Issue Summer 2015

AME Celebrates 125 Years |

Dinner on the Bricks | Chamber Annual Banquet

SUMMER 2015

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The First & Finest

A story of courage and love “in sickness and in health”

Volume 12, Issue 2

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

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• OWNER, PUBLISHER Jack Kelly | jkelly@rose.net 229.224.4569 • PUBLISHER, EDITOR- IN-CHIEF Christy S. Layfield | crlayfield@gmail.com 229.224.5691 • ADVERTISING MANAGER Christy S. Layfield • CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chuck Bowen | Christopher Powell Jones | Amy A. Maison | Andrew Sawyer | Jon Towns | Jennifer Taylor | Debra Underwood | Teresa Williams • CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Christy Layfield | Red Fly Studio | Jennifer Taylor • LAYOUT & DESIGN Cynthia Henry

Thomasville Magazine is published quarterly by Thomasville Magazine, Inc. (Jack Kelly) All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Subscription rates in the U.S. are $15.00 annually.

Please send address changes along with mailing label from past issue to: Thomasville Magazine, P.O.Box 1855, Thomasville, GA 31799-1855 or email us at subscriptions@ thomasvillemagazine.com.

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30 Vol. 12 No. 2 Summer 2015

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Chamber of Commerce

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Honey Lake Goes on the Market

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Moultrie Technical College and Southwest Georgia Technical College Merge

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Existing Industry, A Community’s Lifeline

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St. Mark Celebrating 125 Years

In Every Issue

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Dinner on the Bricks

6

Education: Tiny Tots

26

Tryin’ to Make A Hundred

46

Landscaping

30

Be Dave Brave

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Calendar of Events

56 Ledger

COVER

Pictured is April Palmer Waldron and her Late Husband David Waldron. It was taken by Cristina Means Bearden of Red Fly Studio. Thomasville Magazine would like to thank April and all of their friends and family for allowing us to tell this beautiful story of such tremendous love, courage, passion, strength, and faith. We would like to challenge all of YOU our readers to participate in the #SuperDave5KChallenge. Join us in support of this cause and let us all strive to “Be Dave Brave”.

www.thomasvillemagazine.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thomasville-Magazine

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015 WRITTEN BY JENNIFER TAYLOR

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This year the theme for the program is “HEROES READ!” There are programs not only for children but the teens and adults too. Sign up together with your child and make reading fun this summer. To sign up please visit the children’s department in the library. When you sign up you will receive a bag of goodies along with everything your child needs to complete the summer reading program.

Even the youngest of children can sign up for this reading program. Parents, you can log any picture book that you read to your baby or toddler. By logging your books and turning in your logs you get a raffle ticket to be entered to win a prize of your choice. This is a great way to encourage children to read over the summer. Take them up to the library today to sign them up and take a look at the prizes they could win!

The library will also be hosting several events that your child is sure to love this summer. If your child loves magic then you don’t want to miss Arthur Atsma when he visits the library on Thursday, June 25that 10:30. Arthur has been doing magic shows for years and his specialty is sleight of hand tricks. Show up early for the best seat!

There are several more events held at the library just like these. Go today to sign up and you will receive a calendar of events.

This summer, utilize the public library and all it offers to help occupy your children. You won’t regret it!

Jennifer Taylor is a wife and former kindergarten teacher turned mother of two.

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

Summer Fun at the Library

School is out, kids are excited, and parents are scratching their heads trying to figure out what they are going to do to keep their children occupied this summer. Our public library offers summer programs and they are FREE! This summer take advantage of these programs.

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015 8

Front row: Tom Everett (YMCA), Jackie Spadoni (SERVPRO), Angela Kiminas (HOTC), Mary Beth Donaldson and John Taylor (Taylor Benefit Resource), Jarrod Moss (Caterpillar) Back row: Lindsay Leverette, Lauren Basford, Christina Reneau.

WRITTEN BY JON TOWNS

THE THOMASVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE is essential to our community when it comes to promoting our businesses and teaching leadership.

Their primary mission is “To create a dynamic community where businesses will be successful.”

They have three talented and brilliant individuals who have shown great strength in building resources for its’ members: Lauren Basford (Executive Director), Christina Reneau, (Assistant Director), and Suzannah Heald (Office Manager).

The Chamber provides opportunities in four different ways

to help your business: networking, education, marketing and community involvement. Under each of these headings are a number of opportunities to improve your business and become a better professional.

Small Business of the Year is awarded to a business with 20 or less employees.This year’s winner was Taylor Benefit Resource.

The award was accepted by John Taylor, Executive VP. Taylor Benefits is a third party administrator that handles claims processing for Self-Funded Health plans. Their primary goal is to provide the best possible customer service. They have real, live people answering our customer services calls. They are also the claims examiners who actually process the claims. Another service to our clients is providing programs that will help manage a number of situations. They have wellness programs on numerous plans whereby the member takes a more responsible role in their health. Taylor Benefits is able to provide large discounts on medical claims as well as setting up a pharmacy program which allows our members drugs to obtain their prescription drugs at much deeper discounted rate than they are currently receiving them for.

Large Business of the Year is awarded to a business with more than 20 employees. This year’s winner was

Caterpillar.

Non-Profit of the Year was Hands on Thomas County.

Their Mission: “Connect citizens as volunteers to non-profits, needs and service opportunities in Thomas County, Georgia. A community that volunteers is more vibrant, engaged and successful; as are the individuals that live in it. Volunteer, donate, make a positive difference in your community by taking an active part in it.” HOTC provides an exceptional role in our community by pooling human resources together and getting people involved in projects where help is needed. Their presence has had a huge success in getting properties renovated, non profits volunteers, giving care/health packages, and any person or entity in need. If you ever need help with a

project, speak with Director Angela Kiminas by visiting handsonthomascounty.org.

Professional of the Year was Jackie Spadoni of SERVPRO. Jackie won the “Professional of the Year” award. She works for Servpro of Thomas, Colquitt & Grady Counties as their Marketing and Sales Coordinator. Originally from Savannah, she graduated UGA with a degree in marketing.

She is the chairman of the ambassador committee at the Chamber of Commerce, while serving several roles on other committees. Jackie is the communications chair for Women’s Forum for the past two years, a member of Kiwanis in Thomasville and Moultrie. She is also involved in the chamber in Moultrie and Cairo. Her favorite things about the Thomasville Chamber is meeting new people and networking. “It’s so exciting to learn about all the businesses around town and what they do to contribute to this community. I love interacting with fellow members and building relationships with business partners. I also have really enjoyed planning events to raise money for our chamber. It’s incredible how far this small town has come in just the three years I have lived here. Thomasville is a very special place to grow and thrive.”

The Legacy Award is for long-standing members who have been making a positive impact on this community for many years.

This year’s winner was the YMCA. The Thomasville YMCA logged over 95,000 hours this past year. But that is not the biggest thing that stands out about their organization. Through Tom Everett and his leadership, they have excelled at outreaching to our community in sports events, childcare, life style changes, and health improvement. Their mission “We are firmly committed to the traditional values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility and will continually strive to promote these values within our Y. In a fragmented world, the YMCA serves as a cohesive force bringing individuals together that are firmly committed to making a difference in the lives of our children, our families and our community.”

They are also sponsors of the Heritage Walk and Fun Run and the Rose City run, promoting fun through physical activities.

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

They present an annual awards ceremony (this year celebrating their 94th) highlighting successful members who are making a difference in their community and in the Chamber. They are nominated by fellow members and voted on by a selection committee. The awards are for Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, Professional of the Year, and the Legacy Award.

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE YMCA OF THOMASVILLE The Thomasville’s YMCA assists thousands of men, women, and children in reaching their potential by inspiring them to do more and be more.

Creating lasting personal and social change through programs that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility is at the core of the YMCA’s mission. Visit us today to see how you can be a part of the Thomasville YMCA.

www.ymca-thomasville.org

WE FINANCE MORE LAND THAN ANY OTHER LENDER. AND THERE’S A REASON WHY. Farmers and land owners know. They know

there’s only one lender in southwest Georgia that operates strictly for the benefit of its customers—Southwest Georgia Farm Credit. We distribute our profits to our borrowers, who are our owners. Over the past 20 years, our patronage program has lowered the average cost of borrowing—your interest rate—by about 1 percent annually.

Returning our profits is how we invest in agriculture, and the rural communities we serve.

So, if you’re considering purchasing land, give us a call or drop by our office in downtown Thomasville. FOR YOUR FARM. FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE. FOR YOUR AGRIBUSINESS.

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ANicholson@SWGAFarmCredit.com > 229.254.8421 137 East Jackson Street, Thomasville > SWGAFarmCredit.com * Normal credit and underwriting requirements apply. New customers incur cost of one time stock purchase. Patronage distributions are at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

Moultrie Technical College and Southwest Georgia Technical College Merge WRITTEN BY AMY A. MAISON

Since the announcement of the merger of Moultrie Technical College and Southwest Georgia Technical College in 2014, the administrations for both Colleges have been steadily focused on the duties at hand: forming a new college that will provide greater access to services and programs for the students and communities they serve.

12 The merged college will be known as Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC).

Guiding the consolidation process is SWGTC President Dr. Craig Wentworth, who will serve as the President of SRTC, and MTC Acting President Jim Glass, who will serve as the Provost of the merged College. They released in a joint statement,

“

We are honored to have the opportunity to lead the faculty and staff of MTC and SWGTC in the consolidation of these two Colleges. We sincerely believe this merger will provide greater access to services and programs available for our students as well as additional economic development opportunities for the communities we serve. The consolidation of the considerable strengths of both MTC and SWGTC will result in an even stronger and more efficient institution.”

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has used mergers as a way to reduce administrative costs while creating larger, more efficient colleges. In 2009, there were 33 colleges in the system. Since then, 17 have been merged into eight; the system is currently made up of 23 technical colleges and one technical division at a Board of Regents College. Once the MTC-SWGTC merger is complete on July 1, 2015, the TCSG will consist of 22 colleges and one technical division at a Board of Regents College.

As the previous mergers have shown, students should experience little change in the day-to-day operation of their campuses. They will, however, gain from the benefit of a larger, more regional college that is more efficient financially and makes better use of shared instructional and technical resources among its campuses. No campuses will be closed, and the colleges’ other programs, including adult education, continuing education, and customized workforce training for business and industry, will continue as before.

SRTC will serve a seven county area with locations in Moultrie, Tifton, Thomasville, Cairo, Ashburn, Camilla, and Sylvester. The College will offer over 150 programs for day, night, and online students. Additionally, administrators estimate SRTC will also have one of the largest dual enrollment programs in the entire system, topping 1,100 students. Dual enrollment allows high school students to gain both high school and college credit toward graduation simultaneously, with course tuition covered by state funds or the HOPE grant. For the most up-todate information on registration and class dates as well as program offerings and other merger facts, log on to www. moultrietech.edu or www.southwestgatech.edu.

WHICH ONE OF THESE DOESN’T BELONG IN YOUR FAMILY’S

SUMMER PLANS?

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015 13

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

St. Mark

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Celebrating 125

years

WRITTEN BY TERESA WILLIAMS

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

S 18

aint Mark African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church is more than “the little church on the corner;” it’s an integral part of the Thomasville community.

“We’re the little church on the corner that has a lot going on in it and has a lot of energy,” member Rosemarye Boykins, who is involved in a variety of St. Mark’s programs, said.

St. Mark, located at 700 Lester St., in Thomasville, celebrated its 125th anniversary May 29-31. It began with approximately 200 members.

Today, members “from all walks of life” range in age from toddlers to senior citizens in their 90s, according to current pastor, Rev. William “Will” Thomas Jr. Member Joice Jones said St. Mark is a “community and family church.”

Currently, several members are descendants of the church’s founding members; some are fourth and fifth generation members.

“We have dedicated and faithful members,” Jones said. “Their ancestors left a strong legacy.”

History of A.M.E. & St. Mark A.M.E. evolved from the Free African Society at the end of the 18th century in Philadelphia, PA., as a response to discrimination against Black Methodists at St. George Methodist Episcopal Church. The initial purpose of A.M.E. included religious, social, intellectual and educational pursuits.

Members say St. Mark “is not an island in and of itself, but a part of a connectional church” that encompasses more than 7,000 congregations around the world, and has churches located in 39 countries across five continents. “Our history is preserved with the hope that present and future generations may be inspired to not stray from the course which was charted by Richard Allen, the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church,” Boykins said.

St. Mark was originally established on Mulberry Street in 1890 by a core group of families from the surrounding neighborhoods; its focus was on meeting the spiritual needs of the family-oriented congregation.

It has undergone structure and location changes over the years. The church, then under Rev. W.E. Bailey,

Rev. William Thomas Jr. moved to its current location at the corner of Lester and Jones streets beginning in 1903. The original building was a white, wooden structure, and was remodeled under then pastor, Rev. J.T. Thornton in 1917. It remained a wooden structure until 1945, until then pastor, Rev. W.J. Daniels and church members recognized the need for a more stable building.

The old church was demolished and a block masonry church was constructed in its place. Regular services at the Masonic Hall on Lester Street were held while the building was constructed, which took approximately a year. The congregation moved into its new church on May 26, 1946.

The exterior of the church remains virtually the same, with maintenance and upkeep as needed. The most recent church renovation was in 2011-2012, when a complete overhaul was done to the interior and the roof.

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

Leadership Confirmation 2015

Dedication to Community For more than a century, members have kept the church alive and built a name for it within the community through outreach ministries.

Member Betty Banks said St. Mark is an “outreach church” and has a “deep concern” to contribute to its community, and has developed that vision to make it a reality.

“Our mission is to recommit, reconnect, and rededicate ourselves to serve those in need through discipleship and evangelism,” Thomas concurred. “Our vision is to go out into the community and provide for the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and intellectual needs of people, waiting, wanting, and needing to be served. The goal of St. Mark is to become a more viable and visible entity with its outreach ministries.”

St. Mark, under Thomas’s leadership since October 2013, “has been intentionally persistent in bringing a more vigorous, renewed energy and visionary type of leadership to the church and entire community,” members said.

Thomas holds a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, as does his wife Angela, who serves the youth ministry. He has been instrumental in promoting the church through a variety of community outreach efforts. “We’re a ministry striving to meet the needs of the people within our community,” Thomas said.

The church’s main focus today is its ministry work.

Members say the church is “friendly” and “welcoming,” and offers a variety of ministries for all age groups. Each church pastor has implemented different ministries and, currently, the church has outreach programs that include

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nursing home visits, local food bank support, youth leadership, holiday assistance, and ministries for both men and women. Also, the church offers scholarships to its graduating high school seniors, and encourages members to register to vote and participate in all elections, not just presidential ones.

There is a music ministry through the Young People’s Division, or the YPD. In the past, there was a group who would sing on a local radio station; today, a youth choir still sings in the church.

“I was brought up in this church and my parents had a deep love for her,” YPD & Junior Choir Director Priscilla Ross said. “They inspired me to keep working in the church and to do all that I can, to never give up on my church and always be proud of it.” Also, every fourth Sunday is Youth Sunday, when church youths take turns being in charge of the service.

A big ministry within the church is known as “Happy Easter Day.” Every year on Easter Sunday morning, community kids come to the church to take part in activities including an Easter speech. “It’s a program to bring children together,” member George Brown Jr. said.

“It helps them with communication skills and helps them get used to communicating in front of people.”

Also, the church does a crucifixion reenactment where youths perform the parts. “That reenactment is quite an experience,” Boykins said. “It is something that gives our youths a sense of knowledge of the serious nature of what Christ has done for us by dying on the cross and how cruel it was.”

Another outreach the community may be familiar with

Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015 20

Youth Choir is Rainbow Tea. “It started out as a Valentine’s Tea done by the YPD that was held at the Y(MCA), but we’ve moved it to the church,” Ross said. “We set up different tables and it is free to the public. Each table is decorated and judged.”

Each February, St. Mark holds an annual Founder’s Day Breakfast in recognition of A.M.E. original founder Richard Allen. The event includes a speaker and breakfast, and is a celebration of the A.M.E. church’s history.

Anniversary Celebration St. Mark’s 125th anniversary celebration was a weekendlong event. It kicked off with an Anniversary Gala on Friday, May 29. This included a “sit down meal,” music, dancing, and honored its oldest living members, Thomas said.

The next morning was “Do Something Saturday,” when members participated in a church-wide community service project: they assisted an elderly citizen with landscaping and housework. Later in the day was a “Youth Block Party.” Jones to Elizabeth streets off Lester were closed for the mini-carnival that included a variety of fun activities and also featured tables for each church ministry to foster interest in their causes.

The anniversary celebration wrapped Sunday, May 31, with two worship services: the regular 11 a.m. service and a church anniversary worship service at 3 p.m. “We tried to do something that would include every age group, and do something on Saturday that would be free for everyone,” Ross said.

Looking Toward the Future As St. Mark moves forward, members hope to continue to contribute to the community, increase awareness of its ministries and welcome new members.

Member Jerome Smith said the church has strong bonds “of brotherhood and faith.” He’s seen how church communication has grown from “communicating with the bell on Sunday” to using cell phones.

Another way the church communicates is by following up with visitors. It sends a personal letter within 48 hours of a Sunday visit.

“We send letters of welcome and appreciation to those who visit and invite them to upcoming church events,” Boykins said. “We have some who come back, and I attribute part of that to us following up to show that we really value new people coming here. Our goal is that they will come enough and experience such warmth and welcome that they will eventually want to become a part of this church family.”

Members want the community to know St. Mark’s doors are open. “In our welcome address on Sunday morning we say ‘our doors are hung on welcome hinges,’” hospitality ministry member Johnnie Brown said. *For more information about St. Mark, call (229) 226-4614, email info@saintmarkthomasville.org or visit the website www.saintmarkthomasville.org.

Dinner on the Bricks Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

WRITTEN BYJON TOWNS

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AN EXCITING VENUE to help raise funds for the

residents and renovation costs of the Recreation Building at the Vashti Center.

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

The Vashti Center is one of the most remarkable institutions in Thomasville. The United Methodist Women created the center in 1903 as a way to help treat children and youth through counseling, childcare workers, therapists, and trained mentors. Last year 64 children were served through Residential care (located on their East Clay Street Campus) and 472 children and their families throughout several counties in southwest Georgia.

The Recreation Building at the Vahti Center is used in many ways that help provide a huge resource to the children it helps. They use the building for Family visits and weekly bible studies.

They have trained mentors who use it to counsel, as well as group therapy, group recreation, training, birthday celebrations, Christmas parties, and other special events for the children.

For the September event, patrons will gather around a table of friends, family, or co-workers to dine on the historic bricks of Jackson Street between the blocks of Madison Street and Stevens Street.

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

There are many sponsorship Levels, Ranging from $300-$2,500.

Tables of eight start at just $300 each for Patrons, with all proceeds going toward the Vashti Center’s Recreation Building renovation.

You are provided the Table; white linen tablecloth, and chairs. You are highly encouraged to decorate your table. Bring a meal or hire a caterer, creativity is important.

They welcome costumes, as awards will be presented in various categories presented to the winners

by Judges.

Sponsoring this event is more than just about a building. The goal of the mentors and volunteers at Vashti is to provide a sanctuary where they can feel safe, recapture part of their lost childhoods TU People’s Choice through healthy play, and where they can slowly learn to trust again while being treated in a healthy environment. It is also a way to align your company with a worthy cause, entertain and engage clients, and show your desire to help with the well being of our most important resource—our children!

Last years’ event was very successful. The inaugural Dinner on the Bricks for The Vashti Center was held on September 24 6th. Even though it turned out to be a rainy afternoon and a slight delay in getting everything set up, the sponsored patrons stayed. Tables were decorated, guests were having fun, and the unique event where patrons planned their tables (food, décor, drinks) was a complete success.

Stephanie White (of Vashti) described the event as “The most unique & largest dinner party in Thomasville. I will be at it again this year!”

The 2014 Dinner on the Bricks raised $26,000 through community support and sponsors. Their desired goal for 2015 is $44,000, with the hopes that they will have as many Blue Morpho and Tiger Swallowtail sponsors as they did last year. Dinner on the Bricks will have their tables on sale beginning August 3rd with 125 tables available for purchase. Please visit Vashti.org to follow more event details and how you can become a sponsor.

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

WRITTEN BY CHUCK BOWEN

(No one would argue that ol’ Father Time is on a jet plane. He zips around playing havoc with everyone and everything. My career in public education ended more than 20 years ago, but there are poignant people, places and things that remain as crystal memories, pulling my heart in a hundred directions, stressing it nigh unto breaking. The following essay is true.)

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S {

everal thousand eons ago, while serving out the final days of my two-year hitch in the army, I found a weekend job at a radio station in Augusta, Georgia. My wife-to-be kept the coffee cups filled while we both enjoyed the parade of delightful black singing groups that filled the Sunday morning hours. The song that quickly became our favorite, and has remained fresh in my memory over the years, was the old spiritual:

Tryin’ to make a hundred, Tryin’ to make a hundred— Ninety-nine just won’t do, Just won’t do.

}

The performing group kept time by slapping their legs and nodding affirmatively. It seemed to me then—and even more so now—that the peppy little tune is a microcosm of

the world’s efforts to keep on keeping on. I’m convinced that we all have a divine burr under the saddle that prods us onward and upward, but I’m equally convinced that we never do quite as well as we know.

Looking back on thirty years in public education, it troubles my mind that my personal success at “tryin’ to make a hundred” oftentimes dropped drastically down the grading scale—almost to failing. The contributing factors were more than I can count— likely even more than I was aware. But those in the vanguard would have to include overworked teachers, parental neglect and apathy, poverty, and a pervasive now attitude largely promulgated by trashy television and movies.

The schools of several decades ago with a few hundred enrollment and a sense of family, have long since been replaced by the theoretically cost-effective monsters with diminished heart and an aura of megabusiness. This bigger is better approach to education, this unobtrusive slipping away from the sublime to the stressful, fostered, in me at least, a love-hate relationship with schoolhouses. A day

On returning to my office, my eyes immediately fell on the note I had written to myself earlier: “Pick up Quandrell from the dentist.” This meant a hurried cross-town trip, but, even so, there was still a 20-minute wait. Quandrell then came out of the treatment room trying to smile with a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth. He lived on the periphery of the school district, some 15 miles from our small town. Twice en route he tugged at my sleeve and pointed to his lip, and I stopped for him to rid his mouth of blood.

On reaching his home, I couldn’t help but think how it made Frankie’s and Timothy’s appear palatial by comparison. Despite the continuing rain, I felt I should apologize to his mother for the late hour and explain the rinsing procedure suggested by the dentist’s assistant. She greeted me warmly, asked me in, and thanked me for bringing him home. While we chatted I glanced at the sparsely furnished interior. A sheet hung on a wire to serve as a room divider. Even so, there couldn’t have been more than four rooms altogether, including the kitchen, and there were at least seven family members.

If I was guilt-ridden before, now, on the drive back, I felt like the wimp-of-the-week as I fought a real need to weep. My world was full of helpless kids with frightening, demeaning needs and everybody—myself included—was doing very little about it.

My mind searched the last ten hours for some bright spot, some modicum of optimism in a day blighted by near hopelessness. Then I remembered the very first event of It couldn’t have been later than 8:30, but there they were, bright-eyed and clamoring, twenty kindergarteners all trying to get into my office at the same time, and all trying to impart information of ultimate importance. Finally, from a little brunette in front of the pack—eyes dancing and ponytail twitching—I was able to discern the urgent question: “Mr. Bowen, Mr. Bowen, have you seen those gingerbread boys? They have run away!”

I glanced at their teacher standing in the hall just outside the doorway. She was suppressing an all-telling smile, and I struggled to make sure I did not diminish the intensity of the quest. “Surely those gingerbread boys haven’t run away!

Please find them as fast as you can!” I proclaimed “We will!

We will!” they all shouted as they scrambled back through my door.

I was to learn later—after the search had focused on every conceivable hiding place in-between—that the gingerbread boys had indeed been found in the Media Center on the far end of the campus. But of much greater importance, they had found me. On a rainy day when life’s quizmaster was close to demanding my answer sheet with the pages blank, there was an almost mystical buoyancy in the recollection of those eager faces, those wide-open eyes filled with trust and joy, conjured up and dwelled upon in retrospect when my spirit craved a respite.

Just as I arrived home, the rain stopped, and I realized the words of the old spiritual were whirling without resistance in my head, and my heart said: “Sing it again! Sing it again!”

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

seldom passed that I didn’t proclaim to someone: “Reserve me a room in the home!” Then some kid would give me a smile and a spontaneous hug, and I would decide that maybe, if I gave it my best effort, I could make a passing grade—maybe.

The perfect example of the stresses that can accompany “schoolhouse work” is the case of little first grade Frankie.

He had, on this day like many others, tormented his teacher with every misbehavior tactic known to man: hitting, kicking, squealing, and spitting—just to name a few. Worst of all, her attempts at teaching were ignored with an infuriating blank stare that she regarded as overt defiance.

Finally, when her tolerance was exhausted, she marched him to me with a frenzied, “Something has got to be done!”

So I pushed aside a stack of discipline reports, told Frankie to pick up his sweater and his books, and we drove to his residence—a rusting mobile home on the edge of town.

Frankie’s guardian, his grandmother, listened patiently as I explained his teacher’s complaints and frustrations.

She then confided a shocking account of abuse and neglect that had plagued his young life in another state until he came to live with her the previous summer. “He was in such terrible, terrible shape when I got ‘em” she stated simply without emotion. “It’ll take a while, but I’ll get him back on track.” Listening to her story, I not only marveled at Frankie’s capacity for survival, but I also became even more deeply aware of something I had known for a long time: the collective wisdom of the world can be seen in the eyes of black grandmothers. She expressed no dislike or distrust for either the teacher or me, but I was feeling something less than glorious, and I knew my chances of “makin’ a hundred,” at least for that day, were dismal.

Then there were the never-to-be-forgotten rainy days– including this one–when I drove Timothy home. Even with our enrollment of more than a thousand, Timothy was one of those kids every staff member knew well. Overweight and totally lovable, he lived only a few hundred yards from the school, but—more often than not—trudged in late for his fifth grade class with his overactive imagination supplying a not-so-plausible excuse.

An example of today’s on-the-way-home conversation: “Mr. Bowen, I won’t ever be late for school again.”

“That’s super, Timothy. Why not?”

“My mama got us a car.”

“That’s good. Do you like it?”

“Mr. Bowen, that car’s perfect! It used to be a police car, and it’ll go from zero to 60 in three seconds!”

“You’re right, Timothy, you should never be late His little home appeared dark and lonely, and the safety of the rotting steps was questionable. Timothy shuttled across the narrow yard as briskly as his weight permitted, his shoulders drooped against the rain. He waved quickly before disappearing behind the unpainted door. I punished myself with questions: Was it warm inside? Would there be after-school snacks? Would he be frightened alone? The futility I was feeling was dragging my grade for the day way, way down.

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Mary Hayes Mary Hayes is described as the perfect pastor’s wife, a great mother and a real lady.

She has touched so many lives, as shown by the flood of visitors who traveled great distances to show their love for her during her stay. Our hearts were blessed in a big way to have Mrs. Hayes as our patient and friend.

Mrs. Hayes came to Camellia Gardens of Life Care for therapy following a stroke that left her barely able to speak. She was unable to move her right hand or leg, and her physician believed she would never use either of them again. But, as her husband stated, “She is the most determined person I’ve ever known. She won’t be defeated.”

And he was right!

Before her stroke, Mrs. Hayes began writing an inspirational book about young women, raising

children and home life. She vowed to finish that book. She loves to sing and promised she would sing again. And a month after her stroke, with the help of our speech therapist, she began gracing our facility with her beautiful voice.

“Working with her has honestly been the highlight of my professional career,” said Samantha King, physical therapist.

Mrs. Hayes is now in the process of finishing her book. And amazingly, not only is she finishing it, she’s typing it using the hand her physician thought she’d never use again.

“It’s not just the expertise, it’s also the compassion,” Mrs. Hayes stated. “Sometimes there’s more healing in love than even in medicine. I love all of them, every one. All the glory I give to God, but these people are to be recognized and honored for their gifts and abilities.”

We are so very proud of Mrs. Hayes. She has inspired us to be better people, to love more and to have faith to move mountains.

Joint Commission accredited

229-226-0076 | LCCA.com 804 S. Broad St. | Thomasville, GA 31792

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

Success Story

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

WRITTEN BY CHRISTOPHER POWELL JONES

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David “Dave” Waldron

died six months ago, marking the end of a tragic twenty month fight with brain cancer. He was 31. As his fight ended, his wife of 8 months, April, vowed not to let their crusade to beat the disease end with his life.This is the story of their courage and love “in sickness and in health”, the legacy of which lives on in a Foundation she named “Be Dave Brave”. Inspired by her husband’s approach to his diagnosis, April is using his experience to help others. She and her sister-in-law, Emily, have created a resource for decision-making to teach others who are given a shocking diagnosis how to make the most of their time and their options.

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

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s they prepared to raise awareness of brain cancer and funds for Dave’s memorial foundation with the first Be Dave Brave 5k run on May 2, April and Emily sat down for lunch with me at the restaurant Steel Magnolias in Valdosta. After hearing their story, I was certain the venue was no coincidence. Nor were any of the details of the story of these women, who spent two harried years advocating for Dave and one another.

Emily remembers growing up three years ahead of “David”, who had an abundance of confidence from an early age.

“He was nerdy

at the same time he was a jock,” with a swagger that

accompanies physical and intellectual confidence. April interjects “he was a smart stud full of himself, but sweet.”

The two go on to describe his relationships with others to help me understand. “When you were his friend, he was fully your friend. He would tell you if he didn’t like something, and people respected him for it. Best friends (he had several) were like brothers and sisters.” They would say he was the mold that kept them together.

April and Dave’s childhood best friends, Kalyn Casanova and Tyler Stephens, dated in high school and ultimately got married. Kalyn and Tyler never thought to introduce the two, and it appeared to be with good reason when they met by chance in Valdosta after high school. April and Dave later debated whether that first relationship lasted four months or one year before they ran - not walked - their separate ways. Dave promptly moved to Houston and the two didn’t talk for six years.

April reached out in June of 2011 when Dave’s friend Taylor died. Dave suggested they spend time together, which she flatly rejected. He persisted, however, and the rest is history. The timing was perfect - he had just been accepted into FSU’s Masters program in Geology and moved from Houston to Thomasville. They waited months to tell anyone they were dating, starting by attending the weddings of friends together, and building a friendship that quickly became more. Their courtship was an active one, full of travel, experiencing the nuances of life in our region, always encouraging one another to be their best selves. The relationship came naturally.

They didn’t have money and didn’t care. Saturdays were filled with exploring local culture like the farmers market, which led them to encourage one another to eat healthy and start their own garden, a total failure. After long debates on the couch about improving themselves, they would challenge one another to get up and do something.

They found free materials and built decorations for their homes. They drove 5 hours in a day to run a 5k for a cause they believed in. When they weren’t enjoying being alone, together, they went on adventures with friends outside, camping and kayaking. This was their relationship until April 2013, when Dave had the first of many seizures.

They quickly realized he had a tumor, but couldn’t know whether it was cancerous until they operated. After his third seizure, Dave realized that there was no one he would rather travel this uncertain road with than April, so he asked his father to take him to buy a ring, then her mother for permission to marry her. It never occurred to April that Dave’s uncertain health should affect anything. Of course people brought it up, asking if she was “sure they should get married now?” April remembers her mindset at that moment as “peaceful,” that they “were completely in love”, and she said “yes” before he left for a surgery to remove the tumor at Shands in Gainesville, FL. Dave called his loved ones in the waiting room in the midst of surgery, proud to have a dialogue with his head wide open. That’s the kind of guy he was - eager to be the strength that others drew from, no matter the obstacle. He made it appear that everything was easy for him, waking up after a 6 hour surgery doing push-ups and pull-ups. The

quickly found the same. She became the expert on Dave’s disease, and fought the battles that he could not. Despite their violation of myriad practices, procedures, and policies of a state-of-the-art hospital like MD Anderson, April got Dave registered as a patient and set up for the surgery Shands was not willing to do within minutes of showing up on their doorstep.

April got to know the staff and acted as Dave’s advocate, not a mere witness to the exceedingly technical experience of cancer treatment. While April made up for her stature in will power, she drew strength from her sister in law, Emily, who acted as her advocate in the background. Because of their efforts, everyone at the hospital knew of Dave’s upcoming surgery and was standing by to help.

Dave’s second surgery went as well as could be expected, in thanks, says April, to support via Facebook, their blog, and “prayers by friends scheduled for every five minutes of the 12 hour procedure”. Their surgeon, Dr. Ferguson, felt the surgery had been a success. She’d gotten 60% of the cancer - the rest was inaccessible on the other side of his brain. They would realize later that this July surgery made his last four months possible.

During that time, April and Dave moved three times, relying completely on the family and friends who moved and supported them. Dave got a job through their network of supporters, and his employer found a house for them one mile from work so that he could walk. Friends held a “Wine & Brew for Wally” in late August to help raise funds and prayers for their friend’s battle. These kinds of connections led to support they wouldn’t have even known to ask for.

A few good months passed, until one night Dave got pneumonia and started crashing - he gasped for air as April dragged him into the car and made the 40 minute drive to Tallahassee’s Capital Regional Medical Center in record time, where Emily met them. The medical staff gave Dave

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

biopsy came back positive for cancer, and in the following months his hair fell out because of the chemotherapy. He responded by making it known that his head was one of those rare well-shaped ones, and that his ears matched to boot - he “wished [he’d] thought to shave it sooner.”

While his surgeon insisted he take it easy, Dave wanted to set records. His goal was to inspire one person with his experience, that it would all be worthwhile if he could improve one other person’s life. He worked, traveled, hiked, camped, kayaked, ran 5Ks, and planned a wedding during his recovery. Emily remembers, “you wouldn’t know he had cancer, except that he was bald.” Two weeks after their March 15th marriage, Dave and April found out he was in remission. “Our family gives God the credit and the glory for the success of his treatment,” wrote Clay Browning, Emily’s husband, on Dave’s GiveForward blog (https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/9g25/ david-waldron-s-brain-take-2-).

On Wednesday July 9th, Dave had his three month checkup at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. He was told the cancer was back, in a different place this time, and growing fast. They rushed to make an appointment to operate Friday at Shands. Shortly after the appointment was made, the surgeon called to say that because of the size and location of the tumor, operating was not a worthwhile risk. At a family meeting on Sunday, they determined Dave would go to MD Anderson in Houston on Tuesday for a second opinion. The family committed to raising money and establishing a prayer network to support the young couple as they made the long, lonely trip.

On July 14th, Dave posted on their GiveForward blog “Headed to the lone star state to see the best in the world.

God will put the right people in the right places to fulfill His will. Gonna kick this intruder outta my head and get back to living life.” He couldn’t move or talk at this point, so a flight wasn’t possible. April remembers their miraculous road trip began when her car’s radio died before she set out on the fourteen hour drive, and the transmission went shortly thereafter. April “coasted for 70 miles” before she was guided by relatives over the phone to a small town mechanic’s shop. Hysterical, she begged the mechanic to take her to the closest airport to rent a car. She left Dave in her stalled vehicle at the shop, praying they would both be safe, even as she fought with the rental car company to rent her a car without a credit card.

She soon returned to the mechanic’s shop where she found the mechanic praying with and taking care of Dave, who was violently ill. The mechanic provided supplies for their trip and, shortly after they’d completed the 10 hour drive to Houston, this total stranger arrived with her car, which he had fixed. He refused payment and disappeared into the background like so many other angels they encountered along the way.

At this point, you may get the sense that April doesn’t take no for an answer. The healthcare providers around her

33

a feeding tube and required April and Emily to leave the room. As his vitals collapsed, the doctor said they had to put him on life support, and that they wouldn’t be able to get him off. This was it.

April, a petite woman, bypassed the medical staff and jumped on Dave’s bed, demanding he stay with her, then turned to the medical staff and implored them to take him off of the medicine they’d been giving him, which she thought was conflicting with his other medications.

Caught off guard, the staff took her orders and Dave’s vitals immediately began to recover. Once he had stabilized, the medical staff noted in Dave’s voluminous medical chart that April was not to be removed from the room, a big exception to their standard operating procedure.

Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

The next month was spent on the road back and forth to various hospitals around the region and in preparation for a benefit concert on October 4th hosted by Root 3:16 and Steven Clawson to help the young couple with the medical bills they’d accumulated. Shortly thereafter, the local medical staff in Tallahassee told April there was nothing more they could do.

April wasn’t willing to give up, so she texted several of Dave’s friends to ask for help making the drive to MD Anderson. She timed their 3 AM departure around the time the clinic would open the following day. Sean Stewart and Michael Caoile split up the driving with April, who called Dr. Ferguson an hour before they arrived. The doctor was shocked that they would just show up with Dave in that state, but couldn’t tell April no. After a quick scan, she kindly explained that The David Waldron Foundation there weren’t a lot of options left for Dave.

His final option for treatment was an extreme steroid called Avastin meant to treat kidney tumors that can be used as a secondary solution for brain Fueled by an unyielding faith, Be Dave Brave’s aim is to tumors. It gave them a narrow window, allowing them to do some fun things support individuaals and families’ fight against brain around Houston that reminded them cancer through promoting awareness, providing of their courtship before his condition 34 education, offering encouragement and worsened. A family friend gave them a place to stay, and April’s brother, Ashley sharing laughter.

Palmer, left work for three weeks to help her take care of Dave. She remembers Ashley telling her, “This is a time you can be selfish. If you want me to stay, I will.” The doctors finally told April there was nothing more they could do - to “go home, we are calling hospice.”

The only time Dave cried during the process was when his team at MD Anderson told them there was nothing more they could do. April says “he was sad because he was leaving us behind, not because of where he was going.” They hadn’t even discussed the possibility of him not surviving until that point. It hadn’t been a factor in their decision to get married, and it hadn’t been a question in their fight for his life.

An anonymous donor made it possible for them to fly home on a private jet when word got around that he wouldn’t survive the bumps of a drive or the germs of a commercial flight. The plane arrived just for them, where the two pilots lifted Dave up and brought him home. Friends and family welcomed the two with a party so he could see everyone again.

On November 9th, Dave died. As they waited in the hospital on his last of many Pictured are David’s nephews, Wyatt and Gavin Browning

To inspire and empower those affected by brain cancer.

Memories will

never be forgotten.

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015 35

David Waldron with friends and family Oct 2014

trips, April prayed that the timing would not be her decision, or a doctor’s, but God’s. Curled up in his bed as she had so many times before, she told him goodbye.

Dave was clear he didn’t want friends and family to mourn his death - so they celebrated his life. The first bluegrass band to play a funeral at the First United Methodist Church set the tone, and his closest friends remembered him fondly, including Tyler Stephens, Sean Stewart, and Ronnie Wills, the pastor who married them eight months before. Tyler characterized his friendship with Dave by sharing several anecdotes of his honesty and straight-forward manner, but completed his comments by lauding April’s commitment to their friend, saying “if life hands you lemons, you want April Palmer around.” Family and friends ended the day with a party that April and Emily described as “legitimately fun and relaxing.” It was exactly the way Dave would have wanted it.

April recalls the funeral in their GiveForward blog four days later: “At that moment, the feeling I had was [pride]. I’m so proud of my husband. I’m so proud of our marriage. I’m so proud of every step of our journey.

There was no book that said take this turn, do this treatment, make this decision. There was just God’s word and God’s work being done.

Not many end their lives getting the chance to continue to impact people. David’s journey, the path that God laid out for him, has opened side streets for all of us to take. David’s life may be over here, but it’s continuing through each person reading this blog. Days are going to be hard! Really hard! Memories will never be forgotten. And lessons should now speak through each of us… [he went] through this to teach us all how to live, how to love, and how to laugh. So do those things each day. Don’t let David’s journey be wasted. Listen to the weird feeling in your heart. Figure out what it’s

Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

saying to you.”

One week later Emily and April were discussing what waited on them in the real world after their two year whirlwind of missing months of work at a time, flying on borrowed skymiles, and forgetting to eat in the midst of trying to get Dave to. They kept coming back to the mission Dave set for himself after his first doctor’s appointment: “if this can help one person, it will be worth it.” He even kept a journal of what he ate, medications he was taking, and how he was feeling as a way to gather data for others to use. It dawned on the two that for the entire 20 month experience, they had been reactive, not proactive, at every turn. There are trials you should be aware of, questions you should ask, treatment decision trees you should consider before making choices, “because every decision you make opens and closes doors.”

Each decision makes possible or prevents other treatment options, something they didn’t find out until they were deep in the process. The two determined that they would start a conference for doctors, patients, and caregivers to discuss different aspects of the process and develop tools 36 for those who receive a heartbreaking diagnosis to use so they don’t have to depend on “trial and error” in a situation where there is no margin for error. They named it “The David Waldron Foundation”, also known as “Be Dave Brave”.

They are finishing what he started. Their first event was sponsored by the local Crossfit in Valdosta, who organized a “workout of the day” on April 4th, Dave’s birthday. Their first annual 5K race was in Thomasville on May 2nd. Those around the country who couldn’t make the trip ran their own 5K and are challenging others with the hashtag #SuperDave5kChallenge to raise money and awareness for his foundation.

Their first conference will be on August 29th in Valdosta with a slate of medical doctors, PHDs, Nurses, Caregivers, and Patients full of educational content on the disease and the options patients have to improve their odds. You can visit their website at bedavebrave.com to find out more about how to get involved.

In April’s words wrapping up Dave’s GiveForward campaign, “Dave’s journey saved people’s lives, marriages, and encouraged them to fight for love and to trust that God would take care of them. Our prayers during that time were to use us to save others and to heal David, and both happened. I feel so grateful that He chose me to be David’s wife. It stinks that he’s gone, and it stinks that now I feel lost for my place here, but the two years that we dated, the ten months of engagement, and the eight months of marriage were the best times of my life.

Every minute was worth it,

and I think that’s what God wants us to live for. Taking every moment and enjoying it.”

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015 37

Honey Lake Plantation Resort & Spa

Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015 38

Honey Lake Plantation Resort & Spa has ceased operations and is on the market.

Owner Bob Williamson, an entrepreneur, recently announced the decision to sell the plantation in order to focus on his ministry work full-time.

Williamson, in a recent newsletter, said God “made it clear that He wanted me to divest myself of all business interests that required my time and anything that would distract me from working fulltime in the ministry, The Jesus Alliance.”

The main mission of The Jesus Alliance, according to its website, “is to unite Christians around the world.”

For more information on The Jesus Alliance, visit http:// thejesusalliance.org/.

Williamson has turned his focus to the ministry fulltime.

His son Jon, who is his Honey Lake business partner, has also withdrawn from daily management to return to Atlanta in order to focus on his career in wealth management and business development.

“Since neither of our senior executive/ owner team could take an active role in managing Honey Lake, we decided it would be in our best interest to put all of the resort and plantation on the market and we do intend to sell it,” Williamson wrote in the newsletter.

To accommodate their plans, the Williamsons originally changed their business model so the plantation would only be open for private events (particularly weddings) on the weekends until the end of 2015; however, they intended to honor any contracts, reservations and bookings previously made and secured with deposits. It also replaced banquet operations with an outside catering company.

If Honey Lake had not sold by the end of 2015, then the Williamsons intended to entirely close the plantation until a new owner took over.

However, once it was announced to employees the plantation would be put up for sale, those employees began finding other employment and leaving, according

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015 40

to Williamson, which left the business unable to keep up with its commitments or maintain its mission statement of “Provide Outstanding Customer Service.”

“We were and are still losing employees and we cannot run a business without experienced employees and a lot of them,” Williamson wrote on his blog (www.Wordsforheday.

T

org). “So there was no choice, we had to make the grim decision to shut down earlier than we wanted.”

He added the decision “was grueling for us to make” but “equally so for the brides affected by it.” The plantation returned deposits and gave open dates of other venues.

he plantation, established by Elizabeth “Pansy” Ireland Poe, totals 4,552 acres in Madison and Jefferson counties in Florida. It is approximately 40 minutes from Thomasville and Tallahassee, and less than 10 minutes from Monticello, Fla. The property includes three-and-a-half miles on the Little Aucilla River.

It boasts an 80-acre spring-fed lake, 6,994 square foot estate “Selah” (the main house) with an infinity pool and multi-level theatre, the “Pansy Poe” Historic Guest House, a managed trophy fisheries program, a turn-key 99-acre resort with lodgings, and a wildlife program for quail, deer, turkey, duck, and dove. Amenities include a restaurant, the Howling Dog Saloon, a spa and a variety of outdoor activities.

Not included in the sale is Honey Lake Church. It will continue full operations.

The property is being offered in its entirety or in parcels from 99 to 2,850 acres.

For more information, visit http://jonkohler.com/honeylake-parcels/.

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015 42

A

Existing Industry

Community’s Lifeline WRITTEN BY DEBRA UNDERWOOD

“From bread to boilers,” is a likely boast from Thomasville and Thomas County leadership about their community’s industrial roster. We manufacture a host of products, from business-to-business wares to consumer goods and we serve as distribution hubs for regional markets.

Most of our manufacturers sell product nationwide as well as internationally. We build furniture, diesel engines, airplane parts, pumps, industrial boilers, fabricate steel and, as the freshly baked scent on Broad Street will often tell you, we make bread products. Thomasville is home

“

to one of Flowers Foods 46 nationwide bakeries and its corporate headquarters.

There are 120 industries located from Coolidge to Boston to Metcalf and, in one regard, they all do the very same thing; they create jobs. “Existing industry is a lifeline for job creation for our citizens. A large part of my job is to help in the creation of those jobs,” explains Executive Director of Economic Development, Shelley Zorn.

“While I am relentless in my pursuit of new industrial citizens for Thomas County, I also serve my existing industries,” explains Zorn. In fact, I clock miles and time each week visiting local industries to hear the issues they champion in regard to growing their business. They have unique perspectives about legislative matters in Atlanta

Staying in touch with industry allows Zorn to learn when she can offer assistance.

We can offer a expanding existing business incentives similar to what we offer a new industry prospect, in regard to job creation. If they grow jobs, there is tangible support when all the criteria is met,” asserts Zorn.

Shelley Zorn has been the Executive Director of the Thomasville Payroll Development Authority since 2014. While her workspace is located in the local chamber of commerce office on Broad Street, she is solely dedicated to new industry recruitment and existing industry development. Zorn brings fifteen years of experience in economic development and fifteen year of experience in banking and finance.

The local Development Authority and the Georgia Department of Economic Development provide incentives when companies grow. Incentives include funding options, property tax abatements, discounted land and state tax credits to existing and new industries creating jobs.

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Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

that affect their businesses, for example. Workforce is always a key topic for industry. We are just beginning a dialogue about a workforce development concept that enhances the pipeline of skilled workers leaving high school and technical college,” explains Zorn. “If utilities are a topic, the city’s key account manager will accompany me to answer specific questions.”

Last year, in Georgia, a hefty 64 percent of new investments and jobs came from existing industry, which is slightly down from previous years. The trend is typical nationwide as well.

In Thomas County, Zorn anticipates existing industries will create 500 + jobs in the next two years, and those same industries are investing millions in new technology, new equipment and new expanded facilities. These are impressive numbers by any yardstick.

Our community also has added 50 plus jobs from a new industry, Oilon, a supplier to Hurst Boiler. Oilon, a Finnish company, is a distribution facility for the company’s industrial burners.

Oilon CEO Jonah Tallberg says, “Our first US based office is in Thomasville because of their diverse and experienced workforce and quality of life.”

Today, potential newcomers are looking in Thomas County at the former Southwestern Hospital campus and the new business park on Highway 319 north, Red Hills Business Park, which is slated for a 2016 opening.

The business park is a joint effort of the Development Authority, the County and the City of Thomasville.

Zorn’s new economic development website, www. developthomas.com gives prospects a chance to check out our assets before they make contact. Like most 21st century “shoppers,” Internet searches are a first step when a prospect considers relocating a business to a new community.

Thomasville and Thomas County have a strong industrial base built by growth minded leaders in the past.

On their hard work, we have new opportunities to grow even stronger.

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015 44

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Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

Rachel Barton-Pine

45

Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent

|

UGA Cooperative Extension – Thomas County

Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

WRITTEN BY ANDREW SAWYER

46

Managing Your Lawn Through The Heat of Summer We have endured a few weeks with almost no rain. This has followed a very wet month of April. However, those spring showers will not bring May flowers if we stay dry.

You may notice areas in your lawn where the turf has a dark brown color in a very irregular shape. In many lawns, I observe pieces of grass growing inside the dead areas.

When a lawn is infected with a pest, we typically see more of a circular area that may spread. This characterizes something biotic or living, i.e. insect or disease. Other times dead areas do not follow a pattern and appear irregular in shape. In these cases, the culprit is usually abiotic or nonliving, i.e. fertility problem or environmental conditions.

This does not mean that a disease or insect is not part of the problem. For instance, I always check locations for presence of insects and place samples under the microscope for disease. In recent samples, I discovered the presence of Large Patch disease. How do we put this together?

The underlying culprit behind irregular, dark brown,

patches of dying grass in our lawns are the result of recent dry spell. Any turf that is weakened by disease, low fertility, or poor cultural practices has accelerated injury.

The key to managing our lawn’s water requirements during periods of drought is to get the right amount of water down to the roots. We need about 1 inch of water on our lawns each week. One of the biggest problems is how we accomplish this.

Once our rain slowed, I noticed the sprinklers running – which is good because the lawn needs it. However, I could not help but notice how many sprinklers and irrigation systems were running at 2:00, 3:00 and 5:00 in the afternoon. This is the worst time to water our lawns!

Outside of increasing the period of leaf wetness and further elevating our chance for disease, much of the water applied to our lawns during this time does not reach the roots. As the humidity lowers evaporation increases. Water evaporates from the air and soil before it reaches the roots.

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

To compensate, the amount of water has to be increased.

Instead of using more water which raises our utility bills, we should instead water between recommended watering times of 9pm to 9am. This timing lowers the occurrence of evaporation and decreases the length of time the turf is wet, which minimizes disease severity.

For a lawn at a sandy soil location, water one half inch two times a week. Water peculates or moves down into the soil profile more in sandy soil than in clay soil. If your lawn is built on a more clay soil type, one watering at one inch per week is fine. I recommend placing some kind of cup or pan that can collect water while the sprinkler is running.

You will then be able to better estimate how much water you apply.

My last recommendation for maintaining your lawn during hot, dry periods is to apply more water one time rather than through short, daily waterings. Light, frequent irrigations promote a shallow root system. Irrigation is only a supplement to rainfall. Therefore, in times of drought, roots are not deep enough in the soil to obtain water. Less frequent and heavy irrigations force the roots to grow deeper into the soil. We need a very strong and deep root system to endure periods of heat and drought. This practice alone can be the difference in a lawn surviving a drought phase.

For additional questions, contact the Thomas County Extension office at 225-4130.

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48 Thomasville ThomasvilleMagazine Magazine/SUMMER / SUMMER2015 2015

Thomasville Thomasville Magazine Magazine / WINTER/SPRING /SUMMER 2015

Downtown Thomasville

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50 Thomasville ThomasvilleMagazine Magazine/SUMMER / SUMMER2015 2015

229.236.GOAT

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Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015 51

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Listed events are subject to change; please verify event dates and times prior to scheduling activities.

Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

Visit www.thomasvillega.com for the current Thomasville area calendar of events.

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Call 229-228-7977 or toll free at 1-866-577-3600, with questions, comments, or submissions. Stop in the Thomasville Visitors Center (144 East Jackson Street, Thomasville, GA 31799) for the most up to the minute information.

June June 5 Lotus Yoga: Grand Opening 5:30-7:30pm, Lotus Yoga, 125 East Monroe Street, Thomasville, GA 31792- Join us for a grand opening party! Drinks, music, class registration and more. Come explore the space and the honest juice bar. www. lotusyoganadholisticwellness.com Info: Lindsey, 229-421-9583 June 5 First Friday: Caribbean Crew Reggae and Steel Drum Band 7:00pm-9:0pm, Downtown Thomasville- Join us Downtown for a FREE outdoor concert by the Caribbean Crew Reggae and Steel Drum Band! This band is sure to please with its upbeat rhythms and fun-to-dance-to vibe. One of the most frequently hired Caribbean Bands in the country and five-time national winners of the Gigmasters Rising Star Award for “Top Steel Drum Band” in North America. They’ve performed alongside reggae superstars Shaggy, Inner Circle, Ziggy Marley and Sean Paul. The Caribbean Crew is well known for their high-energy and interactive performances. The musicians are all from the islands, giving the audience an authentic, Caribbean sound loved by all ages. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the show! Info: Main Street Office, 229-227-7020, visit@thomasville.org June 6 Take a Child Outside Day 9:30am-noon, Birdsong Nature Center- Celebrate summer at Birdsong with your favorite child or children. Leader Sandra Sallee and Executive Director Kathleen Brady will take you to discover the underwater inhabitants of the Farm Pond and Upper Pond. Participants will likely get wet and muddy. RESERVATIONS, PLEASE, so we know how many to prepare for. Please sign up by noon Friday, June 5th. $3 Friends, $5 nonmembers, children half-price. Info: 229-377-4408 June 8 – 12 HOTC Project Impact Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM, Various Project sites – A summer service camp for rising 6th – 9th graders. $75/student. Learn more here: http://www.handsonthomascounty.org/event/project-impact-shotc-2/ Contact: HOTC, 229-226-5200, info@handsonthomascounty.org, www.handsonthomascounty.org July 10-12, 17-19 Grease the Musical 8pm Fri & Sat, 2pm Sunday, TOSAC, 117 South Broad Street, Thomasville, GA 31792- Come enjoy this modern classic with all your favorite songs! Info: 229-226-0863 June 11 Business After Hours 5:00-7:00pm, Big Oak Benefit Advisors, 116 East Monroe Street, Thomasville, GA 31792- Join the Chamber of Commerce for an evening of networking at the Big Oak Benefit Advisors offices. Info: 229-226-9600 June 13 Music to Our Ears: A Chorus of Frogs 6:30-9:00pm, Birdsong Nature Center- Join us for a presentation and field experience with Nancy Ann Thomas.

Nancy has created an hour-long power point presentation to teach us all about our local frog species: their life cycles, ecology, and conservation. After the presentation, Nancy will lead us out to Big Bay Swamp where we can learn to identify some of those alluring calls. You will come away equipped to identify those evocative sounds wherever you go! Dress for the weather, and wear shoes for hiking to the swamp. Bring binoculars. This program is geared for adults and mature children. Info: 229-377-4408

Thomsville Thomsville -Thomas -Thomas CountyCounty Visitors Visitors CenterCenter Historic Historic Thomasville, Thomasville, Georgia Georgia

June 20 Summer Birding at Birdsong 8:00-11:00am, Birdsong Nature Center- Join us for a leisurely morning of early summer birding with Marvin Collins.

We will visit a variety of excellent birding habitats including open old-field, pine woods, swamp and mixed hardwoods.

The hike will wrap up with a visit to the Bird Window, which is typically a very busy place this time of year. Dress for the weather and be prepared for hiking three or four miles. Bring binoculars, water and a snack. RESERVATIONS, PLEASE. Call or email to let us know you are coming by 4PM Friday, June 19th. $4 Friends, $8 non-members. Info: 229-377-4408 June 23-25 The Lapham-Patterson House’s Victorian Thomasville Camp 9:00am-2:30pm, Thomas County Historical Society, 725 North Dawson Street, Thomasville, GA- Rising 3rd-6th graders; $75/members, $100/non-members. Info: 229-226-7664, history@rose.net June 27 100 Black Men: BBQ Cook-Off Event 6:00am-5:00pm, Thomas County Board of Education, East Jackson Street, Thomasville, GA- The 100 Black Men of Brooks, Grady, and Thomas Counties is holding a BBQ. For more information, call: 229-379-4891, or 229-563-0371

July July 3 First Friday: Local Talent Night 7:00-9:00pm, Downtown Thomasville- This Local Talent Night concert will be located at the corner of Stevens St. and West Jackson St. Come listen to great local talent for an evening of hometown fun that will remind you why you’re proud to call South Georgia home! This free concert is open to the public- bring your lawn chair or blanket and come enjoy!

Info: Main Street Office, 229-227-7020, visit@thomasville.org July 3-5 Class of 1973 Turns 60 Celebration Various times and locations, Thomasville, GA- Members of the Thomasville High School class of 1973 are holding a turning 60 celebration, July 3-5, 2015. For information, contact Lathresa Hill at 229-393-3741 or James Broadnax at 229-393-4041 or Sharon.lilly55@gmail.com July 4 July 4th Festivities 6:30-9:30pm, Corner of Stevens Street and West Jackson Street- Join us for a community-wide Independence Day celebration, complete with food, fireworks, and fun! This FREE event will feature family activities, live entertainment, fireworks, food vendors, and more. The all 80s cover band Members Only will entertain you all night long. Paying tribute to the decade that brought you the Rubik’s Cube and leg warmers, Members Only plays your favorite 80’s hits with just a hint of hair and a whole lot of flair. Featuring male and female vocalists, Members Only covers a wide range of 80’s pop hits that will keep your party on its feet all night long. If you’re a fan of Huey Lewis & the News, Duran Duran, Peter Gabriel, and Pat Benetar, Members Only is your new favorite band! Info: 229-227-7020, visit@thomasville.org July 11 Project Backyard 9:30am-1:30pm, Trinity Anglican Church, 325 West Jackson Street, Thomasville, GA 31792- Join us as we partner with local service organizations, churches, and ministries in Thomasville to help organize and facilitate multiple service project opportunities throughout the Thomasville community. Info: 229-228-0765, projbackyard@gmail.com

August August 7 First Friday 7:00-9:00pm, Downtown Thomasville- Details coming soon! Info: Main Street Office, 229-227-7020, visit@thomasville.org

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

June 13 Childbirth Education Class 9:00am-3:00pm, Archbold Memorial Hospital, East Tower, Classroom #2- Learn what to expect before and after delivery, with topics and tours including: labor and delivery unit tour, signs of labor, relaxation and breathing techniques, epidural and pain management, birth plans, postpartum and newborn care, breastfeeding education, and more. These events are free to the public and lunch is provided. www.archbold.org Info: 229-228-2943, kodom@archbold.org

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

Hampton Inn of Thomasville

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Wells Fargo Advisors is proud to support Thomasville Magazine Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. Financial Advisors 124 N. Broad St. Thomasville, GA 31792 229-228-9536 • 800-234-9536 www.wellsfargoadvisors.com

Investment and Insurance Products:  NOT FDIC Insured  NO Bank Guarantee  MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2009 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. 1210-2822[74129-v2]

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

Allen & Allen

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Donna Harvard Sept 22, 1942 - Nov 1, 2014

Catherine Lewis April 16, 1929 - Feb 16, 2015

Billy Godwin April 20, 1928 - Mar 1, 2015

Truman Chastain, Jr. Sept 23, 1929 - March 15, 2015

Lavone Lewis Sept 25, 1931 - Feb 1, 2015

Margaret Boockholdt Aug 16, 1929 - Feb 18, 2015

David Richard Inman, Jr. Nov 8, 1925 - Mar 2, 2015

Treyonna Williams 11-Mar-15

Ernest Russell Allen, Jr. June 13, 1946 - Jan 30, 2015

Ben Watson Oct 3, 1961 - Feb 19, 2015

Michael Lord Aug 20, 1961 - Mar 3, 2015

Johnny Reichert March 20, 1945 - March 17, 2015

Linda Gail Braswell Jan 3, 1948 - Feb 4, 2015

Donald Mathis April 26, 1946 - Feb 19, 2015

Charles Carter, Jr. Jan 16, 1951 - March 7, 2015

Elisha Gibson Dec 24, 1918 - March 21, 2015

Melissa Stinnett Feb 22, 1959 - Feb 7, 2015

Rhoda Nunnally Feb 13, 1919 - Feb 22, 2015

Lila Horner July 9, 1923 - March 7, 2015

Marjorie Reichert June 21, 1939 - March 21, 2015

Bobby Owens Dec 11, 1935 - Feb 6, 2015

Thomas Marshall Jan 10, 1947 - Feb 24, 2015

Elwood Logue, Jr. Feb 20, 1930 - March 9, 2015

William Smith Feb 21, 1941 - Mar 23, 2015

Terry Strickland Jan 24, 1956 - Feb 9, 2015

Edison Wayne Cliett April 13, 1938 - Feb 25, 2015

James Hinson, Jr. May 16, 1921 - March 10, 2015

Charles Vainer, Jr. Dec 20, 1926 - Mar 25, 2015

Eleanor Heisler Aug 14, 1926 - February 12, 2015

Ethel Tryan May 3, 1932 - Feb 25, 2015

Clower Elkins Aug 19, 1924 - March 10, 2015

Francis Eatman June 28, 1937 - Mar 25, 2015

Mary Elizabeth Pittman Nov 16, 1929 - Feb 27, 2015

Ronald Phinazee Oct 17, 1946 - March 12, 2015

Hazelene Jones June 7, 1945 - Mar 27, 2015

Lani Peoples Nov 3, 1959 - March 15, 2015

Carolyn Mueller Dec 5, 1917 - Mar 29, 2015

Ronnie Farmer June 4, 1951 - March 12, 2015

Mozelle Wiley May 26, 1931 - Mar 29, 2015

Nash Cooper Aug17, 1941 - Feb 13, 2015 Anita Coker April 17, 1922 - Feb 14, 2015

Patrick Fenlon March 17, 1922 - Feb 26, 2015

Jerry Miller July 21, 1954 - Feb 15, 2015

Jessie Corbitt Dec 1, 1943 - Feb 28, 2015

Kathi Barnes Dec 14, 1958 - Mar 29, 2015 Larry Houston Mar 30, 1962 - Mar 29, 2015 Thomas Bentley Oct 21, 1933 - Mar 29, 2015 Dolores McEntire April 10, 1927 - April 4, 2015 Leon Taylor, Jr. Oct 26, 1930 - April 10, 2015

A Listing of Local Deaths in Our Community.

Provided by Allen & Allen Funeral Home & Whiddon-Shiver Funeral Home

Grace Beacham (Parker) Aug 31,1919 - Jan 16, 2015

Hazel Roberts (Vick) June 7, 1930 - Mar 23, 2015

Frances Wentworth (Kilgore) May 7, 1925 - Mar 30, 2015

Stanley Smith Jan 25, 1958 - April 11, 2015

Barbara Denise Jones (Davis) March 23,1963 - Jan 16, 2015

Patsy Deloris Dover (Wofford) Nov 9, 1929 -Mar 25, 2015

Ervin M. Coleman Nov 2, 1935 - April 11, 2015

Jeanette Elaine Hogan Mar 16, 1947 - Mar 26, 2015

Ralph Wesley Raymond, Sr. April 6, 1927 - April 14, 2015

Stephen Harper Nov 1, 1990 - April 12, 2015 Malcolm Hurst Feb 9, 1962 - April 13, 2015

Clinton Stover Feb 4,1937 - Jan 23, 2015 James Alexander Alvis, Jr. March 25,1946 - Jan 29, 2015

Brittany Hasty Aug 8, 1990 - April 12, 2015

William Otho Griffin Sept 10, 1930 - Feb 2, 2015

Mary Burleson Dec 3, 1928 - April 14, 2015

Joseph D. Hampton Mar 27, 1938 - Feb 6, 2015

Charles Eason June 17, 1923 - April 15, 2015

Mamie Bradley (Edwards) May 5, 1912 - Feb 19, 2015

Don Jacobs Sept 26, 1942 - April 16, 2015

William Roy Giddens Jan 1, 1942 - Feb 21, 2015

Shirley Day Nov 20, 1934 - April 21, 2015

Doyle Howard Cook June 19, 1941 - Feb 25, 2015

Herbert Rash April 5, 1959 - April 21, 2015

Patricia Gail Bailey (Skinner) Dec 15, 1956 - Mar 5, 2015

Whiddon-Shiver

Eric Allen Kramer Aug 24, 1965 - Mar 11, 2015

Shirley Virginia Lewis (Yowhn) Valerie Ann Carter Feb 6, 1946 - Jan 6, 2015 Aug 22, 1956 - Mar 14, 2015 White Annie Brackin Sept 15,1944 - Jan 8, 2015 Ethel Lorene Thompson (Walker) Jan 14,1937 - Jan 9, 2015 Sullivan Patsy Annie Blackburn April 10,1947 - Jan 11, 2015

William D. Allen Sept 5, 1961 - Mar 14, 2015 Michael Loy Gibson Dec 16, 1943 - Mar 19, 2015 James Jason Timmons Aug 5, 1937 - Mar 19, 2015 Debra E. Buckel (Price) Feb 10, 1955 - Mar 16, 2015

Thomasville Magazine /SUMMER 2015

Joy Thompson July 1, 1943 - April 9, 2015

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LIST OF ADVERTISERS

Allen and Allen Funeral Home...........................page 56 Ameris Bank....................................................page 45 Astro...............................................................page 13 Best Western/Holiday Inn Express....................page 47 Big Oak Tree Rug Gallery.................................page 49 BloughTech.....................................................page 25 Bobby Dollar...................................................page 14 Camellia Gardens Nursing Home.....................page 28 C.B. Grubbs III Financial Services.....................page 55 CNS TV.......................................................back cover Commercial Bank...............................inside back cover Country Oaks....................................................page 4 Downtown Thomasville....................................page 48 Farm Bureau...................................................page 24 Farm Credit Southwest Georgia ......................page 11 Fielding Law Firm.............................................page 50 Flowers Nissan................................................page 29 Fuzzy Goat......................................................page 50 Hampton Inn...................................................page 54 Hugh Produce.................................................page 21 J. Smith Lanier & Co........................................page 47 Kathy’s............................................................page 49

Key South.......................................................page 54 Pelicanno Construction....................................page 14 Robin Wise.....................................................page 15 Savannah Court of Camilla...............................page 44 Singletary Tire Service .....................................page 58 Southern Heritage...........................................page 51 Southwest Georgia Technical College...............page 43 Spence...........................................................page 24 Taste of Thomasville.........................................page 50 Taylor Benefit Resource...................................page 44 The Gift Shop..................................................page 54 The New Image...............................................page 49 The Plaza Restaurant & Lounge .......................page 49 Thomas County Federal.....................................page 3 Thomasville Dental Center................... inside front cover Thomasville National Bank................................page 55 Thomasville Physical Therapy ..........................page 55 Trolly’s ............................................................page 49 Valdosta’s Symphony Orchestra.......................page 45 Wells Fargo.....................................................page 54 Whiddon-Shiver Funeral Home.........................page 57 YMCA.............................................................page 10

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401 N. MADISON ST. THOMASVILLE GA 31792

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Thomasville Magazine / SUMMER 2015

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