Toccoa Tuesday: The World's Strongest Man

Hello, Everyone!
It has been awhile since I put a spotlight on the town where my corner of the book world is in: Toccoa, Georgia. With the summer olympics going on right now, I was reminded of the olympic history right here in Toccoa. 

"If I, Paul Anderson, The World's Strongest Man, can not make it through one day without Jesus Christ, how can you?"

Paul Anderson was born on October 17, 1932 in Toccoa, Georgia. When he was a young child, he was diagnosed with a kidney disease, but he healed. Paul grew up in Toccoa and attended high school here. He earned and accepted a football scholarship to Furman University. He left Furman and at nineteen years-old, he was lifting weight equivalent to the world record at the current time. Um, AMAZING.

Paul Anderson was twenty-two years old when he competed in the 1956 Olympics held in Melbourne, Australia. His sport was weightlifting. Paul Anderson won a gold medal in the sport! In 1957, after his olympic victory, Paul was named "World's Strongest Man" when he lifted 6,270 pounds in a back lift setting the Guiness World Record!!!

 Today, visitors enjoy Paul Anderson Park located in Toccoa's downtown area. The park is beautiful with a gorgeous  water fountain (pictured) as well as benches and concrete walkways for visitors to use. The alluring landscape is always matched to the current season. A lovely outdoor atmosphere can be found at Paul Anderson Park. 

Please take a few minutes to learn about the youth home, Paul Anderson Youth Home, that Paul started with his wife soon after he won his Olympic gold medal! When you travel to Toccoa, you will find much more information about Paul Anderson at the Currahee Military Museum as well as our Visitor's Center at the train depot downtown. Paul Anderson's legacy is worth your time and travel!

Believe.

Caitlin A.

Toccoa Tuesday: Java Station

Hello, Everybody!

My corner of the book world is a bit soggy today. It is one of those droopy rainy Tuesdays in Toccoa, Georgia making this "Toccoa Tuesday" all about my local coffee shop! I am so thankful that my corner of the book world has a fantastic coffee shop: Java Station. After all, what better pair than coffee shop and a book publisher, right?!

An old gas station was remodeled to become 
the home of Java Station & Cafe.

So, Toccoa does not have a Dunkin Donuts, a Starbucks, or any super coffee shop chain; however, Toccoa does have a coffee shop! I like to think of the Java Station as a pivotal meeting place in the community. The Java Station is a host to parties, meetings, dates, networking, study groups, etc...


About a year ago, the Java Station expanded their kitchen services. Now, they serve a variety of sandwiches, salads, burgers, and an occasional grilled sandwich.  It has been nice to see the kitchen grow into producing full entree's at dinner time. Delicious!

Hot Drinks on a cold day!

The food and drinks are tasty, healthy, and original. The chefs do wonderful jobs in the kitchen! The baristas are in a class of their own. I stop in to the Java Station most every week. Most of the time I am accompanied by my younger brother. He has special needs and has been working to improve his social skills by ordering a drink for himself. The baristas are kind enough to not rush him when ordering. Instead, they treat him respectfully letting him get his order in. If my brother forgets to ask for the drink sugar free, the barista asks him if he would like the ordered drink sugar free. It is the extra step that counts. A friendly greeting when arriving and departing makes the Java Station & Cafe just the right fit for Toccoa, Georgia. Also, the background music is always something different. Sometimes it is classical music or 70's classic rock hits and everything in between. 

I feel like it is cliche to say that coffee or hot tea and a good book is all you need on a rainy day, but come on. Who craves something hot to drink on a cold and rainy winter day? I know I do! Go download Their Inheritance today to read with your cup of coffee or hot tea, whichever you fancy. :)

Believe.

Caitlin
Purple Butterfly Pages