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As the founding school of Augusta University and Georgia’s flagship medical school, the Medical College of Georgia is proud to expand its statewide mission with a new dedicated cohort of students in Thomasville – thanks to a dynamic partnership with Archbold Medical Center.
This means future physicians are now learning directly from Archbold’s expert clinicians, gaining hands-on experience and building lasting connections with the communities they’ll one day serve.
Together, MCG and Archbold are investing in the health of Southwest Georgia, training the next generation of doctors, right where they’re needed most.
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EDITOR IN CHIEF
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Amy Faeskorn, Lindsay Field Penticuff, Stephanie Rice, Sarah Shearer, Tia Turner PHOTOGRAPHY
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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.
Hello, Thomasville!
As the long, sunny days of summer arrive, we are excited to welcome a season filled with community events, family gatherings, road trips, farmers markets, festivals, and the simple joys that make small-town living so special. Summer always seems to bring people together, and that spirit of connection is at the heart of everything we do here at our magazine.
We want to take a moment to sincerely thank you — our loyal readers and advertisers — for your continued support. Because of you, we are able to share the stories, businesses, people, and places that make our community unique. Supporting local matters, and we are grateful to be part of a town that values community and connection at every turn.
One of our favorite parts of publishing this magazine is hearing from you. Your ideas, feedback, and story suggestions inspire many of the features we create. If there is a person, business, event, or topic you think deserves the spotlight, please reach out to kk@thomasvillemagazine.com. We truly love hearing from our wonderful readers!
All my best,
Karen (KK) Snyder EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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DIGITAL EDITION & SOCIAL
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Nothing can match a life-changing smile
Why did Kaitlyn choose Dr. Oppenheim? Was it Dr. Oppenheim’s ten gold medals in international dentistry competitions, or that he’s one of only 63 AACD Fellows in the world, or that his patients have appeared on the cover of The Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry eight times? Kaitlyn says, “Yes it was!”
actual patient of Dr. Oppenheim.
Kaitlyn,
State Park Fourth
12
Lives Without Limits
BY AMY FAESKORN
A local organization is focused on getting some fine outdoorsmen into nature.
61
Summer Eats
Fun and fast meals you can enjoy at the table or on a picnic.
27 HEALTH & WELLNESS
A special section featuring articles on the importance of organ donation, kids and summer sleep, and the health trends of essential amino acids and creatine.
64
State Park Fourth
Georgia State Parks offer an abundance of experiences during the Fourth of July.
67
Business Spotlight BY
TIA TURNER
Rafa Natural offers organic and natural skin care products and so much more.
74
Summer Fun BY
SARAH SHEARER
A list of day camps and fun activities to keep the kiddos busy this summer.
back in the
the hunt
Lives Without Limits broadens the horizons of those living with disabilities
Story by Amy Faeskorn
Lives Without Limits provides practical support and life-enhancing services that remove barriers, restore independence, and create meaningful opportunities for individuals living with physical disabilities. From enabling outdoor activities to helping with equipment for daily needs, LWL seeks to help all in need.
Anyone familiar with the streets of Thomasville has probably crossed paths at some point or another with Big Nasty. Though her name intimidates, she’s not a scary character roaming the neighborhood, but rather a 2003 Ford E350 Super Duty commercial van fully adapted to give Jake Ricks his freedom.
A quadriplegic since a diving accident at the age of 15 shattered his C5 vertebra, Ricks has never let his injury define him. “It’s all about having a good support system,” he says. He earned two bachelor’s degrees from Valdosta State University, has operated a successful hauling business, and now runs sound for Bridge Church of God. In 2009, eight years after his injury, he acquired Big Nasty, paying about half of her $117,000 total costs to have her fitted with a diesel engine, a dropped floor, hand controls, and other retrofits that allow him to drive it on his own. Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation covered the rest of the cost.
Originally from Ochlocknee, Ricks began working for Billie Jo Beverly in 2009 at Trio Therapy Services, where she was an owner, and the two forged a friendship that has paid each other — and the community — dividends. In 2013, along with Beverly Hawkins and Gina Shumake-Thompson, Beverly co-founded Lives Without Limits (LWL), a Thomasville-based non-profit that provides individuals impacted by limited mobility with emotional support, durable medical equipment, assistance with home modification, and outdoor recreational opportunities for anyone interested.
“If you’re an able-bodied person suddenly facing a diagnosis of ALS or MS, or a spinal cord injury, it’s a really tough adjustment for you and your family,” Beverly says. “We want people to still lead full, happy lives, and we try to provide them with whatever we can to make sure they do.”
LWL relies on monetary and material donations from the community as well as small grants to obtain and refurbish items such as ramps, powered wheelchairs, supplies, and vehicles such as Big Nasty. Their annual fundraiser each October is a Thomasville favorite, often drawing upward of 500 guests. Each year LWL serves approximately 125 clients, but the delivery of services can be complex, and is done with a skeletal staff and a small group of volunteers.
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Previous page: Jake Ricks, a paraplegic, hunts with a gun outfitted with a trigger cord he pulls with his mouth.
“Our matrix is different,” says Beverly. “For one individual, we may end up making multiple referrals or visits to ensure they have what they need — everything from installing ramps to networking.” LWL’s donations and services help disabled individuals defray their enormous costs, most of which aren’t covered by programs like Medicare or Medicaid. “The price for a base model van can start at $80,000, and that’s before modifications and controls,” she says. “These days, brand new, fully adapted vehicles like Big Nasty can cost upward of $200,000,” adds Ricks.
Ricks has been both a beneficiary of and a lead volunteer with LWL’s program. He’s often the first person the agency turns to when a new client reaches out for help. “I’ve been living with my disability for 30 years this July, and I get it,” he says. “My injury hasn’t stopped me from doing anything I want to do.” A passionate hunter, Ricks assists the LWL team in taking out clients to skeet shoot or quail hunt using the latest products from EcoRover’s line of all-terrain wheelchairs customized to handle almost any outdoor surface.
“When we first started, my husband and I would lay down sheets of plywood so folks could maneuver around, but they would always get bogged down,” recalls Beverly. “This new technology is incredible.” On a recent pheasant shoot, four clients were accompanied by several volunteers who helped reload shotguns. “Track chairs are a total game changer,” notes Ricks, an avid hunter who has outfitted his chair with a rig to hold his gun and an electric device that enables him to “pull” the trigger.
Jake Ricks and Billie Jo Beverly during a recent Lives Without Limits hunt.
Two years ago, Ricks was put in contact with a gentleman in Hahira, Keith Bland, through their mutual Medicaid case manager. Bland — who was paralyzed at the age of 19 in a motocross accident and lived until he was almost 60 — was having difficulty at the time with his 2002 Dodge Caravan, so Ricks got it up onto a trailer and took it to Advanced Driving Systems in Tallahassee for repair. Bland was able to drive it until his passing in 2025, when Bland’s father offered to sell it to Ricks.
“The price was more than fair, and it was in really good shape overall. I saw it as something I could drive until something major happens to it and also source it for parts. Big Nasty has over 300,000 miles on her, and her controls work kind of on and off these days.”
Beverly got wind of Ricks’ plan and immediately got to work. “We decided to designate most of the funds raised at the live auction at our first ever Valentine’s Dueling Piano Bar event we held this past February towards the purchase,” she says. On February 25, to his total surprise, Beverly presented him with a check for $8,000 — the exact asking price — in the presence of his family, friends, and fellow congregants at Bridge Church of God.
“I’m still kind of in shock. It was a crazy, crazy blessing,” says Ricks, who has shared his expertise at adapting vehicles with countless LWL clients. “I recently responded to a call from the wife of a stroke patient in Valdosta by helping her get the transmission replaced in their van. We get calls like that all the time,” Ricks notes. “I love paying it forward in situations like that.”
LWL has been a fixture in Thomasville and the area for more than a decade and continues to offer assistance to anyone in need of services, bolstered by the generosity of donors and professionals in the community, such as Bri Whigham of Whigham Images, who recently refreshed LWL’s website.
“We could never do what we do without people like Bri and Jake,” Beverly says. “It’s expensive to be disabled, and we’re so fortunate that our town understands that.” With the love of LWL always in the rear-view mirror, Ricks, Big Nasty, and her new “baby sister” are sure to be seen out on the road for many more years to come. TM
Follow our guide, Thomasville native Milton Fielding, on Amazon Peacock Bass Fishing’s social media
Photos from The St. Nicholas Hotel, Downtown Albany
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LIVING WELL
WE’RE ALL INUNDATED WITH THE LATEST “HEALTHY” TRENDS. HERE ARE A FEW STORIES ABOUT PROTECTING THE WELL‑BEING OF OURSELVES AND THE PEOPLE WE LOVE.
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SAVVY APPROACH TO
WELLNESS TRENDS
BY Stephanie Rice
Like most things in life, trends come and go, and the wellness industry is no exception. Trends like Bulletproof Coffee, the Paleo diet, Keto, fasting, and CrossFit have flooded social media feeds, doctors’ offices, podcasts, and everyday conversations for years. As humans, we’re constantly searching for the next “it” thing that will get us to our goals as quickly as possible. Let’s be honest, we love a shortcut.
The problem is that many trends come wrapped in empty promises, sending people on a never-ending rollercoaster ride in search of a finish line that keeps moving.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Just because something is trending doesn’t mean it has no merit. Many wellness trends offer helpful tools, support, structure, or ideas that can genuinely improve your health. The issue arises when people put all their eggs in one basket and treat one trend as the holy grail for all their wellness needs.
If I can give you one piece of advice when deciding how deeply to dive into a trend, it’s this: pay attention to the promises being made. This helps you feel more confident and reassured in your wellness decisions. Are they promising to fix everything if you just follow their method? Are they selling results on a
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silver platter? If so, it’s probably not worth all your time, money, and energy.
Not every wellness trend is worth following, but the ones I can stand behind are rooted in support, understanding, and science. The best approaches aren’t extreme but rather make sense for real life, are backed by research, and help you feel stronger, calmer, healthier, and more confident, not overwhelmed.
So, what are some of the big trends in the wellness industry right now worth talking about? Let’s talk about essential amino acids (EAAs) and creatine monohydrate. What are they, what are they good for, and who should be taking them?
What are Essential Amino Acids?
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and play a major role in the formation and repair of muscles, tissues, hormones, and enzymes throughout the body. Protein-rich foods like meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy are made up of many different amino acids. Your body needs all amino acids to function properly, but EAAs are unique because the body cannot produce them on its own. That means they must be obtained through food sources or supplementation to help support the body’s daily needs. (Dr. Josh Axe, DNM, DC, CNS)
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What IS CREATINE?
Creatine monohydrate is a naturally occurring compound made from amino acids glycine, arginine, and methionine. Remember, amino acids are the building blocks of protein, but creatine itself is neither a protein nor a steroid. Instead, it is a compound your body naturally produces and stores primarily in the muscles and brain. Despite what many people think, creatine is not an artificial substance designed in a lab. It is also found naturally in foods like red meat and seafood. Although creatine gained mainstream attention in the 1990s after reports that Olympic athletes were using it to improve performance, it has since become one of the most extensively researched supplements in the wellness and sports nutrition industries. (Kreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J, et al.)
What are EEA’S GOOD FOR?
Supplementing with or consuming more foods rich in EAAs may provide a variety of health benefits. EAAs can support weightloss efforts by helping preserve lean body mass, especially during periods of calorie restriction. Maintaining muscle mass is important because muscle tissue plays a key role in metabolism, strength, daily function, and overall body composition. Research has also found that supplementing with EEAs may help reduce muscle loss, which is commonly associated with both aging and weight loss. (Dr. Axe) EAAs may also support mood, recovery, sleep quality, and skin health. Certain amino acids, such as tryptophan, are involved in the production of serotonin and melatonin, which regulate mood and sleep. A large review published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found evidence suggesting that tryptophan may improve sleep quality, though the research remains mixed. Unlike many over-the-counter sleep aids, tryptophan is
generally well-tolerated and associated with minimal side effects. EAAs may also help support recovery and muscle repair, even for the average gym-goer, while contributing to healthy skin through their role in collagen and tissue production.
What IS CREATINE GOOD FOR?
Remember, there have been hundreds of clinical trials and thousands of published studies to examine its effects on strength, muscle maintenance, recovery, energy production, aging, and even potential brain-health support. Research has consistently shown that creatine may help improve strength, power output, high-intensity exercise performance, and recovery while also supporting the preservation of lean muscle mass. Emerging research is also exploring its possible role in cognition, mood, menopause support, and healthy aging. What makes creatine especially unique is that its benefits extend beyond elite athletes. Studies have included women, older adults, adolescents, and clinical populations, showing promise for a wide range of individuals looking to support overall health. What I find especially intriguing is the emerging research surrounding creatine and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. A randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled trial investigating creatine supplementation in patients with Parkinson’s disease found that it was well tolerated and may have neuroprotective properties. Researchers observed improvements in patient mood and a smaller increase in the
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need for dopaminergic therapy, a treatment that helps increase, replace, or mimic dopamine in the brain over time (Dr. Axe). While more research is still needed, the potential for a supplement already known for its muscle- and performancesupporting effects to also support brain health is fascinating. Unlike many trendy supplements that gain popularity before meaningful research exists, creatine monohydrate continues to stand out as a supplement backed by decades of scientific evidence and a strong safety profile when used appropriately. This should help you feel more at ease about considering it as part of your wellness routine.
WhO SHOULD BE TAKING EAAS OR CREATINIE?
While many healthy individuals may benefit, specific groups such as athletes, older adults, and those with certain health goals may find these supplements particularly advantageous. Understanding your personal needs can help determine if these supplements align with your wellness journey. Honestly, considering how well-researched and generally safe both supplements are for healthy individuals when used appropriately, many people could potentially benefit from one or both. The better question to ask is: Why do you want to take them?
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If your goal is to support strength, muscle maintenance, exercise performance, healthy aging, and possibly even brain health, creatine monohydrate may be a great option. The research behind creatine is extensive and continues to grow, especially in areas related to aging and cognition.
If your goal is to support recovery, muscle preservation, mood, or sleep, or simply to fill nutritional gaps in your diet, EAAs may be helpful. EAAs can be especially beneficial for people who struggle to consume enough high-quality protein through food alone, whether due to low appetite, restrictive eating patterns, aging, busy lifestyles, or simply not enjoying many protein-rich foods. At the end of the day, neither supplement is a magic fix. They are simply tools that may help support the body, along with a balanced diet, strength training, movement, sleep, and healthy lifestyle habits. I’ll always choose sustainable habits, practical wellness, and evidence-based strategies over quick fixes and fear-based marketing. TM
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Summer Sleep: WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW
As the school year winds down and summer vacation approaches, families often look forward to a more relaxed schedule. Bedtimes drift later, mornings stretch longer, and kids enjoy the freedom of unstructured days. But while summer can be a welcome break from early alarms and packed routines, it also raises important questions about children’s and adolescents’ sleep needs. How much sleep do they actually require? Is it harmful for teens to stay up half the night and sleep until noon? And how much flexibility is healthy? Understanding how sleep works for growing bodies and brains can help parents strike the right balance between summer fun and long-term well-being.
HOW MUCH SLEEP DO ADOLESCENTS NEED?
The consensus among major sleep organizations is clear: teenagers aged 13–18 need 8–10 hours of sleep per night to support healthy development. Some teens may even need up to 11 hours, depending on their stage of growth and individual biology.
Yet most adolescents fall far short of these standard recommendations during the school year. According to CDC data, about 7 out of 10 high school students do not get enough sleep on school nights.
Summer vacation can help teens catch up on rest — but it can also disrupt their internal clocks in ways that make the return to school more difficult.
WHY TEENS NATURALLY STAY UP LATER
Parents often assume teens stay up late because of screens, socializing, or poor habits. While those factors matter, biology plays a major role. During adolescence, the circadian rhythm — the body’s internal clock — shifts later. Teens naturally don’t feel tired until later at night and don’t feel fully alert until later in the morning. This shift is normal and persists into the early 20s. The problem is that early school start times force teens to wake up before their bodies are ready, creating chronic sleep deficits.
Summer removes that pressure, allowing teens to follow their natural rhythms. But if their schedule shifts too dramatically — such as staying up until 3am and sleeping until noon — it can create problems when school resumes. So, is it harmful for teens to stay up in the middle of the night and sleep late? It really depends on the extent of the shift and how consistently they sleep.
THE PROS: SUMMER SLEEP CATCH UP
Many teens accumulate a significant sleep debt during the school year. Sleeping in during the summer can help them recover physically and mentally. Research shows that teens who sleep more on weekends are often compensating for weekday deprivation. Allowing some flexibility — later bedtimes, later wake times — can be healthy and restorative.
THE CONS: SHIFTED SLEEP CAN BACKFIRE
If a teen’s sleep schedule shifts by several hours, their circadian rhythm resets. This can make it extremely difficult to transition back to early wakeups come August.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia warns that changing a child’s entire sleep cycle over the summer can cause them to suffer when school resumes, making mornings miserable and impairing learning.
THE HIDDEN RISKS OF STAYING UP
Even if a teen gets 8-10 total hours of sleep, staying awake deep into the night can have negative effects. For example, mood and emotional regulation worsen when sleep is irregular or insufficient. Teens become more irritable, impulsive, and prone to emotional swings. Cognitive performance declines, including attention, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making, and risk-taking behaviors increase, including substance use and unsafe driving. In addition, physical health suffers, with higher risks of obesity, inflammation, and long-term chronic disease. These effects are tied not only to the number of hours slept but also to the timing and consistency of sleep.
Irregular Patterns & Mental Health
Chronic sleep deprivation is strongly linked to depression and suicidal thoughts in teens. Every hour less of sleep increases this risk. Sleeping late on weekends does not fully reverse the emotional impact of weekday sleep loss. Sleep experts emphasize that consistency in sleep patterns — even during summer — is one of the most important factors in healthy sleep. Teens who go to bed and wake up at wildly different times confuse their internal clocks, leading to grogginess, difficulty falling asleep, daytime fatigue, irritability and trouble concentrating.
The CDC recommends keeping bedtimes and wake times “roughly the same” on weekdays and weekends. In summer, this doesn’t mean a strict school-year schedule. But it does mean avoiding extreme swings.
CONTINUED, PAGE 43
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HOW MUCH FLEXIBILITY IS HEALTHY?
A good rule of thumb is to allow teens to shift their schedule by 1-2 hours later than during the school year, but not more. For example, if a teen normally sleeps 10pm to 6am during school the school year, a summer schedule of midnight to 8am is reasonable while a schedule of 3am to noon is likely to cause problems. This approach respects their natural circadian shift while preserving enough structure to protect their health.
SLEEP & TEEN HEALTH
Sleep affects nearly every aspect of adolescent well-being. In terms of mental health, sleep deprivation increases the risk of depression, anxiety, emotional volatility and social withdrawal. Teens who get enough sleep regulate their emotions better and maintain healthier relationships. When it comes to cognitive function, adequate sleep improves memory consolidation, learning attention and problem-solving. Sleep is when the brain organizes and stores the day’s information. In terms of physical health, insufficient sleep is linked to obesity, diabetes, weakened immune response, increased inflammation and higher injury risk. Teen athletes, in particular, risk more injuries when sleep-deprived.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Summer vacation offers a valuable opportunity for adolescents to catch up on much-needed rest. Teens naturally stay up later due to biological changes, and some flexibility is healthy. But extreme shifts — like staying up most of the night and sleeping past noon — can disrupt their circadian rhythms, harm their mood and cognitive function, and make the transition back to school far more difficult. The goal isn’t rigid control but balanced consistency: enough structure to support health, enough freedom to enjoy summer. With the right approach, families can help teens feel rested, energized, and ready for the school year ahead. TM
A+ KIDNEY SISTERS
Sister-in-law steps up for the ultimate gift … life
BY Lindsay Field Penticuff
“She’s my hero. She’s my kidney sister for life.” – Stephanie Wilson
For Donita Hinckley, it wasn’t a question of why. It was more about asking when, where and how.
Hinckley, a retired educator from Thomasville, knew the minute she found out her sister-in-law needed a kidney transplant that she was going to donate one of hers.
“I just felt like that’s what God wanted me to do and what I needed to do,” she says. “Her kids are still relatively young, and I wanted her to be around for them.”
Stephanie Wilson is married to Hinckley’s brother, Howard. She’s been diabetic since she was about three years old and was born with a congenital abnormality — a third kidney — which was removed as a child.
“Until I went into kidney failure, I didn’t know that my native kidneys are 20 percent smaller than a healthy kidney should be,” says Wilson, who lived in Thomas County in the early 2000s but now lives in Brandon, Mississippi. “I was working with 20 percent less filtration in my kidneys to begin with and didn’t even know it. Add in diabetes and hypertension over all these years, and my kidneys just finally gave up.”
Wilson went into kidney failure in 2019 and was required to start dialysis, which is a life-sustaining treatment for kidney failure that filters waste and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys can no longer function properly.
But dialysis isn’t something patients want to live on forever, and Wilson knew that. She began working with the transplant team at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson to learn more about getting a kidney transplant and the living organ donor process.
According to Donate Life America, living donation is when a living person donates an organ or part of an organ to a person in need of a transplant. A living kidney donation, in particular, is possible because we can live a healthy life with just
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one functioning kidney.
At the same time, Hinckley began the first step in the living organ donation process — to see if her blood type matches Wilson’s.
“And even if Donita wasn’t a direct match to me,” Wilson shares, “she could have gone into a ‘pool’ of kidneys on the kidney registry, and they would have matched her kidney to someone and find me a match.”
Hinckley was prepared to participate in the paired donation program, if needed, but she knew deep down she’d be a match to Wilson.
Turns out, she was right! She and Wilson are A+ blood type.
Over the next several weeks, Hinckley underwent a number of tests through the Emory Transplant Center’s Living Organ Transplant Program in Atlanta to help determine whether her kidney was compatible with Wilson’s and if she could, in fact, be a living donor.
Stephanie Wilson (left) and her sister-in-law and kidney donor, Donita Hinckley, at Stephanie’s son’s wedding in May.
A living donor evaluation includes meeting with a living donor team and having tests such as lab work, and imaging like a CT scan, chest X-ray and kidney scan.
“We were a five out of a six match!” Wilson exclaims. “My surgeon asked if we were sure we weren’t related because he had siblings who don’t match this good.”
“Everything went fine,” Hinckley recalls. “I came out of surgery, and we were able to Facetime Stephanie and Howard while the kidney was being driven to her at the hospital. … At about midnight our time, they said everything was good.” (Above) Stephanie during her hospital stay; (right) an evening out for the Wilsons; (next page) Stephanie doing dialysis
Hinckley was approved for donation in January 2022, and on the morning of April 26 that year, she underwent her living kidney donation at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. Her kidney was then driven to Jackson, Mississippi and successfully transplanted into Wilson that afternoon.
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“Yes, there was pain, but it was worth it for Stephanie to be able to be alive today.” – Donita Hinckley
Both Hickley and Wilson stayed in the hospital for a few days during recovery.
“Yes, there was pain, but it was worth it for Stephanie to be able to be alive today,” says Hinckley.
“She’s my hero,” Wilson says. “She’s my kidney sister for life.”
Today, Hinckley continues her volunteer work in the Thomasville community without any health issues, and Wilson enjoys working at an area high school in Mississippi. And they remain close — calling each other often and taking time annually to celebrate their “kidney-versary.”
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Stephanie with her husband, Howard, and their children.
“I’m a firm believer in a heavenly father who cares for us and had all this pre-done a long time ago,” Wilson says, “to the point where I married this girl’s brother 30 years ago and she’s my donor today.”
And the pair enjoy sharing their story as often as possible and letting others know that living organ donation is possible … and safe.
“Stephanie is excited about getting the word out and letting people know that [donation] is OK,” says Hinckley.
“We are both very passionate about sharing our experience to whoever will listen, and we are very hopeful that our story of donation will get out there,” Wilson says.
“It’s a wonderful process and can help so many people, and it can keep people off of dialysis and save families.”
“I hope that we can make a difference for somebody else … I have all these scars, but I am proud of what my body was able to do,” concludes Hinckley. TM
Meet the Need
THE NEED
100,000+ people are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant
90% of patients need a kidney transplant
7,031 lives were saved by living donors in 2024
Source: donatelife.net
BE IN THE KNOW
Learn more about living organ donation and see whether you are a registered organ donor:
Emory Transplant Center–Living Organ Transplant Program
emoryhealthcare.org/services/transplant/living-donor
Donate Life America
donatelife.net donatelifegeorgia.org/donate
REGISTER TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR: registerme.org
Georgia Department of Driver Services
Georgia Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor Registry
dds.georgia.gov/organ-donor-program
OUR PROVIDERS
Thomas E. Edwards, III, M.D.
Jeremy W. Poole, D.O.
Calvin J. Reams, M.D.
Rachel Bennefield, FNP
Rainey Williams, FNP
Philip J. Dubose, Psy.D
McCall Taylor, FNP
Phone 229-228-4130
Kayla Howell, FNP ThomasvilleFamilyMed.com
Warm Weather
Eats
Whether you’re planning a sit-down meal or a summer picnic on the beach, these tasty dishes will fit the bill.
Koren BBQ Sandwiches
INGREDIENTS
Korean Pulled Pork
2 ½ lb pork butt
¼ cup chicken stock
3 tbsp gochujang
2 tbsp each: honey and soy sauce
Quick Pickled Vegetables
½ cup each: julienned carrots, sliced cucumbers, and julienned daikon radish
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 pinch salt
Sandwich fillings
4 brioche buns, buttered Kimchi mayo, to taste
Optional toppings: Sesame seeds, spring onion, red pepper slivers, Cilantro and mint
INSTRUCTIONS
Put the pork into your slow cooker. Mix the chicken stock, gochujang, honey, and soy sauce in a small bowl and then pour it over the pork. Cook the pork for 4-6 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low heat. When it’s done, shred it using 2 forks. BONUS: transfer the liquid from the slow cooker into a pot and boil it hard until it thickens. You can drizzle this in your sandwich for extra flavor!
Put the carrots, daikon, and cucumbers into a bowl. Bring the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt to a boil in a small
pan over high heat and then pour it over the vegetables. Toss to coat then set them aside to pickle. Stir them a few times while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Butter the cut side of the brioche buns and then toast them in a frying pan over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes, until they are soft and golden. Spread some kimchi mayo on the bottom bun. Top with a generous amount of pulled pork and pickled veggies and then finish with some cilantro and mint on top.
Summer Pasta Salad
INGREDIENTS
Dressing
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp honey
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp minced garlic
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Pasta Salad
1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 zucchini, diced
1 broccoli crown, cut into small florets
1 yellow squash, diced
1 red bell pepper, seeds removed, diced
1/2 cup freshly chopped basil
12 oz bowtie pasta
1 cup feta cheese crumbles (optional)
Optional add-ins: grilled chicken or shrimp
INSTRUCTIONS
Add all ingredients for the dressing into a large bowl. Whisk well, blending the honey with the oil and vinegar. Add all of the diced veggies to the bowl with the dressing. Stir to coat the vegetables in the dressing. Let the bowl of marinated veggies sit while you cook the bowtie pasta according to the package directions, boiling for about 7-10 minutes to soften the noodles.
Drain the pasta water, then add the cooked pasta to the bowl with the veggies and dressing. Toss everything together well, coating the noodles in the dressing. Cover the bowl of pasta salad with plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour or longer. Add the feta cheese, if using, right before you are ready to serve the pasta salad.
To make this an entrée dish, top with grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein.
Simple Tiramisu
INGREDIENTS
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature (see substitute idea below)
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp Amaretto liquor or Brandy (optional but yummy!)
2 cups espresso or very strong coffee at room temperature
1 pack ladyfingers biscuits
Cocoa powder for dusting the top
INSTRUCTIONS
Beat whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form. Add in mascarpone cheese and amaretto (if using) and continue to whip to stiff peaks. Dip ladyfingers in coffee (and brandy if using) and place in an 8×8 pan to make the first layer – you can fit about 7-9 cookies in each layer. Don’t let them soak as they will fall apart - just a quick dunk in the coffee is enough.
Spread half of the whipped cream mixture on top of the first layer of ladyfingers. Repeat process with the second layer of ladyfingers and cream mixture. Dust the top of dessert with cocoa powder using a sieve. Refrigerate for about 2-4 hours (it gets even better in the fridge and is a perfect make-ahead dessert).
Recipe Notes
1 cup Mascarpone Cheese Substitution: Cream together 6 ounces softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoons sour cream, and 3 tablespoons heavy cream.
Fourth of July
This Independence Day, Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites want Georgians and visitors alike to celebrate a historic milestone: America’s 250th anniversary. Across the state, parks and historic sites will host a wide range of events honoring the nation’s founding, blending history, recreation and family-friendly fun. From colonial forts to scenic mountain trails, visitors can experience the spirit of 1776 through immersive programming, traditional games and outdoor adventures.
“This year’s Fourth of July is especially meaningful as we commemorate 250 years of American independence,” said Director Angie Johnson. “Our parks and historic sites offer a unique opportunity to connect with the stories, landscapes and traditions that shaped our nation.”
WHERE HISTORY MEETS NATURE
Whether hiking at Panola Mountain State Park at night surrounded by the Atlanta metro fireworks (advance reservations required), exploring Native American history and games at New Echota Historic Site, completing 250 challenges at Kolomoki Mounds State Park, or learning about frontier life at Elijah Clark State Park, visitors will find meaningful ways to celebrate America’s independence across Georgia’s diverse landscapes. Event details, times, and reservation information can be found at GaStateParks.org/Events.
Photos courtesy of Georgia Department of Natural Resources
AT GEORGIA STATE PARKS
Where History Comes Alive
WHERE HISTORY COMES ALIVE
Visitors can explore dozens of celebrations, including:
Ol’ Time Fourth: 250th Celebration at Jarrel Plantation
– Step back in time with live patriotic and bluegrass music, old time carnival games, relay races, and farm skill demonstrations.
Independence Day at Colonial Sunbury at Fort Morris Historic Site – Experience black powder firing demonstrations and old-fashioned fun.
Life & Liberty on the 4th of July at Fort King George Historic Site – Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S.A. with musket demonstrations, kids’ redcoats vs patriot competitions, games and more.
250th Independence Day Celebration at Fort McAllister State Park – This traditional celebration is filled with captivating living history demonstrations, musket roundmaking, old-timey games, and an artillery display.
Hofwyl-Broadfield and the Struggle for Independence at Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation Historic Site – Discover stories of a Declaration signer, a Revolutionary War general, and international intrigue, highlighting the plantation’s unique connections to America’s founding era.
In addition to historic programming, many parks will offer festive activities for all ages.
• Old-fashioned picnics, bike parades, and line dancing at Black Rock Mountain State Park, Mountain City
• American frontier skills and history at Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn
• Town square games at Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site, Dahlonega
• Sandcastle competitions, water wars and more at Don Carter State Park (Gainesville), Fort Mountain State Park (Chatsworth), James H. (Sloppy) Floyd State Park (Summerville)
• Watermelon eating contests and ice cream churn-offs at Florence Marina State Park, Omaha
• Star-Spangled Wagon Rides at Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge
• 4th of July Sunset Hike at Panola Mountain State Park, Stockbridge (pre-registration required)
• Pin the Star on the Flag at Red Top Mountain State Park, Acworth
• Sack races, tug-of-war and watermelon eating contests at Watson Mill Bridge State Park, Comer
RAFA NATURAL
Thoughtfully Crafted, Community Rooted
BY TIA TURNER
EMILY TUCKER PHOTOGRAPHY
In the heart of downtown Thomasville, where cobblestone streets, historic storefronts, and a slower pace invite people to linger a little longer, Rafa Natural occupies a beautiful storefront at 114 South Broad. Since 2023, they’ve enjoyed great success with their beloved brand known for its handcrafted plantbased bath and body products and signature scents, all delivered via a deeply personal customer experience.
For more than 16 years, Rafa Natural has built its reputation around handmade, plant-based bath and body products designed to elevate daily routines into meaningful rituals. What began as a passion for creating natural products for friends and family has grown into a beloved brand with a loyal customer following, three storefront locations, and an in-house apothecary in Bartow, Florida, where products continue to be formulated today.
But beyond the soaps, candles and skincare, Rafa Natural’s story is really one about connection — to people, to place, and to the simple moments that make life feel intentional.
PHOTOS BY
Current owner Kim Hancock was a customer of Rafa Natural long before becoming the owner nearly 10 years ago. What initially drew her in was not only the quality of the products themselves, but the atmosphere and experience surrounding the brand.
“I fell in love with the products and the experience the brand created,” Kim shared. “When the opportunity came up to purchase the business about 10 years ago, I jumped on it. I always joke that I had loved everything so much, I just bought it all.”
That emotional connection continues to shape Rafa Natural today. While many brands focus solely on products, Rafa Natural places equal importance on the feeling customers experience when they interact with the brand, whether visiting a storefront, placing an online order, or lighting one of the brand’s signature candles at home.
“What drew me in then is still what inspires me now,” Kim explained, “creating products and spaces that feel comforting, beautiful, and personal, while helping people turn everyday routines into something a little more special.”
That philosophy will soon come to life inside the Thomasville location, where customers can expect a warm, inviting atmosphere filled with handcrafted bath and body products, fine fragrance, home goods, and thoughtfully selected gifts. The space has been designed to feel welcoming and inspiring — a reflection of the slower, more intentional experience the brand strives to create.
“When customers visit our shops, they can expect a warm and inviting atmosphere filled with the signature scents of our products,” Kim said. “We’ve thoughtfully curated each space to feel welcoming and inspiring.”
Among Rafa Natural’s most popular products are its coconut oil soaps, which have developed something of a cult following among customers. Unlike many traditional soaps that can leave skin feeling dry or stripped, Rafa Natural soaps are known for creating a rich, luxurious lather while leaving skin soft, nourished, and hydrated.
“Our customers often tell us our soaps feel completely different from traditional bars,” Kim shared. “And we hear all the time that family members and friends end up stealing their soaps when they visit, so customers always make sure to buy extras!”
The brand’s skincare collection has also become a customer favorite, particularly for those seeking a more simplified, plant-based approach to skincare. Rather
A passion for creating natural products has grown into a beloved brand with three shops and an in-house apothecary, where products continue to be formulated today.
than overwhelming customers with complicated routines or hard-to-pronounce ingredients, Rafa Natural emphasizes ingredient transparency and simplicity.
“Our skincare collection was created around the idea that effective skincare does not have to feel complicated,” Kim explained. “We focus on plant-based ingredients customers can recognize, understand, and feel good about using in their daily routines.”
Each product is still handcrafted in small batches at Rafa Natural’s Apothecary in Bartow, Florida — a small detail that remains central to the company’s identity. By maintaining in-house production, the brand preserves a level of quality control and authenticity that customers have come to trust over the years.
That trust, Kim believes, is one of the things that truly sets Rafa Natural apart from larger brands and retailers.
“What sets Rafa Natural apart is really the personal connection behind everything we do,” she said. “Of course we’re proud that our products are vegan, plant-based, and thoughtfully made, but what means the most to us is the community that has grown around the brand over the years.”
That sense of community can be found in the small details — handwritten thank you notes tucked into packages, carefully wrapped orders, thoughtful conversations with customers, and the genuine relationships formed over time.
“We’ve had so many customers walk through our doors as strangers and eventually become dear friends,” Kim shared.
In an increasingly fast-paced retail environment overrun by convenience and mass production, Rafa Natural offers something personal. Customers are not simply purchasing products; they are engaging with a brand built around intentionality, hospitality, and care.
That approach feels especially at home in Thomasville, a community known for its appreciation of local businesses, walkable downtown charm, and strong sense of connection.
“One of our favorite things about having a shop in Thomasville is the slower pace, the charm of downtown, and the genuine connections we will make with customers every day,” Kim said.
For Rafa Natural, Thomasville represents more than another storefront location. It reflects many of the same values the brand itself embraces — authenticity, warmth, creativity, and community. The shop is expected to become a destination not only for locals, but also for visitors exploring downtown and looking to bring home something unique and meaningful.
Kim also believes buying local is an important role in preserving the character of communities like Thomasville.
“We truly believe shopping small and supporting local businesses helps keep unique communities like Thomasville thriving,” she said. “We’re thankful for every
person who chooses to stop in, explore the shop, and support what we do.”
Since Rafa Natural opened its doors, its mission remains rooted in the same principles that first inspired the brand over 16 years ago: creating products that feel thoughtful and beautiful, fostering genuine relationships, and helping people find joy in everyday rituals.
In a world that often feels hurried and overstimulated, Rafa Natural serves as a reminder that sometimes the smallest moments can become meaningful acts of care and connection.
And perhaps that is what keeps customers returning again and again: not simply the products themselves, but the genuine feeling that accompanies them. TM
Go On … Have Fun!
BY SARAH SHEARER
Summer in Thomasville is here, reminding us yet again why this town is consistently rated by USA Today as one of the best small towns in the country. The entire community rolls out the red carpet for its youth, providing a plethora of camps and activities for children of all ages. Whether your child or grandchild is an athlete or a crafter, there is sure to be something they can participate in, hopefully learning and making friends along the way.
The Thomas County Public Library System’s Summer Reading Program is off and running. This year’s theme is Unearth a Story, and there will be plenty of opportunities to learn about dinosaurs, fossils and ancient history. Through July 10, children can participate in reading programs and attend magic shows, meet Pete the Cat, and even encounter exotic animals. All of these events are free and enriching for young minds. Visit tcpls.org for details.
To further foster a love of reading, sign your child up for the BOOK IT! Program. It runs from June 1 through August 31 and is open to preschool through sixth grade students. Readers can track reading progress and earn personal pan pizzas from Pizza Hut. This is a completely free activity. Visitbookitprogram.com.
Thomasville Community Resource Center offers weekly camps throughout June and July for preschool through middle school students. Some of the camps are even free, depending on where students attend school. Go to tcrconline.org/ for more information.
Throughout June and July, You’re Maker is hosting several different camps, each with an exciting theme such as sewing, trending crafts, Minecraft, and even bugs and critters. These are just a few of their many offerings. More information on availability, cost and age range can be discovered on their website youremaker. com/camps.
The YMCA of Thomasville has a variety of camps for families to choose from. Camp Pineywoods will run weeklong sessions throughout June and July and promises outdoor fun and team building adventures for campers who are at least eight years old by April 1, 2026. Contact the YMCA at 226-3446 for more information.
Rose City Day Camp, hosted by the YMCA, is open to campers ages 5-13 for weeklong sessions throughout June and July. Swimming, crafts and field trips are at the top of the list for these campers. There are also gymnastics, tennis, soccer, basketball, football, baseball, golf and archery camps at different times in June and July.
In addition, there will be a special STEM camp July 13-16, where children aged 9-12 can delve into the world of science and technology. Contact the YMCA at 226-3446 for more information on these camps.
For horse lovers, Hands and Hearts for Horses has several different camp options for children of varying ability levels. Children with and without disabilities will have the opportunity to participate in all things equine in several weeklong sessions. There are openings in June and July. Visit handsandheartsforhorses.com and search for camps for more information on opportunities.
Local homeschoolers can connect through the Thomas County Homeschoolers Hangout for several summer activities, including pottery painting and cupcake decorating. Visit their Facebook page for more information. TM
Don’t miss OakFest, this March 18
Through October 31
Bicentennial Exhibit
Pebble Hill is proud to take part in the Thomasville–Thomas County Bicentennial Celebration with a special exhibit in the Elisabeth Ireland Poe Gallery. Marking 200 years of life there, Pebble Hill Plantation: A 200-Year Legacy, features artifacts, documents, and photographs that trace the property’s story from its early beginnings to its heyday as a winter sporting estate for the Howard Melville Hanna family of Cleveland, Ohio. For info and times, visit pebblehill.com.
June 3
Summer Storytime
Join the Thomas County Public Library for a summer-time story hour at The Ritz Amphitheater. Everyone’s favorite children’s librarian, Mrs. Amanda, will be reading some awesome books and leading the group on a super fun reading journey filled with songs, giggles, sunshine, and games. This program in intended for ages 2-6 in the company of their caregivers. 10:30am to noon.
Summer Events
June 8-11
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. $150 per child. 9am-2pm. Register at pebble-hill-plantation.ticketleap.com.
June 6
Birdsong Family Day
Get free admission on the first Saturday of every month to enjoy nature at Birdsong, a center for conservation and learning. Featuring a living museum, outdoor classroom and much more. 9am-5pm; Birdsong Nature Center, North Meridian Road, Thomasville
June 5, August 7 & September 5
First Friday Sip and Shop
Starting at 6pm, enjoy dinner, grab an adult beverage from your favorite downtown restaurant or venue, and shop ‘til you drop. Participating shops will have extended hours, with many bars and restaurants open until 10pm. Live music at the amphitheater begins at 8pm. June – Essence Band; August – King of Hearts; September – Far 2 Fresh. Bring blankets and chairs.
Book Signing
Join your friends at The Bookshelf for an opportunity to meet author and former Tallahassee Democrat columnist Mary Ann Lindley while she signs copies of her cultural memoir, FRAGMENTS: THEN & NOW. A compendium of newspaper columns from Mary Ann’s 40-year career in journalism, these “fragments” are particles of Florida history, ideas, and curiosities that sum up the spirit of their times. 1-3pm
EVENTS
June 9
Game Night
Join us for a relaxed evening of creativity, laughter and a little friendly competition. We’ll be crafting and playing games perfect for unwinding and making new friends. Bring your favorite cozy vibes and get ready for a fun night of connection and creativity. The event is free, so bring a friend and a favorite game. 6:30-8pm. Farmer’s Daughter, 106 North Broad
June 11
Art of Journaling
Prepare to delve into what makes your soul sing and illustrate with cuttings from magazines. You will need to bring a mixed media journal (from a place like Hobby Lobby or Michaels), which is ideal for painting, gluing, and journaling. Everything else is supplied! Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at thehareandthehart.com. 9-11am; The Hare & The Hart, 120 South Broad Street
June 13
Holly Woods Cleanup
Help continue the work removing invasive plants from the Holly Woods and Letz Mill corner at Birdsong. Bring water, a shovel, garden gloves and pruners if you have them. Extra tools and gloves will also be available onsite. A 7-gallon bucket or other container would be helpful in collecting berries. The Holly Woods trail at
Birdsong is one of the few areas where fire as a management tool has been excluded. 9-11am; 2106 N Meridian Rd, Thomasville
June 13, July 11, Aug 8 & Sept 12
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 27
Juneteenth Celebration
This free community-wide event is held to unite and educate. From 10am-6pm, the event will also include kids’ activities, art exhibit, live entertainment, a 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.
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 18
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.
www.wcgalaw.com
Kids & Humane Society
Brittney Stone’s class at Cross Creek enjoyed some furry friends as a reward for being the third grade winners of the ‘Coins for Critters’ contest. These students raised an incredible $642, contributing to a school-wide total of $2,600 for the Thomasville Humane Society.
Southern Shakespeare Company
PHOTOS BY BOB HOWARD
Southern Shakespeare Company hosted an outdoor production last month of a “walking” Midsummer Night’s Dream, leading the audience through the woods from scene to scene.
