CVM March/April 2024

From the Editor’s Desk

I.

recently checked off a full year of business ownership and I almost have a full cycle of magazines under my belt. There’s a sense lately of getting in the groove—that soothing feeling of settling in. My grip is a little lighter as opposed to the white-knuckle clutch on the handlebars of 2023 as I traverse the wildly, fun roller coaster of life in the publication industry.

The March/April 2023 issue was the one that I cut my teeth on under the expert tutelage of the former publishers Jill Tigner and Mike Venable. While Jill always kept me on task, Mike with his intermittent visits to the office or lunch dates would offer pockets of sage advice—a mix of his knowledge, enthusiasm, wry sense of humor and giving spirit. When he had something to share, it was always worth sharing. The loss of Mike in December was not part of the story we wanted to tell but there’s a greater hand in this tale of our lives, and I ache for his family and friends. Last year’s edition had Mike’s signoff editorial. The easy flow of words from his fingertips as he reflected on life that he loved the love of his life and this place he loved best—he was an open book. That was the huge gift that Mike left us with. If Mike graced your life for a moment in time or he was vested with you for the long haul, he’s left you with words, so many words—cherish them. If you find yourself, like Mike, fighting the fight, the words of his journey with cancer are to be found in his blog—he chose to share because his words are worth sharing.

While we focused on the ‘green’ initiatives in this issue, it is literally one of many colors. So many great endeavors throughout Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley that ensure long term investments for generations to come. The pay off in the future will be the parks that we visit with trees that are healthy and firmly rooted thanks to the fervent work of Trees Columbus. Land preservation with The Nature Conservancy of Georgia is a part of a global effort to protect land where nature will continue to thrive. Joy of the flora and fauna kind can be found as you commute around the city. Our main thoroughfares benefit from The Wildflower Program with spring bulbs and wildflower plantings bursting out on the roadside medians and verges throughout Columbus and the state of Georgia. It’s a pollinator paradise.

A shout out to our newest columnist, Brad Barnes. Appropriately, bringing his green thumb and journalist career together in Sow It Grows. Brad and his wife Jenn have a thriving pocket farm in our community, and he will share their adventures and knowledge of the grow your own kind beginning here in The Green Issue.

This is who we are, and this where we live. Columbus and the Valley brings you those that are forward-thinking, growing and preserving from your own food patch to a global land protection effort. The future looks bright...and beautiful.

Jodi Saunders Editor & Publisher

Jodi

Jodi

jodi@columbusandthevalley.com

Margie Richardson

margie@columbusandthevalley.com

Julie Jernigan, Sales Assistant salesassistant@columbusandthevalley.com

Sixty

Amy Adams

Brad Barnes

Bill Becker

Brett Buckner

Pat Daniel

Rick

Natalie Downey

Doug Gillett

Marquette McKnight

Scott Phillips

29

52

55

31

61

What's Happening?

MARCH

March 1 - April 28

Celebrate Spring at Callaway Gardens with a guided azalea tour around the gardens. Callaway now boasts over 700 varieties of Azalea, and just in the Azalea Bowl alone, there are over 4,000 azaleas. Visit some of Callaway’s most vibrant azalea blooms and gaze in wonder at these stunning displays of natural color.

March 9

The Joyce and Henry Schwob School of Music presents Kaleidoscope. Experience the passion of 230 talented music students in an exciting, full spectrum performance! Featuring large instrumental and vocal ensembles, chamber music and individual performers, Kaleidoscope offers an electrifying variety of repertoire from classical to jazz, from exuberant to refined— you will hear it all at 7:30 p.m. at RiverCenter.

March 16

Come to Columbus Botanical Garden for the annual Naturalist Symposium featuring keynote speaker Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd—a leading international expert in weather and climate and the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia.

March 17

The D.A. Turner YMCA will introduce you to whitewater kayaking from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Learn the basics in the pool from awesome instructors. Gear and boats will be available upon request. Call 706-321-4720 to reserve ahead of time and bring $20.

March 22-24

Visit the Columbus Public Library for the Friends of the Libraries Spring Book Sale. All books are priced at $2 or less. Happening from 1:30 to 5 p.m. in the Synovus meeting room, the sales will accept cash, check, debit and credit cards.

March 23

The Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Handel’s London. Although born in Halle (a part of Prussia), Handel spent most of his creative life in the city of London, which was the creative center of the musical world at the time. In addition to Handel, the presence of composers like Purcell, Geminiani and Eccles made the city a musical Mecca.

March 24

Brides-to-be and wedding enthusiasts are invited to the National Infantry Museum from 1-3 p.m. for an exclusive showcase, the “Bride to Be Celebration.” Each space within the museum will be elegantly designed, offering a glimpse into the possibilities for your special day.

March 27

RiverCenter presents Swan Lake. This "ballet of all ballets," will be performed one night only as a part of the World Ballet Series. See the iconic Dance of the Little Swans, count the 32 fouettés performed by Odile and immerse yourself in Tchaikovsky’s music.

March 28

Dancing Stars of Columbus will be held at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. Benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association, the event is entering its 15th year with 15 star performers ready to take to the stage. Deadline to purchase tickets is March 14th.

March 28

RiverCenter presents the national tour of On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. This inspiring true story features some of their iconic songs from the last quarter century, including Rhythm is Gonna Get You, Conga and Get on Your Feet.

APRIL

April 4

Join Alabama Extension for this workshop to learn about cancer crushing cooking methods. Each person will prepare a dish to enjoy. This workshop will be held at the Russell County Extension Office, 508 14th Street, Phenix City at 11 a.m. EST. Registration fee is $10.

April 6

The 10th annual Uptown Columbus Strut the Hooch Parade will take place at 10 a.m. and start at The Springer Theater and make its way down through Broadway. This is an event where folks of every age and description come together to celebrate their differences, talents, uniqueness and culture in a parade of pure joy.

April 6

RiverCenter presents Reneé Fleming in Concert. One of the most highly acclaimed singers of our time, Reneé has performed at world’s great opera houses and concert

halls. Honored with five Grammy® awards and the US National Medal of Arts, she has sung for momentous occasions from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, the National Anthem at the Super Bowl and the Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II.

April 6-November 23

Market Days on Broadway are back on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, four blocks along Broadway host over 200 local and regional vendors. Visitors can expect to find fresh and organic produce, home goods, jewelry, unique crafts and baked goods.

April 16

Join Trees Columbus to celebrate the end of planting season and for a chance to win $10,000. Raffle tickets are $100 and each ticket includes entrance to the Spring for the Green celebration with dinner, beer, wine and kids’ activities included.

April 16

RiverCenter presents singer Amy Grant in Concert. Conventional wisdom has it that Amy Grant put Contemporary Christian Music on the map, becoming the first CCM artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts and the first to perform at the Grammy® Awards.

April 26-28

The Columbus Spring Home Expo is back at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. Explore the latest in home improvement, remodeling, outdoor living and more. Meet with local contractors and remodeling experts and get inspired.

April 27

CSU's Spring Swing will bring the Lumpkin Center to life, where guests can dance the night away or just enjoy a casual evening of food, drinks, music and entertainment. Come and applaud your favorite community team as they vie for the coveted Cougar Dance Cup. The Grapevine will be providing the music. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

April 30

Join the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus at 7:30 p.m. for their final concert of the season at RiverCenter. This free concert will feature the Youth Orchestra (high school symphonic orchestra), String Orchestra (middle school string players) and Chamber Ensembles.

REMEMBERING MIKE VENABLE

Former Columbus and the Valley Publisher and Editor

January 2, 1953 - December 26, 2023

“Words to Live By” was the overarching theme at Mike’s memorial service. His sons spoke eloquently and endearingly about him. They each promised to live by the words that Mike sent with them throughout their life path and it's those words that will be remembered— “Do Your Best,”

“Be Kind To People” and “Make Good Choices.” The next best thing to Mike’s own words are those penned by his good friend, Bill Becker.

Words to Live By

BY BILL BECKER

When Mike asked me to help with his obituary, I was deeply touched. It was an honor and privilege.

However, the warmth of the moment was soon followed by a wave of fear and self-doubt. I began to seriously question if I was up to the task.

Eulogy? Obituary? Tribute?

Call it what you will, but encapsulating a lifetime as distinguished as Mike’s into a few well-intended passages is a challenging, intimidating and near impossible task. Salesman, journalist, writer, publisher, husband, father and grandfather, Mike’s list of accomplishments was long and noteworthy. Protocol recommends an ideal length of 200 to 300 words. How is it possible to do justice to a life so well-lived with such a meager ration?

I have long admired Mike’s writing style. He wrote effortlessly and intentionally. His stories were honest and authentic. It reminded me of the old trick of hiding medicine in a tasty treat. He always managed to get his point across without the words ever getting in the way.

So, view what I finally managed to eke out here, as sincere as it may be, as more of a personal collection of memories, “a little bit of everything” to show how much his friendship meant to me. For those of us who knew Mike, this will be an opportunity to share a few reminders of what made him such a unique human being. And for those of you late to the party, you’ll get a glimpse of what you missed and understand why the rest of us are so bummed we have to go on without him. The hope is that after reading this you’ll appreciate this wonderful man as much as the rest of us and embrace him as a friend, too.

I had every intention of avoiding mentioning the word—cancer—here. It reminded me of articles I had read that included the name of a mass murderer in the same paragraph as the victim. It was just bad form. (Sorry for the descriptive phrasing, but I really HATE cancer).

But you can’t tell Mike’s story without celebrating the absolutely courageous, tenacious and inspiring fight he waged against the monster under the bed.

In 2009, Mike got the news that everyone dreads—Renal Cell Carcinoma, Stage 4. Doctors gave him a five percent chance of a five year survivability. Our boy managed to keep the monster at bay for 14.

On the day he was diagnosed, Mike published a personal blog that he used to detail his battle. In the following years, he produced a journal of nearly 400,000 words detailing every aspect of his treatment. For perspective, 1,000 words singlespaced is about 1 page in Microsoft Word, 1,000 words in a book is about three pages. The average novel is 50,000 words. At its peak his reader list topped 3,000.

He told close friends he initially wrote out of fear, that the words and emotions

and energy generated fueled his will to fight. For eight years he used the blog as a warrior’s weapon. There were a lot of lows to share, that’s just the story of cancer; surgery, long recovery, radiation, chemotherapy. But there were also victories; successful treatments, inspired care givers, remission, NED and always the joy that came with another day.

The threat of death often renews our appreciation of the importance of life, love, friendship and all there is to enjoy. We open up to new possibilities and begin making choices and taking risks that we might not have had the courage to take before. Mike often said that facing the uncertainties of living with a terminal illness made life more meaningful and intentional. The smallest pleasures were intensified and after the bitterness and anger dissipates, there is an amazing capacity for joy and meaning. Mike came to appreciate it was the quality of life, not the quantity.

It was an inside joke to friends who knew him that Mike had “a lot of hobbies.” Every few weeks he found and fell deeply in love with some new interests: biking, gardening, kayaking, stock options trading, fishing, woodworking. The hobbies came and went in quick succession. It wasn’t some form of attention deficit disorder, as some friends half-jokingly suggested, it was a sensitivity that Mike and others battling longterm disease all share. The clock is running and the seconds tick louder and louder.

If you heard Mike share his experience kayaking a lightly traveled stretch of the Chattahoochee River below Goat Rock Dam, at dusk, bathed in moonlight and solitude you’d understand that while passions can sometimes be fleeting, the memories they generate last a lifetime. Who cares if he sold the kayak a few months later and moved on to a new interest. In that brief moment on the river, he managed to squeeze out all the utility you could expect from any hobby. String enough of these together and you stitch together a pretty remarkable life tapestry.

He caught the fishing bug and purchased a small bass boat. He spent days on Lake Eufaula. He eventually sold the boat, but he never lost his affection for killing bait. When Mike’s family summer vacationed at St. George Island, he switched to beach fishing and spent hours sitting in the sun. He even designed and built a fishing cart to schlep his rods and reels and bait and gear down to the beach. It was a thing of beauty, complete

with oversized inflatable beach tires, cooler and folding chair. When the grandkids came along, he built a pond in his backyard, stocked it full of bream and bass. Think of the joy that brings Mike to know his boys and grands are going to spend some quality time sharing memories of him and killing bait just like G-Pop.

Mike also loved a good meal, but he wasn’t a pretentious foodie. On any given Saturday you’d likely find him buying a sack of his favorite biscuits at … Jack’s. Not any Jack’s mind you—the one in Ladonia with the “professional biscuit maker.” He was always down for a trip to the backwoods of East Alabama for a Capp’s sausage and bacon run. Mike was every restaurateur’s favorite customer. “Big Mama” at Uptown Vietnam restaurant on Broadway offers the “Mike Special” in his honor and he won so many free business card drawings at Country’s, folks were beginning to think the fix was in.

He also knew his way around the kitchen. He loved the creativity of preparing a meal for friends and family and the fellowship that accompanied it. His beef short ribs were legendary, and he had a secret killer beef brisket recipe that everyone wanted to get. If you’re adventurous, it’s available in one of his blog posts, but be forewarned, it’s a threeday prepping, marinating and braising marathon. Before he hung up his apron, he added canning to his culinary repertoire. Lucky friends were gifted with jars of homemade jelly made from muscadines plucked fresh from his front yard and salsa with fresh, homegrown tomatoes.

Mike’s many passions also included music. He was a fierce music lover partial to singer-songwriters who could tell a story with their tunes. Songs about the stuff that all of us deal with—love, growing up, doubt, getting old and death. A well-played

melody was nice, but throw in some tasty lyrics and you likely ended up on Mike’s playlist. He had a writer’s appreciation for a carefully crafted phrase that soothed tender spots in the head and heart. Who among us hasn’t had a similar connection with songs that have touched us?

One of Mike’s favorite artists was singersongwriter Jason Isbell. He made several trips to enjoy the popular Nashville songwriter. At his invitation I joined him for a concert at the Georgia Theater in Athens. Watching a silver haired oldster standing in a crowd of young folks, head bobbing and a silly grin on his face, you’d get a clearer appreciation of the joy Mike found in music. I invite you to have a listen to Isbell’s Songs She Sang in The Shower

It was one of his favorites.

One of Mikes most recent musical discoveries was the band Dawes, an American folk-rock group from LA. Typical of Mike, when he learned that Dawes was scheduled to come to Columbus in October to headline the RushSouth Music Festival, he bought tickets the day they went on sale. He looked forward to the event for months. Friends arranged for VIP seating, a private cart and backstage access, but fatigue from his recent surgery forced him to bail at the last minute. The tickets went unused.

One of the songs I know Mike was looking forward to hearing Dawes play live was A Little Bit of Everything. It was his most recent favorite and now one of mine. If you want a better appreciation of the healing power of music you really need to check it out.

And as you listen to the melody, and the lyrics fade one by one, you’ll appreciate why this song resonated so deeply with Mike. He loved life and living. He loved his faith and family. He collected and hoarded memories like a greedy miser, amassing a priceless fortune in the process. For him living just wasn’t all that complicated, all it took was … “a little bit of everything.”

It was Mike’s hope that the details of his journey would be a source of comfort and inspiration for others waging their own cancer battles. His blog offers a forum for discussion and sharing stories of pain, hope and triumph. I hope you’ll take a look at MikesStory.com. C

Mike and his wife, Jill Tigner, both retired last January after over 20 years as Columbus and the Valley’s co-editors and publishers.

Columbus and the Valley

Aerial photo of Lakebottom Park facing south.

Trees Columbus’ Mission to Plant, Preserve & Protect Our Trees

BY NATALIE DOWNEY

DRONE PHOTOS BY RICK CALDWELL

They stand firmly rooted in the soil, limbs decorated in green reaching towards the sky to quietly offer shade, cozy nooks for wildlife and fresh, clean air. Water and light pulse in and around their roots, trunks, limbs and leaves, as they grow year after year through the changing seasons.

Trees are an integral part of life, and the benefits of living amongst them continue to be discovered like new rings of growth that are added to their trunks each year.

Trees are majestic in their quiet strength, but they aren’t invincible. They can be vulnerable to weather conditions, disease, complications from aging and poor maintenance practices. A lack of awareness of their benefits and the length of time it can take to replace a tree canopy can also lead to dismissive and neglectful behavior that can have long-term negative impacts on the future of our trees.

A tree canopy cannot be replaced overnight, and, once lost, may never

Community members gathered at Dinglewood Park for a Winter Solstice Tree Walk last December.

return. Therefore, it’s important to protect trees before we lose them, and one local nonprofit organization exists for that purpose.

Trees Columbus was formed in 2000 after a small group of concerned citizens became aware of the projected removal of 150 mature trees from Lakebottom Park. The group acted quickly to advocate for the trees and community, and the trees were preserved. Today, they actively lead projects that further their mission to plant, preserve and protect trees in the Chattahoochee Valley. In over twenty years of work, the nonprofit has planted 20,000 trees in public urban areas of Columbus such as parks, libraries, schools and recreational trails, and has led forestry educational programs, community tree walks, group plantings and events centered around their mission.

Dorothy McDaniel has served as the executive director for Trees Columbus since 2007, and in that time, has had the privilege of being a part of some major accomplishments in favor of the urban tree canopy. Thinking back over some of her proudest moments as a member of Trees Columbus, McDaniel attributes the organization’s success, and the trees our community enjoys as a result, to the support from people who understand the importance of the work they do.

“Some of our major accomplishments have happened when people get excited and use their voice,” she explained. The protection of the tree canopy in Lakebottom Park that started it all is one of McDaniel’s proudest moments with Trees Columbus. The organization also led a ten-year streetscape project on the section of Veterans Parkway from 13th Street to the Civic Center. “I

CSU students planting trees at Carver Park.

Trees Columbus Director Dorothy McDaniel and Assistant Director Candace Wayman at a recent tree planting event.

feel proud every time I drive by there,” she said beaming, adding, “We’ve been able to accomplish these things because of the local community and their support of trees.”

Trees Columbus Assistant Director Candace Wayman agrees. She marvels at the outcome of the work she enjoys doing. “When you finish, you have a tree,” she said smiling. “It’s an investment for the future. The impact never gets old.”

For the past several years, Trees Columbus has been collecting data on the current tree canopy in local parks and its unfortunate decline. Current tree canopy decline statistics in our area are unfavorable: Lakebottom Park’s tree canopy is at 75 percent, and if it continues to decline at the current rate, will be below 60 percent in 30 years. The decline is a result of aging trees and often improper pruning techniques which can lead to disease. The nonprofit has worked to collect the data to support their work and show the imminent need for canopy restoration to avoid further loss and preserve the future of the tree canopy.

“If you don’t have healthy trees, you don’t have a healthy park.”

- Dorothy McDaniel

A recent grant awarded to Trees Columbus has the staff excited and grateful for the opportunity to begin the needed restoration work. The $900,000 grant from the Georgia Forestry Commission will enable them to focus on an extensive canopy restoration of shade trees in Lakebottom, Theo McGee and Carver parks. With a focus on climate justice, the grant’s purpose is to fund improvement work in areas with underserved communities. The four-year restoration program will include soil preparation, 600 tree plantings, maintenance of young and mature trees, mulching of removed trees on site and a plan to continue the program after the grant period ends. The first planting of the program took place on January 19 in Theo McGee park with many more to follow.

A restored tree canopy will offer significant improvement to local parks, and Trees Columbus hopes it will inspire people to get outside and take advantage of the new green view. They host tree walks for the public to familiarize people with different tree species, offer advice for advocating and give people the opportunity to spend some time amongst the trees.

Much research and planning has gone into Trees Columbus’ restoration project, which

Arborist George Barker teaches J.D. Davis Elementary students about local trees.

Replenishing the sudden loss of many mature trees in Lakebottom Park was what spurred the creation of Trees Columbus.

has included conversations with citizens who live near these parks, observation and data collection from the decline of trees and a planting plan that will help make maintenance easier and increase the likelihood that the trees will survive. Native species are used as often as possible because they are most likely to survive, and they take into account the need for both mature trees and understory trees in a healthy canopy. When planting for shade, the local nonprofit prefers to plant oaks, tulip poplars and sycamores. Understory plantings are often dogwoods, maples, red buds and hawthornes. Which trees they choose to plant depends on the location, tree size and maturity, and they work to ensure diversity of species to benefit wildlife and people.

“If you don’t have healthy trees, you don’t have a healthy park,” McDaniel said. Trees Columbus hopes that when their canopy restoration project is complete, everyone in the community will have access to a healthy park.

Maintenance of trees is important, and improper techniques often lead to negative results. Pruning is a technique that has to be done properly or it can lead to decay, disease and insect issues resulting in permanent damage or altogether loss of the tree. The organization aims to train more people this year in tree care and maintenance so they can give the local community more resources. They also work with certified arborists and can connect homeowners with them so that they can receive advice on protecting trees at their home. “Many people call when it’s too late,” McDaniel said.

The work of Trees Columbus is making a lasting impact on our community’s tree canopy, and local support has made all the difference. As they dig in to begin their major canopy restoration project, McDaniel and Wayman hope to encourage others to share their mission and know that their voice can make a difference.

“We need people to advocate with city officials,” McDaniel said. Communicating our priorities with officials helps steer conversations and decisions in the direction of preservation and progress. And she has seen how hands-on involvement with Trees Columbus ignites a spark of purpose in volunteers. “When people experience the mission firsthand, they get excited,” she explained. “And we need people to get excited and make more noise.”

Trees Columbus offers many ways for the community to get involved and support their work. Memberships are available and the funds raised from them supports programs and gives the organization a larger representation in the community. Tree walks and educational outreach events are offered to community members as a way to connect with like-minded individuals, learn more about local trees and engage with the organization. They will host their annual event “Spring for the Green” during Earth Week. The family friendly gathering at the Spencer Environmental Center celebrates the end of planting season for Trees Columbus. And as a nonprofit, they rely on donations and grants to fund their work and continue their mission. To become a member, donate or learn more about the work they’re doing, visit treescolumbus.org. C

The revitalization of Theo McGee Park is one of Trees Columbus’ upcoming focuses.

BY BRETT BUCKNER PHOTOS BY RUSSELL MICK

Here for the Long Haul

GEORGIA NATURE CONSERVANCY PARTNERS WITH FORT MOORE TO PRESERVE RIVER VALLEY’S NATURAL LANDSCAPE

Before he and his wife settled in Columbus, and before he spent 26 years in the United States Army, he was a Boy Scout spending his days exploring nature. Clint Cox was a conservationist before he knew what the word meant.

“My grandfather, who was an avid outdoorsman, taught me at an early age that I should always try to leave a place better than I found it,” Cox said. “This value instilled in me a desire to protect our natural resources so generations could enjoy what I was fortunate to experience.”

Cox’s final military assignment was as Garrison Commander at Fort Moore. When he retired in 2019, he joined The Nature Conservancy in Georgia (TNC) as a trustee, fulfilling that longago promise.

“The work the TNC staff does, the passion they have, and the professional way they execute their mission makes me proud to be a small member of the team,” Cox said. “It provides me with an opportunity to point my philanthropy towards an effort that really matters and is consistent with my core values.”

The TNC is a chapter of The National Conservancy (TNC), the largest nature conservatory in the world. In the more than 30 years of its existence, TNC has worked to protect more than 400,000 acres across the state.

“Our work is both proactive and reactive in terms of making sure that there are policies in place to ensure protection,” said TNC Executive Director Monica Thornton. “We support those whose goal is to conserve our landscape and occasionally raise our hands to push back against those who try and do the opposite.”

In that spirit of cooperation, the TNC is widening its circle of compassionate protection with the recently launched River Valley Community Compatible Development plan. The RVCCD

The endangered redcockaded woodpecker is one animal TNC strives to protect.

promotes economic development opportunities that build on the natural and cultural resources within the six counties in Alabama and Georgia that wrap around Fort Moore known collectively as the River Valley.

The region, which includes Columbus, has some of the poorest and smallest rural counties in the Southeast and is located along what, in Georgia, is known as the Fall Line. It’s an area shaped by a unique natural landscape that’s threaded with rivers, streams and wetlands.

“If you’re looking at a map of Alabama and Georgia, the fall line would kind of look like a smile,” said Michael Hensley, Chattahoochee Fall Line Program Director. “It’s a really interesting geological area. What makes it so interesting today is that it’s a blending of worlds with all these different habitats.

“Nowhere do they mingle the way they do here.”

TNC has been a visible presence in the Fall Line region and around Fort Moore for three decades where they have permanently protected more than 35,000 acres.

“And we’re not just sitting on that land,” Hensley said. “We’re restoring them, actively maintaining them, taking them from an adequate habitat to outstanding. And that’s a process that will take decades.”

For example, over the past five years TNC has planted more than 900 acres-worth of Shortleaf and Longleaf Pine Trees—which is more than 627,000 trees.

“We’re very proud of our work here,” Hensley said. “I feel like we’re just getting rolling.”

It’s a symbiotic relationship.

“They have tens of thousands of soldiers cycle through that area every year,” Hensley said. “It’s crucial for the army to have lands that buffer the installation, especially around the Northeast side, where the firing ranges are.”

And the area is teaming with endangered animals such as the red-cockaded woodpecker and the gopher tortoise, as well as several rare plant species, such as the relict trillium. To protect that natural habitat, TNC has been buying land.

“Natural lands make a great neighbor for military installations,” Hensley said. “And even though we’re talking about 100,000 acres, which can feel really small when there’s all that military training activity happening. By having some natural habitat—either just off or adjacent to the installation—it’s pressure-release

“We have to take care of nature, so that nature can take care of us.”

-MONICA THORNTON

valve for these critters to move to, have forging areas and a place to build nests.”

The RVCCD is an opportunity for Fort Moore to expand beyond its installation, explains Luann Craighton, Outreach Director for TNC.

“Fort Moore can’t thrive in the future unless the rural landscape around Fort Moore is sustainable and thrives along with it,” she said. “The RVCCD is an update, but really, it’s a new component. It’s expanding the pro-active approach to looking to the future and making sure that the rural communities around Fort Moore understand their importance while we help bolster economic development.”

The RVCCD is a partnership that includes the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, the River Valley Regional Commission, Fort Moore and others, with funding from the Department of Defense.

“We own land here,” Craighton said. “We take care of that land. Landowners across the Chattahoochee Valley see our stewardship in action. They see us planting trees. They see our ecological timber harvest, and they see the outcome of that work—more plants and animals living on that land, forests that are healthy.

“We don’t just work in the natural communities. We’re also vested in the actual people of the communities we serve in our region.”

This plan identifies strategies that are embraced by the community to promote

prosperity while protecting natural resources. Preserving the small-town, rural character of the community and maintaining downtowns are top priorities for residents.

“This is a special place,” Thornton said. “We need to protect it, not just for ourselves but for our grandchildren and for their grandchildren. “We have to take care of nature, so that nature can take care of us.”

UGA researchers found that the rural counties surrounding Columbus have the potential to tap into a vibrant regional tourism economy by leveraging their natural and cultural resources. For example, in Stewart County, 383,174 people visited Providence Canyon and 107,323 visited Florence Marina in 2021. Outdoor recreation is popular in Georgia. In each of the last five years, visitation numbers at Georgia State Parks have

increased, up more than 36 percent from 2017 to 2021.

When TNC purchases land, it remains in the public domain and is available for public use, though not for commercial development.

“We didn’t want to have all these beautiful lands and just throw a wall up around them, and say people can’t benefit from these lands,” Hensley said. “There are tens of thousands of acres that are publicly accessible for hunting, fishing, hiking and general outdoor recreation.

That’s good for locals and for local economies because those lands bring visitors who spend money.”

Such access was a selling point for Clint Cox and his wife, Alison, after he retired from the military.

“Although neither of us were from Georgia, my wife and I chose to settle in the Chattahoochee River Valley for many reasons, but a significant one is the area’s natural beauty and biodiversity,” he said. “I’m an avid fisherman, and this region offers some of our nation’s best fisheries within a couple hours’ drive in every direction.”

Over the past five years, TNC has planted more than 900 acres of Shortleaf and Longleaf Pine Trees.

Columbus and the Valley

In addition to the RVCCD plan, the TNC has begun construction on a new office in Marion County. The 3,750 square foot building will serve as meeting space for stewardship and outreach staff and includes a bay garage for essential equipment and supplies.

“We’ve been working in this region for over 20 years now, and up to this point we’ve always just made do with whatever little cabin or shed might have been on a property that we purchased for conservation reasons,” Hensley said. “We made that model work as well as it could for a long time, but for years now we’ve realized that we really need a purpose-built, low maintenance,

efficient, centrally located facility to meet our needs for decades to come.”

The office is located on TNC-owned property near the small community of Oakland on Hwy 41, north of Buena Vista. The site is a former pasture, meaning not a single tree had to be cut down. It sits on a larger 1,000-acre property that TNC intends to plant with approximately 200,000 trees over the next two years.

“This is us planting our flag here,” Hensley said. “We’re going to be here in perpetuity. We’re part of the community and really proud of that.” C

The work of TNC helps provide a better habitat for all the nature on their property and beyond.

BY BRAD BARNES

Sow It Grows

For me it’s putting my fingers in the loam, feeling the cool earth, withdrawing my hands and seeing the dirt packed under fingernails, digits dusted with soil like the worst powdered doughnut ever. But a close second is plucking that first tomato off the vine—at our place that’s a sungold cherry tomato, orange and sweet—and plopping it straight into my maw.

Everyone who grows food has got their spark—the visceral thing that brings them joy from the act. Maybe it’s as simple as spending time in the quiet yard. Or seeing the gooseneck of a green stem uncurl from the earth, just a week after you tucked in the seed.

Maybe you had to till the soil first or build a raised bed for your little plants. And maybe you still have some tough jobs ahead, like trellising and weeding. But believe me when I tell you those little endorphin pings are enough to make you overlook all the work that goes into gardening.

We do it every year, my wife and I, on a scale that may seem great to the home gardener but is laughable compared to “real” farms.

For four years now we’ve been growing food at Dew Point Farm, what we call a “pocket farm” in MidTown Columbus. We harvest around 1,000 pounds of vegetables a year.

In the coming months I’ll share the advice we’ve gleaned from others, the lessons we’ve learned ourselves and the downright bat-guano crazy stories you just can’t make up. Hopefully this will encourage you to grow your own food in whatever space you can find (you won’t need much). Or, if you’re already growing, maybe you’ll find a few tips to save you some heartache, or at least hear another voice in the wilderness. It’ll be the one occasionally cussing. But before we get to that stuff, let’s talk about why it’s important to do.

Growing Problem

Next time you’re at a farmers’ market, track down one of the farmers and ask them this: what’s the biggest food need, right here, right now?

I’ll wager you an ear of organic corn that their answer will be “more growers.”

Think about how amazing that statement is. That’s like a Best Buy floor salesman saying, “Man, I wish we had some other places selling giant TVs and cellphones around here.”

See, farmers don’t have trouble moving their wares (and, as a bonus, their product doesn’t involve digging up conflict minerals from faraway lands!). Between farmers’ markets, restaurant and grocery sales and produce “subscribers,” crops seldom go wasted.

Jenn—that’s my wife—and I pondered that need for more farmers for a few years. She’d been a computer programmer who quit to earn a master’s in environmental science. Eventually she landed a job with the wonderful farmers at Jenny Jack Farm in

Harris County, and she found that her data analysis experience served her incredibly well as the mad scientist behind their microgreens, those flavor-packed vitamin-rich baby shoots you find in fancy salads. Her data was in a water-worn spiral notebook instead of on a computer monitor now, but she was able to tweak seed mixes and planting schedules to boost their yields tremendously.

And me? After a long career as a journalist, I’d jumped to a marketing career but was also pondering another change.

Table Stakes

Our decision to start Dew Point wasn’t completely altruistic. We were growing food for ourselves to save money, ensure its quality, and reduce our carbon footprint.

But we wanted to get any extra food into the kitchens and onto the dinner tables of people who otherwise may not have access to fresh, local, organically grown produce. Specifically, we’re talking about people who may not have their own car and for whom the nearest grocery store is twice as far away as the nearest convenience-store fried chicken and bag of chips. That distance is huge when you’re on foot. And those are people who can’t afford to pay a premium price for organic vegetables.

We sold our stuff at MercyMed Farm’s Friday market for that first year, where we were able to offer our food to folks with SNAP cards—that’s “food stamps” to us old-timers—at half price without cutting our narrow profits. But when The Food Mill

Brad planting sweet potato plants at Dew Point Farm in MidTown Columbus.

opened and wanted to stock their shelves with local food—and, critically, also offered it at half-price for SNAP customers—we began selling everything extra we had to them.

So, that’s the rather circuitous curriculum vitae.

Several times a year, and as recently as last week, we’re asked “Why don’t you sell at a farmers’ market?”

The answer: “Because we don’t have anything left.” Often followed by: “You know what our town really needs is more growers.”

Not everyone can start a multi-acre farm, of course. Not everyone can start something on the scale of our third-of-an-acre place either. In truth, though, the field we actively farm would fit in most back yards. Everyone with a home has enough space for a row or two of vegetables that will give them unmatched fresh food on the table and cut back on the grocery bill. Even apartmentdwellers can squeeze something into pots or windowsill planters. Herbs are easy to grow and demand a premium at the grocery, so they’re a great choice.

Because yes, we do need more growers. But all of you can be growers, probably with less effort and money than you think.

And if you start down that road, be ready to discover the simple, visceral gardening pleasures that are their own reward. C

Freelance writer Brad Barnes was a journalist for 17 years and a marketing expert for 9 years before he and his wife, Jenn, started Dew Point Farm in MidTown Columbus in 2019. You can email him at info@dewpoint.farm, and he’ll get back to you after he’s washed his hands.

Where Real Talk Meets Real Estate

Can be found at:

Barnes & Noble

Columbus Museum

Dinglewood Pharmacy

Durham’s Pharmacy

Galleria

Judy Bug Books

Marriott

Midtown Medical

Center Gift Shop

Pierce Crossing

Convenience Store

Piggly Wiggly

River Road Pharmacy

Whitewater Express

BY BRETT BUCKNER

DANCING NEVER FELT SO GOOD

7TH ANNUAL SPRING SWING PROVIDES CSU DANCE PROGRAM WITH SCHOLARSHIPS

On Saturday April 27, Frank G. Lumpkin, Jr. Center will host CSU’s seventh annual Spring Swing, one of the main fundraisers for the university’s dance minor program.

Four amateur teams from the community will compete for the Judges Choice Award, given to the team for the most entertaining performance of the evening, and the Community Award, given to the team that raises the most funds for the CSU Dance Minor Program. Each team performs a choreographed routine and is coached by a local dance professional.

Beginning in February, votes for each team can be cast through the Spring Swing website, columbusstate.edu/springswing2024, where $1 equals one vote.

Funds raised by these votes will go towards tuition scholarships given to eight dance minor students selected by Dance Professor Amy Mutarelli and the Dean of the College of the Arts Dr. Wanda Ebright. This includes five $1,000 scholarships, two $2,000 scholarships and one $3,000 scholarship to be awarded at Spring Swing.

The Spring Swing will feature music by “Georgia’s Premier Party Band,” The Grapevine Band. Rick McKnight will receive the 2024 CSU Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Dance Advisory Board.

“Spring Swing is an integral part of supporting CSU dance students through scholarships awarded each spring,” said Assistant Professor of Dance and Director of CSU’s Dance Minor Program Amy Mutarelli. “The support from Spring Swing is such a blessing, and I’m grateful to have such generous supporters of the dance program and of our wonderful students.”

By the fall of 2015, the CSU Dance Minor Advisory Board was formed. The board created two fundraisers—The Broadway Ball, a black-tie event and the Spring Swing.

The dance minor program was officially announced in February of 2016 in conjunction with the inaugural Spring Swing.

The CSU Dance Minor program consists of 15 credit hours of dance technique, dance history, dance composition, anatomy of dance and dance performance courses.

“The core mission of the dance program is to combine dual dedication to art and learning. Obtaining additional faculty specializing in diverse dance forms is a must,” Mutarelli said. “There are so many beautiful and unique dance forms, perspectives and voices. Representation and inclusiveness are core values for me as the director of this program. My personal hope is that CSU Dance inspires the next generation of dancers, dance students, patrons and audience members.” C

Spring Swing

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

FRANK G. LUMPKIN, JR. CENTER, CSU MAIN CAMPUS

6:30 to 11 p.m.

Tickets: $30 each online or $35 at the door

Tickets include one meal and valet parking.

Ages 18 and up

For more Information, visit columbusstate.edu/springswing2024

CRUSH

BY PAT DANIEL

The Great Flood

Several years ago, 2018, to be exact, we explored the effects of the great wildfires on the vineyards on the west coast. We were lucky then. The vineyards, with little ground cover and their lush foliage, acted as fire breaks. In addition, the damage from smoke taint was minimal because most of the grapes had already been harvested, and the wine was safely in tanks and barrels. The last grapes to be harvested that could have been damaged by the smoke, were cabernet sauvignon, which have thick skins and are less permeable, so less prone to absorbing smoke. There were a few vineyards that were destroyed, but nothing like we all feared.

In the first month of 2024, California has gotten approximately 150 percent of the rainfall it would normally receive annually. While some areas have been hit harder, no part of the state has been spared. The mountains have had an historic amount of snow and the valleys have been inundated with rain. One problem this has caused is an inability to get into the vineyards to do the annual pruning. Normally, the annual

pruning would already have begun, but the rains have made it impossible to get into the vineyards this year. If the rain continues through February, as is predicted, this will become more of an issue. Pruning in wet weather can cause the vines to be susceptible to a fungal disease known as “eutypa dieback.”

In late fall to early spring, grapevines are effectively asleep. Fortunately, during this period, the root systems don’t need much access to oxygen or nutrients, so they are, for the most part, impervious to standing water above.

While there can be issues with soil erosion, many vineyards use a planting of ground cover in winter to mitigate that problem. Unfortunately, this year the cold winter slowed the growth of the ground cover.

In general, a large amount of rainfall after a long period of drought can be a good thing. The excessive use of irrigation during the years of drought can cause a buildup of toxic salt deposits in the soil and the fresh rain water clears that out. Salts contain important micronutrients, but some of these, such as

sodium, chloride and boron, become toxic if they accumulate. This accumulation impacts the growing conditions and the vineyard productivity. This begins with lower yields, indeed, many California vineyards productivity has been off as much as 20-30 percent in the past few years. The quality of the grapes is also impacted. In extreme situations, the saltpoisoned vines dehydrate, desiccate, the leaves turn brown and fall off. The vine eventually dies. Soil composition affects how well this flushing out process works. If the soil is sandy and loamy with good drainage, this works well. If the soil is clay based and dense, the vines can be subject to a condition know as “wet feet,” which is similar to root rot in a potted plant. Salt accumulation has been a bigger problem in the southern part of the state than the northern part, which normally receives more rainfall.

More water in the soil normally translates to later budding, less irrigation and fuller canopies in the spring and early summer; however, if the soil is both wet and WARM, the vines bud too early, and that can lead to possible spring frost damage.

There are other positive impacts of the floods. Many grape growers have invested in ponds and reservoirs to capture and store water for irrigation and frost protection later in the year. The excessive rainfall has been good from this perspective. It is also beneficial in controlling phylloxera, a louse that can kill grape vines. Excessive rainfall is known to diminish the population of the pest.

The climate change troika of droughts, fires and floods have created an uncertain future for the wine growers, who are holding their breath about what they will deal with next. But the vines are only one aspect of the California wine industry. The storms have caused major damage to one piece of crucial infrastructure, roads. Roads have been washed away, covered in mudslides and downed trees. These storms have already cause mass cancellations of trips planned by tourists, and tourism is a major factor in the economics of the California wine industry. How large this impact will become will depend in large part on the weather going forward. . .

TO BE CONTINUED! C

A FOUNDATION FOR GOOD

STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY

INVESTING IN ITS FUTURE

As the Community Foundation celebrates 25 years as a “Foundation for Good,” we are honored by the community’s support of our work and affirmation of our founders’ basic beliefs in our business model:

1. Donors appreciate a local “center for thoughtful philanthropy” with staff expertise that connects them with efforts they care about in their own community. This year we received more than 1,500 gifts totaling $23 million and made 1,594 grants totaling $22 million. More than 15 private foundations have now “re-established themselves” as Donor Advised Funds to take advantage of our operational expertise, bringing our total number of active Funds to 333.

2. Investing long-term and endowed charitable assets as a pool indeed creates an economy of scale that multiplies philanthropic assets over time. Since we began, we have received contributions of $455 million and have made grants of $260 million, and our investments have increased our community’s net philanthropic value by more than $102 million.

3. An organization with a “big picture” that helps community members work together effectively for good can build bridges and leverage the work of community nonprofits to result in better, broader decision-making and impact. Our leadership and partnership with other community sectors to drive efforts like Columbus 2025, The Basics’ tools for early learning (cv.thebasics. org), Home for Good, CHIPS4CHIPS, area nonprofit leadership training, and conversations about strengthening local news availability exemplify the breadth of involvement donors foster by giving through, not to, CFCV.

4. Our Founder’s Society Endowment allows CFCV to operate sustainably, effectively, and exceptionally, while holding fees low. We have been certified by the Community Foundations National Standards Board as having operations that meet or exceed National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations continually since 2006, when we were among the first 150 community foundations to achieve the then-new designation.

The potential for these four beliefs was born with our founding board members, substantiated in our most recent strategic plan, and exemplified in the two overlapping infinity symbols in our logo. We are firmly committed to our donors and their philanthropic goals, support of nonprofits and their community-strengthening efforts, the needs of our community at large, and organizational excellence and sustainability.

To those of you who already rely on the strength of CFCV, thank you. If this idea is new to you, enjoy the stories on these pages to learn more about our work, and let us know if we can help you become part of it!

Rodney K. Mahone 2023 Chair, Board of Trustees

Betsy W. Covington President and CEO

MISSION: Why we exist

We enable and promote philanthropy that inspires, facilitates, and fosters a vibrant and engaged Chattahoochee Valley.

VISION: How we accomplish our mission

We are the premier center for thoughtful philanthropy for people who want to make their Chattahoochee Valley communities better, both during and after their lifetimes.

We:

• Help a multitude of donors easily and effectively deploy a wide range of assets to impact their charitable interests.

• Responsibly invest assets to preserve and increase grantmaking capital.

• Know our communities and share that knowledge to empower engagement, leadership, and improvement.

• Lead and collaborate to shape effective responses to community needs and opportunities.

VALUES: Core beliefs that guide our decision-making and actions

Service • We were created to lead through service; we serve our donors, our area’s nonprofits, and our community at large.

Stewardship • We are entrusted with people’s hopes, dreams, and financial resources in perpetuity; we manage them in ways that uphold that trust and exceed expectations while remaining cost effective.

Integrity • We conduct our business dealings with honor; we can be relied on to act responsibly.

Inclusiveness • We are an institution of communal good; we seek to work collaboratively and to mobilize the resources of the community to meet the community’s needs.

Independence • We represent the best interest of the community as a whole; we are not obligated to individuals, organizations, or others.

Knowledge • We learn continually and are a repository of community understanding, knowledge and expertise; we use that information to engage others and mobilize philanthropy to make a difference.

Chuck Hart was born in Kansas and moved to Columbus, GA, when his father was stationed at Fort Benning when he was a young child. He grew up here, graduated college and eventually moved to LaGrange, GA, where he married and had a child. After many years he found himself back in Columbus, living at the Ralston Towers on 12th Street. Unfortunately, Hart passed away during a brutal heat wave in summer 2017. Residents of the Ralston had been begging the building’s owners for weeks to fix the air conditioning; the temperature in Hart’s apartment was close to 100 degrees.

evident in her voice. “He was always happy, and he wanted everybody to be happy around him, wanted to help anybody any way he could. He was very, very spiritual—loved talking to people about Jesus, trying to minister to them.”

“His goal was literally just to minister to as many people as he could while he lived at the Ralston,” says his daughter, Christy Thornton. “I had no clue that the Ralston was like it was—he just made it out like it was a good place to live, because he had so many friends there.”

Public outrage over Hart’s death prompted the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to close the building and sell it to a group that completely renovated it and reopened it as affordable housing. That part of Hart’s legacy speaks to how he died. But Christy and her husband Travis wanted something that paid tribute to how he lived.

“The easiest way to put it, I guess, is the hippie Woodstock phase never left him,” Christy says, a smile

HONORING THE IN A LIFE

Christy says her father loved strolling along the Chattahoochee RiverWalk, sharing smiles and casual conversation with the people he came across. And now, to invite others to enjoy that same experience, a landmark mural, “The Spirit of the Chattahoochee,” stands as a tribute to Hart and everything he loved about his hometown. Beautifying the retaining wall below the Synovus Centre office building on Bay Avenue and dedicated to Hart’s memory in August 2023, the mural was created through a partnership of the Columbus Consolidated Government and Dragonfly Trails, Inc., and underwritten by the initial grant from the Chuck Hart Foundation Fund that Christy and Travis established at the Community Foundation in 2020.

Nearly as long as a football field and painted by a team of seven area artists over the course of a month, the mural consists of many elements—all deeply researched—from regional history to Native American folklore and local wildlife. “And the way it’s set up, from left to right, it follows the seasons, from spring on into winter,” Travis says.

Top: Chuck Hart. Bottom: (l-r) Joseph Melancon, Chris Johnson, Harrison Mills, Mike Jones, Dragonfly Trails ED Becca Zajac, Christy Thornton & daughter, Travis Thornton, Samantha Yoo, Vinh Huynh, & and Raven Henderson

THE JOY

on forever. Each year, the Fund will help support maintenance and improvements to the RiverWalk, focusing on the section in Uptown Columbus. And it will make grants to organizations that support those most vulnerable in our community because of their low level of income, age, and/or disability: people like Christy’s dad.

“My dad went through some hard times, and there were a bunch of different outreach programs that reached out and helped him get sober and rebuild his life,” Christy says. “I wanted that to be a part of the Fund also, to help people who helped him. And to help other people who need help as he did.”

“We couldn’t be more honored that the Thorntons trust us with this Fund,” says Betsy Covington, the Community Foundation’s president and CEO. “The Fund lets our

To Christy, the Chuck Hart Foundation Fund isn’t just about her dad—it’s also about her two little girls, who never got to meet their grandpa but will still get to see the legacy he’s left.

“I want to be able to let the girls see every aspect of everything that the Fund does, so when they’re older they can continue with this Fund in honor of their Grandpa Chuck,” she says. “It’s not something that you do one time—it just keeps growing. So that your kids and hopefully your grandkids can continue working toward the memory of your family member.

“My dad died in a really bad manner, but he’s not going to be remembered by that now. He didn’t die in vain. This mural is something beautiful he’ll get to be remembered by.”

Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley Impact

“The greatest use of life,” said philosopher and pioneering psychologist William James, “is to spend it for something that will outlast it.”

The spending part, of course, is easy. Making it last—or outlast—is the hard part. But in the quartercentury since the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley was established as a public charity (literally, a charity for the public good), the organization has succeeded in striking an excellent balance between the two.

CFCV’s board. “Betsy [Covington] is a tremendous leader of the Community Foundation. And the organization has a great staff that, while not very large, is very committed to getting the work done and doing it with the level of excellence that our community deserves. And we’ve always been very intentional about the board and the type of community leaders we want to attract onto the board. So we’re consistently supported with a board and a professional staff of stakeholders who believe in our community and are invested in helping the foundation serve it.”

The math makes it clear. In 25 years, CFCV has received more than $450 million in gifts to its Funds from individuals, families, businesses, and other organizations—and distributed just over a quarter of a billion dollars in grants. That would normally leave just under $200 million in “expected” assets. The actual number, though, is almost $300 million in net assets. The upshot: The Community Foundation has added $100 million dollars in net philanthropic value to the community through its investments.

“I think it starts with leadership,” says Rodney Mahone, former president and publisher of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer and current chair of

GENERATING AND

Gardiner Garrard, a past chair and current member of CFCV’s board who chairs Covey Equity and, along with his wife, advises CFCV’s Lenora J. and Gardiner W. Garrard Fund, knows the history of CFCV’s investments very well—he joined the board not long after Covington arrived in 2001. In the beginning, Garrard says, the foundation managed its assets through multiple investment accounts with different managers. As the organization grew, though, he and others recognized that the time had come to consolidate into one investment pool that helped donors take advantage of the significantly growing economy of scale.

“So we went to a sort of ‘manager of managers,’ a

AND FACILITATING GOOD FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS

their efficiency.”

Melissa Gauntt, president and CEO of the East Alabama Chamber of Commerce and vice chair of CFCV’s board, echoes Mahone’s sentiments about the Community Foundation’s collaborative nature—on both sides of the Chattahoochee.

the community as a whole and not just parts or pieces,” he says. “It’s really significant that our community has an organization that is so deeply vested in improving the quality of life of not just a small sector of our community, but for the community overall. That’s how we at the Community Foundation view the spirit of this community—we succeed together.”

Park, she decided the people of Georgia deserved something similar.

Helen and Harry sought help from the United Methodist Church (UMC), and in 1984 their combined efforts helped create Wesley Glen, a mission agency of the church’s South Georgia Conference. The Jacksons acquired 130 acres in Hamilton, Georgia, for the purpose of realizing Helen’s vision. Unfortunately, as state regulations and educational philosophies

our family to be able to continue their legacy of giving back to the community.”

Renamed the Jackson-Burgin Foundation, the organization supported a variety of causes. Among other things, it strengthened Wesley Glen Ministries—by then located in Macon—to the point where it could be the residential center for adults with disabilities that Helen had long dreamed of.

Helen and Harry Jackson

Families who had Funds with CFCV, though, could make grants with little more than a phone call.

“All the while I was sitting in on these board meetings, seeing how people just picked up the phone, called the Community Foundation, and made their gifts and grants,” Will recalls. “I sat back down and I asked Betsy [Covington], ‘Let’s go back and remind me how all this works again?’”

then we are generally making placemaking gifts, which could be everything from people who work on quality-oflife issues to some of the places that help people better themselves, career development, education, and the like.”

With the Community Foundation, “you can gift your assets to any cause you want to,” he continues. “Now, seeing my own children grow up, I’ve realized this is a unique way to know that Columbus is going to get the benefit of the Jacksons for generations to come. And that’s a nice feeling.”

DOING GOOD WHILE DOING WELL

The Community Foundation provides a simple, powerful and highly personal approach to giving. It exists to help people easily and effectively support the issues they care about — immediately or through their wills.

DONORS

Individuals, families or organizations give through the Community Foundation to help achieve their charitable goals and leave a legacy in a way that is meaningful to them.

GIVE ALL TYPES OF ASSETS

Donors give cash, appreciated stocks, real estate or other assets and receive maximum charitable and tax benefits. The CFCV can also accept unusual types of assets; sometimes donors are wealthy in unexpected ways.

TO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) public charity and is certified by the Council on Foundations as meeting all national standards for community foundations.

CAREFULLY INVESTED

Endowed and long-term Funds are pooled for investment purposes, maximizing diversification opportunities and returns while lowering fees.

FOR SPECIFIC FUNDS

Donors can give to an existing Fund or establish a Fund in their name or in the name of their family, a specific organization or someone they wish to honor. Funds can be endowed to exist forever or non-endowed to facilitate short-term giving. For descriptions and illustrations of the various types of Funds, please see “An Array of Funds to Meet Community Needs,” in this report.

TO ALLOW GRANTS FOR GOOD… FOREVER

The CFCV can make grants on behalf of its donors to any charitable organization, including churches, educational and governmental institutions, United Ways and — in some cases — in support of individuals or charitable efforts that may not have a 501(c)(3).

For more information about establishing a new Fund or contributing to an existing Fund, contact your financial advisor or the CFCV staff.

AN ARRAY OF FUNDS TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS

New Funds established during the year are designated with an asterisk (*). Funds marked with a”†” are part of the Troup County Component Funds.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND UNRESTRICTED

GRANT FUNDS

Endowed Funds that either benefit the Community Foundation or help us identify opportunities and target dollars where they will be most effective.

The Fred and Catalina Aranas Family Fund - A named sub-Fund of the Community Endowment Fund, contributed to help meet the needs of the Chattahoochee Valley

The Chattahoochee Valley Fair Fund - To support the CFCV and its charitable efforts in the Chattahoochee Valley

The Susan and Butch Cochran Family Fund - Established July 2011 in memory of Susan Marland Cochran. Upon the death of Dr. Thomas “Butch” Cochran, Jr., in July 2017, became a named sub-Fund of the Community Endowment Fund, to help meet the needs of the Chattahoochee Valley.

The Community Endowment Fund - An unrestricted endowment that gives the Community Foundation Board the ability to address long-term community needs and opportunities

The Moselle W. and H. Quigg Fletcher, Jr., Endowment Fund - A named sub-Fund of the Community Endowment Fund, contributed to help meet the needs of the Chattahoochee Valley

The Founder’s Society Endowment - To benefit the operations of the CFCV

The Nonprofit Training Partnership Fund - A partnership with other local funding entities to foster a program of high-level nonprofit training

AREA FUNDS

Benefit a particular neighborhood, city or county. Donors may select advisory committees to help make grant recommendations.

Endowed

The Troup Community Endowment Fund † - Part of the Troup Component Funds, this Fund exists to help meet the charitable needs of Troup County, now and in the future

Pass-Through (Non-endowed)

The Troup Community Immediate Needs Fund † - To make grants to qualified non-profit organizations in Troup County for projects serving the community’s charitable needs

DESIGNATED FUNDS

Guarantee ongoing support for specific charitable organizations.

Endowed Designated Funds provide permanent funding to help sustain an organization or to supplement specific projects.

Endowed

The William Mizell Alexander and Julia Smith Alexander Fund

The Loretto Chappell Book Endowment Fund – To provide support for the purchase of books and other circulating materials for the public libraries in Muscogee County

The Columbus Symphony Orchestra Endowment Fund – To benefit the charitable purposes of and for the enrichment of the CSO

The Columbus Symphony Orchestra Rental Fund – To help pay the costs associated with the CSO’s use of the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts

The Home for Good Permanent Supportive Housing Plan Implementation Fund – To support one aspect of Columbus’ 10-year Plan to Eliminate Homelessness

The Kadie EnCowment Fund – To provide funds to support the maintenance of Columbus’ iconic Kadie the Cow (“Kadie”) for the enjoyment and benefit of the public of Columbus, GA, including its citizens and visitors

The Michael Dillon King Memorial Fund* – To honor the memory of Michael Dillon King, who passed away in October 2022, by providing permanently sustainable annual contributions to the Smiths Station High School Band Program

The Muscogee County Library Endowment Fund – To support the services and programs of the public libraries in Muscogee County

The MCLF Special Projects Fund – To support future projects and transformational ideas that benefit the public libraries in Muscogee County

The Muscogee County Library Ruth Brooks Yancey Endowment Fund – To support the efforts of the public libraries in Muscogee County to promote early childhood literacy through onsite and outreach programming, including and especially that which reaches at-risk children. Funds may additionally be used for the design and maintenance of the Ruth Brooks Yancey Children’s Garden

The RiverCenter Arts Education Fund – To fund, enhance, and develop RiverCenter’s outreach and educational programs, particularly those to communities of color, economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, and public schools with a high percentage of Free or Reduced Lunch recipients

The RiverCenter Facilities Endowment Fund – To operate and furnish the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts

The Martha Turner Valley Rescue Fund – To benefit the Valley Rescue Mission.

The Calvin Wylie Wells Fund – To support the purchase of books and materials that will directly benefit the children enrolled at the Huckabay School in Huckabay, Texas

Pass-Through (Non-endowed)

The ArtBeat Fund – To support the organization and execution of the annual ArtBeat event, celebrating the arts in Columbus

The Brookstone School Servant Leadership Fund

The Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit Juvenile Drug Court Foundation Fund – To provide funding for the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit Juvenile Drug Court

The Coalition for Sound Growth Fund – To improve quality of life in Columbus and the surrounding region through education and action that encourages the implementation of development practices fostering the community’s long-term economic growth, enhanced sense of place, and environmental health

The Columbus Scholars Administrative Support Fund – To support the charitable activities of Columbus Scholars, Inc. The Dragonfly Trails Fund - To help support the design and construction of a linked network of greenway trails throughout Columbus

The Dragonfly MidTown Connector Fund

The Drug Free… You & Me Fund – To help support this annual conference for 6th-graders, which has for more than 20 years helped give them the tools they need to resist the use of drugs and alcohol

The Fox Elementary Fund – To help support an effort to create a park and playground for the Bibb Community at Fox Elementary School

The Friends of the Parks Fund – To support projects in the parks of Columbus, GA

The Muscogee County Library Foundation Fund – To support the Muscogee County Public Library System

The MCLF Operating Fund – To administer the annual operating and grantmaking budget of the Muscogee County Library Foundation

The MCLF South Columbus Library Fund* – To support the renovation and expansion project of the South Columbus Public Library

The Parks Memorial Public Library Fund – To provide support for the operation and programs of the Parks Memorial Public Library in Stewart County, GA

The Rothschild Family for Rothschild Leadership Academy Fund – To continue the good work of David Rothschild II in supporting the Rothschild Middle School principal’s efforts to maximize learning at the school

The West Georgia Honor Flight Fund – To fly veterans of World War II, free of charge, to Washington, D.C., to visit the WWII Memorial

DONOR ADVISED FUNDS

Allow donors to recommend charitable grants at any time, with no mandatory annual payout rate. Easy and flexible, these Funds have no legal costs and no annual tax returns. Donors receive maximum tax benefits for their giving to the Funds due to the CFCV’s status as a public charity and can access learning opportunities, online tools and expert staff.

Endowed and Long-Term Invested

The Aflac Fund

The Kathelen V. and Daniel P. Amos Fund

The Paul and Courtney Amos Fund

The Kathelen V. Amos Donor Advised Fund

The Shannon L. Amos Legacy Fund

The Paul S. and Jean R. Amos Family Foundation Fund

The Anonymous Fund #7†

The Anonymous Fund #10

The Anonymous Fund #12

The Anonymous Fund #19

The Anonymous Fund #20

The Anonymous Fund #21

The Anonymous Fund #22

The Anonymous Fund #25

The Anonymous Fund #30

The Anonymous Fund #35

The Anonymous Fund #36

The Anonymous Fund #42*

The Royce and Tamara Ard Family Fund

The David Mincey Averett Fund

The B24 Fund

The Meredith F. Baum Fund†

The Beason Fund†

The Tom and Doris Black Family Fund

The Wilson W. and Geraldine D. Blackmon Fund

The James Kennerly Boatwright III Family Fund†

The Bowick Family Fund

The Suzanne F. and Edward C. Burdeshaw Fund

The Otis and Eleanor Burnham Charitable Fund

The Robert Wesley Carr and Frances Porter Crim Fund

The Columbus Lawyers Educational Foundation Fund*

The Jenny and Bob Copeland Fund†

The Bess Dedwylder Memorial Fund - To honor the memory of Elizabeth “Bess” Rivers Dedwylder, September 1, 1993-October 31, 2021, and to support charitable organizations and efforts in the Columbus, GA, community that improve the lives of young people and/or families

The Josh and Claire Dunlap Family Fund

The Dan and Nancy Durand Fund†

The Thad and Allison Estes Fund

The Feighner Charitable Fund*

The Ruth Lamar Fletcher Fund

The Jake and Anna Flournoy Family Fund

The Frank and Sally Foley Fund

The Frank D. Foley, Jr., and Sally W. Foley Fund

The Lenora J. and Gardiner W. Garrard Fund

The Wilbur H. Glenn Family Fund

The Patrick and Susan Graham Family Fund

The Grier Family Fund

The Judy I. Harding Fund

The Marion and Angela Hart Fund

The Hecht Family Fund

The Kenneth M. Henson, Jr. Family Fund

The Kenneth M. and Sue B. Henson Fund

The Helen Jordan Hobbs Fund

The Malynn Hogan Fund

The Kathleen M. & Christopher D. Hohlstein Fund

The Hollis/Link Fund

The Justus M. Huff Community Fund*

The Sarah H. and Jack C. Hughston Foundation Fund

The Shawn and Marisela Humphries Fund*

The Mike Irvin/Integrated Financial Group Fund

The Jackson-Burgin Foundation Fund

The Mikey Jacobs Fund

The Trinity and Jaxson Jones Memorial Fund

The Jared and Alynda Jones Fund†

The Patricia Hurst Jordan and C. Dexter Jordan, Jr. Fund

The Betty Lindsay King Charitable Fund

The Kinnett Family Fund

The Knight Foundation Fund

The Knight, Dismuke, Caldwell Charitable Fund

The David and Jane Cohn Kulbersh Charitable Fund

The Clay & Shannon Land Fund

The Kayron McMinn Laska Charitable Fund

The Loomis Fund

The Joey M. and Ramona L. Loudermilk Fund

The Mac Graham Fund

The Judy Madere and Carrie Jones Memorial Fund

The Elle Joyce Marks Memorial Fund

The A.J. and Helen C. McClung Foundation Fund

The Brian S. and Lynn B. McCluskey Fund

The George and Gigi McCluskey Fund

The Lee and Suzanne McCluskey Fund

The McMath-Turner Family Fund

The Hannah Lee McMonagle Charitable Fund

The Johnson Wade McMonagle Charitable Fund

The Tate Patrick McMonagle Charitable Fund

The William Andrew McMonagle Charitable Fund

The Lyle Cheves Meeks Fund* - to honor and continue into perpetuity the joy, love, passion, and generosity of spirit that exemplified his life of Lyle Cheves Meeks. Lyle was born to loving parents, Ryan and Isa Meeks, on January 30, 2018, and passed from this life to life eternal on August 5, 2020

The Shawn Mewhorter Fund

The Michael G. and Valeta R. Mills Fund

The “Of These” Principles Fund

The Jean Kinnett Oliver Fund

The Page-Sheek Fund

The Dan and Teri Parker Fund

The Rebekah Anne Parker and Daniel W. Parker Fund

The Partridge Pond Fund

The Brandon and Brooke Peak Family Fund

The PFC Charles Clayton “CC” Persing Memorial Fund

The Phoenix Fund

The James Key and Brinkley Burks Pound Fund

The Ragland Family Fund

The Lee Richter Family Fund†

The Rotary Club of Columbus Endowment Fund

The Rotary Club of LaGrange Endowment Fund†

The Dora G. and Jac H. Rothschild Fund

The RUNNOFT Fund*

The Agnes Green and John & Alice Sands Fund

The Maxine R. and Jack S. Schiffman Fund

The Frank and Meg Schley Family Fund

The Shain Schley Fund

The Claud A. Sears Family Fund

The Angela and John Sims Fund

The Grover T. and Louise H. Smith Charitable Fund

The J.W. Smith and Laura S. Smith Fund

The Marian M. and J. Connor Smith Fund†

The SOMA Foundation Fund

The Ken Spano Charitable Foundation Fund

The Spinks Family Fund

The Rose Hurt Steiner Fund

The Donald and Irene Stewart Family Fund

The Mat and Mary Lou Swift Fund

The Claire Kinnett and John Austin Tate Fund

The Tharpe Family Fund†

The Phil and Anita Tomlinson Fund

The Wade H. and Teresa Pike Tomlinson Fund

The Tyler and Eleanore Townsend Fund

The Ussery Family Fund

The Katherine and Wright Waddell Fund

The Martha Mitchell Wade Charitable Fund

The Ruth McKnight Wade Charitable Fund

The Watry Family Fund*

The Wells Fargo Bank Donor Advised Fund

The WestPoint Fund†

The Cecil and Terry Whitaker Family Fund

The Emily and Tom Williams Fund

The Troy and Gloria Woods Fund

The Wooten Family Fund

Pass-Through (Non-endowed)

The Aflac Childhood Cancer Campaign Fund

The Amazon Covenant Fund*

The Anonymous Fund #1

The Anonymous Fund #2

The Anonymous Fund #5†

The Anonymous Fund #6

The Anonymous Fund #8

The Anonymous Fund #11

The Anonymous Fund #13

The Anonymous Fund #15

The Anonymous Fund #23

The Anonymous Fund #32

The Anonymous Fund #33

The Anonymous Fund #34

The Anonymous Fund #37

The Anonymous Fund #38

The Anonymous Fund #39

The Anonymous Fund #43

The B24 II Fund

The Katherine Scarbrough Barr Fund

The David and Michelle Blanchard Fund

The Mr. and Mrs. James H. Blanchard Fund

The Helge Boes Memorial Fund

The W.C. Bradley Company Fund

The Briscoe Family Fund

The McKnight and Alice Brown Fund

The David M. & Donna T. Brown Fund

The J.S. Brown Fund

The Wm. J. Burgin Family Fund

The Laura and Tyler Bankhead Fund

The Stephen T. & Kent H. Butler Fund

The Andrew and Landy Cartledge Fund

The Adrian Chester Uplift Fund

The W. Wade and Elizabeth S. Cliatt Fund

The Hugh Thomas Douglas Memorial Fund* - to honor the beacon of light that Hugh Thomas Douglas was to his family and community. Hugh, an exceptional student at Morehouse College who displayed immense dedication and promise, lost his life in a tragic car accident at the age of 20, on September 4, 2023.

The Kate and Allen Doyle Fund†

The Dreyden Fund

The EHH Gift Fund†

The Reverend J.H. Flakes, Jr. Memorial Fund

The Thomas and Loretta Flowers Charitable Fund

The Fort Trustee Funds

The Claudia and Gunby Garrard Fund

The Quinn and David Gibbs Fund

The John F. Greenman and Mary Alice Budge Fund

The Alexander C. Hale Fund

The Kerry and Donna Hand Fund

The Have a Dream Fund

The Jo Anne and Robert G. Hecht Fund

The Elizabeth B. Hendricks Fund

The James G. and Kathryn A. Hillenbrand Fund

The History Alive Fund

The Irby Foundation Fund

The Elizabeth Neal Irby Fund

The Ashley and Martin Jones Fund

The Kennon Family Fund

The Katie and Justin Krieg Fund

The Alexander Letterese Fund

The Virginia and Sam Lukens Fund

The Elizabeth D. Martin Fund

The John C. Martin III Fund

The Millie Martin Fund

The Sallie T. and John C. Martin Fund

The Pierce and Becky Miller Fund

The Miracle Ride Fund - to support the Miracle Riders’ efforts to benefit the lives of children, particularly children in the Chattahoochee Valley

The Turner and Michele Moshell Fund

The W. Michael & Elizabeth C. Ogie Fund

The Wilds M. Ogie Fund

The Jill Chancey Philips Memorial Fund

The William D. Ploeger Youth Golf Fund

The Elizabeth B. and Alan C. Ramsay, Jr. Fund

The Reed Rae Fund

The Lane M. and Chandler Riley Fund

The John Rosetta Fund

The Rotary Club of Columbus, Georgia, Inc. Fund

The Jewett and Alan Rothschild Fund

The Run Across Georgia Fund

The Kyle Scarbrough Fund

The See It Through Fund

The Francis Cappel Sharpe Fund

The C.R. Sheffield Family Fund

The Celia and Murray Solomon Family Fund

The Southern Harris Farm Fund

The Jay and Cindy Sparks Family Fund

The Tracy E.D. and Amy J. Spencer Fund

The Together 2016 Fund

The Townsend Wealth Management Fund

The Abbott and Kayla Turner Fund

The Barbara J. Turner Fund

The Brad and Sally Turner Fund

The Brooke Delaney Turner Fund

The Cathey and Abbott Turner Family Fund

The Gardiner Turner Fund

The Jack and Ashley Turner Fund

The John and Amandah Turner Fund

The William B. III and Katherine Turner Fund

The Varrot Fund

The Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Allen Waddell, Jr., Fund

The Lulie and Harrison Wallace Fund

The Matthew and Sarah West Fund

The Clare B. Williams Fund

The Elizabeth Worth Williams Fund

The Susan and Keith Wood Charitable Fund

The Bright Kinnett and Robert Usher Wright Family Fund

The “Wright” Heart for Giving Fund

FIELD OF INTEREST FUNDS

Allow donors to address specific areas of interest or community needs without specifying particular recipient organizations.

Endowed and Long-Term Invested

The A.C. Chancellor Memorial Fund – To support charitable organizations and efforts in the Columbus, GA, community that either were impactful to A.C. or that nurture the lives of young people

The Consumer Financial Education Endowment Fund –To support charitable organizations’ work to educate and/ or advocate for consumers who are susceptible to being victimized in consumer transactions

The Louise Spencer Dupre Cancer Research and Patient Support Fund – To support programs related to the eradication of cancer and to innovative whole-patient care and support. The Fund primarily supports efforts in the geographic areas of Pittsford/Rochester, NY, and Columbus and Atlanta, GA.

The Friends of Uptown Fund - To support maintenance of and improvements to public space and public infrastructure within Uptown Columbus, GA

The Chuck Hart Foundation Fund - To provide support for vulnerable populations and for maintenance and improvements to the Chattahoochee RiverWalk

The Pediatric Research and Education Foundation Fund – To further physician and staff education opportunities related to pediatric care in the Chattahoochee Valley

The Right From the Start Marriage and Family Endowment Fund – To provide a permanent source of support for efforts in the Columbus, GA, community that help build and support healthy marriages and families

The Whitewater Maintenance Endowment Fund - To support the systematic upkeep, maintenance, and repair of the Chattahoochee River Whitewater Course in Columbus, GA, to sustain it as a safe, highly attractive, and healthy recreational and environmental venue

Pass-Through (Non-endowed)

The AADO (African American Development Officers) Fund – To provide support for programming that helps this organization foster professional development and facilitate interaction among its members

The Columbus Area Full-Count Census Fund - To support non-partisan efforts to encourage the broadest possible participation in the Census in the Columbus, GA, area

The Chattahoochee Valley Imagination Library Fund* - To further the work of the former Columbus Ferst Readers volunteers by facilitating local partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to provide free books for children from birth to age five in Chattahoochee and Muscogee Counties in GA, and Russell County, AL

The Columbus GA 2025 Fund – To support the operation and programs of Columbus 2025, a multi-year cross-sector effort to reduce poverty, increase prosperity and improve the quality of life in the Greater Columbus, GA, region

The Columbus Safe Streets Fund – To support purely charitable activities in partnership with the Columbus Consolidated Government to assess and support the community’s public safety, particularly pertaining to law enforcement

The Coronavirus Response Fund - To provide flexible resources to organizations in the Columbus area working with our most vulnerable citizens, who are disproportionately impacted by Covid and its economic consequences

The Country’s Midnight Express Foundation Fund - To enable the charitable component of this race to support those in our community who struggle with visual impairments

The Local News & Information Fund - To support charitable efforts to assess and strengthen local journalism

The Moving Forward Together Fund – To support issues related to ensuring equal opportunity for the citizens of Columbus Neighbors Helping Neighbors: The Lee-Talbot Relief Fund – To provide relief and support to those in Lee County, AL, and Talbot County, GA, impacted by the EF4 tornado that struck the area on March 3, 2019

The Resilient Georgia Fund - To partner with United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley in improving the lives of children and their families across our area through the creation of the Chattahoochee Valley Child Equity Collaborative and in developing a trauma-informed collaborative across a multi-county area

The S.N.A.A.P. Fund – To support the Southeastern Network of African Americans in Philanthropy’s efforts to increase the opportunity to promote, educate, and support African American philanthropic organizations

The Sara Spano Clothing Bank Fund – To support the Sara Spano PTA Clothing Bank, founded by Sara Spano in the 1960s to “to enhance the self-esteem and promote a positive self-image of disadvantaged children in the Muscogee County School System by providing them with a school wardrobe consisting of new and gently worn items”

The Youth Infrastructure Coalition Fund - To support the engagement of youth in solving the problems of today, and paving a better future through infrastructure projects

ORGANIZATION FUNDS

Established by a nonprofit organization to provide benefit for that organization. The nonprofit takes advantage of the CFCV’s professional endowment management, freeing their staff and board to concentrate on the organization’s own programs and mission.

Endowed and Long-Term Invested

The Abbey Fellowship, Inc., Fund

Columbus Alliance for Regional Investment, Inc., Fund

The Columbus Habitat for Humanity Endowment Fund

The Columbus Habitat for Humanity Construction Fund

The Columbus High School Alumni Association

Endowment Fund

The House of Mercy Endowment Fund

The Junior League of Columbus Endowment Fund

The LaGrange Academy Marian McGregor Smith Endowment Fund† - To foster excellence in expression and use of the written word by students and faculty at LaGrange Academy

The LaGrange Academy Endowment Fund† - To provide operational and program support for LaGrange Academy

The LaGrange Art Museum Endowment Fund† - To provide operational and program support for the LaGrange Art Museum

The David and Barbara Rothschild Fund for the Muscogee County Libraries - To support the services and programs of the public libraries in Muscogee County

The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Connally-Kaplan Endowment Fund† - To provide operational and program support for the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra

The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Dorothy Allen Turner Endowment Fund†

The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, Inc., Ethel Dallis Hill Memorial Fund†

The Mother Mary School Endowment Fund

The Stewart Community Home Big Dream Fund - To support the operations of the Stewart Community Home

The Troup County Libraries Endowment Fund†

The Westville Endowment Fund - To support the operations of Historic Westville

The Lynn Whiddon Endowment for the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus Fund - To support the operations of the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

Help donors invest in the community’s future by providing scholarship support for qualified students or specific institutions All are endowed or long-term invested.

The W.L. Amos, Sr., Scholarship Fund - To honor the memory of and show love and respect for W.L. Amos., Sr., through scholarships to the families of employees of Aflac U.S.

The Megan Rose Carroll Scholarship Fund - To provide a scholarship to a female Harris County High School graduating senior for higher education needs

The Pat Chitwood Women Leaders in Journalism Fund

- To help support the post-secondary undergraduate education of women who intend to be leaders in a profession related to the field of journalism

The Aaron Cohn Citizenship Award for Aaron Cohn Middle School Fund – To annually honor an Aaron Cohn Middle School 8th-grade student who demonstrates the qualities that Judge Aaron Cohn most admired: civic awareness, scholastic achievements, and community service

The Columbus Lawyers Educational Foundation Scholarship Fund*

The Columbus Scholars Fund – To support Columbus Scholars’ long-term poverty reduction program for impoverished students, with a goal of providing hope through education and support for character development

The Jeanette Williamson Craig and Eugene L. Craig Scholarship Fund – To help Muscogee County students attend college

The Gary Downs Scholarship Fund

The Robert F. and Mary Jane Galer Scholarship Fund* – To honor the memory of the Galers, who — through selfless work and unwavering commitment — dedicated their lives to advocating for the rights of women and supporting those less-privileged in society, the Fund provides college scholarships for young people from Chattahoochee, Harris, or Muscogee County who have financial need and who aspire to become community leaders and champions for women and/or the underprivileged

The Randy Jordan Scholarship for Jordan High School Fund

The Randy Jordan Spirit of Columbus High School Athletic Award Fund

The James Henry Smith and Gladys Manning Smith Scholarship Fund – To help Muscogee County students attend college

The Judge Albert W. Thompson, Sr., Scholarship Fund –To provide up to two scholarships to college students with a connection to Georgia who are entering or currently enrolled in law school and are committed to practicing nonprofit law or another type of public service law

The Lynn Faulkner Viets Scholarship Fund –To be awarded to a Muscogee County School District student who is entering higher education that shows strong academic achievement, financial need, and strong character

The WestPoint Scholarship Fund*†

The M. Troy Woods Scholarship Fund - To provide support for one student who demonstrates high academic achievement and leadership potential, and who intends to earn an undergraduate degree in cybersecurity through Columbus State University’s Turner College of Business

CONTRIBUTORS TO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Donations of all sizes were received throughout 2023 from hundreds of individuals, families and organizations. Their gifts will be used to benefit the community now and in the future. Every effort has been made to ensure that this report is accurate. However, if we have made any errors, please accept our apology and call our office at (706) 320-0027 so that we may correct our records.

The following have given $500 or more to one or more Funds at the CFCV.

A-Com Enterprises, Inc.

Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Aflac Incorporated

Alabama Power Foundation, Inc.

Alexander Contracting Company Inc

Jay Alexander

Mr. and Mrs. J. Rick Alexander

Mrs. W. Mizell Alexander

American Library Association

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel P. Amos

The Kathelen V. and Daniel P. Amos Fund, CFCV

Wanda J. Amos

Anonymous Friends of the Foundation

Mr. Dwayne Ashley

Ms. Katherine M. Athey

Erroll J Bailey

Joe Banner

Barrier Cable, Inc.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley

Benevity Community Impact Fund

Ms. Paula Berezin

Ms. Susan Berry

Ms. Marjorie B. Bickerstaff

Mrs. Thomas B. Black

Blackwell’s, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. David Blanchard

Mr. and Mrs. James H. Blanchard

Chad Booth

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Bowick

Bradley-Turner Foundation

David Brenton’s Team

Briscoe Family Foundation, Inc.

Mr. Alphonce J. Brown

Mr. and Mrs. David M. Brown

Mr. John S. Brown

Ali and Jim Bruder

Jimmy Bruder

Dr. Mary Alice Budge

Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Burdeshaw

The Suzanne F. and Edward C. Burdeshaw Fund, CFCV

Ms. Nancy Burgin

Mrs. Otis B. Burnham

Julie Burrus

Ms. Birgit Burton

The Stephen T. & Kent H. Butler Fund, CFCV

Jacqui & Rick Caffey

Capital Wealth Management Group, LLC

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Caproni III

Valerie Caproni

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cartwright

Leigh Shelton Cassady

Mr. and Mrs. J. Edgar Chancellor III

Venus L Chapman

The Loretto Chappell Book Endowment Fund, CFCV

Mr. Robert W. Chitwood

Rob Chrane

Peter Ciarrocchi

Mr. Curtis Clark

CLIBOCA Foundation

CMS Wireless

Cultural Arts Alliance - Visit ColumbusGA

Columbus Foot and Ankle

Columbus Lawyers Educational Foundation, Inc.

Columbus State University Foundation, Inc.

Committee to Elect Richard Smith

Conaway Electrical Service

Mike Cottmeyer

Country’s Midnight Express, LLC

Cuff-Columbus

Dadisman Family Fund at the Community Foundation of North Florida

Daniel Appliance

The Daniel P. Amos Family Foundation, Inc.

David Rothschild Co., Inc.

Betty S. Davis

Gregory Davis

Janet Davis

Mr. John Davis Dedwylder

Greta and Monty deMayo

DittoLive Incorporated

Dr. Tekemia Dorsey

Mr. and Mrs. Allen Doyle

Mr. and Mrs. Willie L. Dozier

The Dreyden Fund, CFCV

Mr. and Mrs. James Dudley

Dykes Body Shop, Inc.

The EHH Gift Fund, CFCV

Mr. and Mrs. Thad Estes

Extreme PowerSports, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Feighner, Jr.

Lucile Flournoy

The Fort Trustee Fund, CFCV

Mellie Fountain and James W. Griffin

FP Owner, LLC

The Fuller Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust

Mr. F. Fulton Galer

Ms. Mary Jane F. Galer

The Doctors Cynthia C. and R. Spencer Garrard

George and Ann Swift Family Foundation, Inc.

Georgia Power Foundation

Gerard Gibbons

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Gier

Mr. Randy Gorod

Greater Giving

Amina and Riah Greathouse

Ms. Gail B. Greenblatt

Dr. Henry J. Hall

Susette P. Hall

Hardaway Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Alan Harkness

The Harmann Family-Pam and Edwin Page Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Judye S. Harris

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hecht

Hecht, Burdeshaw Architects, Inc.

The James G. and Kathryn A. Hillenbrand Fund, CFCV

Mr. and Mrs. James Hillenbrand

Hollingsworth Family Foundation

The Hollis/Link Fund, CFCV

Mr. Justus Martin Huff

Hughston Clinic, P.C./ HMMG, LLC

Suzanne Hughston

Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Humphries

Hunter Family Fund, Fidelity Charitable

Mrs. Teresa S. Irvin

Jeff’s Truck Tops

J.W. and Ethel I. Woodruff Foundation

Dr. and Mrs. Tom Jacobs

Mary Louise P. Jarrell

Mr. Charles D. Johnson

Maggie Johnston

Kwanza Jones

The Jordan Foundation

Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd.

Mr. and Mrs. William Jordan

The June and Bruce Howard Family Charitable Gift Fund, Schwab Charitable

K&K Aggregate, Inc.

Mrs. Jack B. Key

Kindred Healthcare Operating, LLC

Kinetic Credit Union

The Betty Lindsay King Charitable Fund, CFCV

Mr. Matthew W. King

Dr. and Mrs. Edward B. Kinner

The Knight Foundation Fund, CFCV

Ms. Tricia Konan

The Katie and Justin Krieg Fund, CFCV

The David and Jane Cohn Kulbersh Charitable Fund, CFCV

Lambda Sigma Chapter, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. John Laska

Lautus Special Risks, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lewis

The Lipham Foundation, Inc.

Lockwood Partners Foundation, Inc.

The Honorable Joey M. Loudermilk

Reshunda L. Mahone Ed.D., CFRE

Mr. and Mrs. Derek Mann

The Maple Family

The Mark Family

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Marvets

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. McAvoy

McClure Family Foundation

Robert McKenna

The MCLF Special Projects Fund, CFCV

The MCLF Operating Fund, CFCV

Ann and William McWhirter

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Meeks

Mellow Mushroom

Mercedes-Benz of Columbus

Ms. Shawn Mewhorter

Midland Meadows, LLC

The Mildred Miller Fort Foundation

Ms. Louis K. Miller

Michelle Montgomery

Victoria Faith Montgomery

The Turner and Michele Moshell Fund, CFCV

Muscogee County Friends of Libraries, Inc.

The Muscogee County Library Foundation Fund, CFCV

The Muscogee County Library Endowment Fund, CFCV

The Muscogee County Library Ruth Brooks Yancey

Endowment Fund, CFCV

Navco Foundation , Inc.

Network for Good, Inc.

The Next Generation Fund of the Bradley-Turner Foundation

Dr. Nick Norwood

Ann Cary Noyes

The W. Michael & Elizabeth C. Ogie Fund, CFCV

Mr. and Mrs. W. Michael Ogie

Steve & Mary Olive

Joydi Ovalle

The Page-Sheek Fund, CFCV

Patterson Property Inspections, LLC

Mr. Christopher B. Patterson

Dr. and Mrs. Robert M. Patton

The Paul S. and Jean R. Amos Family Foundation, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Pease

Mr. Jack J. Pease

Mr. Donnie Peek

The Pezold Family Foundation

Mr. John D. Pezold

Mr. Frank A. Philips

The Elizabeth B. and Alan C. Ramsay, Jr. Fund, CFCV

Joan Redmond

The Richard and Helen Robbins Family Foundation, Inc.

Rights To Ricky Sanchez

Ms. Kathy Riley

RiverCenter, Inc.

The Robert and Carol Flowers Foundation

Rodgers Metal Craft

Rosehill Seafood, Inc.

The Rotary Club of Columbus

The David and Barbara Rothschild Fund, CFCV for the Muscogee County Libraries Fund, CFCV

The Jewett and Alan Rothschild Fund, CFCV

Assets by Fund Type

Donor Advised Funds 79%

Designated, Organization & Field of Interest Funds 16%

Unrestricted & Area Funds 3%

Scholarship Funds 2%

Mrs. Elizabeth H. Russell

Ms. Margaret Salter

Sarah H. and Jack C. Hughston Foundation, Inc.

Kristen Saunders

Mrs. Maxine R. Schiffman

Emily Lawrimore Schillinger

The Frank and Meg Schley Family Fund, CFCV

The Shain Schley Fund, CFCV

Schuster Enterprises, Inc.

Kimberly Scott

Nell Hudson Scrantom

Patricia Sebastian

Ms. Sharon Self

Christine Shaw

Shelby and Wanda Amos Foundation

Mr. Ernest Smallman IV

Andrea and Bruce Smith

The Estate of J.W. Smith and Laura S. Smith

SOMA Foundation

Southern States Bank

The Ken Spano Charitable Foundation Fund, CFCV

Mr. and Mrs. Jay Sparks

Mr. Tracy E. D. Spencer

Ms. Tiffany Shreve

Mr. Warren B. Steele

Dr. and Mrs. John Stephenson

Mr. Sam Stott

Mr. Brice Patterson

Sunshine Banners and Signs

Barbara C. Swift

Carter Epping Swift

Synovus

Chris & Melissa Taylor

Pamela Thayer

Ms. Melissa Thomas

The Thornton Jordan Family Foundation

Dr. and Mrs. Chip Tillman

The Tyler and Eleanore Townsend Fund, CFCV

Mr. and Mrs. William B. Turner, Jr.

The John and Amandah Turner Fund, CFCV

United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Ussery

Mr. Dan Veach

W.C. Bradley Company

Mrs. George E. Wade III

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Wade, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. John Walden, Jr.

The Darwin and Danielle Walker Bank of America CGF

Dr. and Mrs. Wade Wallace

Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Wallace

The Walter Alan Richards Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Carl J. Watry

Mrs. Janice M. Watson

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

The WestPoint Fund, CFCV

Dr. and Mrs. Cecil F. Whitaker, Jr.

Ms. Carme Williams

Yalonda Wilson

Brevard House Windsor

The Woodroof-Funderburke Fund, The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta

Mr. and Mrs. M. Troy Woods

The Troy and Gloria Woods Fund, CFCV

Mr. William C. Woolfolk

The Yancey Family Foundation

Mrs. Rebecca K. Yarbrough

Youth Orchestra Association of Greater Columbus, Inc.

GRANTS FROM THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION’S FUNDS

The following charitable organizations and efforts received grants of $500 or more during the year.

UNRESTRICTED AND AREA FUNDS

The Community Endowment Fund (The CFCV’s Discretionary Fund)

Candid (formerly the Foundation Center, Inc.) – to fund the Foundation Center Funding Information Network at the Columbus Public Library, providing all area nonprofits with administrative, board-building and fundraising information

The Chattahoochee Valley Fair Fund and the Community Endowment Fund (The CFCV’s Discretionary Fund) and its three named sub-funds: the Moselle W. and H. Quigg Fletcher, Jr., Endowment Fund, the Susan and Butch Cochran Family Fund, and the Fred and Catalina Aranas Family Fund – made application-based Community Impact Awards to projects of:

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley, Inc.

Chattahoochee River Conservancy (Chattahoochee Riverwarden)

Columbus Symphony Orchestra

Historic Columbus Foundation, Inc.

Springer Opera House Arts Association, Inc.

St. Anne Catholic Church

StartUP Columbus, Inc.

Truth Spring Incorporated

UGrow, Inc., dba The Food Mill

DESIGNATED, FIELD OF INTEREST & ORGANIZATION FUNDS*

*Note: In several of these cases the CFCV is acting as the fiscal agent for a specific charitable effort, therefore grants from the particular Fund can be made to a for-profit entity that has provided goods or services on behalf of the Fund’s charitable effort. The list below details the direct grantee and/or the effort on behalf of which grants were made.

African American Development Officers Network, Inc.

Association of Fundraising Professionals

Carroll Center for the Blind Inc.

Columbus Area Habitat for Humanity

Columbus High School Alumni Association, Inc.

Dollywood Foundation

Dragonfly Trails, Inc.

Historic Westville, Inc.

Hope Harbour, Inc.

House of Mercy

Huckabay Independent School District

LaGrange Academy, Inc.

LaGrange Art Museum, Inc.

LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, Inc.

NeighborWorks Columbus

North Columbus Elementary School

Pluta Cancer Center Foundation, Inc.

Pta Georgia Congress

RiverCenter, Inc.

StartUP Columbus, Inc.

The A.C. Chancellor Memorial Fund, CFCV

The AADO (African American Development Officers) Fund, CFCV

The Aiming High Academy of Columbus, Georgia, Fund, CFCV

The Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit Juvenile Drug Court Foundation Fund, CFCV

The Columbus GA 2025 Fund, CFCV

The Columbus Safe Streets Fund, CFCV

The Columbus Scholars Administrative Support Fund, CFCV

The Columbus Symphony Orchestra Endowment Fund, CFCV

The Columbus Symphony Orchestra Rental Fund, CFCV

The Coronavirus Response Fund, CFCV

The Home for Good Permanent Supportive Housing Plan Implementation Fund, CFCV

The Loretto Chappell Book Endowment Fund, CFCV

The MCLF Operating Fund, CFCV

The MCLF South Columbus Library Fund, CFCV

The MCLF Special Projects Fund, CFCV

The Muscogee County Library Ruth Brooks Yancey Endowment Fund, CFCV

The Parks Memorial Public Library Fund, CFCV

The Rothschild Family for Rothschild Leadership Academy Fund, CFCV

The WISE Fund

The Youth Infrastructure Coalition Fund, CFCV

Truth Spring Incorporated

UGrow, Inc., dba The Food Mill

United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, Inc.

Uptown Columbus, Inc.

Valley Rescue Mission, Inc.

Wake for Warriors, Inc.

Young Life of Columbus, GA

Youth Orchestra Association of Greater Columbus, Inc.

DONOR ADVISED FUNDS

18th Ward

Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation

Al’s Angels

Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc. - Columbus, GA Chapter

American Little League

American Red Cross of Southwest Georgia

Andrew College

Animal Services and Operations Support

Appalachian State University Foundation, Inc.

Arthritis Foundation, Inc.

As You Are Ministries, Inc.

Asbury Theological Seminary

Asheville School, Inc.

Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency, Inc.

Atlanta Community Food Bank, Inc.

Atlanta Historical Society, Inc.

Atlanta Humane Society & Society

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Atlanta Music Project, Inc.

Atlanta Police Foundation, Inc.

Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc.

Atlanta Speech School, Inc.

Atlanta Youth Academies Foundation, Inc.

Avon Old Farms School, Inc.

B.R.I.D.G.E. of Columbus, Inc.

Baptist Health South Florida Foundation, Inc.

Beaumont Health Foundation

Begin Again Farms, Inc.

Bluffton Self Help

Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation, Inc.

Bok Tower Gardens, Inc.

Bolles School

Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Inc.

Boy Scouts of America, Chattahoochee Council

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley, Inc.

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Greater New Orleans

Brookstone School, Inc.

Brown Bag of Columbus, Inc.

Buckhead Heritage Society, Inc.

Bulldog Club

Cafe Reconcile New Orleans, Inc.

Camp Cole Foundation, Inc.

Camp Southern Ground, Inc.

Camp Sunshine, Inc.

Camp Twin Lakes, Inc.

Camp Viola, Inc.

Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc.

Cape Ann Museum, Inc.

Cascade Hills Church

Cataula Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

Catholic Charities Of The Archdiocese Of Atlanta, Inc.

Catholic Foundation of North Georgia

Chatham Hall

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper

Chattahoochee Riverwarden

Children’s Harbor, Inc.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc.

Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter, Inc.

Children’s Medical Center Foundation

Children’s Mercy Hospital

Children’s National Hospital Foundation

Choral Society of West Georgia, Inc.

Christ Episcopal Church

Church of the Highlands, Inc.

City Church Knoxville

Cityscape Church

Clement Arts

Columbia Theological Seminary

Columbus Alliance For Regional Investment, Inc.

Columbus Area Habitat for Humanity

Columbus Baptist Association

Columbus Community Orchestra and Associates, Inc.

Columbus Economic Development Corporation

Columbus GA Pickleball Assoc Inc

Columbus High School

Columbus Hospice, Inc.

Columbus Regional Medical Foundation, Inc.

Columbus Regional Tennis Association, Inc. (CORTA)

Columbus Scholars, Inc.

Columbus State University Foundation, Inc.

Columbus Symphony Orchestra

Columbus Technical College Foundation, Inc.

Committee for Open Democracy Inc

Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation

Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, Inc.

Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga

Community Foundation of Jackson Hole

Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, Inc.

Community Resource Center of Chattooga, Inc.

Connecticut Children’s Foundation, Inc.

Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society

dba WorldVenture

Converse College

Covenant House New Orleans

Covenant Presbyterian Church

Covington County Children’s Policy Council

Coweta Falls Steeplechase, Inc.

Crosswater Community Church

Darlington School, Inc.

Davidson College

Daybreak Inc.

Dayton Children’s Hospital

Delta Life Development Foundation, Inc.

Diocese of Savannah

Do Good Fund, Inc.

Dragonfly Trails, Inc.

Duke University

East Tennessee Historical Society, Inc.

Easter Seals West Georgia, Inc.

Elizabeth Foundation

Emory University Office of Gift Accounting

Engage Your Destiny

Enterprise Baptist Church

Epworth Children’s Home

Ethel Walker School, Inc.

Ezekiel Center, Inc.

FABArts, Inc.

Farmington Village Green and Library Association

Feeding the Valley, Inc.

Ferst Readers, Inc.

First Baptist Church of Columbus, GA

First Presbyterian Church

First Tee of Greater Charlotte

First Tee of Troup County

First United Methodist Church

Flint Riverkeeper

Focus on Truth, Inc.

Folds of Honor Foundation

Food Bank of East Alabama, Inc.

Fractured Atlas, Inc.

Friends of The Thread Trail, Inc.

Friends of Worship on the Water

Geneva Baptist Church

George West Mental Health Foundation dba

Skyland Trail

Georgia Conservancy, Inc.

Georgia Humanities Council, Inc.

Georgia Military College Foundation, Inc.

Georgia Organics, Inc.

Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc.

Georgia State Golf Association

Georgia State University Foundation, Inc.

Georgia Tech Athletic Association

Georgia Trust For Historic Preservation, Inc.

Georgia-Alabama Land Trust, Inc.

Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, Inc.

Girls, Inc. of Columbus and Phenix-Russell

Global Effect Ministry, Inc.

Global Teen Challenge, Inc.

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, Inc.

Grace House of Brunswick, Inc.

Grace Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Inc.

GSGA Foundation, Inc.

Haggai International Institute for Advanced Leadership Training, Inc.

Haskins Foundation

Hawai‘i Community Foundation

Headwaters Foundation for Justice

Health Advocates for Older People, Inc. Heart of West Georgia, Inc.

Highlands Chamber Music Festival, Inc.

Historic Columbus Foundation, Inc. Historic Westville, Inc.

Holy Family Catholic Church

Hope Harbour, Inc.

Hope Heals

House of Heroes, Chattahoochee Valley Chapter

House Of T I M E Incorporated

Humane Society of Harris County, Inc.

I am for the Urals, Inc.

Ida Cason Callaway Foundation

Initiative for Affordable Housing Dekalb Inc International Friendship Ministries, Inc. International League of Conservation Photographers

Isaiah 117 House

Isidore Newman School

It’s the Journey, Inc.

Jeeahs Hope, Inc.

Jewish Welfare Federation of Columbus, Georgia, Inc.

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, Inc.

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Foundation, Inc. Johns Hopkins University

Keep Columbus Georgia Beautiful Commission, Inc.

Kentler International Drawing Space, Inc. KID SmART

L.E.A.D., Inc.

LaGrange Art Museum, Inc.

LaGrange College

LaGrange High School

LaGrange Rotary Club Foundation, Inc.

LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, Inc.

Lake Martin Humane Society, Inc.

Lee County Historical Society

Love Like Lexi Project

Lutzie 43 Foundation

Maine Timber Research and Environmental Education Foundation

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia, Inc. Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation, Inc.

Mary Claire Satterly Foundation

McIntosh High School Tip Off Club

Meals On Wheels Atlanta, Inc

Medical College of Georgia Foundation, Inc. Memorial Park Conservancy, Inc.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Mercer University

MercyMed of Columbus

Meriwether Health Properties, Inc.

Merrie Woode Foundation, Inc.

Micah’s Promise, Inc.

Midtown Fellowship

MidTown, Inc.

Misericordia Home

Morning Light Foundation, Inc.

Morningside Baptist Church Of Columbus, Inc.

Mountain Lake Community Service, Inc.

Mountain Mission School

Muscogee County School District

Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation, Inc.

Muscular Dystrophy Association

Naomi’s Village, Inc.

National Alumnae Association of Spelman

College - Columbus Chapter

National Infantry Museum Foundation, Inc.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter

National Outdoor Leadership School

National Park Foundation

Nature Conservancy - Georgia

Nature Now

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

NeighborWorks Columbus

New Orleans Mission, Inc.

North Star Fund, Inc.

Northside United Methodist Church

Northwell Health Foundation

Norwich University

Oconee Regional Humane Society, Inc.

Old Gray Cemetery Historic & Memorial Assn

Open Door Community House, Inc.

Orlando Health Foundation, Inc.

Our Lady of Fatima

Outreach Foundation of the Presbyterian Church, Inc.

Pace Academy, Inc.

Parkinsons Foundation, Inc.

Pastoral Institute, Inc.

Pavillon International

Paws Humane, Inc.

Peace of Heart Community, Inc.

Peachtree Presbyterian Church

Phenix City Mayor’s & Council Ball

Philanthropy Southeast

Phoebe Foundation, Inc.

Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church

P-Man Foundation

Point University, Inc.

Port Columbus Civil War Naval Center, Inc.

Precept Ministries of Reach Out, Inc.

Prisma Health Midlands Foundation

Prison Fellowship Ministries

Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation of the D of C

Queens University of Charlotte

Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts

Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts Foundation, Inc.

Redeemed Foundation Inc.

Reflections Ministries, Inc.

Regents of the University of California Renaissance Charitable Foundation, Inc. Rerouting, Inc.

Richard J. Caron Foundation

Richland Main Street, Inc.

Right from the Start

Rise Against Hunger RiverCenter, Inc.

Riverdale-Porterdale Cemetery Foundation, Inc.

Road Safe America, Inc.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of West Georgia, Inc.

Roof Above, Inc.

Roswell Park Alliance Foundation

Rotary Club of Americus

SafeHouse Ministries

SafeHouse Outreach, Inc.

Saint Brigid Catholic Church Johns Creek, Inc.

Salvation Army of the Midlands

Samaritan’s Purse

Santa’s Castle

Schwab Charitable Fund

Second Presbyterian Church

Shepherd Center Foundation, Inc.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc. - LaGrange

Chapter

Solid Rock Assembly of God Inc

Southern Education Foundation, Inc.

Southland Academy Foundation, Inc.

Special Olympics Connecticut, Inc.

Spectrum Health Foundation

Springer Opera House Arts Association, Inc.

St. Anne Catholic Church

St. Anne Pacelli Catholic School

St. David’s

St. John’s Episcopal Parish Day School, Inc

St. Joseph Healthcare System, Inc.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc.

St. Luke United Methodist Church

St. Norbert Parish & School

St. Patrick R C Church

St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church

St. Paul United Methodist Church

St. Peter’s Catholic Church

St. Pius X Catholic High School

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Standing Boy, Inc.

Stanford University

Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Steps2Walk, Inc.

Stewart Community Home, Inc.

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Take The City, Inc.

Team Rubicon

Teen Advisors, Inc.

Teen Challenge of Florida, Inc.

Temple Israel, Inc.

Teton Raptor Center

Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation

Texas Children’s Hospital

The Aaron Cohn Citizenship Award for Aaron Cohn Middle School Fund, CFCV

The Archibald Project, Inc.

The B24 Fund, CFCV

The Bascom Corporation

The Bess Dedwylder Memorial Fund, CFCV

The Brinton Museum

The Cavalier Rescue

The Citadel Foundation

The Coalition for Sound Growth Fund, CFCV

The Columbus Area Full-Count Census Fund, CFCV

The Columbus Botanical Gardens, Inc.

The Columbus GA 2025 Fund, CFCV

The Columbus Museum, Inc.

The Community Endowment Fund, CFCV

The Country’s Midnight Express Foundation Fund, CFCV

The Family Center of Columbus, Inc.

The Gateways Foundation, Inc.

The Giving Kitchen Initiative, Inc.

The Greater New Orleans Foundation

The Historic Linwood Foundation, Inc.

The Howard School, Inc.

The Hughston Foundation, Inc.

The Kids Foundation of Sunrise Children’s Hospital, Nevada Community Foundation

The Lafayette Society for Performing Arts, Inc.

The LaGrange Art Museum Endowment Fund, CFCV

The Loudoun Agricultural & Chemical Institute Foundation, Inc.

The MCLF South Columbus Library Fund, CFCV

The MCLF Special Projects Fund, CFCV

The Medical University of South Carolina Foundation

The Methodist Home for Children and Youth

The Mill District, Inc.

The Miracle Ride Fund, CFCV

The Muscogee County Library Foundation Fund, CFCV

The Nemours Foundation - Nemours

Children’s Hospital

The Ridge Church

The River of Columbus

The Rock Academy, Inc.

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International

The Salvation Army Columbus, GA Corps

The Sara Spano Clothing Bank Fund, CFCV

The Spring of Tampa Bay, Inc.

The Study Hall, Inc.

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc.

The W.C. Bradley Company Fund, CFCV

The WestPoint Scholarship Fund, CFCV

The Wynn House, Inc.

Trees Columbus, Inc.

Trinity Episcopal Church

Trinity Presbyterian Church

Trinity School, Inc.

Trinity United Methodist Church

Troup Cares, Inc.

Trust for Public Land

Trustbuilding, Inc.

Truth Spring Incorporated

Tulane University

Tulgey Wood, Inc.

Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc.

UGrow, Inc., dba The Food Mill

United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, Inc.

United Way of West Georgia, Inc.

University of Georgia Foundation

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Georgia Foundation, Inc.

University of Richmond

University of Texas Foundation, Inc.

Uptown Columbus, Inc.

USSGA Memorial Fund

Valley Rescue Mission, Inc.

Vanderbilt University

Virginia-Highland Elementary PTO, Inc.

Wake Forest University

Walker Area Community Foundation

Washington and Lee University

Waverly Hall United Methodist Church

Wesley Glen Ministries, Inc.

Wesleyan College

West Central Georgia Fellowship of Christian Athletes

West Georgia Hospice

William & Mary Alumni Association

Williams College

Winding Trails, Inc.

Women’s Initiative for Learning and Discovery Corp. (WILD)

Woodberry Forest School

Work to Ride, Inc.

World Central Kitchen, Inc.

World Vision, Inc.

Wynnton Neighborhood Network, Inc.

YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc.

Young Life - Midlands

Young Life - Midlands College

Young Life Charlotte

Young Life Columbia

Young Life of Columbus, GA

Young Life Southeast Region AF33

Young Mens Christian Association Columbus

Grants from the CFCV by Fund Type*

Donor Advised Funds 66% Designated, Organization & Field of Interest Funds 30%

Scholarship Funds 3% Unrestricted & Area Funds 1%

Youth Orchestra Association of Greater Columbus, Inc.

Zion Church Restoration, Inc.

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Albany State University

Alderson Broaddus University, Inc.

Anderson University

Auburn University

Auburn University, Montgomery

Berry College

Bethel College

Bishop State Community College

Brenau University

Clark Atlanta University, Inc.

Columbus State University - Financial Aid

Eastern Michigan University

Faulkner University

Fort Valley State University

Georgia College and State University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University - Armstrong Campus

Georgia State University

Kennesaw State University

Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Mercer University

Morehouse College

North Park University

Oxford College at Emory University

Pennsylvania Western University

Princeton University

Sacred Heart University

Samford University

Southern Union State Community College

Spring Hill College

The Aaron Cohn Citizenship Award for Aaron Cohn Middle School Fund, CFCV

The University of West Alabama

Tuskegee University

United States Military Academy at West Point

University of Alabama

University of Alabama at Birmingham

University of Alabama in Huntsville

University of Florida

University of Georgia

University of Kansas

University of New Haven

University of Pittsburgh

University of South Carolina

University of South Dakota

Valdosta State University

Wesleyan College

Cash, cash equivalents, and investments $ 294,395,659 $ 265,470,597

Contributions receivable – net 1,834,656 0

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS LIABILITIES

Grants, accounts payable, and other liabilities $ 78,750 $ 22,711

Organization funds 4,646,622 5,400,239

NET ASSETS

General and administrative funds

4,419,971 $ 3,829,347

Undesignated, unrestricted funds 2,663,703 2,545,379

Donor Advised funds 241,821,707 217,106,593

Donor Designated funds 35,055,814 32,086,747

Other

4,989,584

A TRADITION OF LEADERSHIP

Staff

Board of Trustees 2023

Rodney K. Mahone Chair

The Chronicle of Philanthropy Columbus, GA

Melissa E. Gauntt Vice Chair

East Alabama Chamber of Commerce Phenix City, AL

GwenDolyn H. Ruff Secretary Columbus Water Works Columbus, GA

J. Len Williams Treasurer Chair, Finance/ Investment Columbus Affordable Housing Services Columbus, GA

W.H. (Trip) Tomlinson Chair, Distributions Community Leader Columbus, GA

Dr. David M. White Immediate Past Chair Chair, Board Development Community Leader. Midland, GA

The Rev. Adrian J. Chester Greater Beallwood Baptist Church Columbus, GA

The Rev. Dr. James C. Elder, Jr.* First Baptist Church Columbus, GA

George G. Flowers Community Leader Columbus, GA

Geniece T. Granville Davis Broadcasting Columbus, GA

Kenneth M. Henson, Jr.* Attorney Columbus, GA

W. Fray McCormick

Page, Scrantom, Sprouse, Tucker & Ford, PC Columbus, GA

Anna Marie McWilliams* Calvary Christian School Columbus, GA

Robert E. Nobles Synovus Trust Columbus, GA

The Hon. Benjamin S. Richardson

Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit Superior Court Columbus, GA

L. Dupuy Sears Community Leader LaGrange, GA

Tyler A. Townsend* Townsend Wealth Management Columbus, GA

John T. Turner Community Leader Columbus, GA

Wright B. Waddell Morgan Stanley Columbus, GA

General Counsel

Alan F. Rothschild, Jr. Page, Scrantom, Sprouse, Tucker & Ford, PC Columbus, GA

*New in 2023

Betsy W. Covington

Chemitra C. Glenn Operations Manager

Kelli M. Parker Vice President, Grants & Programs

Leah A. Poole, CPA Chief Financial Officer

Have you noticed how much dreck is playing in local theaters? It’s that time of year when Hollywood throws its weakest material on the silver screen with little or no fanfare so it can better spend its promotional budgets on the next wave of summer blockbusters. It’s a period known in the industry as “The Dump Months.” So, where did this phenomenon in the cinematic calendar come from? What market forces and movie-going habits gave birth to our modern movie release schedule?

The birth of the summer blockbuster was an accident of sorts that began on June 20, 1975, with the release of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. Viewing the project with nearly 50 years of movie marketing hindsight, the film had a lot in its favor. It was based on a bestselling novel. It hit theaters at the beginning of beach vacation season. Kids were out of school,

BY SCOTT PHILLIPS

and with its PG rating, they were able to attend without a parent.

Jaws earned back its entire reported production budget ($7 million) on its opening weekend and became the first film to earn over $100 million at the U.S. box office. It was a global phenomenon. Lines around the block at every neighborhood theater, and your only chance to see it again was to buy another ticket. There were no streaming services, no Blu-rays, no DVDs and no VHS.

In those days, summer began in early to mid-June and extended through the Labor Day Weekend. Jaws dominated the silver screen for over three months. It single-handedly originated the summer blockbuster season, and Memorial Day Weekend became its unofficial kick-off. Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, The Return of the Jedi, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade were all Memorial Day Weekend releases in the 1970’s and 80’s. The trend continues to this day. Top Gun: Maverick set the Memorial Day Weekend record in 2022, grossing over $160 million that holiday weekend.

Fall, on the other hand, means prestige pictures and arthouse films. Even if it’s only a “qualifying run” in Los Angeles and/or New York before going nationwide in the New Year, a film must hit theaters before the end of the year to qualify for awards. The strategy for awards season is simple: recency bias. Over the past twenty years, only four films that won the Best Picture Oscar were released before September 1st: CODA (2022), Nomadland (2021), The Hurt Locker (2010) and Crash (2004). Public relations reps, production companies and distributors want their awards candidates on the minds of voters when the voting deadline approaches.

If you’re neither a summer blockbuster nor a fall awards contender, you’re an “in-betweener,” a film that leaves executives wondering how to bring you to market. How does the annual stockpile of Dump Month titles accumulate? The answer is simple: a lack of faith in the finished product. The film may have tested poorly. It may have been a troubled production that would require expensive re-shoots to shape it into a more viable release. Sometimes that lack of faith lies inside the industry machine itself. The executive who “green-lit” the film may have since been fired or defected to another production company.

When you lose your support among the studio “brass,” the new regime that’s taken over may quietly burn off the film during The Dump Months to avoid putting promotional dollars into the project. Think of it like a new head coach of a football team firing the existing assistant coaches to bring in his own people, only in this context the assistant coaches are motion pictures. C

Scott Phillips is a Columbus resident and current president of the Southeastern Film Critics Association. His reviews and other work can be found at Forbes.com

Growing Wild

BY BRETT BUCKNER

Columbus’ Gateways Foundation continues participation in the GDOT’s Wildflower Program

Wildflowers are reminders that beauty is found in the unlikeliest of places. They are tough, taking root wherever they want, sprawling across fields, growing strong in unforgiving environments, forever dancing with the wind, sun and rain. Wildflowers, it could be argued, have the most beautiful blossoms because of the effort it took to create them.

But even nature occasionally needs a nudge in the right direction. To that end, the Gateways Foundation is continuing its long-running partnership with the

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the City of Columbus by continuing its participation in the statewide Wildlife Program.

Foundation members are doing a dual-seed planting rotation of Summer cosmos mix of bipinnatus (purple, pink, lavender and white) and sulphur (orange and yellow). These wildflowers will be planted along I-185 exits 7 (Manchester Expressway) and 14 (Smith Road), joining daffodils which have already been planted along Smith Road.

“This is also our contribution to the pollinator habitat,” said Executive Director of Gateways Foundation, Cameron Bean, “which will lead to our inclusion of wildflower planting into our future

gateways designs, including Bradley Park and a dual planting for Smith Road.

“We’re trying to find a way to cover all the seasons with wildflowers, so there is a healthy rotation for our citizens to enjoy.”

Established in 1999 under the leadership of John Francis Flournoy, Sr., the mission of the Gateways Foundation is to provide funding and support for community beatification projects in particular areas of high visibility such as Macon Road and J.R. Allen Parkway on I-85, Bradley Park Drive and the Fort Moore Gateway.

It’s all in an effort to showcase the natural beauty of Columbus.

“It’s really an economic development, initiative” Bean said. “Communities only get one chance to make a first impression, and when people visit Columbus, we want them to see that we take pride in the beauty of our city. Beautifying these gateways is the best way to send that message.”

But the Gateways Foundation is also doing its work for those who call Columbus home.

“The citizens of Columbus spend the majority of their lives in their city,” Bean said. “While many have the means and mobility to travel and see other cities, many do not. Everyone in our community deserves the most beautiful city that we can give them.”

When it comes to what can be planted along the hundreds of miles of roadways, as well as those chosen by the foundation, GDOT has certain standards that must be adhered to. That means choosing plants that native and non-invasive species, plants that are “hardy and essentially bullet proof,” Bean added.

“We want things that will show well within a large landscape.”

The Wildflower Program began in 1974 when Virginia Hand Callaway, then chair of the Birds and Wildflowers Committee of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., spearheaded the movement to plant and protect wildflowers on the roadsides. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and several Garden Club of Georgia members presented their ideas to Georgia DOT Commissioner Downing Musgrove, who endorsed the program. Learn more at GatewaysFoundation.org. C

Smilemakers

Oral health is a window to your overall health, and problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body. That's why it's important to have regular dental checkups. From a self-esteem perspective, a beautiful smile builds confidence and helps you to be the best that you can be.

The dental professionals on the following pages offer a myriad of services to ensure you have a healthy, confident smile. Read on to discover how they can help you.

West Georgia Oral & Facial Surgery On the Cutting Edge of Technology

With more than 40 years of combined specialty surgical experience, Dr. Lee Allen and Dr. Mark Zwickey have made West Georgia Oral and Facial Surgery the maxillofacial surgery and rejuvenation one-stop-shop. “Maxillofacial is a big word,” said Dr. Allen, “which means our dental training includes advanced oral and facial techniques that make us unique providers.”

To provide the best possible treatments for their patients means being constantly updated and informed about the technological changes within the industry and being willing to implement those changes within their practice.

“When it comes to technology and the dentistry profession, it is important for our practice to keep up with the latest trends and advances,” Dr. Zwickey said. “Advances in technology help to assist in proper patient care as well as more precise treatment methods, which in return can create a successful outcome and better recovery.”

West Georgia Oral and Facial Surgery is a licensed facility that can provide different types of anesthesia in its offices for every patient whether they want local or IV sedation.

“We cater to that, and can make their procedure seamless,” Dr. Allen said.

“As far as procedures themselves, we specialize in implants and have the 3-D treatment technology to perform single or multiple tooth replacement care for routine, or urgent cases in our office. We also specialize in cosmetic techniques like Botox and fillers,” Dr. Allen said.

Another aspect that sets them apart is a team approach. “We concentrate on surgery,” he said, “but work with a patient’s general dentist to do comprehensive planning using CONE Beam imagery software. Advances in bone grafting, plus implant placement innovations are exciting, too, and help improve the success rate long term.

“One of the things we pride ourselves on is that our staff excels at providing compassionate care and making a visit for an anxious patient as easy as possible,” Dr. Allen said. “We have highly trained long-term employees, who understand anxiety and emphasize that we are here to provide state-of-theart surgery in a compassionate environment.”

Dr. Allen completed training at Louisiana State Medical Center and moved to Columbus four years ago after practicing for 20 years in West Virginia. “Dr. Zwickey has been here 15 years,” he said, “and patients appreciate that we live locally with our families.”

He concluded, “We find that a lot of people put off dental surgery due to apprehension, and in those cases, seeing their amazement when they wake up from sedation and their surgery is already done is very rewarding.”

The emergence of COVID-19 has been a disruptive force to life and business around the world. That includes patients of West Georgia Oral and Facial Surgery, but Dr. Allen and Dr. Zwickey and their staff are prepared to meet the challenge.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has increased stress in our patients and staff, but our office has been committed to patient care and safety,” Dr. Zwickey said. “We have increased our usage of PPE to our staff and patients, as well as practicing extra disinfectant measures around our lobby, front office and patient rooms where consultations and procedures take place.”

Extra precautions don’t end there.

“We have also implemented air purification filters throughout the office,”

West Georgia Oral and Facial Surgery

Dr. Allen said. “We want to ensure that our patients feel at ease and safe from the time they enter our office and throughout their entire treatment process.”

Dentistry is a profession that is as challenging as it is rewarding. But for both Dr. Allen and Dr. Zwickey, it’s the patients who make the effort worthwhile.

“Dentistry can be a challenging profession,” Dr. Allen said. “Each patient has their own concerns and challenges that they bring to our practice. There is also the constant change in techniques and procedures that are constantly keeping us on our toes. We are constantly learning to make sure we are offering the utmost care to our patients.”

“Despite the challenges that come along with the dentistry industry, it is extremely rewarding to see how our care can change a person’s life and confidence,” added Dr. Zwickey. “Whether we help a patient with pain, help to restore their smile, or provide cosmetic procedures they desire, seeing a happy and satisfied patient makes every day worth any challenge that comes our way.”

For more information about the services that West Georgia Oral and Facial Surgery offers, call 706.596.1757 or visit WestGaOralSurgery.com. ADV.

Dr. Allen Dr. Zwickey

Gentle Dentistry of Columbus Making Going to the Dentist a Joy

Growing up in Columbus, the daughter of Dr. Eddie Paris, your local endodontist, Dr. Devon Paris remembers how afraid patients often were coming into his office, dreading root canals. Fortunately, the fear was gone after the procedure.

“When they left, everyone seemed to have a look of relief or even happiness on their faces,” Dr. Paris said. “As I decided I wanted to grow up to be a dentist, I was determined that I wanted them to have a smile on their face when they came in not only when they left. With our new location in Brookstone Centre we were able to improve our technology with our service as well as a larger facility.”

A Columbus native, Dr. Paris attended Samford University in Birmingham where she received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology. After Samford, she returned to her birth city Augusta, Georgia, to attend the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry where she would graduate with her Doctors of Dental Medicine degree in 2014.

When opening her own practice, Dr. Paris found exactly what she was looking for in 2018 when she bought the existing Gentle Dentistry. Keeping the name just made sense.

“A majority of people, when they think dentist, think needle, rough handling, etc., but this Gentle Dentistry title was just the name I wanted to have as my practice name,” she said. “My goal is to change all my patients views on dentistry from an anxietyridden, serious, painful space to a stress-relieving, laughter-filled, empathetic office. We have tried to use neutral earthy tones with a lot of natural light from the big windows in the new building so patients will feel at ease.”

Working alongside Dr. Paris is associate dentist Dr. Laura Watterson, who joined the practice in 2023. She is a compassionate dentist who takes great pride in listening and getting to know her patients. She offers a variety of general and cosmetic dental treatments.

They, along with a trained staff of hygienists, all working together toward a common goal—“to make coming to the dentist a joy,” Dr. Paris said. Dr. Paris also has the long term goals to find a new dentist to serve as a partner in this practice.

GENTLE DENTISTRY OF COLUMBUS PROVIDES:

• Crowns and Bridges: These preserve and restore the structure of your teeth to improve a tooth’s appearance and help prevent teeth from cracking.

• Cleanings and Exams: Hygienists evaluate your dental health, provide the appropriate cleaning and educate patients on proper technique and gum disease, then the dentists come in to check teeth for cavities.

• Restoring Implants: Placing the crowns or bridges on top of implants in order to create an esthetic and functioning smile after teeth were extracted.

at night. This type of appliance is the closest thing we have currently to natural teeth.

• Fillings: Tooth colored fillings restore the tooth to a healthy state once the cavity (or “sugar bugs”) are removed, and leave it looking like nothing ever happened.

• Sealants: A sealant is one of the most valuable preventative tools we have in dentistry because it keeps teeth healthy without having to remove or take away any natural tooth structure. Sealants are just painted into the deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of teeth so when you eat, nothing gets trapped down in there creating a cavity!

• Extractions: Tooth removal due to cavities, trauma or crowding.

• Teeth Whitening: The cosmetic procedure that lightens the color of teeth. This can be done on the outside of natural teeth and on the inside of teeth with root canals. We offer the following options: take home trays, Opalescence GO! Kits and internal bleaching.

• Botox (Coming late Summer/early Fall): Helping to solve your TMJ issues or just if you prefer a quick all-in-one visit.

Dr. Paris and her staff at Gentle Dentistry are especially proud of their cosmetic dentistry services and Botox is a new option that is coming soon.

“We even got awarded the 2022 and 2023 Columbus People’s Choice Award Runner’s Up for Cosmetic Dentistry here in Columbus,” she said. “This was the greatest honor of all because this award was chosen by the public.”

Dr. Paris views her and the staff’s overarching approach to patient care in terms that a sports ravenous area can fully appreciate.

“My bedside manner is like having your best teammate by your side,” she said. “Whether it is visiting with a patient in hygiene just joking around like during practice or helping a patient to a common goal of oral health like when trying to score that final goal.

“The hope is to always be here for the people who need me.” ADV.

• Hybrids: Removing all teeth on an arch when those teeth are not fixable and replacing those teeth with a brand new set—color of tooth, shape of tooth, size of tooth to your liking. These are fixed to implants under your gums and do not have to be removed Gentle

Dr. Paris Dr. Watterson

Mark Lawrence • Pediatric Dentistry A Smile for Generations

Dr. Mark Lawrence knew who he wanted his patients to be before he completed dental school.

“For me it was all about the kids,” he said. “I just love working with kids.”

Lawrence has been a pediatric dentist since 1999. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry, where he completed both his dental degree, and his two-year residency in pediatric dentistry.

Since opening his own practice, Lawrence has fostered a comforting relationship with his young patients.

“It’s very meaningful to me to meet someone who might be scared or nervous about going to the dentist and help them relax and know that it’s all going to be OK,” he said. “We want them to leave happy and willing to come back.”

Given that many adults are nervous about going to the dentist, teaching children that there’s nothing to fear has long-lasting benefits.

“Having kids grow up and go on to a general dentist is our main goal,” Lawrence said. “We raise kids into adults that aren’t afraid of the dentist.”

Fostering that sense of comfort begins when patients walk into the waiting room. Rather than uncomfortable chairs and TVs tuned to the news, Lawrence’s waiting room features aquariums and vintage video games.

“Keeping them busy keeps them more relaxed,” Lawrence said.

To maintain that level of comfort, Lawrence’s office incorporates open bays for treatments and cleanings. Rather than being in private rooms, young patients can see one another.

“Your smile is your first impression,” Dr. Matthew Adams said. “We want our patients to feel confident each time they smile.”

At Adams Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, confidence, overall experience and comfort are not just priorities, they’re promises. With over 40 years of serving Columbus, their practice understands the profound impact a confident smile can have. Their dedicated team of dental professionals is committed to ensuring your comfort and satisfaction at every step. With a patientcentric approach, they strive to provide a seamless and stress-free experience.

“We recognize that some people are not comfortable going to the dentist, but it is something you need to do to stay healthy,” Dr. Adams explained. “Our job is to make sure our patients are getting the services and quality care they deserve.

WHY CHOOSE ADAMS FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY?

• Patient-Centric Approach: They prioritize your confidence, comfort and overall well-being, ensuring a positive experience for everyone.

• Commitment to Quality Care: Their experienced dentists and staff are dedicated to delivering the highest quality treatments and services tailored to meet individual needs.

“I think it helps to see other kids going through the same things. They know they’re not alone.”

Maintaining a child's dental health provides health benefits well into adulthood because those so-called baby teeth serve important functions. They serve as guides for the eruption of permanent teeth by holding the spaces where the new teeth will arrive.

The tops of the permanent teeth push against the roots of the baby teeth, causing them to reabsorb or melt away so that adult teeth can take their proper place.

To keep children coming back, Dr. Lawrence takes a personal approach.

“My basic philosophy is that I treat every child like they’re my own,” he said. “I won’t do anything with your child that I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing on my own.” ADV.

Dr. Mark Lawrence Pediatric Dentistry

• Emphasis on Preventive Care: They believe in the power of preventive care to maintain optimal oral health with regular check-ups.

• Professional Expertise: With Dr. Matthew Adams and Dr. Merle Schwartzentruber leading their team, you can trust in their expertise and commitment to excellence.

• Comprehensive Services: From routine cleanings to cosmetic dentistry, crowns, implants and emergency care, they offer a wide range of services to address all your dental needs.

• Advanced Technology: They stay at the forefront of dental innovation, utilizing cuttingedge technology to provide precise diagnoses and effective treatments.

• Comfortable Environment: Their warm and welcoming atmosphere will make you feel right at home, helping to alleviate any anxiety and ensuring a relaxing experience

Dr. Adams and Dr. Schwartz are their two leading dentists. Dr. Adams has been practicing dentistry for 22 years. He joined Adams Family and Cosmetic Dentistry with his father, now retired, in 2001. Dr. Schwartz joined the team after moving to Georgia in 2021. ADV.

Dr. Lawrence

Dr. Schwartz

Dr. Adams

Dr. Joseph Arnold & Dr. Alexander Caves Delivering an unparalleled patient experience

Dr. Joseph Arnold was a young student when he first discovered a passion for science. That love first led him to medicine before he ultimately chose to become a dentist.

“The reason I chose [dentistry] is I felt it was the area of medicine that was the most preventative in its scope,” he said. “I feel in dentistry that we were able to prevent things instead of just treating conditions.”

Dr. Arnold has been practicing in Columbus for 34 years. He moved here after graduating from dental school at University of Oklahoma when he purchased the practice of Dr. David Wise and now has an office at 1013 Centre Brook Court.

Last year, Dr. Arnold welcomed Dr. Alexander Caves to join his practice. Working alongside Dr. Arnold, Dr. Caves found both a mentor and co-worker who shares his passion for the art of dentistry.

“We pride ourselves on delivering an unparalleled patient experience that sets us apart from other practices,” Dr. Caves said. “Our team of highly skilled and compassionate professionals are dedicated to providing personalized and comprehensive care, ensuring that each patient receives individualized attention.”

Dr. Caves, who graduated from The University of Georgia in 2017 then attended The Dental College of Georgia, was born to be a dentist. His father practiced orthodontics in Columbus for 35 years.

“Growing up I witnessed firsthand the profound impact he made on people’s lives through oral care,” he said. “Inspired by his commitment to the well-being of our community, I set out on a path to pursue dentistry, driven by a genuine passion for serving and caring for the smiles of those around me. My dream is not only to carry on the family legacy but also to contribute to the dental health and happiness of the Columbus community that I proudly call home.”

Together, Drs. Arnold and Caves provide general dentistry, restorative work, endodontics and cosmetic dentistry. It’s their approach to technology and continual learning that separates this practice from others.

“It is nice to have years of experience with different materials and procedures compared to the new ones that come out,” Dr. Arnold said. “That way I can determine if it’s something better or just something new.” ADV.

Dr. Caves

Dr. Arnold

120 YEARS OF SERVICE

TREATING WATER RIGHT

Dear Columbus Water Works Customers and Stakeholders,

For over 120 years, Columbus Water Works (CWW) has proudly served our community with dedication and expertise, dating back to our first Board meeting in 1903. Our team of committed experts has worked around the clock to establish a legacy of responsible water resource management, environmental stewardship, and a proactive approach to State and Federal regulations.

Notable achievements include transformative projects like the Riverwalk and an innovative sewer system developed in response to new ordinances, which successfully removed our section of the Chattahoochee River from the EPA’s list of contaminated waterways. Our ongoing PFAS pilot study and the creation of a systemwide service line inventory exemplify our commitment to staying ahead of pending mandates.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

In addition to delivering safe and reliable services to Columbus, our highly skilled team members actively contribute to the community by volunteering and raising funds for the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley. CWW takes immense pride in being a dedicated community partner with organizations across the valley.

Our responsible, environmentally focused, and proactive legacy is a testament to the dedication of our team members who consistently go above and beyond for the community. Thank you for entrusting us as your drinking water and wastewater service provider, as we work together to protect our environment for the next generation. We are honored to protect our neighbors by providing essential water, the fuel of life.

EXECUTIVE TEAM

First meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners

The Chattahoochee was selected as Columbus’s water supply

Dudley Chipley selected as the first Superintendent

Original Water Treatment Plant constructed Chlorine first used as a disinfectant Installed water facilities at the Muscogee County Airport

Rodney Close Chairman of the Board

Steve Davis President

(Front L-R): Billy Cobb, Jr., Executive Vice-President; Steve Davis, President; (Back L-R): Vic Burchfield, SVP, Information, Security, Environmental and Meter Services; Carl Robertson, SVP, Communications, Customer & Financial Services; Gwen Ruff, SVP, Administration and Community Outreach; John Peebles, SVP, Water Resource Operations

Wes Kelley Jennifer Upshaw

Clint Cox, Immediate Past Board Member

Becky Rumer, Immediate Past Vice Chair

Rodney Close, Chair Honorable Mayor Skip Henderson

Nick Smith, Vice Chair

Steve Davis

Keeping Our Water Clean: Then, Now, and into The Future

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Watershed Preservation

CWW is dedicated to protecting our environment, which includes understanding the health of the Chattahoochee River and our surrounding waterways. It was that dedication to environmental protection that was instrumental in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s decision to remove our section of the river from their list of contaminated waterways. In 2023, we completed a 5-year study of our receiving waters and investigated nutrient removal techniques in preparation for new regulation requirements. These efforts have provided us with valuable information to support future water treatment processes as we continue to provide safe, clean drinking water to the community.

FOG Program

While we no longer host our annual grease recycling collection events, our Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) Program is alive and well. We currently have 11 stationary collection drop-off sites throughout Columbus and 6 sites on Ft. Moore that allow residents to drop off their collected FOG 24/7/365. We also collect grease from 42 collection bins installed at apartment complexes throughout the city, and we partner with 152 commercial facilities to collect their used grease each month. The collected grease is then recycled which helps us reduce the impact of FOG on our sewer system’s pipes, pumps, and facilities which helps prolong their useful lives.

Exceeding Compliance: Going Above and Beyond

WATER MANAGEMENT

Lead & Copper Inventory

Columbus Water Works is committed to providing our customers with safe and reliable drinking water. Keeping your household’s water supply safe from potential lead exposure is key to that mission. We also want you to be confident in the safety of your drinking water and the type of material used for your water service lines. In the past several years, the broad awareness of the risks of lead in drinking water has been elevated which has led the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make changes to the 1992 Lead and Copper Rule (LCR).

CWW has no records indicating the presence of leadcontaining service lines in our system, as well as no history of testing data indicating the presence of lead in our drinking water supply. In late 2022 and into 2023, CWW began a new Lead and Copper Inspection Program in response to the EPA’s newly revised rule. It mandates that water utilities across the nation identify and catalog the material of all public and private water service lines/laterals in their service area.

While many utilities across the country have yet to implement an inventory program, our teams have worked tirelessly to verify the materials being used in our system. To date, CWW is 74% complete with the verification of service lines/laterals, all of which have been made of non-lead materials. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of several departments, we are on track to complete our inventory well ahead of the proposed 2024 deadline. For more information visit: www.cwwga.org/lead.

Water Loss Audit

Preventing water loss in our distribution system helps with water conservation and our ability to provide reliable water service to our customers. Following the signing of the Georgia Water Stewardship Act of 2010, Georgia has been a national leader in water loss management policy and was the first to go above and beyond the annual requirements for submitted audits. Each year, CWW joins utilities across the state to perform a water loss audit to help identify areas for improvement. The results of this year’s audit have found that CWW is well within the acceptable range and scores strongly among other utilities across the state.

WATER QUALITY Lead & Copper School Testing

As a part of our Lead & Copper Inspection Program, we partnered with local elementary schools and daycares to ensure their facility’s plumbing is lead-free. The new EPA regulations require the drinking water in all elementary school and daycare facilities to be tested for lead and for schools to complete timely remediation if their water tests are positive for lead. During the summer of 2023, 30 elementary schools, 11 private schools, and 55 daycares were tested. Those results were then provided to each facility. For more information on our Lead & Copper Programs, visit us at www.cwwga.org/lead.

Managing PFAS

Columbus Water Works takes a proactive approach to meeting new and upcoming regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been evaluating the presence of PFAS, aka forever chemicals, in drinking water sources across the country. With new regulations on the horizon, water utilities across the nation are working hard to identify if PFAS are present in their local waterways. These standards are expected to be finalized in 2024 with compliance requirements to follow.

In 2022, CWW began a two-phased pilot study designed to determine the most sustainable, efficient, and effective way to meet the pending regulations. This pilot study is currently being conducted at the Ft. Moore Water Treatment Plant and the results will determine which treatment and removal method we use going forward. Visit our website for more information about PFAS.

Educational Outreach and Community Engagement

PARTNERS IN EDUCATION

Educational Programs

CWW knows that education is key to fostering the public’s environmental awareness and knowledge about our vital resources. To help ensure the next generation of students is set up for success, we actively participate in our area’s S.T.E.A.M. and S.T.E.M. programs, school career days, and have been a proud participant in the Partners-In-Education Program with Richards Middle School for more than 30 years. This year we also had the opportunity to be a part of the Local Opportunity for Today and Tomorrow (LOTT) interactive workforce exhibit hosted by the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The two-day event was a fun, educational, and hands-on opportunity for 8th and 12th grade students to become familiar with career options available in the area.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Employees Give Back

For more than 3 decades, Columbus Water Works employees have given both their time and money to help improve the lives of our neighbors in need. By supporting organizations like Keep Columbus Beautiful, House of Heroes, and United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, our team members are able to truly make a difference in our community. This year alone, CWW was able to raise more than $111,000 to help support United Way’s 2023 campaign. These funds stay right here in the Chattahoochee Valley to help fund over 27 partner organizations such as Feeding the Valley Food Bank, MercyMed, Easter Seals and more.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF REVENUES, EXPENSES AND CHANGES IN NET POSITION

Financial Summary

The Columbus Water Works financial condition remained strong at year end with reliable plants and systems to meet demands. A solid liquidity position, conservative budgeting and programmed annual rate increases continue. Projected rate increases over the next five years are projected to be below the national average. Columbus Water Works maintains one of the lowest rates among Southeast cities.

Total combined Columbus and Fort Moore operating revenues were $85.1 million, an increase from Fiscal Year 2022 of $4.7 million.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF NET POSITION

Operating expenses before depreciation and amortization increased by $8.3 million compared to Fiscal Year 2022. For the years ended June 25, 2023 and 2022, Columbus Water Works recognized Other Post-Employment Benefits expense of $2,441,976 and $3,036,682 respectively Operating revenue for the year was income of $548 thousand as compared to income of $5.2 million for Fiscal Year 2022.

Total Assets at year-end were $651 million. Reserves were maintained within established goals of 90 to 120 days for operational and coverage of capital improvements/ depreciation for capital reserves.

The 2023 Report to the Community is a condensed version of what may be found in our Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), which is located on our website at www.cwwga.org.

Prestigious Awards for CWW

RECEIVED IN 2023

Water Professionals (GAWP)

AWARDED 2023 LABORATORY QA/QC WASTEWATER & LABORATORY QA/QC WATER AWARDS to the Environmental Services Laboratory in recognition of their outstanding performance

Officers Association (GFOA)

AWARDED

CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE in Financial Reporting

Water Professionals (GAWP)

AWARDED PLATINUM WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM EXCELLENCE AWARD

Our Purpose

We

Environmental

Water Professionals (GAWP)

AWARDED PLATINUM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM EXCELLENCE AWARD

Water Professionals (GAWP)

AWARDED PLANT OF THE YEAR to the North Columbus Water Resource Facility and two of the Fort Moore treatment facilities

Our Core Values

ow Customers by listening, caring and responding to their concerns and ideas.

ct with Integrity by being honest and sincere in everything we do.

rusted Community Partner by being engaged to improve the quality of life.

nergize Employees by celebrating, encouraging, developing and rewarding their diverse capabilities and contributions.

esource Protection by being an innovative leader in watershed management, protection and education.

Columbus and the Valley

Columbus and the Valley

Much Ado About Something...

GUSTO!

The Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University is known for its unparalleled dedication to fostering talent. They proved that once again as the school took this commitment to new heights with GUSTO!—Schwob’s fundraiser for student scholarships.

Held at the iconic Bibb Mill Event Center, an architectural marvel that whispers tales of the city’s rich history, the event was spectacular. From the moment you stepped into the party, it was clear that this was not just a party with music; it was a celebration of musical talent, and a testament to the power of community support.

Mastermind Ben Redding, known for his wild creativity and ability to transform spaces into experiences, set the stage for an unforgettable night for partygoers like Jimmy and Ruth Yancey, Karen and David Lewis, Jodi and Gerald Saunders, Sherry and Tom Wade and Linda and John Shinkle. Each detail, meticulously curated by Redding, added layers of intrigue and wonder to the evening— enchanting our table mates including Sara and Danny Ginter, Nathan Smock, James Camp, Jennifer and Richard Joyner, and husband Rick and me. We were graciously hosted by Cindy and Spencer Garrard who pretty much support anything and everything that’s good for Columbus (I’m so glad to call them friends!).

But what truly set GUSTO! apart were the performances. With their boundless talent, Schwob students took to the stage— make that multiple stages—to deliver performances that resonated with every guest including Sallie and John Martin, Teddie and Chastity Reese, Stephanie and Roddy Hunter, Maureen and Joe Girard, Merri and Andy Robinson, Len and Glenda Sexton, Melissa and Jim Thomas, Hallie and Buddy Nelms and Tanya and Tom Jones. I absolutely could NOT pick a favorite performance— seriously, they were all superb. That said, I adored the gorgeous arrangement of

Over the Rainbow by the horn ensemble, conducted by Bradley Palmer. The Schwob Singers doing My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord conducted by David Hahn, with the singers scattered all over the audience, was breathtakingly beautiful. Who would have thought that the xylophone players (the Percussion Ensemble, led by Paul Vaillancourt) would bring the house down? WOWSA doesn’t even begin to portray the energy of that delightful piece and the talented musicians.

It was most likely not the first GUSTO! that Dr. Stuart Rayfield ever attended but it was her first as president of CSU and she had to be bursting with pride at this celebration of the talent that Schwob School of Music nurtures, and a reminder of the importance of supporting these burgeoning artists through scholarships. A ton of CSU folks turned out to support the event—no surprise—including Rex Whiddon, Steve Morse and William Morgan, David Hahn, Paul Hostetter and Lauren Harrell. It was wonderful to formally welcome back to CSU, John Lester who was there with wife Kim, a past MCSD Teacher of the Year, who’s now teaching at Wynnton Arts Academy.

In the end, GUSTO! was more than a fundraiser; the Schwob School of Music, with its vibrant community of supporters, will continue to be a place where music, talent and gusto thrive!

Georgia’s Newest Leadership

Leadership Georgia Alumni (LGA) recently gathered together to welcome the newest Columbus class members to the fold. At a reception at the Indigo Hotel, Crystal Shahid, David and Stuart Rayfield, Cam Bean, Nancy Burgin, Sherricka Day, Jerald Mitchell, Christine Senn and Jeff Kingsley, Tyson Begly, Rick McKnight and Sally and Brad Baker regaled new class members, Brooke Sullivan (Scott), Theresa Robertson (Randy) and Pam Romero (Dionne Rosser-Mims). It was a special treat to get to see long-time LGA Calvin Smyre aka ‘Himself’ looking so dapper as we remembered all the good things he’s done for Columbus and our state. LGA always includes a member’s partner as full class members, so we wind up with double the amount of good folks. This year’s class promises to honor their selection and step up and lead (And I should add, ‘lead, even more’!).

Calvin Smyre, Crystal Shahid, Rick McKnight, Tyson Begly and Marquette McKnight gathered at the Leadership Georgia Alumni welcome reception for new members at the Hotel Indigo.

These 55 educators are in the running to be named Muscogee County School District's Teacher of the Year for 2024: TaKesha Williams-Lynn (Aaron Cohn Middle), Karie Tillett (Allen Elementary), James Barnes (Arnold Middle), Jonas Lonzanida (Baker Middle), Timothy Downes (Blackmon Road Middle), Katie Buckley (Blanchard Elementary), Roger Redden (Brewer Elementary), Nicole Hodge (Britt David Magnet Academy), Meridith Hemmings (Clubview Elementary), Lisa Mills (Columbus High), Stacey Keith (Dawson Elementary), Brent Sutherland (Dimon Elementary), Amber Jackson (Dorothy Height Elementary), Amber Mays (Double Churches Elementary), Lakia Slater (Double Churches Middle), Julie Jackson (Downtown Elementary), Chelsea Pevitt (Eagle Ridge Elementary), Kewanna Taylor (East Columbus Magnet Academy), Lauren Stanford (Eddy Middle), Thneashia Crawl (Forrest Road Elementary), Michelle Atcheson (Fort Middle), Rachael Weaver (Fox Elementary), Tamela Ransom (G.W. Carver High), Tasca Blanding (Gentian Elementary), Breuna Hill (Georgetown Elementary), Barbara Madrie-Poindexter (Hannan Elementary Magnet Academy), Joshua Alsup (Hardaway High), Robyn Robinson (J.D. Davis Elementary), Crystal Coulter (Johnson Elementary), Cherine Cobb (Jordan Vocational College and Career Academy), Kelly Coney (Kendrick High), Kimberly Brown (Key Elementary), Ebony Hill (Lonnie Jackson Academy), Tonya Euell (Marshall Success Center), Jazzlyne Jackson (Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary), Kyle Allen (Mathews Elementary), Jocelyn Dial (Midland Academy), Brian Hale (Midland Middle), Suzanne Tabor (North Columbus Elementary), Christie Akers (Northside High), Annette Gebhardt (Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts), LeMandria Flakes (Reese Road Elementary), Daniel Purvis (Richards Middle), Marianne Jordan (Rigdon Road Elementary), Donessa Moore (River Road Elementary),

Oscars, Tonys, TOTYs ... and more, oh my!

In addition to Hollywood and Broadway, this is awards time for students, teachers and all sorts of good people and organizations in the Chattahoochee Valley. The first one happened in December, when a local organization, CHIPS4CHIPS (C4C) received a huge federal award. C4C, which stands for the Chattahoochee Hub for Innovation and the Production of Semiconductors (see why we used an acronym?!?) is a local organization born out of an effort to reduce poverty, transforming our region by creating a highly skilled workforce, and recruiting the semiconductor industry and other advanced manufacturing projects to the Chattahoochee Valley.

It’s a win-win for everyone— and we get to support national security efforts—with over 225 folks working hard to make it happen. Mid-December, Ben Moser, United Way CEO and the Chair of this effort, was enjoying a Christmas celebration with fellow C4C’ers, Dionne Rosser-Mimms, Andy and Nickki Hilmes, Jennifer Bickerstaff, Rick McKnight and me at the home of Betsy and Rick Covington when he got a phone call from U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. The news was cause for even more celebration as Senator Ossoff was calling to say C4C had been selected as one of 22 Recompete finalists—out of more than 600 applications nationwide! The Recompete program is part of the Federal CHIPS and Science Act, which invests in economic workforce development. The finalist award means C4C has a chance to win over $20-50 Million to invest in a wide range of inspiring solutions to create jobs, develop long-term economic growth, and realize the full potential for the entire Chattahoochee Valley. To add to that, C4C received a $500,000 Strategy Development

Grant to help refine their application and invest in some working programs for the final phase. Bravo to all those diligently working on this project to make our community better for all of us in the Chattahoochee Valley.

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The Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation (MEEF) announced the 2024 Teacher of the Year (TOTY) Honorees from the Muscogee County School District. The 55 Honorees, representing MCSD’s exceptional teachers, will be honored throughout the rest of the year, culminating in the TOTY Gala in May. Looking to show your support for exceptional teachers? Take a moment to write a note to a teacher who had a lasting impact on you. Share updates on your life and express gratitude for their influence. I can’t tell you how many teachers say that one note made the difference in the way they feel about teaching, so do it today.

It’s Gonna Be the Grandest of the Grand Re-Openings

Is everyone as excited as I am about The Columbus Museum’ s grand RE-opening in May? Check www.columbusmuseum.com for all the opening celebrations and make your reservations soon—it’s sure to be sold-out events. Executive Director Marianne Richter and Board Chair Chris Henson must be overthe-top excited about the new space and new exhibitions, and we can’t wait to see the space and the new exhibitions. (Columnist’s suggestion: be sure to check out the Nick Caves’ pieces. We saw an exhibition by him a few years ago in Bentonville, Arkansas at The Momentary, and it was beyond cool.) C

Marquette McRae McKnight is the owner of Media, Marketing, and More! Inc., a full service public relations firm. She may be reached at 706-660-9702 or at marquette@mediamarketingandmore.com.

Les Cole (Rothschild Leadership Academy), Stephanie Davidson (Shaw High), Christina Joiner (South Columbus Elementary), Dexter Smith (Spencer High), Vicki Hendrix (St. Elmo Center for the Gifted), Denise Toney (St. Mary’s Magnet Academy), Jay Wilson (Veterans Memorial Middle), Shardae Griggs (Waddell Elementary), Christie Ivory (Wesley Heights Elementary) and Stacey McClary (Wynnton Arts Academy).

Valley Scenes

Columbus and the Valley will publish as many photos as quality and space permit. Black and white or color photos may be used. Please identify all subjects with a brief description of the event and the date. Mail them to: CVM, P.O. Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902. Email them to: ContactUs@ColumbusAndTheValley.com, Columbus and the Valley assumes no responsibility for care and return of photographs submitted.

GUSTO! The Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University held it's annual GUSTO! fundraiser at The Bibb Mill Event Center on February 1st. Guests delighted in performances by CSU students throughout the evening.

Columbus and the Valley

Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year Honors

Among this year's honorees were Youth of the Year, Chaniya Davis; Junior Youth of the Year, Teriyana Jackson and 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee, Mason Lampton, Sr. This year's winners were honored at an event on February 1st at The Bibb Mill Event Center.

2023 Cotillion

There were 22 debutantes presented at the 2023 Cotillion Christmas Ball held in December at Country Club of Columbus. Debs pictured are Brooke Nicole Tillery, Mia Rowan Vongsavang, Rebecca Jordan Calhoun, Cora LaDelle Lee, Rosemary Franklin Rice, Mattie Wood Albright, Mary Avnor Parker, Anita Katherine Scarborough, Laurie Clare Jones, Margaret Matheson Middleton, Tayler Leigh Baker, Lillie Amelia Caves, Marianna Swift Branch, Elizabeth Hay Manderson, Mildred Collins Rustin, Mary Margaret Saunders, Riley Elizabeth Grier, Carter Elizabeth Hudson, Holland Lesley Alexander, Anne Winstead Waldrop, Anna Marie Albright and Marguerite Helen Brooks.

photo by SE Photography

Mason Lampton, Sr., accompanied by his children Mason Lampton, Jr and Lucile Cogswell, was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Boys and Girls Club President & CEO Rodney Close

(L-R) Award winners Edwin Brown, Teriyana Jackson, Jamil Harden (director of teen services), Chaniya Davis and Treasje Bell

Columbus 2025 Mural Unveilings

Columbus 2025’s Vibrant and Connected Places Action Area recently unvelied two murals as part of the Painted Spaces Project. The mural that is located on the side of The Food Mill on Second Avenue (above) was painted by Trudy Tran. This mural depicts community, hospitality and service as people gather to share a meal together. The

an

out

CSU Appoints New Dean

Dr. Margie Yates was named the new Dean of the College of Education and Health Professions at Columbus State University. She has worked at CSU since 2012 and is also the Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.

second mural, "GREAT Futures" (right/below) is located at the entrance of the East Columbus Boys and Girls Club on Forrest Road and was painted by Carlie Anne Hedges. The mural is

inspiration to the students who Carlie reached

to for inspiration and direction for her creation.

Muscogee County Library Foundation Gala

Historic Columbus Foundation Presents A Night in Las Vegas

Historic Columbus Foundation's annual fundraiser theme this year was "A Night in Las Vegas" held at the Country Club of Columbus. Guests were entertained at the casino themed event which included the opportunity to get "married, in the chapel" with services conducted by 'Elvis.' A raffle was held with the prize of original artwork by Garry

Pound (won by Chris Woodruff) and Bruno Zupan (won by Bethell Culpepper).

The 2024 Muscogee County Library Foundation Gala was held at the Columbus Public Library. Nina Simon, author of Mother-Daughter Murder Night was the honorary guest

Library Foundation Board Members pictured with author Nina Simon (front center).

(L-R) Cindy Garrard, Marjorie Bickerstaff, Amy Spencer, Tricia Llewelyn Konan (Foundation Chair) and Tracy Spencer

(L-R) Anna and Nick Garcia with Lucy and John Sheftall

Stacy and Gordy Pease celebrating with 'Elvis.'

Boys and Girls Club Opens Flournoy Building

Surrounded by supporters and family, John Flournoy cut the ribbon himself on the new, state-of-the-art college and career center named in his honor for the Boys and Girls Club of the Chattahoochee Valley. The building includes a room dedicated to E-Sports.

Alan Harkness Celebration

Friends, family, community leaders and colleagues gathered to congratulate Chattahoochee Valley Libraries Director Alan Harkness as he was presented with his award for being named the 2023 Georgia Public Library Director of the Year for his efforts to create the first fines free library system in Georgia.

(L-R) MCSD Superintendent Dr. David Lewis, Alan Harkness and MCSD Board Chair Pat Hughley Brown Assistant State Librarian for Georgia Public Libraries, Angela Stanley presented the award to Harkness.

Dining Guide

Your Restaurant Could Be Here!

CONTACT:

Margie Richardson

706.575.7825

Big Mama Vietnam Kitchen

Big Mama’s is proud to serve you fresh, homemade food made with local ingredients that you are sure to love. Our specialty involves healthy cuisine with plenty of fresh vegetables and a variety of flavorful spices.

Tu-F 11AM-3PM, 5PM-9PM, Sa-Su 11AM-9PM

5300 Sidney Simons Blvd., Unit 14 BigMamaVietnamKitchen.com

Country’s Barbecue

Real Barbecue Slow Cooked Over Hickory and Oak. Casual dress, takeout, catering, kids’ menu.

Su-Sa 11AM-10PM Mercury Dr., 706.563.7604

Broadway/14th St., 706.596.8910 Veterans Pkwy., 706.660.1415

The Food Mill

Shop their variety of local pottery, jams and more in their indoor market. Enjoy breakfast or lunch in the café, and shop their prepared to-go items and family meals to make eating healthy easy. All purchases support their nonprofit mission of reducing barriers to food security in our community. Learn more about their catering services, private event room and more at thefoodmill.org.

M-F 7:30AM-4:00 PM • 3718 2nd Ave Suite A • 706.330.3972

Fountain City Coffee at Banks Food Hall

FCC's second location located in Bank's Food Hall. Serving up made from scratch baked goods and delicious sandwiches daily in the heart of Columbus.

M-Th 8AM-6PM, F-Su 8AM-8PM 1002 Bay Ave. • 762.524.7774

Mellow Mushroom

The combination of a great menu, hand-tossed dough, fresh ingredients and friendly service makes the Mellow Mushroom a must when you have a taste for pizza. Bring your group for a family-friendly dinner or join your friends in our comfortable neighborhood bar.

M-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-9PM.

6100 Veterans Pkwy. • 706.322.4602

Ruth Ann’s Restaurant

A Columbus tradition for families, friends and great food. Ruth Ann’s offers authentic Southern style lunches, and breakfast is served all day.

W-Su 6:30AM-2PM

940 Veterans Pkwy. • 706.221.2154. Place your next takeout order at ruthannsrestaurant.com.

Speakeasy

A local favorite serving great, homemade food and drinks in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

Su-Th 11AM-8 PM, F-Sa 11AM-9 PM

3123 Mercury Drive • 706.561.0411

Uptown Vietnam Cuisine

Uptown Vietnam Cuisine offers authentic, traditional Vietnamese dishes that are both delicious and healthy, featuring fresh ingredients and a variety of flavorful spices. Dine-in, carry-out and party trays are available, as well as a 10 percent military discount.

M-F 10:30AM-3PM & 5-9PM, Sa 11AM-9PM • Closed Sunday. 1250 Broadway • 706.576.9922

Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

Traditional Japanese cuisine with hibachi grill tops and fresh sushi. Come and try our flavorful and fresh ingredients.

Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM

1808 Manchester Expy 706.642.0888

Dine in or order online at wasabijapanesecolumbus.kwickmenu.com

To have your restaurant featured here, contact Margie Richardson at 706.575.7825