Kinder Gentler New Year's Resolutions
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ISSUE NO. 37 January Kinder Gentler New Year’s Resolutions Contributed By: Laurie Searle; story from www.healthjourneys.com People have been making New Year’s resolutions since the time of Julius Caesar, when January got its name from Janus, the two headed god. One head looked backward at the old year, and the other looked forward into the new one, making Janus the patron of bridges, doorways, beginnings and endings. The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions has survived the test of time, because of its simple promise to make things better and the opportunity each January to start anew, erase the past slate and begin with a fresh, blank one. New Year’s resolutions abound, but the whole idea of making New Year’s resolutions is a personal commitment to oneself, and the best resolutions are made in the heart of each individual. Some people like to make lists of very In this month’s issue, we look backward and forward at specific resolutions, or write lengthy journal entries on each kinder gentler resolutions set by those in Chatt Hills: one, while others might simply make mental notes to do • Chatt Hills Attorney Rick Lindsey returned to community something, often not even calling them resolutions. theater after a 20-year hiatus. • Chatt Hills Parks Commission Chair Diana Wilson Some things we do know, from our own and others’ identified a resource to build a free boat ramp. experiences, is that the kinder and gentler we are with • Serenbe’s Montessori School evolved and is now ourselves, the more likely we are to benefit from making including Acton Academy. the resolutions. We are also more likely to keep and benefit • The Serenbe Institute increases its program under its from resolutions that not only help us, but serve others as South Fulton Area Initiative. well. • Chatt Hills Mayor Reed reports on the end of year and 2019 goals. This Month’s Issue: P2 – Community Announcements P12 – Church & Faith Based Bulletins P18 – City Calendar P11 – Community Events P13 – City Government Community Announcements Kinder Gentler Resolution – Find Time to Play into a full-scale production. While I have been involved in a few productions with limited runs (1-2 shows) and short Chatt Hills Attorney Rick Lindsey rehearsal schedules during those years, I simply could not returns to the stage after a 20-year find the time in my schedule that it takes to be in a large hiatus production like “Annie”. By: Laurie Searle How did you gain experience for community theater? I studied music for almost 20 years and have had several great instrumental and voice teachers over the years. My main instruments were trombone and bassoon, and I also played the piano and sang. I was going to major in music when I graduated from high school and had been accepted to both University of Georgia and Columbus University but changed my mind shortly after graduating. My undergraduate degree is in Business with an emphasis in Advertising and then, of course, went to law school. What a change of direction! If you’ve ever been to a Chattahoochee Hills city council meeting, chances are you’ve seen Rick Lindsey in his customary seat at the staff’s table. In his role as the city’s attorney, a position he’s held for more than 10 years, Rick is like an “A student” who completes all of his work ahead of schedule and sits at-the-ready to answer any questions. Among his many responsibilities, Rick drafts local legislation based on input from city staff and council, reviews contracts and operational documents ensuring compliance with laws, and represents the city in legal matters. He does all of this in addition to his full-time law practice in Peachtree City. Would you describe a typical audition? When we recently learned that Rick was acting in the For “Annie”, I had to sing a song of my choice, read several musical “Annie” in the Southside Theatre Guild (STG) times on stage and learn some simple dance steps to then in Fairburn, we asked him to share his experience with demonstrate to the choreographer and director. community theater. I auditioned for the role of Bert Healy, who I play in this show, which is the same part I played 28 years ago in STG’s When did you first become interested in acting? first production of “Annie”. The director also asked me My first play was in 5th grade in which I had the lead role. to play Drake in the show, who is Warbuck’s butler and is I was in several other school plays afterwards. So, I would onstage quite a bit, and Harold Ickes, who is a member of say I was a kid when I first became interested. I did a lot of President Roosevelt’s cabinet and gets to “ham it up a bit”. theater while I was in college and after law school. Once Doing the three parts has been a ton of fun but resulted I got married, had two children and a demanding law in more rehearsal time than I had planned and seemingly practice, finding the time to be in theater became next to endless number of costume changes. When I am not impossible. I had to step away in 1998 and thought that I onstage in this show, I am changing backstage – a couple of would take a few years off to focus on my family and career. times in a matter of seconds with the help of several people. I never thought it would be 20 years before I would get back Chatt About – January 2019 | www.chatthillscommunity.com 2 Community Announcements What was the most challenging part of your roles in Tell us about your vocation. “Annie”? As you know, I am an attorney and have been since I By far the most challenging part of being in a show is finding was 27. My practice concentrates on local government the time to rehearse, learn lines, songs and dance steps law, commercial law and estate planning. I also handle while practicing law as my clients’ matters have to come adoptions – all types, which is probably my greatest love. I first. Between the show and my law practice, I have not had probably handle more adoptions than any attorney south of much free time in the past three months. I do not worry Atlanta. Both of our children are adopted and I am happy about dropping lines in this show as the cast is extremely that I can help families form in that way. strong and another actor would cover if that were to happen. By far, the most challenging part of this show is the I am fortunate to serve in the role of City Attorney for number of costume changes and ensuring that before the Chattahoochee Hills for over 10 years now. I love the show starts I have all of the ties, vests, coats and shoes and community and thoroughly enjoy working with the staff and have placed all of the costume pieces in the proper locations officials. backstage where I need to change – sometimes just out of sight of the audience. Do you have any other hobbies (singing, dancing, teaching, etc.)? Was this your first experience with Southside Theater I enjoy traveling and do so as often as my wife and I can get Guild (STG)? away. I love water skiing and still can ski the slalom course. Oh, no. The first show I did at STG was “Once Upon a I also run most every day. Mattress” in 1976. Thinking back, I have probably been involved in more than 20 productions at Southside as either When it comes to theater, what’s next and what’s on your an actor, backstage crew/technician, and director. I was also bucket list? the president of STG for several years in the late 1980’s and I am not sure. It won’t be another 20 years before I am back into the mid 1990’s. onstage but it will depend on my work schedule. There are many shows that have good roles in the musical theater for What were some of the other challenging roles you’ve an aging actor. I’ll just have to see what comes down the played in past years? pipe. Probably the most difficult role I’ve played was Marryin’ Sam in “Lil’l Abner” because of the amount of lyrics to learn. I also was challenged playing Thisby in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” due to the dialogue and iambic pentameter. I also enjoyed playing the roles of Narrator in the show “Into the Woods” and Billy in “Anything Goes”. Would you share some of your personal background? Where were you born & raised, where do you live now, tell us about your family. I am one of the few native Atlantans. Born in the city and grew up in College Park and Fairburn. I graduated from Pictured on the stage of “Annie”, left to right: Cindy Lindsey, Ella Campbell High School in 1976. Rose Roberts, Rick Lindsey and Lauren Roberts. I have been happily married for 30 years to Cindy. We live All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely play- in Peachtree City and have raised our family here. We have ers: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his a son, Brandon, who is 27 and lives in Charlotte; and a time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.