Portfolio

HIDDEN HISTORY: MACON'S TYBEE NEIGHBORHOOD

for Historic Macon Foundation

When you hear the word Tybee, you probably think of the beach. I did too. That is until my friend Nancy told me about Macon’s Tybee neighborhood.

“My family is from Macon. They lived in Tybee. My mom was born there. So, I’m a Maconite by birth.”

As I listened to her, it was clear I was missing something. Tybee in Macon? Having transplanted to Macon when I was young but having no real roots here, I feel like a Maconite on some days and an outsider on others. At that moment, Nancy was clearly more Macon than I was.

The wedding dress: One bride’s story

for Macon Magazine

Whether you love fashion or find yourself resentful of its cultural power, every bride must consent to the importance of selecting the wedding dress that is perfect for her. No photograph is more preserved for generations to come than that of the wedding day.
The wedding dress expresses her personality, works for her body type, compliments the aesthetic of her other wedding choices, is stylish but not too trendy, unique but not ostentatious, perhaps sensuous while maintaining a level of classiness, maybe flirty and foxy without crossing into provocative, bridal but not matronly, practical but as extravagant as she wishes because it is, after all, her wedding day. All this and more goes into choosing this once-in-a-lifetime gown.

Socially Distant, Historically Connected

for Historic Macon

Mother Nature may be the only entity unaware of the public health concerns we hear more about each day.

The sun continues to shine, and cherry blossom trees gave us their annual splendor, almost adding insult to the injury of having to call off our town’s prized Cherry Blossom Festival. But, as community organizations have kept us in the spirit with virtual programming, we are all discovering ways to stay connected with and supportive of our community.

choosing macon: Kelley dixson

for macon magazine

I recently came across a video online of a woman singing jazz in a nightclub. Her voice was soulful and sultry and at once resonated with that blue, unresolved feeling of coping with life and learning to love through the struggle that jazz expresses so well…. As I listened to her sing, I connected the dots. This was Kelley Dixson, a Maconite who had recently returned to town after many years in New Orleans.

Macon: Revitalization Through Preservation

for the national trust for historic preservation

The middle Georgia city of Macon has long been known for its architecture, natural landmarks, and accessibility by rail and river. More recently, pioneering Southern rockers The Allman Brothers Band helped put Macon on the map in the early 1970s, as did other famed musicians who once called Macon home, including Otis Redding, James Brown, and Little Richard…

Choosing Macon: Alice Bailey 

for Macon Magazine

If ever you have the honor of being a guest in Alice Bailey’s home, do not refuse the glass of sorrel she will offer you. Originating from the Caribbean, the deep burgundy drink is at once spicy and sweet, much like Alice herself. 

Only a few moments of acquaintance with Alice will reveal a hospitality that is almost other-worldly. Her genuine tone, patience to listen to others and willingness to share herself create a perfect foil to the hustle and bustle of our modern era.  

Macon Music: The Unassuming Inspiration of Macon, Georgia

For Livability

If you searched for Macon online, the first result would probably have something to do with the Allman Brothers. Or Otis Redding. Or Little Richard.

The fact is this unassuming Southern town is so packed with music legends, past and present, that it has become a destination for devout fans across several genres and generations….

Choosing Macon: Ben Dunn

For Macon Magazine

About 15 years ago, my limited exposure to Macon was broken by a group of artists. I still remember the first time I climbed the creaky staircase in the Arts Exchange building on Mulberry Street and discovered an entire world of people creating visual and provocative works of art. 

 What some consider the pioneers of our current First Friday scene, these artists gave the public a glimpse inside the gritty studio that served as an incubator for chaos and creation. One of those very artists can now be found curating Mercer University’s McEachern Arts Center on Second Street. And though it is just around the corner from the Arts Exchange, Ben Dunn has gone across the country and back to get there.  

The 7 Best Things to do in Macon, Georgia

for Livability

Nicknamed the heart of Georgia, Macon is an ideal place to work, live and play. With a thriving downtown, numerous higher education options and countless activities to fill the weekends, Macon is a hub of opportunities available for residents and visitors to enjoy. Here's a look at seven of the best things to do in Macon.

Choosing Macon: Weston Stroud

For Macon Magazine

From the first time I met Weston Stroud, I was fascinated with learning his story. We were both at one of Bike Walk Macon’s commuter breakfasts discussing transportation. I quickly learned that he serves as Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority’s transit planner.

Choosing Macon

for Macon Magazine

After ten years away from my hometown and international professional options, I chose to move back to establish myself professionally in my hometown of Macon, Georgia. My return to Macon was born out of a conviction that I am necessary, in the same way that you are necessary, to be part of building a community to be proud of–a South to be proud of.

THE MATRIARCHS OF MACON

for historic macon foundation

When you’re getting acquainted with Macon, it doesn’t take much time to discover the abundance of our historic houses and the richness and variety of their design. Many times, our efforts to preserve a house reach beyond the value of the contributing design to include the fascinating stories of those who lived in them or those who designed them. This March, we are happy to highlight a few female architects from Macon who have helped shape the designs we have grown to know and love.

HONEYMOONING IN ATHENS, GEORGIA

FOR ATHENS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Is it slightly embarrassing to admit that though my husband and I are native Maconites we have been strangers to Athens’ streets, shops and favorite stops all our lives?

Yes.

But here we are…

Searching for soul

for Macon Magazine

What is the difference between Southern food and soul food? 

 This is the type of question that will have as many answers as people you ask. Some will tell you it is contingent on the skill of the hands that prepare it, others may insist that the key is in creating a feeling of home, and still others will say the secret is in a family legacy. 

 While finding an answer we can all agree on may not be an option, the pursuit of an answer through cornbread and collards is a journey worth taking.

I Moved Back to My Hometown — Here's What I Learned Along the Way

for Livability

I imagined my time in Morocco would be the spring-board for an international life. But when my two years there came to an end, the pull I had always felt to go abroad had unexpectedly shifted — back to the states, back to the South, back to Macon. 

After ten years of being a nomad, the idea of something familiar, something like home, was compelling. I craved a language I knew without effort, a place I could take back roads blindfolded, home cookin’ that gave me comfort, and a community I could participate in as a native. I craved Macon. 

Conversations with Rachelle

for VoyageATL

I never saw myself settling in one place. In fact, I never saw myself pursuing a traditional life in any way. When I first moved to Atlanta from the smaller town of Macon at 18, it was in hopes of discovering a bigger way of life than what I had seen from those around me.