Contents MARCH 2024 * VOL. 80, NO. 3 28 Mark Merchant, ventriloquist, from Stone Mountain 20 16 'Swamp Gravy' 20 24 Georgia's official folk-life play builds, celebrates community. By Candice Dyer Beyond the books Showcase event matches performers with libraries for summer fun. By Carlin Breinig Mission: Moon Trees Georgia trees began as seeds that orbited the moon on Apollo 14. By Carolyn Crist On the cover Locals Nan Stuart and Vicki Phillips perform a story about their neighbors in " Swamp Gravy: Way Back When " last year at Cotton Hall in Colquitt. (Photo by Hannah Harrison.) 4 MAILBOX 6 PICTURE THIS? 8 GEORGIA NEWS 10 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 14 CURRENTS 26 COOPERATIVE CONCERNS Stakes are high with America's energy policy 28 AROUND GEORGIA Georgia's great burritos 34 MADE IN GEORGIA Porcelain art 36 GEORGIANS AT WORK Zamboni driver Nick Kovac 38 GEORGIA COOKS Flatbread recipes 41 TRIVIA CONTEST 42 HOMETOWN HEROES Bonita Johnson creates 'enchanting' moments www.georgiamagazine.org 3 10 PHIL SKINNER PHOTOGRAPHY VISIT DUBLIN GA NANCY COVARRUBIAShttp://www.georgiamagazine.org