Every Now and Then

13 Things About Sweetwater Creek State Park

The park is an extensive wilderness setting within 15 minutes of downtown Atlanta.

I have to wonder how many of us living in Douglas County have actually ventured onto the grounds of Sweetwater Creek State Park.  I’m ashamed to admit I have never sat at a picnic table, never hiked a trail, never visited the Manchester Mill ruins or attended a festival there or any other type of event.    Twenty years ago I did visit the park a few times with my son to feed the ducks, and we were on the lake a couple of times in my husband’s bass boat, but other than that my participation with Sweetwater Creek State Park has been close to nil.  I visited the park Friday, and hope to return very soon.      If you are like me and have basically ignored one of Douglas County’s most important resources for history, recreation, and tourism …

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Get Out: Weekend Planner

Fun Events Pump Up the Weekend

Activities include a geology hike; BBQ and bluegrass event; book sale; fish fry; and paint-your-own pottery fundraiser.

Country Fry Fundraiser Book Collection and Book Sale for the Dog River Library Paint Your Own Pottery Fundraiser for the West Georgia SPCA Blue Jeans, BBQ, and Bluegrass Geology Hike

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Get Out: Weekend Planner

Get Off the Couch this Weekend

Events include a benefit for the Vietnam Vets of America, "full moon" party, bird watching, free Jazzercise and a night of comedy and music.

Raise the Praise Jazzercise  - Free Fridays Applebee’s ‘Full Moon’ Party Low Country Boil Fundraiser Atlanta Audubon Society Intro to Birdwatching Hike

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Get Out: Weekend Planner

Wide Variety of Events for All to Enjoy

Weekend activities include a free outdoor movie, bingo, junior ranger day camp, Mandarin classes and a literary festival

Chinese Mandarin Class When: Friday, July 8; 4:15 to 6:15 p.m. Where: Da Ke American Chinese Culture Center, 3379 Highway 5 Why go: No Chinese background needed for these local classes. Levels range from beginning to advanced. Senior discounts available. First class is free! Price: $45./month More info: http://www.dakeuschina.org, 770-942-0308, candy@dakeuschina.org   Junior Ranger Day Camp When: Friday, July 8; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Sweetwater Creek State Park  Why go: This day camp is for children ages 6-12 who have not previously been in a Junior Ranger program. This program focuses on attaining the Level I Deer Badge. There will be nature hikes, a live animal program, and nature oriented arts and craft projects. Price: $20./person …

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Families Keep Their Cool in the Summer

Moms are charged with finding kid-friendly activities that beat the heat.

“Keeping cool during the summer in the South can be a big challenge, especially with active kids in tow. What sort of kid-friendly activities does your family do to beat the heat yet still keep kids entertained?   Sunny Taylor, Douglasville mom to Kaylin (3) and Kiley (10) Since my kids are so far apart in age this is a big challenge for me. During the summer, especially on very hot days, we opt for indoor cultural experiences such as a visit to the High Museum or Fernbank since their programs are generally good for all ages. We also like to see matinees at the local movie theater!   Kim Golden, Douglasville mom to Parker (6) and Peter (9) My boys are pretty hardy so not much, even the heat, slows us down. We don’t really veer from our …

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Get Out: Weekend Planner

Fun Events Slated for All Ages

Local activities include a run to honor a fallen police officer, inspiring talk by former POW, women's networking event, black history festival and flashlight hike.

"Ruins to Rapids" Full Moon Hike Dinner with Former POW Ron Young 7th Annual Blake Gammill 10.5K, 5K and 1-mile Run/Walk “Women in Business” Networking Event 3rd Annual Juneteenth Festival

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Get Out: Weekend Planner

Food Fest, Nature Hike, Bingo Featured this Weekend

Other family-friendly activities include a Christian-based play and huge yard sale.

Taste of Douglasville Yard Sale at New Covenant United Methodist Church St. Rose Academy presents "Mates" Bingo! Spring Splendor/East Side Hike

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Get Out: Weekend Planner

Eat, Hike and Cruise This Weekend

Family friendly fun includes a car show, pancake breakfast, history hike, rummage sale and an egg hunt.

2nd Annual Community-wide Rummage Sale When: Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where:  Alexander High School, 6500 Alexander Parkway Why go: Live music, auto vendors, food, fun and games - something for everyone, every age! Price: Free Admission; $10 booth for vendors. More info: Email Clint Mills - clint.mills@douglas.k12.ga.us Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for Mt. Carmel Youth Football and Cheer Association When: Saturday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Where: Deer Lick Park Recreation Center, 2015 Mack Road Why go: Support a worthy community cause!  All donations go towards the Association. Price: Open to the public, donations accepted. More info: Log on to www.mtcarmelrams.com 2nd Annual Rock & Rev Car Show at Alexander High School When: Saturday,  10 a.m…

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Mom Matters

Mama of the Month

Meet Erin Cantrell, March's M.O.M.!

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." -- Lin Yutang Moms are very special people and should be celebrated often, so starting this month Mama Matters will feature a Mom of the Month (M.O.M.)!   Every month this column will highlight and profile a Douglasville mom that deserves a little extra recognition. March’s M.O.M. is Erin Cantrell.  Erin’s easy-going and friendly personality is well known throughout her community.  She is a deeply committed caregiver to her family and is involved in her boys' schools.  She’s also been known to surprise under-the-weather neighbors with home cooked meals!  When she’s not chasing after her two adorable boys, Erin is a professional photographer, specializing in families and weddings…

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The Great Escape

Take a Walk on the Not-So-Wild Side

Sweetwater Creek State Park offers a peaceful refuge.

There is very little that a walk in the woods won’t cure. Our area boasts one of the finest state parks around where you can do just that.  Sweetwater Creek State Park, on Mt. Vernon Rd, is a peaceful refuge on 2,500 acres that includes lovely hiking trails, a picturesque 215-acre lake, plenty of picnicking and camping spots, an informative visitor center and views that can’t be beat. In short, Sweetwater Creek State Park has something for everyone.  The hiking trails total 9 miles in all and are varied in style and difficulty.  Choose the popular red trail for a short, easy hike that hugs Sweetwater Creek all the way to the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War. (About one mile out and back.) Try…

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Minde Herbert

12:10 am on Thursday, March 10, 2011

Hi Liz! Thanks for the comment. All Georgia public libraries now offer Georgia State Park passes that you can check out for up to a week. It will allow you to enjoy any Georgia State Park for free, including parking.   more ›