The Ray | 2024

Tell us what you have to accomplish; we’ll point you toward the exact right equipment for getting it done. Your Flint Representative will help you navigate the whole process—including set-up, delivery, and training. It’s as easy as it sounds. Because sometimes, the right answer just clicks. www.flintequipco.com.

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6 WHY THE RAY

Shining a spotlight on the heart and soul of Albany

7 COVER ARTIST BIO

Rob Matre’s work leads back to Southwest Georgia

8 THE PERFECT COMBO

The simply perfect snack food

14 MY FAVORITE SNACK

How a favorite salty snack was part of the American dream

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16 FLY WITH ABY

Albany’s new aviation facilities help local economy take flight

19 THE BELK BROTHERS

Bound by love, strengthened by adversity

25 OLA MAE QUARTERMAN

One Albany woman who challenged injustice

26 MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE

Albany’s innovative transportation hub is more than a bus stop

28 HIT THE SWEET SPOT

Discover the perfect indulgence for every occasion

30 ON THE RISE

Q & A with Albany native Stacey Eames of Atlanta's Highland Bakery & Kitchen

36 PAUL & DOT EAMES

The enduring impact of one couple’s contributions to Albany

38 SOUTHBOUND QUIZ: SPORTS EDITION

From Olympic gold to championship victories, test your Southwest Georgia sports knowledge

40 PAWSITIVELY ALBANY

The Colliers cultivate connection and community

46 CLAIMING HIGHER GROUND

Sunnyland Farms expands into retail

48 BRANCHING OUT

Military Spouses' Club helps members find home away from home in Albany

51 WE GOT THE BIG MO!

The Albany CVB rebrands for momentum and movement

The Flint River is the beating heart of Albany. Flowing through downtown, The Flint is a center of activity from paddling and fishing to The Flint RiverQuarium, Radium Springs, RiverFront Park and attractions you’ll find along its banks.

Bárbara Rivera Holmes, CEO, Editor In Chief Mary Bickerstaff, Membership Director, Ad Sales MADlab Marketing, Marketing Agency

Photography by: Jay Houston Angel McMahon, Elizabeth Page, David Parks

Design by: Rich Graphics

Writers: Wendy Bellacomo, Carlton Fletcher, Jim Hendricks

Bárbara Rivera Holmes, Lucille Lannigan

It’s impossible to capture in one take all that the Albany Area and Southwest Georgia offer. It's hard to wrap all its people, its culture, its attributes, its depth and complexity into a single production of a magazine. But with every new issue of The Ray, we tell Albany's unique stories and shine a light on that which makes her shine line no other. We take great pride in producing content that showcases what we and our readers love about this special part of the world.

We created The Ray as a field guide to Albany. As a vehicle to inspire curiosity and appreciation for who and what she is, and who and what she will become. For no one’s value - no place's value - is merely in what they were, but also in what they have the potential to be.

We love Albany for the strength of her people. For their resolve and determination. Their creativity. Their believing in more and believing in better, and how they put energy and action toward that.

There are many hands and voices that contribute to this publication’s authenticity, its reach and its success. Our talented editorial board, our writers and photographers. Our team of advertisers and supporters. Our readers.

Why The Ray

"I said Georgia, Georgia. A song of you comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pines.”

This issue’s cover art, an original by Albany native Rob Matre, is alive with color and shape and pattern. Ray Charles’ love of life, love of Georgia and his native Albany – always on his mind – transcends through print. I view this piece and hear his iconic voice smoothly bellow, “I said Georgia, Georgia. A song of you comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pines.”

I hope as you explore this magazine that, you, too, come to see Albany for all she is and will be. And that this is as clear and poetic for you as the moon's soft glow illuminating our way through the longleafs.

BÁRBARA RIVERA HOLMES PRESIDENT & CEO, EDITOR IN CHIEF

Photo: Rolling Stone

ARTIST BIO

ROB MATRE

The work of Albany native and artist Rob Matre is featured on the cover of this edition of The Ray magazine. His piece, titled The Roads Lead Back to You, portrays the iconic likeness of Ray Charles and is part of Matre’s Gold Soundz, an exhibition of mixed-media paintings and photographs showcased at the Albany Museum of Art in 2024. Gold Soundz served as a retrospective, encapsulating the past decade of his Plaid Columns series, often created in collaboration with artist Evan Jones.

In both his paintings and photographs, themes of place and memory run through Matre’s work. Matre's creative journey finds its roots in the Albany community, with scenes from Albany and Southwest Georgia frequently appearing in his work. His fascination with art blossomed from his love for music, particularly album cover art, which initially sparked his inspiration. Gold Soundz was borrowed from a Pavement song, "Go back to those gold soundz," and resonates deeply with Matre, evoking a sense of nostalgia and homecoming.

Matre’s photography exhibition Recent History was on view at the Albany Museum of Art in 2013, and his painting Third Avenue Oaks, commissioned by the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce and purchased by Metropower at a Chamber auction, is on long-term loan at the museum.

Get a feel for Matre's work and view more Albany landmark pieces at www.matregallery.com or www.plaidcolumns.com. Visit his Matre Gallery at 2300 Peachtree Road, Suite B 101, in Atlanta to view more of his work, that of Plaid Columns and many other artists.

Written by Carlton Fletcher

Photography by David Parks

The Perfect

The concept behind the popular Mars Wrigley-made COMBOS snack — a snack, it should be noted, that is made only at the Albany Mars plant — is simplicity itself.

Take a baked pretzel tube, salt it to perfection, then stuff it with a cheese-based filling that includes pretty much any flavor imaginable ... cheddar, pepperoni pizza, blue cheese, nacho cheese, ranch ... And, voila, snackers' Nirvana.

But to millions of COMBOS fans who will accept no pale imitation when it comes to their favorite snack, COMBOS are the perfect, well combo, of two textures that together create a flavor that no other snack-maker — and plenty have tried — can match.

Spend a little time talking to the crew responsible for creating "two tons every hour" of the pretzel snack, and you'll understand a little better why COMBOS has become such an indelible part of the multibillion-dollar snack food industry.

"There have been companies that tried to duplicate what we do with COMBOS, but they haven't had a lot of success," Albany's Mars' Quality and Food Safety Manager Juwan Wilson, who has been at the Albany plant for just shy of 16 years, said. "From the first, when the company purchased the 'cheese-filled pretzel shell' concept from the Nelson Brothers in 1978, Mars has figured out how to find the perfect combination that makes it work.

"Our process for filling the pretzel shells is proprietary — we don't even let people outside the company in the area where that takes place — and we feel that we've come up with the perfect process."

Mike Garrett, who retired from the Albany Mars Wrigley Confectionary in 2016 after 36 years, knows a thing or two about the processes and the history of COMBOS snacks. "He's been there almost from the beginning," Tech Services Engineer Ben Turner says of Garrett. "I call him the 'Godfather of Combos.' " Wilson, too, sings Garrett's praises.

"Mike's my mentor," Wilson said. "When I transferred into his division, I asked him if I could follow him around, to pick his brain. It was clear to see that he was well-respected by everyone in the plant."

The Albany plant, which at various times also manufactured Kudos, Marathon and other granola-treat snacks and roasted the peanuts that were used in the making of the company's massively popular Snickers bars, now produces only COMBOS. Last year, according to Support Team Product Scheduler April Davis, who has been at the Albany plant for 23 years, 15,410 tons of COMBOS were shipped around the world.

"COMBOS is shipped pretty much worldwide," Turner said. "Our dominant region is the U.S. East Coast through the

Midwest. And we ship a lot to Taiwan." And the desire for the snack is growing.

"It's always growing," Wilson said. "We initially didn't have great success west of the Mississippi, but we're seeing growth now all the way to the West Coast."

All factors point to the need to keep those salty and flavorful little nuggets of snack food perfection pouring off the Albany plant's assembly line, where the company's 200 or so employees work 24-7 to meet the demands. Four teams work in shifts to cook, assemble and package the snacks.

"Yeah, we do it all right here, from the roota to the toota," Wilson quipped. And those workers? They produce 20 tons of COMBOS every eight-hour shift.

Southwest Georgians and a whole lot of runners from outside the region recognize the COMBOS name as it is associated with the annual marathon and half-marathon that is run in the city each year.

The race, which is one of the nation's Top 10 qualifiers for the prestigious Boston Marathon, was previously sponsored by the local Mars plant but was initially known as the Snickers — and then the Snickers Marathon Bar — Marathon and Half-Marathon.

Last year, the name of the race was changed to the COMBOS Marathon and Half-Marathon.

"We've been a part of the race from the beginning, but the name was changed a couple of years ago to play up the fact that COMBOS are made here at our plant and only at our plant," Wilson said. "It made a lot more sense."

The quality and food safety manager said sponsoring — and having local Mars Wrigley workers and employees at other Mars plants across the country either run in or volunteer for — the marathon is only part of the company's involvement in the local community.

"We have always been involved in our community, and we're actually growing our presence," Wilson said. "We do multiple projects in support of the (Albany Area) Chamber of Commerce, and we support Albany State University and our local high schools."

Photos by Patrick Williams Production, LLC

Which is the plant official's way of saying that COMBOS is more than just a great snack food made solely in Southwest Georgia. The little bites provide jobs, economic development and support for the community it calls home. They're not going anywhere, and there's plenty more to come.

"There are endless possibilities that we can do with COMBOS," Turner said. "Our Brand Team in R&D does consumer testing, and we try to have a rotation where we add one flavor each year. They do the marketing research to determine what flavor will be added, but as I said, there are just endless possibilities."

Wilson agrees, noting the cheeseburger flavored COMBOS that once graced grocery and convenience store shelves, "tasted just like a McDonald's hamburger ... from the meat to the cheese to the pickle."

But it's 26-year employee Michael Lee who perhaps sums up best his ardor for these hollow pretzel tubes that, according to the Food Network's "Unwrapped" segment on the Albany plant, "start out as dough that makes its way down a conveyer belt, is cut, showered with salt, cooked in an oven and, after cooling off, sent into the stuffing machine that uses 1,000 pounds of cheese each batch."

"I like to take them in my mouth like hard candy and get all the salt first," Lee said, as his colleagues nodded in agreement. "Then, when the juices in my mouth start to soften the pretzel shell and it mixes with the stuffing ... man, that's good stuff. It's simple; it just tastes good."

You'd be hard-pressed to find a snack lover who'd disagree. Just give them their own little bit of snack Nirvana ... made right here in Albany, Georgia. ∞

Coming August 2024

my favorite snack

Written by Bárbara Rivera Holmes

Combos are the ultimate stuffed snack, enjoyed by people all over and proudly #MadeInAlbanyGA. Albany Area Chamber President & CEO Bárbara Rivera Holmes, whose love of COMBOS is well known, shares her childhood introduction to the bite-size popper and marvels at the coincidence of growing up to be a business champion for Combos and its parent, Mars Wrigley Confectionary. The family tradition continues; as seen in these pictures, her daughter, Alix Holmes, is a fan, too.

We were on a road trip. “Where are we going?” I asked my father. “Where ever the car takes us,” he said, his standard response about the frequent surprise road trips we’d take in our Buick station wagon, all five of us loaded and eager to see where we’d end up. Looking back, the destination was always fun, but the real joy was in the journey. The car games. The karaoke. The anticipation of the adventure ahead.

We weren’t too far out of town when, as kids are prone to do, my brother, sister and I got hungry. My dad, Alex, pulled into a Florida convenience store and we picked out snacks. We were freshly minted Floridians, having not much earlier arrived stateside from my native San Juan, Puerto Rico. I was seven and my English was fragile, at best, but I didn't need to understand this new language to be

attracted to a snack whose bag advertised pizzaflavored cheese-stuffed pretzels. Thus my love affair with COMBOS began.

I love that salt exterior that first hits your tongue. The crunch of crispy baked pretzel. And if you bite it just right, you can crack open that shell to indulge in that smooth, creamy cheese. They come in so many flavors now, but I’m eternally partial to the cheddar cracker and pizzeria pretzel, the latter earning a permanent place in my snack bowl at the office.

There were a lot of firsts for me that year stateside. Learning a new language. Living in a new place. I made the all A Honor Roll at Central Avenue Elementary in Kissimmee, Fla., and received coupons for Taco Bell. The Buick took us to the local spot on U.S. Hwy. 192 and there I discovered Tex Mex. I’m not one for drive-thru food, but I’m always up – or is it down? – for a soft taco supreme.

Photography by Jay Houston

And never has the world produced a more perfect lip balm than Bonne Bell’s Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker with its just-right natural pink hue, its demure gloss and an amaretto flavor that tingles the lips with each swipe. A few years ago they stopped producing my Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker and I went on a rampage shopping spree to procure more than 100 tubes, all I could find across brickand-mortar shops and online sources. I have enough still to get me through the next few years, but I’m rationing, pushing to the right the day I’ll be without.

I was recently talking with a colleague who recognized that a few of my favorite things all pointed to age seven. “That’s so interesting,” she said. “How do you even remember that?” But how could I not? America was so new to me, and these things represent a time of great discovery. I taste them and I am transported to third grade, to road trips and snacks with my family. To honor roll celebrations, to 49-cent Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker purchases at the local Zayre.

It's quite divine that I grew up to live and work in the very place – the only place in the world, in fact – that makes COMBOS. It’s poetic, even, that my job at the Albany Area Chamber is to support businesses with services, resources and advocacy and to work with them to build a thriving community. That I’ve been inside the Mars Wrigley Confectionary site where COMBOS are produced and walked their production line, start to finish, is just awesome. A few years ago the plant manager gifted me with the coveted Mars associate belt embroidered with the COMBOS logo. I was so happy that my cheekbones hurt from smiling. When last year they unveiled their new sign and marketing collateral with the tagline I wrote as a nod to product and partnership … well, high moment.

I drive past the Mars plant on Oakridge Drive and Slappey Boulevard and sense a heap of pride. I know those good folks, I think, the very ones who are making COMBOS. The patriot in me marvels at the football field-size American flag that proudly hangs on its building. “We Make a Great Combo,” their marquee sign reads. Indeed we do, my friends. ∞

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY LRA CONTRUCTORS

fly aby

SOUTHWEST GEORGIA REGIONAL AIRPORT NEW HANGARS

The 46,000-square-foot corporate hangar at the Albany-based Southwest Georgia Regional Airport (ABY) was a huge investment and one that is paying off.

"The space is huge, big enough for multiple airplanes or capable of holding the larger planes, like Gulfstreams," said Albany Aviation Commission Chairman Dr. Frank Middleton said, a retired doctor and aviation enthusiast. The building is made up of four separate bays at 12,000 square feet each. "In the corner of each bay is a living/office space with a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and meeting area.”

"THE HANGARS FILLED UP RIGHT AWAY," SAID CITY OF ALBANY TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR DAVID HAMILTON. "WE'VE GOT A WAITING LIST RIGHT NOW OF AROUND 35 CLIENTS. WE HAVE OUT-OF-TOWN BUSINESS OWNERS, PEOPLE WHO COME HERE TO QUAIL HUNT AND LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ALL JUMPED AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEASE ONE OF THE HANGARS."

Learn more about Southwest Georgia Regional Airport at airport.albanyga.gov/about-aby.

Along with the new hangars at the airport and the new terminal building, the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport also has refinished its primary and secondary runways. The investment continues to pay off as a 2023 study released by Jettly revealed America’s most reliable airports with Southwest Georgia Regional Airport (ABY) making the Top 10 list at number 8. The data was compiled from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and examined the total number of delays, cancelations and diversions percentages for national airports. ∞

BELK FAMILY

When the Belk children — Andrew, Jason, Steven, Ray and baby sister Carla — were growing up in Albany in the late 1960s and 1970s, they were no different than lots of other kids. They loved to play ball in the yard, they went swimming in the creek and, although there were some struggles in their family life, they always had the solid support of their mother and their grandmother. Still, there were opportunities that were not available to them because of their race. Times were beginning to change but the world of youth sports was still segregated, and the Belks were AfricanAmerican.

“We were playing ball outside all the time, and sometimes it got really cold. I just wanted to play ball inside,” explains Andrew, the oldest. “I knew the Boys & Girls Club had an indoor gym and a swimming pool, and I wanted to go there like some of the other kids.”

So, one day, when he was about 10 years old, Andrew walked into the Boys & Girls Club and told them he wanted to play.

“When you're young like that, you really don't have any fear. I just told them I wanted to play. 'How can I play? What do I need to do?' Even though nobody looked like me up there,” he remembers. “They took me in and gave me a wooden membership card.” Without realizing it, Andrew had just integrated the Boys & Girls Club of Albany.

His siblings followed him there and soon they were all participating not only in sports, but also in all the other activities the club had to offer. They took swimming lessons and learned karate. They were tutored in school subjects, even penmanship. They learned parliamentary procedures in the Torch Club and went on field trips to larger cities such as Atlanta and Orlando.

Although he did not know it as a child, the Boys & Girls Club was destined to become an integral part of his life as an adult. Jason has been employed there nearly 43 years, today serving as the senior director of operations, overseeing the organization's nine locations. Even though he has been offered other job opportunities, Jason could never bring himself to leave the Boys & Girls Club. As he nears retirement, Jason reflects on what the organization has meant to his life.

“I started there part-time and have stayed all these years because of what it did for my family. When we got there, we could already run, jump and catch with the best of them, but the Boys & Girls Club gave us structure, taught us the rules of the games and gave us a great work ethic. It was a safe haven and exposed us to so many things.”

The brothers were present at the Atlanta Braves games when Hank Aaron hit his 500th homerun and again when he hit homerun number 700. They met Albany native and goldmedal Olympian Alice Coachman, and baseball star David Justice. But the exposure they received was not just the bigger-than-life encounters. It was also moments of learning that expanded their horizons.

“The first time I ever played on an indoor basketball court was over on North Jefferson Street,” says Jason. “Before that, we were just playing outside and in the dirt on the playground. But when we got there, we met Bill Clark and Thomas Samuel who put us on the court and taught us to play organized basketball. We all went on to play college ball. Because of that, my college degree cost me $100, and my brothers had similar experiences. I don't remember my mother having to pay anything, and a lot of that goes back to the Boys & Girls Club.”

But the Boys & Girls Club was not the only opportunity for youth sports during the Belk brothers’ formative years. The City of Albany’s Recreation and Parks Department offered youth football, and the Belk boys wanted to participate in that as well. When 10-year-old Jason made a spectacular catch at a practice game at the National Guard Armory in Albany, one of the city’s coaches saw the play and immediately invited Jason to join the city league. Just like with the Boys and Girls Club, rec department got all the brothers. The Belks had also officially integrated the city’s youth football program.

For Steve, this association would become especially meaningful when he was selected as the director of Albany I feel like the Boys & Girls Club was such a big part of the foundation we had growing up,” says Jason.

Recreation and Parks in 2022, a full-circle moment. After a long career in both public service and industry, he sees his current role as a way to give back to the community that gave so much to him and his family. Steve’s plans for the department include park safety, facility upkeep and improvement. His goal is to make Albany a recreation destination by attracting tournaments and meets from around the state and country.

In addition to providing the best possible recreation opportunities for our citizens, my goal is to create positive economic impact for the city through recreation,” he says.

“People travel to compete, and we want them to fill our hotels, eat at our restaurants and shop in our stores.”

While sports played a pivotal role in the lives of the Belk brothers, all of them agree that none of their success would have been possible without the steadfast support and inspirational examples set for them by their mother, Jacqueline “Jackie” Terry Belk, and their grandmother, Elsie Constance Terry, lovingly known as “Ma C.”

Their mother, a victim of domestic violence, pulled herself and her children up out of incredibly difficult circumstances. Deciding that she was tired of relying on government assistance as a single mother, she went back to school, completing a four-year RN degree in only two years while raing five children. She participated in the WIN program, a federal work incentive program which aimed to encourage women to enter the workforce. When Jacqueline became the first black woman and the top graduate in her nursing class at Albany Junior College (now Albany State University), then-Governor Jimmy Carter came to personally congratulate her.

Jackie also set a high standard for her children’s education. All of them were expected to go to college, but one thing was sure: no one was going to slack off. Andrew recalls a conversation he had with her the day after he graduated from high school.

“I thought I was just going to take a break and relax a little. But she told me I had until the next Monday and then I was either going to join the army, get a job or enroll in college. I decided school was the best option.”

Andrew, Jason and Steve all played college basketball and graduated from Morris College in Sumter, S.C., with Steve going on to earn a Master’s degree at The Ohio State University. Youngest brother Ray, who passed away in his 30s, played ball at at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in nearby Tifton. Their sister, Carla, completed her undergraduate and Master’s degrees in two years at Tuskegee University and is now a senior research protocol analyst at Emory University.

“Our mom told us she put all of us in God’s hands. And while we got into some mischief growing up like most boys, we never did anything to bring shame on our house or on our mother,” says Andrew.

Their grandmother was also a rock in their lives. “’I got some beautiful, handsome boys,’ she would always say,” recalls Steve.

A tiny woman with a third-grade education, Ma C. was full of wisdom and sage advice. “The thing about Ma C. was that she didn’t sugar coat anything. She always told it like it was,” explains Steve. When other people talked about problems getting their kids to move with a sense of urgency, Ma C. would pipe up and say,

Folks say you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. Not mine. They’re either going to drink or they’re going to drown.”

Steve remembers her sayings that cut straight to the truth: “I ain’t got ‘nary a nickel in that quarter.” “You find ‘em a fool, you leave ‘em a fool.” “I don’t beg, I buy.” “Right don’t wrong nobody.”

“All of those bits of wisdom mean even more to us today,” says Steve. And then there was a time she warned him about a high school girlfriend, telling him, “There’s two things I can’t stand: a lying woman and a cheating

man. Steven, you’ve got a lot to learn.” He claims that Ma C. taught him a valuable life lesson. He lost the girl, but it turned his life around.

She was also there in their younger years as they started playing organized sports. Steve remembers her teaching him some basic football facts that opened up a whole new level of playing for him. When eight-year-old Steve started playing with the city league, he was used to staying within the small boundaries that the boys had room for in the lot across the street and had no idea how far he could run. Ma C. went to a practice and pointed out the boundaries.

“You see these two white lines, Steven?” she asked. “You can run from there to there and still be within the boundaries.”

Steve was amazed. “You mean to tell me I got all this space to run?”

Ma C. nodded and Steve says, “They never caught me after that. I scored 32 touchdowns that season.”

All three boys played in the winning championship game that year. “Our mother was the only little black lady sitting up in the stands, watching her boys,” remembers Steve. “That was a proud day for her.”

Although Jackie and Ma C. have both passed away, the family is still close, supporting each other in their various endeavors and carrying on the expectation of excellence with their own children. Oldest brother Andrew, who works from home in the insurance business with nationwide private claims and could choose to live anywhere, moved back to Albany a few years ago. “I just wanted to come home,” he says simply.

“When we look back on our lives, it may seem like we didn’t have a lot,” says Steve. “And in some ways, we didn’t. We had some challenging times that pretty much made us who we are.”

“I always say that our story started in the dirt, from the hood, on welfare,” adds Andrew. “But in lots of ways, we were rich.”

“That’s right,” adds Jason. “We had a home and we had people that loved us. We went to school and had someone who made sure we did our homework so that we had an opportunity for higher education, our grandmother fixed us a big breakfast every morning, and we had a meal waiting on us when we got home from practice at the end of the day.”

Mentors from the Seventh Avenue community where they lived, along with role models and coaches from high school, college, the Boys & Girls Club and the City of Albany Recreation nd Parks Department all played a part in the remarkable story of the Belk brothers. They are also bound by the brotherly and fraternal love and friendship they found in their fraternity, Omega Psi Phi.

Theirs is a story of love and perseverance rooted in family and community and an inspiration that there is beauty in the struggle, strength in unity and that hard work is the secret to success.

Jackie and Ma C. would be so proud of their boys. ∞

Ola Mae Quarterman's defiance aboard an Albany public bus in 1962 marked a crucial moment in the Civil Rights movement. At 18 years old, Quarterman refused to surrender her seat at the front of a city bus, challenging the discriminatory Georgia bus statute.

She told the bus driver, “I paid my damn 10 cents and I’ll sit where I want” when he tried to make her move to the back one day in 1962.

As a consequence of her refusal, Quarterman faced arrest, a 30-day jail sentence for disorderly conduct and expulsion from then Albany State College. Despite the personal hardships she endured, her actions catalyzed the Albany bus boycott and inspired others to stand against segregation.

Today, Quarterman's legacy lives on at the Albany bus terminal’s outdoor plaza named in her honor.

Ola Mae Quarterman's courage serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in America. Her actions, though simple and straightforward, resonated profoundly, imprinting Albany's civil rights narrative and serving as an inspiration for future generations. ∞

AAlbany's new Transportation Center, located at 300 W. Oglethorpe Blvd., is an integral part of the city's transportation master plan.

THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE

The 10,000-square-foot facility serves not only as a hub for local bus services but also as warming and cooling stations during extreme weather.

When temperatures dip below 32 degrees, the facility stays open overnight from 6:30 pm to 6:30 am, providing water and blankets. Similarly, during times of extreme temperatures, people can find daytime refuge at the transportation center, coming in from the heat to enjoy the air conditioning.

David Hamilton, the city of Albany transportation director, noted that this use of the transportation center fills a great need within the community.

The facility also includes a conference room that can host community meetings and other gatherings, a computer center available to the public and vending machines. A section of the center also has space dedicated to the history of Albany's former bus station and its significance during the civil rights era, particularly within the Albany Movement.

City officials anticipate that the development will stimulate economic activity in the historic Harlem District, with potential for commercial and residential growth as well as opportunities for retail establishments. ∞

hit the Sweet Spot Sweet Spot

Treat yourself to an array of mouthwatering desserts that will leave you craving more. Hit these sweet spots in Albany and discover the perfect indulgence for every occasion!

The Cakery

PETIT FOURS

2206 Dawson Road | 229-436-4663

A part of the community for more than 40 years, The Cakery offers a variety of baked goods made fresh daily, including their popular petit fours, bitesized confections that are the perfect combination of flavor and artistry. From the delicate layers of sponge cake to the intricately piped decorations, each petit four is a miniature work of edible art, making them a perfect choice for special occasions or an ideal accompaniment to afternoon tea.

Austin's Firegrill & Oyster Bar

THE BIG COOKIE

2817 Old Dawson Road | 229-883-4482

Indulge your sweet cravings with Austin's signature Big Cookie. Served piping hot in a cast-iron skillet, this delectable treat features a perfectly baked, gooey chocolate chip cookie that forms a heavenly base. Crowned with a generous scoop of velvety ice cream drizzled with chocolate sauce, the dessert creates a delightful contrast of warm and cold, making it a sensory delight for your taste buds.

Henry's Fine Edibles

CARAMEL RED VELVET CAKE

2516 Dawson Road | 229-883-5470

At Henry's Fine Edibles, the caramel red velvet cake combines the rich, velvety texture of classic red velvet with a luscious caramel twist. Layers of moist, vibrant red cake are expertly sandwiched with decadent caramel frosting, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate. Indulging in the caramel red velvet cake will leave you craving its memorable taste long after the last bite.

The Catch

BLUEBERRY CAKE

2332 Whispering Pines Road | 229-446-2235

Indulge your sweet cravings at The Catch with its signature blueberry cake. This decadent dessert features lusciously moist vanilla-infused cake layered with frosting generously studded with plump, succulent blueberries. The tantalizing combination of sweet and tart flavors makes The Catch's blueberry cake an irresistible treat!

Sugar Mama's

SUGAR COOKIES

719 N. Westover Blvd. | 229-405-1644

Sugar Mama's Bakery is renowned for its delectable, iced sugar cookies— simple yet irresistible! The buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture of the cookies combines with the smooth, sugary icing, creating the perfect cookie experience. What sets these treats apart is their homemade feel and their seasonal shapes and decorations—each bite feels like a nostalgic taste of home.

The Cookie Shoppe

The baklava at The Cookie Shoppe in downtown Albany is a treat for the taste buds with its layers of flaky phyllo dough, finely chopped nuts and sweet honey syrup. Each bite masterfully balances sweetness and nuttiness, making this baklava a standout dessert that has kept The Cookie Shoppe customers coming back for more for nearly four decades.

Doublegate Country Club

BREAD PUDDING

3800 Old Dawson Road | 229-436-6501

At Doublegate Country Club, the bread pudding is a perfect balance of texture and flavor. The blend of spices and choice of high-quality ingredients makes it a must-try for those seeking a sweet conclusion to their dining experience. Doublegate’s bread pudding is not just a dessert; it's an irresistible finale for a meal at the club.

The Flint

BOURBON PECAN PIE 112 Pine Ave. | 229-302-3568

The bourbon pecan pie at The Flint in downtown Albany is a mouthwatering indulgence that combines the rich flavors of Southern tradition with a modern twist. Each bite combines flaky, buttery crust, crunchy nuts and a velvety, bourbon-kissed filling, making this rich dessert a musttry for anyone seeking a delightful fusion of classic Southern charm and contemporary culinary excellence. ∞

on tHe Q&a WITH Stacey Eames RI S e RI S e

WRITTEN BY JIM HENDRICKS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

ELIZABETH

PAGE

Stacey Eames left Albany for Atlanta in the late 1980s and crisscrossed the country for four years marketing apartments. Her love for good coffee, however, diverted her career in a different direction.

Now, the owner of Highland Bakery & Kitchen in Atlanta feels a rekindled entrepreneurial spirit as she looks ahead.

DO YOU GET HOME OFTEN?

I’ve been coming home more frequently for the past five or so years because mom (Doris “Dot” Eames, who passed away May 2023) wasn’t in the best of health. I also was trying to get home more since dad (Paul Eames) passed away (in 2011). With the pandemic, we shut down for a month and a half and it gave me extended time with my mom. When (her brother) Glenn had his restaurant, I loved coming home to see him in action, and we talk shop now since we are both in the food business. He’s in a good place now, focusing more on catering and doing work on baseball fields in the area.

I have strong Albany roots. Every year, our girls’ group (and a few guys) I graduated with from DeerfieldWindsor School will go down the 30A and just have that special week. We see each other, catch up, tell old stories … reconnect.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORIES?

Going to the ballpark, watching the games and playing, watching my dad coach. We had concession stands at all the ballfields. That’s how I learned how to count — making change from selling snow cones

"I have strong Albany roots. Every year, some of the girls and guys I graduated with from Deerfield with will go down the 30A and just have that special week. We see each other, catch up, tell old stories … all that.”

at Satterfield ballpark. Running around the Eames Christmas tree lot was always magical, helping sell the trees. I loved the times when I was manager of the high school football team. Mom would pick me up after practice, and then we’d either steal dad away or just go have dinner ourselves. I love thinking back on palling around with mom. Also, Sunday lunch around the Eames table was always yummy and festive with my two brothers, mom and dad. Never a dull moment with my family, for sure!

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE COFFEE BUSINESS IN ATLANTA?

I had a lot of friends who were moving to Atlanta. It seemed like the place to be. I worked with CLASS (Certified Leasing and Sales Specialists) and traveled around the country marketing apartments. I lived in 30 cities in four years. It intrigued me to have a job traveling because when I was growing up vacations usually centered around American Legion baseball tournaments.

When I started with CLASS I was going through some big life changes, and my first 12-step sponsor introduced me to cappuccino. That started my love affair with specialty coffee. I took my machine with me on all my travels.

In Seattle in 1991, they’d just built this really nice apartment complex I was assigned to lease. When I arrived, I asked, “Is there anywhere to get cappuccino here?” I thought I was going to be laughed out of the room. At the time, there were only like two places to get cappuccino in Atlanta, so I had no idea I’d landed in the coffee capital of the world. I’d hang out with the people who owned espresso carts on the street corners and at hospitals. They took me under their wings and started teaching me. I owned a coffee shop for an extended summer season on Cape Cod in Provincetown (Massachussetss), but I’m a Southern girl. I couldn’t think of moving there long term because I couldn’t be that far from my parents and Albany.

WERE YOU CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS?

It took until ’93 to get my funds together and secure a location. My first was Piedmont Hospital, where, fortunately, people knew what cappuccinos and lattes were. This was before Starbucks got to Atlanta. I borrowed money from my parents, along with a couple of other sources, and depleted everything. My first day, I took my last $60 out of the bank. I hoped to sell enough to buy milk for the next day. I did and just kept going. I got to seven locations and then had the crazy idea to diversify. I had an ice cream shop, a café, a catering business, a wholesale business, and then Highland Bakery. I even owned a coffee shop for an extended summer season on Cape Cod in Provincetown, Mass. I knew I had the stamina and stick-to-itiveness to survive in this allconsuming business.

WHO WERE YOUR ROLE MODELS?

My parents. I saw them both doing what they loved. They didn’t make a lot of money, but they had passion for what they did. They weren’t afraid to do whatever it took to make things work — a concession stand, Christmas trees, a catering event. Mom did floral decorations at one point. We had a restaurant from the time I was born until they sold it. They had that entrepreneurial spirit.

Outside of my parents, the most influential person for me in the food business was Pearly Gates (of Albany’s famed Pearly’s eatery). It was my first paycheck that wasn’t from my parents. He was a great first boss. You had to get it right. I look at that business, what it’s meant to Albany, and it’s a beautiful thing. I feel honored to have worked for him.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH HIGHLAND BAKERY?

In 2003 a father-and-son team had just started baking bread at the Highland Bakery building which dates back to the 1930s. I was looking for bread for a café I was about to open near the Capitol and was introduced to the owner. He’d never been in the business, but he had a good foundation of baking bread from freshly ground grains. I came back from Italy and told him, ‘I’m going to buy this business from you.’ It was screaming to be a restaurant, to

have pastries. That space was perfect. I incorporated food menu and pastries. We started catering and decorating cakes. I saw how we could have satellite locations in prominent areas of Atlanta. I opened nine locations, and in 2015 I started franchising the concept. I sold most of my stores to franchisees. Covid was definitely devasting to these locations as well as Class A office buildings and college campuses that stayed closed for longer than brickand-mortar restaurants.

DO YOU USE ANY OF YOUR MOM’S RECIPES?

Definitely. Mom had such a passion for cooking, and it was so natural for her. One day I was thinking, ‘How can we take something that is so mom and make it into a brunch item?’ Her country fried steak was the best anyone would ever eat. On our menu now is Mama Dot’s Country Fried Steak Benedict. If I had country fried steak, I had to have a chicken version, and that fried chicken benedict is our No. 1 seller. It gives me a lot of pride to have that nod to her. Glenn and I both use some of mom’s recipes in our businesses. It’s a living legacy to her. Nothing makes me prouder.

I also feel Glenn is way more talented in the food business than I am. Whatever he gets passionate about, he’ll teach himself and work until he perfects it, whether it’s building a baseball field or baking bread or making brisket. He’s a true artisan, and he doesn’t get enough credit for that. People beg me to bring his brisket back to Atlanta. I have a friend who is a renowned food writer and generously said Glenn’s is as good as any place in Texas.

"I would love to consider coming to South Georgia, maybe with my coffee business or my bakery."

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH WHERE THINGS ARE NOW?

At one point I had 250 employees, not counting franchising. I love providing jobs, but the infrastructure to support that big of an operation is immense. We have downscaled, and I’m excited about where we are now. We have retained the employees that have been with us for a while … most 10 years or more. We have moved our main operations to downtown Atlanta near Georgia State University. I have a coffee shop in the Virginia Highlands area called the Press and Grind, and that’s doing well.

I feel I’ve achieved a lot of success with my coffee business and Highland Bakery, as well as catering, and I think these businesses could be taken to new heights or reinvented. That’s what we’re going to focus on in 2024.

EVER THINK ABOUT OPENING A SOUTH GEORGIA SHOP?

I would love to consider coming to South Georgia, maybe with my coffee business or my bakery. It’s something I’ve been thinking about lately. I dream of getting back to my roots of hospital and university locations as well as small brick-and-mortar locations. Stay tuned for our next chapter!

Highland Bakery has two locations in the Atlanta area. They offer both in house dining, carry out and catering.

For more information on store hours, menus and hours of operation, visit them online at highlandbakery.com. ∞

EAMES Paul & Dot

A Legacy of Service, Sports and Southern Hospitality

The lives of Paul and Dot Eames exemplified values of community engagement and service. From the crack of Paul’s bat on the baseball diamond to the sizzle of Southern delicacies cooked up by Dot, their lives left an indelible mark on Albany's community landscape.

Paul Eames, born in Worcester, Mass., found his calling in sports at an early age. Excelling in baseball, football and basketball during his high school years, he carried his love for athletics into adulthood. Joining the U.S. Army and later transitioning into professional baseball, Paul's talent on the field led him to Albany in 1950. His tenure with the Albany Cardinals of the Class D GeorgiaFlorida League marked the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the city.

It was at a local ice cream shop where Paul met Albany High School student Dot Roberson. Their love story blossomed against the backdrop of Cardinal Park, where they exchanged vows at home plate in 1952, marking the beginning of a shared lifetime filled with love and community.

Paul's impact extended far beyond the baseball diamond. Transitioning into roles with the Albany Recreation and Parks Department and eventually becoming the city of Albany athletic director, he dedicated 28 years to nurturing the city's youth through sports. His involvement wasn't confined to administration, though. Notably, Paul's coaching prowess propelled the Walter Burt American Legion Post 30 baseball teams to back-to-back state championships in 1961-1962, solidifying his status as a mentor and leader. His induction into the Albany Sports Hall of Fame and the Georgia-FloridaAlabama Class D Minor League Hall of Fame served as testaments to his enduring legacy.

Paul and Dot shared a commitment to nurturing the next generation.

The pinnacle of recognition came with the naming of the Paul Eames Sports Complex, a tribute to his unparalleled contributions to Albany's athletic community. Yet, for Paul, the true reward lay in the joy of teaching the game he loved, a sentiment echoed by the countless players whose lives he touched.

As Paul's career transitioned from the baseball field to the realm of community service, Dot's true passion in life cooking delicious Southern food flourished alongside his endeavors. Together with her mother, Mama Betty, in the mid-1960s Dot opened the Hit and Run Restaurant, a beloved establishment renowned for its delicious fare and warm atmosphere. Many of Dot’s recipes became the inspiration years later for menu items at The Highland Bakery in Atlanta, owned by daughter Stacey. Her son, Glenn, also mastered many of her recipes and they live on in his catering business in Albany. In 1968, Dot was asked to open and manage the cafeteria at Deerfield-Windsor School, leading to a 42-year career in which she touched and connected with more than three generations of students.

Paul often noted that his greatest satisfaction from athletics came from teaching the game. Many of his former playersseveral who went on to play professional sports attested to his ability. Dot loved and nurtured her students at Deerfield and was in turn adored by them, as well as the faculty and staff that she nourished every day. Dot also continued to coach children Glenn and Stacey whenever they needed her expertise in the kitchen. The Eames home, a hub of love and support, welcomed countless individuals seeking guidance, sustenance and fellowship.

Together, Paul and Dot epitomized the essence of community and service.

Although Paul died in 2011 and Dot in 2023, their legacy continues to inspire and uplift. The intertwined story of their lives is not only a celebration of individual achievements but a testament to the power of love, service and shared dreams. ∞

southbound quiz Sports Edition

From Olympic gold to championship victories, test your knowledge on local heroes, teams and achievements that make our region shine. Dive into the amazing stories that define our vibrant sporting community with our Southbound Sports Quiz!

1) Which Southwest Georgia athlete is known for her achievements in golf and is a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame?

a. Nancy Lopez

b. Lea Henry

c. Sonny Skinner

d. Alice Coachman

4) Before achieving success in the NFL, Ricardo Lockette played college football for which university in Southwest Georgia?

a. Albany State University

b. Valdosta State University

c. Georgia Southwestern State University

d. Fort Valley State University

In football, which Monroe Comprehensive High School graduate won two Super Bowl championships as a wide receiver for the New England Patriots?

a. Ricardo Lockette

b. Deion Branch

c. Buster Posey

d. Alice Coachman

3) Which Southwest Georgia soccer team competes in the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) with games at the Albany Civic Center?

a. Albany Thunder

b. Albany Aces

c. Albany Soul

d. Albany United

5) This Southwest Georgia native made history as the first African American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field. Who is she?

a. Nancy Lopez

b. Lea Henry

c. Alice Coachman

d. Deion Branch

6) In baseball, which Southwest Georgia athlete has earned multiple World Series championships and is recognized as one of the top catchers in the league?

a. Deion Branch

b. Lea Henry

c. Buster Posey

d. Sonny Skinner

7) Which Albany State University alum, known as "Prime Time," played in both the NFL and MLB and is considered one of the greatest cornerbacks in football history?

a. Ricardo Lockette

b. Sonny Skinner

c. Deion Sanders

d. Lea Henry

8) Lea Henry, an accomplished women’s basketball player from Albany, not only helped secure an Olympic gold medal for the U.S. team in 1984 but also made significant contributions to which women's basketball team success during her collegiate career?

a. University of Connecticut

b. University of Tennessee

c. Stanford University

d. University of North Carolina

9) Which Southwest Georgia high school produced basketball star Dwight Howard, who went on to have a successful NBA career?

a. Albany High School

b. Westover High School

c. Lee County High School

d. Dougherty High School

10) In which sport did Albany State University alum Kisha Jett compete in the Olympics, representing the United States?

a. Track and Field

b. Gymnastics

c. Swimming

d. Weightlifting

The Colliers cultivate connection and community

WRITTEN BY WENDY BELLACOMO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAY HOUSTON

In 2013, Purvis and Shellie Collier found themselves at a crossroads. Living in Charleston, S.C., with a oneyear-old and a second baby on the way, they were searching for their next home.

The two met at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), where Purvis studied to become a physician assistant (PA). To help pay off his student loans, the couple wanted to take advantage of the National Health Service Corps education loan repayment program, which offers loan repayment plans for medical professionals willing to practice in underserved areas. They narrowed their search to three locations: Hawaii, Atlanta and Albany. After interviewing at all three locations, Albany beat out the other options, which Purvis says is not as surprising as it may seem.

“We chose Albany for a lot of reasons,” reflects Purvis. “The cost of living is lower here, there is not as much traffic and the quality of life is just better.”

Given Shellie's pregnancy, concerns about the potential isolation of residing on an island also spurred their decision. The accessibility and offerings of Phoebe Putney Health System, particularly its proximity compared to having to take a hopper plane to an island hospital, was a crucial deciding factor. Above all, though, Purvis was notably impressed with Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC).

“When I interviewed with them, I was very impressed by their family atmosphere and strong community orientation,” he recalls.

So, the Colliers moved to Albany with the plan to pay off Purvis’ student loans and then “move wherever we wanted in the world,” says Shellie.

A PA with AAPHC for the last 10 years, Purvis works out of the East

Albany Medical Center, where he serves that community and anywhere else they need him to travel. AAPHC needs him at its 33 offices in Southwest Georgia. He also serves as advanced practice provider department chair and as regional director of medical education for A.T. Still University (ATSU), the world's first osteopathic medical school, headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz. Purvis is the point person here for ATSU’s PA students who come to Albany for a year to complete their training in Southwest Georgia.

Over the years, time for family has been a guiding force in Shellie’s career. While she loved her previous position as a medical sonographer at MUSC in Charleston, once she and Purvis started a family, she knew that pursuing that path would not be conducive to the lifestyle they wanted.

“As a mom, it’s very hard to have childcare for the number of hours I would have needed. And I would not have been able to be as involved in my kids’ lives. It works for some people, but we just needed something different.”

So, while still in Charleston, Shellie laid the groundwork for a completely new career — breeding dogs.

W“We had two labradoodles that we loved,” explains Shellie, “and I really wanted another one, but Purvis wouldn't let me have a third. My solution was that I came up with a business plan to breed them and I presented that to Purvis. He approved! So, I got my third dog … and my fourth … and my fifth.”

The Colliers completed the paperwork for their new venture, Rainbow Row Labradoodles, in Charleston but did not start breeding until a few months later when they settled in Albany. Now they are an established small breeder specializing in medium and mini Multigeneration Australian Labradoodles. As an Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA) breeder with Gold Paw status and Gooddog Excellent Breeder recognition, they adhere to the highest standards of the ALAA and maintain their own stringent code of ethics.

Shellie clarifies that the Australian Labradoodle is not a mix but the original doodle, with a 40-year breeding history. While Labrador, Poodle and Cocker Spaniel were initial foundation breeds, they are no longer part of the current process. Similar to the evolution of other breeds, such as German Shepherds, the Australian Labradoodle is now its own distinct breed. Despite potential confusion with the Australian Shepherd, the label denotes its breeding place of origin.

Shellie's affection for Australian Labradoodles stems from their exceptional qualities as pets. Renowned for their minimal shedding coats,

they are ideal for allergy sufferers and those seeking easy grooming, but it's their personality that made Shellie in love. Recognized as top-tier family dogs, Australian Labradoodles stand out for their intelligence, intuition and friendly nature. Originally bred as therapy dogs, they maintain their empathetic traits, forming a profound emotional connection with their owners. Shellie describes them as versatile companions, equally energetic outdoors and calm and affectionate indoors.

"Take them outside, and they're like your adventure buddy — running, fetching, just a ball of silly, goofy energy," she says. "But they also have a calm and affectionate side. Inside, they just want to lounge at your feet or cozy up on the couch.”

Rainbow Row prioritizes their puppies' well-being through rigorous health testing and a family-oriented upbringing, ensuring socialization with children and other pets. Their distinctive Guardian Program takes a unique approach to breeding, emphasizing a family environment over traditional kennel settings. Selected puppies are placed with vetted guardian families at eight weeks old, becoming integral family members. While ownership is retained by Rainbow Row until retirement, the dogs live as cherished members of their guardian families. Upon retirement, ownership is transferred to the guardians, ensuring a stress-free transition and offering local families a chance to have a highquality dog at minimal cost.

Rainbow Row’s mission is to place all of their puppies in loving homes committed to providing lifelong care, love, training and socialization. “We operate on Kingdom principles,” says Shellie, “which means that we operate out of love and integrity. We stand by our genetic health guarantee, and we are here for a lifetime of support for owners and their puppies.”

AA second business for the Colliers, a retail dog boutique, emerged as an extension of Rainbow Row Labradoodles with the aim of offering something unique to the community. Opening in 2023, The Perfect Collar came from a desire for all-natural dog products and healthy treats, which the Colliers say were not readily available in the area. Drawing from their experiences in Charleston, where dog boutiques and all-natural stores were abundant, Shellie and Purvis recognized the gap in the local market and decided to bring these offerings to the community.

The product range includes various dog foods (raw, freezedried, canned and kibble), raw bones, supplements, treats and American-made leashes, collars, bandanas, toys and fresh-baked goods. Inside the store, patrons can explore the chew bar, treat bar and bakery. Whether customers need guidance on chew toys, engagement puzzles or addressing specific dietary concerns such as weight loss or skin issues, the team at The Perfect Collar is equipped to assist based on years of combined industry experience.

Looking back on their careers and family choices, Purvis and Shellie reflect on how much their original plan to make Albany a short-term home has changed.

“Once Purvis’ student loans were paid off, we were pretty well rooted here,” says Shellie. “For one thing, we really loved our church family at Providence Church. They have truly rallied around us at different times in our lives, and you can't take them with you.”

For more information on Rainbow Row Labradoodles, visit rainbowrowlabradoodles.com or follow them on Facebook.

For more information on The Perfect Collar, visit theperfectcollar.net, follow them on Facebook or visit their shop:

The Perfect Collar 2734 Ledo Road I Albany (229) 302-2226

Open Monday-Saturday

10 am-6 pm

OOver the years, the Collier family has grown to include four children, including a son adopted from China. Purvis and Shellie value the quality education their children receive from the Lee County School System, and that Southwest Georgia is just a great place to raise children.

“It's quiet and peaceful here,” says Purvis. “There's space and trees and fields which you don't get everywhere. We would have never been able to have that in Charleston where you can reach out your hands and touch your neighbor’s house. And it’s easier to be both a part of the community and a part of your kids’ lives here when you can get anywhere within 15 or 20 minutes.”

Together, Purvis and Shellie made the decision to put down permanent roots in Albany. Now, after more than a decade, the Colliers have not only cultivated two successful businesses but have also crafted a life for their family that they love. From Purvis' flourishing medical career to the expansion of their entrepreneurial ventures, along with the laid-back quality of life they've discovered here, it's evident that the Colliers have found their home. It turns out that settling down “wherever they wanted in the world” was right here in Albany all along. ∞

Claiming Higher Ground

Albany-based Sunnyland Farms expands to set up shop in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

SSunnyland Farms, a fourth generation family-owned pecan farm in Albany, celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023. Established in 1948 by Jane and Harry Willson as a 1,000-acre grove of young pecan trees, Sunnyland has evolved into a thriving mail-order and online business, providing top-quality pecans and pecan products while emphasizing excellent customer service. The company's longstanding commitment to delivering "Only The Best" has been a driving force behind its success.

Over the years, Sunnyland Farms has expanded into a full-scale growing and shelling operation, creating jobs, introducing new products and expanding its main office. Looking toward the future, in 2023 the company also opened its first retail store, located in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The decision to choose Pigeon Forge was influenced by the city's warm and welcoming atmosphere and bustling tourist traffic.

The retail location, situated within the Mountain Mile & Tower Shops, offers a lively and diverse shopping experience in the heart of Pigeon Forge. Sunnyland co-owner and COO Alex Willson, approached by longtime friend Dixon Greenwood, one of the developers of Mountain Mile, saw an opportunity to join the retail space with an old college buddy. The store features Sunnyland's farm-fresh pecans, roasted on-site, along with their renowned cakes, candies, chocolates and family-friendly offerings.

So, if you find yourself in Pigeon Forge, the Willson family invites you to step inside their sunny little store where they are sharing delicious pecans from right here in Albany, the pecan capital of the world!

Sunnyland Farms

Pecan Pesto

1 cup firmly packed basil

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup Sunnyland Farms pecan pieces

1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese

1 garlic clove

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon lemon zest

Put all ingredients together in food processor and pulse to desired consistency. If mixture isn't smooth enough, add more oil. Stores well in refrigerator up to two weeks.

Baked Feta with Sunnyland Pecan Pesto

½ cup prepared Sunnyland Farms pecan pesto

½ cup Morello cherries (drained)

½ cup large Sunnyland Farms pecan pieces

1 tablespoon Sunnyland Farm gallberry honey for drizzling

Place feta block on small baking dish, spread pecan pesto evenly on top and finish with Morello cherries and Sunnyland Farms large pecan pieces. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Finish with drizzle of Sunnyland Farms gallberry honey. Serve with crostini or crackers.

Recipe by Staci Willson, creative director at Sunnyland Farms ∞

Finding Connection through the military spouse’s club

Japan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, California are just a few of the places military families may call home before finding themselves at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany (MCLB), the logistics nerve center of the United States Marine Corps.

Andra Reventlow once moved three times in three years. Kelli Manwiller has moved seven times in the last nine years. Teri McMahon said she’s bounced back and forth between duty stations too many times to count.

Military spouses become experts at picking up their lives in one place and building them in another. They find community in each other through organizations such as the Military Spouses’ Club of Albany (MSCA), which is a nonprofit organization that seeks to build lasting friendships and foster connection through social activities.

It also offers an outlet for volunteerism and fundraising to benefit both the military community and Albany community as a whole. The club is open to active-duty spouses, retired spouses, civilian Marine spouses associated with MCLB Albany, civilian employees of MCLB Albany and any military dependent adults.

Because of the constant moving, many military spouses strive to immerse themselves in the communities off base. For the members of the MSCA, this process has been uniquely easy in the Good Life City, and the club is the bridge.

MCLB Albany is a small base with about 4,500 civilian Marines and 400 active duty Marines, and Albany is a

written by lucille lannigan

photography by angel mcmahon

community where many residents have lived out their entire lives. Because of this, McMahon, the club president, said it can be daunting to move to Albany for the first time. She said her hope is that the MCSA can stand out as an organization that makes the transition easy.

Lindsay Kelly, MSCA secretary, moved to Albany with her Marine wife and children in January 2023. She decided to attend an MSCA Bunco event, which is a 12-person dice game with prizes, food and drink.

It was one of the MSCA’s first in-person events since the club declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. The club regrouped in 2022, and the current board is working to grow membership and increase events.

It was Kelly’s first time ever going to an MSCA event. She said she didn’t know the spouses' club existed until she moved to Albany.

“Suddenly, I’m all about it,” Kelly said. “I’ve made more friends this year than I did in the past six years combined at any duty station before. I feel like it’s done a lot for me socially to go out instead of staying at home all the time. It’s been a nice connection.”

McMahon said the MSCA is where members “find their tribe.” For her, the spouses' club is an outlet, she said.

“No matter what circumstance you’re going through, somebody in that group that you’re with is going to understand,” McMahon said.

Military dependents face unique challenges. Consistent moving can make it difficult to maintain a career. It’s challenging to raise kids and find supportive school systems.

Manwiller, MSCA treasurer, said through the club, military spouses form a team forged by support and resilience.

“Our husbands (spouses) are gone. We’re in the same boat,” she said. “The spouses coming together, especially with their kids, is a big deal.”

Military spouses and dependents are often forced into unfamiliar situations, constantly moving and having to switch careers, Manwiller said. The MSC creates an encouraging environment for them.

“When you have a team that helps you and empowers you, it’s amazing what you can accomplish,” she Manwiller.

McMahon pointed out that military spouses are good at finding ways to make their skills transferable. She started her own remotely-operated business about eight years ago. Fountain found work substituting in the Lee County School System. Manwiller got her real estate license and specializes in helping military families find homes.

But McMahon said she is passionate about making spouses feel valued where they’re at – whether it’s through a job or volunteering. They’re all important, she said.

The MSCA also provides a sense of family for Marines who are far from their own. They provide meals during holidays and activities that draw people together.

The MSCA’s activities extend beyond the community as well. Each year they host an auction to raise money for a scholarship for a military dependent

as well as charitable funds to be donated to a community organization. The organization can be anything from a food pantry to a sports league, according to McMahon.

Jennifer Fountain, the club’s vice president, noted this auction connects the MCSA with people outside of the military community.

“It gives back to the community,” she said. “It puts us out with the community, and not as a military family but with the community themselves.”

The MCSA board is hoping to increase this community outreach because for many members, Albany has been easy to call home. Manwiller said it’s a great place to get involved. She also said the Albany metro area offers some of the best schools her children have attended.

“They have treated my kids like they’ve been here forever,” she said. “It’s a very unique feeling. When you’re a military kid, you can feel like an outcast, but my kids have had a great experience here.”

McMahon remarked that Albany's businesses are friendly to families and that the area has a wide variety of active and welcoming churches.

She also said the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce has forged a relationship with the MCSA that she hasn’t experienced at any other duty station.

The Chamber invited the MCSA to be a part of its Military Affairs Committee, which serves to support Albany’s military communities and its significant contributions to Georgia’s economy. McMahon said it’s a special thing to have and provides ample opportunity for the MCSA to connect and work with local businesses to not only help the military community, but to have the military community help them.

“It’s great to see you’re going to a community that supports the military,” she said. “It makes a world of difference on how you feel about where you live.” ∞

We Got the Big Mo!

New Branding Gives Albany Momentum and Movement

WRITTEN BY JIM HENDRICKS

The Flint River has been the lifeblood of Albany since the city’s 1836 founding. Initially, it served as the major commercial artery for shipping cotton and goods to the Gulf port. Even after that role was supplanted in the late 1850s by a more economical rail connection to Savannah and expanded highways in the 20th century, the swift Flint waters have remained the great constant for Albany, the singular feature most associated with the city by longtime residents and first-time visitors alike.

Even when it caused destruction, the Flint has had a profound effect. Those who endured the massive floods of 1994 and 1998 will attest that while the city and Dougherty County were split in two physically by

historically high floodwaters, a spiritual unanimity grew to bridge socio-economic lines, empowering residents to cope, cooperate and recover. In dividing the community, the river brought it closer together.

Small wonder, then, that when the Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) undertook the formidable task of completely rebranding the organization in a way that brought together the many diverse voices of the community, they looked east from the CVB headquarters on Front Street in downtown Albany, past the tributes to bridgebuilder Horace King and native son Ray Charles, to find inspiration in the Flint River.

Accent Creative Group, the Lawrenceville, Ga., design firm that created the CVB rebrand, quickly saw the influence of the river and how its unrelenting motion symbolized so much else in Albany. “That’s why we landed on the feeling of movement,” Albany CVB Executive Director Rashelle Minix said.

world. Only 20 percent of the 2,000 entries achieved Gold Winner status in the competition.

The comprehensive redesign already has received accolades. It is a 2023 Gold Winner for Brand Identity under "Design & Print/Corporate Identity" in the 19th annual Davey Awards, which recognizes outstanding creative work by small firms and organizations around the

The fresh color palette includes light green, dark blue, orange and a teal that matches the color of the waters at Radium Springs. The blue and teal “Visit Albany Georgia” logo captures the essence of the river with its flowing Canache font. The rebrand seeks to present a community in forward motion: a river flowing through the heart of a town; the town’s early days as a bustling railroad community; musical movements by native stars including Ray Charles, Luke Bryan, Phillip Phillips, Russell Malone and Harry James; walking trails and marathons; Albany’s development as a regional retail hub; its expanding role as host for conferences, reunions and weddings; the Albany Civil Rights Movement, with its national impact; and the efforts to revitalize the downtown area that is within sight of the river.

During the 16 years she has been with the CVB, Minix said, the organization has done several brand refreshes and simple updates. “This is the largest effort because it is a full rebrand,” she said. “It looks nothing like the old one.”

“It was time to give it a fresher look, something more appealing. As generational travelers change, you’ve got to appeal to those new generational travelers.”

The CVB’s outreach tools are in motion as well. The organization has all-new promotional items, and its website has been redesigned from the ground up. Its popular

visitor’s guide is adopting a narrative format. “We chose to do more storytelling versus listing the attractions,” Minix said.

“The goal behind the visitor’s guide now is to create a story and an experience that people can choose to do based on their interest. I’m trying to get the visitor to move throughout Albany through the stories," Minix said.

The visitor’s guide also explores new areas, such as Resora at Cypress Pond, a former plantation that Albany Civil Rights Movement activist the late Charles Sherrod and his wife, Shirley Sherrod, turned into a retreat with rental cabins, a conference center and working farm through their New Communities organization.

“We’re highlighting our use of Airbnbs, too,” she said. “They’re becoming just as popular as hotels and tend to be more family friendly if you have a large family. We’re also taking the time to highlight things that are made in Albany, and we’re telling the story about those.

“We won’t be able to list every restaurant and shopping opportunity," she said, "but we will have QR codes on each page that will link back to those subjects on the website.”

Sports events are in the guide, and annual events appear for the first time. There is also a small section on nearby destinations for day trips.

All of this work is being done to better capitalize on tourism dollars that have increased substantially over the past decade and a half, acording to a study by Tourism Economics, Inc. paid for by the State of Georgia Tourism Department. In fiscal year 2007, the local hotel/motel tax revenue generated more than $1.3 million, which was split evenly between the City of Albany and the CVB, then an arm of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. In FY 2022 — the first year that short-term rentals such as Airbnbs were taxed — the hotel/motel tax revenue was nearly $2.6 million. Just under $1.8 million went to the city, and $800,000 to the CVB. The city's tourism agencies received more than $1.2 million from the city’s share — $882,000 went to Chehaw; $200,000 to the Flint RiverQuarium; $100,000 to the Albany Civil Rights

Institute; and $45,000 to the Albany Area Arts Council.

Visitor spending in Albany in 2022 was up 0.7% yearover-year at $265.6 million, generating $22.7 million in state and local tax revenue. By category, $70.9 million in visitor spending went to food and beverage, $57.3 million to recreation, $50.9 million to lodging, $48.1 million to transportation and $14.5 million to retail. That year, 3,452 jobs in Albany were directly supported by tourism.

Telling their stories makes influencers of Albany residents, Minix said. “Our hope is that we can create some positive movement with the new campaign by working with the attractions,” she said. “We’re developing an ambassador program so people can buy into and really learn the positive sides of Albany and what we have to offer in the way of being visitor-driven.

“The key is we’ve got to get people talking in the right direction," she said. "Our businesses must realize that frontline staff can determine our success. When a corporate leader is looking to relocate, they’re going to stop at a local restaurant and talk to frontline staff about what they think about Albany. Your staff could be talking to the president of a company who’s deciding between here and another city.”

Even the way Albany residents view local attractions needs to evolve, Minix said. “Right now, we have a huge push to update our attractions and to think about the attractions as something for visitors to come to instead of just things for locals to participate in,” she said. “We have to build things that will make a visitor want to come here over and over, and then the locals will enjoy it, too.”

The right mindset can encourage motion that has lasting, positive impact.

“To grow tourism and to grow Albany, we have to think outside of Albany and about what will bring people here,” she said. “With that comes better quality of life. And if you like the place you visit, it could eventually become the place you want to move to.” ∞

DID YOU KNOW?

The Flint River is the beating heart of Albany. Flowing through the middle of downtown, The Flint is a center of activity from paddling and fishing on its waters to The Flint RiverQuarium, Radium Springs, RiverFront Park and Trail, and other attractions you’ll find along its banks.