Valdosta Magazine Winter 2016

Volume 19, No. 4

A Passionate Entrepreneur

Brooke White feels compelled to succeed as an entrepreneur

One Child at a Time

The Mailbox Club is impacting the world for Christ through children

A Life Fully Lived

The story of Warren Coats was one full of life, faith and love Live Music Adds Spice to Winter Menus Begonias for Harry A tribute to Harry Livermore Community Calendar

Winter 2016 $3.50

Original painting by Jeanne Cowart

Wishing you Peace, Health and Happiness 229.242.5725 | fsbtc.com 3650 Inner Perimeter Road, Valdosta, GA

for the Holidays and in the New Year.

Banking products are provided by Synovus Bank, Member FDIC. Divisions of Synovus Bank operate under multiple trade names across the Southeast.

Winter 2016

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In every issue ValdostaSeens

50 – VSO Ball 52 –Winnersville Classic Golf Tournament

8 10

16 19 20 28

54 – Valdosta Magazine Preview Party

FROM OUR READERS

Valdosta Magazine readers share their thoughts and travels with us.

ONE CHILD AT A TIME

Since 1965, The Mailbox Club has harnessed the energy of children all over the world to bring them, their families, and their friends to Christ.

BEGONIAS FOR HARRY

A tribute to Harry Livermore, former editor of Valdosta Magazine.

Volum

e 19, N

o. 4

58 – Georgia Christian School Annual Benefit 63 – Annual BARC Ball ABOUT THE COVER:

Valdosta has a community of thriving entrepreneurs.

We celebrate that in this issue by highlighting the entrepreneurial success of the owner of two local businesses, Brooke White.

Kalin Livingston is featured in a Casa Blanca gown from White Weddings anticipating a bite of a gourmet cookie from Yaya’s Sweets and Treats. Brooke is coowner of White Weddings with her husband, Charles White, and Yaya’s with her Mother, Marcia Steinberg.

Special thanks to Wes Sewell Photography, official photographer of Valdosta Magazine. Also to Kalin who showed great restraint by holding that cookie through the entire photo shoot before finally getting a bite.

Winte

r 2015 $3.50

INSURANCE AND YOU

What’s your long-term care plan?

Great advice to help you prepare.

A Pa ionate Entress p

A LIFE FULLY LIVED

Warren Coats is best known not for the way he died but for the way he lived.

TECH SAVVY

What will the next 10 years look like?

The Smart Car is in our near future.

Brooke reneur W compe hite feels lle an entre d to succee d as preneu r

One hild at a TCim

e The M ailbox Club is impact in Christ g the world for throug h child ren A

Lif Fully eL

The stor ived y of W full of ar life, faith ren Coats w as one and lo ve Live M us ic Add Spice s to Win ter Men Bego us as fo A tribni ute to r Harry Harry Liverm Comm ore unity Ca lendar

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56 – Turner Center Presents The Toy Shoppe

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Valdosta Magazine

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32 35 36 38 40 47 48 60 4

LIVE MUSIC ADDS SPICE TO WINTER MENUS

Both body and soul can be nourished during the chilly winter months at Valdosta area eateries that have added live music to their menus.

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BRIDAL REGISTRY

Recent and future weddings, provided by Perfect Settings.

REMEMBERING WHEN

A Valdosta native remembers boyhood days plundering through Southern Salvage and Roddey’s Department Store in downtown Valdosta and an “odiferous confrontation.”

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MONEY MATTERS

Learn about important changes to Social Security and the tougher rules for claiming strategies.

BROOKE WHITE – A PASSIONATE ENTREPRENEUR

Brooke White has felt compelled to be an entrepreneur since her first business venture at age 10. Now, she owns two successful businesses and believes in helping budding entrepreneurs.

BUSINESS COMMUNITY INVESTS IN THE FUTURE

Valdosta Chamber hosts Barber House Gala and Recognizes Donors of the “Investing in the Next Century” Campaign.

REAL ESTATE MATTERS

Hire a professional to help you sell one of your greatest investments.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

There is a lot happening in Valdosta! Check out the Community Calendar - THE main source of information on the most important events and activities for you and your family.

Valdosta Magazine

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

(L-R) Lamb Lastinger, Sarah Adams, Connie and John Riddle, Valdosta Mayor John Gayle, Nancy Warren and Wes Sewel at the Fall Preview Party for Valdosta Magazine.

Making a Difference Our second issue of Valdosta Magazine is a testament to the creativity, tenacity and passion of the people of Valdosta to make the world around them a better place.

From Brooke White, a passionate entrepreneur at an early age, to the Eager’s who founded and manage The Mailbox Club that is reaching children all over the world for Christ, to Warren Coats, whose short life and death to ALS in 2010 has not diminished his testimony… all have strived to leave the world a better place. Meeting and learning about these people and their lives has been a great experience. We’re proud to tell their stories.

We’ve also met so many others in Valdosta who have had such an impact on this community. We were honored to host many of them at the Valdosta Magazine Preview Party held in October to unveil our first issue of Valdosta Magazine. (see page 54) The event was held at Wes Sewell’s Photography Studio and catered

by Covington’s. Our advertisers and other business and community leaders joined us for a ribbon cutting, coordinated by the Chamber Ambassadors, and our tribute to Johnny B. Lastinger naming him Publisher Emeritus of Valdosta Magazine.

As we face a new year, we have many exciting plans for Valdosta Magazine and how we can enhance the promotion of this wonderful community, its people, businesses, organizations and way of life.

Valdosta truly is a “city without limits”.

We appreciate our advertisers and encourage you to support them by shopping local (see the index of advertisers – page 64). We’re also proud of our strong base of subscribers who never miss an issue. To ensure you never miss an issue of Valdosta Magazine subscribe today by utilizing the subscription form inside (see page 63).

We are proud to be a part of the Valdosta community! We wish you many blessings for you and your family in the New Year.

Johninfo@showcasepublicationsga.com and Connie Riddle 6

Valdosta Magazine

Editors-In-Chief John F. & Connie K. Riddle and Publishers: Showcase Publications, Inc

Creative Director:

Sarah Adams Imagine That! Solutions

Official Photographer: Wes Sewell Photography

Contributing

Writers:

Nancy DeRuyter Warren Bob Goddard Bubba Highsmith Tom Nijem Tom Call Jim Nichols John F. Riddle Becky Hitchcock

Wes Sewell Photography

Cover Photo:

Contributing Nancy DeRuyter Warren Photographers: Sally Turner Querin Miquel and Blanca Photography

Advertising

Designers: Nikki Stubbs

Advising Consultant: Lamb Lastinger

Publisher Emeritus: Johnny B. Lastinger

Valdosta Magazine is published quarterly

by Showcase Publications, Inc. (912)-424-8772 – P.O. Box 391 Jesup, GA 31598 showcasepublicationsga.com Subscription rates in the U.S. are $14.00 annually

All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein.

Advertising is subject to omission, errors and other changes without notice. The opinions expressed by the writers are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Welcome, Rachel C. Stith!

Rachel C. Stith, Financial Advisor, has joined The Investment Centre at CBC Bank team. A 2010 graduate of VSU with degrees in Finance and Accounting, she is a Valdosta native. Stith has over 5 years of experience in the investment industry. She holds Series 7 and Series 66 Securities Registrations as well as Life, Health and Variable Products Insurance Licenses. We are excited to have Rachel on our team!

Call for an appointment 229.219.8426

Or stop by and see us today!

3470 N. Valdosta Road, Suite C Valdosta, GA 31602

Securities and insurance products are offered through Cetera Investment Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Neither firm is affiliated with the financial institution where investment services are offered. Investments are: *Not FDIC insured *May lose value *Not financial institution guaranteed *Not a deposit *Not insured by any federal government agency. For a comprehensive review of your personal situation, always consult with a tax or legal Advisor. Neither Cetera Investment Services, nor any of its representatives may give legal or tax advice.

Adding Great Talent to a Winning Team CBC Bank is proud to announce Ryan Warren and Nikki Rodgers have joined our team!

Ryan, Chief Retail & Sales Officer/Senior Vice President, has 17 years of banking experience and Nikki, Mortgage Lender/Assistant Vice President, has been in banking over five years.

With more than 22 years of service, integrity and leadership - these two are an outstanding addition to CBC Bank.

Stop by the Main Branch on North Valdosta Road & see them today!

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Where Excellence is Standard Member FDIC

Winter 2016

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From our Readers...

Carolyn Eager and Don Coleman took Valdosta Magazine with them to Germany. Thank you!

We look forward to continuing the tradition of Valdosta Magazine traveling with you.

Please take Valdosta Magazine with you on your travels and take a picture and send to us. Pictures can be emailed to: info@showcasepublicationsga.com.

Valdosta Magazine traveled with Janice Pace of Petersburg, Va. and Jan P. Brice of Valdosta to Moscow. They are pictured in front of St. Basil’s Cathedral.

Mr. & Mrs. Riddle, I am so happy you have taken up the gauntlet for the Valdosta Magazine. The untimely death of Johnny B. and Mr. Lattimer made me afraid I would lose my source and connection to the folks and happenings of my home town.

Having lived in California for 48 years and now retired to Arizona, the magazine keeps me in the loop. Thank you for stepping up to keep the magazine in print and those of us in parts unknown informed on Valdosta, GA happenings.

We apologize for listing the names incorrectly in the above picture that appeared in the Fall Issue of Valdosta Magazine.

University of Georgia Bulldog greats John Lastinger, Greg Talley, Kevin Butler and Lindsey Scott participated in the Warren Coats Memorial Golf Tournament and took along Valdosta Magazine.

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Valdosta Magazine

Sincerely, Jeannette Moore Parr Proud graduate of VHS Class of 62 Letters from our readers are also encouraged and we look forward to receiving them. They can be emailed to: info@.showcasepublicationsga.com or mailed to: Showcase Publications, Inc.; P.O. Box 391; Jesup, GA 31598.

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Winter 2016

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In a digital age where few homes have phones with a dedicated line and every day fewer and fewer people are getting their mail in an actual mailbox, one might wonder how an organization called “The Mailbox Club” is communicating, in collaboration with their partners, with over two million children worldwide on a regular basis. However, when you meet the leadership and staff and see their passion for its mission and review the statistics, data and attention to detail they apply to meeting that mission – it’s easier to understand how a “mailbox club” that started in 1965 now has fewer than 35 employees serving children in over 19,000 churches in 70 countries.

More than fifty years ago Georga and Laura Eager became Christians and were burdened to reach children for Christ after one of their own sons was killed in a farming accident. “Dad continued farming but had a strong appetite to know the Lord,” explained his son John Mark Eager. “One of his mentors urged him to memorize scripture and God would use that. He asked for the best 100 verses to learn. His mentor sent back 1,800 verses and Dad memorized them all.” George eventually memorized over 2,800 scriptures.

“He would be on the combine with a pocket full of bible verses that he was memorizing. He was really a man after God’s own heart. I’ve never seen a man in my life seek God like my Dad did. That was the key to his ministry,” John Mark said.

Top: More than fifty years ago George and Laura Eager, founders of the Mailbox Club, became Christians and were burdened to reach children for Christ. Middle: Bill Touchtone shows the impact The Mailbox Club has in the United States. Bottom: “Children are the greatest unreached people group on Earth. Children respond in simple faith when the Gospel is clearly presented. As they are faithfully discipled, they become active members of local churches.

Children make great missionaries and lead family members and friends to Christ.” – The Mailbox Club Right: A young Chinese girls enjoys receiving her new bible lesson.

Child at a Time

One

Story by John Riddle

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Valdosta Magazine

Winter 2016

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He became an evangelist and though he never went to seminary his son says, “... he had a gift for presenting salvation.” Early on in his ministry his wife, Laura, asked if he had anything for follow-up information to leave with the new converts, especially the children. George started writing spiritual lessons and, in 1965, The Mailbox Club” began.

They first started a ministry in the rural schools of Georgia, Florida and Alabama through school assemblies. For decades, they continued this ministry reaching over 1,365,000 children and teenagers. They soon realized that many of those who had accepted Christ through their school ministry had little or no opportunity for continued spiritual growth. The Mailbox Club was born out of this need for “followup” materials. The Mailbox Club is a Bible correspondence club.

Bible lessons are sent to the student through the mail. The student reads the lesson, fills out the question page and mails it back. The question page is graded and returned with the next lesson.

backgrounds in high-tech business and global missions. They collaborate on initiatives that put emerging technology to use in fulfilling the Great Commission.

The group is also engaging churches through their Venture Club program. Through Venture Clubs, Mailbox Club discipleship materials have been “repackaged” into Bible study workbooks for children & youth, ages 5 through 18, for churches in the United States. Children and youth are encouraged weekly through a “club-like” atmosphere in their faith and challenged through the Bible lessons, Scripture memory, fun & games!

In 1990, John Mark Eager, though he was trained as an engineer, was headed into the life of an international missionary.

“At age 29 a door opened to start a Mailbox Club in Eastern Europe,” he Lawanna Roberson, a explains. current employee who Boys from India show their enthusiasm for The Mailbox Club. India is one of over 70 He took that worked at The MailBox countries that The Mailbox Club reaches. route instead.

Club with George and “By the late 1990’s, through God’s help, there were 200,000 Laura Eager, tells of a lady she met recently at a church that children and teens enrolled in the Mail Box Club.” had been in The Mailbox Club as a child. “She and I were standing by each other serving food to the kids. I was telling In 1999, the organization partnered with Franklin Graham and the kids to go over to the table and pick up information about Operation Christmas Child, which catapulted them into a new The Mailbox Club. The lady said she had been a “mailbox arena. Now, there are over two million students enrolled in kid” when she was young and that because her family didn’t The Mailbox Club in over 70 countries. attend church it was the basis for her spiritual learning. She said what she learned through those lessons has been the The Mailbox Club is a well-managed and efficient foundation of her entire life.” organization that has been identified as one of the “Top 10” ministries by ROI Ministries (Return On Investment) which Fast forward to 2015 and John Mark Eager admits that the seeks to guide funds towards high-effective ministries. Their organization has outgrown their name. Most of the children and teens they reach today are through churches who hand out 2015 report was prepared by Calvin Edwards and Company, a philanthropic advisory firm in Atlanta, Georgia. the materials and not through the mail.

They are going digital – though the mission hasn’t changed – and have partnered with Kolo World to develop an app to help them accomplish that. Kolo World is an association of likeminded Christian professionals from various countries with

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In the past fifteen years, The Mailbox Club has had: 24-million enrolled in The Mailbox Club Bible courses with a 70.1% completion rate; 16.8-million completed a series of lessons with 51.2%, or approximately 8.6-million, of those

making a profession of faith. All of this at a cost of about $2 per “graduate” utilizing over 167,000 volunteers. “You can take millions of lessons and drop them in India and tell your donors you’re reaching children, but having 167,000 volunteers tracking the kid’s involvement is much more effective,” explained John Mark.

“We talk a lot about our materials and our organization because it’s important to our mission. But, our passion is not just materials. It is to be a part of a movement to impact the world for Christ through children. When you harness the energy of children while they’re young they can be so influential to friends and bring others to Christ,” stated John Mark. Though he has much to be proud of he insists, “This is not about our kingdom. It’s about Christ’s kingdom!”

Top Right: The Mailbox Club is a well-managed and efficient organization that has been identified as one of the “Top 10” ministries by ROI Ministries (Return On Investment) which seeks to guide funds towards high-effective ministries.

(L to R) Lois Wells, Jen White, Alicia Evans and Mildred McRae Middle: The mission of the The Mailbox Club is: “To win the children and young people of the world to Christ and help nurture them into spiritual maturity through Bible courses and into local churches. This is accomplished through direct ministry and by multiplying our efforts through key partnerships and the body of Christ around the world.”

Staff and Volunteers at the Mailbox Club office located at 404 Eager Road, Valdosta, GA 31602 (www.mailboxclub.org).

Seated (L-R) Lois Wells, Alicia Evans, Catherine Moore, Jen White, Mildred McRae and David Thomas Standing (L-R) Mike Evans, Marvin White, Omer Rincon, Joel Miller, Bill Touchtone and John Mark Eager

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Valdosta Magazine

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Winter 2016

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week after Harry’s funeral, I planted begonias in an antique syrup kettle situated on my front porch.

Harry Archer Livermore made his way to South Georgia in 1988. A native of Kansas, an Army veteran, educator, and newly divorced, Harry met Janice Ellen Thompson Howell. They married six months later.

Begonias for Harry

A Tribute to Harry Livermore Story by Becky Hitchcock

Making a home in Valdosta, Harry spent 26 years with Jan. Their life together made up of blending families, friends, churches, cats, and teaching careers. When Harry retired from teaching, he began writing for Valdosta Magazine. When he became the editor, Jan became a contributing writer.

They poured much time, energy, and affection into bringing the quarterly issues to publication.

In the Spring 2009 edition, Harry wrote an endearing story about his late father, Harry E. Livermore. As his father lay dying in a hospital bed, Harry sat in vigil. Looking out the window, he spotted an old man planting flowers by his front porch. Having had all the death he could stand, Harry made his way outside the hospital to the old man. He asked if he could sit on the steps and watch him work.

Top: A likeness of Becky Hitchcock planting begonias in memory of Harry

by Bob Brabham. He did this as a gift to Becky in recognition of her friendship with Harry and Jan and in significance of Harry’s question, “Will anyone plant begonias for me.”

Left: “Thoughts in My Seventieth Year” was a little book of Harry’s stories. His good friend, Bob Brabham, suggested it and did the charcoal drawings.

Right: Harry Livermore and Janice Ellen Thompson married just six months after meeting shortly after Harry moved to South Georgia in 1988. They were married for 26 years.

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Valdosta Magazine

In a short, yet fitting dialogue, Harry learned the old man was the same age as his father. Many years before, the old man had watched his own father die in the same hospital where Harry’s father lay dying.

“These are begonias,” the old man said to Harry and held up the potted blooms. “I’m planting them for your Father…and, every time you see begonias…you will think of him, and you’ll know your father is all right.”

Harry loved to tell that story. He was an avid storyteller.

He had lively stories of growing up in Kansas as a preacher’s kid. He told stories about Indian head pennies, school fights, and getting a spanking for lying. There were Army stories from Korea about fellow comrades, honey wagons, and getting drunk when his sweetheart from home got married.

There were teacher stories of students large and small. He told stories about his grandparents, parents, brothers, his sons, and the grandkids. He even had a story about a four-foot beaver.

Dr. Paul Livermore, Harry’s younger brother from Rochester, New York, once reflected that the penchant for storytelling is a family trait owing to their Grandmother Walker. Their trait also lends itself to embellishing.

When Harry’s 70th birthday encroached, his good friend Bob Brabham, a video, audio and film artist encouraged Harry to publish his stories. Harry consented. Bob did the charcoal drawings that are reproduced in the little book called, “Thoughts in My Seventieth Year,” and produced a CD of Harry putting his voice to the stories.

One day over lunch, Bob introduced Harry to Johnny B. Lastinger. That brilliant move led to more stories

that Harry wrote and edited about our community. My favorite story is published in his book. It’s where he recounts all the loves of his life. Jan was his last love.

“She’s the dearest friend I’ve ever had,” I said to Harry when Jan lay so still and weak in a hospital bed.

“She makes me feel important,” he wrote. “She makes me want to be a better person. She makes me comfortable with her laughter . . . she can hold a kitten in her arms until it goes to sleep. Her friends call her a treasure. Our children call her a blessing. We are growing old together and this is as good as it gets.”

Jan died on June 23, 2015, at Langdale Hospice House. She was 75. Harry died at their home on August 26, 2015.

He was 80. They grew old together.

“I met Jan in 2003 through a lay ministry training course. I was drawn immediately to her faith, compassion, wisdom, and quick wit. Her ability to persevere through life’s toughest places without growing resentful or bitter amazed me. I have never known anyone like her.”

“Mine, too.” He nodded.

The story Harry loved to tell about his late father also found its way into “Thoughts in My Seventieth Year.”

But, taking those thoughts further, he wrote:

“I am now older than my father was when he died. Will anyone plant begonias for me?”

Yes, Harry, we will. And we will think of you. We will know that you’re all right.

Without my knowing, she once showed Harry an assignment I had completed for a writing class. When he contacted me about wanting to use the assignment as an article for Valdosta Magazine, I was elated. Life couldn’t get much better for a girl who had never left the farm.

When I consider the masses of truly talented writers who never see their names in a by-line, I feel especially grateful. Getting published, though, is a mere by-product of all they have meant to me.

My family and I shared many meals with Harry and Jan over the years. We never considered having any celebration, be it birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, or holidays without their being among us.

They entrusted us into their lives.

They loved and nurtured us like we were their own.

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Valdosta Magazine

INSURANCE AND YOU

What’s Your Long Term Care Plan?

By Bubba Highsmith

M

ost of us wouldn’t dream of living without auto or home insurance. In fact, you have a 1 in 5 chance of being in an automobile accident. There is a 1 in 95 possibility that your home will be damaged by fire. Yet by age 65, there is a 50% chance that you will need long term care at some point in your life.

Long Term Care helps pay for the care you need when you can no longer care for yourself. It can help protect the assets you’ve worked so hard to save and provide protection for your family’s financial future.

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Winter 2016

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Warren’s favorite quote was from St. Francis of Assisi,

“Go out and spread the gospel.

If necessary… use words.”

Much has been written about men who changed other’s lives simply by the way they lived their own. Men who inspired others, through their sheer personality, passion, and love, to work harder, be better, dig deeper. While we’ve read about such men – political leaders, religious philosophers, and sports heroes – it seems rare to meet them personally.

One such man was Payne Stewart, a golfing legend whose premature death in a plane crash in 1999 sent shock waves around the world soon after capturing the U.S. Open in storybook fashion. Stewart’s passion demanded others take note but to many it was the bracelet he wore on his wrist, rather than the golf club in his hand, that inspired them the most. You may remember, Stewart brought a lot of attention to the “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do?) bracelets he wore.

He had a world stage on which to proclaim his faith and his sudden absence from that stage left a big void in people’s lives.

Warren Coats was another such man. He was also a golfing legend in the circle of friends he played with at Valdosta Country Club. His time was also cut short though his was a long goodbye through a six-year battle with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a disease that slowly and painfully paralyzes every muscle in the body. He, too, was known for wearing a “WWJD” bracelet and with those he played with they knew what was on his wrist was more

important than the golf club in his hand. While Warren Coat’s death in 2010 did not make headline news around the world, for the people who knew him it was a life changing event. Not for the way he died but for the way he lived. For the story of Warren Coats is not a tale of tragedy. It is a story of life. It is a story of faith. It is a story of love.

I had an opportunity to meet Warren’s family and his best friends at a gathering arranged by his wife, Cynthia. They shared laughter and tears as they remembered their friend. One commented, “It’s a rare man who can make a room full of men laugh years after his death.” What struck me is the love they all still have with Warren. His presence in their lives has not diminished.

Warren and three of his best friends Byron Courson, Dean Boruff, and Joe Griffin, were dubbed the “Golfing Dream Team”. They spent a lot of time together on and off the course and Warren often carried the rounds with his wit.

One story involved a rare bad day for Warren on the course.

On one tee he hit a seven iron that fell short and in the water.

He calmly walked back to the cart and got another ball. In the water again. Then another… wet again. He hit six balls into the water. Finally, Dean Boruff asked, “You’ve hit two sleeves of balls into the water with that seven-iron, why don’t you get a six-iron?” To which Warren replied, “This is a six-iron and the second sleeve of balls was yours!” The room broke into hysterical laughter.

Warren Coats lived in Valdosta for 49 of his 50 years and was entrenched in the community. He was a graduate of Valdosta High School and Valdosta State University where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity (KA). He was married to Cynthia Coats, his college sweetheart (pictured above). They have two daughters – Callie and Lauren. His was active in First Presbyterian Church serving as elder, treasurer, choir member and helped start a new contemporary Service. In 1990, he participated in “The Walk to Emmaus” and served as the Board Chair for Journey, the college version of Emmaus. He was Treasurer of the Azalea City Kiwanis Club. He was Vice President of Valdosta Lighting Center and was the owner of the former Southpaw Designs. He coached softball and even had the Lowndes High School softball field named in his honor (Morris-Coats Field of Dreams).

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Valdosta Magazine

A Life Fully Lived

WARREN COATS is best known not for the way he died Story by John Riddle but for the way he

LIVED

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Dean shared Warren’s motto for golf, “Dress 60. Talk 70.

Shoot 80.” In other words, talk and dress better than you play.

More laughter. They shared intimate experiences too and spoke about how Warren had been the catalyst that changed their lives. “The best thing he did was bring us all together,” stated Byron. There is a fierce devotion to their friend. To the way he lived. To the way he faced adversity. And, he is still a part of their lives.

“From the moment I met him 27 years ago, he had a sparkle in his eye and he had it until the day he died,” explained Lisa Aguero who, along with her husband Oscar, knew Warren in college. She is a Physical Therapist and would visit Warren regularly during his illness. “Even when he was bed bound and couldn’t talk, walk or move, his eyes lit up with the love of Christ. He was unlike anyone I had ever met before… or since.”

Warren is still a part of his friend’s golf game. “Cynthia gave me Warren’s golf towel which had been on his golf bag since his last game,” Dean explained. “We started a ‘towel match’.

We play for the towel. The last guy who makes a birdie gets to keep the towel. A ceremony consists of folding the towel a certain way and the player passing it on gets on one knee and presents the towel to the winner. We play harder for that towel than we do for money.” More laugher…and… a few tears.

Warren coached a recreational baseball team while still in college. Cynthia’s sister, Kanawha Phillips, explained how he allowed her to play on his 12-year old, all boys team.

“He took so much grief about having a girl on his team.

But we won the championship. He showed a confidence in me when I was only 10 years old that was a real turning point in my life. He brought out the best in people. He was so compassionate. Very humble. I was blessed to have known him.”

These same friends organized a golf tournament that raised over $60,000 to send Warren to China for experimental stemcell surgery in hopes of a cure and money to purchase a van for Warren’s use.

In 1990, Warren participated in “The Walk to Emmaus”, a three-day experience of Christian spiritual renewal. Cynthia explained that, “It became all about the relationship with Christ. After that experience, the girls and I were secondary with Warren’s commitment to God being first,” she said.

I quickly understood that it is the love Warren shared that is his legacy and that will outlast his good works. But, what made this man so different? How did he have such a lasting impact on people?

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David Broomberg, a high school friend of Warren’s, was reacquainted with Warren through the Emmaus experience in 1990. “Warren had a twinkle in his eye most people didn’t have,” stated David. The Broombergs moved next door to

the Coats in 2005 and were very involved on a daily basis with Warren’s care and family support once illness struck. “A lot of people say they learned from hearing…I learned a lot from silence. Warren’s silence through his pain and suffering,” he explained.

Tom Odom, the owner of Valdosta Lighting Center, hired Warren while he was in high school. Even after Warren earned an accounting degree he asked Tom for a position at VLC. “He wanted to have time to enjoy life and spend time with his family in Valdosta and not have to move,” explained Tom. “He made a tremendous difference in the lives of the people he worked with. We watched Warren after he got involved with ‘Walk to Emmaus’. He brought Christ into Valdosta Lighting in a new way. He made us aware that we should try harder and do better.” Tom and his wife also participated in the “Walk to Emmaus” following Warren’s example.

Joe Glenn Smith, Warren’s “spiritual mentor”, is the founder of Fishermen, Inc., which disciples men and women to advance their relationship with Christ. “I first met Warren when he sat by me in a bible study. I was attracted to him. There was something different about Warren,” said Joe Glenn.

The “Golfing Dream Team” (L to R) Byron Courson, Joe Griggin, Dean Boruff, and Warren.

The three remaining members of the “Dream Team” played golf in Scotland in 2015. They honored Warren by hitting golf balls with Warren’s name on them into the North Sea at Turnberry, Scotland. Mike Godwin also joined them for the tribute to Warren.

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Joe Glenn met with Warren weekly at his house even after ALS had affected his throat muscles and he couldn’t talk. “He was the biggest man I think I ever met. He was such an inspiration to me. I never saw him that he didn’t smile,” he explained. “The worst thing that happened to us was when he died. I prayed, ‘Please don’t let Cynthia ask me to do the funeral’. I didn’t think I could handle it emotionally. That was the first thing she asked me. Before I could breathe I said ‘yes’.”

I was amazed how many people’s lives were changed through his example. “Warren’s death was like a tsunami. It was this bad event, but the ripples continue long after he’s gone,” stated Kirby Broomberg, David’s daughter. But, unlike a tsunami, the “ripples” are not a negative reminder of a catastrophic event. The ‘ripples’ are how his life keeps touching people he never even knew.

“At least monthly at my men’s bible study someone brings up Warren as an example even five years after his death,” explained Joey Griffin. “He saw what was more important. He got it.”

“I feel like we had a full life with him though our time was cut short because he was always there and involved in our lives. I wish he could have walked me down the aisle and knew my child but there are so many memories and he’s such a part of our hearts and lives still. We had nothing to make up for. We don’t long to make up time. It was full life and he still lives in our hearts. I don’t think we missed out,” said his youngest daughter Callie Shepard.

“Now that we’re older, we’re starting to see kids without parents and how they behave because they didn’t have that influence on their lives. We had such a close relationship – not all fathers and daughters have that,” explained his oldest daughter, Lauren.

He was also a loving and nurturing husband. “When I would be crying about his illness and be so depressed I would ask, ‘Warren, why you?’ He would say, ‘why not me?’” Cynthia explained. “He never once complained or cried or asked ‘why’ while he was sick.

He was the most humble person I’ve ever known.”

Middle: By their 25th wedding anniversary in 2009 Warren couldn’t walk or talk. But, that didn’t stop him from an overly romantic gesture that took the help of the Broombergs. Warren had David to go to Steel’s Jewelry and pick out three rings for him to choose from to give Cynthia.

So when Cynthia came home that afternoon he was kneeling with a new ring and a series of notes he had written to ask Cynthia to marry him again. She joyously accepted.

Bottom: Warren was a caring and involved father. He took his daughters to school and to early morning FCA meetings (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). He coached travel softball for Lauren and supported Callie’s pageants. He was also very involved in Journey, a program affiliated with the “Walk to Emmaus” that encourages teens to be spiritual leaders in their churches.

Right: Warren & Cynthia on their wedding day.

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Cynthia was humbled by the show of support during Warren’s long illness which included a consistent paycheck from Valdosta Lighting during his five-year absence from work and her co-workers at the Langdale Company stepping in and covering her work while she had to come and go frequently.

“There is no way I can pay back what our friends have done for us so I try to pay it forward.”

there. “I pulled up to a stoplight and there was a dump truck in front of me. The only word on the back of the truck was ‘Warren’.”

There were so many stories shared at the Coats home of miracles that show God’s hand in Warren’s life and signs that show his reach and impact on people.

Warren Coats changed the world when he walked among men and people who never even knew him are still being touched through this story of love. He was, indeed, one of those rare men who changed people’s lives simply by the way he lived and, even though his life was cut short, his spirit lives on and his story is far from over.

David Broomberg relayed a time when he was driving around after Warren’s death listening to their favorite contemporary Christian music. He thought of Warren and wished he could be

Paulo Coelho, author of The Pilgrimage: Diary of Magus, about extraordinary events that happen to ordinary people, wrote: “The world is changed by your example…not your opinion.”

Friends and family had a “reunion” to share stories and memories of Warren at Cynthia’s home recently. Top Right: Byron Courson, Paula Hutchinson, Kanawha Phillips Top Left: Callie, Cynthia and Lauren. Bottom Left: Joey Griffin, Dean Boroff, Byron Courson, Joe Griffin, Rusty Trancygier, a long-time high school friend of Warrens. (Photography by Sally Turner Querin)

Warren S. Coats Memorial Golf Tournament – Oct. 6, 2016 Warren’s family started a foundation to raise money to pay for college students to attend “Journey”, a program affiliated with the “Walk to Emmaus” that encourages teens to be spiritual leaders in their churches. The funds raised through Warren S. Coats Memorial Golf Tournament each year supports “Journey”, as well as research for ALS, Fellowship

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of Christian Athletes and other limited community causes. In 2015, the tournament included an “ice bucket challenge.” The challenge was started by Peter Fraides, former Captain of the Boston College baseball team, who was diagnosed with ALS in March 2012 at the age of 27. The “Ice Bucket Challenge” has raised over $100 million for ALS research.

(Photo by Wes Sewell Photography)

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Winter 2016

27

TECH SAVVY

What will the next 10 years look like?

By Tommy Nijem

About 10 years ago I stumbled across an essay written by Raymond Kurzweil called The Law of Accelerating Returns. It was fascinating to read his opinions about the future of the human race and the impact that technological changes will have on our lives. I’m not sure that I agree with all of the conclusions he reached in his essay but I do agree with his central thesis.

Kurzweil argues that humans tend to think about change in a linear fashion meaning we expect the next 10 or 20 years to be similar to the previous 10 or 20 years in terms of technological advances and invention. He then goes on to show that it is more realistic to expect exponential advances in technology.

That is because the rate of change (how fast things are changing) is accelerating. So the next 10 or 20 years will be more like the previous 50 to 60 years with regards to advances in science and technology.

Self Driving Cars

I’m not sure if his predictions are entirely accurate, but I do believe that we are beginning to see some breakthroughs in science and technology that will have a profound impact on our lives in the near future.

These advances are simultaneously exhilarating and worrisome. They all have the ability to help people lead better lives but they often carry with them the ability to be miss-used or abused. I will outline a few of the more interesting topics below in the hopes that one or more of them will pique your interest and you will explore them in more detail on your own.

“Auto Pilot”. Auto Pilot allows you to put the Tesla in cruise control and the car will drive itself. It will steer the steering wheel, apply the brakes, control the gas pedal and it will even change lanes when you turn on the blinker! There are restrictions on this feature right now. It can only be enabled on interstates and highways and a person must be in the driver’s seat at all times with their hands on the steering wheel. So in a way, it’s like a next generation cruise control. But make no mistake, it is a sign of things to come in the near future. In less than 10 years, a significant portion of cars will have a similar capability and it will be enabled on all types of roads.

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In many ways this is not a “future” thing. You may not be aware of it but there are self driving cars on the road right now. As a matter of fact I recently rode in one a few weeks ago. The car is an electric vehicle made by Tesla.

It is a beautifully designed luxury sedan that gets about 280 miles on a full charge and in October 2015 the company released a software update for the car that enabled a feature called

I think there are many benefits to self driving cars. Most notably we will see a decrease in traffic accidents and deaths.

The logic and control systems that are driving the car will not be distracted, they won’t fall asleep behind the wheel, and they won’t drive while impaired.

But I also worry about the negative impacts of this new technology. What will happen to the transportation industry? What about people who drive for a living? Many of those jobs will be eliminated as part of this change.

CRISPR

The last 12 months have been incredible ones for genetic engineering.

That’s mostly due to a new technology called CRISPR—an easy, cheap, and very precise way to “edit” the DNA of living cells.

Recently several hundred scientists and bioethicists met at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC, to debate one of the most charged questions raised by CRISPR: should ever use it to correct disease-causing genes in people before they’re born?

That idea is called “germ-line” editing, because it involves changing the DNA in sperm, eggs, or embryos.

One day, gene editing might be used to avoid terrifying genetic conditions like Huntington’s disease or muscular dystrophy.

One of the areas where this type of gene editing is already being used is in changing familiar animals. So far scientists have used this capability to modify flies, worms, ferrets and even beagles. In China scientists have genetically modified beagles to be extra

muscular! These “super beagles” have twice the amount of muscle mass as a normal beagle. This will give them better running ability which will help in hunting and police/military service.

involves delivering the new DNA using viruses. This is where Zombies come from if you believe the movies.

Thus far, no gene treatment has ever reached the market in the United States. But gene editing is changing

As is often the case with scientific advances, we are confronted with moral and ethical dilemmas surrounding a new invention or discovery. Where do we draw the line? How can it be controlled? Should it be regulated? I

Agriculture also stands to benefit from gene editing. There are already genetically modified crops in our grocery isles today. These crops must go through an expensive and lengthy approval process by the FDA because they are modified by using genes from bacteria. With CRISPR though, bacteria is not required to genetically change the crops so these plants would escape the current regulation process in the United States. DuPont, one of the largest sellers of genetically modified crops, believes the first gene-edited foods will be on dinner tables within 5 years.

things by expanding the tool kit that researchers have to work with. That’s because the technology lets them delete or correct genes as well as add them more precisely. Two companies have already announced they will embark on CRISPR-based medical trials within 2 years. One is a treatment for blindness and the other for hemophilia.

certainly don’t have all the answers but I do know that major changes are coming and they are gaining speed.

Fasten your seatbelts!

Gene therapy in humans holds the most promise for remarkable benefits in our lifetime. The ability to modify DNA more precisely and cheaply than ever before will revolutionize our battle against genetic diseases like hemophilia. Prior to CRISPR, gene therapy was risky because the mechanism used to modify DNA

The pros and cons of this new, inexpensive gene editing technology are truly mind-boggling. The amount of good that can come from this advancement is difficult to imagine.

What if we could eliminate genetic birth defects and sickness in babies before they are born? What would it be worth if we could genetically modify mosquitoes to wipe out malaria? On the other hand, will humans be able to resist the urge to genetically modify their unborn fetuses so they have a certain eye color or hair color?

Tommy Nijem is owner of NIJEMtech and has spent his entire career in the Information Technology field.

He has served some of the largest, most sophisticated companies in the world and now brings his skills and experience to Valdosta and the nearby region. Tommy can be reached at 229-269-4151.

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Winter 2016

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Spice

Live Music Adds

to Winter Menus Story by Nancy Deruyter Warren

It’s been said that food is music to the body and music is food to the heart and soul. Both body and soul can be nourished during the chilly winter months at some great Valdosta area eateries that have added live music to their menus!

In Downtown Valdosta, Bleu Café features a winter lineup with live music every Monday and Friday nights. “Live music adds another layer of entertainment to any dining experience,” explains Meagan Loftus, manager of Bleu Café. “Our goal is to foster a sense of community downtown and Valdosta as a whole, through live music from local and traveling musicians.”

Monday nights at Bleu Café feature local musicians Darren and Rob from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. First Fridays in January and March, sponsored by Main Street Valdosta, will feature 2RiverStation and Joe Smothers is slated for February’s First Friday. Other Fridays this winter, Bleu Café will showcase a menu of delicious food and these talented musicians, playing from 7:00 -10:00 p.m. in January: Ann Cline,

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January 8; Brandon Reeves, January 15; Hank Hall and Dustin Otey, January 22; Tanner Strickland, January 29. In February, the lineup includes Ann Cline, February 12; Justin Gray, February 19; Hank Hall and Dustin Otey, February 26. March features Anne Cline on the 11th, Joe Smothers, March 18, Hank Hall and Dustin Otey, on March 25.

Another fine downtown establishment, 306 North, also believes in the power of music. “I think that live music has the potential to bring in customers and has done so many times,” says Amy Cox, owner. “It provides people opportunities to hear groups that they normally would not without having to go to a late night bar or private event.”

2RiverStation, the duo of Jolyn Smith and Kerri Kent, will perform at select times this winter at 306. “Live music is fun for the staff as well,” adds Cox. Our staff at 306 is in a great mood when we have live music. This benefits everyone!”

The Bistro, also in downtown Valdosta at 132 N. Ashley Street, features piano music by local musician Raymond

Peace. “Raymond has been a fixture for us for the last few years every Friday night,” says John Foley, the Bistro’s general manager. “He plays a wonderful mix of music from classical to sentimental oldies and favorites, honoring any and all requests possible. His music creates a wonderful atmosphere for a memorable dining experience with us.” The Bistro has just added Ralph Plummer to its live music schedule for Saturday nights. He’ll be playing the guitar and piano in the bar on Saturdays, adds Foley.

The rooftop at Steel Magnolia’s is well known for it’s live music lineup but is taking a break during the cold winter months, according to Keira Moritz, owner. Live entertainment will resume in April.

Branching out from downtown Valdosta, other restaurants are showcasing live entertainment. “We have live music at The Salty Snapper every day,” says Pierce Gossow, general manager of the restaurant at 1605 Gornto Road.

“We enjoy the option of having our artist on the patio or inside on the main stage. You can come in Sunday through

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Thursday and enjoy a great artist out on the patio. On the weekends, we will either have an amazing act on the main stage or on the patio.” The expansive patio will be comfortably decked out with heaters this winter, he adds.

Local musician Joe Smothers is booked for January 3, 14, and 24; Kevin and Leah perform January 17 and John Sutton on January 30. Additional performers for January, February and March will be announced soon.

“We really enjoy being involved with the local artists and try to do our part in giving back to all the great local talent that Valdosta and surrounding counties have,” Gossow says. “We’re very farm to table driven with one of the largest oyster selections anywhere around, but also enjoy offering this one-of-a-kind musical environment where you can enjoy amazing food and music at the same time.”

Traveling a bit further south, Rascal’s at Lake Park features local singer Donna Adams on third Thursdays, as well as bands and other singers on weekends. Rascal’s also boasts a large dance floor, as well as a varied menu that includes gator tails, steaks and seafood.

Talented musicians and delicious food make a great winter combo. These are just a few of the fun places to embrace during the cooler months. Venture out this winter and enjoy all the musical and culinary talent the Valdosta area has to offer!

Previous Page: Donna Adams entertains the crowds at Rascal’s in Lake Park.

Top Left: Kevin and Leah perform at The Salty Snapper.

Middle: Rob Evans, architect at IPG and Darren Pascavage, headmaster, Valwood School, play at Bleu Café on Monday evenings.

Right: Joe Smothers is a regular at Bleu Café.

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Valdosta Magazine

Bridal Registry Ashlyn Thomas & Brett DeLoach

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Gretchen Edwards and Will Elliott

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Winter 2016

35

Remember When

W

hat is it, about wood, and leather, in the world of tools, implements, and gear? When you consider the current popular alternatives, we have aluminum, fiberglass, and plastic. To put it bluntly, none of the three have any class, any warmth, or any history. Show me a historic, treasured firearm, and I’ll show you a fine Walnut stock, not black fiberglass. Recall your grandfather’s ax or hammer, which maybe you now own, and it will have a worn, wooden Hickory handle. Fiberglass need not apply.

You spot the bull elk in the timber, rein in your horse and dismount. You will slide your rifle from a scabbard of wellworn leather, not GoreTex. Your old saddle-bags, or favorite belt and boots, are not plastic. It’s all about, “that feel”.

In my mid-teen years, I discovered that our local Roddey’s Hardware store had leather... rolls of tanned saddle leather.

I try to imagine today, the conversation between their employees, when I parked my bike out front, and walked thru their front door.

“There’s that Nichols kid, again….. Lookin’ for leather, I’ll bet. But first, he’ll stop, and drool on the big Case knives display…”

“Yeah… and he never goes anywhere, without that dog. He’s got that flashlight. Whose turn is it?”

On that day, it was Remer Wetherington’s turn. Always smiling and tolerant, Remer escorted me, Queenie, and my Ray-O-Vac flashlight up two flights of creaking stairs to the dark third floor I called “the attic”. I knew just what I wanted, and Remer would cut the piece for me from their supply of full, tanned hides as I held the flashlight for him.

Back downstairs, they’d roll it up for me, and tie it with twine. All I had to do was sign my name on a sales slip, because we had a “charge account” at Roddey’s. My father had no problem with my buying the leather, or a pocketknife, or .22 or shotgun ammo, with that open account.

He wisely knew the ammo, etc. would “keep me busy” in projects or adventures that he approved of, as opposed to “hanging out” at the corner drugstore.

1. Southern Salvage is located at 109 Ashley Street in Valdosta.

Photo credit: Lowndes County Historical Society and Museum.

2. Roddey’s Department Store was located at 128 N. Ashley St. in Valdosta.

Photo credit: Lowndes County Historical Society and Museum.

1

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So what did I fashion, from my leather? It all began with dog-collars and evolved into belts, knife sheaths, and guncases, scabbards. My favorite tool was a “Speedy Stitcher”, still available on-line, after over 60 years. Or I’d use my hole-puncher, also still available, and use leather bootlace lacing. On a later 1960 elk hunt, my .308 was in my handlaced saddle-scabbard. But there is one “creation” that stands out, and remains a unique memory, across the years.

2 In fact, there were two of them; one for each dog and they weren’t collars. They were “packs”. I had read of how the Native American culture had used dogs in transporting their nomadic needs, in various ways; even having them tow small travois.

In those idyllic days, my friend Young’s family had a large farm near Valdosta, and I had an old Navy-surplus Jeep. We each had a dog. They were not “hunting dogs”, in the true sense of the term. They were basically mongrel pets, but they were large, and smart. My dog “Queenie” was part German Shepherd, the other part a mystery. Young’s “Spike” was about half Bulldog, and the other half didn’t matter. I liked calling them “sight hounds”, as neither had a trailing nose or seldom used it. On the hunts, day or night, they’d locate and tree squirrels, ‘coons, and ‘possums. The one and final bobcat they treed up high in a Live Oak tree, flew down very angry, stung with #6 shot from my .410. Both dogs fled.

The buckle on dog-packs I designed were like small saddlebags, one with side-pockets for food, the other held a WWII Army canteen of water on each side, in its insulated cover.

On the morning we tried them out, neither dog seemed to resent the load, and away we went on a day-long adventure; armed, and supplied with food and drink for the duration.

We were soon following a creek, deep into a swamp that adjoined the languid Withlacoochee River, which flowed

south into Florida. The dogs, casting and circling, soon treed a squirrel and carried on as if they were naked. The day looked promising. But not for long. Just before we got to the river, there was a sudden commotion in the thick brush; some of it barking, some of it the sound a dog makes, when it’s in extreme pain. Our first thought was that they’d run onto a bobcat. We would later wish it was a bobcat. It was a genus Mephitis (Latin for, “bad odor”) ... a large skunk.

Spike was a calm dog, but if provoked, would try to kill whatever was provoking him. Whenever this occurred, Queenie would act as cheerleader, barking encouragement, darting in and out of the fray, but avoiding any teeth or claws from a safe distance. ‘Coons, ‘possums and bobcats are one thing, but a skunk has that other disgusting “weapon”, in addition to teeth and claws. Both dogs were soon victims of the revolting mist, and after Queenie watched Spike finally release his prey, both dogs ran straight to us, to tell us what they had done. Only then, did we realize there would be no lunch, no drinking water, on that day.

Both dogs reeked, and we both gagged, as we loosened their fouled and permeated packs. We were now at the river, so it was a simple task to just repeatedly throw the dogs off the bank, and into the river below. We did this until they finally wised up to the game. In our frustration and anger, we also threw both packs into the coffee-colored Withlacoochee. Our PBJ sandwiches, Baby Ruths, Vienna Sausages, and, the old canteens, all gone. I’d paid a dollar each for the old canteens, at Mister Landy’s Southern Salvage. Being, “collectible”, they’re no longer a dollar, these days, at the Gun Shows. Is anything a dollar?

The good news is that the ride home in the open Jeep dried the dogs and kept their putrid odor to the rear. Neither was a “house-dog”, so we didn’t bother washing them with tomato juice, that sure-fire proven remedy for such encounters. I’ve often wondered, thru the years, “Who in the world, came up with that solution?” We just used my mom’s Halo Shampoo.

Jim Nichols, a Valdosta native, now lives in Billings, Montana, with wife Trisha. He is a published writer, enjoys hunting, gardening, old cars and road trips. Contact Jim at: jimdawg60@gmail.com

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MONEY MATTERS

Important Changes to Social Security: Tougher Rules for Claiming Strategies

By Bob Goddard

O

n November 2, 2015, President Obama signed into law the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.

This new law includes several changes to Social Security that may affect you, particularly if you were planning to use the popular file-and-suspend and restricted application claiming strategies.

First, if you reach age 66 before May 1, 2016, you will be grandfathered in under the old rules. This means you are still eligible to file and immediately suspend benefits at full retirement age so that your spouse and/or dependent children can receive benefits on your work record while your retirement benefit continues to grow at 8% per year (thanks to delayed retirement credits) until age 70. Those who file before the April 29 deadline will also retain the right to request a lump-sum payout of suspended benefits any time up to age 70.

If you will not have reached age 66 before May 1, 2016, but will be age 62 by December 31, 2015, you will no longer have file and suspend strategies available but will have restricted application strategies available. This means you are permitted to claim spousal benefits only at your full retirement age, assuming your spouse is already collecting benefits or files and suspends benefits before April 29, 2016. This allows you to claim one half of your spouse’s full retirement age benefit amount from full retirement age to age 70 and then switch to your

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Valdosta Magazine

own retirement benefit with delayed retirement credits.

If you will not have reached age 62 by December 31, 2015, you will not be able to use the file-and-suspend or restricted application claiming strategies. Anyone younger than age 62 by the end of 2015 will be subject to the deeming rules.

This means that if you are eligible for a retirement benefit on your own work record and a spousal benefit, you will be forced to file for both at the same time

and will only get paid the higher of the two benefits.

Claiming strategies for surviving spouses remain unchanged. This means you are permitted to initially claim either: (a) a benefit on your own work record or (b) a benefit on your deceased spouse’s work record (the survivor benefit). Regardless of which benefit you claim first, you will have the ability to switch to the other (larger benefit) at a later date.

Everyone will still have the option to suspend their benefits if they claim early and then change their mind. If you claim prior to age 70, you can suspend benefits any time after your full retirement age and allow your benefit to earn delayed retirement credits until age 70. However, any other benefits being paid from your work record will also be suspended until you start collecting benefits again.

As the law is currently written, it appears that the suspension of benefits extends to divorced spouse benefits as well. For example, if an ex-husband is claiming benefits on an ex-wife’s work record and the ex-wife suspends her benefits, this would also suspend the ex-husband’s benefits. It does not seem that this was the intent when the law was written, but it appears to be the case for now.

Social Security remains an important and complex part of most retirement plans.

Consult your tax professional and financial advisor for more information on the recent changes and claiming strategies that are right for you.

Article provided

by Robert A. Goddard III, a Vice President/ Investments with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, member SIPC and New York Stock Exchange. He can be reached by calling the firm’s Valdosta office at (229) 293-1125 or by e-mail at goddardr@stifel.com.

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©2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the priciples of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

Monday 10 am- 7 pm, Tuesday – Saturday 10am-9pm, & Sunday 1pm-6pm 1737 Gornto Road • Valdosta, GA 31602 • 229-242-1430

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BROOKE WHITE

A PASSIONATE ENTREPRENEUR

Story by John F. Riddle

Photography by Wes Sewell Photography Studio

en·tre·pre·neur

: a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.

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he word entrepreneur can strike either fear or passion in people’s hearts. Depending on which one you feel when you hear it can determine if you are an entrepreneur at heart.

Brooke Steinberg White always felt passion for entrepreneurship even before she knew what that word meant.

Not knowing it at the time, Brooke started as a very young entrepreneur when she had the idea of making fans at her brother’s little league state tournament when she was tenyears old making over $300. In sixth-grade she began offering a calligraphy service by addressing wedding invitations, a service she still provides today.

“When people ask me whether or not to open a business, I ask them, ‘do you feel compelled?’”. Brooke Steinberg White always felt compelled to own a business…or two.

Brooke began her professional career as a teacher. After five years her passion for her own business compelled her, and her

husband Charles White, to open White Weddings in 2012. She did not have the money to start her business and had to write and present a business plan to secure a loan. She took a risk and followed it up with hard work and determination… and… customer service.

“It’s important in business to have a sense of urgency. Our goal is to get back with every customer every day,” she explained. Her sense of urgency has paid off. In 2014, she built her own building where White Weddings is now located at 421 Connell Road in Valdosta. They also offer services that extend beyond the wedding with an annual Valentines Banquet, “From I Do to How To”, to help foster lasting marriages by helping couples in their first year of marriage.

Her latest entrepreneurial venture is Yaya’s Sweets and Treats in partnership with her Mother, Marcia Steinberg. Apparently, Marcia was not a big cook when her children were growing up but she was a great baker. She started out baking cakes but tried cookies and loved that. But, soon they were baking 200 dozen cookies each holiday season in her tiny oven.

Right: Brooke White, with her husband Charles White, opened White Weddings in 2012 with a vision to support local business by providing an upscale bridal shopping experience that created lasting memories for brides and bridal parties in South Georgia and North Florida.

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“We thought the cookies were fun and unique. I finally said to Mom, ‘I think we have something here. Let’s try it’,” Brooke explained. What started out in Marcia’s kitchen a few years back developed into a storefront operation they opened in July, 2015. They named it “Yaya’s” because that’s what Marcia’s grandchildren call her.

Brooke believes continuing education is an important aspect of success in running your own small business, “I have utilized VSU’s small business development center for consultation services and continuing education courses in marketing, accounting, and other courses,” she stated. “It’s important for business owners to continue to learn the latest trends and techniques that can propel their business to the next level.”

Brooke is also a big believer in a Zig Zigler quote: “You can have everything you want if you help others get what they want.”

“When I opened White Weddings, there was an existing bridal shop, Rudine’s Bridal. She hugged me and said, ‘God’s going to give us all what he wants us to have’. That opened a friendly, helpful relationship that was beneficial to both of us,” Brooke said.

Brooke says that people call her often about sitting down to discuss opening a business.

“There are people in the community wanting to start a business and they need support,” she explains. “I don’t mind helping others when they are considering a business. Anytime we add a business to our community that brings in revenue to our community.

That helps us all.”

Top: Gourmet cookies made by Yaya’s can be made in most any design and monogram.

Middle: Ivy Kendrick and Zoe Kendrick helping during the busy Christmas season.

Bottom: Front row (L-R) Yaya’s grandchildren...

Zoe Kendrick, Caroline White and Ivy Kendrick; back row: Yaya and daughters.... Brooke White, Yaya (Marcia Steinberg), and Stacy Kendrick.

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Chamber of Commerce; 416 N. Ashley St. – Valdosta, GA 31601; 229-247-8100; seedsbusinessresourcecenter.com

Valdosta was named Georgia’s first Entrepreneur Friendly Community in 2005 by then Governor Sonny Perdue in recognition of Valdosta’s entrepreneur development program, the SEEDS Business Resource Center (SEEDS – Sowing Entrepreneur & Economic Development Success), operated by the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce.

The idea behind the SEEDS Center is to grow new, small businesses that have the potential to become wildly successful large businesses. Since inception the SEEDS Center has provided helped over 4,800 entrepreneurs seeking to start or grow their business.

Small Business Development Center: Valdosta State University; Langdale College of Business Administration – 100 Thaxton Hall, Valdosta GA; 229-245-3738; valdosta.edu/colleges/business/small-business-development-center.com

VALDOSTA

RESOURCES FOR ENTREPRENEURS

SEEDS Business Resource Center: Valdosta-Lowndes County

The SBDC is a public service outreach unit that provides business and economic development assistance for Lowndes and surrounding counties.

As part of the Harley Langdale, Jr., School of Business Administration, the SBDC is an essential resource for small businesses. They offer business management consultation with consultants who have practical experience and the ability to apply current business theory to the challenges faced by today’s entrepreneurs.

Upcoming classes coordinated by the SBDC in Valdosta.

For more information or to register call 229-245-3738.

Digital Marketing Boot Camp February 3, 2016 – 8:00 AM VSU University Center, Magnolia Room #1 Cost: $49.00

How to Start a Business March 9, 2016 – 2:00 PM VSU, Thaxton Hall, Room 102 $69.00

Boots to Business: Military Only February 11, 2016 – 8:30 AM Moody Air Force Base Cost: $0.00

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On Thursday, October 15, a Diamond Gala was held at the historic Barber House celebrating the home’s 100th anniversary and promoting the Chamber’s “Investing in the Next Century” capital campaign. The event was catered by Covington’s and a string quartet from the Valdosta Symphony entertained over 100 guests.

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The Barber House has been home to the Chamber since 1981. The funds raised through the campaign will be used for improvements and upgrades to the Barber House, as well as, expansion of the Chamber’s SEEDS Business Resource Center and development of plans for a new business incubator in Valdosta.

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(Starting at top from L to R) 1. Barbara and Rusty Griffin 2. Cachet Prescott and Tim Carroll 3. Josette and Jim Ingram 4. John and Crystal LaHood and Mary Clayton and Britt McLane 5. Carla Penny 6. Candlelight Buffett by Covington’s 7. Mayor John Gayle, Jeff Hanson and Russ Henry 8. Jeff Hanson, Carla Penny, Jason Manley and James Lee Herndon 9. Valdosta Symphony Orchestra members entertaining the crowd 10. Jack Hartley, Regina and Steven Boatner 11. Jeannie and Bill Grow

Chamber’s Diamond Gala CELEBRATES PAST AND FUTURE

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Honor Roll of Investors Investing For The Next Century

Bruce & Linda Allred Ambling Property Management Ameris Bank Azalea Health Tim Carroll Chet & Myrna Ballard/Chamber Staff Barber Trust Advisory Board Blanton & Griffin Insurance Brandon, Rackley & Dukes CJB Industries Coleman Talley, LLP Colony Bank Colson Printing Commercial Banking Company Tim & Linda Coombs Joe & Pat Cordova Covington’s Dining & Catering/306 North Restaurant Stanley, Sue and Amy Cox Angie Crawford C. Terry Hunt Construction Allan & Joan Dear Mike & Martha Dover Farmers Home Furniture

Farmers & Merchants Bank First Federal Savings of Valdosta First State Bank & Trust Company Fowler, Holley, Rambo & Stalvey Fresh Beginnings/ELEAD1One Georgia Power Company Kentucky Fried Chicken Lee Office Equipment Wendell Godbee Tom & Mary Gooding Dr. & Mrs. William Grow Guardian Bank Mike & Teresa Gudely Owen & Nelda Harris W. Richard Hill Walter Hobgood Johnson Distributing Company Langdale Ford Langdale Place LeFiles Valenti Financial Advisors Lee McArthur James & Catherine McGahee McLane Funeral & Cremation Services Miller Hardware Moore, Clarke, Duvall & Rodgers, P.C.

Paul & Janet Nichols Bill & Joanna Nijem Carla Penny Pepsico Quillian Powell Construction Jud Rackley Real Living Realty Advisors Renasant Bank Southeastern Credit Union Southwest Georgia Bank Mike Stalvey Stifel Sunset Farm Foods The Citizens Bank The Herndon Company Tillman & Tillman Valdosta CEO Valdosta Daily Times Nick Valenti Valenti, Rackley & Associates Mala Vallotton Waller Heating & Air Williams Investment Company Current as of December 10, 2015

SEEDS is an acronym, which stands for Sowing Entrepreneur and Economic Development Success. SEEDS is an entrepreneur resource center specializing in customized research and data. It has up-to-date information for aspiring entrepreneurs, start-up businesses, existing businesses or individuals searching for custom market data, industry profiles, demographic reports, competitor information, targeted sales leads and much more. All of its services are free regardless of Chamber membership. The SEEDS Business Resource Center is located in inside the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce at 416 N. Ashley Street. The SEEDS Center serves Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, Turner, and Worth counties.

Left: Jordan Christopher and Cachet Prescott.

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Valdosta Magazine

In Memory A

Prentice Adams - 1936-2015 Charles Alexander - 1940-2015 Annie Allen - 1926-2015

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James Baker - 1937-2015 Charles Belcher - 1938-2015 Sarah Benavides - 1940-2015 Brian Bennett - 1963-2015 Collis Jerry Bennett - 1948-2015 James Bennett - 1957-2015 Henry Bentley - 1920-2015 Julian Bonner - 1957-2015 Julian Boykin - 1928-2015

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Mark Canada - 1959-2015 Martha Carter - 1941-2015 Margaret Cawthon - 1959-2015 Willet Chance - 1935-2015 Thomas Chitty - 1935-2015 Julia Coker - 1933-2015 George Coody - 1946-2015 David Cowart - 1953-2015 Leah Croft - 1924-2015 James Cunninham, Sr. - 1929-2015

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Marjorie Harnage - 1928-2015 Evelyn Harrell - 1959-2015 Betty Harrell - 1935-2015 Tracy Harrison - 1968-2015 Marissa Hartford - 1988-2015 Gloria Healy - 1925-2015 Mary Hiers - 1928-2015

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Ja’Kaden Johnson - 2015-2015 Ja’Kari Johnson - 2015-2015

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Matthew Kaeck - 1985-2015 Jean Kerestan - 1947-2015 Donald Kuiper - 1960-2015

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Edgar Lara Reyes - 2015-2015 Allan Lewis - 1965-2015 James Lovins - 1947-2015

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James Elliott - 1939-2015 Lillie Elliott - 1924-2015

Louie Maloney - 1941-2015 Virgil McCrary - 1927-2015 Garnett McCurley - 1923-2015 Christina McGinnis - 1967-2015 Marshall McMullen - 1932-2015 Roy McQuaig - 1935-2015 Mary McRae - 1927-2015 Lila Mead - 1928-2015 Mary Milligan - 1951-2015 Margaret Millsaps - 1945-2015 Priscilla Mincey - 1924-2015 Jeraldine Moon - 1952-2015 Betty Morgan - 1950-2015 Barbara Morrow - 1931-2015 Charlotte Moss - 1962-2015 Douglas Moxley - 1942-2015 Belinda Mullis - 1963-2015

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Harold Dampier - 1948-2015 Roy Dasher - 1920-2015 Roy Dasher - 1949-2015 Barbara Davis - 1929-2015 Frances Dawkins - 1934-2015 Thomas Dixon - 1942-2015 David Driggers - 1961-2015 Juanita Duckworth - 1946-2015

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Brandon Findley - 1995-2015 Maggie Flowers - 1921-2015 Charles Forte - 1930-2015

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Rhonda Gay - 1948-2015 Lauryn Grant - 2015-2015

Kenneth Norris - 1953-2015

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Melinda Rehberg - 1970-2015 Janice Renfroe - 1951-2015 Robert Riffey - 1945-2015 Margaret Roberts - 1937-2015 Richard Roberts - 1954-2015 Margaret Rowan - 1952-2015

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Hans Sand - 1929-2015 Roy Sauls - 1942-2015 Ryan Schmidt - 2015-2015 William Scott - 1944-2015 Marvin Shelton - 1944-2015 Hardy Smith - 1934-2015 Wallace Smith - 1938-2015 Robin Stewart - 1942-2015 Dianne Swails - 1950-2015

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Madonna Theobald - 1926-2015 Laurel Thomas - 1949-2015 Clair Thornton - 1937-2015 Frances Thrasher - 1959-2015 Margaret Turner - 1937-2015

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Emmie Wagner - 1918-2015 Angela Walker - 1976-2015 Mary Webb - 1920-2015 Patricia Westmoreland - 1939-2015 Willie White - 1934-2015 Taylor Williams - 1984-2015 James Wills - 1942-2015 Courtland Winn - 1929-2015 Reginald Wisenbaker, Sr. - 1933-2015

In Memory…

Information provided by McLane Funeral Services

Christie Patterson - 1945-2015 Brian Paulk - 1963-2015 Gary Pitts - 1946-2015 Marcus Powers - 1938-2015 John Puckett, Jr. - 1936-2015

Winter 2016

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REAL ESTATE

Real Estate Matters

By Tom Call

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s you think about selling your home, it may have crossed your mind that you should just sell it yourself. In 2015, approximately 89% of home sellers hired a REALTOR®. What do they know that you don’t?

To sell your home yourself, you’ll be competing against experts who have more tools and connections than you do. In addition to multiple listing services, broker websites, real estate websites, personal websites, and professionalgrade videos and photos, real estate professionals network with each other to sell many homes before they are introduced to the marketplace.

You’ll have to perform all the jobs a professional would do for you, along with adopting a professionalism you haven’t been trained for, all while holding down your own job. When will you have time to study the market, create a marketing plan, buy advertising, show your home, and negotiate with buyers?

It’s no problem for a Realtor when a buyer wants to see your home at any time, but will your boss let you take off in the middle of the day to show

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your home? Will she allow you to use the company’s graphics and editorial team to whip out a top quality listing presentation for you? Will you have the long-term price trends to defend your price to buyers?

You won’t know whom you’re allowing to see your home. Even if you could

Real estate transactions are rife with opportunities to make legal mistakes.

Do you know what you have to disclose to the buyer to be compliant with state laws? If you did add-ons yourself and didn’t get a building permit, you might be in violation of city codes that could come back to bite the buyer and you.

Closing in a garage doesn’t mean you can add square footage to your home without subtracting market value for no longer having a garage. Your local taxing authority should reassess your home so that the size and amenities match the marketing materials and disclosures you’ve provided about your home.

Once you have a contract, you have to get to closing and many contracts don’t make it that far.

The buyer can decline to buy for a number of reasons, including FHA or VA requirements that your home might not meet. An agent can help negotiate problems and make sure every entity in the pipeline is doing their jobs in a timely fashion so there are no bad surprises.

arrange a time to show your home to buyers, how do you know they aren’t coming into your home to steal your prescriptions or worse? Serious buyers are vetted through their real estate agents and bankers so only buyers who are qualified to buy your home can be allowed to see it. Do you know how to put a buyer through instant credit checks so you’ll know whether or not they’re suitable before you let them in your home?

Those are only a few of the many reasons sellers hire real estate professionals like us at Coldwell Banker Premier Real Estate. Give us a call today at 229-244-3535 and let’s talk!

Tom Call, Broker Coldwell Banker Premier Real Estate tomcall@valdostarealtors.com 229-244-3535

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Tuesday

February 16 7:30pm at Mathis City Auditorium

You loved Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Tommy James and the Shondells. Carly Simon. Cat Stevens. Elton John. Carole King. Jim Croce. Come see The Hit Men, an amazing look back through rock and roll history featuring former members of these mega-star acts performing your favorite songs -- from “Oh What a Night,” “Who Loves You,” “Sherry” and many other Four Seasons hits to “Peace Train,” “Crocodile Rock,” “The Loco Motion,” “Leroy Brown” and “Mony Mony.” You'll know every word in every song in this night of mega hits – performed by the artists you heard on the original records, listened to on the radio, watched on TV and saw in concert.

During this exhilarating multi-media production, The Hit Men will regale you with great stories about what it was like on the road and in recording sessions with Frankie, Tommy, Carly, Cat, Jim and Elton. Relive the glory days of rock and roll with The Hit Men. You'll leave the theatre saying, "Oh, What a Night!"

Tickets make a wonderful gift!

Make it a date night by adding the optional pre-show dinner at 6pm.

Featuring Former Stars of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

Tickets are $49 each, Optional pre-show dinner; $16 each Contact the Turner Center for information and purchases 527 North Patterson Street, Valdosta 229-247-ARTS (2787) / www.turnercenter.org

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TOURNAMENT seen

Symphony Ball and Auction

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n Saturday, November 14, 2015, the Valdosta Symphony Guild hosted the Symphony Ball and Auction at the Valdosta Country Club. The annual Symphony Ball is the largest fundraiser for the Guild each year, benefiting the youth programs of the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra. Decorations for the theme “Baubles, Bangles, and Beads,” designed and provided by Mrs. Kay

Jennett, featured a colorful and glittering display reminiscent of the Arabian Nights. Youth programs supported by the Valdosta Symphony Guild’s efforts include the Youth Concert Series, the Glenn Wisenbaker Memorial Concert, Tunes for Tots, the South Georgia Strings Project, and VSO student scholarships. Pictures by Bryan Garris and Sally Turner Querin.

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1. Michael and Julie Savoie 2. Officers of the Valdosta Symphony Guild Left to right: Lois Heine, Treasurer-Elect and

Publicity Chair; Happy Ingeman, Corresponding Secretary; Carla Penny, Past President; Emily Rogers, President; Robin Thomas, President-Elect Marilyn Miller, Recording Secretary; and Ann Kasun, Treasurer 3. VSU Interim President Cecil Staton speaks with Kay Jennett. 4. Tamara Hardesty Hsu, Shannon Lowe, Peter Geldrich, Howard Hsu 5. Jack and Jane Hearn 6. Tammy and Ron Borders. 7. Louis Levy and. Jerriann Levy 8. David and Martha Cummings. 9. Joe and Quinn Vallotton 10. Dan and Carolyn Coleman 11. Nancy Collingwood Schmidt and Michael Schmidt 12. Christin Adeimy and Gloria Boyette 13. Spencer and Erin Price 14. Clay Moseley, Jodi Myddleton, Wayne Edwards and Vivace Sponsor 15. Gail Hobgood and Jeani Synyard 16. Darcy Farwell and Sara Jensen 17. Sharon Morris 18. Fred and Rose Ware 19. Gardner and Emily Rogers, Guild president.

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seen

Winnersville Golf Classic

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n 2009, the Azalea City Kiwanis Club created an invitation only, Ryder Cup style, match-play golf tournament known as the Winnersville Golf Classic between golfers representing the Valdosta Wildcats and Lowndes Vikings to be held the day before the annual Winnersville Football Classic. With the organizational efforts of the Azalea City Kiwanis Club and the annual

financial support of Southeastern Federal Credit Union, the tournament raises competitive spirits while providing significant financial support to the educational foundations of each school. Since 2009, the Azalea City Kiwanis Club has given over $70,000 to the educational foundations and even more to various other local charities that support the youth of the community.

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1. Phil Alday, Al Armstrong, Byron Courson, Joe Griffin. 2. Richard Welch, Justin Womack, Jeremy Davis, Kevin Hiers.

3. Valdosta High School Head Football Coach Rance Gillespie 4. Ron Hogan, Stu Mullis, Dean Boruff, Taylor Biddle.

5. Participants of the 2015 Winnersville Golf Classic

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Valdosta Magazine

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seen

Valdosta Magazine Preview Party

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he new owners of Valdosta Magazine, John and Connie Riddle of Showcase Publications, Inc., rolled out the red carpet for a Preview Party for their first issue this fall. The event, held at Wes Sewell’s Photography Studio and catered by Covington’s, was for writers, photographers and other key people involved. A

special tribute was made by the Riddles to former owner and founder Johnny B. Lastinger, who started and published the magazine for 19 years, by naming him Publisher Emeritus of Valdosta Magazine. The Riddles look forward to showcasing the people, places, and events of Valdosta through Valdosta Magazine.

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1. Nancy Warren and Cheryl Oliver 2. Sharon and Sidney Morris 3. John Riddle and Myrna Ballard 4. Connie Riddle, Mayor John Gayle and John Riddle 5. John Riddle, Brad Lastinger, Lamb Lastinger, Suzanne and John Lastinger and Connie Riddle 6. Jan Brice and Beverly Edwards 7. Kelly Madsen, Brian Geary and Diane Drew 8. Junior Service League

Members (L-R) Michelle Parkerson, Val LaHood and Jennifer Denham with Connie Riddle 9. Barry and Julie Barr, Bob and Mattia Goddard and John and Suzanne Lastinger 10. Lisa Register, Cindy Hatchkiss and Shauna Wilson 11. Donald Davis, Thea Thompson and Sementha Mathews

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seen

The Toy Shoppe

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he Turner Center’s Presenter Series The Toy Shoppe, co-written and produced by Kenny Rogers and Kelly Junkermann, really got the audience into the Christmas spirit at Mathis Auditorium December 8.

Alan Thicke, everyone’s favorite dad from the TV show “Growing Pains,” fit right into the role, originally portrayed

by Kenny Rogers, as Hank Longley, owner of Longley’s Toy Shoppe. Special guests, in addition to Thicke were Junkermann, who helped with the pre-show announcements and introduced Kenny Rogers’ wife’s family, the Millers,

longtime area residents who helped Rogers and wife Wanda with the first productions of The Toy Shoppe! Mrs. Miller made the very first “Hero Dog” (If you were there, you know that’s special!). From the beginning of the show when it snowed on stage and musical theatre students from Lowndes, Valdosta and Valwood performed, to the end when Longley’s is saved from bankruptcy, this wholesome family show was truly a “glorious, homespun family delight,” as described by The New York Times.

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1. Alan Thicke greets arts patrons Barbara and Brantley Jenkins after the show, along with Kelly Junkermann, Lucas Maverick and Nancy Warren. 2. Alan Thicke and Kelly Junkermann, far right, share a minute with some of the Presenter Series Committee: Cheryl Oliver, Nancy Warren, Jeani Synyard, Sarah Soshnik, Bob Goddard, Joanna Nijem, Bob Harrison.

3. Gabi Garrett and Chris Elmore with Alan Thicke. 4. Joanna Nijem, left, and Nancy Warren get a hug from Bruno the Bear, portrayed by Britt Prentice (BrittPrentice.com), who also played the role of Patterson. 5. Star of “Growing Pains” and more, Alan Thicke poses with Valdosta High School students Mary Catherine Burns, Ana Consolini and Brooke Meindl who performed in the show’s opening scene with other students. 6. The behind-the-scenes technical crew: Deanna Keys, Aaron Strickland, Lamont Hance, Genna Kasun, Alan Thicke, Noah Dalton, Christie Jo Mayo, Ree Seminole, Joe Muncy, Brandon Haynes, Brant Pickard. 7.

Kelly Junkermann, left, (co-writer, producer, director along with Kenny Rogers) his son Lucas Maverick (played the role of Nick), and star Alan Thicke share a moment with Wanda Miller Rogers’ parents and uncle, Tina and Charles Miller and Tom Miller, lifelong area residents. 8. With more than four million hits on YouTube, Internet sensation Olivia Kay plays the role of the angelic Katie and warmed hearts with her beautiful voice. She tours with her mom who played a cameo role.

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Winter 2016

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seen

Georgia Christian School Annual Benefit Dinner

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he Georgia Christian School Annual Benefit Dinner began in the fall of 2008 with Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward. It quickly became their largest fundraiser. The following years’ speakers included: former NBA star Tim McCormick, former Atlanta Brave Dale Murphy, Governor Mike Huckabee, First Lady Laura Bush, four-time Super Bowl Champion Terry Bradshaw, and President George W. Bush. Georgia Christian School was proud to have Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee Vince Gill as the 2015 GCS Benefit Dinner entertainment.

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Not only is the Annual Benefit Dinner a great night of entertainment, but it is a time for the community to learn about Georgia Christian School through videos, student performances, and interactions with student ambassadors, faculty, staff, and the Board of Directors. Make your plans now to be at this year’s Benefit Dinner!

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1. Austin & Katie Plyler 2. Brian Touchton, Trace Touchton, Kinely Touchton & Stacy Touchton 3. Burt Copeland, Emmy Copeland, Erin Copeland 4. Dale Tyler, Tina King, Jeanie Tyler & Phyllis Shea. 5. David Miller, Robin Miller, Kim Pelkowski & Luke Pelkowski 6. VCC Assistant Golf Pro Justin Smothers and Hiland Sanders. 7. Dr. Brad & Patience Lawson 8. Dr. Jarod & Julie Bailey. 9. Jim & Julie Godbee 10. Scott & Satrina Plyler 11. Paul & Tasha Copeland 12. Julie Horton & Joanne Ward 13. Adam & Morgan Guthrie 14. Tallon & Brooke Franks, Christina & Daryn Russell 15. Sam Greneker, Wendy Colson & Boston Guthrie 16. GCS Presidential Ambassadors 17. Sara & Ryan Jackson, Bryce Jackson, Dr. Jim Jackson, Landon Jackson, Parker Jackson, Ruth Babb & Sydney Jackson

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COMMUNITYCALENDAR January

Friday, January 1 Happy New Year!

Friday, January 1 First Friday 6-9pm 259.3577 valdosta.mainstreet.com Saturday, January 2 Bring One for the Chipper Bring your used Christmas tree to be recycled. Call 671.3698 for locations.

Saturday, January 17 Valdosta Symphony Guild ‘Tunes for Tots’ 10am Whitehead Auditorium, VSU Fine Arts Building. Free event offers children ages 3 to 8, accompanied by parents, a “hands-on” experience, as members of the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra demonstrate instruments.

333.2150.

Tuesday, January 19 – Friday, February 5 VSU Fine Arts Gallery’s Valdosta National 2016 Opening reception Jan. 19, 607:30pm 333.5835 valdosta.edu/art Tuesday, January 19 Turner Center for the Arts Volunteer Reception 4:30-6pm Turner Center Thursday, January 21 Valdosta Youth Council Meeting 4-5:15pm City Hall 216 E. Central Avenue

Thursday, January 7 Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Event 10am Valdosta Police Department 500 N. Toombs Street 242.2606 Thursday, January 7 Valdosta City Council Meeting 5:30pm 216 E. Central Avenue 259.3500 for information.

Monday, January 11 – Saturday, January 30 Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts Gallery Exhibit Opening, Draw Project Auction & Book Signing by Rev. Craig Rikard 527 N. Patterson Opening Reception Jan. 11, 5-7pm 247Arts (2787) turnercenter.org

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Valdosta Magazine

Thursday, January 21 Valdosta City Council Meeting 5:30pm 216 E. Central Avenue 259.3500 for information.

Friday, January 23 – Saturday, January 24 VSU Theatre & Dance and The Valdosta School of Ballet present ‘Sleeping Beauty, The Ballet’ Mathis City Auditorium 7:30pm Friday, 3pm Saturday 333.5973 valdosta.edu/comarts Thursday, January 28 Center for the Arts Guild Culinary Class with Brenda Anderson: La Cucina Roma (The Roman Kitchen) 6-8pm Turner Center 247.2787 to reserve space!

Saturday, January 30 Julian Lawrence Gargiulo Classical Piano Concert and Children’s Concert 7pm adults, 10:30am children Turner Center 247.2787 turnercenter.org

February

Thursday, February 4-7, 11-13 Theatre Guild Valdosta Presents Agatha Christie’s ‘A Murder is Announced’ ‘Dosta Theatre downtown, evenings at 7:30; Sunday matinees at 3, 24-STAGE (247.8243) theatreguildvaldosta.com Friday, February 5 First Friday/Art Walk More information: 259.3577, ValdostaMainStreet.com Saturday, February 5 – Saturday, February 6 VSU Theatre & Dance presents ‘Bunnicula the Musical’ (Annual Theatre for Youth) Sawyer Theatre 7:30pm Friday, 10:30am Saturday 333.5973 valdosta.edu/comarts

Saturday, February 6 Book Signing with Sandra Y.G. Jones 6-8pm Turner Center 247.2787 turnercenter.org

Installation by Stephen Watson Opening reception Feb. 15, 2-3:30pm 333.5835 valdosta.edu/art.

Thursday, February 11 Valdosta City Council Meeting 5:30pm 216 E. Central Avenue 259.3500 for information

Tuesday, February 16 Turner Center presents The Hit Men featuring the Former Stars of Frankie Vallie and “The Four Seasons” This Turner Center for the Arts Presenter Series show performs at Mathis Auditorium for ONE NIGHT ONLY. 7:30pm Advance tickets at the Turner Center, 527 N. Patterson Street, 247.2787 or turnercenter. org. Pre-show dinner & drinks catered by Covington’s at 6pm, reservations required 247.2787

Friday, February 12 Valdosta Symphony Orchestra Youth Concert A shortened, narrated version of the Saturday concert. Free to area children.

Advance reservation required by calling 333.2150 Saturday, February 13 Valdosta Symphony Orchestra features the VSO and Ballet!

Principal Dancers from Dance Alive and VSU Repertory Dancers perform; world premiere of James Oliverio’s World House Concerto features Chris Martin, Principal Trumpet of Chicago Symphony. Maestro Howard Hsu conducts. Whitehead Auditorium.

Saturday Pre-Concert talk 7:15pm, concert 8pm. Tickets 333.2150 valdostrasymphony.org

Thursday, February 18 Wiregrass Georgia Technical College presents Gathering of Eagles Leadership Symposium Valdosta Campus wiregrass.edu for information Thursday, February 18 – Wednesday, February 24 VSU Theatre & Dance presents Lorraine Hansberry’s ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ Lab Theatre, Second Floor, VSU Fine Arts Building.

Select evenings, 7:30pm; Sunday, 3pm 333.5973 or valdosta.edu/ comarts Thursday, February 18 Valdosta Rotary Club Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner Rainwater Conference Center, 6-8:30pm Contact James Dominey 251.3799 or visit leaddinner.com.

Saturday, February 13 Habitat for Humanity Birdhouse Auction Valdosta Country Club 6pm Tickets $25 for food, fun, and birdhouses! Contact Molly Ferrier at developmentdirector@ valdostahabitat.org or 245.1330 x31!

Friday, February 19 – Sunday, February 21 Theatre Guild Valdosta Stage Two presents ‘Dearly Beloved’ Reader’s Theatre based on works of Anne Morrow Lindbergh ‘Dosta Theatre downtown 24-STAGE(247.8243) theatreguildvaldosta.com

Monday, February 15 – Friday, March 5 VSU Fine Arts Gallery presents Watch Your Step: A Fragrant

Friday, February 19 Community Arbor Day Event 10am Location to be announced.

Valdosta Tree Commission will

present the City of Valdosta with 30th Consecutive Tree City USA award. Free seedlings to attendees while supplies last.

259.3530 for information.

Saturday, February 20 Valdosta Camellia & Garden Club Display Location to be announced. More information: Mark Crawford 460.5922.

Sunday, February 21 – 27 National Engineering Week Wednesday, February 24 Valdosta-Lowndes County Bird Supper Georgia Train Depot, Atlanta For tickets and information: Sementha Mathews 259.3548, Paige Dukes 671.2491 Thursday, February 25 Valdosta Youth Council Meeting 4-5:15pm City Hall 216 E. Central Avenue Saturday, February 27 Valdostra Junior Service League Celebrates 80th Anniversary vjsl.com Sunday, February 28 Turner Center for the Arts Youth Art Month Exhibition Opening Reception, 2-4:30pm – Elementary & Middle Schools Youth Art; High School Art Competition; 247.2787, turnercenter.org

Continued on next page

Winter 2016

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COMMUNITYCALENDAR March

Friday, March 4 Deadline for “If I Were Mayor, I Would” essay contest for 6th graders. Call 259.3548 for more information.

Friday, March 4 First Friday 6:30-9:30pm Downtown Valdosta Saturday, March 5 – Sunday 6 Little Actor’s

Theatre Presents ‘Seussical Jr.” ’ Saturday at 3&7pm; Sunday 3pm Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center. For tickets visit littleactorstheatrevaldosta.com.

Saturday, March 5

Valdosta Symphony Orchestra Performs Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ Conducted by Carol Krueger, new VSO associate conductor and director of choral activities.

8 pm VSU Whitehead Auditorium Tickets: 333.2150. valdostasymphony.org for complete program Preconcert talk 7:15pm

Saturday, March 12

Earth Hour 8:30 - 9:30pm Visit valdostacity.com or call 259.3548 for information.

Saturday, March 12 – Sunday, March 13

VSU Theatre & Dance presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Oklahoma!’

The classic American musical!

VSU Fine Arts Building Sawyer Theatre March 31, April 1-2, 4-6 at 7:30pm; April 3 at 3pm 333.5973 or valdosta.edu/comarts

Azalea Festival Downtown Drexel Park, corner of Patterson and Brookwood 106, Saturday, 10-5 Sunday Call Aaron Strickland 671.3698 or azaleafestival.com for details.

Sunday, March 13

Spring Forward for Daylight Saving Time. The City reminds you to change clocks and smoke detector batteries!

Thursday, March 18 – Sunday, March 20 The

Moultrie Federated Guild’s 59th Annual Antique Show Southern Regional Technical College, 800 Veterans Parkway North moultriefederateguildantique show.com

Friday, March 18

Government 101 Deadline to submit applications for the seventh Government 101 Citizen Orientation Program.

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Valdosta Magazine

Saturday, March 19

Wild Adventures Opens Season Visit WildAdventures. com for details. Explore a NEW land full of Dinosaurs in 2016 with more than 20 giant, moving, roaring, prehistoric creatures taking over Wild Adventures. Gaze up at the life-size brachiosaurus standing over two-stories tall, go eye-to-eye with T-Rex, the king of the dinosaurs and try to outsmart a roaming raptor.

These gentle herbivores and fierce carnivores will only be at the park for the 2016 Season, all included with a 2016 Season Pass!

Monday, March 21 – Friday, April 8

VSU Fine Arts Gallery Student Competition Opening reception March 21 6-7:30pm More information 333.5835, valdosta.edu/art

Thursday, March 24

Valdosta Youth Council Meeting 4-5:15pm City Hall 216 E. Central Avenue Thursday, March 31 – Wednesday, April 6

Deadline for Spring Issue Calendar Items, covering the months of April, May, June, is February 1, 2016. Please email to Nancy Warren at nandwarren@gmail.com.

Please note that phone numbers are 229 prefix unless otherwise listed.

This calendar is prepared in advance and we suggest confirming information with organizers.

seen

Second Annual BARC Ball Exceeds Expectations

BARC Humane Society, a non-profit animal rescue organization, held its Second Annual BARC Ball on Saturday, October 3, 2015 in the Valdosta State University Ballroom.

Over 170 people were in attendance for an evening of dinner, music, silent auctions and a reverse drawing for cash prizes totaling $5000. The group, Tanners Lane, of Quitman, GA brought the guests to the dance floor for a great time.

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If you were unable to attend and would like to make a donation to BARC for the animals, contact them at (229) 244-8500 or by mail at P.O. Box 574, Valdosta, GA 31603. The 3 4 organization would also greatly appreciate your consideration of BARC Humane 1. Tammy Mclendon, Eleanor Altman, Pheobe Chapman and Holly Hillman.

Society in your 2016 charitable giving plan. 2. Pat Strickland, Linda DeVane, Jennifer Strickland and Donna Maine. 3.

Pictures by Miquel and Blanca Photography. Supporters and organizers of the BARC Ball. 4. Blanca Galvan and Marsela Shiroka.

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Subscriptions Have Valdosta Magazine delivered to your home quarterly. Subscriptions are $14.00 per year and make a great gift.

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________________________ City: __________________________________State: _____________________ Zip: ________________ Return with payment to:

Showcase Publications P.O. Box 391 Jesup, GA 31598

For Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter 2016

Winter 2016

63

Index of Advertisers ACE Electric........................................................55

Hospice of South Georgia....................................15

Advanced Dental Care...........................................5

Langdale Ford......................................................15

Ameris Bank........................................................35

McLane Funeral Services....................................46

Ashley’s Business Solutions................................39

Newstalk 105.9 WVGA.......................................46

Astro Extermination Services, Inc.......................27

Nijem Technology Consultants............................30

Bishop Cleaners...................................................35

Paramount Granite...............................................39

Blanton & Griffin Insurance Agency...................14

Pets at Peace.........................................................27

Bubba Highsmith State Farm...............................19

Presbyterian Home & Retirement Community....31

Citizens Community Bank...................................14

Renasant Bank.....................................................31

Coldwell Banker..................................................39

Ron Borders Property Management.....................57

Colonial Bag........................................................55

South Georgia Medical Center.............................30

Colony Bank........................................................53

Southeastern Credit Union...................................55

Colson Printing....................................................57

Southwest Georgia Bank......................................57

Commercial Banking Company.............................7

Stifel......................................................Back Cover

Country Cobbler...................................................39

Studio 8................................................................49

Edward Jones.......................................................53

Talk 92.1..............................................................18

ENT & Allergy Associates...................................53

TC Tax Service.....................................................49

Farmers & Merchants Bank...................................9

The Herndon Company........................................57

First State Bank/Synovus.......................................1

The Medicine Shoppe..........................................57

Guardian Bank.....................................................18

Turner Arts Center...............................................49

Hogan’s Pharmacy...............................................55

Valdosta Insurance Services.................................57

Holiday Inn................................ Inside Back Cover

Valdosta Shared Office Space..............................53

Home Instead Senior Care.....................................3

Wes Sewell Photography...........Inside Front Cover

Please thank these advertisers for making this publication possible! Support these businesses and buy local.

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Valdosta Magazine

♦ Azalea’s Restaurant & Lounge ♦ Full Service Amenities ♦ Meeting & Reception Facilities ♦ First Class Accommodations ♦ 40” Flat Panel HD Televisions ♦ Family, Executive & Jacuzzi Suites ♦ Fitness Center & Business Center ♦ Hot Tub & Large Swimming Pool ♦ Complimentary Airport Shuttle

HOLIDAY INN HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER

I-75 (Exit 16) ♦ 1805 West Hill Avenue ♦ Valdosta, GA (229) 244-1111 (800) 465-4329 “Best Hotel for Meetings & Conferences” www.WilliamsHotelGroup.com

Exit 16 229-244-1111 Valdosta

Exit 22 229-244-4460 Valdosta

Exit 16 229-249-8800 Valdosta

Exit 18 229-249-8900 Valdosta

Exit 18 229-249-8880 Valdosta

Exit 62 229-382-8100 Tifton

Exit 18 229-244-7600 Valdosta

Exit 62 229-382-3300 Tifton

All hotels owned and operated by Williams Investment Company A proud part of South Georgia’s growth since 1963

Exit 62 229-382-8250 Tifton

Exit 16 Exit 39 229-249-8000 229-896-4574 Valdosta Adel Exit 18 Exit 62 229-244-8440 229-382-8505 Valdosta Tifton

From Left to Right: Allie Folsom, Beverly Avera, Heather Ferguson, Paula Hutchinson, Dick Campbell, Barry Barr, John Lastinger, Michelle Taylor, Bob Goddard.

John Lastinger

Senior Vice President/Investments

The Campbell Hutchinson Financial Group

Barry Barr

Branch Manager Vice President/Investments

Dick Campbell

Senior Vice President/Investments

Paula Hutchinson

Michelle Taylor

Registered Client Service Associate

Senior Vice President/Investments

Heather Ferguson

Financial Advisor Associate

Goddard Wealth Advisory Group

Beverly Avera

Registered Operations Coordinator

Bob Goddard

Vice President/Investments

Allie Folsom

Client Service Associate

(229) 293-1125 3555 North Crossing Circle | Valdosta, Georgia 31602 www.stifelvaldosta.com 66

Valdosta Magazine Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com