January/February 2025 Columbus and the Valley

From the Editor’s Desk

Are you looking forward to all the first, seconds and thirds? This is not a reflection of Thanksgiving and trips back to the buffet, but a forward-thinking mindset of all that 2025 will bring with it.

Our newlyweds featured in our Wedding Gallery will all be celebrating their first year of marriage. Congratulations to everyone who tied the knot in late 2023 through 2024. I hope you celebrate your first anniversary in style! The New Year is the perfect time to start planning your wedding and the Chattahoochee Valley has all that you need to make it a day that dreams are made of. Great Southern Weddings features venues of choice and All Things Bridal is your go to for local vendors who provide all the finishing touches.

Who’s ready for some baseball? We are and can’t wait to head to Synovus Park for the first season with our very own Braves AA affiliate team. Read the second part of our series Meet The Clingstones in this issue and get ready to take yourself and your family out to the ballgame. Diamond Holdings are bringing Minor League Baseball back to Columbus, and it’s going to a whole new experience at the newly renovated stadium.

A staple for 90 years is Open Door Community House. Since their inception during the Great Depression, they are continuing to evolve their services and provide a haven and enable those in need across the age spectrum. Read all about this local resource in the pages of our magazine.

Catching history in a camera lens was Harold Feinstein’s personal quest during the Korean War. You can view his exhibit, A Soldier’s View at the National Infantry Museum with a selection of photographs from the Lumiere Gallery in Atlanta along with the recently dedicated Korean War memorial.

They say health is wealth and heading into 2025, make yours a priority. Our Medical Matters section has options in areas of the medical field to ensure that you put your needs at the top of your must-do list this new year.

Here at Columbus and the Valley we’re heading into our second anniversary of ownership, and we’re excited about the plans afoot for 2025. As a reader or advertiser, we would like to thank you for your support and coming along with us on the journey so far.

— Established 1991 —

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Jodi Saunders

jodi@columbusandthevalley.com

ADVERTISING SALES

Becky Kenimer becky@columbusandthevalley.com

Margie Richardson margie@columbusandthevalley.com

Julie Lauzon, Sales Assistant salesassistant@columbusandthevalley.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Sixty Two Graphic Studio

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Brad Barnes

Brett Buckner

Janet Burden

Pat Daniel

Natalie Downey

Frank Etheridge

Julie Lauzon

Scott Phillips

PHOTOGRAPHY

Ritchie White Photography

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHY

Miranda Beason Photography

P.O. Box 229 214A 10th Street Columbus, GA 31902

706-324-6214 • fax 706-324-6216

Jodi Saunders Editor & Publisher

COLUMBUS AND THE VALLEY MAGAZINE is owned by Jodi and Gerald Saunders and is published monthly by Valley Life Ventures, LLC, dba COLUMBUS AND THE VALLEY MAGAZINE, P. O. Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902. The cover and contents are fully protected and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of COLUMBUS AND THE VALLEY MAGAZINE. We are not responsible for loss of unsolicited inquiries, manuscripts, photographs, or other materials. They will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage. Editorial contributions and letters should be addressed to COLUMBUS AND THE VALLEY MAGAZINE, Post Office Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902. Copyright ©2025 by Valley Life Ventures, LLC trading as COLUMBUS AND THE VALLEY MAGAZINE. Postmaster: Please send address corrections to: Post Office Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902. Follow us on

by Miranda Beason Photography

What's Happening?

ONGOING

Now-February 2

The Columbus Museum will exhibit Reckonings and Reconstructions: Southern Photography from The Do Good Fund ColumbusMuseum.com

JANUARY

January 1-February 16

Riverfront Renaissance exhibition at the Columbus Museum will present an overview of activities along the Chattahoochee River in Columbus’ industrial past, as well as over the last 10-15 years. Artifacts from the Museum’s collection, as well as special images and object loans, will shine a spotlight on the renovation of historic structures into new businesses along the water. ColumbusMuseum.com

January 11

Relax and enjoy The Columbus Museum with a special yoga class! Start with a short mindfulness exercise then relax with a gentle, all-levels yoga session led by Sue Tomkiewicz. Some yoga mats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is required. ColumbusMuseum.com

January 18

Are you totally in love with Tchaikovsky? Enjoy an evening brimming with elegance and beauty as the Columbus Symphony Orchestra celebrates the works of Russia’s premiere composer. CSOGA.org

January 18

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association returns to Columbus for the 3rd consecutive year, bringing professional rodeo at its finest. This is your chance to experience the thrill, the action and the best cowboys in the business. CivicCenter.ColumbusGa.gov

January 23-February 2

See Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at the Springer Opera House. It’s 1927, and Ma Rainey, the Mother of the Blues, is in a recording session in a rundown Chicago studio. Fiery and determined, she fights to retain control over her music while her cocky trumpet player, Levee, dreams of making his own way in the business. SpringerOperaHouse.org

January 23

Historical fiction author Fiona Davis will be signing her newest book, The Stolen Queen, at the Columbus Public Library at 11 a.m. Books will be for sale courtesy of Columbus Bound Books. CVLGA.org

January 23

The GRAMMY® Award-winning mens vocal ensemble Chanticleer visits RiverCenter. Chanticleer’s repertoire is rooted in the renaissance and has continued to expand to include a wide range of classical, gospel, jazz, popular music and a deep commitment to the commissioning of new compositions and arrangements. CVLGA.org

January 25

Grab a set of headphones, tune in to your favorite choice of live DJ sets and dance the night away at the silent disco in this fun, completely wireless, music-filled atmosphere surrounded by art and history. ColumbusMuseum.com

January 25

A variety of vendors will be set up for the Mardi Gras Pop Up in the south hall of the Columbus Convention and Trade Center for this free, family-friendly event. Bottomless mimosas will be available while you shop until supplies last. Shop for Mardi Gras souvenirs, carnival supplies, art and face jewelry, food and desserts, music and clothes. FCMGBall2025.eventbrite.com

January 31

Celebrate the 26th annual Taste of Pine Mountain. Come enjoy shopping, live music and tapas from local restaurants. harriscountychamber.org/event-details/ taste-of-pine-mountain-2025

FEBRUARY

February 2

The Chattahoochee Valley Libraries in partnership with Carson McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians present the Southeastern premiere of Wunderkind a documentary about Carson McCullers by famed German director Claudia Muller. CVLGA.org

February 2

A comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, The Addams Family is the magnificently macabre hit musical featuring everyone’s favorite creepy, kooky characters. RiverCenter.org

February 5

The Bo Bartlett Center along with Columbus State University will host a joint public opening reception for their new two spring exhibitions Eye of the Blackbird and Women of the Pacific Northwest beginning at 6:30 p.m. Before the reception, there will be a Women of the Pacific Northwest artist panel discussion at the center beginning at 5:30 p.m. An artist panel discussion for Eye of the Blackbird is scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 6. ColumbusState.edu/bartlett-center

February 7, 8 & 9

Learn all about glassmaking at COMU. The class will involve learning about glass safety and watching a short demonstration, participants will get to try their hand at making their own glass heart. All materials are included and no experience is necessary. ColumbusMuseum.com

February 16

Celebrate Galentine’s at COMU’s Art & Sip lead by local artist Addie Newcomer. Enjoy a creative afternoon with wine and charcuteries as you create your own watercolor masterpiece to take home. ColumbusMuseum.com

February 22

Immerse yourself in the epic worlds of the cinematic classics such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, Superman and more when the Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents John Williams & Friends. The awardwinning film scores of John Williams as well as James Horner’s Avatar Suite, Jerry Goldsmith’s Alien and John Ottman’s X-Men 2: Suite are sure to create a nostalgic night to remember.

CSOGA.org

February 28

Join renowned American astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson at RiverCenter to experience his take on some of your favorite movies. From Star Wars to Frozen to Armageddon, to The Titanic to The Martian An entertaining and enlightening review of all the science that these movies got wrong, combined with some of the stuff they got right. Incorporates the newer films as well as some classics that you may not have known had any science in them at all.

RiverCenter.org

February

28

Comedian Kat Williams is bringing all the laughs to Columbus Civic Center. Produced by North American Entertainment Group, the upcoming tour with new material is sure to bring laughs to Columbus. CivicCenter.ColumbusGa.gov

MARCH

March 7

Toast of the Town brings World-class wines, fine foods, hand-crafted beers and Southern spirits all await you at the Grand Tasting. Come meet the chefs, vintners, distillers and brewmasters who will be on hand to share their toasts and tastes with you.

ToastColumbus.com

Elizabeth Allred & Nicholas Riddle — December 9, 2023 — Parker Place, Luthersville, GA Ricardo Sandoval Photography

Chynna Carter & Elijah Epps — February 24, 2024 — Whitestone Reserve, Austell,GA BryannaLynn Photography

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Hayden Cobb and Zachary Foster — December 9, 2023 — Legacy at Serenity Farms Emma

Kennedy & Bryan Brown — March 16, 2024 — Country Club of Columbus Eliza

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Katie Bishop & Joseph Berger — January 13, 2024 — Bacalar Gardens, Bacalar, Mexico Casa

— March

— January

—

— July

Tori

Morrill Photography

Montalvo Wedding Studio

Malynn Hogan & Daniel Blanchard

April 6, 2024 — The Farm at Lullwater Ritchie White Photography

Joganic for Eric and Jamie Photography

Nathalie DeLoach & Naveen Sood

23, 2024 — Marriott St. Louis Grand, St. Louis, MO Kelly Park Photography

Sharonica Lunsford & Charles McQuerry IV

20, 2024 — The Farm at Lullwater DNA Media Production Photography

Alisha Renée Averett & Trevor Bernard Gillies

April 6, 2024 — Columbus Convention & Trade Center

Joel German for Fourth Dimension Photography LLC

Lakeisha Walker & Christopher Okpara — May 18, 2024 — The Greenhouse Venue Enjoyment Studios

Shianne Fair & Chandler Griggs

April 20, 2024 — The Greenhouse Venue Tori Greathouse Photography

Lucy Pound & Cameron Saunders

13, 2024 — Country Club of Columbus Miranda Beason Photography

Gwen Van Ingen & Jonathan Brand — November 23, 2024 — Green Island Country Club

Madison Grace Photography

Emily Moore & Bill Pound — September 7, 2024 — Country Club of Columbus

Eliza Morrill Photography

Jaime Matthews & Blake Mishkoff — November 23, 2024 — The Greenhouse Venue

Stephanie Jean Photography

Skylar Griffeth & Daniel Corr — September 21, 2024 — City Mills

Kaitlyn Kitchens Photography

Kendall Dupree & Brooks Northrup — November 16, 2024 — The River at Club Blanton

Ashley Seig Photography

Lillie Peek & Parker James — November 23 2024 — The Illges House

Eliza Morrill Photography

Brianna McClain & Jeremy Holliday — September 14, 2024 — The Farm at Lullwater

Leslie Leanna Photography

Abigail Futch and Matt Becker — October 19, 2024 — Three Oaks Farm, LaGrange

Kaitlyn Kitchens Photography

Kylee Lemon & LeCuevas Warren — November 26, 2024 — The Greenhouse Venue Woody Square Photography

Julia Lester & Connor Green — October 5, 2024 — Country Club of Columbus Eric and Jamie Photography Associates

Gayle Gomez & Paul Webster — November 16, 2024 — The Greenhouse Venue Shiannae Grant & Cassie Howard

Jessica Neal & Chris Maurer —October 26, 2024 — The Greenhouse Venue Halo + Bloom Photography

R.L.T. Wildflowers

Make your special day even more unforgettable with R.L.T Wildflowers unique wedding flower collections. Choose from a wide range of bespoke floral designs, from romantic bouquets to breathtaking centerpieces.

7 E 10th St. • 762.524.7385 • RLTWildflowers.com

The Crowned Beauty Co.

Specially crafted by hand, our Bridal Bouquet perfume will make your heart flutter with its blend of exotic woods balanced by a delicate bouquet of citrusy grapefruit, bergamot and tea leaf, softened by hints of lily and peach, and rounded out with deep notes of orchid, musk, amber and balsam.

11 E 10th St. • 706.223.0618

TheCrownedBeauty.co

Parker’s Pantry

Let Parker’s Pantry cater your next wedding party or reception. They have an assortment of appetizers or a full dinner menu for a delicious event.

The Farm at Lullwater

The Farm at Lullwater offers a breathtaking country setting with waterfront views, pecan grove, golden fields, authentic rustic barn, plus much more for a dream come true beautiful wedding.

483 Huguley Rd,, Opelika 334.614.0478

TheFarmatLullwater.com

Fiddleheads

You are invited to explore Fiddleheads wedding registry program. Explore their beautiful and extensive selection of European and American ceramics and table linens and receive a special gift when you register.

2nd Ave. • 706.586.8281 • ShopFiddleheads.com

Schomburg’s Jewelers

Shop engagement rings and wedding bands at Schomburg’s for their exceptional craftsmanship, unparalleled quality and personalized service, ensuring the perfect symbol of love and commitment for your special day.

1640 Rollins Way 706.327.7489 Schomburgs.com

The Goetchius House

The Historic Goetchius House offers a stunning blend of classic elegance and modern amenities, making it the perfect setting for a memorable wedding. The iconic house can host up to 250 people and has a gorgeous courtyard, patio and garden.

405 Broadway • 706.800.4405 • 405Broadway.com

By Invitation

Let By Invitation be your one stop shop for all of your printed wedding items. If you’re looking for personalized cups, koozies, napkins, custom seating charts or invitations, look no further!

6298 Veterans Pkwy,. Ste. 2D 706.660.6988 • ByInvitationGa.com

The Webb’s Place

At The Webb’s Place choose between any of their beautiful landscaped yards to host the outdoor wedding of your dreams and an event center is on property for an easy reception transition. 1920 Pierce Rd., Phenix City • 334.739.0917 TheWebbsPlace.com

Galleria Riverside

Vietri’s Lastra is just one of the many lines that brides can select for the celebration of life with family and friends around the table. Galleria Riverside offers both an online and in-store wedding registry.

1658 Rollins Way 706.653.1950 GalleriaRiverside.com

Fade to Black Productions

Fade To Black Productions offers a variety of services including DJs, live music, sound, lighting and more. They’ll work closely with couples to tailor the event so that guests will be entertained and talking about it for years to come.

706.536.5708 • Facebook.com/FadetoBlackProductionsLLC • FadetoBlackProductionsLLC.com

By Invitation

Your wedding invitation is the first impression guests will have of your big day. By Invitation can help you create the perfect invitation suite to set the tone for one of your most important days.

6298 Veterans Pkwy Ste. 2D 706.660.6988 ByInvitationGa.com

Park Place Interiors

Park Place has china, glassware and all other accessories available from Ginori (pictured), Juliska, Vietri, Gien, Estelle and many others to register for your big day.

1817 Garrard St. • 706.221.5054 ParkPlaceMidtown.com

The River at Club Blanton

Situated on the banks of the Chattahoochee, RCB offers a historic dance hall, a ceremony site featuring antique wrought iron gates, numerous lawn spaces and a quaint tree house for honeymoon couples.

994 Co Rd 383, Valley, AL • 706.326.7331 TheRiveratClubBlanton.com

Schomburg’s Jewelers

Brides should register for Herend fine china at Schomburg’s for its exquisite craftsmanship and timeless elegance, adding a touch of sophistication to their cherished tablescapes that will be treasured for generations.

1640 Rollins Way 706.327.7489 Schomburgs.com

Winnie Couture

Nestled in the heart of Columbus at the Shoppes at Bradley Park, Winnie Couture offers a bridal shopping experience like no other. Call today to book your private bridal suite for a once-in-a-lifetime shopping experience in their bridal dreamland.

6401 Whitesville Rd.• 706.221.5519 WinnieCouture.com

The Southern Wedding of Your Dreams

What began with a drive in the country is now the ultimate destination for a dream wedding.

The Farm at Lullwater is nestled on 77.7 acres of serene farmland in Crawford, Alabama—about 20 miles outside of downtown Columbus—and could only be described as breath-taking; a place where the quiet beauty of nature serves as a reminder to all of life’s simplest miracle.

The magic of Lullwater is immediately visible.

“Lullwater is the complete package,” said Mitzie Stone, who co-owns the venue with her husband, James. “The drive in when you turn on Huguley Road to pulling into the venue seeing the beautiful backdrop of the property to pulling up to the authentic built barn, the charming bridge over the lake, you get a sense of the love poured into every aspect of the property.”

Mitzie and James weren’t necessarily looking to purchase a wedding venue. Back in 2016, the couple were simply out for a drive when they came across what’s now known as The Farm at Lullwater.

Something about the property caught their eye. There was no “For Sale” sign, just an old, rugged mailbox leaning to one side with an address attached. The family prayed about it, and within a few months, it was theirs.

“The old farmhouse on the property was built in 1897,” Mitzie said. “It was completely torn down in 2016 when we purchased the property and put back together.”

The Stones are only the third family to own the farm but went out of their way during the restoration to incorporate as much of its history as possible.

“We saved two old stone fireplaces and used those stones to build the fire pit located at the pavilion,” Mitzie said. “You have to know those stones didn’t come from the home improvement store. They had to come right off the property.”

It seemed preordained because Sarah, the Stone’s daughter, always dreamed of a wedding on a farm with a rustic barn.

The barn, which first had to be built but is now considered the centerpiece of the Farm at Lullwater, is the perfect venue for either a reception or the wedding itself.

Located only a few steps away from the Farmhouse, the barn is heated/ cooled by HVAC, but it’s also cooled by large ceiling fans if you want to open all the barn doors for a cool country breeze. Constructed with sawmill cut lumber, the barn has a metal roof and a loft.

The stunning scenery is complimented with a five-acre pond, pecan grove, old oak trees, pear trees and pastureland for as far as the eye can see.

But it’s what happens behind the scenes that sets The Farm at Lullwater apart from other wedding venues.

“We are servants at heart,” Stone said. “We see this as an opportunity to serve others on one of the most important days of their lives. Providing great service, attention to details and showing love and kindness is what you will get as a client.”

The Farm at Lullwater offers more than a pretty view. It offers a single, two-day package that literally includes everything for that special day.

A truly unique aspect of Lullwater is that everything is included: venue, tables, chairs, linens, ceremony benches, access to the Treasure Room, a planning session and so much more.

“We work behind the scenes to ensure things run smoothly,” Stone said. “We set the floor plan, set the ceremony benches, park guests, dispose of the trash, bathroom checks, breakdown, cleanup and much more.”

Unlike other venues, brides choose their vendors.

“It’s your day,” Stone said. “You should be able to have the wedding day you intended including your wedding vendors.”

It’s that type of all-inclusive service that led to Lullwater winning the Reader’s Choice/People’s Choice award for best wedding venue in the area six years running. ADV.

Say YES to an Iron Works Wedding

Rich history and picturesque views encompass the Columbus Trade Center’s Iron Works Wedding Experience. Situated within the Downtown Columbus Historic District and on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, the Columbus Trade Center offers a unique setting for a wedding ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner, engagement party or other special life events. The venue offers a wide range of event spaces of varying sizes. For largescale events, there are banquet halls that host events with up to 1,200 guests and interconnect for event flow. For smaller events, spaces are available that can accommodate as few as 50 guests. “Our venue has the distinction of hosting hundreds of weddings throughout the years, where we are able to walk a couple through the planning process to make their dreams a reality,” said Trade Center Executive Director Hayley Tillery. Notable for distinct fusion of rustic history and elegant allure, the Columbus Trade Center has the perfect space capable of creating a timeless setting for all wedding styles from banquet rooms, rustic brick spaces and outdoor locations. “We work very closely with selected vendors who praise our staff on the seamless experience that we can provide for the client and their vendors,” Tillery said.

Culinary on-site services set the Columbus Trade Center

apart and allow the integration of your event plans with menu preferences all inhouse. For your convenience, our well-trained staff handles all the set-up, serving and clean up for your event. Our menus fit your event vision and incorporate your specific tastes, preferences, and needs. This attention to flavor and presentation will show you why our Iron Works Chef and Catering team have developed a local reputation for culinary excellence. Need one more reason to say “Yes” to an Iron Works Wedding? The Columbus Trade Center is directly adjacent to and a short trip from several hotels in downtown Columbus. “We love being a part of a client’s special day and we cannot wait to help you “Make History” and create a day you will never forget,” Tillery said. Contact us today for tours and inquiries. ADV.

photo by Wildside Creative Co.

It has been said that a bride needs four things on her wedding day for good luck—something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

Something Old... Something New...

For centuries, brides have come up with creative ways to check all four of the wedding day “good luck” boxes, and for recently wedded Katie Bishop, the “something old” and “something new” categories were fulfilled in one very special dress.

Born and raised in Columbus, Katie has spent much of her career working to support and improve her hometown. Her roots go deep not only in our city, but also in her close relationships with her family. So when it came time to plan her wedding, Katie knew she wanted to honor her parents on her special day, and, working with a local dress designer, she found a way to do just that, while staying true to her own style.

“I didn’t grow up dreaming about my wedding day,” Katie admits.“It really all started after I got engaged when I put on my mom’s wedding dress.” With a style always tended towards casual, Katie hadn’t put much previous thought into her wedding dress

BY NATALIE DOWNEY

Katie Bishop getting ready with her mom, Dorris, on her wedding day.

preferences. Not long after Katie got engaged, she decided on a whim to try on the wedding dress her mother had worn more than four decades ago. The dress had been preserved throughout the years and had stayed tucked away but not forgotten, and Katie was curious to try it on and see how she liked it. “My mom got married at 23, and I was 33, so I wasn’t even sure if it would fit,” Katie said with a laugh.

When Katie tried on the dress, even though it wasn’t exactly what she wanted to wear on her wedding day, she knew she wanted to find a way to make it a part of the big event. There were several elements that would need an upgrade—the style wasn’t quite right for Katie’s personal taste, and the material was too thick and heavy for a wedding in Mexico, but Katie began to wonder if there might be a way to redesign the dress so that she could retain its old bones while making it her own.

Working with local designer Loren Elizabeth, Katie began brainstorming ways to alter her mother’s original wedding dress to make it perfect for her own wedding day. One of the biggest hurdles

Dorris on her wedding day and Katie in the dress before alterations.

was the material—Katie’s mother Dorris had gotten married in cold weather; Katie would be getting married in hot weather. The season differences meant that the dress’s original material was too heavy, with long sleeves, heavy lace and chiffon material. Katie’s wedding was set to take place in Mexico, and she wanted a looser, sleeveless dress more fitting for a beach wedding.

Loren Elizabeth was up for the task. Her reputation as a designer took off with her bedazzled Taylor Swift Eras Tour costumes, solidifying her name in the fashion industry. Katie was excited for the chance to work with and support a local designer. It took several revisions to solidify the style Katie wanted, but she and Loren continued brainstorming

and, in the end, they were able to design the perfect dress that was both an ode to Katie’s mother, and had style elements that were “very me,” Katie says.

Katie’s style, she explains, has always been more on the casual side. “I’m not a very girly-girl,” she says. She knew she wanted her dress style to have a silky, lightweight material with a high neck, no sleeves, a low back and a form-fitting style, sticking to an elegant, simple, classic design. “I wanted the dress to feel like something I would wear, not too over-thetop,” Katie explains. The finished design met all of her criteria, and was created with stretchy silk covering the entire front and back, with the lace from Katie’s mother’s dress cascading down her leg.

Katie and Loren traveled to a fabric shop in Atlanta, taking the original dress along, to find new fabric for the updated dress that would work with the original lace. They settled on a silvery fabric that complimented the color of the old dress. Keeping all of the lace from the original dress and adding personal touches, Loren and Katie created a completely unique dress that looked, with pride, into the past, and with hope, into the future. The wedding dress was simultaneously “something old” and “something new.”

The wedding dress wasn’t the only special outfit that Katie and Loren created from Katie’s mother’s dress. Loren was also able to use some of the material and incorporate fragments of the old dress in Katie’s rehearsal dinner outfit.

For Katie, having a hand in designing her dress, and using her mother’s dress as inspiration, made the occasion even more special. “It meant

so much more that I was able to use a local designer—it was more affordable, and I was able to support local,” Katie explains. “It was more special than going out and buying a new dress.”

The day of her wedding, on a lagoon in Bacalar, Mexico, Katie’s walk down the aisle revealed the newly redesigned dress to her family and friends. “My mom and I have been close my entire life,” Katie says, “And seeing her face when I came down the aisle, with the veil on and the full effect, is a moment I’ll never forget.”

For Katie, it was all worth it to create the perfect dress: an ode to her parents and a nod to her own style and personality, a true one-of-a-kind collaborative creation. With pieces of her parents’ memorabilia scattered throughout her wedding ceremony to honor their 45 year marriage on her special day, wearing her mother’s dress was the icing on the cake.

As for luck? Katie feels she’s already struck gold. “I’d be so lucky if my marriage ended up as successful as my parents’,” Katie says. And when asked if she’ll save the redesigned dress for any future children, Katie says she definitely plans to. “I’ll keep it my whole life, and if there’s a kid in my future, I hope they’ll do something similar,” she says.

The sketched design by dress designer Loren Elizabeth.

Katie in the complete altered design on her wedding day.

Something Borrowed...

Avwedding ceremony is full of rituals, and the bridal bouquet is no exception. The ritual of the bridal bouquet originated in ancient Greece and Rome, when brides would carry fragrant flowers and herbs to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

Today, the bridal bouquet remains an integral part of the wedding day, but floral arrangements can be costly. One Louisianabased company offers a revolutionary alternative to the traditional bouquet, an option that significantly reduces floral costs: faux silk floral arrangement rentals.

Something Borrowed Blooms specializes in floral arrangements with a twist. The arrangements are stunning, customizable, and life-like, and they are all reusable— made with faux silk plants.

A local bride, Abigail Becker, recently chose to use Something Borrowed Blooms (SBB) for her wedding day. “When we started planning the wedding, we had heard that floral vendors can be costly,” Becker explains. “I knew I wanted big floral

pieces, and, at first, my mom and I thought about doing it ourselves.” Knowing that the arrangements she wanted would cost thousands of dollars, and not wanting the stress of putting the arrangements together herself, Becker began looking for

alternative options. She came across faux silk arrangements, and decided that it was the right choice for her big day.

With over 25 Something Borrowed Blooms collections to choose from, Becker was able to find the perfect arrangements

Abigail Becker and bridesmaids with their borrowed faux silk bouquets

in the colors and flowers she wanted to go with her wedding style. Before making her decision, she was able to order samples from the company and was impressed with the quality. “They smell like, look like and feel like real flowers,” she says.

Because rented floral arrangements are more affordable than live ones, it enabled Becker to stick with her plan to have numerous large pieces. She chose to go with a collection that featured white peonies, white roses and eucalyptus, and she found everything she needed with SBB including centerpieces, bridesmaids bouquets, her bridal bouquet and garlands.

For Becker, renting faux floral arrangements was an easy decision, and she had a great experience working

with Something Borrowed Blooms. She appreciated the affordability, and the fact that faux floral arrangements can be an environmentally friendly option with less waste. Using silk flowers also reduces some of the stress of perfectly timing flower deliveries and keeping the flowers fresh until the ceremony. “With live arrangements, you end up with all these flowers after the wedding and don’t know what to do with them,” Becker explains. For her, renting was as easy as simply shipping the arrangements back to the company after her wedding.

With rented floral pieces, Becker was able to enjoy her wedding day, with less stress, less expense, less waste and all the flowers a girl’s heart could desire.

Something Blue...

Every wedding is as unique as the happy couple, and, in keeping with traditions, many couples find that their creativity shines when coming up with a way to incorporate “Something Blue” into their big day.

The wedding adage calls for “Something Blue,” a nonspecific item that is incorporated for luck and for a happy future. Brides have found ways to bring blue into their ceremony, from a blue garter, to hints of blue in a bouquet, to blue wedding party attire.

A local baker offers a not-so-traditional blue option: A stunning blue wedding cake.

Jenna Poole, owner of local bakery Custom Cake Studio, has designed many cakes, but one in particular recently went viral. This spring, the blue and white Chinese floral pattern known as chinoiserie style (here in the South we call it “Blue Willow” or “Spode”) was trending, with prom dresses, fabric at Target and more emulating the traditional pattern. It was around that time that she received an order for a cake in the same pattern.

“I had never done that color scheme before, but I had done the style,” Poole recalls, “So I knew I’d have to paint it on the cake with a brush.” She recalls first seeing the style done about ten years ago on Cake Boss. “I kept it in my repertoire of ideas,” she says.

As Poole worked on the cake, she “just so happened” to record the process and put it on TikTok. Starting with a frosted, chilled cake, she piped the outline of the flowers onto the cake, then dragged a paintbrush over the frosting to mute and fade the colors, resulting in a stunning blue and white pattern that mimics the Chinese style.

Poole could never have anticipated the result—her video went viral, with over two million views.

Not surprisingly, since the TikTok video, she has had more people request a cake in the same style, but in a variety of colors. “I love to do it, it’s fun,” Poole says.

With “Something Blue” on the wedding day checklist, a

custom blue cake can be the perfect finishing touch, bringing an unexpected pop of vibrant color, and a nod to tradition.

At Custom Cake Studio, Poole works with brides to design the perfect cake for their occasion. “Everything we make is custom, it’s completely up to you and what you like,” she says.

For a bride, “Something Blue” is the finishing touch on her wedding day celebration. For Jenna Poole’s customers, it’s the icing on the cake. C

Jenna Poole with her viral blue chinoserie cake

Open Door Community House Celebrates 90 Years of Love

BY JANET BURDEN

In 1935, the Chattahoochee Valley was in crisis mode. A global economic downturn compounded Southerners’ struggles as years of drought and boll weevil infestation decimated cotton fields and ruined countless industries depending on the vital cash crop. Its labor force, many of whom had moved to Columbus seeking employment, reeled from setbacks caused by job scarcity and layoffs. Often, hardships were unrelated to the economy and more personal—family disruption, relationship conflict, medical injury or chronic illness.

Women from St. Luke Church dreamed of better living conditions for those facing poverty. They knew they had to open their hearts to help residents get back on their feet and achieve self-sufficiency with dignity.

Inspired by settlement houses established in other cities, these visionaries began advocating for better living conditions through organic social change. They proposed a facility to care for the children of women fortunate enough to gain employment in the tough job market. It would operate in a donated cottage on the grounds of Hamp Stevens Methodist Church in the North Highlands district, but they’d need capital to extend a helping hand and an open door.

The original cottage behind Hamp Stevens Church

Open Door Stories: Defying the odds, breaking the cycle

CARLY

Carly and her three children were no strangers to domestic violence. Spotting an Open Door Community House brochure describing Circles, Carly saw a glimmer of hope. She went “into Circles with an open mind, ready to understand and participate.” She describes her Allies as rocks. “Having people that wanted my family to succeed, people who genuinely accepted me and were invested in me and my kids made all the difference. I had help now. I had people.” She has since graduated from Circles and now serves as an Ally, committed to “being there for someone the way Circles and Open Door were there for me.”

GEORGINA

Homeless and unemployed after attacks that left her physically injured and spiritually broken, Georgina entered the Virginia D. Jackson Home for Women withdrawn and distraught. After weeks of community support, Georgina was ready to trust God and allow the staff to walk alongside her through her journey to peace. She’s enrolled in school and is training to be a medical clinical assistant. Her 4.0 GPA is a testament to her determination. “Trust and believe the God in you and anything is possible, for he is a way-maker. He sent me help and Open Door was there when it counted the most.”

Through the generosity of Columbus sponsors, they raised $10,000 to seed the enterprise, no small feat during the Great Depression. Even with that infusion of funds, though, they struggled to keep its doors open. Early on, co-founder Martha King said that “I was to handle finances—of which there were none.”

Now, 90 years later, Open Door continues to serve the Columbus region in an atmosphere that staff, volunteers and clients agree is “community.” That community has grown from the modest donated cottage on 3rd Avenue into its sixth location, a facility located on Columbus’ 2nd Avenue that opened in 1994.

Open Door expands its ministries as needs and conditions change. From its roots as a child care and community center, it now offers a range of programs designed to improve the prospects of the disadvantaged from school age through those in their golden years. Long-term solutions based on their needs and Christian values help empower them to reach their full potential as children of God.

Today, Open Door program ministries include:

Mathews Promise Academy: The first Open Door program, the academy provides grades K-12 after-school—full-day during the summer—care and instruction focused on reading development. Free for students in households living at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), it focuses on reading development, a foundation of learning. Students benefit from homework assistance, reading and math tutoring. Individualized lesson plans created in partnership with students’ teachers and counselors, as well as S.T.E.A.M. projects, daily devotionals, crafts and recreation round out students’ educational needs.

An afternoon snack allows students to concentrate on learning—and fun.

Summer Academy: A free full-day program for students K-12 from households living at or below 80 percent of AMI. Students not only homeschool and social skills, but they also participate in field trips, vacation Bible school, arts and crafts, recreation and community service projects. Students receive three meals each day plus snacks.

Children flourish in a safe, encouraging atmosphere with other children their age while pursuing continuing academic success.

Money Matters: Two workshops focus on clients’ particular situations. Open Door offers a six-week personal finance course for individuals, and an eight-week boot camp for those entrepreneurs ready to learn the essentials of small business financial strategies. Both programs arm graduates with a better understanding of money management.

Open Door Culinary Arts Institute:

This 20-week training program prepares adults with job training and soft skills needed for culinary careers and living wage employment. Students learn food safety, food terminology, life and soft skills, and culinary skills while working side-by- side with professional chefs. Graduates from the culinary arts program typically earn more per hour than they were at the beginning of the program while serving in restaurants and hotels across the city, many in assistant manager positions.

The Culinary Incubator: Graduates of the Culinary Arts Institute with a GED or equivalent learn start-up techniques and business planning through curriculum that prepares them to grow a successful business in the culinary field. They explore feasibility and develop business plans for start-up and/

Some of the founders of Open Door Community House: (L-R) Weeta Mathews, Addie Greeley and Martha King

You’re I

nvited

Open your heart to Open Door Community House

Funding these programs through careful stewardship continues to be a focus of Open Door Community House principals. Whether through financial contributions or volunteering, your generosity is crucial to its continued success. Organizers will host an annual celebration of gratitude during the March 16 Sunday Lunch event. Help make a difference!

SAVE THE DATE SUNDAY LUNCH

March 16, 2025, 12:30-2 p.m.

The Bibb Mill Event Center 3715 1st Avenue

Columbus, GA, 31904

Attire: Come as you are after church or smart casual

Visit odch.org/sunday-lunch, or scan the QR code to purchase your tickets.

or early-stage phases of Georgia Health Department compliant endeavors that include access to commercial kitchen space and equipment needed to launch their endeavor. StartUP Columbus, a shared kitchen with The Food Mill, local attorneys, CPAs and other mentors are vital partners for the success of incubator participants.

Circles in Columbus: Volunteers from local business, faith, social services, healthcare, government and educational communities form around Open Door clients to help lift them from poverty. During an 18-week Circles training session, participants

AT A GLANCE

How to contact Open Door Community House

If you need help, Open Door can lend a hand. If you’d like to volunteer, Open Door has opportunities for you. If you have a skill to share, Open Door programs flourish through your expertise. If your organization wants to organize an employee-help day, Open Door can plug you in.

CONTACT:

Open Door Community House

2405 2nd Ave, Columbus, GA 31901 706-323-5518 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Make an appointment to see Open Door’s ministries in person or visit odch.org to explore programs, hear success stories and view specific wish lists.

Follow Open Door Community House on Facebook and Instagram.

A database of resources in the Chattahoochee Valley is available by dialing 211.

explore reasons for their current situations and establish plans based on goals that are smart, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (S.M.A.R.T.) and begin their journey to self-sustainability. After that first step, Circles graduates are teamed with community volunteers known as Allies. This intentional partnership fosters understanding between socioeconomic stratums in the Columbus Valley. Resulting advocacy, financial literacy, emotional support and spiritual growth help connect them to local resources needed for a successful move out of poverty. Partnerships often develop into long-term friendships. Aside from the oneon-one relationship, Circles offers weekly meetings complete with a community meal and activities that include Circles children.

Virginia D. Jackson Home for Women:

Since 1986, unaccompanied homeless women ages 18 years old and older have found shelter here at no charge for up to 12 months while working toward obtaining a sustainable income, permanent housing and self-sufficiency. It is the oldest transitional housing program of this type

in the area. Women typically need this program through loss of employment, untreated substance abuse, mental health issues, divorce, abandonment and domestic violence. Individual and group counseling are offered for each resident by The Pastoral Institute. Life skills, Bible study and additional training opportunities are also available.

Welcome Home: Homeless women and women with minor children experiencing lack of basic needs like food and shelter can participate in this rapid rehousing program that provides housing and intensive case management. Short-term rental assistance for those presenting moderate to high barriers obtaining permanent housing is available. Focusing on “housing first”, the program provides rental deposits, utility deposits and other services to help families attain shelter and self-sufficiency.

Provided at no charge, these programs are fueled by community involvement and an even greater belief that God works in and through people. Today, Open Door has morphed into a Columbus resource that founders could only dream of in 1935. C

MEDICAL MATTERS

The Chattahoochee Valley has a wealth of first-rate health care facilities who specialize in many fields of expertise. In the following pages we profile physicians, wellness and aesthetic specialists and practices that offer the best of Medical Matters.

“I’m always there for my patients.”

For Dr. James M. Dorchak, it’s all about the patients. That’s what initially drew him to become an OBGYN, and it’s what continues to inspire him.

“I enjoyed delivering babies, and women are good patients, compliant patients and generally easier to work with,” Dr. Dorchak said. “I liked the idea of helping bringing life into the world rather than dealing with all the pain and death.

“As an OBGYN, you’re dealing with healthy folks, so it’s an upbeat and happy kind of field.”

Having joined Elite Gynecology in September, Dr. Dorchak no longer performs deliveries, which is also a benefit to his patients.

“They don’t have to worry about me getting called away to the hospital for a delivery,” he said. “My patients get my undivided attention. That’s what I think separates Elite Gynecology from other local practices… we’re smaller and can provide personalized care.”

Dr. Dorchak is a board-certified gynecologist who was born in Bloomington, Indiana. After high school, he attended Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana where he obtained his Doctorate of Medicine degree in 1984.

He then became an intern in the OGBYN Department of the U.S. Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland from 1984 to 1985. He completed his residency at the same

hospital from 1985 to 1988. Dr. Dorchak went on to become a staff obstetrician-gynecologist at the U.S. Naval Hospital from 1988 to 1990.

Before joining Elite Gynecology, Dr. Dorchak had his own private practice in Columbus from 1999-2014, and then worked for Piedmont Healthcare System as a urogynecologist until 2023.

As a gynecologist, Dr. Dorchak’s main responsibility is to diagnose and treat health issues related to the female reproductive system, including performing pelvic exams, Pap smears, cancer screenings and managing conditions like endometriosis, ovarian cysts and pelvic pain.

“All gynecology is important, especially when it comes to annual checkups and preventative medication,” he said.” But no matter what, I’m always there for my patients.”

Dr. Dorchak also specializes in urogynecology, which focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the female pelvic floor. Urogynecology is a combination of urology and gynecology, and is also known as female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.

“I like to think that I make my patients comfortable,” he said of his bedside manner. “I’m upbeat and always attentive.” ADV

ELITE GYNECOLOGY

DR. JAMES M. DORCHAK

Pushing Boundaries With Toxcology, Brittany Pollock evolves from nurse to aesthetic pioneer

Brittany Pollock’s entire career has been focused on improving the lives of her patients. Now, as the owner of Columbus’ Toxcology Regenerative Aesthetics and Wellness, those same aspirations have allowed her to push the boundaries of beauty while nurturing her own creativity.

After graduating high school in 2009, Brittany Pollock was eager to use healthcare as a way to make a difference in the lives of others. She enrolled in nursing school at Chattahoochee Valley Community College. In May 2012, just months after the birth of her son, Kaden, Pollock graduated with an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). “This was the start of juggling motherhood and a demanding career,” Pollock said.

Pollock began her nursing career in acute rehabilitation at Regional Rehabilitation in Phenix City. That was when she discovered a passion for patient advocacy.

“Working closely with patients who had suffered critical illnesses,” she said, “I immersed myself in their recovery journey, pouring my heart into helping them regain not just their health but also their hope.”

Pollock’s 11-year tenure at Regional Rehabilitation gave her the opportunity to grow professionally. She spent nine years at patients’ bedsides, providing compassionate care, before then transitioning into a marketing role, “where I continued striving for my patients’ well-being by connecting them to essential treatments,” she said. At the same time, Pollock was working as an OR circulating nurse at St. Francis that she says kept her grounded in hands-on care.

In 2018, her life took a beautiful turn when she met her now-husband, Justin. In 2019, the couple welcomed their son, Lexton. Then, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented change and like many in healthcare, Pollock faced burnout. “I felt stagnated in my career,” she said. “Although there were opportunities for advancement, they didn’t align with my aspirations. I didn’t wish to manage others but to nurture my creativity differently.”

Pollock took what she calls, “a leap of faith,” by pursuing an aesthetic certification course in neurotoxin and dermal fillers in Atlanta. “That decision transformed my life,” she said. Today, Pollock is the owner of Toxcology Regenerative Aesthetics and Wellness, “where I combine my nursing expertise with artistry,” she said, “serving up to 40 clients each week, helping them enhance their confidence and embrace their beauty.”

Always striving toward the future, Pollock is opening a new 3,500 square foot, state-of-the-art medspa that will include eight treatment rooms located in Uptown Columbus, “making RiverFront Place my home for many years to come,” she said.

This expansion allows Pollock to offer total health, wellness and aesthetics services, including basic filler and toxin injections, facials, dermaplaning, etc. As a Premier InMode device provider, Toxcology offers only the best in RF microneedling, laser hair removal, spider vein removal, IPL photo facials, body contouring and more. These newly developed devices allow treatments that are suitable for all.

Along with a new state-of-the-art medspa, Toxcology also has the ability to partner with the elite peptide provider RegenMD out of Atlanta. This partnership enables Pollock to consult and provide the best peptide blends and GLP-1 substances, all compounded and shipped directly to the client from FDA-approved compounding pharmacies.

“While many may view the aesthetic industry as vain, we are truly doing something far greater here,” she said. “I am strong in my faith and know that God has given me the opportunity to expand and grow within my hometown community to minister to those who step into my space. We may never know what people are going through outside of that brief interaction during an appointment, but I believe

TOXCOLOGY REGENERATIVE AESTHETICS AND WELLNESS

that with a smile or a kind word, I can create a haven of support and encouragement for each client.”

Because of Pollock’s continued investment in her client’s health and wellness, obtaining higher education has always been a priority in her life. “I returned to school in July 2023, pursuing my Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which I recently graduated with in December 2024,” she said. “I now plan to transition into a Nurse Practitioner graduate program. My mom, Veronica, my right-hand woman in all of this, tells me that I will be a doctor one day and my own medical director. She’s probably right, as my thirst for education is insatiable, and my passion for providing the best is just as much.”

As Pollock continues to evolve her practice, she understands that a client’s perception of beauty is different from her own. “It is not my place to judge but to guide each client in the right direction to achieve natural results,” she said. “I often joke with my clients, saying, ‘I can’t make your outside appearance look like a Benz when you’re a Malibu on the inside.’ The two must match and synergistically work together. “This approach fosters long-term regenerative results and invests in one’s health and well-being.”

Pollock will continue to push boundaries and learn alongside her peers. She is also grateful for the opportunities that have come her way and looks forward to sharing this journey with clients as they redefine beauty and wellness together.

“With each client I treat and each new skill I acquire,” she said, “I reaffirm my belief that passion and purpose can truly lead to remarkable transformations, not just for ourselves, but for those we serve.”

Live Your Best Life with Good Health

The groundwork for happiness is good health.

As the premier, standalone IV therapy clinic in the Chattahoochee Valley, Hydralive provides its clients with those necessary building blocks for long-term health and bodily rejuvenation. The Hydralive Therapy wellness spa offers a variety of treatments including IV therapy, injections, cryotherapy and compression therapy.

“We like to think of ourselves as providing our clients with health and wellness, as well as athletic recovery,” explained co-owner Josh O’Neal. “It’s all about meeting the individual needs of each client.”

One of the newer therapies Hydralive offers is Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), provided under the name brand of Semaglutide. It is a hormone that helps the body digest and metabolize food. Semaglutide is the first FDA-approved treatment for weight management since 2014 in more than years and has been proven to provide significantly more weight loss than other available medications. On average, patients experience a 15 percent weight loss, making Semaglutide about 50 percent more effective than other currently available medications.

Semaglutide works by decreasing appetite, improving control overeating habits and reducing food cravings. The medication is administered weekly through a subcutaneous injection, which you can give yourself or have one of their RNs administer at the clinic. It also helps with insulin resistance and reduces internal inflammation.

“This is for any clients looking to experience significant weight loss,” O’Neal said. “That is the main driving factor for our clientele.”

Another treatment Hydralive provides is IV Therapy which helps replenish the vitamins and nutrients that clients lose throughout the day.

“The benefit of IV therapy is that instead of the absorption issues that you have with taking a pill, where your stomach, your liver, your kidneys, everything in your body, takes a piece so that by the time the medication is administered into your bloodstream, it’s only a portion of what it was intended to be,” O’Neal said. “With IV therapy, there’s a direct route to the bloodstream. It does not have to go anywhere else. Clients get the immediate effect of the medications being administered.”

HRT therapies Hydralive offer include:

• Testosterone

• Progesterone/Estrogen

• Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Peptides

• Sermorelin

• Additional IV therapies that complement your HRT regimen.

The benefits clients can you expect from HRT include:

• Regain energy and vitality

• Improve mood and mental clarity

• Increase libido and sexual function

• Enhance muscle strength and bone density

• Reduce menopause symptoms (for women)

• Support for thyroid health

• Potential improvement in cardiovascular health

• Restored hormone levels for better overall wellness

Hydralive Therapy offers customized IV vitamin infusions to enhance health, performance, recovery and wellness. Clients can add nutrients to their IV treatment and customize their hydration therapy with supplements to support their lifestyle and wellness goals.

Hydralive vitamin injection therapies take less than one minute and are a safe, easy way to get fast, long-lasting results. These injections are packed with vitamins and minerals that aim to impact weight loss, energy, mood, stress and anxiety.

Compression therapy has been around as a medical treatment for decades. Compression therapy aims to increase blood flow to specific parts of the body. This encourages your body to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to those areas, allowing for faster recovery, pain relief and improved athletic performance.

Another treatment that Hydralive provides is cryotherapy, which is the practice of using cold temperatures to promote natural healing and wellness. Whole body cryotherapy is the modern application and stimulates the same rejuvenation at a whole new level of cold in just three minutes.

The idea behind cryotherapy is based on the fact that, following physical exertion, it’s inflammation within the body that causes most of the pain. Cryotherapy reduces or alleviates that pain.

“Whether it’s knee pain or shoulder pain

HYDRALIVE THERAPY OF COLUMBUS

or whichever part of the body is experiencing inflammation, even though that inflammation is the body’s way of healing itself, it also hinders the healing process,” O’Neal said. “Cold therapy works to take that pain and inflammation away.”

Hydralive Therapy Treatments are tested and overseen by a board-certified physician and are prescribed/administered by registered nurses in a clean, safe and soothing environment. ADV

A preeminent pain clinic providing innovative medical solution and cutting-edge technologies.

BOARD CERTIFIED PAIN MEDICINE, ABA & BOARD CERTIFIED ANESTHESIOLOGY, ABA

NURSE PRACTITIONERS

INTERVENTIONAL THERAPIES:

• Epidural Steroid Injection

• Selective Nerve Root Block

• Facet Joint and Medial Branch Block

• Radiofrequency Ablation

• Sacroiliac Joint Injection

• Spinal Cord Stimulation

• Stellate Ganglion Block

• Lumbar Sympathetic Block

• Celiac Plexus Block

• Fluoroscopic Guided Joint Injections

• Injections for Knee and Shoulder Pain

• Ilioinguinal/Genitofemoral Nerve Block

• Brachial Plexus Block

• Intercostal Nerve Block

• Peripheral Nerve Block

• Trigger Point Injections

• Discography

• Botox

• Vertiflex

• Vertebroplasty

• Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant

• Kyphoplasty

TREATMENTS INCLUDE:

• Low Back Pain

• Neck Pain

• Thoracic Pain

• Radiculopathy and Sciatica

• Disc Bulging, Protrusions, Herniated Discs

• Spinal Stenosis

• SI Joint Pain

• RSD/CRPS

• Shingles Pain

• Diabetic and Peripheral Neuropathy

• Trigeminal Neuralgia

• Headaches

• Pelvic and Abdominal Pain

• Cancer Associated Pain

• Knee and Joint Pain

• Tennis and Golfer's Elbow

• Muscle Strains and Spasms

Dr. Sung Chang Dr. Takia Oglesby

Dr. Hares Akbary

Dr. Vincent Casiano

Dr. Jeffrey Prinsell, Jr.

Dr. Angela Strother

Dr. Daniel Sandlin

Amanda Weathers, FNP-C

Emily Bundrick, FNP-C

Brian Pawlowski, FNP-C Tamara Quinones, MSN, FNP-C

Watson, NP-C

CRUSH

BY PAT DANIEL

Perfect Wines for Valentine’s

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and it is the perfect time to think of wine in a number of contexts.

Of course, the holiday that celebrates love immediately brings to mind chocolates, roses and dinner at a wonderful, special restaurant. Here are a few ideas to change things up, surprise that special person in your life and win a few “brownie points.”

If that significant other in your life is one of those who adores chocolates, then, by all means, pair that wonderful gift with a bottle of wine, to give it an added dimension and show that you truly thought about the celebration of the day.

Here are some guidelines for pairing wine with chocolates:

• First and foremost, always choose a very good quality chocolate.

• The primary rule of thumb with pairing wine with chocolates is to make sure that the wine is sweeter than the chocolate. Dry wines rarely pair well with chocolate.

• Pair chocolate and wine based on the darkness of the chocolate. The darker the

chocolate, the darker the wine to be drunk with it.

• Pair full bodied wines with strong, intense, heavy chocolates.

• Choose a smooth wine with soft, round tannins.

• Milk chocolate pairs nicely with merlot, pinot noir, Riesling and Muscat.

• Dark chocolate (50 to 70 percent) pairs with cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel,

pinot noir, Chianti, red sparkling dessert wines, and Port.

• Bittersweet chocolate (70 to 100 percent) pairs with Bordeaux blends, Beaujolais, sherry, port, Malbec, zinfandel, and, my personal favorite, Madeira.

• Champagne pairs with all of the above! Rosé and less dry Champagnes and sparkling wines pair best with chocolates.

If your celebration includes roses or other flowers, but not chocolates, then add a bottle of Champagne, sparkling wine or your favorite celebratory wine to make your gift unique and personal.

For many people the holiday is all about a wonderful dinner out at their favorite restaurant. One way to make that celebration more personal is to take a special wine or Champagne to the restaurant ahead of time to be decanted or presented at the table. Again, this effort conveys the idea that you have put more time and thought into the celebration than just making a reservation. Always check ahead with the restaurant to ensure that they allow this practice, and be aware that there is normally a “corkage fee” for bringing your own wine and not purchasing one from the wine list. For bottles purchased at retail for more than $20, this generally translates to a net savings in the amount spent on the evening’s meal.

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate this “sweet” holiday, enjoy the day and, as always, drink the wine you love and enjoy. Happy Valentine’s Day. C

Library Gala Hosts Author FIONA DAVIS

BY JULIE LAUZON

The Muscogee County Library Foundation (MCLF) will welcome bestselling author Fiona Davis as its special guest to this year’s highly anticipated Founders Society Gala. Known for her compelling historical fiction, Davis will share insights into her latest novel, which weaves together rich narratives between the New York City party scene and the streets of Egypt. The gala, set to take place on Thursday, January 23, promises to be a memorable evening, filled with literary conversation and a celebration of the foundation’s continued impact on the community.

Davis’s eighth and latest novel, The Stolen Queen, transports readers into the dazzling world of 1930s New York and labyrinth streets of Egypt in 1978. Per Davis’s website, the novel alternates between the two time periods, as two women from different generations are thrown together after a Met Gala goes horribly wrong. Charlotte Cross is the associate curator of the Met’s Egyptian Art department. As a young archaeology student in 1936, Charlotte was given a rare opportunity to join an archeological dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. What she discovered there led to an unbearable tragedy, and she vowed never to return to Egypt. Since then, she’s lived a quiet life dedicated to Egyptian art from afar, consumed by her research on Hathorkare—a rare female pharaoh dismissed and misunderstood by most other (mainly male) Egyptologists.

Meanwhile nineteen-year-old Annie Jenkins is a newly appointed assistant to the iconic, former Vogue editor in chief and Met Gala organizer extraordinaire, Diana Vreeland. Both thrilled and utterly terrified to be assisting Ms. Vreeland, the new job is a welcome distraction from her fraught relationship with her mother. Poised for a career-launching evening, Annie is devastated when, on the night of the gala, one of the Egyptian Art collection’s most valuable artifacts goes missing and she’s among the suspects. Eager to clear her name, Annie joins Charlotte on her quest to track it down. For Charlotte, that means confronting the demons of her past and returning to the one place she’d sworn off forever, which could lead them both directly into danger.

This rich narrative prompted the foundation to incorporate a “Met Gala” theme. Attendees will arrive in their most beautiful gowns and tuxedos while being serenaded by a string quartet as they view exquisite local art just like the real Met Gala. Guests will then enjoy an intimate cocktail reception with the author and later sit down for a Stolen Queen inspired dinner. The night will end with a presentation from Davis and everyone will go home with a signed copy of her latest novel.

The gala is the Muscogee County Library Foundation’s signature event each year to show its appreciation to donors who show support throughout the year and to celebrate the good work of the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries.

Since its inception in 2003, the foundation has provided funding for the library’s books and programs, currently eight percent of the library’s budget for the year. Because of their generous donors, the foundation is able to fund staff positions for the teen and children’s departments, the annual Children’s Book Festival and more.

“Our foundation is committed to the idea that a top-tier public library system greatly enriches the lives of people in our community,” Laura Ann Mann, the executive director of MCLF, said. “A vibrant and relevant library system doesn’t exist without support, and we’re proud to play that role for Columbus.”

In addition to Davis’s appearance at the gala, she will also be having a public presentation and book signing before the gala at 11 a.m. in the Columbus Public Library Auditorium. Admission is free, and her books will be for sale courtesy of Columbus Bound Bookshop. Libraries are more relevant than ever. MCLF helps provide Chattahoochee Valley Libraries with programs ranging from Pre-K literacy, career training and assistance, parent workshops and dozens of other interesting programs. Your contribution enables the Library Foundation to support more online services, more books, more materials and more programs than ever.

For more information, contact Mann at mclibraryfoundation@gmail.com or 706.243.2705. C

Blondie Comics,

An Appreciative Eye

Photography exhibit at the National Infantry Museum caps off a year of local events focused on the Korean War

BY BRETT BUCKNER PHOTOS COURTESY OF LUMIERE GALLERY AND NATIONAL INFANTRY MUSEUM

Artists rarely ask for permission. When they do and it’s denied, they do it anyway, on their own terms.

Harold Feinstein was such an artist.

In 1952, Feinstein was a young photographer living in New York when he was drafted by the United States Army to fight in the Korean War. Feinstein’s photography skills had already been recognized by some of the most influential curators in the country, including Edward Steichen of the Museum of Modern Art, so he applied to serve as the official photographer for the Army.

The Request was Denied

The Korean War began when North Korea, backed by the Soviet Union, invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. The United Nations, with the United States as the principal participant, joined the war on the side of the South Koreans, and the People’s Republic of China came

to North Korea’s aid.

When Feinstein was sent to Korea as an infantryman to fight on the frontlines, he took his camera. From the first day at Camp Kilmer for induction and Fort Dix in New Jersey, where he completed basic training, Feinstein documented everything. From the seemingly endless overseas voyage with other draftees to his time in combat, Feinstein used his camera to tell the story of not only the American soldiers but of the people of the Republic of Korea, and the toll that war took on them all.

It was the story only an artist could tell, and there was nothing official about it.

“In retrospect,” Feinstein wrote in a 2014 blog entry and reposted on the Lumiere website, “this was a great boon, because I was able to carry my camera everywhere and simply capture the day-to-day life of a draftee and not the official handshakes and medal ceremonies I

would’ve been required to shoot as an official photographer.”

Those stories are now on display at the National Infantry Museum as a temporary exhibit titled, Korean War—A Soldier’s View, Photography by Harold Feinstein, in collaboration with the Lumiere Gallery out of Atlanta.

Continuing to Share the Stories

Feinstein died in June of 2015. His widow, Judith, attended the September ribbon cutting. She is confident he would have appreciated the exhibit. “He was very much of a man of the people,” she said. “He liked having his work broadly seen by as many people as possible. It was an absolutely fantastic show.”

Feinstein’s photography has been shown around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Musee d’Art Moderne in Paris. His portfolios, photo essays, and articles have been published in LIFE and The New York Times Magazine. However, this is the first exhibit dedicated exclusively to his time in Korea.

“In all of the retrospective shows that have happened, it’s always been represented, but there’s never been a show devoted completely to the Korean War,” Judith said. “I know he’s smiling about that.”

Throughout their 27 years of marriage, Judith came to appreciate the way Feinstein viewed the world through an artist’s lens. He’d often tell her that he wished he had a camera in the back of his head and that he’d only have to blink to capture what he saw.

“He had an appreciation of humanity and human emotions and the connection shared between people,” she said. He had an appreciative eye. He saw things in an appreciative way. He used to say, ‘I don’t know how I do it, but I just pick up my camera, and God put something beautiful in front of it.’”

Feinstein also found great joy in teaching photography.

“For him, it was a matter of nurturing,” Judith said. “He used to say, ‘I see the spark in their creativity, and my job is to blow on that spark.’”

Feinstein suffered a non-combat injury and after a stint in a Kyoto hospital, was sent to Pusan, South Korea where he spent the rest of his tour as a sign painter and illustrator at Army Headquarters. where he documented the Korean people, and the daily lives of soldiers away from the frontlines.

After more than a million deaths on both sides, the Korean War

Draftee in Photobooth, 1952

Korean Little Girl, 1953

Women at WAC Exercising, 1952

ended in July 1953 with Korea still divided into two hostile states. Negotiations in 1954 produced no further agreements, and the front line remains the boundary between North and South Korea.

Today, more than 70 years after the Korean War ended, Feinstein’s photographs are still hauntingly inspired. They capture, on a granular level, the daily experiences of all those affected by war, said Dr. David Kieran, Colonel Richard R. Hallock Distinguished Chair in Military History at Columbus State University.

“When you look at those photographs, you see the exhaustion of American service members,” he said. “You see the brutality of the war and its impact on South Korean civilians and particularly Korean children. You see the role of women in

“...attheendoftheday,warisaboutindividualsonthegroundwhoarestrugglingtosurvive, whoarefighting,whoarekilling,whoaredying,whoaretryingtolivethroughtheseconflicts.”

- DR. DAVID KIERAN

Feinstein’s widow, Judith (center), cut the ribbon to open the exhibit at the National Infantry Museum.

supporting the war effort.” The Korean War took place after Harry Truman’s order to end discrimination in the military. “And there’s photographs of African-American soldiers,” Dr. Kieran said, “which allows us to think about that history as well.”

Feinstein’s photos invite visitors into the world of the soldier’s experience.

“At the end of the day, wars are fought by people, and wars are about human suffering,” Dr. Kieran said. “These photos make clear that element and those aspects of the Korean War.”

It’s important to have this kind of documentation of the individual human because it’s often the cost of being a citizen in a democracy. This exhibit creates the opportunity for reflection and conversation.

“Too often it becomes easy to think about war in an abstract, which is to think about countries fighting one another, to think about causes being advanced,” Kieran said. “But at the end of the day, war is about individuals on the ground who are struggling to survive, who are fighting, who are killing, who are dying, who are trying to live through these conflicts.

“As a culture, we need to understand what war is.”

The Forgotten War

In recognition of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War’s armistice, signed on July 27, 1953, Columbus State University hosted a three-part public symposium series focusing on the legacy of the Korean War and post-war relations between the Republic of Korea and the United States. During the summer 2024 semester, Kieran, Daewoo Lee, associate professor in the School of Policy, Justice, and Public Safety and a South Korean native, and retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Pat Donahoe took a group of Columbus State students to South Korea. They visited Korean conflict sites, and the military.

The Korean War is often overlooked because it occurred between two wars that dominate 20th century American military history—World War II and the Vietnam War.

“The Korean War is overshadowed by those two conflicts because Americans have struggled to understand the importance of that conflict and what it meant within the larger Cold War as well as what it meant for relations between the

United States and Korea,” Kieran said. “It’s described as the ‘Forgotten War’ because, almost from the moment that it ended, Americans didn’t know how to make sense of it, and why it was important.”

The war, Kieran explained, was a “manifestation of what was at stake in the Cold War.” This included understanding the future of the Korean Peninsula and whether it be ruled by a communist regime or a non-communist regime. It ended with the division of the Korean Peninsula along the 38th parallel. After intervening 70 years, we have witnessed the United States maintaining a military presence on the Korean Peninsula where it has supported the Republic of Korea’s growth economically and politically. South Korea is one of the largest economies in the world.

“It’s one of the United States major trading partners,” he said. “It’s a thriving democracy. It’s a state, a country with a high standard of living. The Korean War was the starting point for all of that.”

Evidence of that relationship exists across the Chattahoochee Valley where

Cramped Quarters, 1952

Korean corporations, such as the Kia manufacturing plant and SK Battery, have become prominent investors. The Chattahoochee Valley also has a deep history with the Korean War. That history was fully realized in October with the unveiling of the Korean War Memorial at the National Infantry Museum. The installation on the Corridor of Valor and Sacrifice that runs along the eastern edge of the museum.

Among the four sculptures, which weigh upwards of 600 pounds and stand 7-feet tall, is Columbus native, retired U.S. Army Col. Ralph Puckett, Jr., who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Hill 205 near Unsan, Korea. Puckett died in April at the age of 97 and was the last living Medal of Honor winner from the Korean War.

“It is very exciting to me to see this unveiled,” Puckett’s widow Jeannie Puckett, told WRBL TV at the opening ceremony. “... It is also very emotional to me because the Korean War represents to me in my personal life, leaving my childhood behind and becoming an adult when I realized what was going on.” C

“It’sdescribedasthe‘ForgottenWar’because,almost fromthemomentthatitended,Americansdidn’tknow howtomakesenseofit,andwhyitwasimportant.”

- DR. DAVID KIERAN

Korean War Memorial dedication ceremony speakers from left to right: Republic of Korea Consul General Sangpyo Suh, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, National Infantry Museum Foundation President BG (Ret) Pete Jones and General (Ret) Larry Ellis.

Korean Children on Village Bridge, 1953

BY BRAD

Sow It Grows

Really, you shouldn’t be listening to my advice. I mean, I’ve killed half as many trees as I’ve successfully planted.

But if you’re interested in adding some food-bearing trees to your yard—and you should be—now is the time to get them in the ground. So let’s do this. Someone important once said that you learn more from your mistakes than from your successes. I think it was someone British, or possibly a cat. Someone also once said, “hang in there, baby.” Definitely a cat, that one. Point is, I’ve learned some things.

There are two important questions to answer, besides the most obvious one— How do I plant a fruit tree?” which I promise I’ll get to.

Those other questions are:

Why plant a fruit tree?

It’s funny, no one asks “Why should I grow a tomato plant?” The rewards are obvious, even though I’ve already talked about the finicky work involved in getting a Brandywine heirloom slicer from your garden bed to the plate. So why is it that people are so much more hesitant to stick a fig tree in their yard?

I’ll tell you why, even though it’s going to make me sound like your mother or your ex. You’ve got a problem with commitment.

Sure, you’ve got your reasons. A vegetable plant doesn’t take up much space, and its lifespan is a single season. You can plant several of them to guard against failure, and if they do fail, meh. Try again next year. But a fruit tree is permanent, hopefully. It’ll lay claim to a bigger chunk of your yard, and it’ll stay there. There’s no changing varieties on a whim next year.

Here’s the thing, though: that’s also a feature. Seasonal plantings become a thing of the past. You may spend a few minutes pruning it once a year, but that’s it. There’s

no sprouting a seed and no watering a seedling several times a day. It will just grow, offering you shade, annual flowers, and fruit. And you’ve got so many delicious things to choose from that will grow here. Figs, pears, persimmons, apricots, peaches, and even some apple varieties will grow in Columbus (which is ranked in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s hardiness zone 8A, which is the number you’ll need to know when shopping), to say nothing of fruiting bushes like blueberry or vines like muscadine.

Why now?

Most people start thinking about fruit come spring or summer. But those are the least ideal times to plant.

If Columbus had a cold autumn, that would be the best time to plant. But since we’re often wearing shorts until mid-November, winter is the way to go. That’s when the plant is dormant—not trying to create branches and leaves and not trying to pop out fruit. Planting now gives a baby tree time to grow its root network before working on all that stuff above ground.

My wife and I also tend to plant saplings, something that’s no more than two to three years old and a few feet tall, and bare root stock versus a ball or bucket of soil. This means

ordering from a nursery instead of a Lowe’s, which is okay, since the box stores are notorious about pushing products that are either not suitable to our climate or downright invasive. A bare-root tree may struggle straight out of the gate, but once it’s over the initial challenge of drawing nutrients from, going out on a limb here, clay-heavy soil, it should have less trouble stretching its roots thereafter. (What happens when you plant a potted tree in your soil? Those roots hit the tougher stuff on the perimeter and turn back to the more supple soil around the trunk, twisting in little circles in a sort of death spiral.)

There’s one other caveat. You need to know how many of the trees you need. Some fruit trees, like our Celeste fig and our Fuyu persimmon, do fine by themselves. They’re self-fertile. But many fruit trees and bushes, including many apples, pears and blueberries, need a companion nearby to produce fruit. Sometimes those companion trees can be the exact same variety, but sometimes they need to be a slightly different one. Your supplier can help you know, but so can Google. Just do your homework.

How do you properly plant them?

Here’s a greatly simplified checklist:

• Check and treat the soil first. Muscogee County’s UGA Extension Office (extension.uga.edu) can do an inexpensive soil test to ensure your planting spot is suitable, or nearly so. You’re looking for pH levels and phosphorous. Both can be

amended before ever breaking ground, but “once a tree or shrub is planted, it is hard to correct a low pH or low phosphorous fertility without causing damage to the roots,” writes Middle Georgia agent Jeff Cook. Search for his article “Planting Trees and Shrubs” for his simple treatment plan.

• Dig wider than you think. “Dig a bowl, not a hole,” as Trees Columbus Executive Director Dorothy McDaniel likes to say. And make the diameter of the hole twice as wide as the width of the roots when you spread them.

• Water it well at first. Hit it with 2-3 gallons of water immediately, assuming the trunk is no more than 1 inch in diameter. Check the soil at least daily and make sure it’s moist to the touch but not sopping wet. After two weeks of daily checking and watering, water every other day for another two weeks, then back off. Once established, my wife and I like to water only in drought. Because we are lazy.

• Protect it from a freeze. The exception to not watering is when it will freeze. Though counter-intuitive, roots that have soaked up water are less prone to freeze damage than dry roots. So give ‘em some love before Jack Frost lays on his icy smackdown.

Finally, if you feel like you’re not able to make all the decisions yourself, reach out for pro help. Trees Columbus’ website (treescolumbus.org) provides links to arborists you can hire for a consult. C

Freelance writer Brad Barnes was a journalist for 17 years and a marketing expert for 9 years before he and his wife, Jenn, started Dew Point Farm in MidTown Columbus in 2019. You can email him at info@dewpoint.farm, and he’ll get back to you after he’s washed his hands.

PART 2:

Meetthe Clingstones BASEBALL IN COLUMBUS

It’s a chilly, but sunny, Wednesday morning back in November and the hallowed grounds of the old Golden Park are a muddy mess from a week’s worth of rain. Still, the site—Synovus Park, the new home of professional baseball in Columbus— rattles and hums with the din of heavy construction. There is work to be done.

PHOTOS AND STORY

BY FRANK ETHERIDGE RENDERINGS COURTESY OF POPULOUS

Pete Laven, general manager of the freshly minted Columbus Clingstones, the minor-league affiliate of the Atlanta Braves that will be the home team at Synovus Park come April, stands on a deck off some temporary trailers just outside the fenced-off, hard-hat-required construction site. He greets a middle-aged couple, season-ticket holders giddy for the new day and its opportunity to select their seats for the upcoming 69 home games in 2025, and directs them to The Orchard, the Clingstones’ office space and storefront on Broadway. It’s this type of excitement—the couple’s contagious passion for sports and hometown pride mixed with the unique, for-the-funof-it appeal of Minor League Baseball—that inspires Laven.

“Columbus is a great baseball town,” he says a few moments later while seated at a picnic table on the deck during a half-hour interview. “The vibe in this community has been unbelievable ever since I got here. I can’t wait until that first pitch on April 15th.”

A self-professed “baseball geek,” Laven says he’s lucky enough to have witnessed a game in Golden Park. Back in the ‘90s, when the RedStixx were Columbus’s home team. Then assistant general manager for the Albany Polecats, Laven drove up for an afternoon game, a matinee marketed for kids. Another stop among countless others while climbing the ranks in his chosen career.

“I was a journalism major,” he recalls of his education at Eastern Illinois University, not far from where he grew up in suburban Chicago, noting that he

“always loved writing” but by graduation had moved into the advertising side of publishing. “Summer after I graduated, I worked painting houses. My life was up in the air. This was right around the time [1991] that Minor League Baseball became a viable industry. Not just farm teams anymore but franchises marketing themselves through wacky promotions,trying to be profitable entities. The [Baltimore] Orioles put their A team in Kane County, where I’m from. I thought, ‘That’s weird, putting a team in Chicago, where there’s already the Cubs and White Sox. How’s that going to do.”

One fateful day that summer, Laven’s dad, who had just retired and became a season-ticket holder as a minor investor in the new franchise, gave his son a ticket to go see the Kane County Cougars in action.

“I was blown away,” Laven says of the experience. “The seats are three rows behind the dugout. Beers are three dollars. They’re throwing peanuts at you. You’re doing air guitar on top of the dugout I thought, ‘Wow! How do I get a job in this business? I’ll do anything.’”

The recent grad “managed to finagle” a meeting with the club’s GM, who advised him: ‘We’re not hiring, and the teams don’t pay anything, but if you want to break in, there’s a job fair at the winter meetings down in Miami.’ Laven recalls: “I was dead broke, drove down through the night, paid the $275 to attend and wound up with a job in Little Rock, Arkansas, with the

"COLUMBUS IS A GREAT BASEBALL TOWN. THE VIBE IN THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN UNBELIEVABLE EVER SINCE I GOT HERE." - Clingstones’ General Manager, Pete Laven

Clingstones’ general manager, Pete Laven, greets shoppers outside the teams shop known as The Orchard.

This rendering shows the future transformation from Golden Park to Synovus Park which will provide needed upgrades, added seating and a club level.

The NAME GAME

“Like a lot of people, ‘clingstone’ was not a word in my everyday lexicon,” Clingstones’ General Manager Pete Laven says of the name given to Columbus’s new baseball team that refers to a variety of peach where the fruit is attached to the pit.

When the Atlanta Braves AA affiliate announced they would be called the Columbus Clingstones in September at the Convention and Trade Center (where the name reveal, scheduled as part of Uptown’s Friday Night Concert Series, was held after inclement weather forced the celebration inside), it landed with a thud. Still, just seconds later, dozens of fans, many of them clad in Braves gear, lined up for their first chance to buy Clingstones merch.

“We will always be part of the Atlanta Braves,” Laven explains, “but, as you see with the organization’s other affiliates, we wanted to create our own brand.”

The Braves’ A club in Augusta has long been called the Green Jackets for the Masters. It’s only been recently, however, that A Rome and AAA Gwinnett dropped Braves in favor of their own nicknames, the Emperors and Stripers, respectively. “You only get that one opportunity to create your absolute identity,” says Laven. “It’s been the trend in minor-league baseball for some time now to come up with something unusual.”

A quick scan of the Clingstones’ opponents this year confirms this trend. Biloxi has the Shuckers and Knoxville has the Smokies. The Biscuits rise out of Montgomery while the Lookouts stand tall in Chattanooga. Huntsville ventured into left field for its name: the Rocket City Trash Pandas.

“Part of this trend is to create unique retail opportunities,” says Laven. “The first thing I thought of when I realized what our new identity was going to be was, ‘We’re going to be the only team in professional baseball with peach as the dominant color. And doing that in the Peach State, that’s pretty cool.”

In November, the Clingstones announced the mascot representing our particular peach of a team. His name? Fuzzy.

[St. Louis] Cardinals’ A club, sweeping up peanut shells. I fell in love with it; it got in my blood.”

Laven then progressed from working smaller markets (such as Albany) to sharpen his skills before returning for 13 years in Little Rock, where he was promoted to General Manager after leading the team’s move into a new stadium in 2007. After the birth of his daughter, Laven returned home to Chicago, where he oversaw two independent teams for the same owner. “All my family was still up there,” he explains. “I wanted my daughter to know her cousins, her grandparents. But the one thing is that I missed the South immediately.”

In the fall of 2018, a friend called Laven to tell him the Atlanta Braves were looking to hire general managers for their AA and AAA affiliates. “They flew me down to Truist Park,” Laven recalls. “Going in, I was honored to even be interviewed. The AA Mississippi job is the one I really wanted, and I was blessed to get that position.”

Laven admits a bias favoring AA baseball: “It’s the best minor-league level from several angles, from player development to the fan experience. It’s the make-or-break level. If you succeed in AA, you have a legitimate shot at the major league. If you don’t succeed, then maybe it’s time to call it a career.”

In Arkansas, Laven watched a skinny 19-year-old Mike Trout bloom into arguably MLB’s best. In Mississippi, he watched Michael Harris II enjoy a blistering May and June before being called up straight to Atlanta, skipping AAA Gwinnett, and signing a $110 million contract in August en route to winning Rookie of the Year honors.

In Columbus, Laven arrives as general manager of the AA Clingstones. His family bought a house in Midtown in July. “I love it,” he answers when asked if he likes living here.

“Through the vision of Mayor [Skip] Henderson and the investment by the City of Columbus, combined with all the assets of Diamond Baseball Holdings—which owns the Columbus franchise as well as all the Braves’ affiliates—we’re really set up for success,” says Laven.

Preparing for the Return

The vision that inspired the city’s investment of $50 million to create a home for the Clingstones as a catalyst for economic development arrived shrouded in mystery.

“I received a call from then-Lt. Governor

Geoff Duncan asking if we were interested in bringing a major league-affiliated minor-league team to Columbus,” Mayor Henderson writes in an email to Columbus & the Valley. “He also indicated the business model would attract significant economic development opportunities. The fact the team might be a Braves affiliate made the opportunity that much more exciting.”

Yet, because of a non-disclosure agreement, Henderson says he was unable to disclose any possible plans related to the request for City Council to urge local representatives in the Georgia General Assembly to amend its 1928 deed for South Commons. Approved in February 2023, this first step in bringing the Braves AA affiliate to Columbus ignited a year of intense debate over public financing supporting private development. Once the proposal’s details and its vast potential benefit came into view, however, City Council voted unanimously in December 2023 to seek the $50 million bond issue that financed a deal that proponents say will transform much more than just the old Golden Park.

“We have spoken with two developers who would be interested in submitting a bid to partner in master planning a multiuse development bookended by Synovus Park and AJ McClung football stadium,” Henderson notes in the email. “Preliminary estimates provided by Georgia Tech and CSU indicate the possibility of generating 800 plus jobs and over $300 million in capital investment. The development could include hotels, residential, retail or recreation sites. This is also an opportunity to ‘re-green’ an area currently covered by asphalt.”

Asked what he personally looks forward to with the long-hoped-for return of professional baseball to Columbus, Henderson writes: “I love baseball, and I am a big Braves fan, so I am excited to see Minor League Baseball back in Columbus, especially a Braves affiliate. However, I am most looking forward to the powerful economic impact the Clingstones will have on an area of our community that we have not had much success redeveloping.”

Looking into the Future

Riding into town on a big wave of optimistic energy, Laven is well aware of the need to create a model for success that is sustainable.

“It’s not about the first year,” Laven explains. “It’s about years two, three, four

COLUMBUS CLINGSTONES 2025 HOME SCHEDULE

April 15-20 Pensacola Blue Wahoos

April 29 - May 4 Biloxi Shuckers

May 6-11 Birmingham Barons

May 20-25 Montgomery Biscuits

June 10-15 Tennessee Smokies

June 24-29 Biloxi Shuckers

July 4-6 Montgomery Biscuits

July 8-13 Pensacola Blue Wahoos

July 22-27 Chattanooga Lookouts

August 5-10 Rocket City Trash Pandas

August 19-24 Pensacola Blue Wahoos

September 2-7 Montgomery Biscuits

This rendering of Synovus Park shows three arches that remain from the 1996 Olympics and the new club level.

This rendering of shows the new entry gate and ticketing areas.

and five. With a new stadium, you expect to do well; you expect the fans to come check it out. So, it’s all about making that first experience for every fan a positive one, something they’ll tell their friends about and bring their families to experience. [Atlanta Braves General Manager] Alex Anthopoulos does a great job of drafting high-character guys and putting a great product on the

field. But we have no control over wins and losses. It’s all about the fan experience. That’s incumbent on us. No minor-league team can depend on the die-hard fan. You have to appeal to the moms. The grandmoms. It’s families, families, families. That’s how we establish ourselves for generations to come.”

Laven says fans attending games at Synovus Park will experience

“great concessions and great promotions every night.” There will be an indoor/ outdoor stadium club on the first-base line and a beer garden and restaurant outside the left-field fence. Eleven luxury suites will stretch from dugout to dugout. A 30’ x 60’ LED video board will flash bright above the left-center outfield with a ribbon LED display in right field. A kids zone outside the home-plate entrance will offer inflatable rides, games and concessions such as Dippin’ Dots.

“It’ll be almost like walking into Times Square,” Laven jokes off all the lights, “but you’ll still feel the history. It will have the same vantage points, same seating bowl, as Golden Park. We’re keeping the three redbrick arches installed for the ‘96 Olympics in an area that will honor the history of baseball in Columbus and all the talent that’s come through here.”

“We’re still holding on to the history of Golden Park while also creating fan amenities that are going to blow people away,” says Laven. “Blending the old and the new. That, to me, is the best thing.” C

Read Baseball in Columbus Part 1: The Golden Years in our November-December 2024 edition.

Pete Laven shows off some of the unique Clingstones’ merchandise at The Orchard on Broadway.

WTHE

e’ve rung in the New Year, and the Academy Awards are right around the corner on March 2nd. Which films were the best of 2024? Here are some of my favorites that you can now see in the comfort of your own home:

Anora: Ani is an escort who finds herself spending a week with Ivan, the son of a Russian businessman. By the end of their week, they’re headed to Vegas to get married, but Ivan’s wealthy influential parents have other ideas. Sean Baker’s brilliant screenplay explores the nature of love and sex in the 21st century. Every relationship is filled with transactions, so how are Ani and Ivan any different than the rest of us? Mikey Madison gives a breakout performance as Ani. If the conservative members of the Academy can see past the heavily sexual subject matter, she should carry home an Oscar for Best Actress.

Conclave: The Pope has died, and it is time for Catholic leadership to elect a successor. It sounds like the subject of a documentary. Instead, Conclave plays like a political thriller delving into the backroom dealing and alliancemaking as the candidates for the papacy consolidate their power and gather the votes needed to become the worldwide leader of the Catholic Church. The film is nothing short of an acting clinic with an all-star cast including Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini. Expect Oscar nominations galore for this one.

The Seed of the Sacred Fig: Iranian writer-director Mohammad Rasoulof is in hiding somewhere in Germany following the international release of this film set during the recent female uprisings and protests in his home country. Sacred Fig won a special jury prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and dominated international festivals this summer. The premise is deceptively simple: Iman has been promoted to a judgeship (of sorts) within the Iranian government just as his daughters are entering college and questioning their lack of rights in their homeland. What

happens when the patriarchy is looking to suppress the hopes and dreams of your own children? Rasoulof brilliantly incorporates real protest footage into his film. This “treason” on his part earned him an eight-year prison sentence. Sacred Fig is a family drama that plays like a thriller.

Nosferatu: Writer-director Robert Eggers seems to have been born a brilliant filmmaker. His 2015 debut film The Witch launched the career of actress Anya TaylorJoy and put Eggers at the top of the list of young filmmakers to keep an eye on. Nine years later we find Eggers remaking a 1922 German vampire film with the same stunning period detail as his first film. Nosferatu is a visual feast, effortlessly shifting from black and white to muted color and back again. While there is some horror film gore along the way, with its gloomy castles and dark moors, the focus is on the film’s beautiful Gothic aesthetic. Think Wuthering Heights...with a vampire.

Red Rooms: The best crime thriller of 2024 if you can withstand its intensity. A serial killer is on trial in Quebec. KellyAnne lines up outside the courthouse before the sun comes up to attend the proceedings. Is she one of the many serial killer groupies that flock to such legal spectacles? Or is something more at work here? Red Rooms is soaked with dread and can certainly be Disturbing with a capital D. However, it’s all done with atmosphere. There isn’t one moment of on-screen violence which makes it all the more impressive. It’s an instant crime classic. C

Scott Phillips is a Columbus resident and serves as the President of the Southeastern Film Critics Association. His reviews and other work can be found at Forbes.com.

Valley Scenes

Columbus and the Valley will publish as many photos as quality and space permit. Black and white or color photos may be used. Please identify all subjects with a brief description of the event and the date. Mail them to: P.O. Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902. Email them to: ContactUs@ColumbusAndTheValley.com, Columbus and the Valley assumes no responsibility for care and return of photographs submitted.

Cocktails & Comedy

Garry Pound Receives Governor’s Award

Dr. Garry Pound of Columbus was one of a handful of artists or artistic organizations across the state honored with the 2024 Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities. Dr. Pound and his fellow recipients were recognized for significant contributions to Georgia in these fields. The awards were presented in partnership with the Georgia Council for the Arts, part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development and Georgia Humanities.

photos by Morgan Duke Photography

The Muscogee County Library Foundation annual fundraiser Cocktails & Comedy event was held at the Columbus Public Library with comedian Andrew Stanley taking the stage to entertain guests and local celebrities serving signature cocktails.

Zack Bishop, Ben Locklier and Kasey Rice

Heather Moran, Lauren Becker, Cassie and Aaron Myers

Dr. Garry Pound (left) accepts his award trophy from Georgia’s Commissioner of Economic Development Pat Wilson.

Dr. Pound and his large contingency of friends, family and loved ones from across the state pose for a photo after the presentation.

Stephanie Callahan and Wanda Amos

2024 W.C. Bradley Co. Spirit Award

Recipients Named

photos by Eliza Daffin

The W.C. Bradley Co. Spirit Award Program was started in 1990. It recognizes Team Members who exemplify the spirit of the Company. Simply put, they are excellent Team Members who unselfishly support their co-workers, take care of their families and give back to the community, thereby contributing to building a better world. They serve as role models and are nominated by their peers. Local winners were honored with a family portrait by Garry Pound that will hang in the W.C. Bradley Museum for two years. The award ceremony was held at The Columbus Museum.

Recipient Dan De Mars with his wife, Carson and daughters Lucy and Charlotte

The winners’ artwork was created by Garry Pound.

Recipient Scott Taft with wife Maria and sons Brody and Fisher

2024 award recipients (L-R) Tonya Williams (W.C. Bradley Co.), Dan De Mars (Charbroil/ Current/Oklahoma Joe’s) , Mark Ortiz (TIKI® Brand), Sam Reimesch (TIKI® Brand), Magdalena Weinkein (Pit Boss) and Scott Taft (W.C. Bradley Real Estate)

Pat Head, recipient Tonya Williams and Keith Williams

Columbus Museum Masters Circle

New Pediatric Hospital Names Medical Director

Piedmont Columbus Regional First Friday Heroes

Piedmont Columbus Regional has named Charlie Couey, Tom Shaffer and Jesse Phelps with Alabama LifeSaver the organization’s First Friday Heroes for the month of December. An Opelika man was mowing his grass one evening when he suddenly fell over. Once on-scene, EMS determined the man had suffered a stroke. They called for the LifeSaver helicopter crew, which provided an immediate transport to Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown. Once at the hospital, the patient was given a clot busting medication. Interventional Radiology staff performed a thrombectomy procedure— removing the blood clot from the patient’s brain. As a result of the quick interventions by the LifeSaver crew, the patient’s stroke symptoms resolved, and he made a good recovery.

The Columbus Museum held their Masters Circle event in December. This is the first time the event has been held in the newly renovated museum.

Piedmont Columbus Regional has named Dr. Subhendu De its Medical Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Hospital Medicine program. Dr. De joined Piedmont as a pediatric critical care intensivist in September 2024 and has played an instrumental part in the opening of the Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital.

Nancy Burgin, Alice Wade, Jill Tigner and Marquette McKnight

Gail Greenblatt, Elsa Hirsch and Kimberly Finn

Steve Sharp and Mint Flowers

CSU Schwob School students performed

Living art

Keep Columbus Beautiful Fall Events

Keep Columbus Beautiful recently held their 2nd Annual Mayor’s Golf Tournament as well the 30th Anniversary Help the Hooch Clean Up and Watershed Festival.

Dr. Stefan Lawrence

Dr. Alap Shah

Randi Adkins-Warren

TEDx Bibb City The first TEDx BibbCity event was held at The Powerhouse. TEDx BibbCity organizer, Alap Shah introduced the speakers Dr. Stefan Lawrence, Tyson Begley, Dr. Dionne Rosser-Mims, Jackson Raines, Randi Adkins-Warren and Jai Vaughn.

KCB Executive Director Lisa Thomas-Cutts and Jack and Jill of America Inc. volunteers

Columbus State University Women’s Golf Team

(L-R) KCB Executive Director Lisa Thomas-Cutts, City Council Member Toyia Tucker, Mayor Skip Henderson, City Council Member Charmaine Crabb at the golf tournament

Dining Guide

Big Mama Vietnam Kitchen

Big Mama’s is proud to serve you fresh, homemade food made with local ingredients that you are sure to love. Our specialty involves healthy cuisine with plenty of fresh vegetables and a variety of flavorful spices.

Tu-F 11AM-3PM, 5PM-9PM, Sa-Su 11AM-9PM

5300 Sidney Simons Blvd., Unit 14 BigMamaVietnamKitchen.com

Country’s Barbecue

Real Barbecue Slow Cooked Over Hickory and Oak. Casual dress, takeout, catering, kids’ menu. Su-Sa 11AM-10PM Mercury Dr., 706.563.7604 Broadway/14th St., 706.596.8910 Veterans Pkwy., 706.660.1415

Fountain City Coffee

If you’re in the mood for anything from drip coffee to an iced Libbarace, come to Fountain City Coffee to support some locally roasted excellence.

M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa-Su 8AM-7PM 1007 Broadway • 706.494.6659

Mellow Mushroom

The combination of a great menu, hand-tossed dough, fresh ingredients and friendly service makes the Mellow Mushroom a must when you have a taste for pizza. Bring your group for a family-friendly dinner or join your friends in our comfortable neighborhood bar.

M-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-9PM. 6100 Veterans Pkwy. • 706.322.4602

Ruth Ann’s Restaurant

A Columbus tradition for families, friends and great food. Ruth Ann’s offers authentic Southern style lunches, and breakfast is served all day.

W-Su 6:30AM-2PM • 940 Veterans Pkwy. • 706.221.2154. Place your next takeout order at ruthannsrestaurant.com.

Speakeasy

A local favorite serving great, homemade food and drinks in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

Su-Th 11AM-8 PM, F-Sa 11AM-9 PM 3123 Mercury Drive • 706.561.0411

Uptown Vietnam Cuisine

Uptown Vietnam Cuisine offers authentic, traditional Vietnamese dishes that are both delicious and healthy, featuring fresh ingredients and a variety of flavorful spices. Dine-in, carry-out and party trays are available, as well as a 10 percent military discount.

M-F 10:30AM-3PM & 5-9PM, Sa 11AM-9PM • Closed Sunday. 1250 Broadway • 706.576.9922

Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

Traditional Japanese cuisine with hibachi grill tops and fresh sushi. Come and try our flavorful and fresh ingredients. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM 1808 Manchester Expy 706.642.0888

Dine in or order online at wasabijapanesecolumbus.kwickmenu.com

To have your restaurant featured here, contact Becky Kenimer at 706.289.8338 or Margie Richardson at 706.575.7825.