I [Relax] in the Corridor

"Summer, Summer, Summer Time" – Will Smith

School is out and summer break is finally here! Children have retreated from the hallways and classrooms to pools and parks. They’ve replaced textbooks for magazines and traded school lunch for better-tasting food at Macon’s favorite cafés. As a Camp Assistant for Residence Life at Mercer University and the new summer intern for College Hill Corridor, I have had the pleasure of staying in the company of summer school students at Mercer University. So what has everybody been doing these past couple of weeks? I went out around the Corridor to find out.

This past weekend there were many barbeques at Tattnall Park. Memorial Day weekend was full of food on the grill and enjoying the NBA playoffs for me (Go Celtics!). Some of my summer plans were to read the Hunger Games Trilogy and work on my tan. What better place in the Corridor to make that happen than Plunkett Pool at Mercer University? As I walked over to this popular summer spot, I found Kei’Shawn Tention, a 21-year-old computer engineering junior who chose to spend her summer taking classes and enjoying being away from home. If she isn’t studying for her summer courses, she’s working at the Macon Mall. Not much relaxing gets done throughout her week, so she decided to go for a swim during the long weekend holiday. I asked several others at the pool how they were going to relax this summer. The top three answers were waking up late, tanning, and hanging out with friends. Others were going to spend their time in the gym, playing sports and working out.

While some are going out of the city or state to enjoy a nice vacation, I’m making the most of my time here in Macon by exploring and experiencing new stores, parks, and restaurants. More of my summer plans include visiting Washington Park and tasting the great cuisine in Barefoot Tavern.  Of course, my favorite mode of transportation around the Corridor is my cruiser bicycle. I call her Roxanne.

-Morgan Robinson

I [Learn] in the Corridor

"You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore."

 - Christopher Columbus 

One of the biggest blessings of my life has been my decision to choose Mercer University for college. The ever-growing private university nestled among a little bit of art, southern hospitality, and historic homes caught my eye and has captured my heart. I cannot imagine going anywhere else for undergraduate work--the professors are amazing, the community is so spirited and lively, and the students are some of the most determined leaders I have ever met. Only being a sophomore allows me two more years to learn in the Corridor, and I could not be more excited about that!

On Mercer's campus, you are going to stay busy!
Thanks to the University for sharing this photo of Mercer Village. 

With a little Mercer spirit on my mind, I decided to meet former Student Government Association (SGA) President Trent White and outgoing SGA President Jordan Locke for some Jittery Joe's Coffee. Both Trent and Jordan were interns for College Hill in the spring of last year, so we were able to swap intern stories. With both guys graduating in a short month, I thought it was the perfect time to ask some questions about what it really means to learn in the Corridor. For Jordan, a sociology and accounting major at Mercer, urban revitalization akin to what is taking place in the Corridor has been a special learning experience. Trent has been able to apply his international health and development major to forge partnerships with area leaders, like Community Health Works, to work towards alleviating childhood obesity in Macon. As the guys put it, "Macon provides a great opportunity to not just learn on Mercer's campus but experience the world on larger scale." Jordan commented that he would not trade living in Macon for the past four year for anything--and that makes me smile! The two remind me that the Corridor is a great place to live, work, and learn. As Trent pointed out, one of the greatest lessons he has learned living here has been the meaning of community.

Two of my favorites! Thanks Jordan, for letting me borrow from your Facebook :)

College Hill supporting the Bears at a home game.

We ended our chat with a little bit of advice for a first year at Mercer (got to admit, even being a sophomore, I was taking notes). Jordan and Trent emphasized the importance of making Macon home when coming to Mercer. Macon is your home just as much as the university is, and the city has a lot to offer! Instead of waiting for your FYS class or an upperclassman to show you what the city has in store for you, go check it out for yourself. Trent and Jordan agreed that getting plugged in "not just at Mercer, but in the community as a whole" can make your experience that much better. And I could not agree more. Enjoy these last few weeks of school, Bears, because we sure are fortunate to call Mercer home!

I [Shop] in the Corridor

"Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment 
where excellence is expected."

- Steve Jobs

Ah, one of my favorite pastimes - shopping. Seriously might even consider it an unhealthy addiction. But nonetheless, I would like to think of myself as a connoisseur of all things fashion. Which brings me to an interesting and often overlooked point about the Corridor. Right here in the heart of Georgia are some fabulous and unique shopping opportunities. Whether it is a hidden gem waiting to be plucked up at The Vault, the latest fashions at Ginger Michelle, or the newest shipment of North Face at Rodeo Beach, the Corridor has a lot to offer.

To get the inside perspective of the shopping scene in Macon I chatted up J.J. Hobbs, co-owner of Rodeo Beach in Mercer Village. I discovered that the hip outdoor gear provider started online for a good six years before opening a storefront. J.J. and her business partner, Christyanne Gaspar, did a little research and picked Macon, Georgia, as their launchpad because they liked "the community, the area, and the people." Nobody at the time was reaching the demographic looking for popular brands like Patagonia and Chacos. At the heart of the business's vision was a sense of trust between customers who would soon become friends. A dedication to the highest caliber of customer service - which was completely evident to me during our talk as J.J. personally welcomed everyone entering her store - is the kind of blueprint that has put Rodeo Beach on the map. Now, Rodeo Beach offers products that it knows Maconites want to see on their website and on their racks. From kids to grandparents and all ages in between, from those who exercise inside to those who recreate outdoors, Rodeo Beach will have you prepared for whatever lifestyle you choose - and make you look and feel good too. 

Though owning your own specialty boutique is a challenge within itself, J.J. finds triumph in being able to "provide jobs for a community of people we know and love." That kind of community stability makes any shopping deal you could find even sweeter. To know that you are buying quality items in a customer-centered environment that is providing local jobs, I just cannot think of anything better. So why not go shop local in Macon?! Check out Shoplocalmacon.com if you need a little help and let me know what y'all find out there. You know I love a good shopping story :)

I [Dine] in the Corridor

"There is no love sincerer than the love for food." 

- George Bernard Shaw

There is a lot of truth to the idea that good food brings people together. At least for me there is. Some of my fondest memories of college so far have been around the table of a local restaurant, surrounded by my friends. One of those great places is Francar's Buffalo Wings in Mercer Village. I absolutely love the atmosphere there, and the owner, Carl Frambo, has become a good friend. There is something wonderful about sharing a meal in a place where everyone knows you by name, and even remembers your order of ABC's and lemonade!

All our images are courtesy of Francar's. And they sure look good!

Right outside the large windows of Francar's, Carl and I chatted about what it takes to run a local legend. Carl saw the wing scene starting up north and wanted to bring the cuisine to the south. His experience in the kitchen while serving in the military proved to be the ticket to starting up a small restaurant on Log Cabin Drive. From there the rest was history - and a yummy one at that. The business then moved to its current location on Linden Avenue, right here in Mercer Village. With a work ethic Carl describes as "pulling your own weight and constantly being hands-on with the business," Francar's has become a hotspot for not only Mercer University, but also for residents of and visitors to the Corridor.

Thanks to Francar's for letting us borrow some pictures!

Carl has seen a lot of people come in and out of his door; in fact, he remembers couples coming in on their first date to his Log Cabin location and now he sees their children at his tables in Mercer Village. A lasting legacy like that is something not every business is so lucky to have, but definitely one that has been earned by Francar's. Carl offers me a bit of advice, to which he adds the disclaimer: "this isn't just advice, it's my life." He says, "Starting up a business is full-time work, so make sure it is something you are passionate about." He started out by drawing up a business plan and then he stuck to it. Carl's plan has become the vision that still keeps the business running and thriving.

Not only did we talk business, we also talked food! Big thank you to Carl for sharing this original recipe with our readers. Make sure to stop in and try one of 40 original and mouthwatering sauces on wings, fingers, or strips. MMM!

Lemon Pepper With a Kick

32 oz. of any sauce

1/3 cup of lemon pepper seasoning

8 oz. of water

1 stick margarine

1/2 tbsp. of Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp. of corn starch

Pour all liquids in one container. Combine lemon pepper seasoning with the cornstarch. Mix thoroughly with a whisk, slowly. Slowly heat until steam rises. Sauce is now ready!

I [Play] in the Corridor

"Life is a beautiful thing, and there is so much to smile about."

- Marilyn Monroe

The Corridor has a lot to offer as far as entertainment. In fact, through this internship I have discovered what all the Alliance is plugged into. Early on in my internship I was asked how many Second Sundays (stayed tuned, I'm going to explain what this is) I had attended since coming to Mercer University. I was ashamed to say I had never been to one before. Since then I have committed to not only attending Corridor events, but also bringing my friends and their friends along for the fun. If we all brought a friend who brought a friend who brought another friend to a free Corridor event, our whole neighborhood would be there! Here is my shameless promotion for our Second Sunday Brunch featuring JuBee and the Morning After. The event takes place on April 1st (no fool's day joke, here!), starting at 1pm, and the entire event is going to be jam packed of fun stuff. The best part of all is that it is free! Who doesn't love free, tell me, who doesn't love free?

So, April 1st, the place to be is Washington Park. The day kicks off with Second Sunday at 1pm and continues into the afternoon with the Magnolia Street Soapbox Derby at 3pm. Over coffee, I chatted up Koryn Young and Dan Zook, the self-proclaimed "rock-stars" running the show this year in conjunction with other Magnolia Street residents. What is most exciting, in my opinion, about the event is how community-driven it is. With a list of sponsors that includes The Hummingbird, Boy Scout troops,  private donors, local organizations, and Mid-Georgia Ambulance, the community's backing has become the backbone of an event that is sure to be high-energy and fast-paced. Koryn and Dan concentrate their efforts on making the event "permanent, happening every year" centered around the businesses and people in College Hill and Downtown Macon. Check out their cool new logo and video of last year's event:

This Sunday I am looking forward to my biggest event yet working for College Hill, and I would love to see you there! There will be boxed brunches for sale and a super cool band playing in a beautiful park. In the afternoon, you can laugh with me as we watch some brave souls test out their soapbox cars down Magnolia Street hill. See you there!

I [Live] in the Corridor

 "I make up for lost time when I come home." Winston Churchill

I personally did not consider Macon to be the hub of music, culture, and art that I have come to know it as now. When looking into colleges, Mercer University did not seem to me to be the college town atmosphere that one expects as the setting for their four year journey to a degree. However, I figured it was worth giving the city a shot, and I have not regretted that decision since. Interning for College Hill has allowed me to appreciate Macon from a different perspective. Every time I leave Macon--whether it is for a short weekend or a summer break from school--I find myself missing my second home!



Appreciate this dandy photo, fellow blogger Rhythm of Needles!

So I sat down with Historic Macon Foundation's Marketing and PR Coordinator Jennifer Mayer to delve into what all the Central City has to offer. Jennifer has the super cool job of coordinating special events that advocate preservation in Macon, with a lot of the effort fueled by membership--so you know it has the community's backing in whatever it undertakes. She describes her job as "never the same thing every day", and that seems to be the pivotal reason the Foundation is able to stay so connected to the community in a fresh and hip way.

The Foundation is focused on neighborhood revitalization, and they just undertook five rehabilitations in Beall's Hill. A lot of their work also goes into education for these historic homeowners, like encouraging them to take advantage of tax incentives and facade loans. Jennifer describes Historic Macon's focus on the Corridor as work for the people, people who really care. Macon's best kept secret--one that we hope to let out of the bag!--is that "there is always something to do here" as Jennifer puts it. Specifically the Corridor itself has a lot going on, and the best part is, it is all within walking distance. That walkability allows easy access to the lifestyle Historic Macon promotes, one that features sweet neighborhoods, Southern hospitality, and comforts of today blended with a rich history. So what should draw you to Macon and our College Hill Corridor? Well I would like you to discover that for yourself, because everyone's answer is unique but nonetheless important. Let me know what you find and happy exploring, ya'll!

A Walk in the Park

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown,

for going out, I found, was really going in."

- John Muir

The place you call home - whether it be for the first time with a family, for four short years at a private university, or for a lifetime in a city filled with history - is very important. So why choose Macon, Georgia? In the course of this blog, I hope to leave you asking why not Macon, Georgia? And more specifically, I hope to explain how the College Hill Corridor initiative fits into the puzzle.

For those of you unfamiliar with the College Hill Corridor initiative, it is a collaboration of everything that makes a community into more than sidewalks and turns strangers into neighbors and friends. With the tag line hip and historic at the heart of these efforts, the College Hill movement takes pride in the restoration and revitalization of homes and neighborhoods, the push for cleaner, bike-filled streets, and the invitation to enjoy community-centered events. With a calendar chock-full full of exciting happenings, the Corridor is the place to be. As shown in the map below, the Corridor encompasses Mercer University towards Riverside Drive and is bounded by I-75 as well as First and New Streets in Downtown Macon.

I had the opportunity to get the inside scoop from Alex Morrison, now serving as the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority Executive Director and one of the students behind the College Hill idea as it was first developed in a senior capstone class. Alex described the original vision as the result of noticing a disconnect between Mercer University and the community right outside its parameters. A sort of invisible wall, Alex describes, separates students from residents, and the idea was a development strategy that would permanently erase those walls. A strong emphasis was placed on walkability - the beautification, branding, and development of a community that needed a little push in the right direction. That kind of vision allowed Alex to fall in love with, as he puts it "the potential and what someone can accomplish here just by believing." I love that kind of spirit! For the future, Alex hopes to see a sense of stability for the Corridor because, as he puts it, "the greatest gift to any community is its own people loving exactly where they are." 

So, now that you know a little bit more about the Corridor itself, take a walk in its ideology, a metaphorical walk in the park. Join us at one of our free community events like this Satuday's Mercer Village St. Patrick's Day Festival or volunteer with our Second Sunday Brunch on April 1st. Stay tuned to my exploration of what it truly means to be in the Corridor! 

- Kelsey Jones, College Hill Alliance Communication Intern