Art Saved the Western World

Did you know that Winston Churchill was a painter?

IMG_4204

In fact, he painted over 500 works of art and they were exhibited in Atlanta from October 1, 2014 – Februay 1, 2015.

I had the pleasure of hearing Rodney Mims Cook, Jr., President of the National Monuments Foundation, speak at a luncheon. Cook’s firm built the Millennium Gate Museum in Midtown Atlanta where “The Art of Diplomacy: Winston Churchill and the Pursuit of Painting” exhibit was showcased. The 85-foot high arch resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, with its classical styling. Additionally, it houses a 12,000 square foot museum. (more…)

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs, GA

Located on the west side of Atlanta in Lithia Springs, Sweetwater Creek State Park offers 9 miles of wooded hiking trails. The highlight is walking by the ruins of an old textile mill burned during the Civil War.

Sweetwater Creek State Park
Sweetwater Creek State Park
The trail to the mill ruins is marked in red.
The trail to the mill ruins is marked in red.

We took our dog and hiked along the red, historic trail to see the mill ruins. The 1/2 mile to the mill ruins is relatively easy and follows Sweetwater Creek. (more…)

Dia de los Reyes – Three Kings Day at the Atlanta History Center

On January 4, we attended Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) at the Atlanta History Center. This annual event is sponsored by the Mexican Consulate and the Insituto de Mexico.

 

IMG_4098

Besides the free admission to the museum and the grounds, a large celebration was held in the ballroom. Children were sporting royal crowns and they could get their picture taken with the three kings. There were live performances on the stage, as well as tamales for sale. (more…)

New Ice Rink Inside the Perimeter – Center Ice Arena, Sandy Springs, GA

“We’re going to be sore tomorrow!” my husband announced as we left Center Ice Arena this afternoon with our two children.

He is right, but the adventure was well worth it.

Seeing that this weekend’s weather was going to be cold, rainy and gray, we decided to try out the new ice skating rink that opened ITP – Inside the Perimeter (Atlanta speak for inside the I-285 loop). The facility opened just in time for the winter holidays.

IMG_4087

My husband, who played hockey as a kid, was looking forward to skating on a “real” skating rink. In the past, we’ve skated at Centennial Olympic Park and Park Tavern, which offer smaller scale, temporary rinks during the holiday season. Not only was this a permanent, regulation size rink, but they offered a choice between regular skates and hockey skates. (more…)