Her chipped pink nail polish tells the opening lines of Nora Almazan’s story. As we settle into our seats at the new Clarkesville offices of Now Habersham, our The Cute North Georgian Magazine ‘Woman of the Month’ smiles and explains that her nails are the handiwork of her foster daughter, a little girl still at knee height. This small detail hints at a much larger narrative—Almazan is not only a lifestyle writer for Northeast Georgia’s most innovative media outlet but also a bilingual foster mother of three.
Her heritage is steeped in the South’s red clay and sentinel pines, shaped by domestic husbandry and the childhood memory of reading her grandmother’s columns in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Her story is as deeply woven into the Southern mythos as grits and boiled peanuts, bolstered by a family connection to Margaret Mitchell, the iconic author of Gone with the Wind.
A Real-life Kit Kitteridge
A member of the American gentry, Almazan’s family owned a modest stretch of green pastures in Dublin, Georgia. As she reflects on her time at the farm, tears glisten in her eyes as she recalls tender moments with her father—passing him nails as he built a fence, trailing behind him like a loyal duckling. I can imagine summer afternoons passed in the shade of pecan trees with a snack in one hand and a book in the other, munching on a crisp apple and turning the page as white clouds sail past in a cornflower blue sky—the origin story of so many budding authors.
Hailing from a lineage of storytellers, Nora’s grandmother Mama Dolly shared a close bond with Margaret Mitchell. In fact, during the 1940 premiere of the film adaptation of Gone with the Wind, the famously camera-shy Mitchell stayed with the AJC reporter in the hospital, providing support as she gave birth to a daughter. Nine years later, that same daughter witnessed the tragic moment when a drunk taxi driver struck the renowned author in Atlanta. Mitchell had been there at her birth, and, in a poignant twist of fate, their lives intertwined again at the author’s death.
Nora launched her writing career at 14 as an agricultural columnist for the Dublin Herald. Since then, she has authored two children’s books—You Matter and Jenny Jenkins’ Super Powers—ghostwritten numerous novels, and contributed to respected media outlets like The Gainesville Times.
Now Habersham
In 2014, Nora joined Now Habersham, the brainchild of editor Joy Purcell. Anticipating the decline of print journalism, Purcell embraced digital media as the future of news consumption—a shrewd foresight reflected in the magazine’s impressive analytics. With 45,000 Facebook followers, nearly 10,000 Instagram followers, and millions of reads annually, Now Habersham delivers 24-hour coverage across 16 counties, reporting everything from house fires and car wrecks to politics, lifestyle, and opinion pieces.
The publication plans to expand into podcasting in the coming year, once again aligning itself with the cultural zeitgeist. Even Google has recognized its innovation, featuring Now Habersham in an article highlighting rural media outlets that remain at the forefront of modern journalism.
Nora and I discussed how Now Habersham’s thorough coverage occasionally stirs strong emotions among those in positions of power sometimes featured. Yet, the team remains steadfast in their loyalty to readers and commitment to the objective truth. The publication also sometimes attracts impassioned responses in its comment sections, particularly to opinion articles that challenge individual perspectives. However, Nora admires Now Habersham’s balanced approach to opinion columns, which she sees as essential to fostering meaningful discourse.
Together, we reflected on the role of opinion columnists and the resilience required to present multiple sides of an issue, knowing it might provoke confusion or criticism from those who misinterpret opinion as news reporting. Still, we agreed this work is crucial for any credible publication that values a genuine, unwavering belief in the First Amendment. Joy Purcell and her team pursue this mission with steadfast integrity. Their dedication to this principle has propelled Now Habersham to success, as they celebrate 10 years as one of Northeast Georgia’s leading publications.
Lifestyle Columnist
Nora Almazan’s journey as a lifestyle columnist for Now Habersham began with a conversation rooted in her passion for the “warm and fuzzy” side of life. When she approached editor Joy Purcell about contributing, she made it clear that she wasn’t interested in covering politics, crime, or accidents. Instead, she chose to focus on the lighter side of life—the stories that inspire, uplift, and bring readers a sense of comfort, the media equivalent of a warm cup of tea.
The lifestyle section of any publication plays a vital role in balancing the often overwhelming and grim news cycle that dominates an industry often driven by the maxim, “If it bleeds, it leads.” It offers readers a sense of connection, joy, and escape, reminding them of the beauty in their community. Additionally, it offers a platform to celebrate the unsung heroes of a neighborhood, giving them the recognition and applause they deserve.
A Woman of Faith
As we chat, I am struck by the undeniable presence of faith in the woman before me. It’s not just in her nurturing, caregiving actions but also in her words, which frequently point back to the glory of God. When I asked her what the ultimate message of her life—and her message to her readers—should be, she shared the story of Job from the Bible.
She spoke of the moment when Satan challenged God, suggesting that Job’s faithfulness was only due to his prosperity and that he would surely curse God if those blessings were removed. Confident in Job’s integrity, God allowed Satan to test him, not out of malice, but to demonstrate that true faith is not rooted in material blessings. Through immense suffering, including the loss of his wealth, health, and family, Job’s unwavering faith was tested, and ultimately, his relationship with God was proven to be one of true righteousness.
With blue eyed sincerity, she expressed her deep desire to be someone God could trust in the same way—someone He could confidently recommend. She aspires to be a woman God has faith in, rising to meet any challenge with grace and conviction.
Conclusion
Nora Almazan’s journey as a writer and foster mother embodies resilience, faith, and a deep commitment to uplifting her community. Through her work at Now Habersham, she brings warmth and joy to readers, offering an essential balance to the often weighty concerns of an anxious generation. Rooted in a rich Southern heritage and guided by her unwavering faith, Nora remains a steadfast presence in both her personal and professional life, inspiring others to find beauty in acts of kindness and strength in adversity.
