Great People in Fayette

Most days we go about our life and, as the old saying goes, we don't stop to smell the roses. Despite all the timesaving devices we fill our houses with, we never have time for a fraction of the things we want to do. We rarely find time to look around and realize how good our lives may be.

I've been trying to focus more on the things I have to be thankful for rather than just simply moving from one activity to the next on autopilot. I make it a point to find something positive to focus on for the day.

Today I found myself being thankful for all the great people in this county. I started the day meeting with a wonderful group of women at the new women's networking group I wrote about in an earlier column.

After the meeting I went to a late breakfast (or early lunch) with two ladies with such giving spirits it made me want to do more with my life! Then I stopped by to pick up a camera from a friends house - he's loaning me his very nice camera so I can take pictures Saturday at the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast (pictures with the Easter Bunny!). It's great to have good friends.

I received an encouraging call from a new-found friend who is another giver.

I ended the day with a free makeover (much needed) at the house of another woman who spreads joy every time she speaks.

This is a county filled to the brim with people who care, who share and who give. Today I want to say thanks to all the men and women in this county who make it special!

Sharing of the Green a Success!

Hundreds of festively dressed supporters of the Fayette CARE Clinic turned out St. Patrick's Day to raise funds for the new clinic. Dressed to the nine's the group enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, good company and dancing to a great band at Glendalough Manor.

The many generous party-goers made sure the title of the event, "Sharing of the Green," was appropriate! A live auction garnered much of the green, but the subsequent live auction tipped the balance. Bill McDonald, Peachtree City Jewelers, served as the charity auctioneer. As always, he did a superb job.

A week on the beach at a condo, donated by local podiatrist Greg Alvarez, netted a few thousand. One of Herschel Walker's jerseys netted close to a thousand. A signed NASCAR jacket raised almost as much as Walker's jersey. Numerous local businesses donated auction items including Gorilla Golf and Bike's Unlimited.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital has been working for a number of years to help make the Clinic a reality. Their support was evident at the event. The Hospital donated a number of items for auction including a table at the Amphitheater to see America. They also had a strong showing of attendees from the hospital.

The band was fantastic. They kept the crowd out on the dance floor throughout the evening. Unfortunately we missed the name of the group, but will make it a point to find it. If they are playing at any charity event, yours truly will find a way to wrangle an invitation.

Attendees included many local doctors, County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn, local celeb Hollis Harris and family, and other notables from the community. TCG Holdings and Glendalough Manor sponsored the event.

The Fayette CARE Clinic is slated to open sometime in April if renovations are completed. The clinic will provide free routine, non-emergency medical and dental services to resident of Fayette County without medical insurance and whose income is up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Funding for the Clinic is based solely on support from the local community. All donations are tax deductible. For more information on the Clinic visit their website, www.fayettecareclinic.com.

Fayette CARE Clinic, Inc.128 Sumner RoadFayetteville, Georgia 30214

Great New Women's Networking Group

Every Thursdays morning beginning at 9 a.m. a group of women meet at the Fitness Spa in Peachtree City. They're not there to work out (although some are members of the Spa), they are there to talk about business. Each spends a few minutes sharing a few highlights about their business. Then the real discussions begin. The women talk about ideas to improve their businesses, ask others for more details on their business and they support each other's endeavors. It's fun, it's relaxing and it's helpful. It's also free. Yes, unlike most networking groups, this one is light on rules and there are no dues. Angie McCarl (one of Fayette Forum's writers) donates the use of her front room for the meeting - she is also the one who came up with the idea to start the group.

Interested? Stop by any Thursday morning! Bring whatever materials you'd like to share. Type of business is unimportant. Home business, craft business, insurance, real estate, business owner or staff - if you're interested in sharing and learning, this is the place to be!
The Fitness Spa is located in the Braelinn Village Shopping Center near K-Mart. Crosstown Road. For more information call Angie at 770-632-3595.

Fayette Life

Welcome to the first official column of Fayette Life! Please be sure to vote on March 21st.