A word from Molly

Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As there were no scheduled fall events I took the summer off. But alot has happened since we last published the Rooster. Bill Spann resigned as mayor. We bid him a fond farewell and wish him good health and much success in his future endeavors. We also would like to say thank you to Craig Dukes and Laura King for offering to run for mayor. Sandra Jackson withdrew her bid to run but, thank you also. Being mayor of any small town is a difficult task because you are known both personally and politically. You will probably over time, have to make decisions one way or another, that will be unpopular with your friends and you may not receive many thank you's during those times. So, on behalf of the 750 or so of us who took a step back when the volunteers stepped forward to run, we offer a heartfelt "Thank You" in advance for all your hard work.

Sincerely, Molly Lesnikowski

p.s. I am retiring as President of the Beautification Committee after a umpteen number of years. Even though, I will still would like to publish the Rooster on a regular bimonthly schedule, six times a year. The deadline for input will be the 15th of the month prior to publication. With a regular system in place we hope to expand community participation. So, mark your calendars now for the December 15th deadline for the Jan/Feb issue. We will be adding another advertising page to help pay for future issues, currently the Beautification Committee makes up the difference in each issue that falls over budget. I will stay on as editor to focus on improving this publication.

From the Plant Doctor

As many leaves change color and fall, we tend to be particularly aware of trees, so I thought it would be a good idea, at this Thanksgiving season, to remind us how wonderful trees are.

Botanically, a tree is a plant with one main stem at ground level that accumulates woody tissue from year to year. Thus the difference between a tree and a shrub is not the size, but the fact that shrubs have several stems. In the high Arctic, there are willow trees hundreds of years old and only a foot or so tall and a bonsai maple or pine is as mush a tree as a giant redwood.

However, most trees are tall (30 feet to about 300 feet at maturity) and this is one of the features that makes them so important. Their roots grow deep in the soil to pull up minerals and water. This water, as much as several hundred gallons per day, evaporates from the leaves into the atmosphere and results in evaporative cooling. Shade trees, drawing on deep ground water, actually increase local rainfall (the flip side of this is that by cutting down forests, we lower local rainfall).

Trees, because they are so tall, provide habitat for all sorts of other creatures, which are both numerous and larger than those than can live where the vegetation is smaller. In addition, their sheer size means that trees store large amounts or organic matter in the wood of their trunks and branches and leaves. On a cold fall night a wood fire cheers us and warms us up. When the leaves fall to the ground, they provide food for a tremendous host of insects and other invertebrates as well as recycling minerals back to the soil for other plants to use.

We tend to think of the leaves as too much of a good thing, and if they stay piled on the ground they block the light to the grass of our lawns. However, with a little effort you can turn them into a great benefit for your lawn and garden. First of all, the latest research in several different states show that leaves do not have to be raked to protect the lawn. If they are mowed regularly, into small pieces, the pieces fall between the blades of grass without forming the mats that block light and water if the leaves are whole. They will break down and provide mineral nutrients to the grass. The leaves can also be raked or blown to make first class leave compost. Again, the leaves should if possible be run through a leaf shredder (not chipper, which is jammed by soft material like leaves) or mown into small pieces. Pile the pieces in layers, about 4-6 inches of leaves, then a little soil and a handful of fertilizer (left over lawn fertilizer is perfect, as long as it doesn't have a weed killer of fungicide mixed in), then another layer of leaves. Make piles at least three feet on a side if you can. By next fall, if not sooner, you will have a leaf mold, perfect to dig into both flower and vegetable gardens to lighten our heavy clay soil. All leaves even oak and magnolia, can be composted this way, and when they are decayed they are not particulary acid. However, they should be composted separately, rather than added to compost based on grass etc... because their decay is much slower, and the grass part of the compost will be rotted into nothing by the time the leaves are ready to use.

Meet the Candidates for Mayor

Hello,
My name is Laura King and I am running for mayor of Rutledge. I grew up in Morgan County (Madison and Buckhead), attended UGA, went to work in Atlanta, and then moved back here in 1998. My family—my husband and 3 sons—have really enjoyed our home here, the people, the park and the shops.

If lam elected as mayor my main focus will be to hold down expenses for the city in our general and water budgets. We need to look closely at all spending items. However, we also want to maintain services for our residents like clean drinking water, upkeep of parks and grounds, garbage and debris removal, etc...

I also would like to see a vital downtown area. I am excited to see how Robert Terrell develops the old Rutledge Antique Walk. Wouldn't a bakery or drugstore be great here?!

I believe Rutledge is a great, friendly, walkable community for citizens of all ages. I will work to make sure that growth in our area benefits our residents.

Please feel free to call me with ideas or concerns.

Sincerely,
Your Neighbor
Laura

---

Hi, My name is Michael "Craig " Dukes and I'm running for mayor of Rutledge. I have been a Georgia resident all of my life and have lived in the city of Rutledge for 9 years. Living in Rutledge has given me a sense of peace and calmness. We have issues that clearly need attention but I believe if we put our heads together as a community we can find solid solutions without changing the smalltown atmosphere of Rutledge. We need to stand together to see that Rutledge grows in a way that we will not regret in a few short years.

Thank you for your vote,
Mickael Craig Dukes

Town Welcomes New Business

Sometime in September Mr. Peters of inwood.com, located in the building next to the tracks moved to a location at the Rutledge Flea Market. We were sorry to see him go.

In October Keith Rex opened Trackside Treasures. Anyone familiar with Rutledge will know Keith from his long time location at J&K Antiques next to Yesterday Cafe. Trackside Treasures is a consignment shop featuring antiques and collectibles, with over 4,000sq.ft of showroom we are proud to welcome Keith and his dealers to their new home. Trackside Treasures is currently accepting quality dealers looking to rent space.

Antique Walk has New Owner

For the last year Rutledge has been missing one of it's downtown anchor stores. Located at the corner of Fairplay and Main, the old manufacturing plant had been open to the public, selling antiques since the late 80's. First as Mr. Beal's Antiques and then as the Antique Walk. When Ellen Jensen left in the summer of 03, they were sorely missed. Recently Mr. Robert Terrell has purchased the property. They are now in the process of restoring the building and installing businesses. We wish Mr. Terrell good luck with his project and welcome him to our community.

We're Crowing

Congratulations Linda & James Bratcher, Yard of the Rooster WINNER for October.

Congratulations Cindy & Tim Ferguson, Yard of the Rooster WINNER for November.

Due to the lack of funds and volunteers Rutledge Recreation was unable to hold a Halloween activity this year, disappointed? Consider Volunteering. Call Ed Hogan the Rec Department, 557-9020

Cameron Hampton, artist—

The Pecan Orchard Gallery—Rutledge Won the Prestigious “Georgia National Fair” purchase award, the Jane Perfect Purchase Award, 2nd place in photography and Honorable Mention award for her sculpture, “Cow”. She also sold three paintings to the public visiting the fair. Her painting for the purchase award “Behind the Scenes at the Fair” will be on permanent display with the Georgia Fair Commission in Perry.

“Christmas in the Country”

It's beginning to look alot like "Christmas in the Country" as the quaint village of Rutledge, Georgia prepares for it's 25th Annual Christmas Open House November 19th -21st 2004. Celebrating 25 years, this will be the Silver Anniversary for this event!

Participating Merchants in and around Rutledge are trimming their trees and decorating their shops with lovely old-fashioned decorations. They look beautiful against the backdrop of the restored 1890's buildings filled with artists and craftsmen, antiques and gifts and a wonderful cafe in the old drug store building. On the corner sits the quaint little red caboose serving ice cream, homemade candy and sandwiches.

Just outside of town, signs will lead you to crafters who will open their homes to let you shop amongst the handmade gifts they've been preparing for the season. Mary Sue Alexander's home on Durden Road plays host to her always - wonderful house of handmade crafts, Shades of Country. Our newest attraction this year, found on Old Mill Road is Seasonal Creations by Melody, featuring lovely seasonal floral arrangements handmade by Melody Knight and displayed throughout her lovely home.

Look for the North Pole at City Hall where you will find Santa and Mrs. Claus. A photographer will be on duty if you wish to have your picture made with Santa.

There will be live music on the stage and a Craft Fair featuring local artists in the city park in the center of downtown. As always many of the shops will be serving refreshments for your delight and there will be horse and carriage rides throughout downtown.

Come join Rutledge in Celebration of the Silver Anniversary of their delightful "Christmas in the Country" Open House, the perfect way to kick off this Holiday Season and get into the Holiday Spirit!