Thomasville Magazine Summer 2024

ADVENTURE

YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO FAR THIS YEAR TO LIVE IT UP summer a total TO MAKE all the ways

Hello, Thomasville!

Here we are with summer just officially a couple weeks away. School is out, the sun is hot, and we’re ready for yet another Southwest Georgia scorcher of a summer. We’ve gathered some stories to keep you entertained during your free moments, and we hope you’ll enjoy learning about these local folks as much as we did during the editorial process.

If you’ve lived in Thomasville for some time, you’re likely no stranger to Kathy’s Shoes. Together with Al Dixon’s Menswear, the two are the longest running businesses downtown with ownership in the same family. Their customers are faithful, and their customer service is the reason why. Check out their business spotlight in this issue, and you just might see some faces you recognize.

Summer is a great time for community events such as the annual Juneteenth of Thomasville celebration organized by Ucher Thomas Dent and her volunteers. The goal is to educate everyone about African Americans’ freedom and achievements and to create unity in the community. Lots of activities are planned, so check out the article and mark your calendar.

In addition, this issue offers great ideas for visiting Tallahassee this summer, profiles on two local young women soon to compete in Miss Georgia, and details of a Hahira farm created to bring floral beauty to your life. So, grab a cold drink, kick back and see what you can learn about your USA Today No. 3 Best Small Town in the South!

EDITORIAL INFORMATION

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DIGITAL EDITION & SOCIAL

You can follow us online on our social media accounts @ThomasvilleMagazine.

Karen (KK) Snyder EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ON THE COVER

Get outdoors and explore Tallahassee. Opportunities abound to enjoy nature, from Wakulla Springs to bike trails and more.

Setting the Standard for Beautiful Smiles.

“As a flower show judge, I judge things. You have certain things you look for and for a Blue Ribbon you have to meet strict criteria. I would give Dr. Oppenheim a Blue Ribbon!” Experience

Connie Ewing

— 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 • CREATIVE DIRECTOR

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Lauren Vann | Adele Creative Marketing & Design

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Lauren Vann | Jacob Welch

ADVERTISING SALES

Wendy Montgomery

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Katie Murray Alt, Amelia Gallo, Kristen Soles McCrackin, Kathy Nolan, Stephanie Rice, Sarah Shearer, Madison Thornhill

PHOTOGRAPHY

Emily Tucker Photography MAGAZINE

10

Fancy Girl Farm

BY KATIE MURRAY ALT

This Hahira property is awash in colorful blooms grown specifically for cutting.

22

Outside Tallahassee BY

KATHY NOLAN

Just down the road, Tallahassee offers a long list of outdoor activities.

32

Crate to Plate BY

AMELIA GALLO

The pivot made necessary during the pandemic continues to be a big hit.

36

Celebrate Unity

BY MADISON THORNHILL

Juneteenth of Thomasville’s annual event is just around the corner.

38 In Her Shoes

BY SARAH D. SHEARER

Kathy’s Shoes in downtown Thomasville has served customers for generations.

55

Citrusy Summer

Add some twang to your meals with lemon and lime. 62 Center Stage BY

KRISTEN SOLES MCCRACKIN

Two young women from Thomasville head to compete at Miss Georgia. 68 Feeling Stuck

Stephanie Rice is back with solid information for getting back on track.

With stunning hues of violet, magenta, crimson, cerulean, salmon and goldenrod florals splashed across her social media accounts, Jennifer Sumner has what most would consider a “dream job.” She’ll be the first to tell you there’s not much glamour to it.

Sumner owns and operates Fancy Girl Farms in Hahira, Georgia, where she works alongside horticulturist Elizabeth Coleman. The two of them do the lion’s share of the farmwork, growing just over an acre of flowers. “It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of backbreaking labor to plant and cut, and a lot of sweating during these miserable South Georgia summers,” admits Sumner.

While an acre might sound small in traditional row crop country, “As labor intensive and hands-on as it is, I couldn’t handle much more,” she says. Although Sumner hails from a long line of commodity farmers, her immediate family is in the restaurant business.

ANYTHING BUT FANCY

Now in her sixth season with Fancy Girl Farms, Sumner insists she is anything but fancy. “On any given day, you’ll typically find me in Duluth work pants, boots, a t-shirt and a hat,” she says. “I’m about as far from fancy as you can get, but my grandpa started calling me that after I built my first raised bed garden in 2012.

“I loved decorating the garden with antique finds—old bicycles, tricycles, watering cans, etc. When my grandpa, who was your traditional farmer, would come over to look at my garden, he would always comment that I had a ‘fancy garden for a fancy girl,’ and so Fancy Girl Farms was born.”

Her acre of flowers is a far cry from the 14 raised beds she began with in the spring of 2019. Sumner was first introduced to the idea of a flower farm when a friend shared the concept

Continued, p.14

Jennifer Sumner (left) and Elizabeth Coleman

All the World Abloom

By Katie Murray Alt

Photos by Emily Tucker Photography

Jennifer has grown the farm slowly, adding beds and high tunnels to the property.

with her over lunch one day. After a Google search to see if “flower farming” was a real thing, some time to wrap her head around the idea, and a couple of online workshops, Sumner kickstarted her inaugural floral venture with her raised beds, a 60 by 70 plot, and a small greenhouse.

“That first season was kind of dismal,” says Sumner. She had planted her hardy annuals in late spring like the seed packet instructed but was soon to find out that in Zones 8 and 9, hardy annuals must be planted in the fall to establish their root systems while it’s still cool. She made the adjustment the following year and hasn’t looked back.

When the Hahira Farmer’s Market opened back up in 2019, Sumner made sure she was on the list to be a vendor. It was there that she gained her initial floral following. But 2020 brought the pandemic with it and, since going into public spaces

was obviously no longer an option, Sumner began selling the flowers in her driveway. “It created a traffic jam, so I knew then and there that people would drive to the farm to buy their own flowers.”

As the farm took off, each season she would add another field or high tunnel as well as make improvements to the business. They began selling from the barn instead of from her house, added an awning to the barn, and installed a cooler to maintain the flowers’ freshness.

FARMER OF THE YEAR

Although her on-farm flower markets only run from late January

through early July, due to the high temperatures and disease and insect pressure, the work required is year-round. Fields are prepped in September and then hardy annuals, such as snapdragons, ranunculus, and anemones, are planted in two sowings in late October/early November and then again in late December/ early January to allow for continuous blooms in early spring. Once those blooms fade away, they are followed closely by tender annuals that love the heat, such as sunflowers, zinnias, ageratum, and marigolds. In the last five years, Fancy Girl Farms has grown from one field to five. They now also have three high tunnels and a

Jennifer admits the back breaking work and hot Georgia summers make this job anything but fancy.

greenhouse as well as their raised bed gardens up.

Sumner was recently named the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce’s Small Farmer of the Year, a fitting award since, despite the stunning photos of blooms and beauty customers see displayed on social media, Sumner does not downplay the fact that hers is truly a working farm.

“We start the seeds or buy plugs,” says Sumner. “Then, all of the flowers are planted by hand.” Laying the irrigation tape, putting down landscape fabric, planting,

harvesting, and flower stripping is all done primarily by the bent backs and calloused hands of herself and Coleman. All the arranging is also done by the duo, allowing customers to come to the farm to pick up their pre-made orders. When the summer annuals are in full bloom, visitors to the farm have the option of creating a build-your-own bouquet at the flower bar or purchasing one pre-made. While Sumner and Coleman do the vast majority of the work, she admits

husband, son and daughter.

she couldn’t make it without her support staff of family and friends, especially her husband, Mike, whom she calls her “Jack of all trades.”

“He’s my tractor-driving, irrigation-laying, fabric-straightening man as well as my biggest cheerleader,” she says. Daughter Madison is usually helping at the markets, and son Peyton can be found directing traffic to the flower house and sowing seeds in the greenhouse alongside his mom. “They have been helping from the beginning, usually not by choice,” says Sumner.

In her almost non-existent spare time, Sumner has also been developing a five-acre tract in downtown Hahira. The expansion will include 47 raised beds set up as a cottage garden, meandering walking trails, an outdoor garden pavilion, a cafe, and a farm-to-table restaurant. The grounds have a target opening date of September 2024.

For more information, visit Fancy Girl Farms on Facebook and Instagram. TM

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Tallahassee

ALFRESCO ADVENTURES

STORY BY Kathy Nolan

Springs.

Take it outside in Tallahassee. Florida’s capital city is still trending with classic signature restaurants, historically hip cocktail lounges and impressive interactive outdoor attractions. Modern concepts mixed with authentic Floridian flair create an inviting and inclusive environment, oozing with Old World charm. Relax with libations in a library or take a walk on the wild side and watch a Florida panther in a safe haven. Travel back in time on a scenic cypress swamp tour. Bring your sunscreen and a sense of adventure.

WAKULLA SPRINGS

Release your inner wild child at Wakulla Springs. Decades after Old Hollywood film makers selected the region’s ancient cypress swamps as the lush jungle habitat for Tarzan and Jane, Wakulla Springs still attracts curious tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of a gator or to look at the lair made famous by the “Creature from the Black Lagoon.”

The historic lodge at Wakulla Springs is an elegant remnant of old Florida, and the lush subtropical scenery still provides the perfect backdrop for a modern mystery tour. Wakulla means “mysterious waters.” Surrounded by 6,000 acres of pristine forest, The Lodge at Wakulla Springs is North Florida’s castle. Built in 1937 by industrialist and environmentalist Edward Ball, the lodge serves ice cream at the world’s longest marble soda fountain and looks out over the world’s largest natural spring. For a modern twist, try a local craft beer at the famous bar.

Jump with wild abandon from the dive platform and swim where mastodons once roamed. Take a guided boat tour where dugout canoes hand-carved by ancient Apalachee inhabitants glided across

Swim like Tarzan in the chilly Wakulla

111 Palm Island

Thomasville

3 BR | 2 BA | 1,530 SQFT.

$799,000

When it comes to dining in Tallahassee, there’s something to please everyone along for the ride.

the cool 70-degree waters. An entire mastodon skeleton was discovered in the pristine preserve. Edward Ball, a visionary business mogul, purchased and preserved the ancient area to ensure that the delicate ecosystem remained undisturbed. Alligators, West Indian manatees, Florida black bears and 300 species of migratory and nesting birds can all be observed in their natural habitats.

MISSION SAN LUIS

Outdoor living gets an ancient perspective and history comes alive through costumed characters and hands-on exhibits housed in 16th century-style thatched-roof buildings, with reproductions of ancient artifacts from archaeological excavations at the only reconstructed Spanish mission in Florida. Mission San Luis was the capital of La Florida western missions from 1656 to 1704 and home to 1,500 Spanish and Apalachee Indian residents who inhabited the fascinating garden village. The impressive council house is the Southeast’s largest historic Indian building.

1403 Clay Street

Thomasville

1 BR | 1 BA | 924 SQFT.

$799,000

Like new home overlooking the lake in Stonybrook. This 3BR, 2BA features light-filled rooms, LVP flooring, spacious kitchen with center island, granite counters, stainless appliances and more. The split floorplan offers a private master suite.

For photos, please text 1342730 to 35620

This charming 1930s cottage features a spacious living room with fireplace, separate bed/bath, as well as full kitchen, eating area, laundry and more. Total 5.83 acres with mature trees, plantings and wildlife. Development potential as well!

For photos, please text 1342729 to 35620

16 S Green Turtle Lane

Inlet Beach, FL

5 BR | 3 1/2 BA | 3,354 SQFT. |

$4,950,000

Tortuga Cottage in Rosemary Beach, just a few minutes’ walk to shopping, dining and the beach. Open concept, professional kitchen, suite on main level and two suites on second level. Two-car garage and spacious two-bedroom carriage house.

For photos, please text 1279906 to 35620

WILL PALMER - Broker

850-687-9988

will@bhghistoric.com 218-A W Jackson

PALMER - Sales Associate 229-421-3870 kathy@bhghistoric.com

TALLAHASSEE MUSEUM

The Capital City is perfect for last-minute getaways for those who don’t like to plan ahead.

With 52 acres of natural wonders, historic buildings, high-flying adventures and animal exhibits, the Tallahassee Museum provides a scenic sanctuary along the river where endangered animals can flourish. Stroll along the museum’s elevated boardwalks and experience amazing living displays of native animals in their natural settings. Discover the rare Florida panther, the fascinating red wolf and a playful river otter. See white-tailed deer, black bears, tree-climbing grey foxes, and wild turkeys. Most museum exhibits are programmed outdoors, so dress comfortably. Be sure to wear shoes suited for exploring the 52 lush acres. Get a bird’s eye view on the family-friendly Tree-To-Tree Adventures zipline. You might even spot a dinosaur. Sculptor Jim Gary transforms colorful old car parts into prehistoric creatures installed throughout the park.

TRAILAHASSEE

Seriously, get outside in Tallahassee. Find trail maps, outfitters, insider tips and local spots to refuel after your athletic excursions on Trailahassee, the ultimate online outdoor guide to Florida’s capital city. Wander through the site and pick an experience you are passionate about. Explore more than 700 miles of hiking, biking, riding and paddling trails. visittallahassee.com/trailahassee

CANOPY ROAD FARM-TO-FORK

You can even experience the great outdoors and the area’s farm-to-fork offerings without lifting a finger. Scenic drives define the Tallahassee area, especially its signature canopy roads, where moss-draped live oaks, sweet gums, hickory trees and signature pines provide a towering, cooling canopy over country backroads and byways that were once paths traveled by native tribes. Tallahassee has nine official canopy roads, offering more than 78 miles of shady scenery.

Drive down Centerville Road and see where the sausage is made at Bradley’s Country Store. This family-

owned landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has operated at the original location since 1927. Get a sample and stock a cooler to share the famous homemade sausage and country milled grits with friends and family who missed the road trip. Remember to stop and visit the Rice brothers who ventured out on this country road to open Backwoods Crossing. Serving locally caught soft shell crabs, sausage, duck and blueberries, the chefs offer a fresh approach. An onsite garden provides more farm-fresh ingredients for the evolving menu, which adapts to feature nature’s seasonal bounty.

CIVILIZED AND UNFRANCHISED

When you are ready to celebrate your bucket listworthy wild adventures, order a bucket of beer at Amicus Brewery or pop a bottle of bubbly in one of the very chic and civilized cocktail lounges or fine dining options.

HAYWARD HOUSE

Get a fresh take on an American classic. Drawing from the historic downtown corner, Hayward House embraces the building’s spirited heritage, combining the warmth of home with a baroque, bistro concept. Southern hospitality is blended with international flair. Age-old recipes are crafted with a modern twist, creating a dining experience that feels familiar yet surprising.

BAR 1903

Maybe you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but you can certainly eavesdrop on the careless whispers of happy patrons enjoying libations in the historic Walker Library at Bar 1903. Master mixologists honor the craft of the cocktail, while pushing the boozy boundaries of the conventional lounge experience. Juxtaposed with modern downtown surroundings, the 100-year-old historic hangout is one for the books. Check it out.

IL LUSSO

Il Lusso simply belongs on Park Avenue. Fortunately, you won’t need to reserve a flight, but you should reserve a table. The posh place serves chic diners elegant dinners featuring prime steaks, fresh seafood, and handmade pasta and offers perfect pairings from a carefully curated wine list. Hailed as one of the best new restaurants in Florida, the Golden Spoon winner offers an unrivaled dining experience in the heart of downtown Tallahassee. A decadent dessert menu presents the perfect final bite for the discerning palate.

For more information on visiting Tallahassee, see visittallahassee.com. TM

Canine Crew, L-R

Beyond PivotTHE

What do you do when the world is on fire and gathering with your friends and neighbors is a hazard to everyone’s safety and well-being? You pivot. It’s something that we all did during those early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Can’t go into the office? Work from home. The museum closed? Learn at home with recorded lectures.

Adaptation and flexibility were the daily goals.

The Thomasville History Center and other local nonprofits faced a crucial pivot in the summer of 2020, the peak of our usual event planning season. Staring down the barrel of a Thomasville fall without the calendar-bursting lineup of events was unsettling to say the least. These few months between September and November are when most of our community’s organizations add crucial dollars to their operating budgets. To fathom skipping a fall fundraiser was out of the question. But how to do it responsibly and successfully was the biggest hurdle.

Inspired by the resilience of local small businesses, the history center’s special events committee agreed that if the people could not come to the fundraiser, then the fundraiser could go to them, and the spark that became Crate to Plate was alight. The idea was simple: Pack everything that you’d expect from an in-person

BY AMELIA GALLO

experience into a to-go box or, in our case, a crate. Using wooden crates from Georgia Crate and Basket Co., the history center curated a complete meal from appetizers to desserts, specialty cocktails, wine, and a few surprises. That year, 130 crates (each serving two people) sold out rapidly. By the numbers, this was our most successful fall fundraising campaign to date.

Then the question became whether we could replicate it? In 2021, we expanded the number of crates and those sold out. Lightning had struck twice, begging the question, was the third time the charm? So, we did it again in 2022… and again in 2023. Each event was as successful as the last. Now, we regularly sell nearly 200 crates a year, featuring food and goods from local makers, generating revenue for the history center and investing in the local small business community. Local partners have included Firefly, Sweetgrass Dairy, SASS!, JB Crumbs, Hubbard’s, Singletary’s Flowers & Gifts, 1861 Distillery, Sweet Cacao, Liam’s and many more.

In the four years since its inception, Crate to Plate has grown from a reactionary pivot to a new path—one that still centers on a celebration of the history center’s work but meets our friends and neighbors where they are. Now, attendees can choose to take their crate home, take it to a

Participants can take their crate to enjoy at home, at an offsite gathering location, or stay on the grounds of the history center.

shared gathering offsite, or stay at the history center and enjoy food, fun, and fellowship upscale picnic-style on our grounds. It’s the best of both worlds.

This October 3, we will embark on our fifth Crate to Plate adventure. This year guests will enjoy the flavors of the Mediterranean at Crate to Plate: Olives to Lemons! It will be a Provençal picnic experience celebrating local businesses, supporting the Thomasville History Center, and taking inspiration from the flavors, aromas, and scenery of the Mediterranean region.

Sponsorship opportunities are available online at thomasvillehistory.org, and each level includes at least one complimentary crate. We hope that you’ll allow the whispers of the food and culture of the region to transport you as you celebrate the history, people, and stories of Southwest Georgia.

Tickets go on sale September 1, and sponsorships can be made through the summer months. For more info and tickets, visit thomasvillehistory.org. TM

Juneteenth

OF THOMASVILLE

BY MADISON THORNHILL

The 19th of June, referred to as Juneteenth, is a federal holiday recognizing the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas, and commemorates the anniversary of the June 19, 1865, announcement by Union Army General Gordon Granger that the Civil War was over and the enslaved were now free. While President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves two years earlier in 1863, it could not be enforced in many places in the South until the Civil War ended.

In honor of Juneteenth, otherwise known as Freedom Day, the Fifth Annual Thomas County Freedom Festival will be held on Saturday, June 22 from 11am to 6pm at the Thomasville Exchange Club Fairgrounds. Everyone is invited to attend.

“It’s a day of celebration, elevation and unification. We have seen growth and elevation each year we have had this event,” says Ucher Dent, founder of the Juneteenth of Thomasville-Thomas County Foundation Inc. and the Juneteenth Freedom Festival.

The event will include a craft, food and business vendor market, car show, children’s play village, Gospel Fest and

Juneteenth Talks, a series of initiatives focused on financial literacy, health and wellness and more.

“While growing, we are trying to provide access to community resources, jobs and exposure for small businesses and minority-owned businesses,” says Dent.

Spreading awareness of freedom and accomplishments, promoting ongoing self-development and cultivating respect for diverse cultures are major themes of the event. By understanding and appreciating diverse cultures, the celebration aims to build unity within the community.

The event is free to the public, but a $5 parking donation is encouraged. An official ribbon cutting will be held at 10:30am and the Gospel Fest will begin at 4pm. The event is funded and organized with help from many sponsors and volunteers, says Dent.

Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday in 2021, the first federal holiday to obtain legal observance since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was designated in 1983.

More information on this event can be found on the Juneteenth of Thomasville – Thomas County Foundation Inc.’s Facebook page. TM

IN HER SHOES

A Downtown Icon Going Strong for Almost 40 Years

Sarah D. Shearer · Photos by Emily Tucker Photography

FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS, KATHY’S SHOES IN DOWNTOWN THOMASVILLE HAS PROVIDED QUALITY FOOTWEAR TO WOMEN IN THE AREA. FOUNDED IN 1986 BY KATHY MURPHY, A LIFELONG NATIVE OF THOMASVILLE, THIS COZY SHOE STORE HAS BECOME AN ICON.

Originally, Murphy worked as a store manager for the large shoe store Country Cobbler in Valdosta. When the owner, Boe Williams, decided to branch out and create a store in Thomasville, he asked Murphy to run it. Eventually, he asked if she would like to purchase the store, and upon her acquisition it became Kathy’s Country Cobbler until 2001, when the name was shortened to Kathy’s Shoes.

At its inception, the store was located where Mary Madison Boutique is now, then it briefly moved above Neel’s Department Store before landing where it stands today at 119 South Broad Street.

Today, the store is in new but familiar hands as Kathy’s own daughter Shelly Barry took it over three years ago. Barry and her daughter Mary Toth are exceedingly proud to be the second and third generation torch bearers who

have the privilege of carrying on what Barry’s mom began in 1986. In Kathy’s, shoppers will be met with three generations of kind and hospitable women passionate about providing comfortable, pretty, and highquality, high-fashion shoes to women of all ages.

Barry enjoyed a career in aesthetics before returning to her Thomasville roots a few years ago when she took the store over from her mom. She was thrilled to return to something she loved so much and had so much experience in. “It feels like I’m back home,” she says. You could say the shoe fits quite well. Murphy said it was never her goal for her daughter to take over her business and for Kathy’s to be such a multigenerational affair, but it was definitely her dream. Seeing her daughter

Customers love Kathy’s Shoes and return year after year.

and granddaughter carry forth what she worked so hard to cultivate fills her with immense pride.

Since Barry was the owner’s daughter, she has been going to market since she was 16 and has a keen eye for the latest fashions and trends in the footwear industry. Their team works hard to keep brands like Ilse Jacobsen, Aetrex, Naot and Bed Stu in stock for customers. Barry’s primary goal is to help women look and feel great, and any woman will tell you there’s nothing quite like finding the perfect pair of shoes.

Barry knows her inventory extremely well, and when a shoe arrives, she tries it on herself so she can offer firsthand experience to a customer. She wants ladies to be able to trust her when she tells them if a shoe runs long or wide or narrow or big. Pleasing people matters to her. It’s in her blood. This is the way she has trained her staff as well.

When a person stumbles into Kathy’s while ambling down Broad Street, they will be welcomed and invited into a shopping experience that has become altogether uncommon. Comfy chairs, a long table with a cheery bowl of candy for the fellows and the children, and smiling staff members is the view shoppers are met with.

In a nod to the way of life of yesteryear, Barry and her employees see service as their primary priority. They aren’t merely standing behind a register ringing up a pair of heels; they are keen to meet people and find out exactly what they are looking for. They truly want to know how they can meet their customers’ needs. The distinction between this environment and a typical big box shoe store is marked. Kathy’s Shoes keeps the old-fashioned way of doing business at the forefront. The ladies at Kathy’s are ready and willing to help each woman who comes through their doors find the perfect size and style and they hope to get to know her a little better in the process. It is truly the Southern way of doing business at its finest.

Continued, p.44

Kathy’s offers a full array, from jewelry to sunglasses.

As often happens when people come into a place and feel right at home, many ladies at Kathy’s sit down in an oversized leather chair, take off their shoes and start talking. It is not uncommon for the women of Kathy’s to be a listening ear as their customers share what they’ve been going through.

“I tell my staff what happens in this building stays in this building,” Barry says. This legacy of trust and friendship is what has made Kathy’s strong for so long. While countless businesses have come and gone in Downtown Thomasville, Kathy’s and Al Dixon’s Menswear are the two longest running businesses downtown with ownership in the same family. This is an accolade these women do not take lightly but rather seek to solidify with each decision they make as business owners and active participants in the vibrant and growing Thomasville community.

•

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• Corneal Dystrophy

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• Cataract Surgery

• Glaucoma Treatment and In-Office Laser Surgery

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• Diabetic Eye Disease Evaluation and Laser Treatment

• Complete Eye Examinations

• Glasses and Contact Lenses

• Diabetic Eye Disease Evaluation and Laser Treatment

• Complete Eye Examinations

• Glasses and Contact Lenses Evaluations and Purchases

The mother-daughter duo of Kathy’s Shoes doles out service with a smile.

During COVID in 2020, their ability to stand was put to the test, along with so many other merchants, but they were able to pull through even that crisis with the support of their loyal customer base. Home deliveries were made, and the website was streamlined to ensure that online purchases were possible. Today, shoppers can still visit the website and can preorder new arrivals, but nothing quite compares to the joy of walking into a friendly and sleek shoe store full of beautiful shoes and accessories. TM

School admits academically qualified students regardless of race, color, creed, gender, and national or ethnic origin.

Brookwood

Customers can shop online, but most prefer to make their purchases in person.

Downtown Dollars

Downtown Thomasville has an amazing variety of shops, boutiques and specialty stores to suit any taste. Apparel, accessories, craft lessons...Downtown Thomasville has just what you’re looking for. If you need help locating a specific store, call Thomasville Main Street at 229-227-7020, and we’ll be happy to help.

Printed Shopping & Dining Guides are also available at the Thomasville Visitors Center or online in the Downtown Thomasville section at thomasvillega.com. We also have Downtown Dollars that can be used at over 100 shopping and dining locations in Downtown Thomasville! Sold in $10 denominations, these gift certificates can be purchased at the Thomasville Visitors Center, 144 East Jackson Street (in the Thomasville Municipal Building). For a complete list of participating retailers, visit the Shop link in the Downtown Thomasville section at thomasvillega.com.

Summer Events

June 7, August 2 & September 6

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. Bring blankets and chairs.

July 4

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.

July 27

Summer Family Movie

Join in for a free family movie night downtown. At 6:30pm, enjoy kid friendly activities. At 7:30pm, the movie (TBA) begins at The Ritz Amphitheater. Bring your chairs, blankets, and the whole family for an evening of fun. For more information, call 229-228-7977.

There is something for everyone! Come experience The

or just say hello to Duane & Susan Harnevious.

DIRECTIONS · Thomasville's #1 Furniture Store. Two unique locations, one amazing value.

A Citrus-y Summer!

Pucker up for a summer of tangy recipes featuring lemons and limes. And if you’re lucky enough to have access to a Meyer lemon tree, you’re lucky enough!

FOR THE CHICKEN

2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

1 tsp salt

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 tbsp vegetable oil

FOR THE SAUCE

2 tbsp butter

2 tsp garlic, minced

1 cup chicken broth (or 1 tbsp chicken bouillon powder + 1 cup water)

1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour

1/3 cup heavy cream

2 tbsp capers

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)

1 tbsp lemon wedges, thinly sliced (for garnish)

Slice each chicken breast carefully in half lengthwise (horizontally) and place one at a time between 2 sheets of plastic cling wrap or in a Ziploc freezer bag. Carefully flatten the chicken breasts with a rolling pin until they are approximately 1/4-inch thick. Don’t pound the breasts too hard as it could tear them apart. Ideally, you want flattened chicken breasts with uniform thickness.

Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Then, dip the chicken in a shallow bowl of flour and evenly coat both sides. Set aside on a plate. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high for 2 minutes until the oil is sizzling and shimmering. Sear the chicken for about 5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. The internal temperature for the chicken should reach 165F. Depending on the size of your skillet, you may have to do this in two batches. Rest the chicken on a plate.

In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté the garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chicken broth and flour and mix well until the sauce is smooth and uniform. Add heavy cream, capers, and lemon juice. Turn the heat down to medium low and bring the sauce to a simmer until thickened to a desired consistency, about 2-3 minutes. Stir continuously if the cream curdles because of lemon juice, until smooth.

Return the chicken to pan and toss well to coat. Let the chicken cook with the sauce for another minute and garnish with lemon wedges and parsley. Serve immediately with a side of pasta or mashed potatoes.

15-Minute Lemon Pasta

INGREDIENTS

12 oz spaghetti

Kosher salt

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, more if needed

6 large garlic cloves, minced

½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)

Zest of 2 lemons

Juice of 1 lemon

½ cup fresh parsley, chopped

kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

¼ cup Parmesan cheese to finish, more to your liking, optional

Bring a pot of water to a boil and salt the water well. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions to al dente (about 8 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.

When the pasta is nearly done (about 5 minutes into cooking it), heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the lemon juice and about ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water for now. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet and toss over medium heat.

Remove the skillet from the heat and add the parsley, lemon zest and grated parmesan. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Toss again to combine and, if needed, add a little bit more of the pasta cooking water and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately!

Cilantro Lime Coleslaw

INGREDIENTS

14-16 oz bag coleslaw mix (7 to 8 cups)

2 cups shredded red cabbage

¾ cup chopped cilantro, plus more for serving

¼ cup mayonnaise

¼ cup Greek yogurt

4 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp maple syrup

½ tsp chili powder

1 tsp kosher salt

Fresh ground black pepper

Shred the red cabbage and chop the cilantro. Place it in a large bowl with the coleslaw mix. Mix in the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, maple syrup, chili powder, kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Zingy Lime Sorbet

INGREDIENTS

1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (7 to 8 large limes)

½ tbsp lime zest

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup warm water

1 cup ice

Fresh mint, for garnish (optional)

Juice the limes. Add the sugar, zest and warm water to a blender and puree until sugar is dissolved. Add the juice and ice and puree until the ice is melted. (To make ahead, you can refrigerate at this point until you want to churn, up to 2 days.) Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze for 20 to 25 minutes, until the texture becomes frosty and creamy. Line a container with parchment paper and add the sorbet; place it in the freezer and freeze for 2 hours to allow it to come to a scoopable texture. Store in a parchment-lined sealed container for up to 1 week. Allow to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before scooping.

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

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South Georgia and North Florida’s leading local provider

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In 2022, several local hometown companies came together to form Southern Quality Propane—the leading provider of local, independent propane in our communities. We believe being local matters. It allows us to keep prices low while providing great customer service. You are not a revenue stream to us—you are our neighbors. And we care about this community.

Whether you’re seeking wellness for everyday living, planning for the next chapter of your life or even expecting its arrival soon, you’re not alone. We’re thrilled to welcome certified nurse midwife, Heather Stroh, who will join our team at Southwell OB/GYN, working with Dr. Joe Clifton and fellow certified nurse midwives Hillary Midler and Michelle Shifflett. See Heather for every aspect of your reproductive health, including nutrition counseling, annual exams, prenatal, birthing and postnatal care.

For more than 75 years, Southwell has provided high-quality compassionate, care for the women of South Georgia.

Heather Stroh CNM, APRN, MS, SANE

262-6810

BY Kristen Soles McCrackin

Miss Georgia JOURNEY TO

PAGEANTS GIVE CONTESTANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COLLEGE AND LEARN IMPORTANT SOCIAL SKILLS.

PHOTOS by Emily Tucker Photography

Savannah Taylor

Macy Taylor

Savannah Taylor and Macy Taylor—no relation—won Miss Thomasville and First Runner-Up, respectively. Both will travel to the Miss Georgia competition in Columbus, GA this summer to contend with women from around the state for the title. The winner will move on to the Miss America pageant. They could win thousands of dollars in scholarships along the way.

The Miss Thomasville Scholarship Program has been a tradition since 1948. Laura McCorvey, program co-director, explains the facets of Miss Thomasville. “Funds raised through the program go directly to scholarships for these young ladies. We were able to award over $17,000 last year that went directly to the queen and different preliminary awards.”

Mariam Mirabzadeh, also a program co-director, adds, “And it’s not just a day; it’s a year-long program. We work on soft skills, we work on friendship, we work on service, we work on community. Our women are community ambassadors, first and foremost.”

Savannah Taylor, crowned Miss Thomasville, is 19 years old. She is a native of Thomasville and attends the University of Georgia, where she is studying biology with a neuroscience emphasis and plans to attend physician assistance school after graduation. She’d like to work in the psychiatry field.

When she’s not studying or competing, Savannah enjoys ballroom dancing. She says, “‘I’ve been doing ballroom performance all year, so I’m going to be in the ballroom performance group at UGA next year. I’m really excited about that. My favorite style is tango, so I’m hoping to be able to do some tango as some of the performances next year.”

She admits she’s a bit of a self-proclaimed nerd. “I love Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, Marvel, and I’ve really been into Dungeons & Dragons the last few years. I did theater all throughout high school and I still am pretty involved in the performing arts.” She goes on to say, “I think that playing D&D and stuff is a way that I’m able to keep that imagination going even when school and stuff gets tough.”

All contestants have a platform—a cause or issue that a contestant chooses to advocate for during her reign. These platforms can range from community causes to global issues.

Savannah’s cause concerns mental health. She says she wants to be part of the next mental health reform. “My platform is Keep Breathing, and I focus on raising awareness for suicide and self-harm prevention.

“This really plays a big part in my life because of my own experiences with it when I was a young girl, and now I’m able to serve as Miss Thomasville and work to bring awareness in small parts. I really believe that we don’t have the power to change the world, but we can change our part of it and, through this title and competing in Miss Georgia, I’m hoping to change my part of the world.”

Macy Taylor, competing in Miss Georgia as Miss Red Hills and named First Runner-Up in Miss Thomasville, is also 19 years old. She was born and raised in Thomasville, and she attends

The pageant winners have fun with photo shoots around town. Next page: Savannah (left) and Macy

Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, GA, majoring in marketing. She has plans to return to Thomasville after graduation and work in real estate at the family business, KeySouth Real Estate Group.

In addition to pageants, Macy is a proud member of Kappa Delta sorority, where she serves on council, which, she says, “puts me out of my comfort zone but has allowed me to grow so much more than I thought was possible.”

Macy says her nine-year-old sister, Mia, helped inspire her platform. Mia suffers from a disability that left her paralyzed from the waist down. “She became a very big driving force behind my journey to Miss Georgia so that I can speak out. I love going into our schools and reading books with disability representation because so many

children in our communities have never seen it before.

“They don’t know how to handle it. They don’t know how to handle the emotions behind it, what to say, what to do. And so I created my initiative, Just Say Hi, that brings awareness to disabilities and really encourages people to take that first step and say hi.”

Savannah and Macy share the same advice to critics who say pageants are about looks.

“People don’t realize how much preparation it takes to come to something like this, how much time you spend discovering yourself, discovering what you want to do, the impact you want to have on the world around you. And if [critics] would compete just one time, I think they would truly see what this organization can do,” Macy shares.

Incidentally, Macy has covered her college expenses completely through the middle of her junior year through pageant scholarships and expects to have the rest of college fully paid for by additional pageant competitions.

Savannah lists some of the soft skills she has cultivated through pageantry. “I’ve learned about public speaking, how to prepare for important events, how to network, how to stay composed.”

Both women say they want to thank the citizens of Thomasville for their support and for allowing them to serve as representatives on this remarkable journey. TM

For Your Health

GOING GREEN

What you put into your body is even more crucial to your health than how you move your body.

Unstuck

BY 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

Do you ever feel like you couldn’t possibly do anything more for your health and wellness? You’ve tried all the fad diets, all the fitness trends, done all the different types of classes and still feel stuck? So you keep adding in more exercise, more cardio, more supplements, cut more calories, but you still feel stuck?

The thing about wellness is nobody is the same and no body is the same. What worked wonders for your best friend may not work wonders for you. There are so many factors that can affect our health and wellness. Unless you have a medical condition that has been misdiagnosed or missed, wellness really can be brought back to the basics. Sometimes the simplest changes can make the biggest difference in your overall health.

I had a client who really struggled with weight loss and energy. Sound familiar? She was an avid exerciser, doing a lot of long bike rides and frequently going to the gym. Getting her to exercise was never the problem. She was also a chronic dieter. Eating low-calorie meals and snacks and drinking diet sodas and sugar free coffee drinks.

Using very outdated science, what she was doing should have given her results. But truth be told she was stressing her body with all the exercise and lack of calories. Her body thought she was constantly in a state of famine and running from a lion. Although a little bit of stress can be good for us, too much stress can wreak havoc on your immune system, body composition and health. So I told her we needed to take it back to the basics and show her body that she was safe.

First, she cut back on the extreme long cardio. People like this usually have some sort of “addiction” to exercise and it’s usually very hard for them to cut back. Especially if they have this underlying fear that if they cut back and/or start eating more they will gain weight. Instead of long hours of cardio, we focused on mindful movement twice a day. I gave her a morning routine that looked like this:

REBOUNDING

2 to 5 minutes

Stand with feet hip distance apart

Gently bounce, keeping your toes on the floor

Let the body feel fluid and loose

Breathe deep

Rebounding is amazing for your lymphatic system and for ridding the body of toxins. Although it’s typically done on a trampoline, you can also do it on the floor. Shoes or no shoes— your choice. It’s best to do this right when you get up in the morning.

BIRD DOG

Two second hold per side, alternating, 10 times per side

Get down on all fours

Lift one arm and the opposite leg, reaching in opposition

Draw belly button up and in, away from your shirt, and hold for 2 seconds

Switch sides and keep your body very still

Pelvis should be level with ground and not shifting side-toside as you switch

Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth

BRIDGE

Ten per side

Sit on the floor and inhale to prepare, exhale as you engage through the glutes and hamstrings to press hips up toward ceiling

Keep ribs pulled down and in so they do not “pop up” towards ceiling

Inhale at the top, exhale and lower back down

For Your Health

SEATED TWIST

Hold for 15 seconds per side

Sit tall to lengthen the spine and take a deep breath

Exhale as you twist

Look over your shoulder and keep your shoulder relaxed away from your ear

The nightly routine consisted of the following exercises and stretches that would calm her nervous system and her mind, focusing on breath and relaxation to help her fall asleep and stay asleep. She didn’t eat at least two hours before bed and drank one cup of digestion enhancing tea (ginger, chamomile, peppermint, turmeric).

CHILD’S POSE

Hold for 5 deep breaths

Kneel on the floor

Spread your knees wide apart while keeping your big toes touching

Rest your buttocks on your heels

Sit up straight and lengthen your spine

On an exhalation, drape your torso between your knees

If flexibility allows, rest your forehead on the floor

Keep your arms long and extended, palms facing down, or keep them tucked behind you

To release the pose, gently use your hands to sit back on your heels

For Your Health

DUNHAM BODY SHOP DUNHAM BODY SHOP DUNHAM BODY SHOP

FIGURE 4 STRETCH

Fifteen second hold per side

Lie flat on your back, knees bent, feet flat on floor

Place your right ankle on your left knee

Place your right and left hand on the back of your left thigh, lift left foot off floor, bring your legs towards your chest

Flex both feet to protect your knees

Try to keep tailbone anchored on the ground

Switch sides

LEGS UP ON THE WALL

Start with 1 minute and work up to 5 minutes.

This exercise encourages drainage of blood and lymphatic fluid from the feet and legs into the abdomen, where these fluids can be more easily cleansed. It also nourishes the digestive organs and gives the circulatory system a rest, which results in increased function and energy.

Sit with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, and right shoulder and hip touching a wall. Roll onto your back and swing your legs up, inching your butt as close to the wall as you can without straining your hamstrings. Put your arms on your belly, by your sides, or above your head.

(wholeliving.com)

She was to do this routine at least five days of the week. I encouraged her to take at least one full day off every week and substitute a stretch or a leisurely walk if she needed to move more.

We had to take a different approach to her fitness routine that would allow her body to feel the endorphin rush that she craved but also not push her body too far. I encouraged her to do shorter but intense bursts of exercise three days a week, yoga or Pilates two days a week, and weightlifting two days a week. She could also double up any day of the week, but she had to take a full day off! An example of her short bursts of hard exercise was this: Perform each exercise for 30 seconds, and then rest 30 seconds. Repeat four times.

• Jumping Jacks

• Plié Squat

• Inchworm

• Bicycle Abs

• Reverse Plank

Basically we took her hours of exercise from about 15 hours a week to 5-7 hours a week. While this was a drastic change, she got great results. Nutritionally, the goal was to start eating more, especially protein. Her low-calorie foods and drinks were just empty calories with no nutritional value at all. Remember, nutrition does not have to be crazy, elaborate, or expensive. Simple is always better, real food is always better, and it always comes back to your basics. Focus on protein first. High-quality, animalbased protein is best—think chicken, beef, fish, eggs, and dairy. Aim for a minimum of 1 gram of protein per 1 pound of body weight. If you weigh 150, you should be consuming at least 150 grams of protein per day. I cannot stress this enough. Getting at least 30 grams of protein in the morning will do wonders for your overall metabolism, body composition, mental disposition and even your hormones.

Berry Green Smoothie

By Dr. Vincent Pedre

SERVES 1

½ avocado

2 cups filtered or spring water

1 cup organic frozen berries

1 tbsp coconut oil or MCT oil

1 cup spinach

1 tbsp chia seeds

1 tsp raw honey

1 tbsp collagen powder

INSTRUCTIONS

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend to combine.

Cacao Dream

By Stephanie Rice

SERVES 1

8 oz coconut milk or almond milk

2 scoops vanilla protein powder (I use Be Well By Kelly Collagen Protein, Primal Kitchen or Ancient Nutrition)

1 tbsp chia seeds

1 tbsp hemp seeds

1 tbsp coconut butter (sub any nut butter, but will change the flavor)

1-2 tbs raw cacao

4 brazil nuts

Handful spinach or frozen cauliflower rice

*Add ice if you want more of a milkshakelike smoothie

INSTRUCTIONS

Put all ingredients into a blender, blend, and enjoy!

Consume at least one serving of vegetables at every meal. I encouraged cooked vegetables for at least four weeks to help her body digest them more efficiently than raw vegetables.

High-quality fats help boost your immune system and keep you satiated longer. She started cooking with olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil and adding grass-fed butter to her vegetables and meat. Avocados became a staple. They are packed with the benefits of vitamin E, which helps fight free radical damage, boost immunity, and act as an anti-aging nutrient for your skin. (Dr. Josh Axe) Focusing on real food consisting of high-quality protein, fiber from vegetables and fruits, and healthy fats helped her get unstuck. There was no crazy diet, no counting calories, just nourishing her body.

Smoothies are very easy to make in the morning. You can get every nutrient you need to start your day in one cup. Here are two of my favorite smoothie recipes!

These simple and basic changes created a whole new world for her. She lost inches all over her body, gained muscle which is now supporting her metabolism and hormones, and increased her energy.

And all we did was take everything back to the basics—mindful movement that is precise and simple, stretching and relaxation techniques that calm the nervous system and help speed recovery, and focusing on real food with simple ingredients. TM

Don’t miss OakFest, this March 18

June, July, August & September

June 7

Mini Drive-In Movie

June 3-7

Camp Dawson

Thomasville History Center will host Camp Dawson, open to rising kindergarteners through rising 5th graders. Campers will get hands-on with history, conducting an archaeology dig in the history center’s backyard, testing their skills in the log house kitchen, tending a pioneer garden, “meeting” Civil War soldiers, and much more while they explore the evolution of our community. 9am-4pm; extended hours available. $175/members; $200/not yet members. brushfire.com/thomasvillehistorycenter.com

June 3-7

Project Impact

Open to rising 6th-9th graders, Project IMPACT is a week of fun and hands-on volunteer service. Students may earn up to 20 community service hours for their participation that may be applied to the upcoming school year. Cost is $100 per camper, which includes a t-shirt. Space is limited. First come, first served. Learn more at HandsOnThomasCounty.org.

Experience a miniature drive-in movie screening in the Thomasville Public Library’s parking lot. A familyfriendly, newly released movie will be featured (film TBA). Watch from inside the car, lie back on the hood or even bring a camping chair and pop up close to the screen. Intended as a family program; all ages welcome. 8:45pm, free. For more information call 229-225-5252.

June 7

Movie Under the Stars

Vashti’s special evening under the stars will include a screening of “Inside Out,” a thought-provoking movie. Learn about mental health resources available in our community and connect with others who are passionate about mental health awareness. Kona ice, hot dogs, face painting, and popcorn. Bring your friends, family, and lawn chairs or a blanket. Free. 6-8pm;1815 E Clay St.

June 7, August 2 & September 6

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. Bring blankets and chairs.

Enjoy First Friday Sip and Shop, starting at 6pm the first friday of each month in Downtown Thomasville!

June 7-9

Dance Challenge

FL Dance announces its 4th Annual Dance Challenge. Enjoy a Friday reception, followed by competition on Saturday, including AM/AM and PRO/AM. Saturday night offers a formal gala (see June 8 entry), and dance camp and private coaching will be offered on Sunday. 1400 N. Monroe Street, Tallahassee; flsunshinedance.com

June 8

Gala Night

Join us for a fabulous evening for a “night on the town” with a catered dinner by Bella Bella, listen or dance to live music provided by the Tallahassee Swing band and enjoy a floor show with performances by the Asian Coalition of the Big Bend and the Akoya Afrikan Drum & Dance groups. Formal attire. Reservations required by May 28 at flsunshinedance.com. $60/person or $350 for table of 6. 6:30-10pm. 1400 N. Monroe Street, Tallahassee

June 8, July 13, August 10 & September 14

Adult and Family Art Workshops

Join Thomasville Center for the Arts for Adult Art or Family Make & Take workshops on the second Saturday of every month. Workshop focus changes from month to month, as does the non-member cost (typically no more than $15 and free to members). Family Make & Take activities are $5 for up to four people, and free for members. All workshops are from 11am to 1pm. Kids PLAYce is also open on 2nd Saturdays from 10am to 2pm and is always free. Visit thomasvillearts.org to learn more and to register.

June 13 & June 27

Women’s Work

Pebble Hill’s curator-led tour will introduce works of art and craft in the permanent collection. Enjoy learning about who these women were and the talents and skills they possessed. Come away with an appreciation of their respective disciplines and the significance of their place in women’s history. Dora Wheeler Keith, Josephine Herrick, and Eleanor Beard are among the fascinating women to be included in this in-depth tour and exploration of women who left their mark on history. Space is limited. $32.50/ person. 10-11:30am. Register at pebble-hill-plantation.ticketleap.com.

June 22

Juneteenth Celebration

This free community-wide event is held to unite and educate. From 11am-6pm, the event will also include kids’ activities, art exhibit, live entertainment, car show, African dance, health fair, vendors, and more. Gospel fest begins at 4pm. Free but $5 parking fee suggested. Celebration will be held at the fairgrounds, 2957 GA 122, Thomasville.

June 20-22

Archi-Camp

Calling all aspiring architects, historic preservationists and designers – Archi-Camp (formerly Camp LPH) is perfect for you. Rising 6th through rising 8th grade campers will explore the Dawson Street Historic District architecture as well as West Jackson Street, areas of Dewey City, the stories of the families who lived there, and historic preservation. Taking inspiration from these neighborhoods, campers will each design and “construct” a house or commercial building using cardboard boxes and mixed materials. Collectively, the campers’ creations will be arranged in a temporary diorama and remain on display at the Lapham-Patterson House through August. No previous design or construction skills are required. Camp is 9am-4pm, with early drop-off and late pick-up available upon request. Cost is $175/ members, $200/not yet members. Register at thomasvillehistory.org/ campsandworkshops.

June 22

Miss Thomasville

Join us for the annual Miss Thomasville Pageant and see the new winner crowned. Doors will open at 6:30pm. Tickets and sponsorships are available at missthomasvillega.com.

June 24-27

Art of Nature Camp

Pebble Hill will host a four-day camp for ages 8-11. Budding naturalists will explore the great outdoors through nature observation, journaling and sketching, bird watching, games, and more. With guidance from local wildlife biologists and professional artists from the Thomasville Center for the Arts, campers will learn how to observe and sketch nature applying the same techniques used by famous naturalists and artists. The final day of camp will include a family and friends reception and public art exhibition of the campers’ nature-inspired art creations. $125/ child. 9am-2pm. Register at pebblehill-plantation.ticketleap.com.

July 4

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.

July 27

Summer Family Movie

Join in for a free family movie night downtown. At 6:30pm, enjoy kid-friendly activities. At 7:30pm, the movie (TBA) begins at The Ritz Amphitheater. Bring your chairs, blankets, and the whole family for an evening of fun. For more information, call 229-228-7977.

Landmarks’ 3rd Annual Oyster Roast

THE BISCUIT COMPANY

Friends gathered at The Biscuit Company this spring for Thomasville Landmarks’ 3rd Annual Oyster Roast, an event filled with drinks, oysters, music and fellowship. Since 1966, Landmarks has worked to preserve, promote, and protect the architecture, history, and landscape unique to the Thomas County area.

Farm Credit Ribbon Cutting

SOUTHWEST GEORGIA FARM CREDIT

Southwest Georgia Farm Credit hosted a ribbon cutting and open house to celebrate the opening of a new location in Thomasville, at 1215 East Jackson. Photos by Shems Hamilton.

Dr. Bryan Spooner graduated from Liberty University in 1992 with a bachelor’s in biology. He earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the University of Osteopathic Medicine & Health Sciences, where he was a member of the Pi Delta Podiatry National Honor Society in 1997. He completed his two-year podiatry residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Dr. Spooner joined Tallahassee Podiatry Associates Foot & Ankle Center in 1999. Board Certified in podiatric surgery by the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery, he is also a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Born in Augusta and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, he says starting a practice in Thomasville feels like a homecoming.