In April 1873 a group of leading citizens of Newton County applied to the Georgia General Assembly for a charter to build a street railway, or trolley line, connecting Covington and Oxford. The street railroad was designed to be an efficient, inexpensive form of transportation, and give Covington and Oxford residents an easy way to reach the Georgia Railroad depot located between the two towns. The General Assembly granted the charter and right-of-way, but the first attempt at building the line failed. The idea of the trolley, however, did not. Fifteen years … (1 comments)
covington georgia news and views: New Taxes on Home Sales
- 01/14/11 09:47 AM
For several months, since ObamaCare was approved, there has been a lot of information spinning around online about the legislation, most of which is -at least - partially wrong. I got another such email from a friend today, so I wanted to let him and all the others who read my blog know the true information as I understand it concerning future taxation of earnings from the sale of a private residence - your home in Covington. The email my friend was distributing said that as of January 1, 2013, if you sold your home, there would be a 3.8% tax … (1 comments)
covington georgia news and views: Real Estate Terrorists
- 08/30/10 09:29 AM
Al Qaida... Hamas... Taliban... Hezbollah... No, it's none of those, but there is a real estate terrorists cell operating in Newton County and several other counties in Georgia, according to the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution." Cells of the domestic terrorist group "sovereign citizens" (listed on the FBI's domestic terrorist list) are "stealing" homes across the U.S. Locally, investigators have tied them to at least 19 property thefts in Newton, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Spalding and Richmond counties. The "sovereign citizens" group believe they are immune to state and federal laws, and assert -among other things - that banks can't own land and that … (0 comments)
covington georgia news and views: Walk Through History
- 09/28/09 05:03 AM
If you enjoy history or want to learn more about Covington's history and that of the people who have lived here, here's something you won't want to miss. On Thursday evening, October 15, the Tourism Division of the Covington/Newton County Chamber of commerce is sponsoring a guided walking tour of the historic Covington City Cemetery. The cemetery is located off Conyers and Church Streets just a couple of blocks off the historic square. The tour will be conducted by people in period costumes representing several "residents" of the cemetery who will provide graveside commentary about their lives and history of Covington … (0 comments)
covington georgia news and views: This Is Amaizing!
- 09/15/09 09:31 AM
This week begins the autumn season, and Colonel Cob’s Corn Maze in Oxford is open again with an all-new maze and several new attractions.
The pathways through Colonel Cob’s 7-acre cornfield this year is in the shape of a giant pirate ship. You should be able to navigate your way through the ship and safely back to the dock in about 30 minutes. But for the “directionally challenged,” it could take much longer. Co-owners Tommy and Emy Mitcham have also placed water-related trivia clues throughout the maze to help you navigate. If you answer the trivia questions about uses of … (2 comments)
This morning, I saw the first flock of geese flying south over my house, foretelling a change of seasons for Covington. Autumn is my favorite time of year, bringing clean, crisp air, beautiful colored leaves against the backdrop of white antebellum columns, SEC football, and vampires. Vampires?!?!
Covington has again been chosen as the perfect site for the filming of a new television series, The Vampire Diaries. When writers and location managers visited Covington and saw the historic square, it was exactly what they had in mind for the fictitious town of “Mystic Falls, Va,.” setting fo the … (9 comments)
covington georgia news and views: Psst... Hey You... Wanna Buy A "Money Machine?"
- 03/07/09 05:15 AM
Think that cute little 3BR/2BA brick and siding foreclosure across town might be a good rental property? Itmay be… Home prices are at a real low. The supply seems almost unlimited. Interest rates are the lowestin years, and more and more people are looking for rentals every day. Even today – with the stock market down over 52% from its record high in October 2007 - a home is still asafe and highly leveraged asset with an ability to generate wealth which is second to none. But before youcash out your mutual funds or dig up that coffee can full of … (6 comments)
covington georgia news and views: Fix Housing - Fix the Economy: Finally Someone Gets It !
- 01/28/09 02:29 AM
When I checked my email late last night, I had a message from U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson's (R-Ga.) office about a new bill he introduced called the Fix Housing First Homebuyer Tax Credit Act to expand the homebuyer tax credit passed by Congress last year. Considering the provisions of Senator Isakson's bill and his speech to colleagues on the Senate floor about the bill, I think someone has finally gotten this thing figured out! Senator Isakson has already met with President Obama's team, explaining the bill and urging their support, and told his Senate colleagues of his hope that they will... … (9 comments)
covington georgia news and views: Newton County BOE Rushes Boldly Into 20th Century!
- 01/09/09 07:16 AM
Finally! After prolonged, consistent "lobbying" efforts by a small group of parents and citizens concerned with the education of their children and grandchildren in Covington and Newton County, the county Board of Education is establishing two theme schools for next school year. Finally, our school system is moving out of the educational Dark Ages. An elementary theme school will open next year at Fairview Elementary. Clements Middle School is being turned into a theme school for middle school students. Meetings are scheduled all during the month of January to provide more information to the public on the schools and their curriculums. … (3 comments)
covington georgia news and views: Covington Restaurants... Smiley's
- 12/23/08 07:58 AM
I grew up in the South eating home-cooked Southern food. My Mom was a great cook, as is my wife. But Mom always cooked in ways that we've come to realize weren't so good for you. Her biscuits were made with lard. Chicken, or pork chops or steak was fried. Most veggies were cooked with fat back. And the cornbread was always slathered with butter. The result... yummy food, bouts with being overweight, and cholesterol pills. Now, I'm not sure they cook like Mom did, but you can still get that great Southern home-style food at Smiley's in Porterdale. No white … (0 comments)
covington georgia news and views: A Christmas Hope
- 12/22/08 06:59 AM
I'm fortunate enough to have a friend who is also a fine poet. He writes verse all during the year. But every year around this season, there's always something special. His latest is "A Christmas Hope." This was published in our church program this past Sunday, but deserves to be read by more than just our Presbyterian friends. It evokes vivid images of Christmas past, and inspires belief in the future. It's what this special season is all about. I think you'll enjoy it. It's printed here with permission. A Christmas Hope by Reed Blakeney It's strange to see you now, old … (0 comments)
covington georgia news and views: "Hollywood of the South"
- 12/10/08 05:12 AM
Covington and the surrounding area have long been known by the nickname "Hollywood of the South." Film-makers, producers and directors all seem drawn to the locale by the character and charm of its Southern-style buildings and homes. When the film credits roll, "Filmed on location in Covington, Georgia" shows up on productions such as "In the Heat of the Night, The Dukes of Hazard, My Cousin Vinnie, and Six Pack," among others. Now Covington - more specifically Covington's Traditional Neighborhood Development, Clark's Grove - is the backdrop for yet another video. Taylor Braun, the young, upcoming Nashville star, filmed her latest … (1 comments)
covington georgia news and views: The Time Is Now! - Reinforced
- 04/18/08 08:51 AM
Around the first of this month, I wrote a short blog called "The Time Is Now!" about when is a good time to buy a house. This morning, an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution reinforced my idea that there's no better time to buy real estate than now. Julie Hairston wrote in the AJC this morning that Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has just put his seven-bedroom Buckhead mansion on the market for $10.9 million. Well, most of us couldn't even afford one bay of the three-car garage or a couple of the seven full baths in that home! But, that's … (0 comments)
covington georgia news and views: It Ain't Over "Till It's Over
- 01/16/08 08:04 AM
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) issued a press release on December 11 of last year entitled "The Worst is Over - Existing Home Sales to trend up in 2008." Yesterday, the Atlanta Journal Constitution published an article on the Business front, above the fold, that shouted "Metro area foreclosures surge." If you saw these two articles, you're probably wondering "What the heck is going on?" So, who's right? I don't know the answer to that question. But, let me tell you what I DO know. The NAR is wrong! That should be evident with yesterday's AJC headline. The NAR and their economists based their … (0 comments)
covington georgia news and views: "Smart Growth" - Not Just A Buzzword
- 01/14/08 06:13 AM
I've said before that, in my opinion, we're lucky in Covington and Newton County, Georgia to have government land use planners, commissions and councils who are concerned with proper, sustainable growth in our city and county. A recent survey by the National Association of Realtors® and Smart Growth America supports what we're doing here in verifying that the American public agrees that growth is good so long as it is "Smart Growth." High energy costs are making Americans think twice about unrestrained, random development. Overwhelmingly, people want their local governments and developers to plan and make their communities less dependent on cars … (0 comments)
covington georgia news and views: Covington Georgia Real Estate: "Top Ten" Follow-Up
- 11/08/07 03:02 AM
This is a follow-up to my "Covington Georgia Real Estate: Top Ten Reasons You'll Want To Make Covington Georgia Your Home" post. Although there were nine other great reasons you might want to live in Covington, Georgia, the Number 1 reason was Covington's "Southern Charm." To reinforce that top reason, here are a couple of tours showcasing some of Covington's gracious old southern homes. These beautiful homes are a source of pride to current and future residents of Covington. They are a rich legacy of the past which we cherish and pass on as a heritage to generations yet unborn. I hope you enjoy … (2 comments)
covington georgia news and views: Covington Georgia Real Estate: Top Ten Reasons You'll Want To Make Covington Georgia Your Home
- 11/06/07 07:32 AM
Are you thinking of moving to Georgia... or more specifically Covington, Georgia? If you are, you're making a great choice!! I may be a bit prejudiced because I live here... and grew up here. But let's see if I can convince you that what I say about Covington, Georgia being a great place to live - without prejudice - is true. Here are the Top Ten Reasons You'll Want To Make Covington, Georgia Your Home: 10. EDUCATION: Schools and education in Covington and Newton County, Georgia are, admittedly, not the best in the State. However, we're far from the bottom of the list. … (6 comments)
covington georgia news and views: Covington CityScape: "A Festival for Three Organs"
- 10/22/07 06:22 AM
A sleepy Sunday afternoon in Covington, Georgia was roused awake by a magnificent concert today, "A Festival for Three Organs. Presented by the Newton County Arts Association and the First Presbyterian Church of Covington, "A Festival for Three Organs," featuring concert artists Dan Miller and our own Becky Ramsey and Alice Walker, offered over an hour of beautiful and stirring music performed on the Presbyterians Church's magnificent pipe organ and two Rodgers Trillium Masterpiece organs supplied and installed in the church's sanctuary by Chapel Music of Lithonia. Mr. Miller not only performed, but arranged and scored all the selections for the three organs. Jeremiah … (0 comments)
covington georgia news and views: Covington Living - Cityscape: "Portraits of Hope"
- 10/18/07 06:49 AM
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, corporations like RE/MAX, through its Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure sponsorship, and even individual communities are promoting awareness of this illness which strikes thousands of women - and men - each year. Proudly, Covington is no exception. In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Main Street Covington and the Newton Medical Center Women's Diagnostic Center partnered this month to present "Portraits of Hope." "Portraits of Hope" is perhaps one of the quietest, but most compelling and impactful "celebrations" I've witnessed. "Portraits of Hope" features 26 … (0 comments)
covington georgia news and views: Covington Living - CityScape Events
- 10/10/07 07:28 AM
There's a lot going on in Covington this week and throughout the rest of October. The "Yellow River Jam" is scheduled for this coming Saturday, October 13th. It promises to be a lot of fun, but is also tied to an important event, the "Rivers Alive Cleanup." The Rivers Alive Cleanup is sponsored by Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful, the local affiliate of Keep Georgia Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful. The clean-up efforts will target sections of the Yellow and Alcovy Rivers. After the morning clean-up, workers - along with the general public - can grab some food and fun at the "Yellow River Jam." … (0 comments)
The Covington and Oxford Street Railway
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