By Karol KellyPhotos provided by the University of Georgia Macon is a great place to live, gather, eat, and grow…grow your own food, that is. While I strive each year to be a successful vegetable gardener, it usually just doesn’t happen. One thing that I have found to be a little more achievable is growing fruit. While this typically requires a little more patience to taste the “fruits of your labor,” it can be quite rewarding.         One big difference between growing fruits and vegetables is that many of our fruits are perennials. Most of our vege ..read more

By Edna Ruiz Photography by Matt Odom Sleeping under the I-16 bridge near Spring Street in Macon is a thought that never crossed Ricky Veal’s mind until he had no choice but to do it. For five months, the 54-year-old from Wilkinson County slept to the sound of cars on the interstate roaring above him, sharing the space with strangers who were fighting their own battles. Becoming homeless wasn’t a choice for Veal — it just happened to him. In 2009, Rheem Manufacturing Co. in Milledgeville closed its doors, leaving 1,200 people without a job. Veal was one of those people, even after dedicatin ..read more

By Rachelle Wilson Photography by Mariah Gandy Flourishing with flowers has long been a go-to to brighten the everyday. A pop of dahlias on the entryway table or zinnias next to the bathroom sink is a simple way to weave a bit of beauty into everyday life. But what about when the occasion calls for something a bit more grand? When welcoming guests into your home, adding touches of florals can elevate any room. As the holidays approach, perhaps this is your chance to go above and beyond with an arrangement. Offering something more than stems tossed into a vase can be a crescendo in the melo ..read more

By Nora Jorgensen Photos provided by the Museum of Arts & Sciences On June 25, the Museum of Arts and Sciences had Native Plant Day from 10 a.m. to noon with a variety of fun family events. Activities included a leaf rubbing station for making an imprint of leaves on paper, a scavenger hunt for the young and not-so-young (yes, I did it — and I had to cheat on finding a plant with berries) that came with seed packets and stickers as a prize for completing the scavenger hunt and, inside the museum, an arts and craft table to make your own paper flower. For adults that wanted to l ..read more

Give your love for gardening a local flourish By Rachelle Wilson Photo by Mariah Gandy Whether you are an expert gardener diving back into your favorite pastime, or you are a novice attempting to break the family curse of killing every plant you touch (like me), this season is full of opportunities, second chances and new life. Though it requires a certain level of patience and practice, gardening welcomes anyone who dares to get their hands dirty. This spring, as you gather your gardening needs, let local resources be your go-to. From flowers and seeds to pruners and tools, basic needs s ..read more

By Hannah Jett Theus Photography by Jave Bjorkman   When the COVID-19 pandemic began sweeping the nation – and affecting us here in Middle Georgia – the impact to our everyday lives was startling. The costs to small businesses, especially, cannot be discounted. While we are all finding a new sense of normalcy, we must support Macon’s makers and still show love to our neighbors.   As the home of “the song and soul of the South,” we need our small businesses to shine ..read more

Two businesses share tips and ideas to thrive in uncertain times By Hannah Jett Theus Photography by Jave Bjorkman   When the COVID-19 pandemic began sweeping the nation – and affecting us here in Middle Georgia – the impact to our everyday lives was startling. The costs to small businesses, especially, cannot be discounted. While we are all finding a new sense of normalcy, we must support Macon’s makers and still show love to our neighbors.   As the home of “the song and sou ..read more

By Jami Gaudet Photography by Jessica Whitley Maconites know the McKelvey name. Dr. Tom McKelvey, the kindly dentist who arrived in Macon in 1960, maintained a practice here for more than 50 years. Macon is where he and his wife, Rose Mary, a fixture in development at Wesleyan College and later at the Museum of Aviation, raised their six children. In September 2020, Ryan, the youngest McKelvey, became president of Cornerstone Brands — four home and apparel lifestyle brands selling proprietary home furnishings, décor and women’s apparel through catalogs, ecommerce and retail stores. Corner ..read more

Join us in this series as we search for the dishes that move you. We want to know why you cook what you cook. Share your story with us at hello@maconmagazine.com.  “Simple and clean. All her recipes were like that. She didn’t overcomplicate food. She baked because that’s how she loved.” Chef Lane Richardson’s grandmother, Mary Grace Baker, began her life in Amish country during the Great Depression, learning how to grow, prepare and preserve food, how to nurture those around her and how to live simply and still feel fulfilled. The expert knowledge handed to all her children and grand ..read more

The importance of pollinators By Karol Kelly Photography by Allison Griffin Every spring, I am always happily surprised when the first seemingly drunken butterfly meanders past me. It is likely that by the time the butterflies make their appearance, the more discreet insects have been visiting those “weedy” blossoms of dandelions or henbit for some time. The bees and butterflies seem to be the go-to guys when we talk about pollinators. But, the diversity of pollinators is quite impressive. The line-up includes wasps, flies, ants, beetles, hummingbirds, songbirds, mammals, reptiles and even th ..read more