Summer Reads
The Bookshelf’s top picks for your summer reading.
The American Turmeric Company
One family’s extraordinary local farm returns the land to its roots, attracting rare native species in the process.
Dog Days fur baby rescues
THE HUMANE SOCIETY’S STORY Plus Wildwood Cottage Pottery · Three Cool Cocktails · 100 Years of Rotary
— STEPHEN H. CHENEY I CEO
A bank’s success is never an idea alone.
Thomasville National Bank’s success lies in our community of customers, in their character, in their loyal response. They value trust: the handshake agreement.
They are proud of Thomasville: its families, traditions, and prosperity.
This
The first and finest in the Red Hills Region FOUNDER
John D. “Jack” Kelly | March 15, 1931 - July 8, 2015
“He spent his life giving back to the community he loved!”
Karen “KK” Snyder| kk@thomasvillemagazine.com •
EDITOR IN CHIEF
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Lauren Vann | Adele Creative Marketing & Design
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Lauren Vann | Jacob Welch | Mary Katherine Haley
ART DIRECTION & LAYOUT
Gloria Fielding
ADVERTISING SALES
Christy Layfield | Wendy Montgomery
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Wendy Bellacomo
Wendy Howell | Lindsay Field Penticuff
Stephanie Rice | Marta Jones Turner
PHOTOGRAPHY
Todd Stone MAGAZINE
10
In the Wild
Wildwood Cottage Pottery is the creative venture of Thomasville artist Carola Rodina Rutkowski.
24
Raining Cats & Dogs
The Thomasville Humane Society goes to great lengths for fur babies in need of a home.
36 Lake Life
Reynolds Lake Oconee is the perfect destination for a summer vacation.
53
Business Spotlight
Highlighting some of Thomasville’s finest insurance agents and agencies.
62
Summer Reads
Annie B. Jones will fill your beach bag with the best of the best summer titles for 2021.
72
100 Years of Rotary
Celebrating a full century of fellowship and service above self with Thomasville Rotary.
Soaking Up the Sun
Summer in Southwest Georgia can be a beast, but it also brings beach season, baseball games, backyard cookouts, and family vacations. As with most of life, we have to take the good with the not so good. As summer unfolds, we hope you’ll take advantage of all the good there is to find in our region, from u-pick farms to outdoor concerts, natural springs to state parks.
Thomasville certainly has its share of great warm weather opportunities for kids and adults, including outdoor dining, First Friday Sip & Shop, Camp Dawson at the Thomasville History Center, Thomasville Center for the Arts’ Live Music Under the Oaks, and Hands on Thomasville’s Project Impact 2021 Summer Service Camp. Check out the full calendar on thomasvillega.com, and make your summer plans!
We hope you’ve noticed our shiny new Thomasville Magazine boxes around downtown, making it even easier for you to pick up our latest issue for FREE! Look for boxes outside of Empire Bagel, Grassroots Coffee, and Q Cafe.
Stay Cool,
Karen (KK) Snyder EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EDITORIAL INFORMATION
Thomasville Magazine is published four times each year. Subscription rates are $15 for one year.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
ThomasvilleMagazine.com
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Thomasville Magazine 15125 US Hwy 19 S Box #375 Thomasville, GA 31792
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DIGITAL EDITION & SOCIAL
You can follow us online on our social media accounts @ThomasvilleMagazine.
THE SELF-PROCLAIMED
Mess Maker
CAROLA RODINA RUTKOWSKI SHARES
HER STORY BEHIND WILDWOOD COTTAGE POTTERY
By Lindsay Field Penticuff · Photos by Todd Stone
If you’re driving down Clay Street—and not far from Downtown Thomasville—you might be lucky enough to come across a cottage-like home on Wildwood Lane that’s filled with beautiful pottery, an impassioned artist, and two rather large dogs.
This is the home and studio of Carola Rodina Rutkowski, owner, potter, and self-proclaimed mess maker of Wildwood Cottage Pottery. It’s also home to Rutkowski’s two Newfoundland dogs she calls her “gentle giants” named Inukshuk and Bhalu.
“They hang with me in the studio every day,” she says. “They sleep on the floor, knock over fresh pots, and mess things up. It’s their way of assisting, but they are definitely a part of this for me.”
And while the pups may seem quite at home in Rutkowski’s pottery studio and act like it’s been their domain for years and years, that’s actually not the case.
Why ceramics?
Rutkowski says her dream of becoming a full-time potter was a long time coming.
“It was the medium I enjoyed most and was somewhat good at in art, even back in elementary, middle, and high school. I couldn’t draw worth anything,” she laughs in sharing. “I remember my art teacher at one point even saying, ‘Well, let’s just crochet a blanket.’ I’m obviously very tactile and have always been good with my hands.”
“
I JUST KNEW I WAS GOING TO [DO POTTERY] ONE DAY. IT WAS JUST SO COOL, AND NOW THAT’S MY LIFE ”
Carola calls herself a functional potter, creating things used in daily life.
As she got older, Rutkowski was always checking out the pottery people had in their homes, and she’d ogle at the mugs displayed in stores. “I just knew I was going to do that one day. It was just so cool, and now that’s my life!”
Working with her hands came quite easy, too, as Rutkowski was a professional massage therapist for 21 years as well as a graphic designer.
“Massage was always working with my hands, but over the years I really wanted to get out of it even though I had good clientele,” she says.
During her travels, she lived in Newfoundland, taking her first pottery class in 2011. Rutkowski became good friends with the pottery teacher, visiting her home often and working on a tabletop wheel to learn the craft.
“That’s when I started futzing with it on the side,” she says.
Rutkowski eventually returned to Thomasville in 2015—a place she called home in middle and high school—with a short stint in Asheville, North Carolina in 2017, when she took time to focus on pottery.
“There are so many awesome potters there that I got to meet and talk with about pottery and the processes they went through,” says Rutkowski.
Upon returning to Thomasville after a couple of months in North Carolina, massage remained her main occupation, but she was always dabbling in pottery on the side. She even set up a small studio downstairs in her home, visiting it from time to time to play in her love of ceramics.
Paying close attention to every step along the way keeps the pottery intact.
The
push she needed
Like so many others, Rutkowski’s profession as a massage therapist got halted due to COVID-19 in March 2020.
“The pandemic gave me the full stop that I needed to become a full-time artist,” she says. “I just wasn’t able to say no to my massage clients in the past. I really did love my work, but I just never gave pottery the full time it needed.”
She was pretty much stuck at home around the clock because of the pandemic, so Rutkowski decided to get to work. She turned her two-car garage into a functioning studio, and that’s where she’s been working for the past year. “The pandemic definitely shifted my life in a major way and into what I always knew I wanted to do.”
The details in making pottery
There are different types of pottery and ways of making pottery, but Rutkowski prefers working with clays that can be fired to stone.
“Stoneware is what I make, and I would also consider myself a functional potter, which means I make everyday tableware like mugs, plates, bowls, and dishes,” she says. “I’m not a sculptor.”
The three methods of making pottery that Rutkowski uses include throwing pieces on a pottery wheel, mold slab building, and coil building.
“You can make things like mugs and cups using the pottery wheel, but when you make slab-built stuff, you’re basically
Continued, p.19
“
THE PANDEMIC GAVE ME THE FULL STOP THAT I NEEDED TO BECOME A FULL-TIME ARTIST ”
Carola
Congratulations to our students, teachers & parents #1 in SAT & ACT scores in Southwest Georgia
The SAT achievement alone puts the school district in the top 11% academically of all school districts statewide, and is a direct result of the expectations for academic excellence by our teachers, students and parents.
making your own molds,” Rutkowski explains. “I have a few of the long bread bowl trays that I’ve made molds of. Once you have your own mold, you just make slabs and you lay them over that mold, and then you can just continue to pull pieces of the same exact shape off of that.”
Coil building means taking a piece of clay and forming it into long strands that resemble sausage links. You coil the pieces together for as big or small of a piece as you want, gently laying the coils for a vase or lamp, for example. “You have to use slippery, watered-down clay in between each layer to act like glue,” Rutkowski continues. “Then, you have to smooth the walls. It’s a really time-consuming process. I’ve made a few trays for table centerpieces using this method.”
One of the trickiest things to learn how make at first were handles for mugs or cups, but one of the more difficult pieces she’s worked on lately is adding handles to her large pieces like the long bread bowl trays.
“How the pottery dries changes with the climate,” Rutkowski says. “If it’s really dry in my studio and I forget to cover a piece with plastic, it’ll crack and break. I’ve already lost three of the bread bowl trays. It’s all about these steps in between that if you forget one of them, you’re going to lose a piece.”
And as far as what she hopes to learn how to do and perfect as she continues to grow her business: “I definitely want to make really, really big pieces, such as large pots and shallow, huge bowls that are like 3 or 4 feet in diameter.”
She’d also like to continue making pendant lamps and table lamps, something she just recently learned how to do. “Pinch me”
“I’m a heck of a lot happier,” Rutkowski shares when asked if she’s been surprised by how well the past year has gone with starting her own pottery business. “Not that I didn’t enjoy what I was doing, but I knew for a long time that this is what I was going to do.”
She still finds herself often looking around the studio and saying out loud, “Wow! This is really my life now.”
“It took quite a while to get here, and it’s still not completely sustaining my life, but it’s definitely getting there. It’s almost like, pinch me, because I finally get to do what I love and enjoy, and people are actually responding to it positively. That’s just really cool,” she concludes.
Connect with Wildwood Cottage Pottery
Website: wildwoodcottagepottery.com Instagram: @wildwoodcottagepottery
EXPERIENCE THE BEST SERVICE
GREAT AGENTS ARE THE KEY & THE REASON WE ARE THOMASVILLE’S MARKET LEADER
KeySouth isn’t an average real estate firm. We don’t just buy and sell homes. Yes, we’re experienced, trustworthy real estate professionals with a passion for finding the right home for your family or buyer for your house. But more importantly, we’re your neighbors. We invest in our community, we give back, we care. And we invest in our agents, because we know they are the key to providing you with great customer service.
Nothing makes our team happier than opening doors in Thomasville, Cairo and Tallahassee and welcoming new neighbors to the KeySouth family!
RISE CHAMPIONS
COVID-19 has tested us – mind, body and soul. We have experienced pain, tragedy and sorrow. But, our deep commitment to care for those we serve has brought us through the darkest days. We celebrate triumph with those who battled the disease and won. We remember those we’ve lost, with memories of them propelling us forward. Today, we rise to the challenge as champions – better equipped and more determined than ever to fight for the health, safety and peace of mind of our residents and their families.
Looking for Homes Fur-ever
BY WENDY BELLACOMO
PHOTOS BY TODD STONE
When Thomasville native Chandler Giddes moved back home in October 2020 to serve as interim director of the ThomasvilleThomas County Humane Society, he was on fire with ideas to move the organization forward. Having previously worked as the humane society’s animal control director for three years, Giddes left in 2017 to take an animal welfare position in Gwinnett County, followed by a brief stint in Delaware. When the opportunity to return to his hometown came along, he jumped at it. It was a way to move closer to family and also to grow personally and professionally as a new executive director. After serving three months in the interim position, his role became permanent at the beginning of 2021.
“I was excited to be able to return to Thomasville Humane and revive some of the forward progress and momentum we had when
I left,” he says. “My entire career has been surrounded by animal welfare in some regard, and I’m passionate about it. What might be surprising, though, is that I’m even more passionate about people. That works out because 90 percent of this job is people problems, not animal problems. Animals are just the ones that we get to handle after the fact.”
As soon as he stepped in the door, Giddes began putting new systems and procedures in place. “Since I started, we’ve completely changed as many parts of this operation as possible by bringing every function in line with industry best practices. It has been a tremendously busy and exciting six months.”
Giddes first concentrated on looking at ways to improve costs and efficiency. The largest single expense for the shelter was animal
The Thomasville Humane Society recently met a nationally accepted save rate for the first time ever.
WE HAVE A SAYING THAT ‘SEEN EQUALS SAVED’
care, so he implemented tactics to shorten each animal’s stay as well as to prevent them from entering the shelter at all. That meant employing strategies like preventative intake measures, owner retention resources and placement assistance, and new foster and volunteer programming. He also hired a firm to manage a targeted social media campaign.
“We have a saying that ‘seen equals saved’,” he says, of the importance of showing photos of the animals. “Just being able to market these animals in a positive light has made an unbelievable impact on our ability to place them in our community. Our job is to make these animals in our care relevant to people, and social media has been a fantastic way to do that.”
The results of these efforts are impressive. The average length of stay for an animal was 414 days in October 2020. At the end of the first quarter of 2021, that number dropped drastically to just 11 days. Adoption rates are up. During the first three months of 2021, numbers surpassed the combined adoptions of the same time period in the previous two years. Thomasville Humane also ended the first quarter with a nationally accepted save rate for the first time since the organization was founded in 1978.
“Our save rate through April was 98 percent,” Giddes notes with
Continued, p.31
Executive Director Chandler Giddes was excited to return to Thomasville for this new role.
Fostering Love
When Betty and Russell Rouse lost their longtime canine companion, Charlie, last fall, his absence left a huge void in their home and in their hearts. In their late 70s, the Rouses felt it was too late for them to start over with a puppy. But as lifelong dog owners, they missed the presence of a dog in the house. When Betty dropped off Charlie’s possessions as a donation for the Thomasville Humane Society, she asked Director Chandler Giddes about fostering.
Giddes lit up right away. “It just so happens that we have a black Lab here right now giving birth,” he said. Staff were concerned about the stress for both the mama dog and the puppies in the noisy shelter environment. The long Thanksgiving weekend was coming up, which meant that no one would be on hand to check on the puppies as often as needed in the first few days of their lives. “I have to find a foster situation for them today,” Giddes told Betty.
Betty consulted Russell and, by the end of the day, the black Labrador, Queen, and her 10 puppies had moved in with them. Although that many dogs required a lot of care, the Rouses were happy to do it.
“I can’t tell you how much joy those puppies brought into our lives,” says Betty. She also praised the support provided by Thomasville Humane, which provides everything from food to clean towels to bundles of newspaper.
“They made sure we had everything we needed. The vet even made a house call to give the puppies their vaccinations because there was no way that we could have handled taking that many puppies to the office.”
By the middle of April, all of the puppies had found homes, and Queen found one soon after. The Rouses are glad that they were able to help in a crisis and give the puppies a healthy start in life. They have befriended several of the new owners who often send photos and updates. Betty and Russell also are thankful for the experience that helped them bridge the gap Charlie left behind.
“What I want people to know is you’re never too old to have a dog,” says Betty. “You may not want to start over with a puppy, but you can foster as long as you’re well enough to take care of a pet. It’s such a wonderful experience for both the pet and the foster parent.”
THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR AN ANIMAL DROPPED FROM 414 DAYS IN OCTOBER TO 11 DAYS FIRST QUARTER OF 2021.
HUMANE SOCIETY DOING GOOD
pride. “That’s the best thing I could hope for.”
Of course, fundraising is a key component for any nonprofit. Giddes has attacked that with a newly structured Fund Development Committee, incentivized corporate partnerships, and monthly fundraising events. He reports that the organization is in the black and has received $98,000 in grant money in the last six months. An endowment provides continued support, and Giddes hopes to encourage more donations to the fund.
Looking ahead, Giddes has even loftier plans for Thomasville Humane. A capital campaign may be on the horizon, as well as the ability to serve an even larger area. Noting that 13 out of 19 Southwest Georgia counties have no animal welfare services at all, he says it’s important for his organization to step up. His vision is an expansion through contracts with outlying municipalities to provide other communities with the services and strategies that are working so well for Thomas County.
HUMANE SOCIETY DOING GOOD
“There is a huge need for animal services in Southwest Georgia. I think that we have an opportunity, if not an obligation, to try to fill some of those needs, if and when we can.”
When trying to pinpoint the formula for Thomasville Humane’s successful six-month turn-around, Giddes says that while all the strategies put in place are important, it all boils down to a renewed idea of what the organization means to the community, along with a commitment to provide services in the most efficient, costeffective, and transparent way.
“I’m going, and we’re growing,” he states with conviction. “Thomasville Humane is dedicated to doing anything and everything we can to move animals out of our care and into homes of their own.” TM
To learn more about the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society, visit their website at thomasvillehumane.org or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Road Trip
Whether it’s spring break, summer vacation or just a weekend getaway, a visit to Reynolds Lake Oconee is an easy drive with a lot of opportunity for outdoor fun waiting on the other end.
While some 4,000 members call Reynolds Lake Oconee “home,” visitors to the pristine property are also many. Whether coming for a quiet stay for the weekend or bringing the whole family along to spend the week, there is much to do outdoors.
Bring your own boat or rent one from the marina to enjoy the lake and see if you can catch supper. Bikes for the entire family are also available to rent. You can grocery shop nearby if you plan to cook, but dining at the National Tavern and Eighty8 Kitchen + Cocktails is always top choice. Nightly specials, great wine lists, and the service we all want when enjoying a meal out are all readily available.
BY K.K. SNYDER
NATIONAL TAVERN
With spectacular views and a wonderful menu, the National Tavern boasts one of the many great dining experiences available at Lake Oconee.
Tee Up
Golfers flock to the area to play some of the state’s top courses designed by masters of the art. From the Bob Cupp designed courses at The Landing and The Preserve to Tom Fazio’s The National, the five Reynolds Lake Oconee courses open to the public are all notable. Jack Nicklaus and Nicklaus Design recently renovated his signature Great Waters course, perennially ranked among America’s Greatest 100 Public Courses by Golf Digest
The big draw for many is the Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee, one of two TaylorMade Kingdoms in the world and
previously available only to PGA Tour professionals. Today, anyone is welcome to sign on for their custom golf game improvement experience, with consolidated club fitting and instruction for all ages and skill levels.
The campus includes an expansive range, four enclosed and heated hitting bays, three open hitting bays, three-hole short game practice area, and classroom facilities for private or group instruction. The teaching studios offer the latest in technology, including TrackMan 4 and Bodi-Track for plates. In addition, Gears, a full swing club and body tracking system, analyzes every nuance of a swing, in full 3-D, from address to follow-through.
For those interested club fitting, all drivers, fairway woods, and irons are custom-built by a master club builder at the on-site TaylorMade Tour Trailer. The only other place this service is available is the headquarters of TaylorMade in Carlsbad, California.
ABOVE: Reynolds Lake Oconee means just one thing to many visitors: excellent golfing opportunities. From Bob Cupp designed courses to the recently renovated Great Waters course by Jack Nicklaus and Nicklaus Design, these pristine grounds are a huge draw.
Those looking for something out of the ordinary for outdoor activity should look no farther than Reynolds’ Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds on 100 beautiful countryside acres a short drive from the resort. Or ask about being taken from the Ritz Carlton to Sandy Creek on the new Chris-Craft boat recently purchased specifically for that service. Whether you go as part of a corporate team building excursion or just with friends looking for a unique adventure, the multi-faceted collection of shooting challenges and sporting endeavors offer a day of fun.
Under the design direction of international shooting champion Justin Jones of Great Britain, one of the world’s foremost experts in the development and management of elite resort shooting facilities, Sandy Creek features a 20 station sporting clays course, a five-stand shooting range, a sporting clays instructional and games area, an air rifle range, and an archery range. The sporting clays course is one of only 10 in the country at a resort, says Jones.
For those not experienced with shooting, professional certified instructors are available for lessons in the various sports. For non-shooters, other activities include fishing on a professionally managed 40-acre angling lake, kayaking, canoeing, and hiking, with all the equipment you’ll need conveniently provided for you. Now back on track is the offroad course at Sandy Creek. Following the native contours and topography of the land, the off-road course presents a navigational challenge for novice to intermediate drivers in a controlled environment.
The highlight on the property, the Sandy Creek Barn dates to the early 1800s and was relocated from the wilds of Pennsylvania and restored in its current location in 2005. It serves as an ideal setting for music and culinary special events throughout the year, including the popular Rhythm & Brews music and beer festival each October.
Nightly lodging rates during peak spring through fall months range from $645 for a two-bedroom condo to $1,033 for the four-bedroom National Club Cottages. TM
For more information, visit reynoldslakeoconee.com.
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H 2 O In the Know
Local Health
The importance of staying hydrated & how to do it without sacrificing taste
BY STEPHANIE RICE
Stephanie Rice
B.S. Exercise Science, Jacksonville University
ASCM, Certified Personal Trainer
ACE, Weight Management Specialist
Balanced Body Pilates Instructor
MBG Functional Nutrition Specialist
Fit Fab Life – Owner
fitfablifetraining@gmail.com; fitfablife.biz
Did you know that the human body is 55 to 75 percent water? The younger you are, the more water your body retains. This is why it is so important to make hydration a priority, especially during the hot summer months. Every organ and system in your body relies on water to function properly.
According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, the brain and heart are composed of 73 percent water, and the lungs are about 83 percent water. The skin contains 64 percent, muscles and kidneys 79 percent, and even the bones are a watery 31 percent.
As you can see, our bodies need water for more than just hydration. Here are some amazing benefits of water—some might just surprise you!
• Nutrient and oxygen transportation
• Immune system, detoxification, and digestion support
• Blood pressure and heartbeat regulation
• Waste and bacteria removal
• Healthier stool and bowel movements
• Muscle repair
• Joint lubrication
• Weight loss
• Electrolyte balance
There have even been studies that suggest staying hydrated can help prevent mood swings and increase cognitive performance. (Dr. Shaun Riebl)
Dehydration is serious, even fatal, especially in the summer months. Signs of dehydration can include poor concentration, fatigue, low energy during workouts, headaches, weakness, low blood pressure, and dizziness. Think hangover!
Adults (especially the elderly) and athletes need to be even more mindful to avoid dehydration. And be sure to check medications to see if they increase fluid loss, as that will increase the need for more water intake.
Alcohol also leads to dehydration because it is a diuretic, meaning it causes you to take extra trips to the bathroom. Drinking a glass of water between alcoholic beverages will help stave off dehydration. Sticking to only one alcoholic drink is ideal.
Good news is that there are some easy ways to increase your water intake. By making the water have taste, most people will begin to drink more. My favorite way of adding flavor to water is by adding electrolytes or freshly squeezed lemon.
Electrolytes are incredibly important to overall health. They are found throughout the body and play a vital role in everything from fluid balance to heart health and brain function. Some of the most common electrolytes
are magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. Benefits of electrolytes include:
• Regulating fluid balance
• Promoting nerve and muscle function
• Supporting heart health
• Improving bone strength
• Maintaining brain health
My favorite brands are LMNT, Liquid IV, and UltimaReplenisher. Any of these would be a great addition to your daily routine and will help increase water intake
Local Health
because they all taste amazing!
Lemon water is also very good for you. Half of a fresh squeezed lemon in warm or cold water in the morning can help:
• Boost your immune system and mood (thank you vitamin C!)
• Improve blood pressure
• Improve liver function
• May support weight loss
• Helps maintain hydration
Lemon water was found to be effective in uplifting your mood, especially when you’re deficient in vitamin C. A 2011 study from the journal Nutrition showed that vitamin C-deficient patients had a higher risk of suffering from mood disturbances and that supplementing concentrations of vitamin C helped improve their mood states by up to 34 percent. (Dr. Joseph Mercola)
Remember, the body is very adaptable. Over the years I have come across a lot of people who say they don’t like the taste of water. It’s actually the lack of taste people don’t like. If you are one of these people, just start small. Drink a glass in the morning when you get up, drink a glass with or after a meal, drink a glass around brushing your teeth or taking medication. In no time at all your body will start craving the water and it won’t taste so bad.
If these tricks still don’t work, you can add the electrolytes or lemon to your water or drink fruitinfused water. Other low-calorie, no sugar added drinks that help hydrate are caffeine-free herbal teas, unsweetened coconut water, and nut milks like almond and coconut. Believe it or not, bone broth can also increase hydration.
I will caution you to stay away from liquid and powder flavorings for water that are made of fake sugars and
food colorings like sucralose, dextrose, red 40, etc., as these can cause a host of other problems. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees about how much water we should drink each day. Here are recommendations from a few major health authorities:
The Institute of Medicine recommends between nine and 13 cups per day for adults.
Harvard Medical School uses four to six cups as a standard recommendation for generally healthy people.
Studies conducted by the National Institutes of Health suggest between six and 10 cups per day is adequate.
Bottom line, dehydration is dangerous for every system of your body. Drinking more water can be easy, still taste good, and is one of the best decisions you can make for your overall health. TM
Flourish of Thomasville 109 W. Jackson St.
Unique Finds - Furniture - Jewelry Home Décor - Collegiate & More
We Moved! 129 E. Jackson St. 229-236-DWEL (3935) dwellingonthebricks.com @dwellingonthebricksthomasville
INSURANCE SPOTLIGHT
FROM PAST TO PRESENT, LOCAL AGENCIES HAVE BEEN KEEPING THE COMMUNITY COVERED THROUGH THICK & THIN
By Wendy Howell
erving as the oldest insurance agency in Thomasville, Caldwell & Langford has centered their decades of success around their commitment and reputation, standing behind and going above and beyond what they offer their clients and giving them buying power when it comes to their insurance.
With the first policy of insurance written in May of 1871, the original agency, Hansell & Hansell (later changed to Hansell & Merrill and then to Merrill & Moore) emerged from a confederate soldier, who was an attorney. He, along with other attorneys, started
the agency as a side business, and the first company represented by the agency was Southern Mutual Insurance Company of Athens, Georgia, which signed a contract in 1898 and is still in force at the agency.
In 1926, the first insurance-oriented person to join the firm was T.T. Caldwell, and in 1930 the agency name was changed to Moore & Caldwell. When Caldwell passed away in 1948, his son-in-law, Edward R. Langford, joined the agency and soon the name was officially changed to Caldwell & Langford. Caldwell’s wife worked in the agency part-time, retiring in 1957.
Through the decades, the agency continued to acquire and partner with additional agencies around the region. Among those was the 2005 merger with MacIntyre & Edwards, the second oldest insurance agency in Thomasville. In 2012, the agency was converted to an employeeowned agency and in 2019, Caldwell & Langford purchased another locally owned
Langford team has grown throughout the years. The company cut the ribbon on their Smith Avenue location in 2003.
Caldwell & Langford
THOMASVILLE’S OLDEST INSURANCE AGENCY
agency, The Orso Agency, making them the longeststanding, locally owned, and employee-owned business in Thomas County.
Through this long lineage of progression, Caldwell & Langford has maintained its philosophy of serving its clients with the best customer service around. With the acquisitions, the agency strengthened its insurance options, solidifying the buying power that has earned them the reputation they still have today.
“We take pride in our communication with our clients,” says Danny Braddy, principal/agent for Caldwell & Langford. “We believe in delivering policy options to our clients with detailed summary reports, reviewing everything line by line, to help our clients understand the policy and what their options
are. This has built our good reputation, which is the most important aspect of our agency that we are extremely proud of.”
Serving as an independent insurance agency, Caldwell & Langford represents over 100 companies through direct company contracts and brokerage agreements. They offer home, business, auto, farm, bonds, and life insurance.
Find out more about Caldwell & Langford by visiting caldwellandlangford.com.
SGainous State Farm Agency
upporting the local community is something Stephen Gainous, Thomasville State Farm agent, says is at the heart of the agency’s mission of giving back to the community they serve. The agency makes it a priority to support educational initiatives as often as possible, including the local schools, university, technical college, and youth sports.
Located in historic downtown Thomasville at 117 W. Jefferson Street, the Gainous State Farm Agency is located in a building they restored, moving the agency office in 2015. While restoring, they were careful to maintain the historical integrity of the building and even earned a Historic Preservation Award from the Thomasville
Historical Society for the project.
“We love the downtown area and are proud to now be the downtown insurance agency for Thomasville,” says Gainous.
Starting the agency in 2012, after long-time agent Charlotte Arnold retired, Gainous is no stranger to the insurance business. He began his career with State Farm in 2009. During his early years, he spent time at various agencies, gaining experience and helping them streamline their processes and grow their business. Later, he was sent to Atlanta to help evaluate and train oncoming agents for a couple years before he transitioned to take over the Thomasville agency for Arnold.
A native of Cairo, Gainous is a 2013 graduate of Leadership Thomasville. The Gainous Agency prides itself on developing and maintaining a relationship business model, going above and beyond to provide the help they need.
“We try to get to know our policyholders, treating them as family members,” says Gainous.
Serving as a captive State Farm Agency, the Gainous Agency specializes in auto, home, life, and some health insurance as well as financial services, including credit cards, deposit products, and some investments. They also offer insurances for businesses and
The Gainous agency was recognized for its renovation of this historic building in downtown Thomasville.
recently became licensed to write insurance policies for Florida residents and businesses.
Gainous says that 2020 was the agency’s best year ever, and they are already on track to surpass their goal for 2021.
“We made sure that our employees were taken care of and remained employed during the 2020 COVID pandemic,” says Gainous. “We were fortunate to come out on the other side without having to downsize our agency. I told my team we would get through, with everyone still having a job.”
For more information on the Stephen Gainous State Farm Agency, call 229-226-7656.
Brookwood School admits academically qualified students of any race, color, creed, gender, or national and ethnic origin.
For most people, insurance can be a hassle and something they dread having to deal with, even though it’s a necessity of life. However, when you find an agent who makes customer service her ultimate goal, it takes the stress out of those insurance headaches. Combine that customer service with a hometown feel and you’ve got a true winning combination.
Farmers agent and Thomasville native Venice Causey is a 25-year veteran in the insurance business. Starting her insurance career with 12
Farmers Insurance
AGENT VENICE CAUSEY AND STAFF PROVIDE ULTIMATE CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH A HOMETOWN FEEL
years as a customer service representative at Thomasville’s oldest agency, Caldwell & Langford, she opened her Farmers Agency in 2017. Prior to joining Farmers, Causey served as an agent with Georgia Farm Bureau in Grady County.
Specializing in business, home, auto, and life insurance, Causey is a passionate agent who doesn’t stop until she finds the best solutions for her clients, ensuring they always get the quality products they need at the best prices.
“This philosophy of business is the driving force behind my agency,” says Causey. “I believe in going above and beyond for my clients and continuously troubleshoot each client’s needs and follow through with the best solution possible.”
Farmers has a brokerage company called Kraft Lake which gives Causey access to other markets if the risk doesn’t fit Farmers. So, in addition to an amazing customer experience, clients can expect to have options designed to fit their needs with Causey’s agency.
Her assistant, Laura Poole, has been with the agency for just a year but has worked in the insurance realm for seven years. Causey says she has the same spirit of customer
From working for the highly respected Caldwell & Langford to operating her very own agency, Venice Causey continues to excel.
To
“From
SUMMER
from the bar SIPPIN’
When the temperatures rise,sodoes theappeal of a cold adult beverage.For those who prefer,all three of these areeasily converted to mocktails simplyby leavingout the alcohol.
Cheers to summer!
Strawberry Mojito
Jalapeño Paloma
A paloma is a Mexican cocktail that is traditionally made with tequila, grapefruit soda, and a squeeze of lime juice. Here we’ve suggested mezcal instead, but either works well.
JALAPEÑO SIMPLE SYRUP
We can’t think of a better use of these sweet summer jewels. Mojitos can be enjoyed with nearly any fruit as the star ingredient, so experiment away!
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
6 strawberries handful of mint leaves
1 lime
4 oz rum ice
lime flavored club soda
In a small saucepan mix the water and sugar and bring to a boil on medium heat. Let cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Put the strawberries and some crushed mint leaves in two tall glasses. Muddle the strawberries with a fork or spoon. Cut the lime in half and slice two slices from the middle. Add one to each glass. Juice the remaining lime and divide between the two glasses. Add about ¼ cup of the simple syrup to each glass, followed by half the rum in each. Stir to blend well. Fill glasses with ice and top with club soda to taste. Garnish with more mint.
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 water
2 jalapeños, coarsely chopped
Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, about 15 mins. Strain and reserve.
FOR THE COCKTAIL
2 oz jalapeño simple syrup
1 oz lime juice
4 oz mezcal
4 oz grapefruit juice
4 oz club soda
Kosher salt
Grapefruit wedge and jalapeño slices for garnish
Pour some salt onto a plate, then rub the edges of two tumblers with a grapefruit slice and dip into salt. Fill the glasses with ice. Combine all the ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously and pour into two glasses. Garnish with grapefruit and jalapeño slices.
Blueberry Lime Thyme Mashup
This recipe includes ingredients for one cocktail, but who has just one, am I right? Double, triple, or quadruple and enjoy with friends.
2 tbsp fresh or frozen blueberries, plus more for topping
1-2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, plus a sprig for serving juice from half of a lime
2 tbsp blueberry or blackberry jam
1 ½ oz bourbon or tequila
½ oz elderflower liquor, such as St-Germain sparkling water for topping lime slices for garnish (optional)
Fill with ice. In a cocktail shaker or glass jar, muddle the blueberries, thyme, and lime juice, mashing everything to release the juices. Add the jam, bourbon, and elderflower liquor. Fill with ice and shake until combined. Strain into your glass, top off with sparkling water, then gently stir to combine. Garnish with thyme sprig and a slice of lime.
FROM THE BOOKSHELF SUMMERTIME READS
BY ANNIE B. JONES, Owner of The Bookshelf
It’s hard to believe, but summer is finally upon us. The hottest time of the year is also when even non-readers begin to gravitate toward new books. Everyone’s looking for something to stuff in their beach bag or take on the plane, particularly this year when vacations feel more like a gift and a luxury than usual.
Of course, this is where The Bookshelf shines. Our staff is excited to put books into your hands this season to get you vacation-ready with your next great read. Enjoy our suggestions, spanning genres and encompassing various literary tastes.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I’ve appreciated Taylor Jenkins Reid’s thoughtful, easy-todevour fiction for years, but she finally garnered the attention of a wider audience of readers after her publication of Daisy Jones and the Six, an oral history of a fictional rock band that had everyone talking. Now Reid is back with Malibu Rising, a novel about a group of siblings bound by their love of surfing and their complicated relationship with their famous father. Malibu Rising is set over the course of one chaotic evening, with flashbacks to the family’s past, and as a result, readers will be immediately sucked in. I couldn’t put this one down, and I can’t think of a better book to take to the beach this summer. For fans of Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann
This debut novel is in the running for my favorite book of the year. Filled with richly drawn characters who feel larger than life and yet like people you know, Olympus, Texas is perfect for plot-driven readers, too. Stacey Swann has created a satisfactory pager-turner about a sprawling, complicated family whose secrets lead to bloodshed, infidelity, and, ultimately, redemption. Swann also smartly incorporated classical Greek mythology into her story, and even though I’m sure some of those details were lost on me, other readers’ experiences will only be enhanced by those complexities. For fans of East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Gold Diggers by Sanjena Sathian
Set in suburban Atlanta in the 1990s, Gold Diggers belongs to Neil, a second-generation teenager trying to find his way in the world. Desperate for achievement but lacking ambition, Neil joins forces with his friend and neighbor Anita, whose own immigrant mother brews a potion from stolen gold to help her daughter conquer her goals. I don’t know how debut novelist Sanjena Sathian managed to capture such a wide range of genres in one well-told story, but Gold Diggers is completely compelling, combining coming-of-age, magical realism, historical fiction, love story, and a thrilling heist, too. For fans of Admission by Julie Buxbaum
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Olympus, Texas might be my favorite book of the year, but our manager Olivia is already declaring Project Hail Mary hers. Author Andy Weir was a software engineer and space enthusiast before he caught the attention of publishers, critics, and readers with the resounding success of The Martian. (Remember Matt Damon harvesting potatoes in space?) Weir has continued to be a successful writer, and Project Hail Mary is being proclaimed as his best, perfect for the serious science fiction aficionado and for lay readers like me, depicting a lone astronaut desperate to save the world from potential disaster. For fans of The Wanderers by Meg Howrey
My Time Will Come by Ian Manuel
Nonfiction may not be the most obvious genre for vacation reading, but some of my fondest memories are of sitting beachside with my family, each of us armed with a different nonfiction book, sharing stats and statistics and stories back and forth, all open to new information, willing to learn something new. My Time Will Come is Ian Manuel’s memoir about surviving the juvenile justice system. Back in 1991, he was sentenced to life without parole for a mugging attempt; he was 14 years old. The case garnered the attention of attorney Bryan Stevenson (of Just Mercy fame), and his organization the Equal Justice Initiative began working for Manuel’s release. Manuel’s story is one of redemption, forgiveness, and grace, and I love that he’s telling it in his own words. For fans of Picking Cotton by Jennifer ThompsonCannino and Ronald Cotton
SOUGHT AFTER FOR ITS HEALING PROPERTIES, A TURMERIC CROP IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA IS ALSO BRINGING RENEWED LIFE TO RARE BIRDS.
Turmeric Taking Flight
BY SARAH D. SHEARER
FARM LIFE
THE AMERICAN TURMERIC COMPANY
FAMILY AFFAIR
Ryan and Janell Cleveland together with her parents, Ed and Diane Taylor, operate The American Turmeric Company. The family farm is dedicated to growing and producing high-quality turmeric.
What do you get when you combine a molecular biologist, a criminal defense attorney, and 20 acres of farmland in Boston, Georgia? A thriving turmeric enterprise and a haven for rare birds, apparently. A conversation with Ryan and Janell Cleveland reveals interesting facts about the healing properties found in turmeric and the surprise visits of rare birds to their Southwest Georgia front yard.
Ryan is an attorney by day but wholly devoted to farm and family when he’s not at work. His passion for his land and what they are accomplishing through their turmeric growth is palpable. Janell is a molecular biologist who worked on top government projects before altering her career path to have a family. Together, these highly educated individuals, along with Janell’s parents, Ed and Diane Taylor, make the perfect team for educating the generational public about
the benefits of turmeric.
Although the South is an ideal locale for growing turmeric, not many are doing it because of the labor involved. The humid climate, heat, and the occasional freezes here create the perfect environment for turmeric to grow and thrive. This turmeric growing family is currently focused on enriching the soil and planting native grasses to help their turmeric plants succeed. After it is picked, the root is consumed, much like ginger. They work hard to cultivate their crop before turning it into a paste or powder to distribute through their online business, The American Turmeric Company.
Their products, appropriately titled “Georgia Gold,” come in a paste that looks like pureed sweet potatoes and powders that are a brilliant orange. The paste is much more potent and effective because it comes straight from the plant. The only added ingredient is a probiotic, so the paste is incredibly pure and unadulterated, unlike many trendy turmeric products found at the store that have been heated and boiled, causing the turmeric to lose much of its therapeutic value.
The paste tastes best when combined with sparkling water or added to a glass of V8 juice, says Janell. The latter method is reminiscent of a Bloody Mary, boasting a tangy, spicy, delicious flavor. And it doesn’t just taste good; turmeric has been found to be extremely beneficial, chiefly because it is an anti-inflammatory. When inflammation is found in the body, joint pain,
arthritis, asthma, and other conditions are rampant. Turmeric is one of the few herbs that has been welldocumented to help with inflammation. It also aids with depressive moods and auto-immune disorders. While it is no miracle drug, turmeric can be a wonderful supplement to improve overall health and well-being.
Ryan and Janell are passionate about turmeric and have a great vision for the future of their business, but they need more farmers to partner with them and start the process of growing turmeric. Much of their crop is located in Bainbridge, where their distribution facility is located. It is of the utmost importance that their products be the highest quality, which is why growing it is such a rigorous process.
The “Georgia Gold” is an incredibly unique product and contains a high level of curcumin, which is the active ingredient in turmeric. The Clevelands are dedicated to excellence in every aspect of production. They both have fallen in love with South Georgia and want to see awareness grow for the health benefits of turmeric, ultimately making this area a hub for growing the crop.
GEORGIA GOLD
The incredible antioxidant properties found in The American Turmeric Company’s products can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. One of the most popular is “Golden Milk.” Recipes abound on the internet for this healing brew, which is often made with coconut or almond milk, turmeric, ginger, and a healthy sweetener like honey.
Family Style Buffet Restaurant
Enjoy fresh country cooking served buffet style daily in a casual family friendly atmosphere.
Rotating menu features 10-plus meats, 20-plus vegetables, a 70-item salad bar, and over 20 varieties of fresh baked desserts, served every day.
14815 US Hwy 19 S., Ste 100 Thomasville (229) 227-0622
RARE BIRD SIGHTINGS
After experiencing many rare bird sightings on the farm, Janell formed a Red Hills chapter of the Audubon Society. Hundreds of enthusiasts flock to the farm to see rare species like the calliope hummingbird above that are attracted to the farm’s turmeric grown alongside native plants and grasses that provide ideal habitat.
One of the ways the Clevelands are almost accidentally drawing attention to their farm is through several rare bird sightings. This has more of a connection to turmeric than one might think. About three years ago, Janell spotted a vermilion flycatcher in her yard, and its beauty absolutely captured her. “This was my spark,” she says, and that bird sighting ultimately pulled her into the bird world where she began to voraciously research birds she discovered in the area.
Another aviary of note that has made an appearance is the calliope hummingbird, the smallest bird native to the United States, whose sighting in this part of the country is extremely rare. When Janell posted her discovery on the Georgia Ornithological Society Facebook page, the farm was swarmed by hundreds of bird enthusiasts who drove from all over for a chance to see the hummingbird. While there, one spectator found another surprise as he was taking photographs. He happened upon a rough-legged hawk, a bird virtually unknown in Georgia. Roughlegged hawks are native to the Arctic and may fly as far south as Michigan, but to be seen in Georgia was a rare treat for a Southern birdwatcher.
After the visit from the vermilion flycatcher—affectionately dubbed Juan Carlos—Janell began cultivating a welcoming environment for birds and has curated a beautiful hummingbird garden in the hopes that the calliope hummingbird will return for another winter visit. She has also formed a Red Hills chapter of the Audubon Society for this region and looks forward to creating opportunities for children and students to come and learn about birds and their habitat.
“Birds have lost so much of their habitat… if you think about what birds need, most people think trees. But most birds need open prairies and plains. This area is called Coastal Plains, but you really don’t see that anymore….our thought with the turmeric is to grow the turmeric alongside native plants and grasses that will provide both bird habitat and turmeric.”
In the months and years to come, Ryan and Janell look forward to growing their crops, their gardens, and their business, but more importantly, they want to grow community, establishing themselves as trusted resources and friends in this area. Their kindness, intelligence, and unique offerings has them well on their way to that goal. TM
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100 YEARS OF HISTORY IN THE MAKING ROTARY OFFERS Fellowship & Service
BY MARTA JONES TURNER
Members of the Rotary Club of Thomasville enjoy fellowship and interesting speakers, but it’s the organization’s purpose—”service above self”—that makes being part of the club most worthwhile. That’s true today as it has been through the club’s 100 years.
“Our members have a passion for serving that impacts the lives of countless people in our community and around the world,” past president Teri White said. Members serve as volunteers, fund local projects, and contribute to Rotary International’s global programs.
Thomasville Rotary President John Brown reports the
PICTURED: Members of the club in 1967 gather at lunch to plan service projects.
organization remains strong in spite of challenges brought on by the pandemic. Meetings were by Zoom for much of the past year, but the club carried on its mission to serve. Ten community projects, 16 youth projects, and five fundraisers were completed in 2020. “Our wide range of projects, all of which have a positive impact on the community, allow members to choose areas of service that interest them,” Brown commented.
To appreciate what Rotary is and what it works to accomplish, we share a few stories of members and how they serve.
YOUTH PROJECTS
*Most events shown were prior to COVID.
Youth projects have dominated the club’s service work since 1921. Here, Rotarians and members of Interact Clubs from Thomasville High School, Thomas County High School, and Brookwood work together to paint a map of the United States on a local school playground.
From anti-bullying programs like
“Be the Voice” at McIntyre Park School to “Character Counts” at the Boys & Girls Club to Little Free Libraries, the Rotary Club makes a positive impact on youth in our community.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR YOUTH
Andre’ Marria knew her decision to join Rotary was the right one when she attended her first Rotary International conference. “These people really make a difference,” she realized. “I saw the vision, realized what Rotarians accomplish around the world, and returned home to discover my club also has a heart to serve.”
Marria has offered guidance for the club’s youth programs in recent years. She is most proud of a fiveyear partnership with Morehouse College that allowed Rotary to help reduce teen pregnancies in the region. The program involved innovative curriculum in local schools and at the Boys & Girls Club. Among the more than 3,000 local students participating in the five-year program, only one pregnancy occurred. Although the partnership and funding from Morehouse has ended, Thomasville Rotary Club continues to fund the local Teen Pregnancy Program.
Rotarians also volunteer and fund other meaningful youth programs that encourage ethical behavior, help develop good character, stop bullying, recognize outstanding students, offer scholarships, and more.
RALLYING FOR UNITED WAY
In 2016, United Way asked Rotary to take responsibility for their annual golf tournament when the previous sponsor, Caterpillar, announced their Thomasville operation would close. “It seemed a natural partnership for us. United Way and the organizations they support have mission statements that align closely with Rotary’s purpose,” said Scooter Grubbs, who chairs the annual tournament.
Grubbs took on the challenge. More than 25 club members volunteer for the annual tournament and their efforts have paid off. Funds raised for local charities have grown from $7,000 to more than $17,000 in 2019. Last year’s event was cancelled because of COVID, but the 2021 tournament is scheduled for August.
Rotarians turn out to support the club sponsored fundraiser golf tournament for United Way. Result in 2019-$17,000 raised for local charities.
HONORING LOCAL HEROES
Mary Beth Donalson has “pattied out” almost every hamburger served at Rotary’s Honoring Local Heroes luncheons since the first event in 2016. That’s hamburgers for about 1,800 meals, but Mary Beth and others who help consider it a privilege to serve lunch to city and county law enforcement officers, fire and rescue teams, and utility linemen.
It was Will Felt’s idea to show first responders that the community appreciates their service. He shared the idea with his fellow Rotarians and Honoring Local Heroes became a reality. Six years later, the program is still going strong.
For each lunch, Barbara Williams-Anderson shops for ingredients, Andy Jones mans the grill, and Joe Tarver, David Flowers, Donalson, and Felts step in to do their parts. Other Rotarians stop by to help serve the meals and show appreciation to first responders.
This year, team members from the county health department and city sanitation department were served lunch as a show of thanks for their extra efforts during the pandemic.
Serving law enforcement and other local community heroes provides an opportunity to build goodwill and connection in the community.
Rotarians joined in to support our troops serving in the 1230th Thomas County National Guard unit in 2013, offering encouragement when soldiers were deployed to Afghanistan. Each year, as in this photo from 2016, club members prepare a holiday meal for soldiers and their families.
SUPPORTING THE TROOPS
When the 1230th Thomas County Georgia National Guard unit deployed to Afghanistan in 2013, Rotarian Joe Brown stepped up with a plan to show support. Rallying Rotarians and others in the community, Brown led the effort to send gift baskets and offer encouragement in other ways while the unit was stationed in Afghanistan.
When the unit returned home, Rotarians began hosting an annual holiday party for the guard and their families. Rotary funds the event and members prepare a traditional Christmas meal for about 250 attendees. The meal is served by the guard’s officers and noncommissioned staff at the local armory.
“We appreciate each member of the guard and their service,” Brown said. “My fellow Rotarians were quick to support efforts to host the holiday event and to offer encouragement during the unit’s deployments.”
Inspired by projects that touch them personally, Rotarians are often finding ways to serve others locally.
OPPOSITE: Rotarians
serve in diverse pojects like the Salvation Army bell ringing, a Valentine’s Party for seniors, and stuffing bags for kids going back to school.
RIGHT: Twenty live oak trees were planted in Paradise Park to celebrate the club’s 100 year anniversary.
A PASSION TO SERVE
The list of ways Rotarians can serve is long and always developing as members share inspiring ideas. Rotary Has Heart for Seniors was inspired by Rotarian Angela Williamson’s passion to support seniors in our community. She brought an idea to fellow Rotarians and they gave enthusiastic support for a Valentine’s party for clients at the Scott Senior Center.
Strengthening families within the Boys & Girls Club organization is Nate Tyler’s new passion. He recently spoke to his fellow Rotarians about the Family PLUS program he now heads at the Boys & Girls Club. It’s an effort to empower adults and enhance family stability. Nate encouraged members to become mentors for the program. “You can make a difference here,” he said.
The Thomasville Rotary Club is both of the community and for the community, according to past president Jeff Zoller. He shared a quote from Alec Smythe, past district governor of Rotary: “We unite leaders from all walks of life, amplifying their individual efforts to make our communities and the world a better place to live and work.”
100 YEARS AND STILL SERVING
The Rotary Club of Thomasville was founded in 1921 with 20 members chosen because of their influence and business status. This year marks the club’s 100th anniversary and today’s membership of 130 includes a diverse mix of individuals from across the community. Through its history, the club has served the community in impactful ways, for example, establishing Camp Rotary (now Camp Pineywoods) and sponsoring hundreds of surgeries for children impacted by polio. Honoring this hallmark year, Rotarians planted 20 live oak trees in Paradise Park and established a memorial plaza honoring Will Watt, a Thomasville Rotarian whose vision created efforts to promote world peace following WWII. TM
TOP: Rotarians helped prepare for the Boy Scouts Boys Week Parade in 1924.
BOTTOM: The Rotary Club of Thomasville recently captured a photograph to commemorate its 100th Anniversary.
Summer EVENTS
JUNE 1-AUGUST 13
Art Exhibition & Sale
THOM Artist Collective Exhibition, featuring the works of THOM Collective members. All artwork for sale between $100-$1,000. Main Gallery hours are 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Friday and 2nd Saturdays. Thomasville Center for the Arts gallery, 600 East Washington Street. For tours, call 229-226-588.
JUNE 4, AUGUST 6 & SEPTEMBER 3
First Friday Sip and Shop
Starting at 6pm, enjoy dinner, grab an adult beverage from your favorite downtown restaurant or venue, and shop ‘til you drop. Participating shops will have extended hours, with many bars and restaurants open until 10pm. Live music at the amphitheater begins at 8pm.
JUNE 4
Hearts for Art
Enjoy art created by Vashti Center’s Clubhouse students, with special pieces available for purchase. Your patronage supports the transformative work of the Vashti Center! Held at The Bookshelf, 4-7pm.
JUNE 19
Juneteenth Celebration
This free community-wide event held to unite and educate will offer free health screenings, live entertainment, a car show, COVID-19 vaccines (provided by Archbold Medical Center), informational displays, vendors, kids activities, and more. 11am to 5pm at Douglass High School Alumni Association, Inc., Forrest Street. For info, email ucherdent@gmail.com.
JULY 3
Independence Day Show
Join the City of Thomasville and CNSNext as we celebrate Independence Day with fireworks at Remington Park. Fireworks will start at 9pm. Please note the following rules for this event: pets are not allowed, golf carts will not be allowed on the grass or fields at Remington Park, and personal fireworks (including sparklers) are not allowed. For more information, call 229-227-7001.
Thomasville Landmarks Derby Party
The 2021 Thomasville Landmarks Derby Party brought together preservationists for a fun-filled fundraiser event. In addition to many numerous sponsors, the party enjoyed a special sponsorship from Woodford Reserve. Committed to the preservation and restoration of the area’s landmark buildings, Landmarks has saved many historic buildings in the community.
