Georgia Magazine - August 2012 - (Page 5)

BY PAUL WOOD President/CEO, Georgia Electric Membership Corporation www.georgiamagazine.org (800) 544-4362, in Georgia; (770) 270-6500 GEORGIA Magazine, the largest-circulation monthly magazine in the state, is published by Georgia Electric Membership Corp. (GEMC), the trade association for Georgia’s 42 consumer-owned electric utilities. On average, more than 500,000 members welcome the magazine into their homes each month. Georgia’s notfor-proﬁt electric cooperatives provide reliable, safe and affordable electric service to more than 73 percent of the state’s land area serving 4.5 million residents. For more information, visit www.georgiaemc.com. EDITOR Ann Orowski, CCC MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Hewett, CCC ASSOCIATE EDITOR Victoria Scharf DeCastro PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Steve Jacobs ASSISTANT EDITOR Kevin Braun ASSISTANT EDITOR Jim Jess EDITORIAL INTERN Bobbi Otis CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ashley Bates, Judy Woodward Bates, Ruth Chadwick, Lynn Coulter, Margie Fishman, Amanda Robinson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Greg Brooks, Judith Grafe, Barry Huff, Joan Huff, Amy Lott, Glenn Macaranas, Kelly Michal, Pam Powell, Lynn Pugh, Ken Simmons, Carvy Snell ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES ‘Wagon Train,’ ‘Jersey Shore’–or neither I Laurel George, (404) 541-0628; Laine Kirby Wood, (770) 289-5700 Country Market, (800) 626-1181 National NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE DESIGNERS Trudie Thibodeaux, Kerstin Weis Mary Wellman, (770) 270-6981 SUBSCRIPTIONS 2012 ADVISORY BOARD Matthew Akins, Gale Cutler, Ren Davis, Nicole Dover, Hinson Mosley, Steve Mullice, Amy Orr, Jane Perfect, Rodney Reese, Angela Shipp, Brad Thomas, Louis Tonsmeire, Neal Trice GEORGIA EMC OFFICERS CHAIRMAN Alice Mallory, Coweta-Fayette EMC VICE CHAIRMAN G. Anthony Norton, Snapping SEC.-TREASURER Randy Crenshaw, Irwin PRESIDENT/CEO, GEMC A. Paul Wood Shoals EMC EMC GEORGIA Magazine (USPS-473120, ISSN 10615822) is published monthly by Georgia Electric Membership Corp., P.O. Box 1707, 2100 East Exchange Place, Tucker, GA 30085. Periodicals postage paid at Thomaston, GA, and additional mailing ofﬁces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to GEORGIA Magazine, P.O. Box 1707, Tucker, GA 30085. Printed in Georgia by Quad/ Graphics. Acceptance of advertising by GEORGIA Magazine does not imply endorsement by the publisher or Georgia’s electric membership corporations of the product or services advertised. GEORGIA Magazine’s LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN, OR OMISSIONS OF, ADVERTISEMENTS, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES TO THE ADVERTISER’S BUSINESS, SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF CHARGES FOR THE ADVERTISEMENT THAT WAS OMITTED OR IN WHICH THE ERROR OCCURRED. n the 1950s and ’60s, many visitors to our shores had two requests: “Where are the cowboys?” and, second, “Where are the Indians?” Who could blame them? In those days, when television was in its infancy, American television networks featured popular Westerns such as “Gunsmoke” and “Wagon Train.” Overseas, foreigners were exposed to a steady diet of wide-open plains, chuck wagons and cactuses. The times have changed very little, regrettably. Think about the reality shows on TV today. When foreigners arrive in America, they are more likely to want to visit the Jersey Shore or Orange County, Calif., to see the so-called “real” people who star in the “reality” TV programs that satellites bring to their country. Little wonder that foreigners have warped views of us. Most of them know nothing of the real America. If they want to know what America is really like, they need to walk a day or two in our shoes. They need to go to a PTA meeting and hear parents talk of strengthening the curriculum at their child’s school. Or go to a county commissioners’ meeting and hear citizens hash out the priorities their local government has set for them. They need to slip into a place of worship to see our most basic right practiced—the freedom of religion. They need to attend a Friday night football game and learn something of the competitive spirit that lifts us when two sides square off. They should to sit down at a kitchen table on Saturday night and watch as the head of the household struggles to balance what’s left in the checking account that week. And they might stay (Contined from front overnight and listen in on a phone conversation from a soldier far from his home, not complaining, but looking forward to the day he or she can be reunited with a loved one. Our reality is rather extraordinary in its routine. Most of us are simply trying to use our freedom to get ahead, to give our children a chance at a better life and to raise them to know the difference between right and wrong, and to make sure they understand their role in our participatory democracy. And just like most everyone else on this blue marble, our principal goal in life is to make a better world for our children and their children. And by the way, it’s hard work. They could make a reality show about it, but it wouldn’t get high ratings because it would include the applied perspiration of skilled tradesmen and professionals in all vocations going about their daily routine of making America thrive. My guess is that would be too boring for reality TV. But, of course, that boring work is what makes America prosper. Our extraordinary routine makes us stronger as individuals, as families, as a nation—and that’s the true reality of American life. Too bad there is no room for that in Nielsen’s rating book. Wrap .375 Spine .8125 PAUL WOOD is the president and CEO of Georgia Electric Membership Corp., headquartere d in Tucker. Georgia EMC represents Georgia’s 42 electric membership corporations (EMCs), Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp., providing electricity to more than 4.5 million residents and businesses in Georgia. flap) Prior to his move to Georgia, Wood was executive director of the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives . Today, he has become one of Georgia’s most fervent promoters through his service to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, 4-H Foundation, FDR Warm Springs Memorial Advisory Committee and KidsPeace. In 2004, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue tapped Wood to serve as co-chairman of the Governor’s Conference on Tourism, and, in 2007, Wood to chair the Commission Perdue also asked for a New Georgia Service Delivery Taskforce. Not long after Gov. Nathan Deal was inaugurated in 2011, he appointed Wood to serve on his newly formed Georgia Competitiven ess Initiative. During his nearly half-century of service to electric membership cooperatives, Wood has held many leadership positions, including president of the Rural Electric Statewide Managers’ Association. ' If you enjoy reading It’s My View Paul Wood’s “Viewpoint” columns, visit www.georgiamag azine.org to order “It’s My View,” a hardbound book featuring 100 of the magazine readers’ favorite columns from past years. What readers asked for … GEORGIA Magazine readers have loved Paul Wood’s monthly most 15 years; response columns for alto the magazine points of every issue. After numerous readers suggestedto this being the most-read page columns in a book, that Wood put his “Viewpoint” he did. This book is the result. “Viewpoint,” the monthly column of Paul Wood: What readers say about “A new decade begins” was just chock-full of wisdom that many on both sides of the of our leaders aisle seem to lack. I’d like to shake your hand tell you how much I think of you.” one day and —Dave K., Townsend, Ga. inspirational in his common-sense approach to everything!” —Jamie W., Richmond Hill, Ga. “Paul, keep up the good work. I always enjoy your articles.” “Mr. Wood … is so —Larry W., Perry, Ga. “I am thrilled about this book. Paul Wood’s ‘Viewpoint’ is the first the magazine.” thing I read in —Anita J., West Point, Ga. “Thank you very much for the ‘Viewpoint’ article, ‘Growing older? This is a splendid article Who, me?’ on aging. We always enjoy Paul’s articles …” —Jeanette G., Cleveland, Ga. “My GEORGIA Magazine arrived yesterday. … Wood’s. His words My first article is always ring true to me. Please Paul pass along my applause.” —Angela S., Blairsville, Ga. “Paul Wood always gives us something to think about.” —Vickie H., Thomson, Ga. IT’S MY VIEW 2011 JACKET DESIGN BY TRUDIE THIBODEAUX JACKET PHOTOGRAP HY BY LOUIS TONSMEIRE PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. © 2011 GEMC GEORGIA MAGAZINE Back It’s My View It’s My View A collection of readers ’ favorite ‘Viewpoint’ columns from GEOR GIA Magazine President/CEO, Georgia Electric ' hen Paul Wood writes a in his monthly “Viewpo GEORGIA Magazine, h reflections are often laced wit lessons he learned while grow town of Natchitoches , La. One has only to read a co gain an appreciation for a life faith and education. Small towns in the 1950s The character of the town’s yo shaped by adults who accepted in life, putting every child on a and successful citizenship. It w “Remember who you are” was small-town mother, a cautionar on your best behavior when yo door to meet the world. A teena that anyone in the community c report.” W By Paul Wood Membership Corp. In Wood’s column, “Good v remember growing up when roc born, perhaps with parents who understand it. In “My mother sa raise,” you’ll discover Paul’s purp humor. In “The parade of our tim it all about,” he waxes philosoph meaning of life. In “Good friends times,” you’ll think of someone w when the going was rough. He als advice for graduates looking for a celebrating the Fourth of July and a more meaningful Christmas for There is also considerable commen officials could make government w levels. Hardly any subject escapes t opinion of Paul Wood. This collection of readers’ favo is more than a nostalgic look at the reminder that many of those learned are just as applicable early l today in mid-20th-century America. Wood every person possesses a unique gift discovered and cultivated, has the ca change the world. At the very least, t is apt to find Wood’s insights a helpf for understanding the problems that complicated world in early 21st-cent ' By Paul Wood (Con August 2012 More online at www.georgiamagazine.org 5 http://www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.georgiaemc.com http://www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - August 2012

Georgia Magazine - August 2012
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Liberty Notes
Georgia News
Festival Guide
Calendar of Events
Currents
Ready, Set, Get Prepared
Georgia Farmers Return to Their Roots
Around Georgia
Picture This?
My Georgia
Georgia Gardens
Georgia Cooks
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - August 2012