn’t have to worry.
Finally, another consistent concern for any gardener is
the appearance of bugs. They’ll eat budding sprouts and
destroy roots. They will also lay eggs in crops to ruin them
to waste. Insecticides, unfortunately, are a necessary evil.
Use them as instructed, but those with harsher chemicals
should be avoided. One tip that Lewis shared that he’s used
personally is to put an electric bug zapper above the garden.
This will keep most flying bugs out anything that may
be planted.
This year, much like last year, there’s a good chance that
people will be spending more time at home. It’s a good
opportunity to go outside, do a little home improvement
and build a flower garden. It may take some work, a bit of
patience and some luck too, but it will all be worth it in the
end when gardeners look out into their yards and see the
results of what they’ve sewn.
We do custom seeding!
We do wholesale & retail!
Annuals
Angelonia
Dragon Wing Begonias
Coleus
Crossandra
Geranium
Impatiens
Sweet Potato Vine
Vinca
Perennials
Angel Trumpets
Armeria
Calendula
Coreopsis
Dianthus
Gaura
Gaillardia
Heuchera
Hosta
Candytuft
Lavender
Shasta Daisy
Creeping Jenny
Bee Balm
Phlox
Salvia
Verbascum
Verbena
Veronica
Baskets
Calibrachoa
Sweet Potato Vine
Petunia
Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Boston Ferns
Geranium
Vegetables
Eggplant
Pepper (22 varieties)
Tomatoes (30 varieties)
Cucumbers
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Summer Squash
Zucchini
Winter Squash
Herbs
Basil
Cilantro
Dill
Chives
Lemon Balm
Peppermint
Spearmint
Lemon Grass
Oregano
Parsley
Stevia
Thyme
Rosemary
Sage
830 Hwy 26 East, Elko, GA | 478-954-1507 | www.lewisfarmnursery.com
Spring 2021
23

WELLSTON
DECORATING CENTER:
Making the world more beautiful
By: Kendra Norman Holmes
HHJ Managing Editor
For nearly 35 years, Wellston Decorating Center, located at
2405 Moody Road in Warner Robins, has been a one-stop
source for citizens of Houston County who wish to decorate
their new home or modify the look of their current place
of residence for an updated appearance. And for the past
few years, three women have worked as a team to meet the
needs of an ever-growing and ever-changing community.
Interior Designers Tara Gilpin and Megan Crosier have
been at Wellston since 2017 while Audrey Pietersen joined
the team as a Hunter Douglas Window Consultant in 2018.
Although Wellston has been doing business in middle
Georgia since 1986, the public is still learning the value
and convenience that it brings to the community.
“There are still a lot of people who think we just do flooring,”
Gilpin shared. “They will tell us that they’ve driven by our
store for 20 years and never knew we did all this.”
The “all this” that Gilpin referred to includes almost every
interior need that a homeowner or renter could ever imagine.
From the kitchen and the bathroom to the bedroom and the
living room, Wellston has services and products to offer.
“If you want to remodel your home and get new window
treatments, Audrey can assist you with that,” Gilpin said.
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“If you want to change your kitchen, your bathroom and
your flooring, then Megan and I will work on that together
with you. Megan will draw up the plans, and she and I will
help you choose the best colors. We’ll help you from your
knobs to your lighting to your floors to your countertops.
We’re not just flooring. We do it all from start to finish—
from the floor up.”
Crosier agreed wholeheartedly. “We just about do
everything when it comes to decorating or redecorating. I’m
that person who goes out and does a measure for a kitchen
or a bathroom. I’ll come back here, get on my computer
and do the renderings and the floor plans based off of that
information. Then depending on what stage we’re on in
the process, I’ll go and present those to the person who is
interested in having the work done.”
For all three women, one of the best feelings about
working in a store that offers such a variety of products and
professional insight is the confidence of knowing they can
meet the client’s needs. Each has the benefit of being able
to point a client to another individual within Wellston that
can accommodate, versus having to send them to another
company because they don’t offer the needed product or
the service.
“If they’re looking for help in respect to floors, counters,
backsplash or lighting, Megan or I can take care of that,”
Gilpin said. “If they want anything done that deals with
covering windows, we can pass them to Audrey.”
“My primary responsibility here is to sell window treatments
to people,” Pietersen explained. “The best part about doing
what I do is that I love it. There is nothing really normal
about my days. Every day is a new one.”
Recommending and selling window treatments is both an
inside and an outside job for Pietersen. It keeps her on the
go and makes her days interesting and rewarding.
“I make appointments to go to people’s homes. I get to go
where they live and see what they see and want to make
changes to. I measure their windows so that I can give them
the best suggestions.”
Face-to-face meetings with the public are a normal part of
what the ladies at Wellston do. Not only does it allow them
to establish a sense of trust with the clients, but it also lets
them build relationships with those that they serve.
“I’m a people-person, so one of the things I like most about
this job is that I get to work directly with people in general,”
Gilpin noted. “I love making their space beautiful. My
mother is an interior designer, so I feel like I was born into
this. I used to go to work with her and go on jobs with her.
In the beginning, I said, ‘Oh my gosh, I would never do
that,’ and now I can’t imagine a life of not doing it. The
people we get to meet are great.”
Pietersen mentioned that sometimes the clients come to her
at the store first. For walk-in clients such as those, she gets
to take them around the store and talk about what window
treatments they like, and then she makes an appointment to
meet them at their home where she’ll measure the windows.
Once the groundwork is done, Pietersen said, “I work up a
price for them and call them with that information. Once
they tell me to go ahead with it, I place the order for their
window treatment.”
Customers may be surprised to know that Pietersen’s
involvement doesn’t have to end there. She is also available
to install the product if the resident desires.
“Almost all of our window treatments are interiors,” she
informed, “and almost all of them will give you some
energy efficiency. Some are better than others, of course.
Honeycomb is the best that they have, and they have been
around for a long time, there are newer styles now that look
very nice with a modern feel. Whatever the client is looking
for, chances are, we have it, and I’m the one who gets to
show it to them.”
Spring 2021
25

COVID-19 is a subject matter that can’t be ignored. It has
made a major impact on businesses. Most of what we hear
about the way the pandemic has affected industry has been
negative, but the testimony that Wellston shares is different.
“Our business has definitely increased,” Crosier revealed.
“Yes,” Pietersen agreed. “The volume here has been
much higher.”
“It’s because so many people spend more time at home now,”
Gilpin explained. “They’re looking around at what they
have and saying, ‘We really need to update that bathroom’
or ‘Let’s knock that wall out and change our kitchen’ or ‘The
kids have worn out the carpet; let’s get brand new carpet.’
We have been slammed busy. We’ve been very blessed in
this time.”
“Blessed” is how they also feel about their working
relationship. The bond the women share is easily detectable
as you watch them interact. Their affiliation is greater than
just that of typical co-workers. They like each other, they
work well together, they get one another’s input on work
projects, each one challenges the other’s creativity and they
do all they can to help one another succeed.
Separately, Gilpin Crosier and Pietersen they are highly
gifted in their specialties, but together, they share an
unmatched chemistry that allows them to deliver their
best work to even the most finicky shoppers. Like most
client-driven businesses, Wellston, too, has had its difficult
customers, but Gilpin said they have mastered the secret to
winning them over.
“We look at them and smile and give it everything we’ve
got!” she exclaimed while laughing along with her team
members. “We’re Wellston Decorating Center,” Gilpin
went on to say. “We’ve been in business for over 30 years.
This is what we do, and we only do it the right way. We’re
here to make the world more beautiful.”
Looking To Retire?
Ask about our Senior Community at Houston Springs!
Jane Nutt-McCullough
Broker/Realtor
(229) 322-8741
(478) 988-8850
nuttjr@sowega.net
www.southerndynamicrealty.com
26 www.hhjonline.com

Spring 2021
27

Wellston Decorating Center
INTERIOR DESIGN
WINDOW
FASHION
PAINT
BATHROOM
DESIGN
FLOOR
COVERINGS
WE DO IT ALL!
KITCHEN
DESIGN
478-929-0395
2405 MOODY ROAD, WARNER ROBINS
www.wellstondecoratingcenter.com
28 www.hhjonline.com

Wellston Decorating Center
HOME OF SERVICE
Before
Window Treatments
After
Before
After
Kitchen Remodel
After
Before
Call our Design Team today
for all your remodels!
Call Us: 478-929-0395
Bathroom Remodel
Before After Before After
Spring 2021
29

Move in this Spring!
Jillinda Falen
Lifetime Multi-Million Producer
Estate Liqudation Specialist
CELL: 478-396-4802
OFFICE: 478-224-9980
Call Me Today About the
Landmark Advantage Program!
List Today and Receive a
FREE Home Inspection!
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