Langdale Place is a beautiful, 3-story 103-unit senior living facility located on six wooded acres in the heart of Valdosta With options that include independent living apartments, personal care suites, as well as a secured memory care unit, Langdale Place provides an array of choices for the various needs that come with senior living
This special section shines the spotlight on beautiful homes and provides tips, trends and other insights from local interior designers, home improvement professionals, and retailers.
Mary Perry’s Inviting Home
Reflects Her Gracious, Southern Hospitality
20 A HOUSE BUILT WITH STONE, A HOME BUILT WITH LOVE
Ken and Dawn Morrison’s Home in the Country
28 A BACKYARD RETREAT
Marty and Leslie McGhin
Took Their Backyard Experience to a Whole New Level
38 LIVING ROOM MAKE OVER
A Local Furniture Store Played a Key Role in This Home’s Interior Transformation
41 Sue Cox
Walking Her Health Journey with God
47 LEADS Event
Lauding our Local Law Enforcement O cers
52 Highland Christian Academy
Girls Basketball Team Wins State Title
55 Sweet Sixteen
Highlights from the 2022 Dance
58 Shining Stars
Honoring Star Students from Four Valdosta High Schools
35 Real Estate News
Tom Call with Coldwell Banker o ers real estate advice.
61 Health Focus
SGMC highlights “The 5 W’s of an Annual Mammogram”
65 Arts & Culture
Featuring artist Teresa Middleton, student artists, and Narci’s Book Reviews
79 Go Downtown
Go Downtown to experience the Fun! Flair! & Flavor! that Downtown Valdosta has to o er
84 Around Lowndes
Highlighting activities and events in Valdosta
88 Valdosta SEENS
Chamber Annual Awards
Valdosta Country Club Bourbon & Beer Tasting
Spring Into Art Gala
The covered back porch of Ken and Dawn Morrison’s elegant stone home in the country. Photo by Wes Sewell Photography. 52
Valdosta Country Club Paddyshack Member-Guest
On the cover
Spring is always a busy time with everyone ending the school year and preparing for summer fun which normally means more time at home with family and friends. So, our annual “Home Sweet Home” issue is just in time. In this special section you’ll find great information on how to spruce up your home from interior design tips and ideas on creating a backyard escape.
When you’re considering home improvements be sure and consult with the advertisers in this issue who are experts at making homes more beautiful, safe, and enjoyable. See the “Advertiser Index” in the back of the magazine for contact information for each one.
As we all wind down the school year and prepare for what we hope will be extra time for fun in the sun, we’re thankful for the ability to travel again and gather with family and friends. We hope your summer is fun and full of time well spent. And, look for our next issue in August, one of the most read and enjoyed issues every year, featuring the special “Friends – Family – Food” section.
EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS
John F. Riddle & Connie K. Riddle
Showcase Publications, Inc.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER & COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Wes Sewell Photography
ART DIRECTOR: Robin Harrison
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Call
Mattia Goddard
John Riddle
Dr. Harvey Miller
Allen Allnoch
Jennifer J. Steedley
Narci Drossos
Julia Alferyev
Matthew Douglas
Lynn Vallotton
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Javon Longlieliere Photography
Lee Smothers
Lynn Vallotton
Lauren Barringer
Ethan Lowe
DESIGNERS:
Russ Hutto
Robin Harrison
PROOFING:
Allen Allnoch
Russ Hutto
ADVISING CONSULTANT: Lamb Lastinger
PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Johnny B. Lastinger
Valdosta Magazine is published quarterly by
SHOWCASE PUBLICATIONS, INC. For information on advertising, submitting articles, or to subscribe: (912)-559-2045 – P.O. Box 391 Jesup, GA 31598
info@showcasepublicationsga.com
Subscription rates in the U.S. are $15.00 annually. showcasepublicationsga.com
@valdostamagazine
Have a fun summer!
John & Connie Riddle
info@showcasepublicationsga.com
All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every e ort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors and other changes without notice. The opinions expressed by the writers are not necessarily those of the publisher.
HARRIETTE SUTTON, Southern Lady Interiors,
to the Holy Land recently and took Valdosta Magazine with her. She is holding it against the night sky above Jerusalem.
“THANK YOU SO MUCH for writing an article about our daughter, Whitney Williams Jones. She is thrilled, and so are
“Thank you, John and Connie, for working so hard on Valdosta Magazine for our community. It is filled with so many great businesses and stories.” ~ BROOKE WHITE
“The magazine looks gorgeous! I love all the new stuff! Love Narci’s Book Reviews. The photos are great. Nicely done! You should be very proud of this issue.”
~ BOB GODDARD
Savannah Roberts brings a customer-focused mindset to Southeast Capital Investment Group from 10+ years in the service industry. She assists with administrative duties, supporting both clients and the financial advisors who serve them. Savannah has never met a stranger. Building relationships with clients is her passion.
Savannah’s knack for technology allows her to use these skills to provide internal IT support and strengthen our web presence by managing our various social media accounts.
Savannah is a lifelong resident of Valdosta, Georgia, and is exceptionally close with her family. She is also a proud dog mom to Scout, a three-year-old English Cocker Spaniel.
A look into some of Valdosta’s unique spaces and private places with local experts and craftsmen who imagine and design the intimate spaces we love waking up in and coming back to – home.
If ever a home truly reflects its owner, it’s the home of Mary Perry. Set in a private cul-de-sac in the heart of Valdosta, the home reflects Mary’s proper, yet genteel, style and personality. While it is filled with Mary’s own beautiful pieces, she credits both Todd Wilson, who designed and built the home, and Dana Perry, who is responsible for the interior design, with creating a home that is perfect for family and friends to gather.
Mary has lived in the Edger subdivision long before she built her new home. In fact, her other home was flooded in 2008 when the creek
"My hope is that this story is a reflection of God's faithfulness, His guidance and timing throughout my life. The meeting with Todd during the flood and the timing of selling my house were not choices I made - they were times where God intervened and said 'move now!'. Stepping out in faith is often hard but God has proven faithful to me." – Mary Perry
behind her house overflowed from heavy rains that dumped more than two feet of rain over the area in August of that year. Mary, a recent widow, was unaware of the potential for flooding until her neighbor, Todd Wilson, notified her and o ered to help coordinate getting her belongings moved out of the house. She was reluctant at first but finally agreed. With help from some young football players, everything was saved, even her late husband’s baby grand piano. Jim Perry had been the music minister at Park Avenue Methodist Church before he died and his playing had always filled their home with music. Saving the piano was a must.
Thirteen years later, when Todd Wilson was developing new cul-de-sac lots in the back of the neighborhood, Mary decided it was time for a new home. Known for his award-winning residential design, Todd created for Mary a oneof-a-kind home design that specifically catered to her lifestyle and furnishings – he even created a special space for her beloved piano!
The Amelia River Cottage design is an open concept floor plan with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. The unique split entry front porch is set o with a detailed greeting rail. The design was later adapted and is now one of Southern Living Magazine’s top selling designs.
Once construction began, Mary engaged Dana Perry to help design interior stylings that reflected her gracious southern hospitality and would accommodate her favorite pieces and heirlooms.
With both of her children and their families living in the same neighborhood, Mary’s new home is filled with the sound of the door opening and closing bringing a new round of laughter and conversation with every visit. Ask anyone of them and they’ll tell you that, more than anything, it’s a great place to gather.
“You can never go wrong with a blue color palette. It blends so well with so many other colors and o ers a calming pleasant ambiance. I incorporated varying shades of blue in every room of the house through fabrics, art, and wall color and splashed corals and greens throughout depending on the room. The consistency of blue throughout Mary's home created a continuity that provides a finished and welldesigned feel. The great room, with a color palette of blues and greens against a crisp backdrop, makes the space feel fresh and alive. We were able to use her existing upholstery and bring it to life with coordinating fabric selections and trims. Mary already had so many beautiful pieces, including an extensive collection of blue and white porcelain, which set the course for the design direction which is a southern collected feel.”
– Dana Perry
“With a relaxed elegance reflecting most of the home, I appreciated that Mary wanted a dining room that was formal and set apart from the other spaces. With formal dining rooms becoming a lost art, it was refreshing to know that Mary had big plans for entertaining in this space.”
– Dana Perry
The master suite o ers a soothing retreat with a serene softer shade of blue that has subtle green undertones.
Mary’s five grandchildren all live in the same neighborhood. They enjoy the pool and outdoor space as a place to gather all times of the year.
Story by JOHN F. RIDDLE / Photography by WES SEWELL PHOTOGRAPHY
At the end of a simple dirt lane through a neatly manicured stand of pines just north of where Lowndes and Cook counties meet, stands a home that is more reminiscent of a European country estate than the typical architectural design found in the rural areas around Valdosta and Adel. The limestone façade and circular drive make one feel as if they are driving up to a posh resort.
However, one needs to simply enter through the antique, wooden doors, originally from Egypt, to instantly realize they have arrived at the family home of Ken and Dawn Morrison, their two sons, Andreu and Jack, and their German shepherd, Kora. And, while the interior is just as well appointed and refined, it is instantly obvious that this is where the Morrison family lives and entertains family and friends. It is then that one realizes that this house built of stone, while unique, is like any other home full of life, laughter, and love.
to reveal storage behind them, an idea Dawn saw in an older home and knew she wanted one day. The
elements.
Ken and Dawn Morrison have built five homes together and remodeled two. That vast experience prepared them to build their sixth, an undertaking like no other. The design ideas came from a limestone house Dawn saw in Texas. She took photos of it knowing that one day she wanted to build a home with a similar European feel. She gave the interior photos to Harriette Sutton, of Southern Lady Interiors, who drew the home’s interior.
Ken is the third generation in his family to own and manage a hardware and building supply business. His grandfather originally started a hardware store in St. Augustine. His parents opened Morrison Home Center in 1972 which Ken now runs. He grew up learning the business and has continued the tradition with his sons who worked in the store during high school learning the business from the ground up including their least favorite task, loading sheet rock. Dawn co-owns a gift shop, Shoppes on Davis, with Sara Paulk. She also owns the Tin Roof Market, a French market in Nashville, Georgia.
So, they have a wealth of knowledge of both the home building supply business and interior design. Dawn not only has a good eye for interior
Above and Below: The kitchen opens to the great room and is framed with stone that matches the exterior of the home, though much thinner. Still, Ken was worried about the weight so he had a beam installed, which required a lift and the entire framing crew to get it into place.
Top and Above: In the center of the house, the soaring height of the great room gives the feeling of being in a great hall versus a family gathering room. The room boasts stone walls at each end with a beamed cathedral ceiling.
Middle Left: “Dawn loves to use a lot of di erent textures and layering in her décor,” explains Harriette. One of the best examples of her style is the oversized antique bu et in the great room, featuring an oversized glass frame accessorized with more original art and other elements. The painting of the Methodist Church in Nashville, which Dawn and Ken's family attends, was painted by Harriette.
Left: The art above the fireplace is an original by local artist Jodi Lee.
design but she’s in the market to find some of the best and most unique pieces. She regularly goes to Scott’s Antique Market, The Mart, and other places for her businesses where she finds pieces she acquires for personal use. She may not have the perfect spot in mind yet, but she knows they will work their way into a space in her home at some point.
Harriette, who has worked with Dawn for over twenty years, explains the casual elegance with which the Morrisons mix modern pieces with antiques: “Dawn and Ken find amazing pieces and it is my job to find a place for them. Their taste is eclectic with a mix of old and new. Dawn enjoys decorating and likes to keep the look fresh; there is always something changing.”
At the heart of their relationship is also an enduring friendship that makes working together all the more enjoyable. “We’ve done a lot of houses together. Harriette helps with all the fabrics and accessorizing,” Dawn explains.
While the Morrisons have a fondness for building and renovating homes (they’re working on one now in St. Augustine, Florida), the reason for the design of their current home is more than satisfying a hobby or a love of design and decorating. This house is the home where they live.
“We love to entertain. We have a big family who live close so we host all the holiday gatherings. We’ve always hosted events for the boys through
Above and Right:
The spacious master bedroom o ers plenty of room to relax and unwind. Two matching chairs provide a comfortable place from which to read or watch television. The black secretary has a painted-on Chippendale finish.
Right:
The master bath provides additional space to unwind. The pecky cypress ceiling makes the space even more unique. O the bathroom are a closet for Ken and an oversized closet and dressing room for Dawn.
Top and Above: Located o the great room and near the kitchen, the family room has rich architectural elements and a strong European style furnishings and décor. “This is our family spot where we live and hang out,” Dawn says. (Ken & Dawn Morrison with Dawn's mother, Margret Wilkinson)
A
the years and love having friends over for ballgames and celebrations,” Dawn explains. One of the more recent events was for Dawn’s mother, Margret, celebrating her 80th birthday.
Family celebrations will likely increase as Andrew, 24, and Jack, 21, one day soon establish families of their own. Well, that may be a little farther away for Jack, who is still in college at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, but when he comes home, he brings a posse of KA fraternity brothers with him. Regardless of how big their group of family and friends grow, there is plenty of room for them at the big stone house built by Ken and Dawn Morrison. While it may not be the last house they ever build – it may very well be the finest. | VM
Story by John Riddle
MARTY AND LESLIE MCGHIN WANT ED MORE FROM THEIR BACKYARD EXPERIENCE – THEY GOT IT!
Marty and Leslie McGhin were tired of having to position their lounge chairs sideways on the pool deck. And, they also wanted a fire pit. They had no idea those two requests would lead to a reenvisioned backyard retreat o ering so much more.
The McGhins, who are very involved at VSU and in their local church, have always enjoyed having groups of people over to their home in Kinderlou Forest. But the pool deck was only four feet wide with an iron fence around the perimeter.
“We wanted more room to host people and not be so crowded on the pool deck. We also wanted a covered section to provide some shade,” Marty explained. They contracted with Brent Moore, Jr., of Outdoor Living by Proficient Pool & Landscaping, who gave them all they wanted and more.
Brent suggested a fireplace and an outdoor kitchen under a covered area on the pool deck extension. At first, Marty and Leslie didn’t think they’d use a fireplace. “We’ve used it much more than we thought we would,” Marty said.
“Everything around the pool was relandscaped and the lawn was resodded with centipede,” said Moore, whose company designed and installed the silver travertine tile (which is made to go over the existing pool deck), retaining/seat wall, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, lighting, and the new covered area.
The McGhins’ new backyard retreat is all they wanted and more. And, with their daughter graduating from high school this year, Marty said, “We’ll be spending much more time out here now.”
Quartz is one of the hardest minerals on Earth. Quartz is a crystalline form of silicone diode and second most common mineral found on this planet. It is found typically in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, colored by impurities found within it, such as in amethyst, citrine, and cairngorm. Even though Quartz is a widely occurring mineral, pure, high quality quartz crystals are rarely found. Quartz is found all over the world but, Arkansas and Brazil are two places with the largest natural quartz mines. The primary ingredient in Quartz countertops is 93% ground quartz, which is combined with polyester resins to bind it together. Pigments are added to give it color; and some designs even incorporate small amounts of recycled glass or metallic flecks into it. Due to the durability and special type of resins mixed within the Quartz during production, Quartz countertops are resistant to stains. Quartz is both plentiful and durable, used in production in diverse ways from electronics to building materials. Because of its strength and abundance, Quartz is a popular and reliable choice for countertops. Quartz countertops are
sometimes referred to as “engineered” or “man-made,” but Quartz is in fact a natural stone. The amount of natural Quartz in a slab depends on the quartz manufacturer. Quartz countertops are sold under brand names such as Cambria™, Hanstone™, Silestone™, etc. The different companies offer different colors and warranties (Cambria offers a lifetime transferable warranty).
Quartz is a low maintenance countertop, unlike granite & marble which typically requires a protective topcoat/sealer at least once a year. Quartz surfaces never need to be sealed. We recommend using cleaning products with a pH between 5-8, as products outside this range may damage the surface. Cleaning products such as oven grill cleaners, floor strippers, toilet bowl cleaners, oil soaps, tarnish removers, furniture cleaners, drain products, etc. could be damaging to your Quartz countertop. If your Quartz surface accidentally is exposed to any of these potentially damaging products, rinse with water immediately. They are a nonporous surface, which means staining substances do not settle in small pores, causing discoloration.
Is it possible that siding can make a statement?
Complete your home’s distinctive exterior design with trim and soffit choices that complement your vision. There’s a reason James Hardie has earned the endorsements of trusted authorities across the building industry. When it comes to the exterior of your home, any dream is a beautiful possibility.
It’s Possible with James Hardie™
Explore your design options with our Home Color Tool at jameshardie.com/color
Discover why James Hardie is the recognized leader at jameshardie.com/leader
Callie and Gabby: Callie Shaw, Owner and Lead Designer Gabby Powell, Assistant Designer
You can find Tin Lily Design on Facebook (Tin Lily Design) and Instagram (@tinlilydesign_callieshaw).
4476 Val North Dr., Suite B Valdosta Ga 31602
TIN LILY DESIGN was started in 2014 by Callie Shaw and focuses on both residential and commercial design. They work on projects all over South and Middle Georgia as well as North Florida and even both East and Gulf coasts! Callie carries a variety of fabric samples, furniture, and accessories from many di erent vendors and with many di erent price ranges. Tin Lily Design can help with new construction and remodels as well as redesigns using your own items to help freshen up your spaces. They love to do custom bedding and draperies with the help of their local seamstresses to give that finished look! Callie and her Assistant Designer, Gabby Powell, are more than happy to work with you on your current or next project!
229-262-4817 (Business) 229-563-1689 (Mobile) cshaw.design@yahoo.com
FAR LEFT: At Tin Lily Design, they can help you design and select beautiful custom bedding and semi-custom bedding to suit your individual tastes.
IMMEDIATE LEFT: A staged bookshelf of a recent new construction project designed by Callie.
BELOW: Callie worked with this client to change the paint color, lighting and furniture of this Dining Room. She also found and arranged/hung the accessories that completed the look.
RIGHT: A gorgeous sampling of pieces that Callie was able to use to create this fun and colorful china cabinet arrangement.
ABOVE: At Tin Lily Design, they can help you coordinate finishes from the beginning so that you end with a cohesive design.
ABOVE: They have hundreds of fabric swatches to look through at all di erent price ranges and can help guide you with your selections.
ABOVE: Callie had a great time working with this client on creating a fun wall collage with wonderful texture and soothing colors.
Written by TOM CALL
Our agent priorities survey findings paint a very clear picture of what makes Coldwell Banker the best in the industry and why agents continue to a liate with the brand. The report’s findings reveal that agent priorities among the real estate brokerage community are now more important than ever.
One of the key highlights of the research was a rming just how satisfied Coldwell Banker a liated agents are compared to agents from other brands. For the third time, Coldwell Banker Real Estate ranked #1 in agent satisfaction. Coldwell Banker agents surveyed said they were extremely or very likely to recommend their current company to another agent. Our network of more than 100,000 agents are heard, supported and well-equipped by the brand to adapt and prosper – making them happy, motivated, and successful.
Coldwell Banker a liated agents are less likely to change a liation in the next two years than any other company’s agents according to survey results.
• Agent A nity is Growing: Agents a liated with the Coldwell Banker brand are less likely to change a liation in the next two years than any other company’s agents.
• Gold Star Opinion: Agents’ opinion of the Coldwell Banker brand is higher than any other real estate brand.
Brand reputation is key.
Real estate brands have more competition than ever to retain and attract their top talent. A notable brand reputation will prevail, as most agents agree that their company’s reputation is important to their business success. This sentiment is believed even more fervently among Coldwell Banker a liated agents.
Tom Call, Broker Premier Real Estate VALDOSTA, GA
What matters most among agents open to a liating with Coldwell Banker?
• Leading edge tech & tools: 98%
• A strong brand image: 97%
• Best equipped to navigate future of real estate: 97%
• Most knowledgeable agents: 96%
• Local expertise: 94%
• Recognized by buyers/sellers: 93%
Coldwell Banker brand tools and network support are unmatched, and a liated agents surveyed have a lot to say about their experiences:
“People trust the Coldwell Banker brand, and I get referrals because I work there. They also have a lot of training and support for new or busy agents. There are so many apps available, such as Listing Concierge, MOXI and InTouch that help me stand out from other agents.”
“Its reputation is unmatched. Everyone recognizes the brand and correlates it to excellence and professionalism,” said one Coldwell Banker survey respondent. “I appreciate its reputation and Coldwell Banker has assisted me in my transactions and assisted me in gaining listings.”
“The company is very ethical, and the top people are great. They are very responsive to the agents’ needs, and the company enjoys a great reputation. My customers and clients realize Coldwell Banker’s reputation, so it makes it easy to do business.”
As a leader in the industry, it is important to understand what attracts agents and what keeps them satisfied with their a liation so we can ensure we’re always delivering. To do so, we commissioned a survey of 1,405 residential real estate agents, half of which are Coldwell Banker-a liated agents and the other half are from a national panel of agents.
Advance your career with Coldwell Banker Real Estate and visit ColdwellBanker.com to get started. If you’re looking for a brand that supports you with the products, tools and services that work for agents, contact me today! | VM
Today’s security market is abundant with o ers of systems that promise to accommodate your lifestyle and provide security and life safety at the same time. Fairly new features of convenience have become standard and essential to most security systems. The ability to look in through a smart camera lens to check on your property and loved ones and even carry on a conversation over an app, have certainly provided many homes and business owners with even more peace of mind.
Alert-Tech Systems, Inc. 916 Marion St, Valdosta GA 31601
229-244-7777
www.alert-tech.com
BY JULIA ALFERYEV
Alert-Tech Systems, Inc. has been the regional leader in security and alarm monitoring for over 40 years and o ers an array of security solutions enhanced with modern smart technology to accommodate anywhere from essential to particular needs for protection. Count on our expertise to professionally design, install and monitor 24/7 a smart security system for your home or business. Our goal is to create an ecosystem that looks after people inside. From res to oods, carbon monoxide to smoke, — even medical emergencies — our systems can timely alert everyone, no matter where they are in the house, if they need to get out quickly. Intrusion detection can be backed up by cameras and “motion viewers” that send owners video clips to verify events — such enhancement helps reduce false alarms caused by mischievous pets, for example.
A security system from Alert-Tech can go beyond life safety — it can bring all smart home devices in unison, allowing owners to manage them from one single system. Amazon’s Alexa is built-in with the latest touchscreen keypad from Resideo to control security settings, raise temperature, adjust lights and much more; all with the touch of a button or a simple voice command. When you’re away, the Total Connect app ensures you stay in touch with your home. And when you get back, scene setting functions adjust lighting and thermostats automatically as you disarm the system — so you can enjoy a warm welcome. Hands free disarming allows the system to disarm without the need to enter a code and the new ProSeries panel will snap and send a picture of a person on site disarming the system — we are truly getting spoiled by 21st century technology!
Trust your local security company to protect what matters most! Remember, when you join the Alert-Tech family of clients, we will be here long after the sale to service your equipment when your system needs attention. You always have access to 24/7 customer service, support, and company management. From start to nish, we are involved in every step to make sure you have the best experience and peace of mind.
STORY BY JOHN RIDDLE / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAVON
When Rebecca and Arnie Meindl wanted to freshen up the main living area in their home on the golf course in the Kinderlou Forest subdivision, they found that Valdosta Furniture & Ma ress in downtown Valdosta is a “one-stop shop” offering not only high-quality furniture but design consultation also. Before, the walls were a beige/tan and the furniture was dark. The kitchen, which is open to the living room, had dark cabinets too. They wanted a bright and airy make-over that accentuated the stunning view of the lake and golf course visible off the back of the house.
After painting the walls and refinishing the kitchen cabinets, they turned their a ention to the main living area and what they’ve accomplished, working closely with interior design consultant Jim Rinehart of Valdosta Furniture, is so much more than they expected.
“Jim knew we were painting and redoing some cabinetry and he brought it all together for us. He guided us on the furniture selection and the fabrics for the living room to create exactly the look and feel we wanted,” Rebecca explained. “When we met, he had all the fabrics laid out and suggestions on the furniture that made it so easy for us. We didn’t have to go anywhere else.”
Many are aware of the world-class furniture and bedding offered by Valdosta Furniture & Ma ress, a 44-year-old, family-owned business, but fewer know of their ability to help with interior design. “Jim is fantastic,” Rebecca said. “More people should know what he is capable of.”
Story by MATTIA GODDARD
This journey that Sue Cox is on began by mistake back in 2015. Dr. Brook Bearden, her orthopedic surgeon, who she’s known since he was a baby, had just done her knee replacement. He told her that once she got through this recovery and Christmas, that he wanted her to go see Dr. Eric Anderson because there was “something funky going on” with her blood.
That issue with her blood turned out to be multiple myeloma, a diagnosis she got in March of 2016. Dr. Anderson’s advice was, “Don’t get on the internet.” Sue didn’t, but her husband Stan, son Stan, Jr., and daughter Amy, did and they spent that next weekend “worrying and carrying on,” Sue recalled.
Sue says, “My entire journey has been miraculous. God had me from day one.”
She was told about Dr. Bart Barlogie and how he was the foremost expert on this type of cancer at Mt. Sinai in New York. On a whim, Sue emailed him. She told him she was a grandmother of a five-year-old and she wasn’t ready to die. She went to church the next day at First United Methodist and came home to a reply. The email let her know that his assistant would call her at three o’clock that day and treatment would begin that Monday, in New York.
With no time to plan and a business to run, Sue got her niece, Holly Greene Arepally, to go with her on that first visit. “Stan is the wind under my wings, my backbone. He went to every subsequent appointment except the first one.” She and her niece planned a full New York visit, with amazing restaurants and a few Broadway shows as a way to make up for the downside of their trip.
One in a long line of “God winks” was a framed sign on the table in the doctor’s waiting room on that very first visit. It was of her niece’s husband, Arvind Arepally, and it explained the robotic procedure he invented that focuses on Ghrelin, known as the hunger hormone. It was a sign. They were in the right place.
After a full day of tests, Sue went in for the bone marrow biopsy at 4:30 that afternoon. When asked if she wanted anesthesia or just something local to dull the area, Sue’s niece said, “We have a play at 7:30.” Sue opted for no anesthesia.
When she met with Dr. Bart Barlogie, a man who
“Cancer did not stop me from zip lining in the Highlands or in Ontario, Canada.”
ABOVE:
“Stan is the wind under my wings, my backbone."
BELOW:
Sue with Stan and their two children, Stan, Jr., and Amy.
had cured and extended the lives of many prominent people all over the world, he informed her that her death was not imminent. “You are going to die,” he said, “but not from multiple myeloma. Everyone dies.” Sue would spend the next year and a half with Dr. Barlogie, trying all sorts of treatments. None of them worked because she had some sort of mutation. She did enjoy many trips to New York, six times a year, and she describes it as the most fun in her life. She and Stan made sure they dined at great restaurants and soaked up as much theatre and culture as they could on each visit. With every trip, no matter the obstacle, everything would end up falling into place. Snowstorms, cancelled flights, missed connections –
“I extmely bssed. I n’t tell you how much. I fuse to bee the wot.”
many bumps in the road appeared but also vanished. Sue counts 28 di erent miraculous events during her cancer journey. All of them times she could see God’s hand in her experience. She wishes she had written them all down.
Eventually, the road led to Emory. The next step was the stem cell transplant. For that, Sue came back to Georgia and was hit with a heavy-duty dose of chemotherapy to get her into remission. Sue had what is called an autologous stem cell transplant. They used her own stem cells. The day of her stem cell harvest there was probably a foot of snow on the ground and Sue’s Uber couldn’t get across the snow bound road to get her into the hospital. Sue, a South Georgia girl, through and through, saw a tractor with a plow pushing snow to clear the road. She stopped the man driving the tractor and told him she needed a ride to the hospital, still a half mile up the road. When he said
TOP RIGHT:
Sue with their only grandchild, Alden Cox, her great niece Ava Arepally, and Sue’s sister, Shirley Greene Sanders.
ABOVE: Sue with her niece, Holly Greene Arepally, on Sue’s first visit to Mt. Sinai in New York.
he had nowhere for her to sit, she told him that her first car was a tractor and that she’d sit on the wheel well. When he protested, she said, “I can and I will.”
When it was time to retransplant these cells, they did it on February 5, 2018. They call the transplant day your rebirth. It just happened to be the actual birthday of her dear friend Patti Girardin. These two longtime friends now had this birth date in common. Patti was the friend who stayed with her in the hospital after the transplant, during her three weeks in isolation, and then on to the Highlands for another three weeks of quarantine.
Patti didn’t have cancer, but she contracted it soon afterwards and just recently lost her battle. “We had no inkling that she’d be the one not here,” Sue said. She knows that Patti being with her taught her how to fight. “I saw her fight. She endured such pain. Patti was a lady through it all. She was such an inspiration to me.”
Sue has always believed in the Lord and in the Trinity. “When I got this, I realized my priorities. Through the years, I neglected my kids for my business. Now I see. This illness with no cure has kept me on the page. It’s easy to promise God something and then go back to how you were once you’re better. This is always with me.”
In March of this year, for the better part of a week, Sue tried to get back to Bruce Beal, the trainer she’s been exercising with for the past 10 years, but she just didn’t have the energy. Recently, she was due to go back to SGMC for an infusion and she called the day before to say, “I’ve got something.” Her oncologist at the Perlman Cancer Center, Dr. Bidyasar, is very receptive. Sue says, “She listens when you tell her about your body.”
When Dr. Bidyasar checked Sue to see what was going on, she made an alarming discovery. She told Sue, “You have leukemia, and it looks very, very bad.” Sue’s immediate, gut reaction was, “…no, that’s not what this is.”
Back at the Emory Tower, after they looked at the various slides of her bone marrow yet again, her doctors determined that she has acute myeloid leukemia and the news was much better than they originally thought. She had been given dire odds but with this change to her diagnosis, her doctors expect her to respond well to treatment. Only eighteen thousand cases of this acute myeloid leukemia have been reported in the United States, so she is dealing with an unusual diagnosis.
Sue has been undergoing chemo these past few weeks and it has taken its toll. Mostly Sue’s mouth has su ered, causing painful blistering down her throat. This woman who lives to create delicious food and loves the art and joy of cooking, was unable to eat. Her mouth was so sore she only consumed chicken broth and Ensure, and by the first full week of April, even speaking was impossible. After several doses of what she refers to as her son’s, the orthodontist's, “miracle mouth rinse,” compounded by Emily Hunt at Chancy’s, Sue was able to eat food again after nine days.
“My enti journey h been mi cuus. God had me fm day one.”
TOP LEFT:
In between diagnoses, Sue and Stan have enjoyed travel, making the most of every minute.
ABOVE:
Sue with Patti Girardin in April, 2018, when Sue spoke at the Cancer Coalition at VSU.
The coming weeks will continue to be filled with infusions and treatments. It will be sometime in May before folks see Sue out and about. For now, she needs to stay inside and protect her weakened immune system. The five churches she can see out her windows plus so many of her friends have been praying for her. She feels her community’s prayers and is so thankful for all the support.
“I am extremely blessed. I can’t tell you how much. I refuse to believe the worst,” Sue emphasizes. “This past Holy Week, we celebrated the fact that Jesus died to save us from our sins. I believe it. I was feeling sorry for myself when I was struggling on my stairs that week, but that is the week we recognize Jesus’s su ering.”
Regardless of how tired she gets, or even on the rare occasion she does feel sorry for herself, she finds courage and hears her father’s words ring in her ears.
“My daddy would say, you can never take more than you give.” | VM
T h e A v r i e t t H o u s e
T h e A v r i e t t H o u s e
H O M E D E C O r ,
W E D D I N G R E G I S T R Y ,
F L O R A L S H O P P E ,
g i f t s , & M O R E !
The Rotary Club of Valdosta honored local law enforcement at its 15th annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. Georgia State Patrol Trooper First Class Chandler Poore, Lowndes County Sheri ’s O ce Sergeant Matt Porter, and Valdosta Police Department O cer Joshua Box were recognized as O cers of the Year.
The event, which was held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center, was again open to the public after being limited the previous year due to state guidelines related to COVID-19.
Proceeds from the event go toward the Rotary Law Enforcement Fund, which provides financial assistance to o cers and their families during natural disasters, medical emergencies, and other urgent needs.
LEAD committee chairman Bubba Highsmith presided over the program and was assisted in its planning by committee members Claire Lee, Wes Sewell, and Thressea Boyd.
Georgia State Patrol Sergeant First Class Je Culpepper, Lowndes County Sheri Ashley Paulk and Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan introduced the award winners from their respective law enforcement agencies. | VM
Above: from left: Bubba Highsmith, LEAD Committee Chair; Thressea Boyd, LEAD Committee Member; Sergeant First Class Je Culpepper; Trooper First Class Chandler Poore; O cer Joshua Box; Chief Leslie Manahan; Sergeant Matt Porter; Sheri Ashley Paulk; Claire Lee, LEAD Committee Member; and Wes Sewell, LEAD Committee Member
A Live Oak, Florida native, Trooper First Class Chandler Poore moved to Georgia in 2003 with his family. While attending high school, he played football for the Brooks County Trojans and made the all-region first team for two years. After graduating in 2016, TFC Poore joined the U.S. Army National Guard as a combat engineer. He joined GSP 31 in 2020 and was deployed multiple times to assist with civil disturbances in Georgia and Washington, D.C. Known for going the extra mile, TFC Poore frequently helps his co-workers and spends time mentoring Brooks County student-athletes.
A native of Valdosta, O cer Joshua Box has been employed with the Valdosta Police Department since July 2019. He has served as an o cer in the Bureau of Patrol Services throughout his career. O cer Box was nominated for the courage and bravery that he exhibited during a tragic, unforeseen incident in which multiple first responders were seriously injured, including himself. O cer Box is married to Jennifer, and they have a daughter, Emma.
Sgt. Matt Porter began his career in law enforcement in 2001 while in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at Moody Air Force Base until 2007. In 2013, he joined the Lowndes County Sheri ’s O ce as a jail o cer. He was promoted to the Jail Extraction Team and later to a shift supervisor. In 2016, Sgt. Porter was promoted to the Criminal Investigation Division, and in 2019 attended the National Computer Forensic Institute, where he obtained certification in computer forensics. In 2020, Sgt. Porter was sworn in as a Deputy U.S. Marshall for the Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force. In 2021, the Secret Service designated him the top forensic examiner in Georgia and 20th in the nation. Sgt. Porter is married to Aleisha, and they have a daughter, Rosslyn.
At the beginning of the 2021-22 basketball season, Highland Christian
Academy Girls Basketball Coach Tim Kelsie issued a challenge to his players. His audience was small, only eight members – a much smaller roster than the typical high school team fields. He knew they would face plenty of obstacles along the way.
“I asked them, ‘Who are y’all?’” says Kelsie, who just completed his third year at the school. “They didn’t know what I was talking about. I said, ‘You have to find your identity. So, when I say, who are y’all, I mean who do you want people to think you are?’ It’s not going to be an easy season. It’s going to be a long process.”
Over the course of three months, Kelsie’s team figured out who they were: Overcomers and Champions. After losing three times to Citizens Christians Academy of Douglas – twice in the regular season and again in the region tournament, by a demoralizing 60-31 margin – the Lady Eagles faced the Lady Patriots in the GISA Class AA State Championship and walked away with a thrilling 50-48 victory.
STORY BY ALLEN ALLNOCH
Above:
GISA CLASS A STATE CHAMPION
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TEAM
Assistant Coach Randy Arnold, Madi Lawson (15), Kelsie Degale (10), Kaylie Degale (12), Chasity Degale (11), Gwyneth Steel (21), Shiloh Avery (13), Jakiyah Green (4), Addy Gaston (5), Head Coach Tim
Citizens Christian came into the title game with a 25-4 record. They were bigger, deeper, and more experienced. They had arrived in the final by trouncing Fullington Academy 65-33 in the semifinals, while Highland Christian had barely squeaked by St. George’s, 25-23. On paper, the outlook was dim for the Lady Eagles, but Kelsie knew better.
“As the season went on, they got a little better every game,” he says. “By playo time, something in them clicked. I said, ‘I’ve told you everything you need to know. It’s on y’all to take what we said and go do something about it.”
During warmups prior to the championship game, Kelsie says his players “were laser beam focused. I didn’t even have to give a speech before the game. It was like every one of those girls was locked in. I saw it in their eyes.”
The game, played at Georgia Southwestern University in Americus, went right down to the wire. Citizens Christian led 45-43 with less than one second on the clock when Highland sophomore Chasity Degale was fouled. She made both of her free throws to send the game to overtime, where the Lady Eagles took the lead 50-48. Citizens Christian had the ball and one final opportunity with less than three seconds left. A last-gasp three-point attempt hit the rim, bounced away, and the Lady Eagles had secured the first state championship in school history.
“When she shot it, my mouth dropped and I was like, ‘That’s going in,’” Kelsie recalls. “But it came back out. I was shocked. When that horn went o , I sat there in disbelief, saying to myself, ‘We just won a state championship. In three years, we built a team to win a state championship. This is crazy.’ The girls were ecstatic.”
In Kelsie’s first season at Highland Christian, the Lady Eagles won only four games. In the aftermath of
the win over Citizens Christian, he remembers seeing senior Shiloh Avery celebrating with her teammates. “She had been there for the whole ride, and to see the look on her face was priceless,” Kelsie says.
Chasity Degale led the Lady Eagles with 18 points in the championship game and was the team’s leading scorer throughout the season. Her sisters, seniors (and twins) Kaylie and Kelsie, provided support, along with Avery and the rest of the determined squad. Three of the team members had no more than a year of experience in the game, but “with everybody playing their part, it was amazing,” Kelsie says.
Lacrystal Degale, mother of Chasity, Kaylie and Kelsie, summed up the win – and the season – nicely with a post on her Facebook page.
“Call it the Little Team That Could or David vs. Goliath,” Lacrystal wrote. “The Lady Eagles came out focused and just never quit the whole game. I doubt any of these girls will ever forget today. I know I won’t. … What an amazing accomplishment for Highland Christian Academy and these young ladies.” | VM
The Sweet Sixteen Hostesses held their annual dance on January 8, 2022, at the Valdosta Country Club. The Club was decorated with garlands, fresh smilax vines, mini white wax flowers, fresh cut olive branches and seeded eucalyptus. Each table centerpiece featured gold lanterns, assortments of mercury glass votives and rose gold and gold garlands. The focal point of the main lobby was a large floral arrangement including sixteen pink roses honoring the 16th birthdays of the hostesses. This event began over three decades ago as an opportunity for young women attending Valdosta High School, Lowndes High School, and Valwood School to celebrate the milestone of their sixteenth birthdays.
Story by JENNIFER J. STEEDLEY / Photography by LAUREN BARRINGER
The hostesses for 2022 were Anna Kate Adams, Emma Allbritton, Camden Anders, Sally Baker, Jayden Best, Jensen Best, Rachel Black, Ana Grace Bradshaw, Addison Brantley, Olivia Brooks, Berkley Burns, Coco Campa, Mackenzie Collins, Emma Cope, Marleigh Corbett, Laura Lee Cregger, Braylee Crowe, Gracie Dampier, Maggie Davis, Mabry Hart Depta, Rylen Dickey, Audrey Douglas, Emma Drawdy, Lael Gaskins, Elizabeth Grace Gibbs, Amelia Grace Greene, Emelia Gregory, Morgan Hamm, Emmie Hamrick, Isabella Holloway, Caroline Holmes, Ella Grace Holt, Janey Johnson, Avery Jowers, Sophie Keen, Annabelle Kerrigan, Ginsey Lawlor, Lauralyn Lodge, Eliza Jane May, Maggie Mays, Lacy Ann McLeod, Ginger McTier, Mary Todd Parramore, Drashtee Patel, Milly Prince, Talley Reed, Kam Register, Elle Scruggs, Emma Shapard, Bella Shaw, Fiora Shen, Hana Shriner, Adilyn Smith, Karlee Smith, Lolli Smith, Reese Steedley, Emma Thomas, McKenzie Wadsworth, Olivia Wainright, Brooke Watford, Hollyn Weidinger, Addie Wells, Allie Woodru , Kate Woodward, and Maddie Yarbrough.
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Compiled by ALLEN ALLNOCH / Photos by WES SEWELL PHOTOGRAPHY
The PAGE Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program, now in its 63rd year, is sponsored, administered, and promoted by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and the PAGE Foundation. To obtain the 2022 STAR nomination, graduating high school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the SAT and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average. Each STAR Student chooses a STAR teacher to share in this recognition.
Parents: Mike and Carrie Johnson
STAR Teacher: Lindsi Elliott
Future Plans: Samantha plans to attend Faulkner University, where she will major in clinical psychology.
“I’m very grateful for being chosen as my school’s STAR student and I hope to represent the school well.”
2022 STATE PAGE STAR STUDENT
Parents: Li-Mei Chen and Chunlei Liu
STAR Teacher: Becky Martin (2022 State PAGE STAR Teacher)
Future Plans: John plans on attending Georgia Tech and pursuing degrees in computer science and business. He hopes to work as a software engineer and ultimately start his own business in data management to help companies collect and organize their data for analytics.
“I feel honored to be recognized for my accomplishments in being named STAR student. I am truly thankful to everyone around me, including everyone at school and my family, who have helped and guided me in my educational journey.”
VALDOSTA HIGH SCHOOL
Parents: Tolu Salami and Elizabeth Omiteru
STAR Teacher: Brenda Rodgers
Future Plans: Oluwatoni plans to major in chemistry at Rice University, and possibly study medicine or pursue a career in drug development and research.
“I wasn’t expecting it, but I’m happy that I was chosen. I know that I couldn’t have gotten here without the support and encouragement from Mrs. Rodgers and other teachers/administrators, so I’m very thankful for them. I think the focus should mostly be on the incredible impact teachers like Mrs. Rodgers have on students.”
VALWOOD SCHOOL
Parents: Dr. Billy Tidmore and Dr. Jennifer Lawrence
STAR Teacher: Joy Owens
Future Plans: George plans to attend college to study linguistics and biology, and pursue a career in medicine.
“It is such an honor to represent Valwood as STAR student. I’m so appreciative of the support I have received from Valwood faculty, administration, and friends all these years.”
Women do it all. Juggle careers, family, children, friends, exercise. And sometimes their health inadvertently takes a back seat. However, an annual mammogram is one appointment that shouldn't be postponed or missed.
Who: According to the American Cancer Society, women at average risk for breast cancer have the option to start screening every year at age 40. Women who are at high risk should get a breast MRI and a mammogram every year, typically starting at age 30. Women should consult their physician to determine their risk category.
What: SGMC o ers Genius™ 3D Mammography™ exams, developed by Hologic, Inc., a worldwide leader in Women’s Health. Utilizing advanced breast tomosynthesis technology, these exams are clinically proven to significantly increase the detection of breast cancers, and decrease the number of women asked to return for additional testing.
When: Now. It's important to make your annual screenings a priority. The benefit of getting mammograms regularly is to detect subtle changes from year to year. By seeing subtle changes, we can find cancers earlier. Getting annual mammograms is critical for the best outcome and is proven to save lives from breast cancer.
Where: The Breast Center at SGMC is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, breast surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, nurses, social workers, and others who collaborate to treat the patient’s physical and emotional needs, providing expert guidance from diagnosis throughout treatment. Focused on early detection and treatment of breast cancer by our specialized sta , oversight begins at screening mammograms and continues until treatment (if needed) is complete.
Why: Annual mammograms can save your life. Detecting breast cancer early reduces your fatality risk by approximately 30 percent. Additionally, 3-D mammography can detect abnormal breast tissue approximately two years before it become cancerous. Finally, early detection of localized breast cancer lowers your chances of needing a mastectomy. | VM
Dr. Harvey Miller
Chief Clinical Quality Director
The Breast Center is led by Chief Clinical Quality Director Dr. Harvey Miller. Dr. Miller is responsible for tracking and improving patient services and satisfaction as well as focusing on cancer outcomes. Dr. Miller provides vision and oversight for quality standards, community outreach, and cancer prevention.
For more information, call 229-242-4996.
Story by NARCI DROSSOS / Photography By JAVON LONGIELIERE PHOTOGRAPHY
Teresa Middleton, a self-described “army brat,” grew up moving all over the United States and Europe. When her father, Hilman Walden, retired from service, they settled in Quitman near family, where she went to high school.
Having been encouraged by a childhood teacher who proclaimed her “an artist,” Middleton laughs, “I guess I believed her,” and she has been honing her craft ever since. At Valdosta State University (VSU), she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts; then later, a Master of Arts Education and a specialist degree in curriculum and instruction.
The artist once set on her path by a teacher became one herself, although, Middleton recalls, “I was hired to teach art at Valdosta High School the day before school started, and I had no idea what I was getting into.” Middleton
AND SEEING THEM FIND THEIR OWN TALENT. “THAT,” SHE INSISTS, “IS A MAGICAL DISCOVERY.” THE ART CLASSROOM BECAME A HAVEN FOR MIDDLETON’S STUDENTS OVER THE YEARS.
discovered that teaching was a true calling. She loved connecting with her students and seeing them find their own talent. “That,” she insists, “is a magical discovery.” The art classroom became a haven for Middleton’s students over the years. They often didn’t want to leave and found themselves enjoying the introduction class so much that they signed up for more advanced classes. Retired in 2017 after 30 years at VHS, watching former students thrive is a special joy. More than a few have become artists and art teachers themselves, a testament to her instruction.
Middleton has also shared her passion for art with small children at The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts as well as with adults in “Learning in Retirement” classes at VSU. She observes, “It’s fascinating to watch people uncover that creative part of themselves they never knew existed, whether they are age 2 or 102.” Indeed, she’s been devoted not only to teaching, but also to learning and growing herself as an artist. She was a signature member of The Georgia Watercolor Society and has won numerous awards. Having pieces selected for the prestigious Colson’s calendar is a point of pride, as is showing at The Turner Center. Patients at the Perlman Cancer Center in South Georgia Medical Center can enjoy her work as well as diners at 306 North. Middleton has paintings hanging in private collections all over the country. Recently she was contacted by Lowndes County regarding the creation of a piece to feature the geographic, historical, and cultural aspects of the area.
A home studio opening to her patio and pool area allows light and a view from her well-tended garden. Middleton enjoys an eclectic variety of music when painting, perhaps rock from the 80s or contemporary Christian bands. It’s here, with a fresh-brewed cup of co ee, that she goes to relax and escape into her unique creative world. For painting, her palate is decades-old, a former plastic school lunch tray that has now come to feature its own spiky topography of color and texture. Her easel is also special, an antique inherited from Brooks County artist Bill Hoopes who was a dear friend. It’s heavy oak with brass hinges and paint spots from years of creativity. She keeps his brushes left untouched in their rusty co ee can nearby.
She speaks happily of her favorite subject matter – flowers. Her late mother, Louise Walden, and grandmother, Blanche Walden, were both floral designers in Quitman. “I grew up in a flower shop,” Middleton recalls, adding, “When not working on commissions, I find sheer joy in painting large, colorful, floral pieces. I have dabbled with other subjects, but I always come home to the flowers, recalling the times I was surrounded by my loved ones and the lovely aromas and colorful beauty in the flower shop.”
When painting, Middleton steps away from the canvas: she marvels at the di erence perspective makes. “Close up,” she observes, “you see one thing…it’s abstract. Then step away, the colors emerge.” She continues to fill in dark contrasts to the red tones, a family of what most would call pink. A vibrant cardinal lighting on her patio reminds her that those she loved are still with her, and she captures him on canvas. With brush strokes and layers, colors that contrast and blend, she brings life and conveys love. Whether you are the artist, the student, or the observer, it’s all about perspective. | VM
with BILL SINEATH Volunteer, Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts
Photography by JAVON LONGIELIERE PHOTOGRAPHY
“BEHIND THE CURTAIN” highlights leaders and other dedicated volunteers in the local cultural arts community – people who work behind the scenes, providing expertise and hands-on work to facilitate the creative e orts of artists. In this issue, we celebrate the contributions of Bill Sineath, longtime supporter of the Lowndes-Valdosta Arts Commission and the Annette Howell Turner Center.
On April 11, 2022, Bill Sineath was named the recipient of the inaugural Lena Bosch Lifetime Achievement Award at the 35th Annual Spring Into Art Gala for his volunteer leadership in the arts community for over three decades.
As a long-time supporter of the Lowndes-Valdosta Arts Commission and the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, Bill has demonstrated his leadership and commitment to the Turner Center through extensive board and committee membership and through widespread planning and fundraising e orts. He has even served as interim director.
Receiving the award was a poignant moment given Bill's long-time friendship with Lena Bosch. "Our family could not be more thrilled with this inaugural award recipient; and, I know that my mother is smiling from above," said her son, Bart Bosch. "Her and Bill's relationship was one of mutual respect and admiration. My wife, Anita, and I look forward to this award continuing as a reminder of how people like my mother and Bill serve the Turner Center and the ValdostaLowndes arts community for the benefit of others."
“This center is a non-profit organization charged with introducing the arts to the community. There is something for just about everyone. The more you participate, the greater the reward.”
Q: How long have you been involved with the Turner Center? How did you become involved?
A: I have been involved with the Lowndes-Valdosta Arts Commission for more than 30 years. I had just bought a new truck from my good friend Lena Bosch when she volunteered me to haul articles for a fundraiser the Art Center was putting on. Well, one thing led to another and before I knew it, she had convinced me to join the Board. Lena had a way of getting people involved.
Q: What position do you currently hold? What past positions have you held?
A: Currently I am just a patron who volunteers occasionally when needed. In the past I have served on or chaired just about every committee. I was also interim director for a short period until we could fill that vacancy.
Q: What is your personal background that ties you to the organization?
A: My background is mostly real estate, construction, and development. So when we made the decision to purchase and build the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, I was all in. I helped by serving on the building committee and chairing the capital fundraising committee.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your role as a volunteer?
A: When I first got involved, we were located on Patterson Street next to VSU. I became involved in the growth and long-range planning for our current location. To see where we are today and to experience that transformation is most rewarding. The Turner Center has become one of the premier art centers in the state of Georgia. This is something this community should be most proud of. It was truly a community e ort.
Q: In your opinion, why is this organization such an important cultural asset to the community?
A: The arts play a big part in making this a well-rounded community. The Turner Center has a wide variety of programs available, including pottery, painting, theater, glass blowing, dance, yoga, music, writing, concerts, and many more. One question asked by people who are thinking of moving to Valdosta is, “What does this community o er in the form of arts?”
Q: What is one thing about the organization you want everyone to know?
A: This center is a non-profit organization charged with introducing the arts to the community. There is something for just about everyone. The more you participate, the greater the reward. Their success has come from the hard work and support of many dedicated people.
Q: What do you feel has been your most significant contributions to the organization’s success?
A: My most significant contributions have been the participation in all construction phases, the many hours of fundraising, and being willing to do everything necessary for the success of the center.
Q: What other information would you like to provide about your involvement and the organization?
A: Through the years it has been a lot of hard work, but it has also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I love this community and am proud to have been a part the Turner Center’s growth and success.
Story by LYNN VALLOTTON
This spring semester, I was invited by Sementha Mathews, Director of the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, to decorate the entrance of the gallery for the 35th Annual Spring Into Art show. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for our 3D art students from Valwood to practice their skills and be involved in the community.
In my 3D art class, I incorporate floral design into the curriculum. As a teacher, I believe budding artists need to understand how they can plug their creative skills into real careers. Students learn basic floral skills, from flower arranging to corsages and boutonnieres. As an artist and a floral designer, I often refer to myself as a 3D artist, creating sculptures using fresh flowers as a medium.
So, the students embarked on a di erent kind of floral design, using
sculpted forms and flowers. We began by discussing the famous rose parade, held annually in Pasadena California, an event which I have designed for in the past. We talked about the sculpture aspect of the floats and how fresh flowers and produce are used to cover the floats. We also discussed how some florists create floral sculptures for sympathy designs and unique events.
The students then started designing the display carving and building butterflies from Styrofoam then adding artificial flowers for a colorful base. Next, they layered the design with fresh roses, daisies, and cushion mums for the finishing touch. The students not only learned valuable lessons in floral design, but they enjoyed the experience and were very proud to be a part of the most notable spring event in Valdosta. | VM
THE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF THE FLORAL ENTRANCE AT THE TURNER CENTER'S ANNUAL SPRING INTO ART GALA WAS CREATED BY LYNN VALLOTTON AND HER 3D ART CLASS AT VALWOOD.
Lynn
Art
by Tessa Hadley (2022)
Set during the 1960s in London, groovy and avant-garde living might be expected, but what happens to this dignified, seemingly normal family is surprising. The Fischers seem conventional, perhaps even posh, with a daily house servant and suburban society parties. Roger, the dad, holds a government post; Phyllis, his lovely, younger wife, manages the home and the cocktails; Colette, a bright and snarky teenager, is the ugly duckling; while younger brother Hugh is perfectly golden and charming in every way.
A certain trope of the “happy family” is that the seemingly “normal” character has hidden secrets, and you won’t see this revelation coming. Trouble comes when the Fischers host a dinner for the earnest twenty-something son of an old friend, Nick. An a air that begins with a stolen kiss has consequences. The ensuing entanglements are intense. Of course, you could judge this one by its title, but everyone knows love is never truly free. The rich, interior lives of each character truly transport the reader back in time and “across the pond.”
Hadley has written several acclaimed novels, and her prizewinning short stories appear frequently in The New Yorker. She makes her home in Cardi , Wales.
“These books feature PROVOCATIVE COVERS and some have DECADES-AGO SETTINGS, o ering readers VICARIOUS ESCAPES from present day worries. Frankly, it seems writers enjoy not dealing with characters who send texts and wear face masks.” &
narrator, also an English professor, has been ensconced for years, tenured and beloved. Both Vladimir and the narrator, who remains unnamed, are married to English professors. They are all four complicated characters.
by Julia May Jonas (2022)
Now is not the time to judge a book by its cover or its title. Yes, the image is reminiscent of the “bodice ripper” covers of the 1980s romance novels; and unfortunately, the title may remind everyone of a Russian criminal. To be fair, the eponymous Vladimir is from Russia, but he’s an English instructor and an admired novelist, new to the private, upstate New York liberal arts college where the
It’s not as confusing as it sounds, but it is a very interesting scenario. When the narrator’s husband is accused of unprofessional (not criminal) conduct, you might think the narrative will arc in one direction – but then, something else unfolds. There are modernist elements here; the college is not called “liberal” arts for nothing. There were reviews of this novel everywhere from The Washington Post to NPR. While some critics assert that the narrator is wicked and despicable, others champion her for being a post middle-aged woman who plots and schemes as well as any man. Perhaps she’s an anti-heroine or a villainess! The New York Times refers to Vladimir as “…delightful, devious, and terrifically entertaining.”
A Book of the Month Club selection, Vladimir is Jonas’s debut novel. An English professor herself at Skidmore, she holds an MFA in playwriting from Columbia University.
Narci Drossos describes herself as a compulsive reader, saved in her youth by a summer bookmobile librarian who ignored the bi-weekly limit of five books; thus, allowing her in one summer, to go from Harriet the Spy and Nancy Drew to David Copperfield and Jane Eyre. She holds three degrees from Valdosta State University and has been teaching English at Valdosta High School for over 30 years. Follow Narci on Instagram (@novels_ with_narci) and feel free to share your thoughts with Valdosta Magazine: Email criddle@showcasepublicationsga.com or on Instagram (@valdostamagazine) using #VMbookreview.
GIRL by Ann Hood (2022)
Hood has written several best-selling novels, but this is nonfiction about her experience as a Trans World Airline (TWA) flight attendant back in the “golden age” of flying when “stewardesses” wore heels and passengers didn’t wear sweatpants. In 1978, fresh from college, she entered the air when it was “the epitome of glamour and sophistication.” Her flight school experience was grueling; surviving the rigors of the training academy was a feat itself, preparing her not only to evacuate seven di erent types of aircraft, but also to carve
chateaubriand (in first class) and deliver a baby. Of course, she learned how to mix cocktails and fend o amorous pilots and passengers, which many of her colleagues married. She began writing her first novel from the jump seat.
Hood opens with her early fascination regarding air travel, recalling how as a preteen she followed the adventures of Laika, the dog that the Russians launched into space in Sputnik 2. As a teenage model, she took an elegant flight to Jamaica, determining then that flying was the career for her. Ultimately, she saw the job change – flight crews were enduring labor strikes, fare wars, hijackings, and corporate takeovers. She experienced adventures all over the world and was so often called upon at parties to tell stories about her TWA days that she decided to pen this memoir. Hood narrates colorful and fast-paced tales of a bygone era.
Published in March, it didn’t take long for this thriller/detective novel to make The New York Times bestseller list and to have film rights acquired by Sharon Stone. If you enjoyed The Monuments Men, the 2014 film about tracking down looted Nazi art, then this should be on your list. Barr is a successful Chicago journalist. Not surprisingly, Barr’s ambitious young heroine, Jules Roth, is fresh out of journalism school and stops at nothing to work with the most celebrated investigative journalist in Chicago, Dan Mansfield. She wins his trust and is awarded a highly secretive and dangerous assignment to find a very specific expressionist painting, entitled “Woman on Fire”. The painting disappeared during the violence and turmoil of World War II, and the narrative flashes back to its creation, theft, and disappearance, then its rediscovery (this is not a spoiler!).
Early on, Jules finds that adventures, appearances, and people are not what they seem. She learns that priceless emotional
weight is tied to the painting. Of course, it’s worth untold millions, but to those who covet it, there are tethers to their ancestors, and they would do anything to recover it. There’s an over-the-top evil villainess, a handsome and talented love interest, and a few eccentric side characters who try to derail Jules as the story unfolds stateside and in Europe. No dull moments! Read this one before the movie release.
by Bonnie Garmus (2022)
Set in late 1950s and early 1960s California, Elizabeth Zott is a chemist during the era when women’s work outside the home was typically as secretaries or teachers. The daughter of vagabond charlatans, she is truly on her own most of her life. Armed with a master’s degree in chemistry, she never smiles or “plays games” to get ahead; unfortunately, this approach has her serious research attempts thwarted at every turn.
Unexpectedly, she meets a soulmate, who is also a brilliant scientist. Together – they have chemistry (double entendre intended) and work with chemistry! But there’s a turn of events and a reaction.
Soon Zott has a home, a dog, a rowing team, and a daughter to support. She finds herself the unlikely host of an afternoon cooking show on television. Not content to merely make casseroles with cans of soup, she teaches women chemistry and independence and she still yearns to do serious research. Her antics on set of “Dinner at Six” cause chaos. All of this is entertaining, but the minor characters are the charm of this novel. The dog has his own story, and he’s got the best inner monologue of all, providing hilarious narration with his unique point of view. The daughter is funny too, although her precocity stretches plausibility.
Aptly called “irresistible” by The New York Times, Lessons in Chemistry was the “April Good Morning America” book club pick, quite an accomplishment for a debut
novel. Garmus is a copywriter and creative director who rows and swims in open water. She currently lives in London.
Jean Han Korelitz
The Latecomer, set in Brooklyn, is a remarkable novel. Admittedly, the start (1980s) is slow because there’s so much brooding; in fact, the subtitle Brooding in Brooklyn would be apropos. But things quickly pick up. The reader comes to intimately know the wealthy Oppenheimer family, from the first meeting of parents Salo and Johanna, under tragic circumstances, to their triplets born during the early days of IVF. The three siblings – Harrison, Lewyn, and Sally – feel no strong familial bond and cannot wait to go their separate ways, even as their father, Salo, broods and distances himself, and their mother, Johanna, seems obtuse about her family’s disconnectedness.
The narrative arcs of each of the progeny - their school experiences (kindergarten to college) and wry observations speak incisively. Han Korelitz parodies late 20th century liberal and conservative treatments of religion(s), race, acquisitionism, and psychology. And with so many literary allusions and humorous plot twists! The eponymous “latecomer” might be the favorite character, but you won’t learn his or her identity until later, at which point you won’t be able to put this family drama down.
Han Korelitz is the author of the novels The Plot, You Should Have Known (which aired on HBO in October 2020 as The Undoing, starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, and Donald Sutherland), and Admission (adapted as a film in 2013 starring Tina Fey), among others. She’s married to an Irish poet, and they live in New York City where she hosts pop-up book groups in which readers discuss new books with their authors. | VM
Brandie Dame is the new Main Street Director for Downtown Valdosta. She was hired in March. Ally Sealy, the new Main Street Coordinator, began in April.
Dame comes to Downtown Valdosta from her previous role as the Main Street Director for the City of Adel. She was the first Main Street Director for Downtown Adel, where she led the establishment of Downtown Adel as a “Classic” Main Street community. She is a graduate of Valdosta State University.
“Valdosta and the downtown corridor specifically is a catalyst for economic development, shopping, dining, and fun!" Dame said. "I am thrilled to be part of the growth and support business development in one of Georgia's premier Georgia Exceptional Main Street cities.”
Go Downtown - Everything’s waiting for you!
There is always a reason to Go Downtown in Valdosta! Unique shops, restaurants, theaters, and galleries provide an eclectic atmosphere where there is something for everyone. This dynamic city is bursting with activity from art events to bustling loft apartments.
Come and see what it's all about.
Sealy will be assisting with downtown events, operations, and coordinating marketing efforts. She recently completed a communications internship with the City of Valdosta. Sealy's parents both had careers with the City of Thomasville so she grew up with an "appreciation for community service."
"I am excited to have an active role in helping the downtown district grow and flourish. It is the heart of our city and playing a part in helping the shops and business owners become even more successful is something I'm honored to be a part of." Sealy said.
Their experiences are sure to help assist merchants in Downtown Valdosta continue to grow and prosper.
First Fridays Downtown Valdosta
Dinner, Music, Shopping & so much more inside Downtown Valdosta's Entertainment District!
Sip, stroll, shop, and enjoy everything Downtown Valdosta has to offer!
FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH • 6pm UNTIL
Live in concert at Georgia Beer Co. in downtown Valdosta, this singer/ songwriter features a cosmic West Coast take on traditional country and soul. For tickets: Bandsintown.com (search Kimmi Bitter).
SUNDAY, JUNE 5 • 3:30pm
Celebrate the makers, growers and creators of our region at this monthly market located around the Historic Lowndes County Courthouse Square, in the heart of Downtown Valdosta! Makers Market boasts over 40 vendors, live music, delicious food and some of the best shopping around!
June December 2022 • 9am 1pm
THIRST QUENCHING AND DOWNRIGHT DELICIOUS, THIS TALL GLASS OF REPOSADO AND BUBBLES IS MADE FOR SIPPIN' IN THE SHADE.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 oz. Dos Primos ® Reposado Tequila
• 2 oz. Grapefruit Juice
• 1⁄2 oz. Lime Juice
• 2 oz. Topo Chico Mineral Water
• Cinnamon, for Rim Garnish
DIRECTIONS
Build cocktail in rocks glass over ice. Stir to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge. Visit dosprimostequila.com/recipes
KIMMI BITTER
With a strong a nity for the roots of American music, Kimmi Bitter is a throwback mixed between 1960’s western twang, sultry twelve-bar blues, and old-fashioned rock n' roll. Styling her songs between the classic sounds of old country and rockabilly legends, such as Patsy Cline and Elvis, to the psychedelia of San Fran and Laurel Canyon counterculture era, this San Diego native features a cosmic West Coast take on traditional country and soul.
Kimmi Bitter may be considered an artist born in the wrong era. Struggling to connect with the modern top 40 hits, she drowned herself in the various genres of the ’50s through ’70s analog generation and took a plunge into the roots revival scene. She was nominated in her hometown for San Diego Music Awards best country/Americana artist of 2020 with her break-out EP West Side Twang. She now tours the country 365 days a year in the '95 Dodge camper van she lives in and will be releasing her debut full-length album Highway Hustler in 2022.
Sunday, June 5, 2022 – 3:30 pm Georgia Beer Co. Downtown Valdosta
For more info: (FB) Georgia Beer Co. For tickets: Bandsintown.com (search Kimmi Bitter)
Legendary band, Three Dog Night, now in its 5th decade, claims some of the most astonishing statistics in popular music. In the years 1969 through 1974, no other group achieved more top 10 hits, moved more records, or sold more concert tickets than Three Dog Night. Three Dog Night hits weave through the fabric of pop culture today, whether on the radio where they are heard day in and day out, in TV commercials or in major motion pictures -- songs like “Mama Told Me (Not To Come)”, “Joy to the World”, “Black and White”, “Shambala” and “One” serve to heighten our emotions and crystallize Three Dog Night’s continuing popularity.
Saturday, June 18, 2022 • 8pm - 11pm Wild Adventures, Valdosta
www.wildadventures.com
Je Foxworthy is one of the most respected and successful comedians in the country. He is the largest selling comedy-recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy Award nominee and best selling author of more than 26 books. In 2014, he was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
Saturday, July 16, 2022 • 8pm Wild Adventures, Valdosta
www.wildadventures.com
Grand Funk Railroad has had 19 charted singles, 8 Top 40 hits and 2 Number One singles, with “We're An American Band” and “Locomotion”, both selling more than one million each. The group has 13 gold and 10 platinum records with record sales exceeding 25 million copies sold worldwide.
Saturday, August 6, 2022 • 6pm Wild Adventures, Valdosta
www.wildadventures.com
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the great success of 2021 at the annual Chamber Annual Awards on February 24, 2022, at the Rainwater Conference Center. Sponsored by First Commerce Credit Union, over 460 attendees spent the evening
with new and familiar faces commemorating each other on a wonderful year in our local business community. The 2022 Board Chairman, Bill Nijem of Langdale Vallotton, LLP, concluded the evening with positive remarks on the outlook for 2022.
Valdosta Country Club members enjoyed sampling new o erings on the Robert’s Lounge menu. Food and Beverage manager, Brandy Condrey, invited vendors to share their selections, while Chef David Moulton paired small bites with each flavor. Club favorite, 2River Station, entertained!
Hundreds of guests attended the eagerly anticipated Opening Gala for the 35th Annual Spring Into Art Exhibition was held on April 11, 2022, at the Annett Howell Turner Center for the Arts. The exhibit, which includes more than 400 works of art, will be on display until June 8. (Photography by Ethan Lowe)
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This March 17-19, the Valdosta Country Club held their long-standing Member-Guest Golf and Tennis tournaments. This year’s “Paddyshack” was another exciting weekend, and the social events were reformatted for an open-air setting. Congratulations to Trey Odom and Je rey Hunt, 2022 Member-Guest golf tournament champions! Congratulations to tennis tournament winners, Betsy Backe and Shannon West, Division A, and Emily DeCesare and Jen Henderson, Division B!
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Ankle & Foot Associates
Astro Exterminators
Averiett House
Blanton & Griffin
Coldwell Banker
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Colquitt EMC
Commercial Banking Company
Dana Perry Interiors
Dos Primos
Fox Hill
Georgia Beer Company
Georgia Florida Real Estate Services
Grap Restoration & Protect
Guardian Bank
Hogan's Pharmacy
Holiday Inn
Kaleidiscope
Lemongrass Day Spa
Little Averiett
Mackey Lumber Company
McLane Funeral
Medicare Supplement Insurance Services
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Only Options
Orchard Health Care
Outdoor Living & Proficient Pool & Landscaping
Paramount Granite & Marble
Perfect Settings
Presbyterian Home
Prince Automotive
Renansant Bank
Ron Borders Property Management
SE Capital Investments
South Georgia Medical Center
Southern Lady Interiors
Southern OB/GYN
Steels Jewelry
Stifel
Synovus
The Flower Gallery
The Gardens
The Links
Tin Lily Design
Turner Center for the Arts
Valdosta Chamber of Commerce
Valdosta Chiropractic
Valdosta Eye Center
Valdosta Furniture & Mattress
Valdosta Insurance Servives
Weidinger Floor & Custom Design
Wells Fargo Financial Advisors
Wes Sewell Photography
Wilson Design & Construction
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