Townie #13, 2015

Susan Harvard Small Business Banker

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AUGUSt 7 - August 20

Working in your best interest.

best interest.

Susan Harvard Small Business Banker

Catch Stoney Creek On a TV Near You Over the years Ed acquired multiple business in the landscaping industry, so that Stoney Creek could offer a larger variety of services. In 2004, Larry Plank became Operations Manager and soon after Byron Rhodes joined the team and brought along knowledge of residential landscapes, commercial nurseries, weed & pest control, plant identification, and forestry and fish pond management. Matt Dukes merged his company with Stoney Creek in 2010 and since then the company has expanded its market to Bainbridge, Valdosta and Tallahassee.

Recently the producers at HGTV contacted Matt at Stoney Creek, to discuss providing landscaping and hardscaping services for the episode of Saving America that was being shot in Thomasville. So Matt gathered a team and committed to the single episode. The team at Stoney Creek was then asked to do a second episode in Dothan, Alabama.

FOX’s new reality show HOME FREE. The show is hosted by Mike Holmes, from “Holmes on Homes,” featuring couples competing to win a dream home and completing challenges to revive a run-down home each week. Handling all the hardscape and landscape of the project, Dukes and the Stoney Creek team completed the project in a couple hours ahead of schedule, pleasing the network producer. The producers invited the five man Thomasville crew and Matt back to finish out the entire season of HOME FREE. “The project was challenging and intense yet rewarding," said Dukes who led the team through the entire process. "The support from our community and clients has been tremendous.” Stoney Creek wrapped up the show in the middle of July; they had been on the job since early April. The first episode premiered Wednesday July 22, on Fox and the remaining episodes air on the network Wednesday nights at 8p or you can see previous episodes online.

HOME FREE is produced by Relativity Television and

executive-produced by Tom Forman, George Verschoor, Trice Bartow, Brad Bishop, Andrew Marcus and Mike Holmes. The series will be distributed internationally by ELECTUS.

At 8p the doors open to the Casino where $35 will get you $1000 in play money and a drink ticket, as well as a spot on the dance floor. There will also be a silent auction, small live auction and a wine bottle ring toss game.

Grady Enlow, Vice President of Advancement, still in his first year at TU, says that he made the move from FSU to a small private institution because “everything we do is about a meaningful higher education experience for the students.” That should be clear on August 22 when most of the volunteers at Casino Night are faculty and staff of the school and the Director of Food Services, Linda Black, caters the hors d’oeuvres. Grady says the faculty and staff “love being involved with principle

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AUGUSt 7 - August 20

That which works well is worthy of praise. That which goes well is to be reprised. On Saturday, September 26th beginning at 6p The Vashti Center for Children and Families will redux DINNER ON THE BRICKS downtown in Thomasville on the be-cobbled and venerable hill that is E. Jackson Street between Madison and Stevens. As always, tables for as many as eight, white linen tablecloths, and chairs are gratis courtesy of the sponsor. And, a big “thankee” again to the City Fathers for allowing open wine at the venue (1. confined within the event area and 2. purchased from on-site, host vendors only).

We have so much. A thriving downtown, a place business wants to come to, diverse and devoted charities, strong faith-based communities, plus vibrant arts. How does this manifest? Well, adults can play too and have clean fun with élan and éclat.

Theme your table any way you choose: Cross-words, Boggle, Scrabble; Star Trek (original, Next Gen, Voyager, or the one with Scott Bakula that bombed); go Platform 9 ¾ and Hogwarts Express, or skew “Unfortunate” and get your Lemony Snicket/Count Olaf on; Narnia or Middle Earth; Munsters or Addams Fam; Zombies or Aliens (Zombies and Aliens!). Yes,

- Clay B.

Casino Night at TU is Back This year’s event is a combination of TU’s annual Dining for Education event and their annual Casino Night. All proceeds will go to student scholarships.

Sponsors of the event are invited to the High Roller Dinner which features a four course Parisian meal catered by JB Crumbs, wine service and entertainment by a string trio.

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Bag a Table Now For Dinner on the Bricks

Shortly after the HGTV shoot wrapped, the same producer contacted Dukes to discuss providing a small team to do two episodes of an eight-episode series, for

On August 22, Thomas University is making a Toast to Scholarships the HemingWAY. When you step into the party on the school’s West Campus you will be transported to Paris circa 1920 where you can gamble and dance the night away for a good cause.

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When I moved back to Thomasville just after the millennium, I also returned to the church I grew up in, where I met a young couple named Ed and Marcia Millere. Marcia was a librarian at Jerger and Ed owned a small landscape company named Stoney Creek.

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Tables start at $300. Sponsor one child for this school year: $300. Gift a child’s Christmas: $300. Tables— only 125—are available now. And, there will be awards presented by celebrity judges. Townie reminder: On Saturday, September 26, Trinity Church is ‘public parking.’

For more Details, for Reservations and for Tickets – www.vashti.org or Phone 225-1092. DOTB II – Dinner on the Bricks II. DTVW – Dine the Vashti Way. WSYT – We’ll See You There.

- Benjamin G.

CHUMS Randy Watts CHUMS

Dr. Randy Watts has been an educator for 18 years. He has worked as College Counselor, Dean of Students, and Upper School Director.

He is currently the Headmaster of Brookwood School in our very own Thomasville.

Tell us about your family. I am married to my best friend, Nadia. We met when we were in our freshmen year of college, where we lived in the same dorm. Six years later, she agreed to go on a date with me, and a few years later, we got married. We’ve now been married for fifteen years, and in that time we’ve had two boys. Both are students at Brookwood. Sam, our oldest, is into dance and Boy Scouts.

Ben, our youngest, is interested in Tae Kwon Do and breaking things.

fundraising because they devote their lives to the students and believe in what they are doing.”

Previously held in Cairo, Casino Night has been moved to Thomasville in order to highlight the West Campus where the University hopes to break ground on new residence halls, a competition soccer field and a competition tennis facility.

Psst… welcome, latest Chamber members: Versa Musica, Onward Reserve, Liberty Towing & Recovery, Kauffman Tire, SASS!, Hugh Produce, Legal Shield, Annie Ruth’s Kitchen, and Thomasville Area Board of Realtors...

So Townies, I am going to get real. You are reading this paper because you love Thomasville and all that we stand for. Part of what we are is because we have not one but two places of higher learning. Two! According to the TU website, almost 30% of the student population is from out of state. TU supports our very special economy in numerous ways. Intelligent, interesting people come to work at TU, students live and eat and shop in Thomasville, TU expands and creates jobs… the least we can do is go and have some fun with them.

We have fun and a few deserving students are granted a college education. It's a win-win!

Liveyoung's Kate Hunt penned a piece for us inside...

She's the queen of all things cool and healthy, so don't miss it...!

For information on Sponsorship or for tickets to Casino Night contact Grady Enlow at genlow@thomasu.edu or 227-6903. The event is at 1550 Magnolia Street.

costumes are welcome, positive attitudes a must, dogooding encouraged.

For as little as $190, you can advertise in 10,000 copies of our FLAUNT and Covey Film Fest publications running August - October... ...that said, new advertisers, mention this Whisper and receive 10% off an ad package... These sell out every year and take your ad dollars for a good ride... e-mail yourtownie@gmail.com to inquire. If you've never advertised with us, this is a great way to start...

Why did you decide to be a headmaster, and why Brookwood? I am grateful to be the Headmaster of Brookwood for many reasons. I loved the heart and passion that students, parents, faculty and alumni expressed for the school when I first stepped foot on campus. The school has a wonderful tradition of excellence and has a lot of great plans on the horizon. I like being Headmaster; I think it’s the best job in the world because I get to spend time with kids, work with interesting and talented adults and make some exciting things happen.

What is your favorite t-shirt? I have two favorite t-shirts.

One is my Thomasville Cross-Fit shirt. The second is a Led Zeppelin t-shirt that a former student gave me.

Who is your favorite music artist? I really don’t have a favorite because I like so many different types of music, but I have started take my children to concerts, and they really seem to enjoy that.

What is the funniest moment you’ve had at Brookwood? The first grade invited me to a Christmas party, and when I went into the room, the school counselor said “Thank you for agreeing to do this,” and I said, “Agreeing to do what?” I realized then that the kids had set out a chair for me to sit on and promptly wrapped me in streamers and decorated me with ornaments they had made.

So, over the course of a few minutes, they turned me into a Christmas tree.

- Sam W.

- Emily M.

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AUGUSt 7 - August 20

Sign Up Now for Art in the Afternoon

Farm to Table Watermelons are Here!

Our Staff Publisher + Editor in Chief Jennifer Westfield

Calling all kiddos! It’s Art in the Afternoon registration time at Thomasville Center for the Arts. For the 2015 - 2016 school year, TCA is bringing back fan-favorite classes – one with a Wicked twist! – and introducing new offerings like youth intensives this fall. There is a class for every child, from ages 2 to 17, and for the first time, TCA is offering an early bird discount to families that register before August 10th. This will be the only chance to snag a discount, so be sure to sign up and catch the Art in the Afternoon early bird worm!

Two exciting additions to the Art in the Afternoon line up gives kiddos a chance to learn from local artists at Studio 209. These 6-week fall intensives will be taught by two of TCA’s resident artists in their respective fields.

Caprice Kelly, TCA’s Ceramist-in-Residence, will be teaching “Pottery 101.” Students will learn the ceramic process – from molding clay to firing up the kiln. Abby Barber, TCA’s Culinary Artist-in-Residence, will teach “The Art of Food” and educate kids how to bring goodies from the garden to the table. These intensives are designed for 8-14 year olds and have limited class space. TCA’s youth intensives are presented by Thomas County Federal.

Social Media Dara Barwick Denise Purvis Columnists J. David Bray, Jr. Sarah Esra Denise Purvis Kelly Samek Contributing Writers Dara Barwick Clay Byars Benjamin Gardner Matt Hagel Didi Hoffman Kate Hunt Annie Jones Emily McKenna Denise Purvis Callie Sewell Sam Watts

The weekly Art in the Afternoon schedule include classes in theatre, music and visual arts as well as social etiquette.

This year, the theatre arts students will “follow the yellow brick road" to the TCA stage and learn what it takes to “defy gravity” as the May 2016 Spring Showcase will be highlights from Wicked and The Wizard of Oz. The Spring

Showcase will also include a performance from the vocal performance class students. This class is geared towards singers and performers, and they will learn to sing in a choral ensemble, read music, and get an understanding of basic music history, genres and styles.

There are three visual art class offerings this year. In “Meet the Master,” students will learn about master artists like Van Gogh, Picasso, Kandinsky, Matisse, and Caulder. They will then use these artists’ materials, methods, and subjects to create their own works of art.

The inventive arts class will focus on everything 3-D: masks, mobiles, rain sticks, relief projects and more using papier-mâché, cardboard, plaster, clay, fiber and beads.

New this year is a “Mama and Me” visual arts class, giving parents/guardians a chance to get hands-on and creative with their little ones!

Also new this year is a partnership with the South Georgia Protocol School. Together, TCA and SGPS are offering Cotillion Club classes that teach leadership skills through etiquette instruction and social dance.

After-school transportation to the main Center’s location at 600 East Washington St. is available for students who attend Thomasville City and Thomas County schools. The bus in not available to transport students for the Pottery 101 or The Art of Food Artist in Residence intensive located at Studio 209. For more information on classes, scheduling and pricing please visit thomasvillearts.org or call 226-0588.

- Callie S.

Farm to Table

Contributing Artists William Hamil

Delight! Blackberry Corn Cobbler

Advertising Design Katie Reeves

The natural sweetness of corn makes it perfect for pairing with an array of fruits in many recipes, from cornbread to pancakes. Here we’ve given fruit cobbler an extra savory spin by putting a double dose of corn goodness into the drop biscuit topping.

The recipe calls for baking in a cast iron skillet, but you can divide the fruit mixture and the biscuit batter into mason jars and bake in a water bath if cute, portable portions are desired for picnicking or gift-giving. If seeds or the tendency of blackberries to stain teeth with are a concern, you can most certainly substitute other fruits such as cranberries, blueberries, or peaches. Enjoy this easy cobbler just as it is or with a scoop of premium vanilla ice cream.

Leftovers cold out of the fridge make a delicious and easy breakfast.

Layout Clay Byars Distribution Devae Duncan

Georgia Press Association

Blackberry Corn Cobbler

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6 cups blackberries 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar 1/4 cup water 2 teaspoons salt 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup Bradley’s Country Store Stone-Ground Cornmeal—Lewis Produce 1 tablespoon baking powder 4 tablespoons butter 1 14.5 ounce can creamed corn Sparkling sugar {optional}

Preheat oven to 400°F. In a saucepan over high heat, place blackberries, one cup sugar, water, and one teaspoon salt. Bring to boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to medium and allow to simmer for about ten minutes, stirring occasionally, until blackberries have broken down and released their juice. Remove about three tablespoons of the hot liquid and place in a cup with cornstarch; stir until smooth to create a slurry. Pour into the saucepan with the fruit. Allow the mixture to continue simmering with occasional stirring for about five minutes or until the liquid is thickened. Remove from heat and pour fruit mixture into a ten-inch cast iron skillet.

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and remaining teaspoon of salt and tablespoon of sugar. Cut chilled butter into about eight cubes and, using clean fingers, combine into flour mixture until butter has broken into tiny, flour coated bits. Fold in creamed corn until batter is just combined. Drop large spoonfuls of batter on top of the blackberry mixture in the cast iron pan (a spring action ice cream scoop may be helpful for apportionment). Sprinkle sparkling sugar over batter if using. Place in hot oven, using a baking sheet below the skillet if it is especially full to catch any overflow. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until fruit is bubbly and the corn biscuits are cooked through and slightly golden.

Nothing is better to me in the hot summer weather than a sweet, juicy, watermelon. It's the perfect time for their peak season and flavor. One of my farmers, Frank, from Farm Fresh Organics in Jefferson County, has a variety of melons, and two of my favorites he grows are the Baby Doll and Crimson Sweet. Watermelons come in numerous varieties. Some of the most coveted including the Carolina Sweet and the infamous Bradford Melon.

Watermelons are over 5,000 years old dating back to ancient Egypt; watermelons in America were brought to us from Africa and have been a staple in Southern cuisine and a symbol of our culture. There are several methods of cooking and pickling as well as several uses raw. Here are a few of my favorite ways to utilize a watermelon.

Breakfast Melon with Creme Dice watermelon and toss with granola. In a bowl mix 1 cup sour cream, 2 TBL powdered sugar, 1 TBL honey, and the zest and juice of 1 lime; whisk and pour over melon and granola.

Watermelon Gorgy Salad- Serves 4 @ @ @ @ @ @

1/4 Watermelon 1 cup Gorgonzola Cheese 1 cup Bacon Cooked 2 heads Romaine or Leaf or Bibb Lettuce 1 cup Pecans 1/2 Red Onion Julienne

Dressing @ @ @ @ @

1/4 cup Champagne Vinegar 1/4 cup Canola Oil or Veggie Oil 2 TBL dijon mustard 1 Lemon {juice} 2 TBL Honey

Combine and whisk all ingredients and add a pinch Salt and Pepper Large dice the watermelon and remove as many seeds as possible, cook bacon and chop, julienne the red onion, roast the pecans in the oven at 350 for 3 mins and toss with 1 TBL honey, chop lettuce.

Combine all in bowl together and pour dressing on top if desired.

Pickled Sweet and Sour Watermelon Rind Peel the skin off the remaining rind, leaving only the white rind. Julienne. Toss heavily in kosher salt and put in a perforated pan or a strainer in the cooler overnight. The next day, wash and drain the rind.

In a pot, boil 2 cups sugar, 2 cups white vinegar, 1 cup water. Pour over rind and let sit for at least 8 hours in cooler. Treat like any other pickle.

- Chef Matt Hagel is co-owner of Chop House on the Bricks

- Kelly S.

Stand OU T from the Crowd!

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Clay Byars

designer - creator - owner byarsclay@gmail.com 229 977-4615 tri-bstudio.com

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Give. Join. Volunteer. And So Much More.

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Miniature Painting with Hillery Richards Studio 209 Thursday, August 20 6:30 - 8:30 pm

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Living Young with Kate Top Fitness Trends in 2015 Most of us remember the health clubs of the 80’s with Hans and Frans types mixed with a dose of leotards and Jazzercise. Traditional fitness clubs are dwindling while boutique style fitness and training options are on the rise.

It is an experience founded on results where clients are a name not a number. Here are a few of the top fitness trends in 2015: 1. Specialty Studios: Pilates, Yoga, Rowing, Cycling, Aerial Yoga, Barre offer workouts where a workout doesn’t feel like work, but a social outing. Don’t be fooled! There are tremendous health and body shaping benefits.

2. Body weight exercise: According to the American College of Sports and Medicine’s Worldwide Survey of Fitness for 2015, body weight training is the number one fitness trend to look for in the coming year. Exercises like squats, lunges, push ups and planks are some of the most efficient and effective tried and true exercises, not to mention, you can do them anywhere.

3. The Techy workout: Fitbit, Apple Watch (I’m obsessed), and fitness apps promote tracking for a balanced workout profile with maximum accountability.

4. High Intensity (HIIT or Tabata) workouts for the time-challenged are a shortcut to a calorie shredding workout experience usually completed in 20-30 minutes.

5. Fashionable functional workout gear is on the rise so that you can go from your workout to the grocery store looking fresh. New gear offers anti-smell, moisture wicking fibers and even biometric microchips that can measure how efficiently your body uses oxygen, heart rate, calories burned, and syncs with your fitness devices.

Check out Liveyoung Studio, Molly’s Bootcamp, Lotus Yoga and Crossfit for your own boutique experience in Thomasville.

- Kate Hunt holds a BS in Exercise Physiology, a Masters in Physical Therapy and is the owner of LiveYoung Studio at 235 West Jackson Street in Thomasville

AUGUSt 7 - August 20

The stylish house

Townie Profile: Main Street's Karen Smith

Growing up in Ochlocknee, Karen Smith never dreamed she would one day lead the City of Thomasville’s award winning Main Street program and tourism office. As a teen, Karen worked side by side with her parents in the family grocery store, dreaming of the day she would strike out on her own and find a special career. Little did she know back then that her understanding and respect for the small town and small business owner would parlay into her career.

When Karen was a senior at Thomas County Central High School she got a job at Sunnyland as a keypunch operator. Finding that she enjoyed learning the early computer technology, she moved on to work for the City of Thomasville in computer programming, becoming very proficient. Karen later worked for Flowers in their programming department and as Train the Trainer before returning to work in the City’s Marketing Department.

“Back then I was a computer nerd,” says Karen. “I loved computer technology. After a while I realized I wanted more interaction with the public, so I accepted the job in marketing, and my career grew from there.”

So, what do Karen and her team do? The purpose of the Main Street program is economic development, creating a community among the merchants, and helping them get their message out to the public. Tourism is economic development also and therefore a natural fit with Main Street and downtown development. As most Townies know, this office hosts or collaborates with other entities to provide downtown events throughout the year.

The Old School: Part One

It seems that Karen is always downtown doing her job, but I saw her recently with a certain little granddaughter named Grace Ann {Gracie}. Karen spends time with her every chance she gets. Being a grandmother can compete with even the most satisfying career, and the smiles and fun Gracie evokes are treasured times. It’s a good life when your passions for work and family have lined up just right.

Karen is proud of the team that makes up the Main Street and Tourism office, and she invites everyone to stop by to say hello and get acquainted with the staff and the services and resources available there. By the way, this is the place to purchase those very valuable Downtown Dollars which are good at over 75 shopping and dining locations. There’s your answer to that gift giving dilemma ~ who wouldn’t love receiving Downtown Dollars?

Recently a customer asked me a question I hear all too frequently these days.

“Davey, why is everything so old school with you?”

Well, there are many reasons for this: quality being the main one, durability being another. I loathe ‘Planned Obsolescence.’ Why not just make something and, when it breaks, repair it versus throwing it away? Or, learn to do something, anything, when something breaks or needs a repair, not just trash it for a new one. Everything doesn’t have to come from a retail store or online. All too often, in a certain demographic in this country, we take the easy way out.

But, we don’t have to. There are still people out there who cling to the ‘old school' ways. Let me give an example of why this can be beneficial.

So, get your bikes in shape, concert gear ready, and your shopping, dining and entertainment shoes on because this is the place it’s all happening. I can’t think of many reasons to leave town. Thank you, Karen and team, for making things great for Townies.

I have customers here in Atlanta who wanted to have their deck repainted. Fine.

The Visitors Center and Main Street office is located on the corner of Crawford and Jackson at 144 E. Jackson Street. The phone number is 228-7977.

“No, we can pick something,” said the twenty-five year old third wife rather haughtily. Okay, I’m thinking, this should be stunning.

- Dara B.

“Would you like me to choose a color or are we going with what is currently there,” I asked.

Well after the pressure washing and prep work, it was time to roll paint. Less than seven minutes later the painters are screaming for me.

“Mr. David, you no going to like dis.”

The merchants, restaurant owners, and other owner operators make downtown the successful destination for shopping, dining and entertainment it is. Because of the hard work, dedication and smarts of many, Thomasville was named a Great American Main Street City in 1998, and in 1999 was named one of the top dozen places to visit in the U.S. by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Thomasville has long been a place that is considered a jewel in the state and southeast, and these days it feels like we’re just warming up.

I walk out to Grimace purple. Grimace. The purple thing from Ronald McDonald Land. {Google it.} I wanted to scream out “Is that grape or Aubergine?” I laughed and started to explain but stopped myself.

With ‘I told you so/No one ever listens to me’ passing through my mind and putting aside the vicious idea of letting it happen, I immediately called the husband. {Not to be sexist but he writes the checks}. I sent him a picture and was rendered deaf for several minutes by the screams from the incoming call several seconds later.

Karen shared that one of the exciting projects to be launched this year is the downtown amphitheater and trailhead groundbreaking, which is expected to occur by end of the year. During our chat I asked Karen for an update on the bike path, and she surprised me by saying that sections are already started. Where have I been?

Watch for more on this in a future Townie issue.

“WHAT? WE CANNOT HAVE A PURPLE PORCH!” “Well, as I tried to explain…”

“Just do it the same color as the original, please.” Click.

Excuse me?

Okay, so I could be a hero or a zero. I’m thinking hero. I calmly go to the Sherwin-Williams paint store to have it darkened. Easy enough, right.

Let’s pause here to say, I dislike Sherwin Williams paint.

In fact, I loathe them. But, I let my new Atlanta painter talk me into using them. I am and always have been a Benjamin Moore guy but more about that later. This was going to get interesting...

What do your customers really think of you?

Turn them into true blue fans for life.

Call me to schedule your free consultation.

'bridgestone tower' by William Hamil

John David Bray, Jr. is a Project Manger/Designer at Landford Thompson Interiors.

He sees clients in Thomasville by appointment. www.landfordthompsoninteriors.com

A Scholarship Fundraising Event We LOVE THE Townie. It’s just like us!

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TICKETS $

Includes $1,000 in play money • Live Music • Gaming Tables Gourmet hors d’oeuvres • 1 Raffle Ticket RSVP by August 15th to Grady Enlow: genlow@thomasu.edu • Phone 229.227.6903

to advertise, contact yourtownie@gmail.com

August 22, 2015

Gaming Opens 8 PM Thomas University Gymnasium 1550 Magnolia Street Thomasville, Georgia www.thomasu.edu

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AUGUSt 7 - August 20 VOLUME 4

AUGUSt 7 - August 20 VOLUME 4

FIND US ONLINE AT YOURTOWNIE.COM July was a not-so-great month for reading, at least in terms of quantity.

Maybe it’s the oppressive heat, but I barely made it through four books last month, unless you count the three books I started but have yet to finish – also unusual for me. I normally stick to one or two books at a time, but last month? My reading was all over the place, and I found myself drawn more to my Netflix queue than to my stack of books. However, I trust this slump, too, shall pass, and in the meantime, I’ve got a few recommendations for your own reading lists. July may have been terrible in terms of quantity, but in quality?

Well, three out of four isn’t bad:

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal.

Hooray! I read this enchanting book as an advanced reader copy, but there’s good news for you: Kitchens of the Great Midwest released the last week in July, so copies are available and on our shelves now.

And trust me: You’ll want one. Aside from Station Eleven (which technically released in 2014), this has been my favorite book of the year. Don’t let the title fool you; this is a novel, not a cookbook, and it manages to weave an intriguing, intelligent story about a young woman and her passion for food. I honestly don’t want to tell you much more than that; I think readers will be better served by trying this one without knowing too much in advance. It’s a book for foodies, but even non-foodies I know will appreciate such a well-told story. I couldn’t put this one down, and I felt better for having read it.

Put it on your TBR list, stat.

Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff. This is another book that

will make my “Best of 2015” list, guaranteed. It’s a beautiful, literary novel; Lauren Groff (author of Arcadia) writes about marriage – and the two sides of every story – in a way I haven’t seen before. The book resembles one of my all-time favorites, Crossing to Safety, in its simplicity; this is the story of a marriage, and the bumps Groff describes are realistic and compelling, not over-dramatized to the point of caricature. It’s refreshing, and it’s heart breaking. The book carries the reader, and although Fates and Furies isn’t a page-turner in the traditional sense, it grabs the reader’s hand without ever letting go. The novel releases on September 15, so mark your calendars.

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. I was hesitant to read Go Set a Watchman. Scout and Jem are as dear to me as family, and

when reviews came out in advance of the novel’s release, I was stunned to hear my beloved Atticus had become a racist in his old age. (Thank you, New York Times book review.) But I’m not just a reader anymore; I’m a bookseller, and I knew someone on my staff needed to read this book. I’m so glad I took the risk. Go Set a Watchman isn’t a perfect novel; much of the dialogue is clunky, and at times it feels as if we’re reading only half a story. But Harper Lee’s voice is still there, a diamond in the rough some editor had the genius to discover. The book is so clearly hers, and the characters, while changed, are also the same as the ones we fell in love with back in high school. All those concerns about Atticus? They’re valid, but they also ignore the novel’s setting, the state of the South at the time this novel was both written and set. I can’t help but wonder if the novel’s first reviewers simply aren’t Southerners, because if you’re a Southerner? This “new” Atticus may disappoint you, but he’ll also be familiar to you, and really? He may not be as far from the Atticus we discovered in To Kill a Mockingbird as you think. Go Set a Watchman is ultimately about race in the South, and it’s rare because it offers a nuanced, complicated look at what life was like (sometimes still is like) in our part of the world. Scared this new novel will ruin the classic you love? Don’t read it. But I imagine we can all keep To Kill a Mockingbird on its pedestal while also reading Go Set a Watchman as literary history: a reminder for how far we’ve come – and how far we have to go.

Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll. Luckiest Girl Alive is supposed to be the “it” book of the summer, this season’s Gone Girl,

according to goddess of the Southern woman, Reese Witherspoon.

I enjoy a good thriller; Gone Girl’s genius wasn’t lost on me, and I enjoyed Girl on the Train as much as the next person. Unfortunately, I found Luckiest Girl Alive to be lacking. Despite all of the descriptions and hype, the novel wasn’t anything like I’d anticipated; it’s filled with twists and turns you won’t see coming, but those twists don’t work in the book’s favor. I’ve thought a lot about how to describe this one, because I know some customers have loved it, and I don’t want to deter any readers who might be interested in it. So here’s what I could conjure up: Reading Luckiest Girl Alive was like watching a Lifetime movie. If that description appeals to you, read on! If not, skip this one in favor of something else; I recommend anything and everything by Tana French.

See you in the shop, — Annie

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62 Eagerness 63 Edges 64 Boutique for Citizens of Humanity 65 Snaky fish 66 Potato sprouts 67 At Al Dixon you can get your first or your last 68 Escaped

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Downtown Thomasville on the corner of Remington Ave and Broad St. 7:30-9:30p Bring your lawn chair or blanket and spend a fun evening in Downtown Thomasville. For more information, contact Sarah Turner at 227-7020.

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Thomas Co. Public Library, 201 N. Madison St., 12p, free For more information, call 225-5252.

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In front of Fuzzy Goat, 223 W. Jackson St., 5:30-7p, free Participating shops and restaurants will stay open late. Look for special pricing and deals all over downtown!. For more information, contact the Main Street Office at 227-7020.

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Downtown Thomasville - Starts at Relish, 107 S. Broad St., Thomasville, 4p. Bar Crawl wristbands will only be available at Relish. Wristbands must be presented at bars to receive discount. YEP! Members will receive a $5.00 drink voucher to be used at Relish. Event is open to the public. Locations on the crawl include: Relish, Billiard Academy, Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Shop, Plaza Restaurant & Oyster Bar and Bacchus Wine Bar. Contact Christina at 226-9600 for more information.

August 11 The Accidental Gallery presents Black and White (and 50 Shades of Gray) Thomasville - Thomas County Chamber of Commerce, 401 S. Broad St., 5-7p You are invited to a Reception for 9 Artists: Rich Curtis, John Gleason, Peg Howard, Mindy Katz, Sue McFadden, Lorna McCollum, Katherine Millings, Jeanette Rivers & Connie Wells {color by Lucy Berg}. For more information, call Sandy Shaw at 816-309-5131.

August 13 Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce – Business After Hours at Relish Relish, 107 S. Broad St., 5-7p A casual business after hours get together. For more information, call Suzannah Heard at 226-9600.

August 15 TOSAC Season KICKOFF – Celebrating 35 Years Trinity Anglican Church, 325 W. Jackson St., Thomasville, GA 6-9p, free for members & $10 for non-members Celebrate a successful 2014-15 season and kickoff of the new season! Members may come early for the Annual General Meeting to give input on future shows and to nominate the board of directors. RSVP by Aug. 7 to webmaster@tosac.com or by calling 226-0863.

Movie Day! at the Thomas Co. Public Library Thomas Co. Public Library, 201 N. Madison St., 12p, free Watch “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” with your friends. For more information, call 225-5252.

Another Night of Bluegrass: The Farm Hands Thomasville Municipal Auditorium, 144 E. Jackson St., 7:30 p Tickets can be purchased at the Thomasville Visitors Center, 144 E. Jackson St. For more information, contact Felicia Brannen at 227-7020.

August 18 Free Writing Workshop Thomas Co. Public Library, 201 N. Madison St., 10a-12p. free. Are you interested in becoming a writer? Jazz up your nonfiction or memoir with author Donna Meredith of Tallahassee at a free workshop.

For more information call 225-5252.

August 20 Whet Your Palette Miniature Painting with Hillery Richards Forest Management • Timber Sales • Reforestation Prescribed Burning • Wildlife Management

to advertise, contact yourtownie@gmail.com

Studio 209, Remington Avenue, Thomasville, 6:30-8:30p, $25 Reservations are a must, as seats are limited. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes before class starts for set-up. Contact Thomasville Center for the Arts for more information at 226-0588.