Roots to Table: Holiday Tips from Chef Chelsia

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Holiday Fun Awaits in Forsyth This December!

The holidays ... It’s the most magical time of year in Forsyth, Georgia! From dazzling lights and festive tours to cozy moments and can’t miss events. The holidays shine brightly in our sweet charming small town.

Here are a few ways to fill December with fun and your Forsyth holiday bucket list!

1. Catch the annual Christmas parade on the evening of December 4th. 

2. Jingle-N-Mingle & Candy Cane Crawl is downtown on December 6th.

3. Attend Let’s Hang On! A Frankie Valli tribute on December 6th at the Monroe County Fine Arts Center.

4. Monroe County Historical Society’s Golden Jubilee Celebration Dinner on December 8th.

5. Starting December 12th catch a performance of Scrooge, the Stingiest Man in Town at the Rose Theater. 

6. Monroe County Historical Society’s Christmas Tour of Homes on December 13th.



7. See the Christmas tree downtown.

8. Enjoy open mic night at The Den on Wednesday or cozy up with some trivia on Thursday at The Den or karaoke at Fox City. 

9. Look for live music every weekend at one of the afterhours spots. 

10. Snap a festive photo op downtown. 

11. Shop local for everyone on your list.

12. And don’t miss ringing in the New Year on the historic Courthouse Square on December 31st! Festivities start at 8pm.

Make this holiday season one to remember in Forsyth!

The History Is In The Details... Mrs. S. R. Dull

When Forsyth housewives a century ago began to prepare for Thanksgiving meals, they relied on Mrs. S. R. Dull for guidance. A woman with Monroe County connections, Mrs. Dull profoundly affected the kitchens of Southern women in the 1920s and 1930s, teaching them how to cook.

Henrietta Stanley Dull—she preferred the more formal Mrs. S. R. Dull—became a cook out of necessity when her husband had a nervous breakdown and could no longer work. She taught school and started selling food from her home in Atlanta. She catered.

In 1910, she became associated with the Atlanta Gas Light Company, demonstrating the value of gas—as opposed to word-burning—stoves. As a son remembered, "when a customer bought a new stove, she would go to her home and teach the housewife how to use it...for in those days many cooks were...afraid of gas."

In 1920, she became editor of the home economics page of the Sunday magazine of the Atlanta Journal, continuing her work with the journal for twenty-five years. Her weekly column featured her tested recipes and answered questions from her readers, e.g., how to make red ham gravy. Using a heavy iron skillet was absolutely necessary, she responded.

In 1923, Aquila Chamlee persuaded her to join the faculty of Bessie Tift College as head of the domestic arts and domestic sciences department. She taught here for two years before returning to Atlanta.

After having crafted recipes for Southern foods, using local ingredients, in 1928 she published Southern Cooking, which quickly became the cookbook in Southern kitchens. In 1941, Grosset and Dunlap published an expanded edition. Now, almost a century later, the volume is still in print.

Among those recipes is hers for ‘possum, which you can pickup for yourself at the Monroe County History Museum or the Visit Forsyth Welcome Center!

— Ralph Bass, Local Historian

Family in Town? We Got Your Back!

Whether you have family in town for the holidays or are looking for ideas to spend the day while your kids are on break, we've put together this Family Day Itinerary and Video to help!

Start your family day by heading over to Queen Bee Coffee for those perfect cozy coffee shop vibes and then check out Dog Eared Books Forsyth to pick up some new books!

Head over to Country Club Park to see the Art Connects Community kiosk and let your little ones get their energy out. Then, fuel up at Jonah’s on Johnston for some delicious pizza.



End your day by checking out the scarecrows and photobooth at the square and grabbing a sweet treat at Scoops Forsyth! 

Veterans Day

On this Veterans Day, and every day, we thank you for your service to our country and its citizens.

 

The eternal flame memorial located in downtown Forsyth, on the Monroe County Courthouse Square, is a commemorative flame that is kept perpetually lit to honor veterans of wars from Forsyth and Monroe County. It is a reminder of the sacrifices others have made on our behalf and a symbol of our gratitude. 

We want to take this opportunity to thank our local DAR Chapter, the Lt. James Monroe Chapter, for doing something special to honor our veterans every year. This year we are recognizing Monroe County's last surviving WWII veteran, Mr. Henry Self (98), and from the Korean War, Mr. Delmar Van Huss (96). Thank you for your service.

Food and Fellowship

It’s November, the season of food and fellowship as we gather with friends and loved ones. From game day tailgates to holiday gatherings, we've got a lineup of go-to spots to help you party your way through the rest of 2025!

First, head over to GA Hardware to snag the perfect grill for your gathering if you plan on grilling out. Then, grab a pre-company caffeine fix at Queen Bee Coffee to fuel your afternoon of fun.

Feeling like some touchdown wings? La Pasadita Cafe offers a variety of delicious wing flavors, including lemon pepper. If you’re craving seafood instead, Her Majesty Kitchen has po’boys that are perfect for bringing some Cajun flavor into the mix.

For a global bite, Caribbean Queens have empanadas that are out of this world! You can always keep it classic, though, with a pizza from Jonah’s on Johnston, perfect for feeding a large group!

And of course, no party is complete without scoring delicious desserts from Treats with Lenise and a pack of local IPA beer from Fox City Brewing.

That Sweet Life...

We caught up with two favorite locals, Dr. Butler Caldwell and his wife Miki at Sol Tacos & Tequila—another favorite! 

The conversation centered around food, our love of the community, family, with a little talk of travel sprinkled in. Ms. Miki (yes, as in Miki Leigh Jewelry) shared that they enjoy finding exciting dishes to try during their travels. Sol and Caribbean Queens are their go to restaurants in downtown Forsyth. When not traveling, "Butler and I really enjoy Caribbean Queen's unique flavors, especially Lisa's empanadas. Our favorite drink... when we have time to stop and enjoy a cocktail? We love to sit at the bar with Lucio at Sol while sipping on a Paloma."

Of course, we also talked about all the new happenings in Forsyth and Monroe County, the importance of being good neighbors, life on the Courthouse Square, and our love for Forsyth's small town charm. Conversation is easy with these two. Here are a few things you might not know about Miki and Butler: 

• Dr. Caldwell may not always remember your name, but he never forgets your pet! 

• Ms. Miki first jewelry sale was right off her arm! 

• Their daughter is studying abroad and they are making plans to visit and support her art exhibition in Italy.

• Ms. Miki used to have two Boxers. Can you guess who their Vet was?

• Caldwell Animal Hospital now has after hours emergency care.

• All that beautiful bling in the photo are Miki Leigh creations!

Butler and Miki Caldwell are part of the sweet life and what makes Forsyth so special!

What's New?

The Social Fox

Recent transplants from Peachtree City, Jamie & Ken Anderson, are excited about the future of their new bar, The Social Fox. They moved to Monroe County in 2022. Ken is a firefighter with the City of Forsyth and their three daughters attend T.G. Scott, Rock Springs, and Mary Persons. Wanting to bring something new and different to Forsyth’s nightlife, they secured the building at 16 E. Johnston St. They spent months bringing their dream lounge bar to life. Jamie shared, “We want The Social Fox to be a place to gather with your friends or maybe make some new ones. A place where you can spend the evening connecting over board games and card games.” Their cocktail menu rotates seasonally, offering elevated options along with classic cocktails. So head down to The Social Fox for a pre- or post-dinner drink and “Sip, Mingle, and Play” the night away!

P.S. Be on the lookout for their 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Pop-Up Event!

16 E. Johnston St.

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Juliette Featured in the 2026 Shell Rotella Oil Calendar!

Monroe County's own Juliette has been featured not once, but TWICE, in the 2026 Shell Rotella Oil calendar! Taking the months March and September, Juliette's famous Whistle Stop Cafe and Opry House look great for their closeups with the SuperRigs. We are in good company with attractions like the Fox Theatre, so be sure to grab a copy for 2026!

Friendship of the Traveling Cup

Where oh where have the Forsyth mugs gone?

New Mexico!

"The Friendship of the Traveling Cup" has reached the giant lava field of Grants, New Mexico. Java and lava. Quite crazy.

Suey and Peter Stephen have been traveling across the country with their favorite mugs from Visit Forsyth. Follow along as they send us updates from their journey!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Welcome Center and Forsyth Convention & Visitors Bureau office will be closed to celebrate Thanksgiving with our family and friends on November 27th and 28th. Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday!

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Plan Your Trip

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