Georgia Magazine - July 2024 - 4

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From THE EDITOR
Comments from our readers * Compiled by Jennifer J. Hewett
Good health is something we should
We recognize that place!
May's Picture this? contest featured a photo of the
Sweetwater Creek State Park mill ruins in Lithia
Springs.
According to the Georgia
Trust for Historic Preservation,
the structure was
built in 1849 as the New
Manchester Manufacturing
Co. The five-story, waterpowered
mill produced
clothing and other materials.
More than 400 readers
recognized the location,
including Alli and Dan
Kuzma of Woodstock. The
Kuzmas discovered the mill
ruins while dating and took
engagement photos there
in 2014.
Top: Alli Kuzma of
Woodstock visits
Sweetwater Creek
State Park in Lithia Springs with sons
Clayton (left), 6, Carter, 4, and Crew, 1. Left: Alli and
Dan Kuzma visit the mill ruins with baby Clayton.
" Dan lived out in Lithia Springs when we first met, " Alli Kuzma says. " We
love hiking and biking ... Sweetwater Creek is stunning and provides different
options like paddleboarding, camping in tents or yurts, fishing, hiking and
picture-perfect photo ops. "
The couple got married Aug. 22, 2015, and lived in Smyrna for about eight
years before moving to Woodstock. While they don't live as close to Sweetwater
Creek as they once did, Kuzma says they visit as often as they can and take their
children-Clayton, 6, Carter, 4, and Crew, 1-to the state park.
Cobb Electric Membership Corp. in Marietta serves the family, and Kuzma
says her favorite things about Georgia Magazine are reading the recipes and
checking out events.
" We are a very active family and love getting out in our community, " she
adds. " I'm also always looking for new dinner ideas, and this magazine provides
seasonal options. "
To see the winners of May's Picture this? contest and this month's featured
contest photo, turn to page 6.
-Lindsay Penticuff
Georgia
Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle
ating the Georgia lifest
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THE ART OF
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www.georgiamagazine.org
Gardening beyond the
sidewalk
page 18
Zucchini recipes
page 34
JUNE 2024
Georgia makerspaces
turn dreams into reality
blowingpage 30
A
By Katie Teems Norris
woodworker, a cosplayer and a
cybersecurity specialist walk
into a makerspace. It's not the setup
to a joke; it's a reality at these labs and
workshops throughout Georgia, where
artisans, crafters and builders gather
to create.
Makerspaces give people with
different interests, goals and skill levels
the opportunity to tinker, innovate and
collaborate using shared equipment. The
spaces are as unique as the communities
they serve.
Makerspaces also boost Georgia's
Georgia muralists
page 21
makerspaces
page 26
Creative
economy through entrepreneurial
support. According to the Georgia
Department of Economic Development,
the state has more than 20 corporate
makerspaces and more than 30
corporate innovation centers sponsored
by companies such as Atlanta-based
NCR, Coca-Cola and Chick-fil-A and
Charlotte, N.C.-based Honeywell.
Even many public libraries in
Georgia offer hands-on learning
opportunities with 3D printers, soldering
irons and sewing machines.
Whatever you aspire to create, you
can build it with help from one of
Georgia's makerspaces.
The Cobb Electric Membership Corp. (EMC) Foundation
in Marietta is a supporter of Cherokee Makerspace and has
Cherokee Makerspace, Acworth
(770) 818-6798; cherokeemakerspace.org
Like any good makerspace, Cherokee Makerspace " is
a place where people can come in and learn to build their
dreams, " says Terri Talton, shop manager.
Cherokee Makerspace originally served as a space for the
Etowah Electric Eagles-the former name of the Firestorm
Robotics team of middle and high school students in Cobb and
Cherokee counties-in 2018. It is well-equipped with a plasma
cutter, large-scale computer numerical control (CNC) machines,
a full machine shop, laser cutters and multiple 3D printers.
26 Georgia Magazine June 2024
26-28_Maker_Spaces_0624.indd26-28_Maker_Spaces_0624.indd 26 26
5/9/24 11:35 AM
awarded it a total of $14,100 in grants since 2022.
" Anybody in the community can join via membership
and then come in and work on the projects of their choice, "
co-founder John Witzigreuter says, but Cherokee Makerspace
prides itself on empowering youths interested in STEM (science,
technology, engineering and mathematics).
Co-founder Alexander Cua says he taught a middle
schooler in the community how to make 3D models using
computer-aided design (CAD) and a 3D printer.
" After one year, one season, he has an Etsy store selling
flower pots, " Cua says.
Firestorm Robotics uses the space to build modified
FireStarter FABLab. [See " Georgia makerspaces turn dreams
into reality, " June 2024, page 26;
bit.ly/cmspace624.]
I took both classes and made
Top: The Garage Makerspace in
Augusta is part of an innovation
ecosystem inside the Georgia
Cyber Innovation & Training
Center. Left: Makerspace
specialist Luke Steel leads a
laser-engraving workshop at an
intern social at The Garage.
doorstops, a cutting board and two
pieces of furniture.
The lab is fantastic but growing
way too small due to popularity. Every
community should have access to such
a great program.
-Jana McNeal, Warner Robins
Share your thoughts. Email us at magazine@georgiaemc.com. Please include your name, address
and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity and space.
4 Georgia Magazine July 2024
therapeutic gardening projects are
helping patients become the caregivers.
Turn to " Gardening as good therapy " on
page 28.
Make time this month to catch up
with a friend or family member, strike up
a conversation with someone new or get
outdoors for some fresh air, if you can.
Here's to good health!
Jennifer J. Hewett
Editor
The Makers Issue feedback
I have benefited from the woodworking class at the
never take for granted. Unfortunately,
many of us don't give it a second thought
until we end up at urgent care because of
an injury, get a nudging call from the
doctor that our cholesterol numbers are
not in check or, worse, learn that a loved
one has been diagnosed with a chronic
or life-limiting illness.
But being in good health is multifaceted-not
just being free of disease.
The World Health Organization defines
health as " a state of complete physical,
mental and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease or
infirmity. "
That's something to strive for in
today's fast-paced world where-as my
friend Julie L. Cannon used to say, " Life
with a capital L " -happens. We often
might not even take time to just breathe.
If you're looking to boost your health
a bit, this issue offers several fun ideas.
Come along for a bit of joy as we visit
Love GOGA's yoga classes that feature
baby goats, pigs, pups and more. Read
" Yogi's helpers " on page 16 to learn how
these animal companions make
exercising more enjoyable.
When did you last try hula-hooping?
Turn to page 21 to meet Lauren Porchia,
known as " the Hula Empress, " who proves
that " hooping " is not just for kids.
What you put in your body also plays
into good health. In " Squeeze the day, "
read how Arden's Garden grew from one
woman's home-based health idea into
a blossoming business that's going on
30 years; see page 32.
Inspired to make your own smoothies
at home? See page 30 for a few recipes.
And be sure to read about how
JOSHUA DUFFY / GEORGIA CYBER INNOVATION
& TRAINING CENTER
JOSHUA DUFFY / GEORGIA CYBER INNOVATION & TRAINING CENTER
GEMC
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http://bit.ly/cmspace624 http://www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.cherokeemakerspace.org

Georgia Magazine - July 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - July 2024