Valdosta Magazine Sept / Oct / Nov 2025 by Showcase Publications

Expert guidance for your wellness journey

Living, feeling, and being well in your adulthood requires more than a personal commitment. It also involves patient-centered care from dedicated physicians to manage and meet your unique health challenges together.

Southwell’s Internal Medicine specialists promote the health and well-being of our neighbors across 12 South Georgia counties. Our internists are well-connected to physicians in more than 30 specialties across the region, ensuring seamless, collaborative care tailored to your health needs. Well-equipped with state-of-the-art technology, our outpatient clinics and hospitals provide expert diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care for every step of your wellness journey.

Well. It’s everything we do.

Dr. Joseph Thomas, MD

Dr. Joseph Thomas is well-known in the Valdosta community. He practiced internal medicine in Lowndes County for more than 28 years and has returned from retirement to join Dr. Lynn Lee and Dr. Ken Kiser at Southwell Internal Medicine in Valdosta.

Dr. Thomas is accepting new patients. Please make your appointment by calling 229-262-6815. Southwell Internal Medicine is located in Valdosta at 3014 N. Patterson Street.

Scan to find your

Only Options has always been known for more than just style—it’s the experience. This season, we’re excited to welcome Celie Atkinson to the team as our Assistant Women’s Sales Manager. With her e ortless eye for fashion and her warm, approachable energy, Celie brings something truly special to the ﬂoor. She has a way of making shopping feel inspiring and fun, whether you’re looking for an everyday staple or something unforgettable. Next time you’re in, be sure to stop by and say hello. Chances are, she’ll be curating the perfect outﬁt while adding her own spark of charm to the Only Options experience.

25 East Meets South Mahjong in Valdosta Is in Full Swing

47 Cooking With Friends— Chef Randy DeCoudres

Grilling Pork Belly Tacos

With Jonathan Miller

Bill Langdale’s Family Property

Thrives Under His Stewardship and Eye to

THE WINNING GAME PLAN FOR GENERATIONAL WEALTH

In sports, championships aren’t won by chance. They’re the result of discipline, teamwork, and a game plan. The same is true for wealth. While many think financial strategies alone ensure success, research shows 85% of wealth transfer failures come from breakdowns in communication and preparation—not money itself. With the greatest wealth transfer in history -over $70 trillion already underway - it’s time to make sure your family has the right playbook.

1. Kickoff with Communication

Great teams talk. Families that share their vision and values set themselves up to win.

93% of heirs say they feel “dictated to” when excluded from wealth conversations.

The best way to prepare? Start the dialogue early.

BABY BOOMERS AND THE SILENT GENERATION ARE SET TO PASS DOWN $70 TRILLION IN ASSETS IN THE GREAT WEALTH TRANSFER

Pro Move: Host a family “team meeting” to discuss your values, goals, and future, at home, or with your advisor.

2. Get Everyone in the Game Championships take all players. Only 2% of advisors today have meaningful relationships with their clients’ children - yet heirs are the ones who’ll carry the ball next.

Whether it’s college funding, entrepreneurial dreams, or philanthropic goals, each generation has its own priorities.

Including them in the strategy keeps your family’s wealth moving forward.

Pro Move: Invite adult children to financial advisor meetings so they have a voice in the plan.

DEFENSE MATTERS—BUT OFFENSE SECURES THE WIN. EARLY ACTION BRINGS FAMILIES CLARITY, CONFIDENCE, AND CONTROL.

3. Build Your Wealth Playbook

Just as every team studies plays, your family needs a financial roadmap that blends strategy with values.

Outline retirement income, tax strategies, estate planning, and succession goals. Create a “family wealth philosophy” to guide decisions.

Assign roles: the “quarterback” may be the family leader, while others serve as recordkeepers, communicators, or future coaches.

Pro Move: Work with your advisor to document strategies for investment growth, legacy planning, and long-term care.

4. Play Offense with Your Finances Defense is important, but offense wins championships. Families who act early gain confidence, clarity, and financial security. Advisors using anticipatory strategies report greater retention, higher assets under management, and stronger relationships.

Tools like cash-flow planning, charitable trusts, and next-gen engagement are your “training drills” for a lasting legacy.

Pro Move: Don’t wait for life’s fourth quarter. Use today’s financial planning tools, proactive family meetings, and your trusted advisor to stay ahead.

Like a championship season, your wealth journey requires strategy, teamwork, and consistent effort. With the right advisor and game plan, you can pass on not just money, but values, vision, and a winning tradition.

Please join us in welcoming Jack Barclay to the Southeast Capital team!

Jack joins our team as a Client Relationship Consultant, bringing a unique global perspective shaped by his upbringing in Oxford, England and Valdosta, Georgia. With a background in international relations and law, Jack offers a thoughtful, analytical approach to client service and is passionate about helping others navigate their financial futures. He is currently working toward becoming a financial advisor and is excited to build meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues alike.

We’re proud to have Jack on board and look forward to the impact he’ll make.

Back: Lawton Lyons, Client Relationship Consultant; Justin Martin, Financial Advisor; Alyssa Hewett, Client Service Associate; Jack Barclay, Client Relationship Consultant;Front: Lee M. Smothers, Marketing Director; Jodi Myddelton, Registered Sales Assistant; Clay Moseley, Financial Advisor

from the PUBLISHER

Changes in life seem to come in waves, and 2025 has been a big one for us. Connie lost her dad to a courageous battle with cancer in May, our ﬁrst grandchild was born in August, and our second son was married in September. Oh, and along the way, we celebrated 35 years of marriage.

This year also marks our 10th year of publishing Valdosta Magazine. Wow! How time has ﬂown as we’ve immersed ourselves in this community through the partnerships we’ve forged, the stories we’ve told, and the people we’ve grown to know and love.

As we look to the future, we’re planning some exciting changes to the magazine that will enhance our readers’ enjoyment, broaden its reach for our advertisers, and refresh its brand so that even more people will come to know and love all that Valdosta and its people have to oﬀer. We look forward to making connections with new businesses and opening doors of opportunity to emerging partnerships while nurturing those long-standing relationships that are so important to us.

You’ll see evidence of some slight changes even in this issue, and there’ll

On the “War Wagon” at Langwood are (front row) Tom Tracy with Bill Langdale’s English Cocker Spaniel, Bow; Bill Langdale; (second row) Connie & John Riddle; (third row) Beverly Langdale, Wes Sewell.

be more to come in the months ahead. We’re excited to showcase some new design elements on our pages; we’re also debuting a new regular feature, “Cooking with Friends,” through a partnership with Chef Randy DeCoudres, along with other new ideas and stories that hopefully will keep you asking your friends, “Have you seen the latest issue of Valdosta Magazine?” As always, please let us know how you’re enjoying the magazine and help us promote it by following and liking us on social media.

We’re so grateful for our writers, photographers, advertisers, and contributors whose support and eﬀort make each issue come alive.

As the weather cools down and we head into fall and the holiday season, we wish you and your family much joy and hope y’all enjoy whatever the rest of 2025 brings.

With appreciation,

John & Connie Riddle

EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS

John F. Riddle & Connie K. Riddle

Showcase Publications, Inc.

ART DIRECTOR

Robin Harrison

AD DESIGNER

Russ Hutto

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Amy Faeskorn

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Marlana Hufstetler

OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER & COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Wes Sewell Photography

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Annelise Branham

Narci Drossos

Tom Call

Amy Faeskorn

John Riddle

Marlana Hufstetler

Jaclyn B.B. Heard

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Javon Longieliere Photography

Sarah Kathryn Photography

Candler Brogdon

Steven Heddon

Miller Mama Photos

Annelise Branham

Calico & Chrome Photography

RodeoBum

Wes Sewell Photography

Lauren Barringer Photography

Monroe Photos

DESIGNERS

Robin Harrison

Russ Hutto

PROOFREADERS

Amy Faeskorn

Marlana Hufstetler

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) 424-8772 – P.O. Box 391 Jesup, GA 31598

info@showcasepublicationsga.com

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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.

Meet Millie (Mildred Page Riddle), our ﬁrst grandchild born to Hux and Katherine Riddle in August.

Our middle son, Bowen, married Sarah Catherine Fordham in Athens on September 13. They reside in Atlanta.

GENIUS 3D DIGITAL

MAMMOGRAPHY IS ONLY THE BEGINNING TO EARLY DETECTION!

We know that 40% of women who get mammograms have dense breast tissue, making it harder to detect cancer with mammography alone.

Southern OB-GYN not only o ers 3D mammography but is fortunate to be the only facility in this region to o er Soﬁ a 3D Whole Breast Ultrasound technology.

• Dense breast tissue shows up white on a mammogram and so do the markers for cancer. This state-of-the-art equipment enables us to signiﬁcantly increase the ability to detect breast cancer.

• Having dense breast tissue is a risk factor that increases breast cancer risk by 4-6 times the normal risk.

• The exam takes 60 seconds and requires no compression.

• If you have had a mammogram elsewhere that indicated you have dense breast tissue, we will be glad to schedule a Soﬁa 3D Breast Ultrasound with a physician referral.

“The foyer is ” – Southern Lighting

Concepts

“Gorgeous photos and home.”

– Patti Sta ord

“Gorgeous! Beautiful home for a wonderful couple.”

– Melanie Shortt Gay

“Connie & John! The cover of the home issue was so chic! I loved the look of it and enjoyed every article!!”

– Devan Martin

“This issue has been the most popular one in my o ce EVER. This is the ﬁrst time that I had to prevent patients from taking more home because I wanted to keep one in each treatment room!”

– Lacie Guy, Valdosta Chiropractic

Fancy Girl Farms was chosen as the “Premier New Development” by the Georgia Downtown Association in August 2025. Congratulations to Jennifer Sumner of FGF and Laura Yale of Modiﬁed Interior Designs.

“This is awesome! Fancy and talented!”

– Monica Haynes

“That was a well-written article. It’s hard to describe the pleasant atmosphere there and how much it elevates our community. I think they nailed it.”

– Sherri Burks

Make checks payable to Showcase Publications and mail to P.O.

The Legacy of

Langwood

Story by JOHN RIDDLE

by WES SEWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

Bill Langdale’s historic family property thrives under his stewardship and eye to its future

In 1937, Judge Harley Langdale acquired approximately 1,000 acres of timber land from the Zeigler family estate in southern Lowndes County near the Florida line for the purpose of harvesting timber and quail hunting. At the time, he likely had no idea that this tract of loblolly pines with its gentle, undulating terrain would eventually be cultivated into one of the ﬁnest private hunting plantations in the South. He couldn’t have dreamed that one of his grandsons, Bill Langdale, would nurture and develop the land so thoughtfully and extensively, so as to become a cherished retreat for him and his family. Judge Langdale didn’t know the legacy he was creating when he purchased the land. He simply knew it as Langwood.

Photography

Beverly, Bill’s wife, is his devoted partner in helping preserve Langwood Plantation and works to ensure their family enjoys it as much as they do.

“Langwood has been a special place in our family for generations. My grandfather hunted and ﬁshed here with his father, and I began as a young boy hunting and ﬁshing with my father. Now, the next generation is enjoying a much enhanced experience due to the improvements made by my father, whose love of this land has made Langwood such a cherished place for our family and friends.”

- Pope Langdale

Langwood has an extensive history of uses both prior to and following Judge Langdale’s acquisition. Long before then, the Langwood property was utilized in the production of turpentine. After the acquisition, the property was later managed by the Langdale Company, which added approximately 900 acres to the west of the original property in the 1960s, and leased Langwood to Southwind Sporting Clays, which used the property for sporting clays for 15 or so years. In 2010, Bill Langdale, Judge Langdale’s grandson, acquired Langwood through a division of family assets. At the time he inherited the property, the only standing structures at Langwood were an old home built around the turn of the 20th century, a detached kitchen, and a commissary left over from the property’s days producing turpentine.

In the 15 years since Bill has owned Langwood, he has more than doubled its borders, bringing the total size of the Langwood property to some 4,500 acres. He acquired approximately 1,000 acres, referred to as the Strickland tract, to the west of the property and another large tract around Lake Alcyone. The Lake Alcyone

tract was part of the Hardeman Plantation, which was formerly owned by Lamartine Griﬃn Hardeman, who was the governor of Georgia from 1927 to 1931. Another purchase was 534 acres from the Lilly family which included a home now referred to as the Lilly Lodge. The Lillys still hold family reunions and gatherings there from time to time.

The hunting oﬀerings at Langwood have also greatly expanded under Bill’s care to include duck, turkey, deer, dove, tower pheasant shoots, and of course, quail. To enhance the hunting experience, Bill constructed a horse barn, kennels that house 50 dogs, a skeet shooting range, and a cleaning house for wild game. Fishing, one of Bill’s father’s favorite pastimes, is also enjoyed by guests and family members. Fish feeders operate all year on the property’s lakes, the largest of which, Bear Lake, is named after Bill’s father, Billy, who was aﬀectionately called “Bear” by his children and grandchildren, and who spent much of his spare time angling on its waters.

When asked why he’s invested so much time and energy into Langwood, Bill simply replies, “it’s what I love.” Bill describes

Langwood Plantation

“It’s What I love.”

- Bill Langdale

himself as “a southern boy who loves hunting” and prefers “hunting feathers versus big game.” Bill and his wife, Beverly, also use Langwood to host multiple charity events throughout the year. Langwood is well known for its annual BBQ Cookoﬀ which raises up to $30,000 annually for local charities. Political fundraisers held at Langwood tend to draw anywhere from 200 to 300 attendees. Several present and past governors and other political leaders have been a frequent guests.

If there was ever any doubt how committed Bill is to preserving Langwood or his willingness to go to any length to do it, one need only look at his recovery eﬀorts after Hurricane Helene, which devastated the property’s landscape. “We lost 70% of our timber, and that changed the habitat for the quail completely,”

Bill explains. “We picked up every tree, burned every limb, and restored the land to a level grade. Some trees we burned in the place they fell and dug a hole and buried the ashes. Then, we planted sorghum, switch grass, and brown top millet over the top.”

Bill even went so far as to attempt to transplant long-leaf pines

ABOVE

Bill’s father, “Bear”, sitting on Lake Langwood in his marine uniform before entering the Pacific theater in World War II in 1941.

Bill’s grandfather, Judge Harley Langdale, who planted more than 50 million trees in his lifetime, instilled a love of the land in his children and grandchildren.

FAR LEFT

Bill and Pope Langdale are carrying on the legacy of Langwood Plantation.

during the restoration but found it was too much trauma for them. Bill doesn’t complain when he describes Langwood’s year-long recovery; he’s quick to point out that others suﬀered much more devasting losses than trees and damage to a quail hunting habitat.

Beverly likewise feels blessed to be in possession of such a historic and welcoming place. “Langwood Plantation has become a beloved retreat for so many including family, friends, and clients,” she says. “The property has a rich heritage of wonderful memories and family traditions.” This treasured tract of land harkens back to a bygone era when large private hunting estates were more common and quintessential Southern hospitality was always on display.

Just as Judge Langdale couldn’t have imagined what his grandson would one day make of Langwood, Bill doesn’t know exactly what lies in store for Langwood’s future either. Bill trusts his descendants to honor its legacy as he and his forefathers have. “I hope the property will forever stay in the Langdale family to be used for future generations to enjoy,” he says.

It’s readily apparent to all who visit that Langwood is a special place. Whether you visit during a bustling charity or sporting event, or enjoy the peaceful sounds of wildlife meandering the property on a quiet afternoon, you’ll recognize that Langwood is the result of years of dedication and tenderness to the land. That is the legacy of Langwood.

“The property has a rich heritage of wonderful memories and family traditions.”

- Beverly Langdale

The Quail Hunt

“A true hunter watches the dogs more than he hunts. He appreciates the process and the environment as much as shooting quail.”

- Bill Langdale

At Langwood, the phrase “it’s the most wonderful time of the year” applies to more than just Christmas. It also describes quail season, which runs from late November through the end of February. Langwood comes alive during this time. Its vast facilities are put to use in pursuit of creating the best experiences possible for the hunters fortunate enough to participate in the traditional style of hunting quail on horseback.

Quail hunting on horseback is all but a lost practice preserved by a few dedicated enthusiasts who maintain this method steeped in Southern tradition. Three key factors have led the shift from what once was a widespread pastime to a niche activity: the drastic decline of wild quail, mainly due to loss of habitat; the high cost of maintaining horses, mules, and specialized equipment; and the extensive resources required to maintain trained horses, dogs, and staﬀ make such an operation impractical for today’s hunters. At Langwood, however, this tradition is not only preserved with full regalia, custom, and equipment but heartily celebrated.

Preparation for the season is a yearround process. Every two weeks, the plantation staﬀ takes two days to cover the approximate 60 miles of feed trails with milo, a favorite feed for game birds. The quail habitat is cut using a crisscross method to create lanes that make it easier for hunters to see the dogs working as they locate coveys and then ﬂush them out on command once the hunters are in position. This method—called “blocking” because when viewed from above it resembles a checkboard—takes two months alone.

The satisfactory goal for each hunt is to ﬁnd a minimum of 15 coveys of quail (a hunt being a half day in morning or afternoon); the highest they’ve ever pointed on a single

hunt is 33 coveys. In pursuit of this goal, no detail is overlooked. Dog training is a continuous process overseen by a full-time plantation manager who’s also a national award-winning dog trainer. Matching Belgian horses are used to pull the hunting wagon. In the summer, these horses are sent for training in Kentucky to be ready at the start of the season. A stable of other horses—ridden by hunters—are also kept in top shape. Those who prefer not to ride on horseback board the “war wagon,” created from a Ford F-250

Langwood Plantation

LEFT

The old house that has stood at Langwood since around the turn-of-the-century was preserved and expanded, with the help of Doug Carter, to include a chef’s kitchen, bar and lounge area, and a large gathering room.

INSET

From Lilly Lodge guests can watch horses graze and enjoy scenic lake views.

retroﬁtted in Texas with tiered seating, four braces of dog kennels, a place to hold shotguns, and even a bar—used only after the hunts, of course.

These resources are made available as much out of need as desire. With over 3,000 acres of maintained hunting habitat, a single hunt might cover over two square miles, unlike most of today’s hunts where quail are put out in a certain area and hunters need walk only a few hundred yards at most. Horses are needed to keep up with the dogs, who move much faster than hunters. More dogs are required because they must rest more often due to the amount of land they cover so quickly.

ABOVE

A five-stand skeet shooting range includes a challenging form of clay shooting known as Helice. When thrown from this machine, the clay pigeons, which have propellers, spin and angle in mimicry of the unpredictable flight of live birds. This is one of few Helice machines in the state.

“The

Dog Whisperer ”

“It’s poetry to watch a dog with his handler.” - Tom Tracy

Tom Tracy, a third-generation, awardwinning dog trainer from Nebraska, is Langwood’s Plantation Manager and Dog Trainer. He has been training dogs professionally since he was 18 years old and has trained nine national championship dogs, winning eight “Dog of the Year” awards by the American Field Association. He estimates he’s trained “probably over 5,000 dogs since [he’s] started.” He never tires of his work. “Any time you spend with a bird dog is good,” Tom says. “Once you start, you can’t get enough. I love the composure of a dog when they fall in love with a bird.”

Tom’s a stickler for detail when it comes to creating the best quail habitat and how his dogs are portrayed. “When Tom came to work with us, our hunting caps for Langwood had an image of a birddog with its tail straight out,” explains Bill. “Tom wouldn’t wear one until they were changed to an image of a dog with its tail up.” Tom adds, “That’s the way a dog’s tail should be when he’s on point.”

When asked why he chose to come to Langwood over the other opportunities he had, Tom refers to Bill’s high standards. “I knew I wanted to work with Bill. He’s

To say Bill is an avid turkey hunter is an understatement. He’s completed the “World Slam” twice, an event that requires a hunter to successfully harvest all six recognized North American turkey subspecies and travel to specific regions, including the United States, Northern Mexico, and the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico or Central America. This Ocellated Turkey is the rarest of all species and can only be found on the Yucatán Peninsula.

“Any time you spend with a bird dog is good.” - Tom Tracy

ABOVE

Raustin and Tom Tracy

committed to creating and maintaining the best quail habitat possible, and the better the habitat, the better the dogs perform.” He also appreciates the opportunity to work with his son, Raustin, 16, who works alongside Tom on the plantation’s staff learning to train dogs on his own—an important detail not lost on Tom. “He’s really good with animals, but he doesn’t know it yet,” he laughs. Tom also likes the variety. “On any given day I might be on four or five different pieces of equipment.” he says.

It’s a family aﬀair for the Tracys. Tom’s wife, Carla, helps her husband and son when needed and works alongside Beverly Langdale on events when she’s not at her full-time job as a ﬂorist at Southern Occasions in Lake Park.

Bill has been impressed with Tom’s methodical approach to dog training. “He doesn’t yell or whip the dogs like some other dog trainers,” Bill explains. “He gets them to perform better with less aggressive methods. That’s why I call him the ‘dog whisperer.’” -VM

“I hope the property will forever stay in the Langdale family to be used for future generations to enjoy.”

- Bill Langdale

Family gatherings at Langwood Plantation are the most cherished.

ahjong (sometimes spelled “Mah Jongg”) may be rooted in ancient tradition, but in Valdosta, it’s experiencing a thoroughly modern revival. The clack of tiles and cheerful cries of “Mahjong!” are no longer conﬁned to big cities or historical clubs—they’re echoing through backyards, boutiques, beach houses, and dinner tables across South Georgia. Originally developed in China in the 1890s, Mahjong grew into an American pastime in the 1920s, particularly among Jewish women, who founded the National Mah Jongg League in 1937 and built tight-knit communities around the game. It oﬀered strategy, structure, and a social outlet—values that still resonate today. Nearly a century later, Mahjong is making a strong comeback among younger generations, and Valdosta has embraced it with creativity, enthusiasm, and a spirit of togetherness that feels uniquely Southern.

Story by ANNELISE BRANHAM | Photos by SARAH KATHRYN PHOTOGRAPHY

The Mahj-Trendsetters: Friendship, Fun, and Themed Tournaments

before Mahjong was trending on local social calendars, four friends—Stephanie Kurrie, McCree Woodall, Elizabeth Burns, and Lindsey Odom—had already discovered the game and made it a cornerstone of their friendship.

It started in 2023, sparked by curiosity. “We originally wanted to learn Bridge,” says Stephanie, “but we couldn’t find a teacher.” After coming across images of beautifully styled Mahjong sets online, they became intrigued. What began as admiration for the aesthetic turned into a selftaught journey of trial and error, research, and laughterfilled learning sessions. “We’d practice making different hands, checking the rules constantly,” recalls Elizabeth.

“Now, it’s become more than a game—it’s time we set aside just for each other.”

Their commitment runs deep. The friends meet weekly—rarely missing a game—and have even been known to cancel appointments just to make time for Mahjong. And then there are the themed tournaments.

Every October, they host “Mahj-o-Ween,” dressing up in Mahjong-themed costumes for a Halloween showdown. The winner earns the honor of hosting “The Mahj-Sters,” their take on the Masters Tournament, complete with golf-themed tiles, snacks, accessories, and caddy outﬁts. They sign a custom ﬂag, just like in Augusta.

“We even have a beach trip every summer where we wear matching Mahjong pajamas and play with our beachthemed tile set on a ﬂoating mat,” Lindsey laughs. “We just celebrated our second ‘Mahj-Aversary’—it’s our favorite tradition.”

Between the four of them, they own over 10 sets. “You change your Mahjong set like you change your purse,” McCree jokes. “You can never have too many.”

For this group, Mahjong is far more than strategy or luck—it’s about connection. “We believe Mahjong is the new Bridge for our generation,” says Stephanie. “Whether we’re at beach houses, backyards, or clubs, it brings people together in such a special way.”

The Community Builders: Teaching the Game and Growing the League

when Devan Martin and Emily Wetherington took their ﬁrst Mahjong lesson in 2024, they never imagined it would lead to starting the Valdosta Mahjong League and teaching dozens of others to play. But as interest in the game skyrocketed, that’s exactly what happened.

Emily, who had just stepped away from a 16-year career, found Mahjong to be the perfect way to reconnect socially.

“That ﬁrst lesson sparked something in me,” she says.

“I even got my ﬁrst Mahjong that night—I was instantly

LEFT Courtney Horton, instructor for Bamboo South Mahjong, teaches at Chez What. TEC-Interiors had a Mahjong set designed by local Artist Kre Ward.

BELOW Family tiles—Jodi Myddelton and her mom, Debbie Nagy, take on the Mahjong table together.

“We believe Mahjong is the new Bridge for our generation. Whether we’re at beach houses, backyards, or clubs, it brings people together in such a special way.” — Stephanie Kurrie

hooked.” Since then, it has become more than just a game—it’s part of her everyday life. “My husband and I play almost every day. Sometimes it’s with coﬀee in the morning, other times it’s to unwind in the evening. It’s become our favorite daily ritual.”

As Mahjong began to catch on in Valdosta, their instructor, Dominique “Mrs. Mahjong” Messerschmidt, approached them with a request: Would they take over lessons for the growing number of locals wanting to learn? Devan and Emily said yes— and the Valdosta Mahjong League was born.

Their oﬀerings include strategy workshops, league-style games, and guided play sessions that appeal to a range of skill levels. And while the game is certainly social, it also provides a mental challenge that keeps players coming back. “When the 2025 card came out, I dove in—analyzing patterns, studying the card, thinking through approaches,” Emily says. “Mahjong is a puzzle that changes every time you play.”

Devan agrees. “It’s the kind of game that humbles you just when you think you’ve ﬁgured it out,” she says. “The strategy is deep, and that’s what makes it fun.”

They’ve seen ﬁrsthand how the game has become a movement in Valdosta. “People are looking for real connection—time away from screens,” Devan explains. “You see it with things like gardening, bread baking, and pickleball. Mahjong ﬁts right in. It’s hands-on, social, and challenging in the best way.”

And it’s not just for adults. “One of my proudest moments was teaching my 10-year-old daughter how to play,” Emily says. “She made her ﬁrst Mahjong on her own, and I was so proud.”

The game is being embraced by every generation. “Mahjong is truly multigenerational,” Emily says. “You can play with your kids or your grandparents. It brings people together.”

Their advice to newcomers? “Don’t judge the game by your first lesson—or even your first 10 games,” Devan says. “Everyone faux-jongs—that’s part of the journey. It takes time; that’s what makes your first ‘Mahjong’ so exciting!”

They also see Mahjong as the new Bridge for their generation. “I’ve heard so many women say this reminds them of their moms or grandmothers playing Bridge or Bunco,” Emily says. “It’s a way to connect with friends, challenge yourself, and just enjoy time together in a way that’s oﬄine and intentional.”

As teachers and ambassadors, they’re also quick to point newcomers toward Valdosta’s growing Mahjong ecosystem. “Perfect Settings has a beautiful selection of sets and accessories,” Emily says. “For lessons, you’ve got ‘Perfectly Mahjong’ and ‘Bamboo South,’ and our league hosts open play and league nights. There really is something for everyone now!”

The Cultural Curators: Heritage, Art, and a Boutique Spin

for Courtney Horton and Maura Respess, Mahjong is both deeply personal and beautifully creative. Maura’s love for the game stems from her Jewish heritage. “My Bubbe and aunts played Mahjong regularly, and I inherited their antique ivory tile sets,” she remembers. “As a child, I didn’t understand the game, but I was mesmerized by the tiles’ intricate beauty.”

Maura and Courtney were inspired to launch Bamboo South Mahjong—a boutique Mahjong experience housed at Chez What Collective. Their goal? To blend tradition, design, and instruction into something uniquely Valdosta.

TOP LEFT Mahjong is a game that’s played on the go. Emily Wetherington carries her set in a bag that can be found at Perfect Settings along with Mahjong game sets and other accessories.

BELOW Emily Wetherington and Devan Martin are the founders of Perfectly Mahjong and the Valdosta Mahjong League.

“We’re playing a game that’s been passed down through generations, and we’re building new traditions. It’s incredible.”

—

Maura Respess

“We decided to design our own tile set,” Courtney says. “There are so many trendy, playful designs already out there. We wanted something that felt like a return to the game’s traditional Asian roots.” They partnered with local artist Kre Ward, who sketched out their ideas in real time. The result is a striking set that’s as artistic as it is functional—truly one of a kind.

Courtney had long taught friends and family to play, but formalizing it into a curriculum was a new challenge. “I was intimidated at ﬁrst,” she admits, “but I’m a natural teacher, and my daughter encouraged me. It’s been the best way to meet people since moving here.”

Each class includes themed refreshments, curated shopping breaks, and guided gameplay—oﬀering a full sensory experience. “Chez What is beautiful, and it makes the whole experience feel special,” Courtney says.

The most rewarding part? Watching friendships form. “We’re playing a game that’s been passed down through generations, and we’re building new traditions,” Maura says. “It’s incredible.”

Recently, Courtney taught the game to her grandchildren during a beach trip. “We didn’t plan it—they just wanted to be involved. By the end of the week, the six-year-old knew all the tiles. The four-year-old just wanted to hold the ‘One Bam Bird’ tile,” she laughs. “It’s chaotic but sweet—and it’s becoming a family activity we’ll enjoy for years to come.”

More Than a Game—A Valdosta Movement

across Valdosta, Mahjong has become more than just a game—it’s a social movement, a creative outlet, and a cultural bridge. From themed tournaments and custom tiles to league nights and family playdates, Mahjong is bringing people together across generations, neighborhoods, and backgrounds.

It’s a trend, yes—but it’s also a tradition. And in Valdosta, that tradition is growing tile by tile.

Whether you’re drawn to the strategy, the stories, or simply the joy of sitting around a table with friends and hearing the satisfying sound of shuﬄing tiles, one thing is clear: there’s always room for one more player. -VM

Visit Chez What Collective before our limited-edition Pagoda Mahjong Collection sells out! Designed by Valdosta artist Kre Ward, the tile set was hand painted

tile maker in China.

Visit Chez What Collective before our

Pagoda Mahjong Collection sells out! Designed by Valdosta artist Kre Ward, the

Jennifer Blair & Wesley Harrell

Mariah Beam & Grant Hall

Laigan Lagle & Garren Powell

Margaret Wyatt & David Hobby

Hallie Sale & Zachary Swofford

Marihelen Strickland & Nathan Bass

Abby Reasor & Presley Hamilton

Raegan Taylor & Michael Allen

Anna Walker & Derrick Pearson

Brittney McDaniel & Patrick Reed

Caroline Lovein & Clay Peters

McCulley Cregger & Brandon Elsasser

Haley Lewis & Kylen McClellan

Sarah Baker & Andrew Martin

Callie Lane & Kolten Thatcher

Bailey Rehberg & Mac Mackey

Emily Perkins & Jordan Dubberly

Julianna Lindsey & Jarod Johnson

Kyra Corbitt & Drew Greene

Autumn Boling & Blake Crews

Anna Stephenson & Albert Stringer

Wedding Registries

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Wedding Suite by Perfect Paper

From the wedding of Laura Wynn and Eli Paulk Photography by Captured by Colson

Home Dinner Is Served

A formal dining room is often forgotten in today’s home designs. Its original purpose—a space intended for regular family dinners and elegant dinner parties—has been traded for more informal eating areas, usually in the oversized kitchens being built today. However, more recent trends show new interest in utilizing the dining room for various needs, like working remotely and hosting smaller, more intimate gatherings. This section features two dining rooms, with interior designs by 8Two8 Collective and Dana Perry Interiors, that elevate the dining room to a place of prominence once again. If you’re going to have a dining room in your home, regardless of the various purposes it may serve, why not make it a beautifully designed showplace where friends and family alike feel special when they hear “dinner is served”?

DINING ROOMS

INTERIOR DESIGN BY DANA PERRY INTERIORS

PHOTO BY SARAH KATHRYN PHOTOGRAPHY

Ashlee & Laura Ashlee McRae

INTERIOR DESIGNS BY 8TWO8 COLLECTIVE

A Home Sophisticated and Stylish

Ashlee and Laura Ashlee McRae had a vision for the dining room in their home before the interior design work even began. “We knew we wanted to use neutrals with blues and greens to create an elegant and inviting feel,” explains Laura. “Our ﬁrst step was choosing fabric for the drapes—the plan came to life soon after that,” adds Laura Ashlee. Located at the front of the house, the dining room was originally a kitchen. It took creativity and innovation to design an elegant dining room from that space, but that’s something Ashlee and Laura Ashlee McRae have in abundance.

Introduction by JOHN RIDDLE

Photography by WES SEWELL

PHOTOGRAPHY

The bright and airy wallpaper serves as a calming backdrop for the color-drenched drapes and other vivid design elements.

The custom-made white oak ceiling provides a neutral canopy for the room’s rich colors.

A unique blend of antiques are featured alongside new furnishings, one of the McRaes’ favorite touches.

A painting by local artist Buddy LaHood hangs above a credenza and provides warmth and depth.

The wallpaper, along with the rug and custom dining table, were sourced locally from Mizell Interiors.

Sophisticated

and Stylish Home

It took creativity and innovation to design an elegant dining room from that space, but that’s something Ashlee and Laura Ashlee McRae have in abundance.

Ashlee and Laura Ashlee McRae of 8TWO8 Collective

The old kitchen in the McRaes’ home was transformed into a modern dining room.

I’m So Glad You’re Here

SETTING A WARM AND SOPHISTICATED TABLE THAT MAKES EVERYONE FEEL WELCOME

Article by JACLYN B. B. HEARD / Photography by CANDLER BROGDON

AAs the air turns crisp and the leaves show o every shade of amber and rust, there’s something special about slowing down and setting a beautiful table. Whether you’re hosting family for Thanksgiving or inviting neighbors over for a cozy supper, the way you set your table sets the tone for the whole gathering. It’s not just about plates and napkins—it’s about making your guests feel welcome, seen, and cared for. In the South, we know a well-set table is another way of saying, “I’m so glad you’re here.”

This season, we’ve noticed a growing trend among our brides who are thoughtfully curating pieces that transition seamlessly into fall, especially when it comes to their tableware. Many are choosing a versatile salad plate that layers beautifully with everyday dinnerware. It’s an easy way to add a seasonal touch for Thanksgiving or a fall dinner party without a full table overhaul.

One collection we’re especially loving right now is Juliska’s Forest Walk. It feels like fall at its best: inviting, earthy, and elegant. The beauty of Forest Walk is in its mix-and-match charm. Each piece features motifs inspired by nature’s bounty, like feathers, leaves, acorns, and berries. Layer them together, and your table tells a story of abundance, gratitude, and connection to the season. We ﬁrst fell in love with this collection at Market in January and knew every Southern lady would, too.

Placemats are also having a moment, especially in rich autumnal tones like burnt orange, mossy green, and warm neutrals. They’re an easy, inexpensive way to bring in color and texture, grounding a place setting and giving it that cozy, collected feel. Elegant touch lamps and portable table lights are another trend we’ve seen at weddings, backyard parties, and beyond. With a simple tap, they cast a gentle glow across the table without making anything feel too formal, and they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

To add warmth and sophistication, we love pairing Forest Walk with tortoiseshell glassware and ﬂatware. The rich tones bring depth to the table without overpowering it, striking that perfect balance between reﬁned and relaxed. It’s e ortless Southern elegance: nothing feels too “done,” yet every detail is just right.

And of course, no fall table is complete without a centerpiece. We’re smitten with plush pumpkins. They add playful charm, and because they sit low, they don’t block anyone’s view (or the conversation). Mix a few sizes and textures down the center of your table for a look that’s both festive and functional. Year after year, they continue to make an impression.

Whether you’re hosting a crowd or simply enjoying a quiet dinner with family, a thoughtful table transforms an ordinary meal into a special memory. It’s the small touches that remind us to pause, be present, and celebrate the beauty of gathering—Southern style. -VM

Home

Trendy Yet Elegant

INTERIOR DESIGNS BY DANA PERRY INTERIORS

DDr. Eric and Sam Stiefel are a busy family of six with many friends and family nearby, so Sam does a lot of entertaining, both casually and formally. Sam wanted a vibrant and fun dining room that exudes the joy and happiness that she wants her guests to feel when they visit. She contracted with Dana Perry to create the space that she envisioned. Dana did not disappoint by creating a chic and dramatic room that reﬂects Sam’s personality.

Introduction by JOHN RIDDLE

Photography by SARAH KATHRYN PHOTOGRAPHY

“Using a traditional bu et add a timeless elegance that prevents the space from seeming too trendy.”

–

Dana Perry

Dana chose a wallpaper with strong hues and bold patterns to set the tone of the room.

A sisal rug adds texture and a calming eﬀ ect against the vivid wallpaper.

The table and chairs were already being used, but Dana added tape trim to the back of the chairs to add color. The bold captain’s chairs, with ochre leather cushions, were added as both a whimsical element and to anchor the room.

The upholstered mirror adds a layer of interest to the walls, and custom silk chartreuse drapes add another layer of sophistication. -VM

Trendy Yet Elegant Home

8 Tips for Staging Your Home to List

1. START WITH A DEEP CLEAN.

Buyers notice the details, and a spotless home sends a message of care and pride. Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms where cleanliness makes the biggest impact.

2. DECLUTTER AND DEPERSONALIZE.

Buyers want to envision their own lives in the space, not yours. Pack away family photos, collections, and bold décor choices. Clear countertops and shelves to make rooms appear larger and more open.

3. CREATE A COHESIVE LOOK.

While each room can have its own personality, using a consistent color palette and design style helps the house feel intentional and balanced. Our agents often recommend simple updates that bring everything together without major expense.

4. BOOST CURB APPEAL.

Before anyone even steps through the door, trim landscaping, pressure-wash sidewalks, and add fresh potted plants or a new welcome mat. A welcoming entry sets the stage for what’s inside.

5. CHOOSE NEUTRAL COLORS AND WARM LIGHTING.

While bright or dramatic colors may reﬂect personal style, neutral tones appeal to the widest audience. Pair them with layered lighting to make every room feel calm, warm, and inviting.

6. REARRANGE FURNITURE WITH FLOW IN MIND.

Remove bulky pieces to open up space and encourage easy movement. Arrange seating so it highlights focal points like a ﬁreplace, large windows, or open gathering areas.

Thinking about selling your home? First impressions matter. The way your property looks both inside and out can directly impact how quickly it sells and the o ers it attracts. That’s where staging comes in. At Coldwell Banker Premier Real Estate, our agents see ﬁrsthand how the right preparation can help buyers instantly connect with a home. The good news is you don’t need to hire a professional designer. With a little e ort and guidance, you can make your home market ready.

7. ADD SIMPLE, STYLISH TOUCHES.

Fresh ﬂowers on the table, crisp towels in the bathroom, or a bowl of fruit in the kitchen can make the home feel welcoming. Think clean and polished without being overdone.

8. HIGHLIGHT YOUR HOME’S BEST FEATURES. Built-ins, statement ﬁreplaces, and beautiful windows should take center stage. Be sure these details are visible, not hidden behind clutter, heavy drapes, or furniture.

Staging isn’t about disguising your home. It’s about helping buyers see its full potential. At Coldwell Banker Premier Real Estate, our experienced agents understand what today’s buyers are looking for and provide personalized advice to ensure your home is ready for the market. From staging guidance to pricing strategy, our team is here to help you secure the strongest oﬀer possible.

Thinking of selling? Connect with Coldwell Banker Premier Real Estate today and let one of our agents guide you every step of the way.

Tom Call, Broker VALDOSTA, GA (229) 244-3535

Home Advice by TOM CALL

WCOOKING thfriends

With RANDY DECOUDRES d JONATHAN MILLER

Valdosta Magazine is collaborating with Randy DeCoudres, executive chef and coowner of Friends Grille + Bar and Woodstack BBQ Tavern, for a new regular feature that will highlight the joys of cooking with friends. Randy will oﬀer expert tips and advice along with delicious recipes for you and your friends to make together. For our ﬁrst segment, Randy joins Jonathan Miller of Miller Hardware on Jonathan’s patio to grill pork belly tacos with fresh salsa and avocado purée.

hen Randy asked Jonathan to be a part of this feature, he readily agreed. Randy knew Jonathan had a variety of grills on his covered patio that could be used to demonstrate various techniques for an easy backyard gathering. They decided that pork belly tacos would be a fun and tasty ﬁrst dish to try.

“When most people come over for a cookout, the normal thing is to use a single grill. But if you own more than one, why not show o a bit and use them?” says Randy. “In this case, I knew Jonathan’s wood pellet Traeger would make for easy smoking without a lot of attention and allow guests to mingle until the more active grilling on his Big Green Egg.”

The idea sounded great to Jonathan. He and his wife, Maggie, have a busy young family of four boys ages six months to six years old, so grilling is a “go-to” for family meals. “We enjoy just about anything on the grill, from salmon and shrimp to Boston butt, pork chops, ﬁlets, and ribeyes. A favorite is anything that includes the house-made sausage from Salt Lick Sausage Company,” Jonathan explains. He also enjoys using a variety of marinades and seasoning rubs that are sold at Miller Hardware, Jonathan’s family’s business.

“A

Story by John Riddle

Photography by Wes Sewell Photography

COOKING thfriends

Randy and Jonathan began by heavily seasoning the pork belly, then smoking it on the Traeger at 280° for about two hours. After removing it, they let it cool for about 30 minutes and carved it—similar to the way you might cut thick bacon slices. Next, they ﬁred up Jonathan’s Big Green Egg and seasoned the slices of pork belly again with Traeger’s Perfect Pork Rub, which has brown sugar, paprika, and other spices, before grilling and charring it.

“A tip we use when smoking barbecue is to season the meat on the outside beforehand. After it’s cooked and sliced, use some of that same seasoning rub on the ﬁnished meat,” Randy suggests. “The salt, sugar, and spice in the rub really bring out the ﬂavor of the

cooked meat.” Randy and Jonathan then began the process of grilling the vegetables for the salsa that would accompany the tacos. “I love for my salsas to be a blend of raw and cooked fruits and vegetables,” Randy says.

For this recipe, Randy chose tomatillos and Vidalia onions, which they lightly charred on the Big Green Egg; they also charred ears of corn for the marinated green bean salad. Next, they rough chopped all of the vegetables before puréeing them with a stick blender. After folding in thinly sliced heirloom tomatoes and chopped cilantro, they ﬁnished the salsa with fresh lime juice, salt, and pepper before Randy declared the dish “perfect.”

“The recipe is just a suggestion—a guideline. Always let your eyes and your imagination guide you. Your dish will only be as good as the ingredients you use.” –Randy

Randy o ers tips on deciding which fruits and vegetables to choose for any salsa or relish recipe. “Let the market decide for you. Check what’s in season, and look for the best and freshest you can ﬁnd,” he explains. “Your recipe might call for peaches, but if the peaches look terrible and the plums look fantastic that day, then use plums. Or use a red onion to substitute for shallots and parsley for basil if you can’t ﬁnd what you’re looking for. The recipe is just a suggestion—a guideline. Always let your eyes and your imagination guide you. Your dish will only be as good as the ingredients you use.”

Randy’s last tip: “When all else fails, reach out to your favorite local chef for advice.” -VM

JONATHAN’S GRILLING TIPS

Q: What are some of your special techniques for grilling?

A: For fish, I use cedar plank over lump charcoal or the pellet grill. The seasoning depends on the type of fish—a rub with brown sugar goes best with salmon, while a citrus seasoning with salt and pepper works well for flounder, snapper, and grouper.

Q: What’s your favorite for grilling steaks?

A: I use a reverse sear by bringing the temperature up slowly over indirect heat until the desired temperature, then ﬁnish it o with a quick high-heat sear.

Q: What is your “go-to” when feeding large groups?

A: A beef brisket or pulled pork. Both take longer to cook, so you have to plan ahead. And, depending on your group of friends, you can expect some friendly advice on how to improve it next time.

Q: Do you have any special marinades or rubs you like to use?

A: The sale of rubs and marinades at Miller Hardware has exploded. I enjoy trying a variety to make each meal unique. Some of my favorites are from brands like Meat Church, Big Moe Cason, Grillin with Dad, and Spiceology. For BBQ, we use Blues Hawg, Fox Brothers, and Fresh Air Barbeque.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

When you’re planning your next grill purchase or looking for items to enhance your “Grilling With Friends” experience, check out Miller Hardware’s wide variety of grills and accessories, rubs, spices, and marinades.

Traeger Wood Pellet Grill

($480 - $3,500+)

Traeger Signature Blend Pellets 20 lb. bag ($19.99)

Traeger Perfect Pork Rub

($10.99)

Meater Bluetooth Thermometer

($70 - $279)

Big Green Egg Kamado Style Grill

($500 - $2,700)

Big Green Egg Lump Charcoal 20 lb. bag ($29.99)

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

($30 - $80)

Season tomatillo halves with salt and pepper. Lightly grill along with the onion slices until slightly charred and soft. Remove from grill to cool. Roughly chop onions on a cutting board and place in a bowl. Add tomatillos, cilantro, and jalapeño. Using a hand blender or food processor, blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir in lime juice.

Avocado Purée

Ingredients

2 avocados, meat removed from skin

2 garlic cloves

2 Tbsp. canola oil juice and zest from 1 lime salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Place all ingredients in a high sided bowl. Using a hand blender or food processor, blend until silky smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Ranch Water

1 part blanco/silver tequila

1 part quality margarita mix

1 part soda water, preferably Topo Chico lime juice from a thick-cut wedge orange juice from a thick-cut wedge

Directions

Fill a tall glass with ice. Squeeze lime and orange wedges into the glass. Add tequila, margarita mix, and soda water. Gently stir. Enjoy!

Marinated Bean Salad | Roasted Tomatillo & Heirloom Tomato Salsa | Avocado Purée

COOKING thfriends

“Friends and family love to gather in the kitchen when you’re cooking. When you ﬁre up the grills outside, be prepared for the crowd to follow. I usually set up a beverage station around the grilling area with snacks to keep guests occupied while we’re cooking.” –RANDY

2025 Platinum Council Award

Guidance | Business Services |

Honored with multiple accolades and recognition, including: 2024, 2023, 2022 Forbes Best-In-State

Georgia* Joseph M. Paoletti, CFP®, Managing Director – Investments | Senior Financial Advisor 3310 B North Valdosta Rd, Valdosta, GA 31602 | 229-259-7832 | joseph.paoletti@wellsfargoadvisors.com

Scan the QR code for more information on each award

*The Platinum Council distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors is measured by business production from the previous year and professionalism. 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors; Awarded April 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/226/30/23 (Source: Forbes.com). 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded April 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/21 - 6/30/22. 2022 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded April 2022; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/206/30/21.

Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker- dealer and non- bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. PM- 01202027- 8200168.1.1

Profiles

YOUR GUIDE TO VALDOSTA’S PEOPLE, PLACES, AND BUSINESSES

A LOVE OF HORSES AND A DISCIPLINED SPIRIT HAVE VAULTED BAILIE MURPHY TO THE TOP OF BARREL RACING

As a child, Bailie Murphy’s favorite toy was a brown plush horse with a white facial marking—a hand-me-down from her mother and nearly identical to Georgia Man (Gman), the horse she owns and rides competitively in barrel racing today. “God put horseback riding in my heart as far back as I can remember,” says the 16-year-old junior at Valwood. “One day I asked my mom and dad for a riding lesson. After that, I was hooked. It felt as though all the worries of my 11-year-old middle school self left my body. It was just me and that horse.”

Story by MARLANA HUFSTETLER

Photo by CALICO & CHROME PHOTOGRAPHY

Bailie was oﬀ and running from that point on, and her new hobby quickly grew into competitive barrel racing, a rodeo sport involving high-speed riding where the horse and rider navigate a cloverleaf pattern track around three barrels. When she began training, Gman needed time, heart, and patience. “When I ﬁrst met Gman, he was the bad boy of the barn,” admits Bailie. “I had to teach him that I was his safe space. We had to learn to trust each other.” Showing up for her horse every day was key, and he began to do the same for her.

“ Barrel racing is God’s calling on my life and through it all, I’ve learned to love myself for who I am.”

In barrel racing, it’s all about who has the fastest speed at the end. For Bailie, however, there’s much more to the sport than speed and winning—it’s the excitement of the ride and seeing all her hard work pay oﬀ. “Barrel racing is so much more to me than a 15-second run. It’s the bond and trust between me and my horse,” says Bailie. “It’s the training, the riding, and the competing. It’s the early morning hauls to a rodeo.”

As she becomes more skilled as a racer, Bailie has also grown in her self-image. “Before I started riding, I was insecure about myself,” she says. “But when you’re riding a 1,000-pound animal, you have to be confident and assertive.” Successful training and racing are a “delicate balance” between her and Gman. “I’m not nervous like I used to be. I’m more focused,” she reflects. “It’s the hours of practice after school, the long nights and early mornings, and the bond with your horse all paying off in those few seconds around three barrels.”

Over the course of her four-year rodeo career, Bailie has competed against riders from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Slovakia, Italy, Mexico, France, Australia, and Puerto Rico. She has

Photo by Lauren Barringer Photography

qualified in two different divisions for the Teen World Championship, with her fastest run being 15.861 seconds at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, FL. She also competed in Wrangler Super Shows and State Finals in Florida and has recently qualified to compete in the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Teen World Championship in July of this year. “I dream of making it to the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) competition,” she says. “If it’s God’s will, then I’ll be more than happy to trust Him in that. Either way, I know horses and Gman will always be part of my life.”

Like most young girls, Bailie aspires to attend college and raise a big family someday. “I know one thing for sure: my kids will learn to ride and grow up around horses,” she insists. “It’s a gift and a love that I want to share with them.” While barrel racing is a huge part of her life, she hopes to one day work with children through her love of equestrian science. “I want to do occupational or physical therapy to help kids gain conﬁdence. I’d love for equine therapy to be part of that.”

Bailie credits her parents, Adam and Jenna Murphy, and her trainer, Heather Rogers, for their unending support. It’s truly a mix of God, grit, and grace that have gotten her this far, and she’s just getting started. “Barrel racing is God’s calling on my life,” she says. “And through it all, I’ve learned to love myself for who I am.” -VM

Photo by Calico & Chrome Photography

The riding pair showing o more skills at the NBHA Teen World Championship 2025 (Photo by RodeoBum)

The barrel racing duo at Fiddlers Turkey Run (Photo by Monroe Photos)

Bailie and Gman at the NBHA Teen World Championship 2025 (Photo by RodeoBum)

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER OPENS With a Cup o’ Joe

“I

Story

SERVANTS’ HEARTS, DEEP FRIENDSHIP, AND AN ABIDING CHRISTIAN FAITH GUIDE DONNA NORTON AND BROOKE HARRISON ON THEIR JOURNEY TOWARD HOPE AND HEALING FOR WOMEN

t’s hard to raise money for something that doesn’t exist,” laughs Donna Norton, cofounder of Sandy’s House and co-manager of The Good Book/Red Door Coﬀee on West Hill Avenue in downtown Valdosta, which celebrates its one-year anniversary in business this fall. “But we’ve always known God has a plan, and it’s up to us to keep busy until it comes to fruition.” After nine years of stops, starts, and countless twists and turns, Donna

and her longtime friend and partner Brooke Harrison have succeeded in doing just that.

Sandy’s House, a charity operating a faithbased residential recovery home for women transitioning from incarceration or formal treatment programs back into society, was nothing but a dream back in early 2016. Donna and Brooke met initially that year at a women’s retreat at Epworth on St. Simons Island, not knowing they were both congregants of

by AMY FAESKORN / Photography by JAVON LONGIELIERE

Sandy’s House co-founders Donna Norton and Brooke Harrison

“WE’VE ALWAYS KNOWN GOD HAS A PLAN, AND IT’S UP TO US TO KEEP BUSY UNTIL IT COMES TO FRUITION.”

–DONNA NORTON

Valdosta’s Northside Baptist Church on Park Avenue or that their paths had previously crossed in other signiﬁcant ways.

A Valdosta native, Brooke had battled an addiction to opioid medication prescribed after a Cesarean section—a struggle that cost her everything—but by 2016, she had been clean for six years and was working with fellow addicts in recovery. Meanwhile, Donna had begun visiting the Lowndes County Jail as a chaplain and singer in 2014 and had seen ﬁrsthand the devastating eﬀects of addiction on women’s lives. “My heart was so burdened for these women who had nowhere to go when they got out,” recalls Donna, a pastor’s daughter raised in Nashville, Tennessee. “I was asked to lead music on the retreat, and I told everyone we needed to

ABOVE

sing like the ladies in orange jumpsuits who look just like us—pretty, smart, and sophisticated—but somewhere their life took a detour in the wrong direction.”

Their fates aligned during the retreat’s icebreaker. “We clicked right away, even though our personalities are totally diﬀerent,” says Donna. They soon realized they shared a vision of providing recovering female addicts with a place to stay while they got back on their feet. Brooke had worked as Resident Manager at House of Hope with Sandy Wiersma since achieving sobriety, and Donna had been feeling called to help the female inmates she had come to know and love in whatever way she could.

“We both felt that God was asking us to do things that made us uncomfortable,” says Norton. “And we both had no idea how to start a non-proﬁt or who could help us. But we knew we just had to keep taking those ﬁrst steps in faith.”

They formally founded New Hope Horizons Inc. just a few months later, thinking success was just around the corner.

“We thought we’d open Sandy’s House in six months,” Norton chuckles. “Not even close.”

Over the next ﬁve years, the team continued researching similar recovery homes, looking at potential sites, and getting the word out to the community through their church; they even went on Mayor Scott James’ radio show to drum up publicity. Donations trickled in, but not enough to purchase a property. They worked on building the faith-based curriculum they planned to implement and considered the possibility of renting instead of buying. “We thought at one point maybe we’d be gifted a house,” Donna remembers. “Nothing big was happening, but we knew we were on the right path and had to stay the course.”

Everything came together one day in January of 2021. Donna and Brooke were driving down Northside Drive and

TOP & LEFT The Good Book oﬀers countless titles and comfy spaces to read in their children’s corner.

Stories of hope and healing scribbled on tags adorn the coﬀee bar’s nearby wall.

“WE CATER TO EACH WOMAN AT HER MOMENT IN LIFE. EVERYONE IS IN A DIFFERENT PLACE IN THEIR RECOVERY, AND WE TRY TO HONOR THAT.”

–BROOKE HARRISON

spotted a family home that had been abandoned ﬁve years earlier due to the wife’s addiction. “It crossed my mind that I was still friends with that woman’s sister and that she was clean by then,” Donna says. “The family was willing to let us renovate it and rent from them for a great price.” The family pitched in to help clear it out, and larger, in-kind donations began pouring in from local companies like Weidinger Tile and Valdosta Winsupply. They received the proceeds from Northside Baptist Church’s annual charity golf tournament, and Brooke’s father, a plumber, and Donna’s husband, a retired teacher and current Administration Pastor at Northside Baptist Church, also got involved. From March to November, they spent weekends working on the house, all while working full-time jobs during the week. They celebrated the grand opening of Sandy’s House on November 9—the anniversary of Sandy’s tragic death from addiction-related causes in 2014.

“Our first resident didn’t move in until March of 2022,” says Donna. “We screen pretty carefully to make sure each applicant is ready.” Their first residents were two women being released from jail; since then, they’ve graduated several more, with no more than six ever living in the house at one time. “I felt like we needed to start off with the right structure and rules,” says Brooke, who served as Resident Manager until 2023 and is now Program Director. “We cater to each woman at her moment in life. Everyone is in a different place in their recovery, and we try to honor that.”

In 2023, Donna felt called to leave her full-time job to devote herself to the ministry of Sandy’s House, and an opportunity arose in Quitman that could help with that. “I was speaking to Cathy Parker of Philanthro Films about our desire to open a business under our nonproﬁt,” she remembers. “That’s when she mentioned Quitman might need a bookstore, and Daniel Bayman was generous enough to share GUD’s space with us.” The Good Book opened

on October 6, with all proﬁts going to Sandy’s House; Donna also envisioned the store as a place of employment for the program’s graduates.

When GUD closed in Quitman in the summer of 2024, Donna and Brooke pivoted yet again. “Jamie Phelps, owner of The Book and Table Inn and the Cranford Hotel, asked how things were going and wondered if we’d be interested in opening a bookstore in downtown Valdosta,” says Donna. “They had in mind a space that was already renovated and that Brooke and I had scoped out at a few years earlier.” By August of that year, The Good Book was relocated to downtown Valdosta and had received two large grants from Discount Tire and the Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation— enough to cover the transfer of inventory from Quitman and initial start-up expenses, and the addition of the coffee shop, Red Door Coffee. Friends of Brooke’s whom she met in the recovery community that own Across the River Coffee Co., the business that supplies their coffee, helped them obtain all of their equipment and provided barista training. By the last week of October, The Good Book/Red Door Coffee opened for business, soon generating more than six times the average daily revenue they had in Quitman. “The name is a nod to the front door at Sandy’s House, which is

also red,” Donna explains.

The Good Book is outﬁtted with cozy reading nooks and a welcoming children’s area and features a diverse selection of new and used books, from devotionals to New York Times bestsellers, along with curated gift merchandise like Christian-themed jewelry and accessories for bibliophiles. Local artist Cindy Lyons painted a mural on the focal wall and helped with additional décor. The cafe side, Red Door, has also garnered rave online reviews for its warm ambience and highquality coﬀee drinks.

With the bookstore café running smoothly and building a loyal fan base, Donna and Brooke look forward to what’s next for Sandy’s House, including purchasing expansion property in Lowndes and the addition of a soonto-be second 1,300 square foot room at the bookstore that could be rented for events. Several residents have successfully completed the program and gotten their lives back, and both women are more determined than ever to expand their ministry. “Brooke and I are very yin-yang, yet we both feel that with God’s help, we can do the impossible,” says Donna. “Brooke always tells me, ‘We can. We just have to ﬁnd the people who want to do it with us.’ And I believe her!” -VM

Experience gracious living with THE F REEDOM TO B E Y OURSELF

At Presbyterian Home Quitman, you’ll find a welcoming community built on fellowship and timeless hospitality. Our scenic, 60-acre campus invites you to move at your own pace—whether that means embracing the quaint allure of front-porch living, joining a fitness class, fishing at the pond, or expanding your mind through lifelong learning op p ortunities. You’ll have peace of mind in knowing our devoted team is here to provide support with care options that include Short-Term Rehabilitation, Personal Care, Memory Support, and Skilled Nursing care, should you ever need them.

Call 229.263.6100 to learn more and s chedule a personal tour.

Scan the QR code to download our brochure.

Presbyterian Village Quitman is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.

Story by Amy Faeskorn | Photography Provided by ACE Electric, INC.

High-Voltage Leadership

CELEBRATING FIVE DECADES IN BUSINESS, ACE ELECTRIC, INC. STAYS TRUE TO ITS MISSION—AND LOOKS TO WIRE UP THE FUTURE

Growing up on his family’s farm in northeast Lowndes County, Thomas (Tom) Stalvey Sr. always thought he would follow in his father’s footsteps, but, as is often the case, life had other plans. “It was hard for farmers to get a good price for their products at that time,” he remembers. “I was newly married, and I figured I had to find something more stable.” After graduating from the electrical program at what was then Valdosta Technical School in 1967, he began wiring small-scale residential and commercial jobs in the area, accumulating on-the-job experience hours to qualify him to test for his Georgia Electrical Contractor’s License. He tested and passed the exam in 1973, and in July of 1975, he and Chuck May, his former Electrical Technology instructor at Valdosta Tech, founded ACE Electric, Inc.— so named to be listed as the first electrical company in the Yellow Pages—the initial chapter in an entrepreneurial success story spanning 50 years.

“Looking back, we knew we needed to go through that transformation to get to where we wanted to go.” Tom Stalvey

LEFT Although Tom and Bobby Stalvey have gradually stepped back from the intensity of their early years with the company, they’re both excited to see what the future holds.

LEFT The next generation of ACE Electric leaderhip: Rob Stavley, President of Corporate Support, and Tommy Stalvey, President of Operations

Chuck sold his half of the company to Tom’s brother, Robert (Bobby) Stalvey Sr., in early 1976. “My uncle had a strong interest in the ﬁeld, and at one point, he just decided to give it a go,” recalls Rob Stalvey, who began pitching in at ACE at the age of 12 and is now President of Corporate Support. “He and my dad both wanted to be in the trade, and they’ve always been best friends, so it made sense that they’d wind up going into business together.” Throughout the ’70s, ACE picked up jobs in and around Columbus as well as Atlanta, experiencing rapid growth and adding more employees as their reputation grew throughout the region. 1992 was another pivotal year. After adopting the Total Quality Management process, Tom and Bobby recommitted to safety protocols and professional standards, including the implementation of a drug-free workplace policy and reorienting company culture toward their core values. “Looking back, we

ABOVE ACE Electric’s 50th anniversary gala was held at the Omni Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, with close to 500 guests—including employees, vendor and subcontractor partners, industry peers, professional partners, and the company’s board of directors. The crowd was entertained by the music of Kinchafoonee Boys and a keynote address by Mike Rowe.

knew we needed to go through that transformation to get to where we wanted to go,” observes Tommy Stalvey, Tom’s son and current President of Operations. In early 1998, ACE Electric was one of 16 founding companies to form Integrated Electric Services (IES), a NYSE-traded public company. Although Tom and Bobby were no longer owners of ACE, and both had taken roles with IES, they continued to keep a close eye on the management and growth of ACE from afar. In 2002, IES merged ACE with the 119-year-old Georgia contractor Putzel Electric, which immediately added locations in Macon and Atlanta.

“I’m so glad we had a succession structure in place to put the right people in roles where they could thrive and continue to contribute to the growth and success of the company.”

Bobby Stalvey

As technology and the marketplace evolved, the family changed course again, this time by buying the business back from IES in 2005. The remainder of the ’00s and ’10s saw ACE continue its expansion in the southeast, with oﬃces opening in Greensboro, North Carolina in 2006; Statesboro, Georgia in 2013; and Jackson, Tennessee in 2015. In 2023, they opened an oﬃce in Plain City, Ohio, along with ACE University on Norman Drive in Valdosta, where all new employees

“The thing I’m most proud of is our people and their dedication to what we do.”

Tom Stalvey

traditional way of doing electrical work involves putting all the components together on the jobsite,” Rob explains. “But now, we build electrical assemblies in our safe, climate-controlled, workerfriendly shop and ship them to the jobsite for installation.” Their Ohio and Tennessee Divisions work primarily with general contractors and end users in the hyperscale data center market. All told, ACE has grown their payroll from two brothers with a dream to now close to 1,200 people, including new Chief Executive Oﬃcer Tim Joyce, who came on board in September of last year—the ﬁrst person outside the Stalvey family to take on the role.

co-owner of ACE Technologies. “I’m so glad we had a succession structure in place to put the right people in roles where they could thrive and continue to contribute to the growth and success of the company.” Tom marvels at what ACE has become through the work of so many individuals over the years. “The thing I’m most proud of is our people and their dedication to what we do,” he says. “The team is so cohesive and strong.”

undergo a week-long orientation on company culture and safety, no matter where in the United States they’re employed.

Along the way, ACE has always kept one eye on industry trends, leveraging their emerging expertise in certain areas while simultaneously building a workforce capable of servicing customers in numerous geographical locations as well as diﬀerent market segments. They moved corporate headquarters to Inner Perimeter Road in 2008, while ACE Technologies, the company’s low-voltage subsidiary specializing in low-voltage applications, spun oﬀ as a separate company, ACE Technologies LLC in 2010.

ACE Engineering & Fabrication, their 70,000 square-foot, state-of-theart manufacturing facility, opened on Westside Way in Valdosta in 2021. “The

When the time came to celebrate their golden jubilee, the Stalveys knew just the place: the Omni Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Close to 500 guests—including employees, vendor and subcontractor partners, industry peers, professional partners, and the company’s board of directors—celebrated this remarkable milestone with entertainment provided by the Kinchafoonee Cowboys as well as keynote addresses by safety expert David Sarkus and trades advocate Mike Rowe of Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs. Both speakers emphasized the importance of caring for your workforce, ensuring employee safety, and providing career opportunities for young people.

Looking back on their journey, both Tom and Bobby are quick to give credit to their employees. “I don’t ever like to talk about ACE without saying how blessed we’ve always been,” says Bobby, who stepped out of his role as President this past September but remains active as the Chairman of the Board of ACE and

Starting on a family farm with nothing more than a few tools and a commitment to excellence—the ACE, after all, being the highest card in the deck— the Stalveys’ enterprise is now a multi-state electrical contractor with a national reputation at the top of its industry. In 2024, they received several accolades, including Engineering News Record’s 2024 Southeastern Specialty Contractor of the Year, Valdosta-Lowndes County Corporation of the Year, and Valdosta Daily Times Best Electrician for the seventh year in row. Where does a company that has done so much in so little time go from here?

Construction began on its brand-new corporate headquarters, also on Inner Perimeter Road, earlier this year. The company held a beam raising ceremony in July, and the facility is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2026. And although Tom and Bobby have gradually stepped back from the intensity of their early years with the company, they’re both excited to see what the future holds. “My wish is for us to stay on that trajectory of doing more complicated and rewarding jobs while continuing to provide bigger and better opportunities for our people,” says Bobby. “The opportunities right now are just unreal.” Tom is likewise anxious to learn what the next generation at ACE has in store. “The company is jam-packed with young, ambitious folks,” he says. “I hope they’ll just carry on and keep doing great work.” With the Stalvey family values at the heart of their approach, ACE Electric will no doubt continue empowering its team—and powering up its customers— well into the next half-century. -VM

ABOVE The beam-raising ceremony for the company’s new corporate headquarters on Inner Perimeter Road, scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2026

THAN A GAME More

FOR MASON PATE, GOLF IS A WAY OF LIFE

Story by JOHN RIDDLE

Mason Pate, the son of Travis and Alyssa Pate, has been around golf his entire life. “It was something fun to do with my dad,” he says. But when he made the middle school golf team in sixth grade, it became much more. That was seven years ago—during the pandemic, when he had lots of time on his hands—a majority of which he spent on the golf course.” Today, as a senior at Lowndes

High School (LHS), Mason is the current low medalist for the school’s golf team and has been chosen for the Georgia High School Association All-State team representing his region. He’s also in ﬁrst place on the Southeast Junior Golf Tour (SJGT). Golf is more than a hobby for Mason now. It’s a way of life, and he enjoys every aspect of it.

Photo by Miller Mama Photos

“It’s a great way to build new relationships. I love competing in tournaments individually and as a member of a team.”

—MASON PATE

“I love spending time on the golf course with friends and meeting new people at the diﬀerent tournaments,” Mason says. “It’s a great way to build new relationships. I love competing in tournaments individually and as a member of a team,” he explains. “Golf can be very challenging mentally,” he admits. “I have various emotions when I’m playing.”

Travis thinks his son handles himself well under the stress of the game. “One of Mason’s biggest strengths is the way he deals with adversity on the golf course,” says Travis. “He manages his emotions well, and if you watched him play, you would have a hard time knowing whether he was playing great or poorly at any point during the round. He’s very even-keeled.”

Perhaps one of his more meaningful accomplishments was winning the annual Valdosta Country Club’s Jack Oliver Golf Tournament held in August—the youngest player ever to do so. Valdosta Country Club (VCC) is Mason’s home course. He also has a junior membership at Kinderlou Forest. He counts himself fortunate to have “two very good courses to play.”

“Mason has really developed quickly over the last two years. His game has been consistently strong in tournament play, which has translated into some impressive scoring,” says Cary Brown, VCC golf pro, Honorary President of the Georgia PGA, and an incoming Director for the PGA of America. “He drives the ball very straight and has really improved his chipping and putting. I’ve really enjoyed watching him progress as a golfer and grow into a young man with a bright future.”

Mason has racked up quite a few wins since his first at Doublegate Country Club in Albany, Georgia, when he was only thirteen. In 2025, he had two tournament wins and three top five finishes on the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour and was one of the top 10 individual players of the GHSA’s state championship for region 6A.

When Mason steps up to the tee box, he’s alone with his club, the ball, and his thoughts. But between matches, he spends a lot of time preparing with workouts three days a week and countless hours of practice. In those times, he’s not alone. Mason’s coaches are constantly helping him prepare for those moments when he pulls back a club and strikes the ball.

Mason’s sister, Anna, and his parents, Travis and Alyssa, are his biggest supporters.

Photo by Miller Mama Photos

Jordan Arnett, Mason’s coach at LHS, vouches for his commitment and leadership, saying, “Mason is calm and collected under pressure, hardworking, and a dependable leader for his teammates. He’s the type of player who’s able to overcome challenges when they arise on the course and use adversity to fuel his success as a player. He’s the kind of golfer I think every golf coach dreams of.” Mason also trains with swing coach Jordan Dempsey at TPC Sawgrass.

As Mason aims to play golf on the collegiate level, he’s waiting to see where his journey with the game takes him—but he knows where he’d like it to end. “I want to attend a college that has a program to help me develop and grow into a golfer who could possibly play professionally,” he says. “I’d love to play on the PGA tour one day.” -VM

“His game has been consistently strong in tournament play, which has translated into some impressive scoring.” —CARY BROWN

ABOVE LHS coaches Jordan Arnett and Evan Hanna with Mason, who was named the “Low Medalist” for the 2025 LHS golf team. TOP RIGHT Mason is the 2025 “Overall Mail Champion” of the Southeast Junior Golf Tour. RIGHT Cary Brown, golf pro at VCC, presented Mason with the champion’s cup for the 84th annual Jack Oliver Tournament. Mason is the youngest golfer to ever win the tournament. Photo courtesy of LHS.

BETTER TOGETHER

Although saying so may be stating the obvious, the Peach State is huge. With a territory of almost 60,000 square miles, a population of over 11 million (with over half residing in Metro Atlanta), and a land mass divided into 159 counties, Georgia and its citizens have always faced the challenge of geographic distance and the isolation that comes with it. A car ride from Bainbridge to Clayton or Savannah to Dalton can take close to six hours, and most civic and industry leaders are just too busy to take the time to get to know their counterparts in other parts of the state.

In 1972, Leadership Georgia founders Pat Patillo, Jim Lientz Sr., Rogers Wade, and J.W. Fanning took steps to address those challenges head on—and in a truly unique format. These visionary members of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce saw the opportunity to bring together young professionals from across the state several times a year to grow their leadership skills and form strong relationships with their

LOWNDES COUNTY ALUMNI OF LEADERSHIP GEORGIA’S DISTINCTIVE PROGRAM FIND PARTNERSHIP, PERSONAL GROWTH, AND THE WAY FORWARD FOR THEIR COMMUNITY

Story by AMY FAESKORN / Photo by WES SEWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

counterparts from other cities and towns.

“We’re one of the oldest leadership organizations in the country,” says Jamie McCurry, Chief Administrative Oﬃcer of the Georgia Ports Authority and current Leadership Georgia Board Chairman. “We’re fortunate that our founders had that vision to focus on emerging leaders who were already involved in their local communities or the state as a whole. From the beginning, we’ve put those people on the path toward long-term activity and involvement, with the goal of making the state the best it can be.”

Leadership Georgia identiﬁes candidates through a highly competitive process in which local leaders nominate individuals whom they also think will be well-suited to the demands of the program. Nominees must complete a detailed written application, and only a select number of applicants—last year, just 63 statewide—are chosen to take part. The twist? Spouses or partners are equal participants.

“In the early years, J.W. Fanning’s wife, Cora Lee, suggested that it would be wise to include the spouses of class members,” explains alumna Claire Walton, owner of Palm Travel Group and CSW Advisory Services; her husband, Randall, joined her in the class of 2023. “She felt it really changes the dynamic, because most couples have complementary personalities. In most cases they’re both leaders, but in different ways.” Wells Fargo Advisors Wealth Officer and 2024 alumnus Alonso Martinez, who was recognized in 2023 by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as one of the 50 most influential Latinos in the state and was a Georgia Trend 40 under 40 in 2024, found this to be true as well, as did his wife, Jessica, a compliance officer at Bank of Alapaha in Nashville, Georgia.

“I’m comfortable in a crowd, but Jessica is more of a behind-the-scenes person,” he explains. “This experience taught us both that being a leader doesn’t necessarily mean being the one on stage.”

Molly & James Ferrier, Amy Carter, Justin & Lindsey Purvis, Danny & Brooke Knight, Je Hansen, John & Crystal LaHood, Jonathan & Maggie Miller, Hayden Hancock, Claire & Randall Walton, Jessica & Alonso Martinez

After being accepted into the program, participants attend a total of five weekend intensives; at the initial meeting, they complete the Emergenetics International personality profile and are shuffled into groups to break the ice. “We bonded immediately with people we met in the first two hours,” recalls Walton, who met a couple who owned the same house in Atlanta she and her family had lived in years earlier. “Many of these talented leaders have become friends for life,” says Martinez. “We’ve gone on vacation to Costa Rica with a couple we met that first Friday night. We visit each other’s homes and celebrate our kids’ birthdays. It’s truly transformational in terms of the caliber of people you’re surrounded by and the deep relationships you forge in such a short time.”

The four remaining weekends are spread over the course of the year to expose participants to communities they may never have visited otherwise. Martinez spent time in Callaway, Thomasville, Jekyll Island, and Rabun County, where he observed the success of several economic initiatives. “As an alum, I now have access to this vast network of people I can call on for inspiration and advice. This way no one in the state is reinventing the wheel, and we’re able to strengthen partnerships in key areas,” he explains.

These trips also align with Leadership Georgia’s stated goals of improving performance through observation and connection. “The research on leadership development shows you have to provide training, but you also have to help them mix and mingle to build social capital,” Walton says. “There

“[THE PROGRAM] GIVES EVERYONE A SEAT AT THE TABLE, NO MATTER WHERE THEY’RE LOCATED, AND ALSO ALLOWS US TO PULL RESOURCES FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES WHEN WE NEED THEM.”

–JUSTIN PURVIS

are people who don’t know where Valdosta is and aren’t familiar at all with our industries, so it’s huge that so many leaders from other places get this opportunity to come here and get to know us.”

Lowndes County has been a part of the initiative since its founding and boasts many alumni still residing in the region, including some currently active participants. Justin Purvis, Partner at Young, Thagard, Hoﬀman, and his wife, Lindsey, graduated in 2022 and are Leadership Georgia Program Chairs; they’ll lead the Marietta/ Cobb County weekend for the class of 2025 this November. “It’s really about opportunity,” says Purvis, a civil litigation attorney. “It gives everyone a seat at the table, no matter where they’re located, and also allows us to pull resources from other communities when we need them.”

Lindsey, a former echocardiographer and current stay-at-home mom, saw this synergy coalesce in Hurricane Helene’s aftermath. “Not only did we ﬁnd support from our fellow program chairs and board members from around the state in every way imaginable, but we were able to return the favor by taking care of the Department of Natural Resources workers that had been deployed from all over,” she recalls. “There’s so much mutual beneﬁt.”

Molly Ferrier and her husband, James, were mid-way through the program in 2020 when COVID hit but were able to complete it in 2021. “I can call on any number of friends I made when I need an expert in a certain area,” says the former Executive Director of Valdosta-Lowndes County Habitat for Humanity. “It’s done wonders for our family.”

Hayden Hancock, City Manager of Nashville, Georgia, is a 2023 graduate as well as a 2021 Georgia Trend 40 Under 40 honoree; Jonathan Miller and his wife, Maggie, are fellow classmates. “We invited our classmates down and welcomed about 30 of them, along with regional alumni, to Valdosta and our South Georgia region,” Hancock recalls.

“AS AN ALUM, I NOW HAVE ACCESS TO THIS VAST NETWORK OF PEOPLE I CAN CALL ON FOR INSPIRATION AND ADVICE.”

–ALONSO MARTINEZ

“THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW WHERE VALDOSTA IS AND AREN’T FAMILIAR AT ALL WITH OUR INDUSTRIES, SO IT’S HUGE THAT SO MANY LEADERS FROM OTHER PLACES GET THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE AND GET TO KNOW US.”

–CLAIRE WALTON

“For many, it was their ﬁrst time in this part of the state, and the experience gave us the chance to showcase our community while strengthening friendships. That’s what Leadership Georgia is about—sharing the best of Georgia with others.” The class of 2023 has become extremely close and gets together regularly for lunch or to attend regional alumni events. “We try to stay as active as possible,” notes Miller. “Staying connected helps us keep the program alive in our everyday lives.”

With the internet now dominating so many aspects of personal and work life, initiatives like Leadership Georgia underscore the importance of face-to-face communication and the irreplaceable nature of in-person interaction. Most participants also fall into the 25 to 45 age group, enabling them to apply their learning and leverage their alumni network during the peak of their careers. As the state faces an ever-changing demographic and economic landscape, the need for a cadre of young leaders primed to go to bat for their local communities and peers has never been stronger—and is clearly being met by Leadership Georgia. “I know now that if my car ever breaks down on the side of the road anywhere in the state, someone from the program will come and help me,” says Lindsey. “That’s just how impactful it is.” -VM

IN IT TO WIN IT

Deer season is right around the corner. Last minute stands, feed locations, cameras, and sighting in your weapon should all be set up and well underway. If you’re behind, there’s still time. Now’s your chance to ﬁnish up those last-minute details to ensure you have successful hunts this fall.

MAKE SAFETY THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

Make sure that all your straps are good on your stands before using them. You don’t want to climb into a stand opening morning without checking it ﬁrst. Always wear your safety harness, no matter how high you are oﬀ the ground. Anything can happen when you’re alone in the woods, so always tell someone where you’re hunting and when you expect to be back.

PREPARE DEER STANDS AND SHOOTING LANES.

With all the rain we’ve had, roads and shooting lanes are likely crowded from summer growth. Now is a good time to mow some trails and trim brush so you can access your existing stands easily and cut limbs from your shooting lanes to have a clear shot. If you’re considering putting up new stands, focus on areas you suspect deer are going to be this fall. After bucks shed their velvet, they’ll begin moving into areas oﬀering better fall food sources— sometimes traveling up to a half mile or more—so you may not see the same deer you’ve been spotting on your trail cameras. Start thinking about fall food sources like oak trees and persimmons or thick areas with lots of bedding and cover where deer might feel safe.

FEED THE DEER.

I feed deer yearround at our farm to ensure optimal antler growth and monitor the herd. If you’ve been using protein feed the past few months, now would be the time to switch to corn. If you notice that the deer stop eating out of feeders for a while, that’s normal. Try putting corn on the ground in some thick-

MAKE THE MOST OF DEER SEASON

Article by JOHN WILLIAMS

Illustration by ROBIN HARRISON

covered spots where they feel comfortable feeding.

FIND THE BUCKS.

The testosterone levels in bucks rise as they gear up for rut and the days begin to get shorter, and their travel patterns get more inconsistent as the days cool oﬀ and food sources change. Set up your fall stands anticipating this shift, even if you don’t have any deer currently in those spots. They’ll begin moving to their fall range soon. Likewise, if the bucks you’ve been getting all year begin to disappear, it may be because of the changing food sources and their moving into their fall patterns.

OBSERVE FOR DEER TRAVEL PATTERNS.

In the summer, deer gather around food sources like soybeans, cotton, peanuts, and corn and in cow pastures. By midSeptember, oak and persimmons will be dropping acorns and fruit. Crops will begin coming out so deer will shift their range to these fall food sources. Don’t get too ﬁxated on what a deer is doing right now, because that will all change in the next month or so. I have deer stands for early season spots as well as mid-season and diﬀerent stands during rut. Deer may come back periodically to where they summered, but expect most deer to move closer to fall food sources around mid-September.

WATCH FOR SIGNS THAT BUCKS ARE CLOSE.

Look for travel corridors between bedding areas. Try locating rubs and scrapes from last season. Deer communicate by those rubs and scrapes, utilizing the glands on their foreheads and hind legs—sort of like we do with people through Facebook posts and check-ins. They may urinate on their tarsal glands and rub their legs together, marking their territory. They leave their scent on branches and leaves telling other deer they’re around. As the rut gets closer, bucks will become more aggressive and leave more signs telling other bucks to stay

out so they can breed the ﬁrst does that come into estrous. You may also see bucks ﬁghting or spot-injured bucks.

BAG THE BIG BUCK.

Once you’ve found the best spots for your stands and start seeing some action on your cameras, make sure you keep lowpressure on the deer in those areas. You may only have one chance to kill that buck before he moves to a neighbor’s property. You don’t want to blow your opportunity by hunting in the wrong wind. If you’re targeting one buck in particular, you want to be as stealthy and smart about hunting him as possible. Try to establish the deer’s pattern; if he comes to your stand every two days, hunt him the second day on the right wind. Most hunting and weather apps give a 10-day forecast which provides enough of a heads up to predict a buck’s movement so you can hunt him on the right wind and in his pattern. Cell cameras allow you to ﬁnd a deer’s pattern without leaving your scent and disturbing an area until the time is right to hunt.

The main thing is to do the work now, wait until the right time to hunt, and then execute when weather, behavior, and the right deer is in your hunting spot. If you follow that sequence, your odds of success will go up. If you don’t, you may still have a good season, but you could wind up settling for “tag soup.” -VM

For more hunting tips and advice, follow

John Williams is an avid hunter and a Flint River Mills Feeds Wildlife Ambassador.

him on Instagram @aon_whitetail.

FREE ADMISSION

ARToberfest 2025 celebrates the talent of local and regional artists and their contributions to our culture and community.

8th Annual ARToberfest

Saturday, October 25 | 10am-3pm

Turner Center Art Park | 605 N. Patterson St. | Valdosta, GA

Dozens of Fine Arts Vendors • Artist Demos • Live Music • Food Trucks

Kids Art Zone w/Free Activities • Petting Zoo • Face Painting • Pumpkin Painting Train Rides and More • Plein Air Contest - $1,000 1st Place Prize

CALL TO ARTISTS

BE SEEN! More than 1,600 visitors attended ARToberfest 2024! We invite you to become a vendor to show and sell your artwork in Valdosta’s premier ﬁne art fes tival.

Vendor space at ARToberfest is available to all members of the Turner Center’s artist organization, Regional Artist Community (RAC). RAC was created to engage local and regional artists in ways that provide support and opportunities to show and sell their artwork. The annual membership fee to join RAC is $75. Call 229.247.2787 or visit t turnercenter.org/regional-artist-community-rac to complete the RAC membership application online. If you wish to exhibit at ARToberfest, please visit t turnercenter.org/artoberfest or scan the code to complete the ARToberfest Vendor Application. A ARToberfest application is due no later than October 10, 2025.

ARTS & Culture

Kre Ward

making a modern career from a centuries-old

art form

Story by Narci Drossos / Photography by Javon Longieliere

With her stunning watercolors, Krekoria (Kre) Ward is creating new fans of botanical art. She celebrates the beauty of nature with subjects as varied as nature itself: a white ibis she saw in the Caribbean, a roseate spoonbill spotted on Amelia Island, a magnolia blossom from her own yard, or a bowl of lemons on her table. Like the natural subjects of botanical art, Ward’s success as a commercial artist has happened organically.

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Ward has always desired to create. As far back as elementary school, she studied painting, drawing, pottery, and even sculpture. In college, she took a glass-blowing class. Since an art degree didn’t sound like preparation for a paying career, Ward took the pragmatic approach, earning a bachelor’s degree in business. After working in various industries, she stayed home to raise her three children. In 2004 when her husband, Eric, a physician, went into

private practice, they made the move to Valdosta. It wasn’t long before she returned to her love of creating art. Ward recalls that her ﬁrst “studio” was actually a table in her laundry room, but eventually she made a larger space to work in an upstairs “room with a view.”

Ward smiles when she says, “Painting is a daily pursuit for me.” She reﬂects that she spends almost as much time studying painting as she does painting. Her collection of art books is extensive. She

Kre Ward

also enjoys taking classes online, connecting with other artists, and ﬁnding inspiration. “I love learning, and for me, that is a wonderful aspect of painting. You can always continue to improve your skills, so I ﬁnd the challenge irresistible,” she says.

She’s ventured into various media, including oil and acrylic, but since so many botanical artists use watercolor, she’s focused on mastering that medium. Watercolor is the medium she refers to as her “ﬁrst love,” and she remains loyal. “Watercolor is challenging and unique,” she explains. There’s no white pigment; the white of the paper serves as white and therefore must be preserved. Learning to layer transparent paint on white paper while saving the white space is a skill that takes more than talent; it takes practice. She doesn’t mind making the e ort to go from the vision to the execution of a work. Ward loves creating light and shadow as well as luminous color to “draw the eye” into the painting.

Ward observes that each painting begins with sketching, then drawing the basis for

Ward celebrates the beauty of nature with subjects as varied as nature itself.

the painting. Most often, she uses a limited color palette consisting of six dots of color pigment from which virtually all other colors can be created. A large variety of brushes help depict her impression of a subject on the paper. With the right amount of white left untouched, “it illuminates everything.” With her artistic interests deeply rooted in the natural world, Ward is continually inspired and enthusiastic about painting.

Botanical art, Ward notes, is not only “ancient”—it’s also everywhere: fabrics, wallpaper, book covers and illustrations, chinoiserie, and calendars, to name a few.

“There’s always something beautiful in our area to paint: plants, birds, flowers, and even bugs.”

She likes painting from live specimens, often those she ﬁnds in her own yard. Ward insists, “There’s always something beautiful in our area to paint: plants, birds, ﬂowers, and even bugs.” She likes painting the life cycle of a subject. For example, if she features a magnolia blossom, she also might include its bud, the bee that hovers, and the leaves falling as it decays.

Featuring exquisite details, Ward’s style is startlingly realistic, although she does like to “mix it up” with looser interpretations of some subjects. Recently, she ﬁnished special request “commissions” for her University of Florida freshman daughter’s apartment— two botanicals and an impressionistically rendered gator.

Originally, Ward painted purely for the joy of it, but through word of mouth her commissions have grown signiﬁcantly, and she’s found herself with an art career. As a professional, she loves making something special and speciﬁc for someone. Often, these commissioned works call for versatility. Recently she created the designs for Bamboo South mahjong tiles, the motifs and crest for a wedding paper service, and a series of waterfowl.

Ward is a proponent of supporting artists. She always encourages people to look beyond mass-produced art from websites and check out the work of local artists, asking, “Why would people want to pay hundreds of dollars for anonymous prints when they can purchase one-of-a-kind original art for their homes?” She has also generously donated paintings for local fundraisers, with her work generating serious bids and calls for more.

In the future, she plans to keep painting, and she has a website in development which will showcase her work as well as sell prints and related products. In the meantime, to learn more about Kre Ward’s art, visit her on Instagram @krewardart. -VM

Jacob Bell Commercial Relationship Officer

Join us in celebrating America's 250th birthday with a season of powerful performances featuring music that was American made, American inspired, and that has captured the soul of our nation!

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025

1 IN THE NEW WORLD

Sarah Jane Young, Flute

Liebermann's Concerto No. 1

February 14, 2026

TRADITIONS

Handel's Messiah

Guest Conductor

Dr. Clell Wright

Soprano

Susan Boddie

Mezzo-Soprano

Lynnette Chambers

Tenor

Samuel Cook

Baritone

Bradley Sowell

November 15, 2025

SCENES OF LIFE

Maria Valdes, Soprano

Barber: Knoxville: Summer of 1915

Gershwin Catfish Row: Symphonic Suite from “Porgy and Bess”

March 28, 2026

PROGRESSION

Constanze Hochwartner, Piano

Peter Steiner, Trombone

Kevin Day - DEPARTURES: Double

Concerto for Trombone, Piano, & Orchestra *GEORGIA PREMIERE*

Bernstein Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

May 2, 2026

5MADE IN AMERICA

Joyce Yang, Piano

Leshnoff - Rhapsody on America

*GEORGIA PREMIERE*

Bartók Concerto for Orchestra

ARTS & Culture

JOIN THE CHORUS! REJOICE GREATLY—

Auditions

Underway for VSO Rendition of Handel’s Messiah

Story by MARLANA HUFSTETLER

Photos provided by STEVEN HEDDON

Auditions are underway for the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra’s (VSO) rendition of Handel’s Messiah, set to take take place this coming February. In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, the VSO presents Messiah along with a full season of other remarkable musical performances encapsulating the American spirit.

Dr. Clell Wright, Director of Choral Activities at Valdosta State University (VSU), will serve as Guest Conductor for Handel’s piece. Wright is in his 39th overall year as a professional choral conductor, 25th as a university choral director, and 7th at VSU. “For those who would like to audition, I’m looking primarily for anyone who can read music and likes to sing,” says Wright.

Messiah auditions and rehearsals began August 25 and will take place every Monday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in VSU’s Powell Hall on Georgia Avenue. Wright invites all singers, high school age and up, who would like to be a part of this performance to come and join the Musical Union Ensemble. “Come be a part of something that will truly be a life-changing, unforgettable experience,” he says.

Messiah is a genre-defying, Baroqueera oratorio that transcends standards of the time. “Messiah is not a typical oratorio, either by the standards of the day, or even Handel’s,” notes Wright. Unlike other

oratorios— unstaged operas with a narrator and characters that develop the music’s story alongside an action-punctuating chorus— Messiah recounts the prophecy and life of Jesus Christ through a collection of passages from the Hebrew and Christian faiths and a chorus that serves as a heartfelt commentary.

Wright’s VSO collaboration will consist of three VSU choirs: Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, and Musical Union, the latter being open to VSU students, faculty, sta , and community members. “We chose Messiah because it has become an American tradition to present at least a part of this work on a yearly basis,” says Wright. “Most people are familiar with the Christmas story, but many don’t know the second and third parts of the work. We’re even planning on having the audience join along to the Hallelujah Chorus!”

Messiah will be performed on February 14 at 7 p.m. in VSU’s Whitehead Auditorium. Both individuals and choirs are encouraged to audition. “This will be an incredibly rewarding experience for all involved,” says Wright. “I encourage anyone who loves to sing to come and be a part of this wonderful production.” -VM

“THIS WILL BE AN INCREDIBLY REWARDING EXPERIENCE. I ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO LOVES TO SING TO COME AND BE A PART OF THIS WONDERFUL PRODUCTION.”

EXPLORE. dream. DISCOVER.

TARA RADULSKI

Memorable Journeys Travel LLC

Phone (940) 447-5621

tara@memorablejourneystravel.com

www.memorablejourneystravel.com

B OOK REVIEWS

LITERARY FICTION FINDING GRACE

by Loretta Rothschild (2025) 325 pgs.

Rothschild is originally from London and now lives in both the UK and Italy. In a recent interview, she acknowledges, “I like my reader to be buckled up. I want to pull you in and then surprise you…and take you somewhere else.” To say that her debut novel comes with an extremely early and unforgettable twist is an understatement.

Finding Grace opens at the Ritz in Paris, where the aﬄuent British family of Tom (the dad), Honor (the mom), and Chloe (the young daughter) spend Christmas every year. Amidst the exquisite holiday setting with its luxurious amenities, Honor can only think of how fervently she wants to add another baby to their family. While Tom is supportive, and money is no object, the plot is fraught with complex moral dilemmas. Later in London, the characterization begins to focus on Tom’s point of view, although Honor’s voice remains central to the narrative perspective.

Finding Grace is—as Rothschild says—“mainly a love story.” Indeed!

I enjoy a great literary debut, but I have a few “old favorite” authors on my “must-read” list. Every time they publish, I’ll read John Boyne, Emma Donoghue, Sally Rooney, J. Courtney Sullivan, and Maggie Shipstead, to name a few. They never disappoint me. Which writers are on yours?

Set aside a block of time for this spellbinding and beautifully written tale.

BIOTECH/ CONTEMPORARY FICTION

NOTES ON INFINITY

by Austin Taylor (2025)

383 pgs.

Austin Taylor graduated from Harvard in 2021 with a joint bachelor’s degree in chemistry and English. She grew up in Maine, a state featured in the novel. There she works as a private pilot, registered Maine Guide, and public speaking coach. She plans to leave Maine this fall, however, to begin studying law at Stanford.

Coming from the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) world, Taylor’s debut novel, Notes on Infinity, is somewhat genre-defying. On one hand, it’s a deep dive into a biotech startup with its inherent academic laboratory setting. Then there’s the science fiction allure of finding a cure for human aging. Add to that the money angle—with venture capitalists throwing money at projects like parade goers throwing confetti. And—there’s a romantic triangle and family drama.

An aspect Taylor explores is gender bias, both in the ﬁeld of chemistry and in her characters’ lives. Protagonist Zoe has been brought up in a very traditional Greek family in which her father discusses academic ideas with her brother but only gives domestic nods to her and her mother. More than anything, Zoe yearns to discover and

be seen. Some readers have highlighted parallels to the real-life Elizabeth Holmes/Theranos scandal, but Taylor insists that her novel reﬂects her own experiences as a female in STEM. She asserts that behind any media headlines covering a scandal, there are fascinating backstories of real people. Set on one of America’s oldest and most elite campuses near Boston, Zoe’s story is engaging and fresh, even if it was inspired by real life.

Carris a journalist and author known for his memoirs about working in Silicon Valley, and his essays have appeared in media such as The Wall Street Journal and National Geographic He also co-owns an independent bookstore in Palm Springs. The opening epigraphs of The Confessions are from Sam Altman of Open AI and Ted Kaszynski, the Unabomber. These quotations set the ominous tone for a technology-reliant culture gone awry.

In this fast-paced, easy-reading thriller, LLIAM is the world’s most powerful supercomputer, an AI chatbot gone rogue after eight years of billions of individuals typing in their lives’ most mundane, as well as private, embarrassing moments. People have asked LLIAM every question, from where to eat dinner to how to embezzle

by Paul Bradley Carr (2025) 322 pgs.

without consequences.

When LLIAM suddenly goes oﬄine, chaos ensues. LLIAM knows everyone’s darkest secrets. Thousands of people all over the world receive letters via “snail mail” demanding that public (bombshell) confessions must be made. No one knows when their damaging secrets could be exposed. They don’t even know who else has received these letters and could potentially harm them. Each character’s subplot is engaging and suspenseful. Will humanity survive artiﬁcial intelligence or learn from it? Read this thoughtprovoking tale to learn!

SCIENCE FICTION

THE POPPY FIELDS

by Nikki Erlick (2025) 316 pgs.

Erlick

ﬁrst hit commercial publishing success when her debut novel, The Measure, was chosen as a “Read with Jenna” selection in 2022. With a bachelor’s degree from Harvard in comparative literature and a master’s from Columbia in global thought, Erlick focuses on characterdriven plots. What would a person do if given an unprecedented (realistically impossible) choice?

As the title and cover illustration indicate, poppies are highly symbolic. In Greek mythology, they’re associated with the story of Persephone, connected to sleep, death, and the underworld. Poppies are also linked to remembrance. All these ideas play into The Poppy Fields, which features a “high concept” hidden medical facility in middle-of-nowhere California, where people suﬀering from painful loss can go to sleep—for weeks and weeks—to escape their sorrow. The stories of those who are accepted into the program are varied, but there’s the

possibility they might awaken with a weird and perhaps regrettable side eﬀect.

A weather event brings four travelers, all strangers, together. Each just happens to share this destination. As they “road trip” to California, they learn more about themselves and each other. Their personal reasons for heading to “The Poppy Fields” are engaging and layered. No naps are necessary, and you’ll want to take this trip with Ava, Ray, Sasha, Sky, and a little dog named PJ.

HISTORICAL FICTION

THESE DAYS

Firstpublished in the UK in 2022, this novel of the Belfast Blitz won the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction in 2023. With its US publication this year, it quickly made The Washington Post’s and NPR’s top lists. Caldwell is well known in the UK as an award-winning playwright and novelist.

The cover of These Days offers a rare blurb of praise from the late Hilary Mantel and an intriguing subtitle: Two Sisters, Four Nights, One City. Many novels, short stories, and films feature the London Blitz, but the endurance of Belfast (Ireland’s then capital and a major ship-building center) during horrific German bombardment is not as well known.

Caldwell felt that the Belfast Blitz is “an under-told chapter in the fiction of [her] city.” When she began researching the topic, she found “enough stories to fill a dozen novels.” Her own grandmother had lived through it but was reluctant to discuss it. Caldwell weaves finely wrought factual details into this narrative that revolves around sisters Audrey and Emma. They’re different individuals, but over the

AARTS & Culture

course of four life-changing days, they learn that they share a will to survive and a devotion to family. You won’t be able to put this one down.

I’LL BE RIGHT HERE

Bloom is a psychotherapist as well as an award-winning novelist and memoirist. Her newest release has been called “time traveling” and “dazzling” by critics who note that I’ll Be Right Here covers more than a century with “ricocheting” perspectives and time shifts.

The story opens with the Cohen sisters of New York City and Samir, a native Algerian, attending the deathbed of elderly Gazala, Samir’s adopted sister. Almost immediately, Bloom takes the reader to Paris, where as children, Samir and Gazala struggle to survive during Nazi occupation. Colette, real-life famous author and actress, takes Gazala in and teaches her life lessons, even helping her emigrate to New York.

Multi-generational and epic in scope, this novel embodies the idea that even an orphan’s life can be rich with beloved family of one’s own choosing (rather than conferred by birth). How Bloom put so much into less than 300 pages is the real mystery. There are characters here whose stories you will want to go on and on.

Narci Drossos describes herself as a compulsive reader, saved in her youth by a summer bookmobile librarian who ignored the biweekly 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. She’s published book reviews in ELLE and online on Instagram @novels_with_narci, where she’d appreciate a follow and your feedback on this feature using #VMbookreview.

by Lucy Caldwell (2025) 279 pgs.

by Amy Bloom (2025) 272 pgs.

The 84th Annual Jack Oliver Tournament at Valdosta Country Club was held from August 22–24, bringing together members and guests for a thrilling weekend of golf and tennis competition. A special congratulations goes to VCC’s own Mason Pate, who claimed the Jack Oliver title this year. On the tennis courts, champions also shined: Heather Bohannon captured the Division 3.5+ title with Julee Lincoln as runner-up; Taylor Bryant took home the Division 3.0 win, followed by Arrington Stoll; and in Division 2.5, Elizabeth Steel earned top honors with Jennie Alvarez finishing runner-up. Thank you to all players and supporters for making this year’s tournament such a memorable success—we look forward to carrying the tradition forward into the 85th year!

Mason Pate, winner of the 2025 Jack Oliver Tournament, with Cary Brown, VCC Club Manager

Brooke Moreno, Tori Holmes, Tara Purvis, Leigh Anne Corbett

Caroline Betts, Arrington Stoll, Taylor Bryant

Elizabeth Milstead, Dan & Lacey Duggan

Blake DeCesare, Brett McNeill

Julee Lincoln, Heather Bohannon

Thomas Hawthorne, Tripp Talley, Tanner Branham

Pate & Caroline Betts, Taylor & James Allen Bryant, Emily & Colby Corbett

Chris & Elizabeth Milstead Taylor Bryant, Arrington Stoll Brett & Anne Whiddon

Elizabeth Milstead, Jennie Alvarez

Katherine Ross, Lacey Duggan, Heather Bohannon

Howard Dasher, Jason & Heather Dove, Jeﬀ Hanson

Emily Corbett, Becky Smith

ACE Electric celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 17 with a gala at the Omni Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Close to 500 guests were in attendance, including many from Valdosta. Among the invitees were employees, vendor and subcontractor partners, industry peers, and the company’s board of directors. Entertainment was provided by Kinchafoonee Cowboys. Mike Rowe of Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs delivered the keynote address.

Mike Rowe, Pam & Tim Vickers

Elizabeth, Rob, Rilyn Stalvey

Andrew & Lauren Odom

LaDonna & Bobby Stalvey Riley & Cole Young

Tom & Karen Stalvey

Merrill & Mindy Bates

Cristi & Jerry Gill

Zack Sale, Sami McDaniel, Joseph Galloway

Mary Gaines & Kelly Oates

Theresa & Greg Farrar

Israel & Hope Cortez

Rose & Grant Herring

Michele & Tim Joyce

Thomas & Lindsey Davis

Cooper, Missy & Jay Eason

AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK VOL. XII

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and event sponsor Hanover Advisors hosted its annual Dancing to the Soundtrack of America (American Soundtrack Vol. XII) on August 16 at the Valdosta Country Club. Attendees enjoyed an evening of dancing, desserts, and live music featuring the Ed Barr Orchestra along with several other guest vocalists and performers.

Stefani & Tom Carroll

Pam Peters, Pat Colson

Katharine & Byron Courson

Bonnie Rainey, Reatha Pavey, Mary Watson Hernan Posas, Rhonda & Ed Mark

Marghy Smothers, Kerri Kent, Lee Smothers, Jolyn Smith, Tammy Brown

Margaret & Phil Mittiga, Nelda Harris

Paul & Sherry Zipperer

Dean Brooks, Ole & Patricia Vigerstol

Gelana Goddard and Robert Goddard

Gloria Boyett Corker, Jean Retterbush

Charles & Jennie Eidison

VSO’S LADIES OF THE SYMPHONY GUILD SOIRÉE

Photos by Brandon Williams

The Valdosta Symphony Orchestra’s (VSO) Ladies of the Symphony held their annual soirée, made possible by the live auction bidding during the VSO’s Gala Ball and Auction in November, at the home of Mr. Ron and Dr. Sandra Pelham on May 31. Attendees enjoyed an enchanting celebration of life, friendship, and happiness, with buffet-style cuisine and decorations provided by Dr. Pelham and Kay Jennett.

Many thanks to the sponsors and planners who coordinated to make this soirée a reality, including Jerry and Kay Jennett, Allan and Joan Dear, Vickie Terry, Linda Monetti, Col. Ryan Haden and Gwen Hayden, Bob and Jean Burnet, Mrs. Carla Homes, Tom and Katie Newbern, and Karl Osmus, among many others. A special debt of gratitude to the winners of the bidding war: Nancy Warren, Jean Synard, Carla Holmes, and Mala Vallotton. Tickets for the VSO’s 2025-2026 season are now available for purchase at valdostasymphony.org.

Candice Pelham-Jackson, Dr. Sandra Pelham

Jack & Cheryl Oliver, David Cummings

Tom & Katie Newbern

Gail Hobgood, Jim McNab Ron Pelham, Jack & Cheryl Oliver

Sandra Pelham, Kay Jeanett

Nancy Warren, Ole Vigerstol, Ronald Pelham, Jeani Synard, Patricia Vigerstol Bud & Sandy Hutchinson, Marcel Henderson, Carolyn Eager-Coleman, Mark Henderson

Tom Newbern, Jerry Jeanette, Ron Pelham, Bob Smith

(Past Presidents of the Valdosta Symphony Guild) Mala Vallotton, Gail Hobgood, Patricia Vigerstol, Nancy Warren, Martha Cummings, Linda Month

Mike Shobe, Mala Vallotton, David & Martha Cummings, Ron Borders

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The oak tree that stands above the main lodges and has greeted guests at Langwood Plantation since the turn of the 20th century.

Photo by WES SEWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

STANDING

Brad Skinner, Financial Advisor

Bob Langdale, Associate Vice President/Investments

Robert A. Goddard III, AIF®, CFP®, Senior Vice President/Investments

Zachary G. Hageman, CFP®, Associate Vice President/Investments

John Lastinger, AIF®, Senior Vice President/Investments

John D. Williams, CFP®, First Vice President/Investments

Richard S. Campbell, CIMA®, Senior Vice President/Investments Alston Barr, Operations Coordinator

SEATED

Maria Reynolds, Registered Client Service Associate

Beverly Avera, Senior Registered Client Service Associate

Barry Barr, Vice President/Investments, Branch Manager

Michelle Taylor, Senior Registered Client Service Associate

Valdosta Magazine Sept / Oct / Nov 2025

Expert guidance for your wellness journey

Dr. Joseph Thomas, MD

THE WINNING GAME PLAN FOR GENERATIONAL WEALTH

from the PUBLISHER

GENIUS 3D DIGITAL

MAMMOGRAPHY IS ONLY THE BEGINNING TO EARLY DETECTION!

The Legacy of

Langwood

Langwood Plantation

The Quail Hunt

Langwood Plantation

LEFT

INSET

Dog Whisperer ”

The Community Builders: Teaching the Game and Growing the League

The Cultural Curators: Heritage, Art, and a Boutique Spin

More Than a Game—A Valdosta Movement

Wedding Registries

Home Dinner Is Served

DINING ROOMS

INTERIOR DESIGNS BY 8TWO8 COLLECTIVE

A Home Sophisticated and Stylish

and Stylish Home

I’m So Glad You’re Here

SETTING A WARM AND SOPHISTICATED TABLE THAT MAKES EVERYONE FEEL WELCOME

Home

Trendy Yet Elegant

INTERIOR DESIGNS BY DANA PERRY INTERIORS

Trendy Yet Elegant Home

8 Tips for Staging Your Home to List

WCOOKING thfriends

With RANDY DECOUDRES d JONATHAN MILLER

COOKING thfriends

JONATHAN’S GRILLING TIPS

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

MENU

Marinated Bean Salad

Roasted Tomatillo & Heirloom Tomato Salsa

Avocado Purée

Ranch Water

COOKING thfriends

2025 Platinum Council Award

Profiles

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER OPENS With a Cup o’ Joe

Experience gracious living with THE F REEDOM TO B E Y OURSELF

High-Voltage Leadership

THAN A GAME More

FOR MASON PATE, GOLF IS A WAY OF LIFE

BETTER TOGETHER

IN IT TO WIN IT

MAKE SAFETY THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

PREPARE DEER STANDS AND SHOOTING LANES.

FEED THE DEER.

MAKE THE MOST OF DEER SEASON

FIND THE BUCKS.

OBSERVE FOR DEER TRAVEL PATTERNS.

WATCH FOR SIGNS THAT BUCKS ARE CLOSE.

BAG THE BIG BUCK.

FREE ADMISSION

8th Annual ARToberfest

CALL TO ARTISTS

ARTS & Culture

Kre Ward

art form

Kre Ward

ARTS & Culture

JOIN THE CHORUS! REJOICE GREATLY—

Underway for VSO Rendition of Handel’s Messiah

EXPLORE. dream. DISCOVER.

TARA RADULSKI

B OOK REVIEWS

LITERARY FICTION FINDING GRACE

NOTES ON INFINITY

SCIENCE FICTION

THE POPPY FIELDS

Erlick

HISTORICAL FICTION

THESE DAYS

AARTS & Culture