It’s all About Family

Written By: Mary Jane McCall | Issue: August - 2022

Those of us who are fortunate to call Highlands homeand visitors alike, all appreciate the unique qualitiesthat make our little slice of heaven what it is – naturalbeauty, friendly people, and a family-friendly atmosphere that’shard to find and impossible to duplicate.It takes a village and a deep love to appreciate what was,preserve what is, and look to the future to be certain that wechange only for the better, keeping us always a community inwhich families thrive and connect.Few love our town like Angela Williams, and few have givenso freely of their time, vision, and resources to ensure thatHighlands grows and thrives, while always remaining a placewhere families and multi-generations can gather and connect.Her enthusiasm and love for Highlands are infectious, andshe becomes especially animated when speaking of families,children and the arts.Her love of Highlands began in the 1940s when her family oftenmade Highlands their vacation destination, usually staying atLee’s Inn. Memories of those vacations are close to her heartas perfect moments of family togetherness and fun – familydinners in the Lee’s Inn dining room, strolling Main Street andshopping in a dress or antique store, stopping by Bill’s SodaShop, or enjoying a simple drive around the countryside.Her husband, Art, had similar childhood memories of Highlands,so from the beginning of their married life they visited here asoften as their burgeoning business in Atlanta allowed.Giving back to the community she holds near and dear issecond nature to Angela and the fruits of her generosity areenjoyed by all. Preserving, enriching, and beautifying thisspecial place for generations to come is first and foremostin her heart, particularly if it benefits families and children.Generations of her family have enjoyed Highlands and shewants future generations to have the same opportunities.Highlands business owner and County Commissioner JamesTate, says, “Because I am a landscaper, my first thought ofAngela Williams would immediately go to her affinity forflowers, but in reality, her appreciation for floriculture pales incomparison to her absolute love for the Highlands community.And, because of this love and her passion for philanthropicendeavors, every single resident of our town has, in one way oranother, been blessed by the graciousness of her heart.”Through the years she has generously contributed to numerousprojects throughout town, the most visible being Main Street’sOld Edwards Inn, the world-class hotel and spa that hasbreathed new life into downtown and made us a year-rounddestination. Still, the projects she holds dearest and speaks mostwarmly about are all about families.The retractable pool cover at the Rec Park swimming poolensures that families have year-round access to a pool. Theenclosure, coupled with an ultramodern timing system, hasallowed our children a chance to swim competitively.Ice skating is an activity that is practically synonymous withwinter in Highlands and thanks to Mrs. Williams families canonce again enjoy ice skating during winter at the skating rink atKelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. The park itself is a beehiveof family activities and her generosity to park renovations hashelped make that possible.The Peggy Crosby Center, the Literacy and Learning Center,Hudson Library, the Highlands Performing Arts Center,Highlands School, and Summit Charter School are amongothers that have all been recipients of her generosity.And James Tate’s observation about her passion for floriculture?It found its logical flowering in her absolute support for theHighlands Botanical Garden and its pavilion and walk. Thatbeautiful emerald treasure, just two blocks from Main Street, isa priceless landmark for both residents and visitors.Mrs. Williams is incredibly modest about the things she’sdone throughout the community, so we’re going  to have toturn to her friend Judy Michaud to give us a clearer picture,“There is something so special about Angela with her insightand determination for excellence in everything that shetouches. This insight along with her selfless spirit recognizesa need and goes headfirst into finding a solution.It takes aparticular grace, strength, intelligence, and courage to nevertake ‘no’ for an answer as she helps our community and thefamilies of Highlands.”Highlanders enjoy these generous gifts today, but future genera-tions will benefit as well and that’s the vision Angela embraces.Her generous spirit and love of Highlands has enriched us all.

by Mary Jane McCall