Features stories

Here are a few of my favorite features stories from my year and a half on the features desk:

April 28, 2011: Royal wedding a cause for celebration

Many eyes on this side of "The Pond" will still be closed at 6 a.m. Friday, when Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange their marriage vows.
But the time difference won't stop some from celebrating the Royal Wedding.
For instance, Lisa Scherer will record the ceremony while she sleeps.
Then, at 11 a.m. Friday, about a dozen of her friends will arrive -- dressed to the nines with long gloves and sporting hats of various sizes and colors -- to watch the event with her.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2011-04-28/royal-wedding-cause-celebration

April 10, 2011: Try your hand at disc golf

If longer days and warmer temperatures beckon you outdoors and a bike trail seems too lonely, try your hand at disc golf.
It's accessible to all ages, fitness and skill levels. It's also inexpensive.
"You can spend 10 bucks and have a lot of fun forever," said professional disc golfer Josh Childs.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/life/2011-04-10/try-your-hand-disc-golf

Dec. 29, 2010: Contestant sticks with program and wins

Karyn Kelly knew exactly what she wanted to say if she was announced Gold's Gym's Fit to be Gold contest winner.
"I'm going to Disney World!"
She didn't get the chance to say it when Kicks 99 radio personality Chris O'Kelley announced her as the winner Monday night at Gold's Gym.
But after the big moment was over, she said it several times as the other contestants congratulated her and said their good-byes.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/things-do/applause/2010-12-29/contestant-sticks-program-and-wins



July 15, 2010: Arm yourself against aging

Protect yourself: The first step is to protect what you already have.
"It's easier to maintain good skin than to repair it once it's damaged," said Dawn Swint, a traveling makeup artist for Clinique.
Skin care professionals across the board say sunscreen is the most important component in a skin care regimen.

June 19, 2010: Together, though far apart

Joe Wilson will spend time with his six children today, but he can only hug two of them for Father's Day.
Today, the Augusta obstetrics and gynecology physician plans to have brunch at the Partridge Inn with his eldest daughters, Ashley, 30, and Lauren, 23, the only two who live close enough right now to see him.
His son Adam, 18, will arrive on Monday, partly to visit his dad and partly in preparation for surgery to correct an injury to a wrist he suffered while skateboarding.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2010-06-19/together-though-far-apart


June 17, 2010: Fathers pass on family legacy

It's a Southern tradition to name a son after his father, as seen by all the Juniors walking around. Men with the Roman numeral III after their name are less common; those with a IV or V, rarer still. For Father's Day, here are stories of fathers and sons who have kept the tradition, and the name, alive for generations.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/life/2010-06-17/fathers-pass-family-legacy


May 6, 2010: Mother finds son she gave up in 1984

After he finished his slice of pizza and his salad, Eric Pete popped a toothpick into his mouth.
His mother, Carol Thompson, glanced at him sideways in the booth at Mellow Mushroom, rolled her eyes and said, "You and that toothpick."
He looked at her, twirled it around in his mouth a little bit and said, "What?"
Thompson grinned, soaking up every nuance of the 26-year-old.
"I just can't get enough of him," she said.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/life/people/2010-05-06/mother-finds-son-she-gave-1984



March 11, 2010: Rationing the meal money

A recently divorced mother of three, Liz Nelson, 29, lives solely off child-support payments while she attends Augusta Technical College to become a cardiovascular technologist.
She feeds her family on $40 a week and writes about how she does it on her blog, frugaldivorcedliz.blogspot.com.
She buys in bulk whenever she has extra money and stockpiles staples such as oatmeal, cereal and dried beans.
Feeding her children healthful food is a priority for Nelson, and it's something she's unwilling to compromise on.
"I always think that my economic straits aren't going to last forever," she said. "I don't want them to not grow up healthy because of my divorce."

http://chronicle.augusta.com/life/food/2010-03-11/rationing-meal-money

Feb. 28, 2010: Every family has a history

It seems that broadcasters have discovered a booming interest in genealogy.
The four-part Public Television miniseries Faces of America features Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., exploring American history through the family trees of 12 notable Americans, including musician Yo-Yo Ma, actress Eva Longoria, chef Mario Batali, Queen Noor, and figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi.
The show will follow seven Americans – actors Matthew Broderick, Lisa Kudrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Sarandon and Brooke Shields, director Spike Lee and NFL player Emmitt Smith – as they trace their family trees.
If you’ve wondered about your own family history but never knew where to start, contact the Augusta Genealogical Society or a local historical society. They have workshops designed for new researchers, a wealth of research materials and volunteers who are eager to help.
In need of inspiration? Here are stories from three area residents on what they found when they explored their family backgrounds:

http://chronicle.augusta.com/life/people/2010-02-28/every-family-has-history