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July 19 - August 1 VOLUME 2
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Issue No.
Gluten Free in the Ville
It seems almost everywhere you look, you can find the words “gluten free”
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Whispers. Sweet Grass Dairy loves their peeps…find out how
It seems almost everywhere you look, you can find the words “gluten free”--in the supermarket, at restaurants, on cosmetics and in magazines as the latest diet trend. What does gluten free really mean? By now, most people seem to know, but for those who don’t, gluten is the protein found in most grains such as wheat, barley, malt and spelt. Rice is thankfully not one of them. For some, eating gluten free (GF) is a choice, simply a new diet eliminating starches in the hopes of shedding pounds and feeling healthier. But for many, such as myself, it isn’t a choice, it’s vital to our health and our lives to avoid eating gluten. Some of us have an auto-immune disorder called Celiac Disease, which makes our bodies view those grains as poisons, causing illness. So, in a day and age where many enjoy eating out more than cooking at home, as well as living in the South where we like to fry everything {in wheat flour} and enjoy a cold beer {that contains barley}, what is someone with gluten intolerance to do? Thankfully, you the reader live in or near Thomasville, a place with fantastic local restaurants run by knowledgeable foodies. Start your day off with a visit to Q Café or Savannah Moon Bakery--they both offer omelettes that will knock your socks off! I’m personally a huge fan of Savannah Moon’s Florentine omelette; I love my veggies. For lunch, head out to Moonspin Pizza or Jonah’s Fish and Grits. Moonspin offers special GF crusts by request. Jonah’s owner Caleb assures me that they take special dietary needs very seriously and will take precautions to ensure no cross contamination. They don’t use cookware on gluten-containing items then use it to make your dish. Isn’t that so nice of them?
Okay, now that lunch is over and you’ve been shopping downtown for a while, a case of the 3 o’clock munchies hits; what to snack on? Well, if it’s a Monday or Thursday walk down to The Bookshelf and get a scrumptious GF cupcake made by Lucy and Leo’s. The fact I can only get them twice a week makes them even more desirable! If you would prefer something cool and creamy, go back uptown to Pinetree and hit up Yoburst frozen yogurt. They offer lots of silky fro-yos and sorbets. When the dinner bell rings, Mom and Dad’s Italian can get your fork twirling around GF pasta, while Liam’s offers a deliciously unique culinary experience. Co-owner Rhonda told me that while nothing on the menu is specifically GF, because they only use fresh ingredients and never fry anything, it is very easy for them to modify any dish to accommodate your needs. Liam’s also offers GF beer! {Don’t worry, wine is naturally GF} Other good options are the famous Plaza restaurant and newcomer Ambrosia Café and Speakeasy, both of whose managers told me they have recently been learning more about the complexities of offering GF options. All of the restaurants asked for guests needing gluten free options to let them know before ordering and, if you have several in your party, try to give the restaurant at least 48 hours notice to prepare. All the managers I spoke with said they are more than happy to accommodate special dietary needs. Since they are all locally owned, the food is made to order, allowing them to make necessary changes to the recipes. A chain restaurant can’t do that, nor do they want to, but our local restaurateurs care about what is in their food and don’t want anyone to miss out on a fantastic dining experience over a little grain. Wow, so many options…where should I eat first? - Rebekah
Psst...do you have a whisper? Got a tip for the Townie or a story idea? We’re all ears! yourtownie@gmail.com
Sweet Grass Hearts You The kind souls at Sweet Grass have heard your earnest pleas And they’ve reconsidered part of their future plans! They have decided to keep the cheese shop as it is, and continue to offer wine, beer and tastings in addition to their retail selection. They plan to add more seating and two more craft beer taps. They love to bring you the best of the best, as you well know, so they will be expanding their retail products to include more Made in the South goods. The menu will change slightly to incorporate more wine bar fare. Look for them to close a few days for remodeling in September. So there. It’s official. Sweet Grass Dairy hearts Tville as much as we heart them! And this, my Townies, is why we shop local. - Bunny
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F r e e
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much in this issue! Ambrosia Cafe is now open for lunch and dinner, Southern with a twist…and a fancy-schmancy bar… IMwithLOVE, is now open next to Sweet Grass, featuring shabby/rustic refurbished furniture, custom paint and home decor… Rock Bottom Seafood opened this week, across from Granddaddy’s in the old Brantley’s space... We’re getting a cupcakery, a chain called Smallcakes, next to Ambrosia...
CHUMS Lauren Grubbs Lauren is a native Tvillian and though she resides in one of my other favorite GA towns, her heart and famliy are here. She’s witty and a little wicked and...likes guns? Now that you live in Athens, what do you miss most about the Ville? Thomasville is such a close knit town with a diverse mix of people...kind of like “Cheers!” What did you want to be when you grew up? A U.S. Marshall. I love the idea of wearing a pair of handguns in a shoulder holster. If you could own a business in Tville for a day, which one would it be? The Plaza...I’d fill part of the parking lot with sand, surround it with a temporary fence for privacy from the public eye, hire bouncers (21 and up only) and have one of the best beach parties Thomasville has ever seen! Summer in Thomasville is? Like a redneck sauna.
Downtown. Back to School Street Party! Downtown Thomasville’s Back to School Bash is Friday, August 9th. The High School Bands will begin performing at 5:45 under the oaks in the 200 Block of North Broad between the Courthouse and First Baptist Church. Bleachers will be in front of First Baptist for spectators. This back to school bash is the same weekend as Georgia’s Sales Tax Free Holiday! Come show your school spirit and get ready for the Fall!
downtownthomasville.com
New Life for Old Treasures If you’re looking for something new in the Ville, visit Downtown Thomasville’s latest addition, IMwithLOVE Designs. Owner Ivy Childers truly has the mindset of an artist because everything in her store is beautiful and even magical.
any budget. One of the things that excited me the most— they make their own paint! Lastly, they are working on a section for children’s furniture, gifts and even strollers!
IMwithLOVE has been based in Hahira, Georgia, for the past 1 ½ years, before making its way to Thomasville. Childers and her family lived in the Valdosta area for the past 9 years, but have welcomed the move to Thomasville. Says Ivy, “I have been visiting Thomasville from time to time and just loved the feel of the town. I love that it is mostly locally owned instead of major chains. It keeps that hometown feel. I also loved how supportive the community is of its businesses.”
Ivy also supports downtown businesses herself, telling me her favorite spots are Sweet Grass Dairy, Q Café, Grassroots and Lucy and Leo’s Cupcakes {my favorite, too!}. If you make your way down to Broad Street, pop in and see what they’ve transformed into treasure! They are open from 10:30-5:00 Thursday and Friday {hopefully they’ll extend those hours soon!}, Saturdays from 10-6:00. Find them on Facebook! - Jon T.
You can find salvaged and repurposed furniture at LOVE. “The pieces in our store are unique and you will rarely see two of the exact same items. We like our customers to know that their pieces are special,” Ivy says. They also offer in-store design consulting. They can help you pick out fabric, create a bed ensemble, help with pillows and curtains, and order custom sewing. They even offer home interior design and can work with
t h a n k s
t o
t h e s e : Artist Collective: ELEMENTS July 23 - October 15
20% off the Ashley Direct Price of your entire furniture purchase Discount cannot be combined with any other offer. Normal exclusions apply. See store for details. Expires 7/31/2013.
Grassroots Coffee
Buy: The public can view and purchase these juried, original art works both online and in person. Learn: A portion of each art purchase benefits adult art and educational programs at the Thomasville Center for the Arts. Join: The Artist Collective is a group of Southern artists and makers who are designing a more creative culture in our community and pushing the limits of our practices.
www.thomasvillearts.org
www.AshleyFurnitureHomeStore.com
to advertise, contact yourtownie@gmail.com.
Issue No.
July 19 - August 1
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Make the Dog Days of Summer More Pleasant for Your Pets Summer is a fun time to be outdoors with your four-legged family members. Here are some suggestions to help keep them safe in the South Georgia heat and humidity:
ter and shade. Kiddie pools and fans Signs of heat stroke include: can also help them beat the heat. Excessive panting 4. Some dogs are especially suscep- Salivation 1. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PET tible to heat stroke, and even brief Vomiting IN THE CAR! The most severe heat exposure can be very danger- Anxious behavior cases of heat stroke we see are from ous. Brachycephalic {short nose} Diarrhea pets left locked in cars or in the breeds such as boxers, bulldogs and Collapse back of trucks with no shade. Even pugs have a difficult time moving air with the windows cracked, the temthrough their genetically smaller air- If you are concerned your pet may perature inside can reach 120+ ways. Special precautions should also be suffering from heat stroke, wet degrees in less than 30 minutes. be taken for overweight and heart- them down with cool, not cold, waworm positive dogs, as well as any ter and place their face in front of a 2. You may always want your best animals with upper or lower airway fan or air vent while calling or preffriend by your side, but taking them conditions such as laryngeal paraly- erably driving to your veterinarian. running/exercising is not the best sis, heart failure or tracheal collapse. Our pets count on us to keep them idea in South Georgia in the sumsafe and a little precaution can mer, especially in the heat of the 5. Summer heat brings bugs! If mosday. Dogs don’t sweat or wear shoes. quitos are bothering you, you can help ensure a fun summer for all! The pavement will burn their feet, be sure they are biting your pet. - Jennie M. and it is way too difficult to cool off Because mosquitos transmit potenJennifer Mason is an Associate at by panting when it’s 90 degrees with tially fatal heartworms, it is vitally 90% humidity. Instead, go for an important they are on year-round Thomasville Animal Hospital. You easy walk, early or late in the day. prevention. Preventatives are also can find them online at www.thomrecommended for other common of- asvilleanimalhospital.com or at 3. If your pup spends its days in the fenders such as fleas and ticks. Your 1103 Smith Avenue, (229)226-4561. backyard and not on the couch, then veterinarian can help you determine Sponsored by Thomasville Animal be sure they have plenty of cool wathe best protection for your pet. Hospital
from the Bookshelf
Have you found Waldo yet? You’ve got just one more week to hunt for those red and white stripes downtown. On Saturday, July 27, at 11:00, The Bookshelf will be drawing names for this year’s winners and hosting a small Waldo party in-store for our friends and readers. {And if Waldo’s not your thing, no worries: Our local authors’ fair is on the calendar for August 17!}
Find the Townie on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thomasville.townie Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourtownie Read + share the latest issues online: http://issuu.com/thetownie
Road Trip Florida’s Forgotten Coast: Port Saint Joe + Environs At the westward end of the Forgotten Coast lie Mexico Beach, and a northward-pointing, hook-shaped strand of peninsula where you’ll find one of the most beautiful state parks in the country and the town of Cape San Blas. Nestled inside the peninsula are Saint Joseph Bay and the town of Port Saint Joe. All three towns are home to charters for some of the best offshore fishing the Gulf of Mexico has to offer, and Saint Joseph Bay berths scallops galore during the summer months; scallop season opened July 1st, and downtown Port Saint Joe will host its 17th annual Scallop & Music Festival from July 27th through August 4th. The place to eat in the area, if you can find it, is Indian Pass Raw Bar at the intersection of County Road C-30 and Indian Pass Road. Blink and you’ll miss it. Though Johnny Cash and Lauren Hutton have dined there, it’s a dive if there ever was one, with no illusions of grandeur. The food is fresh, bountiful, and succulent, and the atmosphere is true “Old Florida.” The menu contains a handful of items prepared a handful of ways {except fried}, and beers are on the honor system from a cooler in the back. If you have yourself a guitar case, no one will stop you from strumming away out front if you feel like it. Douse your dozen raw in Ed’s Red, the locally-made pepper sauce, and you’ll agree it’s an “oyster’s best friend.” Continue south, and swing through Cape San Blas on your way to Saint Joseph Peninsula State Park, which has consistently been rated near the top of national state parks and Florida’s best beaches rankings. If camping isn’t your forte, stay at Cape San Blas Inn on the peninsula, a B + B which offers complimentary canoes to guests, with access to both the Gulf and Saint Joseph Bay. --Jennifer W.
RELISH + DASH Grill with Relish Chill with Dash
by Laura Floyd
There’s no place like Thomasville
Boston’s merchants set up sidewalk & alley sales with awesome bargains. There is no cost to set up a booth in the park and anyone can come set up beginning at 8 AM. 229-498-1024 mailmansdaughter.betty@gmail.com
July 20
Chalk Paint Workshop
Bring a piece which can be carried upstairs and all other supplies will be provided. Workshop fee is $125 pp and taught by a Certified Chalk Paint rep. Limited to 10 participants. Register online at www. therustybucketart.com. 111 N. Main St., Boston, GA
Pinterest Inspired Craft Workshops July 25: A Sign of the Times August 22: Picture Perfect September 26: Chalk it Up
6:30-8:30 PM, Studio 209 www.thomasvillearts.org, 229-226-0588
July 23
Taste of France: Languedoc-Roussillon The 2nd largest producing region of AOC wines, the Languedoc thrives on duck, fresh asparagus, figs, goat cheeses & fresh apricots and cherries that are a staple of their sweet pudding known as clafoutis. Enjoy a 3-course dinner with wines, $45 pp. Reservations required. www.liamsthomasville.com
Founders Brewing Company @ Sweet Grass Dairy July 26 + 27, 5 - 8 PM
Friday night: Founders regular line-up of beers plus special menu items. Saturday: Specially-prepared menu and select Founders brews on draft that don’t always make their way to South Georgia. Brewery Representative on hand to chat with customers about all things craft beer.
Where’s Waldo? Until July 27
Waldo figurines are hidden in 25 participating stores in downtown Thomasville. Stop by The Bookshelf to pick up your Waldo tracking sheet, then have shop owners sign off for each Waldo you find in-store. Once you’ve found all 25 Waldos, turn in your tracking sheet at The Bookshelf. They’ll be hosting a drawing on Saturday, July 27, to select the Waldo winners!
July 19-21
COMIX
We looooo ooooooooo oooooooooo ooooooooove our sponsors!
July 20
Alley Day in Boston
Wizard of Oz
Come see us on Broad Street!
amerisbank.com
Dance Card.
Confessions ...of a Tville Native
Thomasville On Stage and Company presents The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Directed by Pat Orr. $12 Students, $15 Adults. 117 S. Broad St., Thomasville. 229-226-0863 www.tosac.com
Homebuyer Education Workshop
July 23 + July 25 from 5:30-8:30 PM Will cover topics such as pre-purchase decisions, financial and credit preparation, and the purchase process. Program reps will discuss various mortgage and down payment assistance programs. Free + open to the public. Pre-registration is required. charlottec@thomasville.org or call 229-227-3368.
www.KalonCounseling.com
Steaks, Seafood & Southern Cuisine
The Plaza 217 South Broad St., Thomasville (229) 226-5153
www.thomasvilleplaza.com
DDP Monograms + Gifts Follow us on Facebook for Daily Deals! In the Belks Shopping Center - 229-233-8125
www.ddpmonogramsandgifts.com
Road Trip E-Book Coming Soon! We’ve had so much fun with our latest Road Trip series that writer Jennifer Westfield and I decided to produce an E-book! The book will include each of the beach destinations we’ve featured this summer, plus Jennifer’s stunning photography. Jennifer captures the sun and serenity of the coast as well as the almost indefinably intimate feeling of a Gulf Coast sunset. Her work has been the subject of gallery shows and is available at several
retail shops along the panhandle and on her website, www.jenniferwestfieldphotography.com. The E-book will be released in the next week and will be available by free download on our site: www.thomasvilletownie.com. We’ll also be sharing it online, and you can, too--especially if you’re a fan of any of the twenty eight shops, restaurants, and hotels that have been featured in the series, and want to let others know! - Bunny
I REALLY want to go on the downtown walking tours... And I’ve lived here my whole life!
to advertise, contact yourtownie@gmail.com.
Ever wonder who designed Thomas County’s earliest landmark buildings? A man named John Wind was one of the most prolific “architects” of the antebellum era, designing several iconic plantation houses. But most of these aren’t accessible to the public. Nevertheless, a John Wind house tour is a great Sunday outing: c. 1833 Hardy Bryan House - 312 N. Broad St.; c. 1854 A.P. Wright House - 415 Fletcher St.; c. 1856 Robert Hardaway House - 522 N. Dawson St.; c. 1853 Augustin Hansell House - 429 S. Hansell St.. Add in the recently rehabilitated 1858 Courthouse for an afternoon picnic! www.thomasvillelandmarks.org