Top five things for locals to do in November

We finally made it to November, a time to pull out a light sweater, savor s’mores and relish the falling leaves.  November is also my birthday month, so I’m fond of fall.  

The next eight weeks or so will fly by, and you may even need to get downright strategic on your calendar when it comes to fun. But don’t worry; these five things will give you a sense of adventure, fill your heart with a little pre-holiday cheer and offer a unique experience you may not have experienced in Middle Georgia.

#1 – F.D. Roosevelt State Park

You can’t say the word “fall” without thinking about leaves, and although we may not have the geography that draws in tourists like the northern states, our yellows, reds, and oranges have their own bragging rights. Folks tend to flock to the North Georgia mountains to see the fall leaves, but how about somewhere a little closer and not as crowded?  

F.D. Roosevelt is the Peach State’s largest state park and comes in at just over 9,000 acres. You’ll also find more than 40 miles of trails that weave in and out of colorful hardwoods and over creek beds. They have plenty of family-friendly activities including swimming, horseback riding and fishing — but for one night in November, you’ll want to leave the kids at home.

On Nov. 15, the park will host an adult overnight camp.  If you’ve never built a fire, no problem! The rangers will teach you camp skills as you go along.  A chili dinner is included, but you do have to bring your own sleeping bag.  This adventure will run you $50.  You’ll need to register by the end of the day on Nov. 8. For more information you can call 706-663-4858. The park is located at 2970 Georgia Highway 190 in Pine Mountain.

#2 – Layers

Next month, lots of people will enjoy Christmas cookies, strudel and cakes.  But there is no need to wait for a sweet indulgence. Layers is an award-winning bakery on Vineville Avenue in Macon. Steven and Reia Collins give you customer service that’s quite a unique experience.  

When the bell on the door rings, Steven jovially shouts out, “Hello! So glad to see you today.” His arms are spread wide open, and he’s got a twinkle in his eye as he runs you through the specials, almost as if conducting a symphony as he speaks of the confectionaries.

“That people would come and spend time out of their day here, we want to be worthy of your time,” he said.

This place is well worth your time. The strawberry cheesecake cookie is a staple.  It doesn’t go overboard with the fruit but lightly lands on your tongue like a soft pillow with white chips.

Throughout the year, the husband-and-wife duo rotate 174 different cakes in and out of the case. This November, you can pop in for a dessert that literally tastes and feels like fall.  

“Pears sliced thin, marinated in molasses,” Steven described while waving his arms with excitement. “We put it in the bottom of the pan and put our spice cake on top. As it rises, it caramelizes on the bottom, it brings out that wonderful pear flavor, and then over the whole cake, we put our brown butter whipped cream cheese on it.”

You can’t blame the guy for his passion — he loves his wife who is the quieter baker while he can wax poetic about their almost science-like approach to making cakes and cookies.  

#3 – Christmas Lights Extravaganza

One of Macon’s brightest events of the year is the Christmas Light Extravaganza.  You can bask in the glow of an event that’s so festive and dazzling that it rivals the vivid colors of the North Pole. 

Kickoff is Nov. 29 with the traditional Macon Pops concert. 

“One day I was sitting talking with Bryan Nichols, and he was telling me about this idea of putting some lights up and down Poplar Street,” Steve Moretti, co-founder of Macon Pops said. “I said, ‘Why don’t we do the music for it because we’re a music town?’”

That was eight years ago. Nichols and Moretti go together like marshmallows and hot chocolate. Between the mesmerizing eye candy and the beautiful music all synchronized together like a symphony, it’s like strolling through a real winter wonderland. Macon Pops and the vocalists come with a 40-piece army of sound: 20 strings, 9 horns and a rhythm section.  

The show stretches over five weeks, but the kickoff concert is a one-night affair.  

Except people to camp out for hours before the concert, each carving out a perfect spot in front of the giant stage.  

“People are making hotel plans and making this a tradition for their families. It’s absolutely amazing to be part of it,” Moretti said. “It’s crazy. It’s beyond us, something we never anticipated would become this, you feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie!”

#4 – The books of Edward Atkins

There is another corner of Macon that will make you feel like you’ve walked into a movie set.  It’s an apartment on Walnut Street, home to Edwin Atkins.  You’ll find this book-lover’s dream nestled inside a historic residence.  Each room is chock-full of bookcases, shelves of first editions and piles of collectible pages.  

“This is a tourist guide from 1790 from England,” Atkins said while gently thumbing through a small book with worn pages. He even has a “Heaven and Hell” first edition in Latin.

In a lot of places, you only get to see these relics through glass. Not here.  

“I’m glad to bring them out and let people touch them and read them,” Atkins said.

From room to room we walked as he described his stock section-by-section. 

“These are all Presidents. This is all history. This is the Georgia section. This is Civil War. We have a large music collection,” he rattled off. 

Atkins claims he’s got over 3,000 titles crunched into space, and I’d bet my money on his calculations.

You could talk shop with the former Hollywood producer for hours, and he’s open to that — especially for folks who like books and can appreciate his collection. 

You can email him to make an appointment and look around. You might find something you want to buy, but if you want to preview his collection before your visit, check out his website at slaterowbooks.squarespace.com.  

#5 – Festival of Trees

On Thanksgiving night in our house, we put up the Christmas tree. It’s traditional, and we don’t sway much from year to year with the decorations.  But there are a million creative ways to “Deck the Halls,” which brings me to a beautiful event that dates back to 1986, The Museum of Arts and Sciences’ “Festival of Trees.”

This year, they’re rocking the numbers, putting up 60 unique trees for you to enjoy. They’ll be so many that, for the first time, the branches will spill out into the foyer. You’ll see the Otis Redding Center for the Arts tree, which is aptly named “O’Tis the Season,” and the Cornerstone Academy of Art and Design tree, featuring the cast of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

The Festival of Trees kicks off Nov. 14 at noon with a champagne preview, an art sale and the Sugar Plum Shop of baked goods. The Thursday events are followed by a Friday gala. It all runs until Jan. 11 during regular operating hours and is included with museum admission.