You Know You Were Raised In Macon, Georgia...

by Nicole Thurston

I got to thinking about all of those "You know you are from... " posts that I have read from time to time. I often chuckle and nod my head at the ones about southerners, Georgia, and a ton of other relatable posts. 

Why not write my own version? Pick the one place I am from, know, understand, and share my viewpoint!

Well... for better or for worse... here we go!

You Know You Were Raised in Macon, Georgia...  

1. The very first question you are asked when you meet someone is, "Where did you go to school?" No.. they are not talking about college, they are asking you what high school you attended.

2. Followed by... "Where do you go to church?" Both answers will either award you with a look of approval, or the forever dreaded eyebrow raise, followed by, "Uh huh.."
(For the record, I went to South West High School and attended St. Joseph's Catholic Church. A double eyebrow raise... considering this is the land of private schools and Protestants.)

3. That when you mention you want to get a hot dog, NuWay Weiners are the only choice. They have a distinct smell , they are red, and they are highly addictive. You will smell of onions for about a week, but it will be worth every little bite.

4. It is drilled into your head that southern rock is KING. You can name every southern rock band that got their start here, and will become offended when someone says they have not heard of Capricorn Records. The Allman Brothers Band songs are a staple at any outdoor BBQ.

5. Otis Redding. Little Richard. The Douglass Theatre. Three pieces of African American pop culture history we are most proud of.

6. Though the poets of the Civil War may not be the most popular to people elsewhere, growing up I believed Sidney Lanier to be the most important writer of all time. Yeah.. he was from here also.

7. Cherry Blossoms - we go crazy for pepto pink & bright green. Most people can recite exactly how many Cherry Trees are estimated to be planted within the county line!

8. If someone says they used to go riding around Godfather's, you know exactly where they are talking about. (Even though that place did not stay open long, and kids continued to cruise around that parking lot in south Macon calling it "Godfather's.")

9. You still remember the big, rough, incredibly dangerous water slide at Lake Tobo.

10. You believed with all of your heart that devil worshipers would gather in some random "cave" at Rose Hill cemetery back in the 80s. 

11. The "skating rink" and the "mall" was the best place to troll for boys & girls back in the day.

12. Speaking of the mall, Aladdin's Castle was where all of the cool kids hung out.

13. You still remember when West Gate mall had the best movie theater in town.

14. Gladys Lasky was THE name when it came to our community's Nutcracker.

15. Each Christmas Eve, you head to St. Joseph's, even if you are not Catholic.

16. Mama Louise served you the best fried chicken of your life.

17. If someone said you would grow up to work on the corner of Cherry Street, that was never a compliment. My, oh my, how times have changed. 

18. The Artist. No, I'm not talking about Prince.

19. You still call the place where the city has concerts, "The Coliseum."

20. Finally, Macon Whoopee is not a dirty phrase. 

How do you GET in the spirit?

Finding your holiday spirit is about as easy as trying on those jeans you wore in college. For some, it's simply Not. Going. To. Happen.

For others, you have to grab that wire hanger, hook it on that zipper, and pull with all of your might.

Today I made a point to research opportunities to celebrate the holidays. I used some local resources (Ovations365.com and visitmacon.org) to see what is going on. I suppose those sites were like my zipper. Me actually pulling out my calendar and locking those dates in, was me pulling with all of my might. Now.. it's time to stand and see if I can BREATHE.

I figure if I immerse myself in Christmas, something is going to stick. Last year, the holidays were an absolute BUST for me. But this year, oh this year, I have high hopes - even if the chemicals in my brain and hormones that flow through my system do not want to get on board- I WILL celebrate.

Hell, I might even go as far as to buy some "Christmas earrings." Oh yeah, and even wear one of those tacky-ass bells around my neck.

Well.. okay... maybe that's pushing it a little.

But my plan is a bold one.

I thought I would share with you my CHRISTMAS to-do list. If you are local, you might even get some ideas of your own. ;-)

1. This Saturday I plan to drive to the storage unit and find my Christmas stuff. I have not touched my items since Christmas 2010. THIS should be interesting. The good news is, Autumn will be with me, so I Santa has a little helper. PLUS.. she will help me put the tree together.

The last time I had my Christmas tree up - in Birmingham, December 2010.

2. Sunday morning, I am taking Autumn to have Breakfast With Santa at my church. (For local people- That's St. Joseph's Catholic Church. We'll be over at the school next door (St. Joseph's School.) It's $6 a person, and apparently they will have a huge breakfast spread provided by the Knights of Columbus, holiday crafts, picture time with Santa, a silent auction, and so much more. Food + Santa + My Auttie= Holiday love. If you are interested, it's from 8am until noon.

Photo credit: Unknown - This is my church.

3. At 4pm this Sunday (and this one I am totally debating..) Wesleyan College is having their Annual Christmas Concert. (For those not from around here, Wesleyan is the first school in America to grant degrees to women! If you are a Phi Mu - this is your home university!) It's an all women's college. I thought that might be a nice way to wrap the weekend up. Did I mention, it's FREE??!!

Photo credit: Unknown. This is one of the buildings at Wesleyan College

4. Oops.. I forgot to add, this Thursday night, after a 5:30pm meeting, I'm going to run over to City Hall/Rosa Parks Square and watch the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown. It's starting at 6:30pm. It's FREE!

Photo credit: Unknown. Notice behind the tree - you see my church! Not sure what year this was taken.



5. Did I mention Friday, at 11am, Amanda's Cakery (downtown) will have a free cake testing eventing?? It is only 2 streets over.... and.. well... shouldn't we all eat dessert first? The flavors to try are "Sinful Chocolate," "Vanilla," and "Apple Pie."

Photo: The Telegraph. Amanda's Cakery Cupcakes are to DIE for.

6. Next Tuesday night (the 4th,) My former Theater Teacher, Sylvia Haynie, will have an openhouse at her performing arts school. It's called the Academy for the Performing Arts. It starts at 6:30. (Free) and will have performances by the students.

7. Forgot another event that's happening THIS Friday night, from 4pm until - The Macon Arts Alliance Gallery will have a Trunk Show. Oh yeah.. AND on payday for me. Lord have mercy...

8.  Saturday, December the 8th - I hope to take Autumn to another scholastic corner: Mercer Village. (Mercer University is the cornerstone of this area. It's a private university in town.) This is a FREE event- Christmas in Mercer Village. 5pm-9pm there will be inflatables for the kids. 5pm - 7pm there will be ornament decorating for the kids. 6pm-8pm you can have you photo taken with Santa. 7pm they will light the Christmas Tree at Mercer, and finally, at 7:30pm they will show the movie, ELF, outside! Sounds like a perfect night for Auttie and I.

9. The very next day, Sunday the 9th, she and I can head over to the Middle Georgia Christmas Parade in downtown Macon. It starts at 3pm.

Photo credit: Gateway Macon - from last year's Christmas Parade

10. On Tuesday, December the 11th, I definitely want to go see Handel's Messiah at my church. (St. Joseph's.) The cost is $15. (But considering all of the free stuff I will get to experience leading up to it - no big deal, right?! It starts at 7:30pm.

Photo credit: My church

11. On Friday the 14th, at the Sidney Lanier Cottage (for those who don't know, he was a famous poet back in the 1800's.. this was his birthhouse,) there will be the Christmas Cottage & Bake Sale from 9am until 2pm. OBVIOUSLY I have to go. ;-) It's FREE.

Sidney Lanier Cottage

12. That night, on the 14th, the Macon Arts Alliance will have their holiday party. I plan to stop by that.

13. VERY excited about that Saturday night (the 15th,) one of my favorite theater's, Theater Macon, will have a Christmas Cabaret.. and it's a benefit. Bring a toy and the entry is $15. It's a 8pm.



14. THEN - Sunday the 16th.. *drum roll please* The Nutcracker at the Grand. Cost? $18 - $25 a ticket and it's the closing performance. Matinee at 2:30pm.

Photo: Gateway Macon
 

15. On Dec. 20th, there is a free organ interlude (holiday) at my Church (St. Joseph's) at noon. What a wonderful way to spend my lunch hour? My church is just a few blocks from where I work. Then that night, there will be a penance service.


16. Then on the 22nd, some friends of mine are throwing a Christmas Party.

17. FINALLY - Midnight mass on the 24th and that's all she wrote.

Photo credit: My church

What do you plan to do to get in the mood?

Shameless Promoter

I am SOOO busy. In a good way. I'm going into massive promotion mode -I thought I would PROMOTE what I am doing.

Here it goes.. literally.. me "promoting"



Or if you want to know more about the museum:

Click HERE and listen to the 30 minute radio interview I had on "A Call To Action."

Breaking down cultural barriers through the culinary arts.

Macon, Georgia – From Africa to Asia, South America and beyond, the Tubman African American Museum plans to take you on a culinary journey- one that will tantalize your taste buds, as well as showcase the multi-cultural aspect of the museum.


On Sunday, June 24th, 2012, twenty-eight local chefs and “celebrity chefs” will set up tables at the Tubman Museum. The idea is to showcase comfort food, or soul food, from various cultures. Co-chairing the event is Kay Stephens with the Tubman’s Pan African Festival, as well as Gary Schecterle, M Food & Culture’s Editor and Owner of the Thai bistro, Lemongrass.


A wide variety of foods will be available for sample, including foods from Nigeria, Jamaica, Egypt, Thailand, China, “Southern” American as well as traditional “Soul Food” favorites. Guests can take a culinary journey around the world, as well as view one-of-a-kind pieces of art from the Tubman’s permanent and changing exhibits.


Staff and volunteers will be available to share their expertise with guests - education and outreach opportunities, special events, and membership options will be available.


Cost for the event will be $25 and includes a tour of the museum, food, entertainment, a signature International Taste of Soul drink, door prizes, discount in the gift shop, as well as opportunities to learn more about the Tubman African American Museum.


For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 478-743-8544 or visit our website at http://www.tubmanmuseum.com

 OR if you simply want to make a donation to the event, give me a call at 478-743-8544.