Contents FEBRUARY 2025 * VOL. 81, NO. 2 27 10 16 16 Welcome to Ma's house 20 21 Keeping the beat The Atlanta Drum Academy empowers youths through percussion. By Katie Cowart Wonders of the wilderness Georgia's DNR centers give visitors an up-close look at ecology, wildlife. By Laura Berrios On the cover In this month's Georgia Cooks, Chef Joe Engelbird shares recipes for some of his favorite cookies, including these delicious Lemon Cracked Cookies. (Photo by Louis Tonsmeire.) 'Mother of the Blues' chronicled in her Columbus home. By Borden Black 24 4 MAILBOX 5 TRIVIA CONTEST 6 PICTURE THIS? 8 GEORGIA NEWS 10 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 14 CURRENTS 18 MADE IN GEORGIA Robert Johnston's customized catios 24 GEORGIA GARDENS The Daffodil Project 26 COOPERATIVE CONCERNS Make your voice heard with Plugged In Georgia 27 AROUND GEORGIA Spotlight on Valdosta 31 GEORGIA COOKS Favorite cookie recipes 34 HOMETOWN HEROES JoAnn Tarnoff brings kindness to her community www.georgiamagazine.org 3 KINGSLAND CVB COURTESY THE DAFFODIL PROJECT PEACH STATE SUMMER THEATRE © UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDhttp://www.georgiamagazine.org