Creekside Chronicles
By Mary Ann Anderson

Where has the time gone? Wasn't it just January not that long ago? Before we know it, 2009 will be here. Every year I attempt to start and complete some project. This year I want to complete the book for my nephew Connor and if all goes well, have it ready to be published before the holidays. I already have some nibbles from publishers.

Another major project beginning shortly will be the "facelift" on my cabin. This past weekend my daughter and her family visited and we sat making plans. I had to laugh at all the ideas she came up with for the cabin. This project will certainly test our relationship as mother and daughter. I want to keep things simple and she wants the whistles, buzzers and bells, especially in the kitchen. You know, garbage disposal, trash compactor, dish washer. I gently explained to her that we will be merging the old with the new. Her idea of relaxing is coming here to sit in her future hot tub she wants located just outside her new bedroom, watch the fire and listen to creek. She said if we must have that awful view across the creek, she wants the back end of the cabin. I don't blame her a bit. It is probably a good thing her visits are occasional ones. She gets something in her head and pursues it like a dog with a bone. But, that is why she is so successful in Atlanta.

What excited me is the fact my family is finally "getting" it as to why I love living here in Andrews. In spite of the rainy day, we had a great time walking about the town. I brought them into many of the shops on Main Street, introduced them to my friends and told them of the future plans for the town. As I proudly talked about the growth in Andrews, I realized that Andrews truly is growing, carefully and step by step.

My daughter enjoyed her tour at Hawksdene because she is always looking for unique places to hold business retreats for her departments. Of course, Sandy and I attempted to double team her about her upcoming wedding. But our family weddings are just short of conventions. The children loved the donkeys and llamas, but I believe that tire swing that looked like a horse was a bigger hit. Then, of course our dinner at the Cole House closed the deal. They just could not believe the food, the wine and the fun people were having at the Phat Trout. She even joined in and commented that Andrews has come a long way since I first came into this valley. She is right.

As Andrews grows, we must make sure that wise and reasonable planning is taking place. If we allow our town to grow without a plan, we will find things will get out of control vey quickly. It will be much like the cabin renovations if I do not keep a watchful eye on things. Let's make sure our ordinances are enforced, proper permitting is adhered to and our elected officials are forward thinking individuals. Just as I will merge the wonderful old character of my cabin with some new parts, we can do the same thing in Andrews as long as we also keep a watchful eye on developments.

We are so fortunate to have such a professional and focused police department who is doing its best to keep us safe and curb the criminal activity in and around our town. Let's help them out from time to time when we see activity that will put our children in harm's way and our community in a bad light to people thinking about opening a business and/or making their home here. Change is coming to the valley. It is up to the community to control it.