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Celebrating Our 16th Year Anniversary
Come see us at one of our south Georgia locations!
South Georgia’s Growing Film Industry Sitting in a movie theater, you watch enthralled as the action unfolds on the screen in front of you. The scene depicts the utter destruction left behind by a killer tornado, as weary survivors emerge from a shelter into the sunlight. The setting? Not a sound studio in Hollywood nor an exotic foreign filming location. That is southwest Georgia starring as the movie’s backdrop. And it’s not a oneand-done event.
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Miss Blair Summerline While many young girls dream about becoming a princess and wearing a crown, one Moultrie resident has won several crowns.
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Ben Wiggins Homecoming Ben Wiggins has officially closed the loop: a Moultrie native and himself a graduate of Colquitt County schools, he is back in town as the new Superintendent of the Colquitt County School District. And he couldn’t be happier about his return home.
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Trained 2 Go A youth sports program is designed to help kids succeed both on the court and in their lives. T2G is a program currently for girls basketball starting as young as the fourth grade, up through the sixth grade, with hopes to build a softball program also.
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Published locally by:
Davenport Publications Moultrie, Georgia
Owned and operated by Heath Dorminey
This is a very special issue for us at
Moultrie Magazine. With this issue we Heath Dorminey Owner/Publisher
celebrate our 16th anniversary. It is
hard to believe we’ve reached this milestone. It seems like only yesterday that
we launched what would become Moultrie’s first and longest-running lifestyle magazine.
Thank. you to everyone who has ever advertise, picked up a copy or been
featured in Moultrie Magazine. We are truly a small local operated business and our goal is to promote this community that we love so much!
In this our Fall issue, we take a look at the growing film industry in South
Georgia. Back in the summer, Moultrie hosted our first movie production as
scenes for the upcoming tornado action movie SuperCell filmed in town. We talk to the local producers bringing the film industry to South Georgia. We
also talk to Ben Wiggins and his return to Colquitt County, local beauty queen Blair Sumerlin and a girls basketball program with hopes of starting a softball team as well.
We hope you enjoy this issue and thanks for your support!
Heath Dorminey
Volume 16 Fall 2021
Publisher/Art Director Heath Dorminey
Contributors Eileen Moynahan John Oxford Megan Pitts Clair Thomas Timm Brandon Whitaker Daniel Shippey Jenna Turner Cover Photo by: Cole Keister
Advertising 229-798-2245
moultriemagazine@gmail.com
Story Ideas
moultriemagazine@gmail.com
Correspondence
We welcome your comments/suggestions:
P.O. Box 2962 Moultrie, Georgia 31776 Email: moultriemagazine@gmail.com Web:
www.moultriemagazineonline.com
Disclaimer:
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Any ideas or opinions expressed in the content of Moultrie Magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher. All claims, materials and photos furnished or advertisments used are, to the publisher’s knowledge, true and correct. Hence, liability for errors or omissions cannot and will not be assumed by the publisher or owner. © 2021 Davenport Publications. All rights reserved.
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Story by: John Oxford
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W
hile many young girls dream about becoming a princess and wearing a crown, one
Moultrie resident has won several crowns.
Blair Summerlin said she is the reigning Miss Peach State
Preteen Queen, and she attended a pageant in July vying to become USA Miss National Preteen Queen where she finished 15th. The pageant, held in Orlando, FL., featured
contestants from each of the 50 states and had a competition or event held each day.
Having competed in 15 pageants, Blair said she has won
one national title, the US National Forestry Queen, and two state titles. She got started competing in pageants when her mom, Jayna, asked her if she wanted to take part in a pageant a couple of years ago.
“I won the pageant,” Blair said, “and I have loved pag-
eants ever since.”
Blair said she would like to have a career in pageants be-
cause she would be able to win a modeling contract and
scholarships for college. She wants to go to college to be-
come a radiologist because she loves science and wants to
Blair Summerlin, Miss Peach State Preteen.
be able to help people.
“I want to have a career that helps people,” Blair said, “so
what better career than to help people find out what’s wrong with their bones?”
When competing, Blair said she is considering one of two
talents whenever she needs to have it for a talent competition. She is considering either science experiments or
archery, and she was able to submit a video for the USA
National Preteen Queen. She chose to submit an archery
video because she shoots at home and at school.
“I would like to break stereotypes and show you can shoot
a bow in three-inch heels,” Blair said.
The Blair Cares is an organization that was started to en-
courage girls to love themselves, love others that are different than them and to love the community, Blair said. She
founded the organization to help give girls a way to have
self-confidence and to help girls to stand out.
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“Through Blair Cares,” Blair said, “I hope to help girls
find their self-confidence.”
Blair said she loves to read, and she hopes through Blair
Cares she can encourage girls to put down their phones and to read a book. She competed on the Reading Bowl team at Norman Park Elementary School, and she got the highest
score on the team. She attributes her love of reading to her
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Blair with her dad Keith Summerlin.
Blair Summerline as Miss Peach State Preteen.
teachers, especially Ashleigh Oxford, her 2nd grade teacher.
“I love to read books,” Blair said, “they allow you to go to
other worlds.”
From Left: Jayna (mom), John Davis (brother) Blair and dad Keith Summerlin.
strong child.
“Whenever Blair sets a goal,” Jayna said, “she would ac-
complish it. Whatever she puts her mind to, she accomplishes it. I’m proud of her.”
“Whenever Blair sets a goal,” Jayna said, “she would accomplish it. Whatever she puts her mind to, she accomplishes it. I’m proud of her.” Jayna said Blair volunteers in the community at The
Blair said she enjoys playing soccer, and it has allowed her
Storehouse, Night to Shine and with the Moultrie-Colquitt
both to learn to work as a team and help people with in-
anyone, no matter how young or old, can volunteer any-
person and to work with your strengths and weaknesses,
County Humane Society. She wants everyone to know that
where and that volunteering can make a difference in the
community. Blair has always been a determined and
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juries. Playing soccer has also shown her how to be a better both as an individual and as a team. u
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Photo by Daniel Shippey
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Story by: Eileen Moynahan
Photography by: Daniel Shippey, Megan Pitts, Brandon Whitaker, Claire Thomas Timm, Jenna Turner and submitted photos
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itting in a movie theater, you watch enthralled as
S
with.”
The scene depicts the utter destruction left behind
with the possibilities and the aesthetics. The question is,
southwest Georgia starring as the movie’s backdrop. And
won’t sacrifice his hometown for the sake of his projects.
the action unfolds on the screen in front of you.
by a killer tornado, as weary survivors emerge from a shelter into the sunlight. The setting? Not a sound studio in
Hollywood nor an exotic foreign filming location. That is it’s not a one-and-done event.
“This Special Thing is Something We Want to Protect and Grow” Allen Cheney is a film producer who grew up in
Thomasville and is one of the native sons who is changing the industry. He started Thomasville Pictures a few years
back with the intention of bringing feature films not only to
his hometown of Thomasville but to other municipalities in southwest Georgia. To date, Thomasville Pictures has
filmed four movies in the area. "The Tiger Rising" with
Queen Latifa and Dennis Quaid was the first project filmed in 2019. Earlier this year, Cheney filmed a second project in the area: "One Way" with Kevin Bacon and Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly). The month of June
brought the filming of both "Bandit" (starring Mel Gibson, Josh Duhamel and Elisha Cuthbert), as well as "Supercell"
(with Alec Baldwin, Skeet Ulrich and Anne Heche). Some
of “Supercell” was filmed in Montana and then production
was moved to Georgia, with filming in both Thomasville
and Moultrie.
Reached at his home in Los Angeles (although he can
often be found back in Thomasville), Cheney is very clear
in his intentions for his production company. “Our goal is
to continue building an artisanal-style studio in southwest
Georgia, doing great projects with people we enjoy working
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“Every time I bring people to Georgia, they fall in love
how can we make [filming] work for Thomasville and the surrounding towns?” Cheney is fully aware of the giveand-take in using an area as a filming location, and he
“We’re going to continue building this niche industry. We
don’t want to sell out the area as a work-for-hire company.” “This special thing we’ve been doing for the past three
years is something we want to protect and grow and be dili-
gent about. Our long-term goal is to continue that, and not be something we’re not.” Cheney respects the area for
what it is: “We don’t want to change the dynamic of the
area. Some people in the [movie] industry think a film lo-
cation is there to serve them, while we believe it’s the other way around.”
Cheney takes a modified approach to filming in southwest
Georgia. When presented with the suggestion that this delicate balance is not unlike that of tourism – the desire to
bring in visitors and revenue without allowing those same
visitors to intrinsically change the region -- Cheney agrees that’s an apt comparison. The conversation moves past
filming to post-production. Most work is currently done in Los Angeles (hence Cheney’s home there) with an increasing amount occurring in Atlanta. Cheney hopes someday to do post-production in Thomasville. Since much of the work is done on computers and in small editing bays,
Thomasville Pictures is currently working to put that infrastructure into place. This involves establishing fiber net-
works that have the bandwidth to share large digital files as
well as expensive equipment to execute the work. Once es-
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tablished, this could bring a whole new group of talented artisans to Thomasville and the surrounding towns.
As for future filming in the area, does Cheney anticipate
again using Moultrie as a film location? Cheney responds in the affirmative: “With ‘Supercell,’ we had a great time,
and the city of Moultrie was very welcoming. I still want to build the right relationship – but, yes, that is our goal.”
“We’re Building an Industry That Isn’t There”
Encapsulating a conversation with Alexander Kane, an-
other southwest Georgia film producer as well as an actor
in his own right, is like trying to bottle lightning. He is eminently quotable and irresistibly positive, and you get caught up in the whirlwind. Kane hails from Fitzgerald and bases
his production company, The Melanie Group, there. Starting in 2018, they have filmed a host of movies and TV
episodes in southwest Georgia, with plans to film many more.
Actors Anne Heche and Skeet Ulrich filming SuperCell in Moultrie, Georgia, June 2021. Photo by: Megan Pitts
Kane’s first foray into filming in his native Southwest
Georgia was in November 2018 with “Lena and Snowball” starring Melissa Collazo, Robert Knepper and Wade
Williams. The movie was released around Christmas 2019. The production company then shot eight episodes of the
TV show “Encounter” during the summer of 2019, filming
entirely in Fitzgerald. The sci-fi thriller “Breach” was
filmed in the area in October 2019 and released in early
2020. The film starred Bruce Willis, and Kane himself had
an acting role.
Other movies they have filmed in Southwest Georgia and
which are currently in post-production include: "American
Siege" starring Bruce Willis (filmed November 2020); “Re-
actor” also starring Bruce Willis and filmed in Cordele (shot
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Photo by Megan Pitts
Filming of the tornando action movie SuperCell in downtown Moultrie, Georgia took place in June 2021. The movie shot night scenes in Moultrie over a two night period.
in February 2021); "Gasoline Alley" again with Bruce Willis (filmed March 2021); “White Elephant” (filmed April
2021); and the aforementioned “Bandit” (filmed in May
and June 2021, which Thomasville Pictures co-produced
same time, the second being a blockbuster action movie filming in Fitzgerald (that can’t yet be named).
Projecting further out, The Melanie Group will be in-
volved in the big-budget remake of “High Noon,” filming
“We don’t want to change the dynamic of the area. Some people
in the [movie] industry think a film location is there to serve them, while we believe it’s the other way around.” Cheney says.
with the support and assistance of The Melanie Group’s
crew).
After taking a breath, Kane shares that “Dragon’s Egg”
will be shooting this fall in New Mexico. With it, the
Melanie Group will likely have two films shooting at the
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in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the summer of 2022. Kane
will have a principal role in that movie, as well as serving as co-producer. Kane explains that he sometimes appears in films he’s producing but stresses that “I only take roles in these films if it makes sense for my career.”
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Just when you think you’ve captured all of Kane’s recent
activities, he shares that he recently completed acting in
Photo by Daniel Shippey
“A Day to Die,” which he also co-produced, in Jackson, Mississippi with (guess who?) Bruce Willis. Ironically,
Kane’s role was written for him before Bruce Willis was attached to the project. Kane describes the film as a
bunch of guys doing a bank robbery. Kane’s character is former Special Forces from Fitzgerald, Georgia. The di-
rector happily allowed Kane to change scripted lines and ad-lib a bit to make his character more authentic.
Kane’s first notable acting role was that of the protago-
nist’s jerky first husband in the film “Unplanned,” a role
Alexander Kane on the set of one of several movie projects recently filmed in south Georgia.
he admits he landed despite the outlandish way he auditioned for the part. When suggested that many of his
roles have been that of the bad guy, Kane explains, “I like playing the villain. It’s much easier to play the polar-opposite of myself than a slightly-conflicted hero.”
As Kane quietly builds his reputation as an actor and
de-facto action star, his main focus remains that of the production side of the business. “My goal has been to
create jobs, to build an industry that isn’t there. Georgia film doesn’t have to equal Atlanta.” Kane has a 360-degree view of success in the industry: “Success is when I
Photo courtesy of Christian Convery
Queen Latifah, Christian Convery and Dennis Quaid on the set of The Tiger Rising, in Tifton, Georgia.
can have the fun I want, without it being at the expense of anyone else’s goals. Find a way that everybody wins!”
Kane turns serious for a moment as he discusses the im-
portance of getting community buy-in for these filming
projects. “One of the things that we struggle with is how
to convey to the public how [these films] benefit them.
During the pandemic, we paid a hotel in town $100,000
over three weeks; we saved a local catering business that would otherwise have shut down… there are so many
branches that fan out that positively influence the local
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Photo courtesy of Thomasville Pictures
Colson Baker (AKA MGK) and Kevin Bacon in the upcoming movie One Way filmed in Thomasville, Georgia.
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Photo by Megan Pitts
Moultrie resident, Leah Hill seen leaning over pool while filming a scene for the tornado action movie SuperCell, in Moultrie at the city pool at A.F. Shaw Gym. Photo by: Megan Pitts
economy. Crew members have moved to Fitzgerald and
bought homes there and became part of the community.
“I get up every day very happy to be doing this. We are
creating something longstanding that will benefit the com-
“I would love to film in Moultrie.” Kane says.” “I’ve done $42 million of movies in southwest Georgia since October 2019. In 2022, we hope to do $50 million, with the ability to get to $100 million.”
It’s hard to quantify the long-term benefits of what we’re
munity.” But it hasn’t always been easy. “When you have a
million and come back to his hometown? We plant a seed
you’re an idiot. It’s very easy to give up.” One of the
doing. Perhaps we’ll inspire some kid to go out and make a
that grows a jungle – you just don’t know whom you’ll inspire.”
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vision, you’re often the only person who doesn’t think
things that keeps Kane going is the team he’s put together. “We’ve used the same crew for every movie we’ve done;
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they are non-union, sticking together, shoulder-to-shoulder.” So much so that their crew wears shirts that say “Family.”
“When I started in this industry, I decided to figure out a
way to help other people and not just myself. Then my
business side came out: how to create this industry from
nothing. If I could go to my hometown of Fitzgerald that needs an influx of jobs and money, negotiate the lodging,
the catering, etc., I can fix the variables and plan the whole thing knowing the budget ahead of time. Bring Fitzgerald and Hollywood to the table – that’s pretty much how this production company came to be.”
The Melanie Group includes Kane and his business part-
Photo courtesy of Chozy Aiyub
Actor Chozy Aiyub, films a scene for the tornado action movie SuperCell, in downtown Moultrie, Georgia.
ner Mike Donovan. Donovan is originally from New York and very much the “numbers” guy, taking care of most of
the business. And just where did the company’s name originate? Kane teases whether the story he’s about to tell is
real. “In the movie ‘Jackie Brown,’ one male character explains to his friend that he slept with Melanie while the
friend was gone. Expecting the other guy to be angry, he
friend responds with “Melanie’s always gonna be Melanie.” In other words, he knows what Melanie is like and isn’t surprised by her actions. Kane explains that it is modus
Photo by Brandon Whitaker
operandi as well. “As long as I can figure out the pattern of
Crews prepare a rain machine for filming a storm scene for the movie SuperCell in Moultrie, Georgia.
I diagnose how people are. Just get it out on the table –
some perks, that also helps to keep a production budget in
the person, I can figure out how to give you what you want.
what’s your optimal ending?? I value authenticity even if
you’re a scoundrel!”
To date, The Melanie Group has filmed in Tifton,
Thomasville, Valdosta, Fitzgerald and Warwick. When
asked about Moultrie, Kane is enthusiastic: “I would love to
film in Moultrie. It’s just that the mayors of Tifton and
Valdosta aggressively pursued me to film in their towns –
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it’s the squeaky wheel.” If a municipality offers to throw in check. “Anytime you can trim off some costs, it does help.” Kane shows no sign of stopping: more films are already
slated to be filmed in the area next year. “I’ve done $42 million of movies in southwest Georgia since October
2019. In 2022, we hope to do $50 million, with the ability to get to $100 million.”
To that end, Kane has plans to build a 200-acre studio in
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Photo by Claire Thomas Timm
Actor Nestor Carbonell, right, films a scene for the action thriller Bandit, in downtown Thomasville, Georgia. The movie produced by Thomasville Pictures, was one of several filmed in Southwest Georgia over the summer.
Ben Hill County. He already owns a 1930s high-school
live here? One local resident, Leah Hill, was cast as an
posed as a movie studio for “Breach.” His company then
filmed in Moultrie this past June. How this elementary
gym that he bought from the city of Fitzgerald and repur-
extra in “Supercell” and appeared in one of the scenes
“With ‘Supercell,’ we had a great time, and the city of Moultrie was very welcoming. I still want to build the right relationship – but, yes, that is our goal. [to film more in Moultrie] ” Cheney says.
built the world’s largest standing spaceship in that in gym,
which he laughingly says is still (mostly) standing.
A Bucket-List Opportunity for Locals
teacher got a part in a natural-disaster film is a fun conversation-starter.
Hill married and moved to Moultrie twenty years ago,
Certainly, Georgia’s generous film tax credits serve as a
which makes her a local if not a native. Her day job is that
southwest Georgia are a boon to the local economy. But
School. When asked how she became involved in the film,
lure to the industry, and revenues generated by films shot in what about the opportunities these films bring to those who
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of third-grade teacher at Moultrie’s Sunset Elementary
Hill explains that she was off for summer break. A friend
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of hers guided her to Thomasville Productions’ Facebook
Photo courtesy of Jimmy Ausburn
page, on which the company shared that “Bandit” was
about to be filmed in Thomasville. The page also stated the need for extras for a second film, “Supercell.”
Hill sent in her information, provided a photo, and was
surprised to receive an email stating that she had been se-
lected to appear as an extra in “Supercell.” The email gave her a 24-hour turnaround to report to the set. Coinciden-
tally, her husband had been cast as an extra in “Bandit” the day prior, and she had driven him to Thomasville. Now
here she was having to report the next day at 4:00am for her own part in a film!
After the requisite Covid tests, wardrobe, hair, and
makeup, Hill waited until 8:00 or 9:00am to shoot her
scene. Perhaps it should be called “un-hair and makeup”:
crew members told her she looked “too fixed up” when she
Moultrie resident Jimmy Ausburn poses with actor Josh Duhamel on the set of Bandit in Valdosta, Georgia.
arrived on set. Since her scene necessitated that she look
like she was coming out of a storm shelter following a tornado, they took off her makeup, mussed up her hair, and
made her appear covered in dust. Hill had no lines but was instructed to appear “dazed and confused.” Hill believes they shot that one scene about 21 times!
Although Hill’s scene included two of the film’s leads
(Skeet Ulrich and Anne Heche), she had no occasion to in-
teract with them. Her approximately eight-hour day on set earned her a small amount of money, but that wasn’t the point of the experience. It was just that: the experience.
Hill laughingly admits that she would take the opportunity
should it come up again. As a matter of fact, Hill has often Photo by Megan Pitts
Moultrie resident, Leah Hill on set of SuperCell movie filming in Moultrie, Georgia.
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remarked that Moultrie’s downtown would make the per-
fect location for a Hallmark movie. (Hallmark, are you listening??)
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“Supercell” and “Bandit” are both in post-production
and slated for release in 2022.
Another Moultrie resident, Jimmy Ausburn, was selected
as an extra for the film “Bandit.” Coincidentally, Ausburn’s
wife is a teacher who works with Leah Hill, while Hill’s husband also appeared as an extra in “Bandit.” In a small city like Moultrie, perhaps that’s no surprise.
The action-thriller “Bandit” is based on the true story of
Gilbert Galvan Jr., an American who escaped from a
Michigan prison and crossed into Canada, becoming a
criminal dubbed the "Flying Bandit." The film stars Mel
Gibson, Elisha Cuthbert and Josh Duhamel, with Duhamel as the prison escapee. Local filming took place in Thomasville, Tifton and Valdosta.
Like Hill, this was Ausburn’s first time appearing on film.
“I enjoyed it,” he explains. “It was pretty laidback. This was definitely a bucket-list item for me because I’m a big
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Photo courtesy of production crew Filming scenes for the tornado action movie SuperCell in downtown Moultrie, Georgia.
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Photo by Daniel Shippey
Film crew on the set of White Elephant starring Bruce Willis, Michael Rooker and Olga Kurylenko. Filming took place across South Georgia including Tifton.
movie nerd.” When asked whether the experience was
ticket screener. “Josh [Duhamel] walks up, looks at me, and
what I envisioned – a little more waiting than I thought
he walks through the sensor and says thank you, and I nod
what he expected, Ausburn explains, “It was pretty much there would be! But I didn’t mind it a bit. It allowed me to have more interaction with the stars. Josh Duhamel hap-
hands me his ticket. I verify the information on the ticket, my head towards him.” The day’s call sheet listed Aus-
burn’s role as “screener,” so he’s hopeful that his name will
“I think we learned a lot on the first film, and there is an economic benefit of having movies filmed here.” Johnson says.
pily posed for a selfie with me. He even cut up with me: he
appear as such in the film credits.
me.”
he and his fellow extras were getting ready for wardrobe.
ing. His most “notable” appearance was that of an airport
I stayed until 8:00pm in case they needed me for another
threatened that if I didn’t get my part right, he would fire
Ausburn appeared in two scenes during his day of film-
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Ausburn arrived on set around 6:00am, and by 7:00am
As for filming his scenes, “I got through relatively quick, but
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scene.” Ausburn made good use of his time: he took the
opportunity to speak with producer Allen Cheney (who was sitting on the sidelines).
Ausburn was able to cross this item off his bucket list
thanks to the fact that he is co-owner of marketing com-
pany Brainstorm Marketing LLC, based in Moultrie. “Because I own a business, I was able to tell my partner that I was taking off that day.” When asked whether he would
like to appear as an extra again, Ausburn is quick to reply,
“I would certainly do it again! In fact, a PA [production assistant] on set told me I was on the list for possible future
films in the area.” Ausburn’s business partner will simply have to cover for him again.
A third Moultrie resident, Abby Cooper, also worked as
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Thomasville Pictures Allen Cheney with Mel Gibson and producer JT Swierczek on set of Bandit in Thomasville, Georiga. Photo courtesy of Allen Cheney
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Production crew films an explosion scene in downtown Tifton, Georgia for the action movie The White Elephant, starring Bruce Willis, Michael Rooker and Olga Kurylenko. Photo by: Jenna Turner
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Photo by Daniel Shippey
Movie sets are becoming more common across South Georgia as Thomasville Pictures and The Melanie Group, work to bring more movies to South Georgia, creating an ecomomic boost across the area and putting South Georgia on the big screen.
an extra in “Bandit.” Hill, Ausburn, and Cooper were all
film, and there is an economic benefit of having movies
their day’s wages wouldn’t amount to much. No matter,
panies are required to contact the city in advance to obtain
selected to appear in these films with full knowledge that they all agree: the experience was worth it.
The Economic Benefit
It’s not just the locals selected as extras who benefit. Amy
Johnson, Downtown Economic Development and Public
Relations Director for the city of Moultrie, sees the upside
to southwest Georgia becoming a filming location. “To my
filmed here.” Johnson explained that the production com-
the appropriate permits. “Sometimes they have to block off streets, like they did for ‘Supercell,’” so it’s advantageous to all involved to have effective communication between the
production company and the municipality where filming is taking place.
The big question is how much more filming we can ex-
knowledge, June’s filming of ‘Supercell’ was a first for
pect in Moultrie, Thomasville, Fitzgerald and the surround-
area.” When asked how the townspeople and local busi-
southwest Georgia scenes in upcoming films – complete
Moultrie. It was nice to see the film industry recognize our
nesses reacted to the filming, Johnson indicated, “It was re-
ceived well – I didn’t hear any negative comments.”
Johnson continued, “I think we learned a lot on the first
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ing area. All indicators suggest that we’ll be catching more with local extras along for the ride. u
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Story by: Eileen Moynahan
Ben Wiggins has officially closed the loop: a Moultrie native and himself a graduate of Colquitt County schools, he is back in town as the new Superintendent of the Colquitt County School District. And he couldn’t be happier about his return home. Fall 2021
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Wiggins began as a teacher at Colquitt County High
Does Wiggins have a “vision” for Colquitt County
School in 1996, one year after earning his master’s degree.
Schools? He is anxious to share what he and his team are
achieving the position of assistant principal. He was subse-
schools is being led by our elementary curriculum director
He worked at the school for thirteen years, eventually
quently named principal at Pelham High School in 2009
and became principal at Oconee County High School in Watkinsville in 2014.
After serving as a principal in North Georgia, Wiggins re-
turned south in January 2020 when he was selected as su-
perintendent of Thomasville City Schools. A year later, the
doing. “Our number one priority for our elementary
Trish Lirio. We have charged Trish to come up with a
reading curriculum for all elementary schools. This involves reviewing multiple reading curricula that are re-
search-based, and with lots of teacher input, we will choose the best reading curriculum for our students.”
“Next, our school system will go to a Strategic Planning
Colquitt County Superintendent position became available.
Process. The Georgia School Board Association comes in
sidered for the position, and the Board of Education unani-
ers: parents, teachers, students, businesses.”
Wiggins won’t tell you this, but he was the only finalist conmously voted to approve his appointment. But it’s not his
to lead the SPP to get feedback from all of our stakeholdWhen asked to elaborate about businesses, Wiggins ex-
accolades or civic involvement that Wiggins wishes to dis-
plains that this includes individual business owners, entre-
home county.
strategic plan should be made with input from all commu-
cuss – it’s what his team is doing for the students of his The new Colquitt County Superintendent formally
started his position on May 1 of this year. With the new
school year already begun, Wiggins is focused on providing
educational and extracurricular opportunities for all district students.
The 2021-2022 school year started August 9th as the first
day for students (teachers reported one week earlier). All
students have access to full-time, in-person learning. Wig-
preneurs, and big corporations in the community. “The
nity stakeholders. They’ll be the ones hiring our students after they graduate from high school, attend college, or
complete tours in the military. Our educational plan must fit the needs of our local businesses.”
The school district is really looking at the long game.
Nothing trendy here: just solid, foundational learning to benefit both students and their eventual employers.
Wiggins notes that, “We have a technical college here in
gins does note that “we have a distance learning option, but
Moultrie that is a great partner in our system. Many stu-
see most students back in the classroom, although he allows
for which the student earns both high school and college
very few families have elected that option.” He is happy to
that “some students were successful learning virtually, if
they had the support at home to do so.”
That support from family and community is an integral
component to any student’s success, a theme which emerges
repeatedly during our conversation.
28
dents choose to participate in the dual-enrollment program, credits. The Southern Regional Technical College offers tremendous programs, from construction, cosmetology, welding, healthcare as well as degree-level core credits.
There is a plethora of options for our students to choose from.”
Fall 2021
Superintendent of the Colquitt County School District Ben Wiggins and wife Jana.
Also at the secondary level, Wiggins shares that “our
focus is on increasing the academic rigor for our 6-12 courses, to include advanced placement and honors
courses. The goal is to really stretch our students to their
full capacity.” These offerings are a boon to high achievers
public education, so we feel confident in addressing the
needs of all our students. We don’t have to choose between funding honors programs vs. aiding students who are struggling academically.”
Continuing on this theme, “We have a fantastic special-
“More than anything, everyone is excited to have students back in the building, with a sense of normalcy. It’s beginning to look a little more like 2019.”
in the district, but what about those students who are dif-
education program, which runs the gamut from helping
cate resources?
physical and mental challenges, giving them the resources
ferently-abled? Does this create a conflict as to how to alloWiggins is quick to address this concern. “Colquitt
County and the state of Georgia do a good job funding
Fall 2021
gifted students to assisting those students with the most
they need to be successful.” When asked whether specialneeds students are mainstreamed, Wiggins patiently ex-
29
plains, “Depending on their exceptionality, you want the
least restrictive environment for each student. So yes, many
are co-taught in regular education classes. A visitor wouldn’t know the difference between regular education students and
special education students if they sat in on a class. Some students are grouped in small group class settings but also mix in with the larger school population or grade for parts of
their school day. We do our very best to provide as many opportunities as possible for each student.”
In Wiggins’ opinion, success extends beyond academics.
“Extracurricular and co-curricular activities are just as im-
portant for our students and our families. They give our students the opportunity to belong to a group, a team, or an
ensemble, outside of the classroom.” We’re not just talking sports here, a point that Wiggins emphasizes. “We want to
give the students as many opportunities as we can to expand
Ben Wiggins with Wallace Bailey, Bravo Winner
their repertoire. For example, we encourage them to partici- (Staff Person of the Year 2020) pate in the fine arts and to compete at the regional and state
level in that field, as well as in sports. We believe it makes for a well-rounded student.” Wiggins adeptly sums up this rea-
soning: “We would love for our students to succeed academically and also participate in sports teams, clubs, arts, and the
like, both to learn how to serve their community and to compete.”
Returning to our discussion of support at home, Wiggins
emphasizes, “We want parents to get involved. We believe
that parents should partner with the school system in the ed-
ucation of their child. We need to be on the same page and
to work as a team. We want that child to know that every-
body around the table loves them and wants them to suc-
ceed.” Fortunately, parents in this school system are already
on board. “We have many parents that volunteer, be it in the
PTO, booster clubs, etc. – we have much parental support.”
30
705 South Main Street Moultrie, Georgia 31768-5432
Phone: 229-985-4137 Fax: 229-890-5968 Scotty Jarvis, Pharm.D.
SAFETY & SERVICE SINCE 1923
Fall 2021
With Wiggins’ return to his home district and the school
year already begun, he is asked what he’s looking forward to. “More than anything, everyone is excited to have students back in the building, with a sense of normalcy. It’s beginning to look a little more like 2019.” What about
teenagers who might moan and groan about a return to
school? “I think most students are very excited to be back. The older students may not voice their excitement, but if you watch their body language, I think they’re excited. I think they appreciate the sense of routine, returning to a schedule, seeing their friends.”
Wiggins adds, “I do think there’s something magical
about the beginning of the school year. Everyone gets a
fresh start, a chance to begin anew. I think our community is very excited to get started this year.”
Ben and Jana Wiggins have two adult children, both of
Fall 2021
From left to right: Ben Wiggins, daugter Leah Grace, son Blake and wife Jana.
whom are graduates of the University of Georgia. Both currently reside in the Atlanta area. Wiggins laughingly
confides that neither one works in education. No worries:
your father has this education thing covered… with an extended team of students, parents, teachers, and local businesses. u
31
Story by: John Oxford
Fall 2021
33
A
youth sports program is designed to help
reach high school and are able to play for the Lady Packers.
lives.
and prepare them to possibly help the high school team,”
kids succeed both on the court and in their
Redd Smith said he started a basketball program about
15 years ago while living
“Our ultimate goal is to get girls in while they are young
Smith said. “Anything we can do to help the kids, I’m down for it.”
in Warner Robins. About
Josie Smith, Redd’s wife
three years ago, he, along
and regarded as team mom,
started a program in
younger girls, but they will
with a childhood friend,
said the program is mostly for
Moultrie. Trained 2 Go,
allow older girls to work out
a name he and cousin
with the team. The program
agreed on, is a program
teaches the girls the basic fun-
currently for girls basket-
damentals of basketball and
ball starting as young as
allows all ages to practice, but
the fourth grade, up
the team does have age re-
through the sixth grade,
strictions for tournament
and he hopes to build a
games. Even with those age
“We want them to learn how to be part of a team,” Josie said. “We do not want to turn anyone away. Our desire is for them to see what it is like to be a part of something bigger than themselves.” softball program also.
The first team he started for his daughter and her friends
to allow them to grow and develop their basketball skills to-
gether, Smith said. He hopes this program will become
something of a feeder program for the girls when they
32
restrictions, they want everyone to come be a part of the team practices.
“We want them to learn how to be part of a team,” Josie
said. “We do not want to turn anyone away. Our desire is
for them to see what it is like to be a part of something big-
Fall 2021
ger than themselves.”
Some of the players are considered to have disciplinary
problems, so Smith said he wants this program to give them something positive in their lives. The team gets to travel for
tournaments in Jacksonville, FL, Atlanta, and Orlando, FL, which are places some of the kids would not be able to travel to otherwise.
In addition to building basketball skills, Smith said he
wants to train the kids into becoming complete athletes. He works with the kids on their schoolwork, their diet, their physical training and their behavior.
Smith said although he is a disciplinarian for the kids,
To help with funding for the program, Smith said the
group holds fundraisers throughout the year to help pay for
travel. He and Josie will sometimes sell turkey legs, and they hold raffles for various prizes as a means to raise funds for the team.
The biggest issue facing the organization is finding a con-
sistent location to hold practices for the kids, Smith said. His dream is to one day have their own facility that can
host tournaments and will allow more kids to get involved in the program.
Smith, who owns and runs Fatboi Fresh Designz, said he
they also know he fully supports them and wants to see
them grow. He attributes the parents and his other coaches
for all their support and for helping the program to con-
tinue to grow.
“Without my coaches,” Smith said, “I don’t know where I
would be.”
34
welcomes people to come and help with coaching and to
support the kids. He will help to bring everything together so anyone can come and be a part of Trained 2 Go.
“I will put it all together,” Smith said. “People want to do
it but may not know how to do it.” u For more information contact: Redd Smith 229-454-6134
Fall 2021