Townie #22, 2015

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Issue No.

December 18 – January 14

VOLUME 4

Welcome to Jackson Street, Spence and Lane Last week I walked into Spence and Lane, a new store you might have seen downtown. It is one of the many new stores popping up on the increasingly eclectic West Jackson Street.

In my three years here I can say that my experience at Spence and Lane was second to none.

The short story is that I went in simply to satisfy my curiosity and I left with 5 new garments and a deeper love for this town.

Let me preface this story by telling you that I generally do not find clothes shopping to be an enjoyable experience. In fact, I have quite an aversion to shopping for clothes. As a writer for the Townie, however, I like to check out new things and I found myself browsing Spence and Lane. I quickly found myself in the dressing room.

As I tried on clothes I overheard the owner Kelli Barnes talking with a couple that was visiting Thomasville for the day. When she found out they were here for only the night she quickly talked about all of the other downtown stores and restaurants they needed to visit. It wasn’t a courtesy. It was because she genuinely loves what these downtown merchants bring to Thomasville and she wanted these visitors from afar to experience our town. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if she talked them into coming back for Victorian Christmas.

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22

December 18 – January 14

VOLUME 4

Thanks for another great year Your 2015 Townie Staff Clay Byars

One short visit in this store reminded me why I uprooted my family 3 years ago with whiplash-inducing speed after visiting Thomasville one afternoon.

Spence and Lane began in June as an online store run by Kelli and her mother. Like many good Thomasville things, Spence and Lane found success and grew naturally. Hello West Jackson Street. West Jackson is becoming what I would call eclectic, which is a great place for a store that the owner describes as eclectic. Kelli caters to women of all ages who are looking for loose fitting, stylish clothes. She also carries Priti jewelry, which is handmade in Alabama.

Kelli tries on all of the clothes she carries so that she can fully understand how each piece fits. She uses this method and her experience to help each customer find exactly what she needs.

Kelli didn’t need to tell me this because I experienced it, but she feels very strongly about the need for good customer service. I’ll be heading back after the holidays!

This year eluded me, in the very least it flew by like Winter in South Georgia. I still have the memory of my dad’s death as though it was last December rather than three years ago; sad, but it’s been a positive motivator. This year I found myself reflectively aware of the world around me and spontaneously making decisions. The colors, sounds and smells of everyday life were more vivid, almost surreal. This year I walked more, not just for my health but to center myself during a hectic season.

This isn't some sad memory or depressing recap of events, rather a realization of getting off my butt and doing the things that I have been professing that I wanna do. I began a new graphic design business at the end of 2014 and found myself with more work than I could imagine. I took more photographs than previous years and shared them on social media and with you guys. Though small, the youth group at St. Thomas has provided me with joy; when I am down they lift me up, when I am tired they fill me with energy. I have grown closer to my mom in the past year. My friends Hal and Westfield have always been sources of encouragement and relief. Finally I scratched through an item on my bucket list: traveling to New York City and falling in love with the metropolis and a new companion. You only live once and we aren't guaranteed tomorrow. Do things intentionally and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Happy 2016 and many more.

Emily McKenna One afternoon, three and a half years ago, I visited Thomasville by chance and my life was changed forever. I fell in love with a town. Four months after that fateful visit, my family and I moved from Boston, MA to Thomasville. Thomasville didn't just provide warmer weather, less traffic, and sunnier dispositions. It also offered a place where I could embrace my creative side in ways I never expected. A former bank analyst and math enthusiast always, I did not listen to my inner creative voice for most of my life. By nothing less than fate, I have become a writer for the Townie, owner of and teacher at You're Maker, and a product developer at Everfan. My passions are jewelry making, sewing, and helping young people discover the power of making. I also love my crazy, creative, weird kids and my handsome husband. I am from a little bit of everywhere but feel at home in Thomasville.

Spence and Lane can be found at 225 West Jackson Street or at www.spenceandlane.com.

— Emily M.

From the Edit or

CHUMS CHUMS

Davey Bray For most people, revisiting a past year can be a bag of mixed emotions. While my year had its fair share of ups and downs, I try to focus on the positive. I relocated to Atlanta, permanently, in a fantastic house I fell in love with just from the pictures. I took my engagement from Christmas 2014 and upped the ante by setting up housekeeping together in said great house. Professionally, I have almost reached my 2008 level, before the dark days of the recession. My engagement ring was recovered by police after a heartbreaking car break in and returned to me. Thus, restoring my faith in the human race. 2015 ends on a good note. I am rediscovering the city I left twenty-five years ago and enjoying the benefits of an urban environment. Cohabitation has its challenges but, I have discovered new depths of maturity and caring in my relationship. I look forward to the challenges, professional and personal, 2016 will bring. I will do my best to apply the growth and understanding I achieved in 2015 to those challenges.

Happy New Year, Thomasville!

Alan Dennard I spent 10 years in Western Massachusetts, close to the borders of Vermont and New Hampshire so I know a tree hugger when I see one.

Alan Dennard, owner of Southern Land & Water LLC, is a whole new kind of tree hugger. Mostly he appreciates the nature of South Georgia and works to take care of it. We can call that a tree hugger, right?

Tell us about your family. My wife Ceci and I have been married 14 years. She is a speech therapist for Cross Creek school. We have three sons - Cason 11, Bowen 7, Holten 4 Are you a Thomasville native? Ceci and the boys were all born in Thomasville. I was born in Alaska, moved to Quitman as a baby, and then to Thomasville at 12.

What does your family do for fun? Deer season is a big tradition for the whole family. We all look forward to the cool weather and the opportunity to sit and admire nature.

Also, my boys are competitive wake boarders, so that has become everyone's fun time. As a family, we spend a lot of time on the lake, and traveling to the competitions.

What do you do as owner of Southern Land and Water LLC? I manage all aspects of recreational properties including timber, fish, pond, and wildlife management.

What are the coolest things you have seen on the job? The coolest things for me to see are extremely old trees and old turpentine artifacts. Also, I found an undocumented red-cockaded woodpecker colony.

In your opinion, what makes Thomasville unique?

I think the plantations are what make our area unique.

The history of the owners and their families, buildings, and properties are a big part of Thomasville.

- Emily M.

2015 was filled with firsts: I bought this paper and managed not to run it into the ground, spent my birthday in Paris, and started teaching high school journalism as the advisor to the school newspaper at Brookwood. Here are just a few highlights and best-of items: • Taking my daughter, Sofia, on her first subway ride to her first cemetary tour at Arlington and seeing the Kennedy gravesites. It was my first visit to the Eternal Flame, too, and the sense of tragedy there was palpable. I'll never forget it.

• Buying cups of muddled wine in the Jardin des Tuileries and champagne splits underneath the Eiffel Tower. America, you need to get all-in on this bandwagon. Open container laws are so passé.

• Favorite read: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt {released: 2013} • Favorite album: Currents by Tame Impala. Rolling Stone ranked it #13 of the year's best albums, in an act that clearly demonstrates that no one over there knows what they're talking about except for Matt Taibbi.

• Shooting photos in Boston, Ga. with Claydoh Byars and kids from Brookwood during a TCA intensive. I have to say here, too, that over the years, Clay has become one of my very best friends. I wouldn't be able to keep up this paper without him. No Clay, this doesn't mean you can borrow my VCR to dub a tape right quick. But you are the best.

Thank you to our advertisers, writers, artists and to Wade; to Denise and Sarah; to Kate and Courtney at Liveyoung; to everyone at Brookwood, especially the J2 squad; to Katie Reeves; and to Cassandra Negley.

- Jennifer

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Annie Jones When I look back on 2015, I think I’ll recognize it as the year The Bookshelf came into its own — or at least the year I came into my own as its proprietor. We expanded our selections by adding a new bookcase and new store sections. It never occurred to me to budget for this kind of addition, because I was a liberal arts major, not a business one, but we survived, and as a result, we now have humor, history, and classics sections; plus we’ve got a shelf reserved for graphic novels, too.

Our staff grew, and although the nature of retail is ever-changing, I love the staff we built in 2015.

They’re smart and knowledgeable and well-read, and I enjoy coming to work every day because of the team I get to lead. We’ve also traveled this year to Tallahassee, Cairo, and Bainbridge, and as a result, I think more and more people are getting to know about indie bookstores and the work we do. Entrepreneurship is never easy, but in 2015, I’ve learned that with the right help, it can be the best kind of work: meaningful and life-giving and a little bit of fun, too.

William Hamil After all of the happenings of 2014, looking back, 2015 seemed to be somewhat of a breath of fresh air. To begin, I ended up with the part-time position of IT Manger at our family business while still dealing with homework and AP classes; took a photography class with Alan Ross {Where I got to know Jennifer & Clay}; became a contributing writer and photographer for the Townie; met Luke Bryan at one of three concerts I ended up at; went live on SiriusXM radio in Nashville; sang in 2 troupe shows; took the SAT for the first time; took the SAT for the second time; helped redesign our pecan website and online store {wghamil.com}; met new friends; welcomed a sister and brother-inlaw into the family; became a pro at wearing, walking & singing in tuxes; of course went hunting & fishing; and finally, realized that life is too short to worry about trivial drama. 2016 will definitely bring more change, as senior year at Brookwood will lead to college applications {and hopefully acceptances} and other new stages of life, but best of all, it will be a whole new year to spend with family and friends.

t h a n k s

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December 18 – January 14

June Dollar 2015 has been a year of transition and change for Grady and me. New town. New jobs. {Two of Life's big stressors.} And all the adjustment that those changes bring. Those changes have brought new opportunities, too, that neither of us planned. How exciting is that? I must confess that I am not always as flexible as I should be with change. What 2015 has driven home for me is to bloom where you are planted. I am learning. I am learning to keep my eyes open; to stay in the present moment; to keep my heart and my ears open. I have taken to heart the immortal words of that wise sage, Ferris Bueller: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Our Staff Publisher + Editor in Chief Jennifer Westfield Social Media Dara Barwick Denise Purvis Columnists J. David Bray, Jr. Sarah Esra Chef Matt Hagel Denise Purvis Kelly Samek Contributing Writers Chaise Bishop Clay Byars June Dollar Benjamin Gardner William Hamil Dusty Hart Didi Hoffman Annie Jones Emily McKenna Denise Purvis Amanda Smith Jennifer Westfield

My prayer is that all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that.

Kelly Samek In 2015, I joined the Southern Foodways Alliance. Based out of the University of Mississippi’s Center for the Study of Southern Culture, the SFA’s purpose is to explore the food cultures of the American South. In addition to documenting oral histories of the region’s food culture and supporting scholarship in the field, it produces the excellent Gravy podcast and quarterly periodical. I love being a member of an organization that counts among its values giving voice, being collaborative, working toward the greater good, and being offbeat. I love that it celebrates the South in all its gritty {no pun intended} complexity. If you love this region and its many flavors, make it your New Year’s resolution to check out the SFA: southernfoodways.org.

Didi Hoffman 2015 has been a banner year full of good news and great accomplishments, which made it fly by quickly!

"Cancer Free" were the first words I heard in 2015, precious words following a previous year of treatment to rid myself of the little monster. Most of my days this year were spent writing - including features for the Townie. I enjoyed writing about people and things I was passionate about and the Townie allowed me to do just that beginning with interviews of the guest speakers at the Thomasville Antique Show to writing about The Covey Film Festival. Feature articles about interesting local merchants also were near and dear to my heart because of their unique stories. Planning The Covey Film Festival became my focus for most of the summer and fall as co-founder. I am so proud of Covey and how much it gave back to the community and the Thomasville Community Resource Center. Finally, I completed a manuscript for a non-fiction biography which I have been researching and writing for 4 years! Next step - publication. It's been an exciting year. I feel very blessed to be healthy and a part of this amazing community.

Denise Purvis For 2016: I aspire to win that Georgia Press Association Best Humor column. Hey, winner guy from last year, you're going down! I also would like to get as fit as Sarah Esra, but I think that is going to take more than a year. {Editor's note: Denise, allow me to fill this space by telling you how thankful I've been to have your friendship this year. You are such a hard-working, hilarious, caring, smart, loyal, creative and beautiful person, ya know? I just feel bad for anyone who doesn't know you.}

Contributing Artists Clay Byars Advertising Design Katie Reeves Distribution Clay Byars

Georgia Press Association

Katie Reeves Julia Child once said, “Find something you are passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” This has been my goal for 2015. The things I’m passionate about are my business, ktcreative. I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world to work every day with my amazing clients! I’m passionate about my family; my daughters turned 11, 10 and 2 this year. I’m also passionate about my health. I lost almost 70 pounds in 2015 and am currently training to do the Disney Princess 10K in February with my sister.

For the coming year, I’m looking forward finding ways to grow my business and continue the great relationships I have with my clients. I also hope to continue with my health goals. My family goals include showing unconditional love to my children every day and making fun memories whenever possible. I’m planning to “keep tremendously interested” in the things I’m passionate about and I hope you will do the same!

The Stylish House Instead of saying ho, ho, ho, last night I found myself saying well, well, well. Christmas is here. Already. Suddenly.

Wait, wasn’t it just Halloween the other day? I know this because I am still eating the candy out of the refrigerator.

If getting into the holiday spirit is as difficult for you as it is for me, I have some suggestions which may help you ‘get into character,’ as they say, this year.

In my design work, some of my best inspirations come from what I have seen visually in my favorite old films or what I imagine, in my mind’s eye, from treasured books. Whether you are reading or watching, I hope you can find inspiration for yourself and your family with these fun, I think, recommendations for the holidays.

Three must-reads for any Southern Christmas are Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory, O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi and Ferrol Sam's Christmas Gift. These reminiscences about Christmases past and the struggles and joys of rural holidays and love and acceptance and loss are brilliantly told by three of the South's greatest authors. If you do not chuckle, tear up and remember at these delightful stories, you need to turn in your Southern Card to the Southern Culture Police, asap. Whether read aloud to the family or relished alone, these stories can be enjoyed year after year. The perception changes brought by age and experience give them new meaning with each read, and make a great gift for any avid reader.

We all know the perennial favorites for ’Christmas movies:’ It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, etc. But, let’s take a look at some others that inspire what the Christmas spirit is all about. The Margaret O’Brian version of Frances Hodgsen Burnett’s The Secret Garden, with its surprise Technicolor garden, will delight any child or big kid with its themes of love, acceptance and rebirth in a decaying manor on the English countryside. The completely bizarre, almost incomprehensible Orson Wells little-known vehicle, Mr. Arkadin gives an interesting look at the theme of Christmas, some spectacular film noir shots of snow-covered Europe and a slightly creepy version of "Silent Night." For true film buffs only. My personal favorite is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Starring Loretta Switt, of all people. This campy, dated made-for-TV movie based on the Barbara Robinson short story of the same name, pulls some poignant punches in its unconventional portrayal of the holiday spirit.

Recommended for children. We watched it every year along with Nester, the Long Eared Christmas Donkey. Another good one but a tearjerker.

I checked: All the recommendations can be purchased on Amazon. The books also have audio available. Some of these suggestions could be considered a bit out of the box for Christmas but it is never bad to challenge the way we see things. The point is to be delighted and inspired to make the holiday season a wonderful and stylish time for friends and family.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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

He sees clients in Thomasville by appointment.

The Thomasville Townie publishes the first and third Friday of every month.

To advertise, suggest article ideas or contact staff members, please email yourtownie@gmail.com.

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Photography by Clay Byars

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Clay Byars

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December 18 – January 14

Kalon Corner

Improving relationships over the holidays The holiday season is upon us. With that comes a lot of togetherness and merriment for many people. However, the holidays also offer plenty of reasons to be stressed out and anxious—from the parties, the gift buying and wrapping, and the stress of family.

Knowing that many people will naturally be around more family during this time of year, what can people do to improve their inter-familial relationships?

The holidays are a great time to be together with family and friends, and can offer many opportunities for growth both intra-personally and interpersonally. It’s common, especially during the holidays, for people to hold onto fantasies of picture-perfect relationships and the potential for disappointment and conflict increase. Bottom-line, relationships are hard work. I know I may sound un-romantic {especially at Christmas} in saying it but it’s true and it isn’t possible to have meaningful relationships without being willing to work at it.

One of the ways to work on and improve your family relationships is by being honest with yourself and the other person/s about what you want out of the relationship.

Sometimes we get in relationship trouble because we aren’t clear about our expectations and desires and we get bitter when others don’t give us what we want. Have you taken the time to acknowledge your goals and expectations that you have from the time you will spend with your family? If not, be kind to yourself and those you love and identify your relational needs, longings and wishes. And, then, healthily communicate what your hopes are and what you are willing to contribute to see those hopes become a reality.

Secondly, be willing to stay engaged and tolerate the discomfort that comes with conflict. It’s a lie that the best relationships don’t have any conflict. The only relationships that don’t have conflict are surface or dead relationships. So, plan for it. It’s very common, especially during a high-stress time, for tension to rise and conflict to surface. That being said, how we view and work through conflict does affect the quality of our relationship. Conflict creates an opportunity for relationship growth. When you are in conflict get curious about what’s going on in the other person you are in conflict with. Usually conflict is only the surface indicator of deeper issues or pain. If possible, focus more on the other person than trying to solve the obvious problem.

Finally, take care of yourself! Although this may sound counter-intuitive, the most loving thing you can do for your family and friends is to be true and kind to yourself. We all have limits and the holidays create environments that test our limits. If you have too many things going on at any given time you might find yourself running around feeling frantic and ragged. Be willing to say “no” to some things so that you can say “yes” to the most important things and the people you want to spend quality time with.

Even when you are visiting with other people, be kind to yourself by making space for your own emotional needs and take a time out if you need to. By caring for yourself in this way you will feel more connected to your own heart and have more love and joy to share with those around you.

- Dusty Hart is a professional counselor at Kalon Christian Counseling

It’s so hard to believe that it’s already December. This year has gone by faster than any other. It could be because I moved four times, or it could be because I am getting older. Here are some granules of advice and things I’ve learned this year.

2. There are few things better than a good night’s rest. Period.

3. Sometimes it’s worth it to spring for the thing that you really want instead of settling for a cheaper option.

Treat yo’ self.

4. Moving is horrible. It’s especially horrible if you do it FOUR TIMES IN SIX MONTHS. Living simply is the ticket. Boxing and moving tons of crap over and over makes you want to light a match and BURN IT ALL DOWN.

12. Always spring for the better toilet paper. I mean the 80-ply kind with the embossed designs.

13. Get nice pillows and nice sheets.

14. Take care of your skin. Wear sunblock and moisturize. You will regret looking crusty.

15. It doesn’t matter how old you get. You still want/need/ should get encouragement and positive reinforcement.

16. Treat people how you want to be treated. No, seriously. A little kindness goes a long way.

17. When you decide against buying something you've picked up in a store, put it back where you found it.

5. That last glass of wine is simply not worth it. Trust me. Just stop before you tip yourself over the edge.

18. Getting older isn’t all bad. You learn so much about life and humanity that it’s hard to put it into words.

6. Sweeping is the most therapeutic thing that you can do for free.

19. Bacon makes everything better.

7. There’s no substitute for spending time with your family.

8. Cable television is overrated. Buy a Roku.

20. Water is the nectar of the gods.

I hope you all have had an enjoyable 2015, and I look forward to writing for you all in 2016!

9. Dachshunds are the coolest dogs on the planet. They’re one part spoiled brat and two parts adorable creatures.

The bonus is when they burrow under the covers. {Okay, I already knew this prior to this year, but Nora has blossomed into an adorable adolescent dog in 2015.}

- Denise P.

10. When you think you’re losing your mind, make sure to talk to your friends. They’ll probably ground you.

Best Beauty Advice, 2015

A consistent skincare routine plays a vital role in maintaining our skin. However, it’s only one part {and not even the most important part in my opinion} of the whole story. Our skin is a reflection of how we are aging internally. This inspires me everyday. We have the power each day to make the best choices for our body inside and out. The following is the best beauty advice I learned in 2015 that has made the biggest impact on my health, well-being and my skin!

Like red velvet and hummingbird cakes, Lane cake is a member of the Southern cake pantheon. Especially popular at Christmastime, the recipe traces its roots back to Emma Rylander Lane’s 1898 cookbook, Some Good Things to Eat. Lane cake’s classic status was sealed once it was featured in To Kill a Mockingbird, wherein Scout recounts, “Miss Maudie Atkinson baked a Lane cake so loaded with shinny it made me tight.” This recipe aspires to that reputation, amping up the proportion of bourbon in the filling from the 1/3 cup called for in the original recipe. The result is a cake that is best served a day after constructing, which allows the flavors of the filling to meld with the crumb.

Lane Cake Adapted from Emma Rylander Lane @ 3 1/4 cups cake flour @ 2 teaspoons baking powder

Enhance your water: lemon, mint leaves, peppermint oil, lime. I love adding a drop of essential peppermint oil to my water. It’s fantastic for digestion, gives a nice energetic boost, and leaves the most refreshing taste behind.

@ 2 teaspoons vanilla

Fatten up the right way. This has made such a difference for me in the last year. Incorporating adequate fat in your diet on a daily basis enhances mental alertness, vibrancy, energy and is so nourishing for hair, skin and nails. Great options are nuts, seeds, avocado, coconut oil, grass fed butter, grass fed beef and nut butters.

Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than laughing, playing, being joyful and not taking herself too seriously. Life is short… go play.

There is a direct link between gut health and good skin. A Probiotic is a must. The added benefit is it’s a huge immunity booster!

@ Generous pinch salt @ 1 cup butter, at room temperature @ 2 cups sugar @ 8 egg whites @ 1 cup milk Preheat oven to 375⁰F. Prepare four 9-inch cake pans by lightly greasing, lining with parchment circles, and lightly greasing again. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugar and vanilla. Beat in egg whites in two additions. In a separate bowl, sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold dry mixture into the butter mixture, alternating with milk, starting and ending with dry mixture. Pour equal measures of batter in the four cake pans {about 1 3/4 cups of batter per pan}. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden and a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool for five minutes in the pans and then finish cooling by turning the cakes out onto wire racks. Stack cake layers with filling and finish with boiled white frosting.

Bourbon Raisin Filling @ 3/4 cup bourbon @ 1 cup seedless raisins @ 8 egg yolks

Never eat when you’re angry. Your food will turn toxic in your system and will not be absorbed properly. Instead, pause and take a deep breath. Wait until your emotions level out.

@ 1 cup sugar

Our culture has a tendency to value work over rest. This is so detrimental to our mental and physical health and will rob you of your beauty and vitality. Work hard and passionately!

But rest, sleep, cuddle, snuggle and nap whenever you can.

Warm bourbon on the stove in a small saucepan or in the microwave. Remove from heat before it begins to simmer and add raisins. Allow raisins to steep for at least an hour. Pour mixture into a food processor and pulse 5-10 times or until raisins are roughly chopped {alternatively, remove raisins from the mixture, reserving the bourbon, and chop by hand}. In a medium saucepan, beat the egg yolks and then beat in sugar and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened, about seven to ten minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in raisins, bourbon, and vanilla. Cool before using to fill cake.

Whatever you do, take your time. Give someone or something your full attention. A furrowed pinched brow is not pretty. Just breathe, make eye contact, take time to listen, be curious.

Instead of betting on the next miracle superfood or wrinkle cream, think of your diet, lifestyle and thoughts as a whole.

Doing one thing to “fix” a problem often leads to the next because we’re thinking of it as an isolated “thing” instead of part of our whole being. For instance, eating a beautiful salad while feeling stressed and sleep deprived on a consistent basis is not a good combo.

Don't obsess about your chronological age. I love this quote by Kimberly Snyder, “Beautiful is beautiful. It is not dependent on looking 'good' for a certain age. Being healthy, energetic and full of vitality is possible at any age.”

Here's to a beautiful 2016!

- Sarah Esra is the Townie’s resident goddess

11. Buy all of your Christmas wrapping supplies and decorations at the end of the season and save it for the next year.

Delight! Lane Cake

Consider making your evening meal a variety of steamed veggies and an abundance of greens 2-3 days a week. Add coconut oil or grass fed butter. This will allow your system to rest and not work so hard trying to digest a big steak while you sleep. You’ll wake up with a flatter tummy and brighter skin.

Keep your lips moisturized. Not only does it feel less than luscious but dry, cracked lips are something one notices right away. I always want to offer my lip balm to the dry lips I see!

Carmex is not too shiny but it will plump up of your lips and will stay in place for a very long time. Burt’s Bee’s is great too!

TRILL the Ville 1. Parks and Recreation is funny no matter how many times that you’ve watched it. I have cycled completely through at least four times now.

Beauty Broad

Farm to Table

TCA presents

Girl and the Goat Workshop at Studio 209 & Fuzzy Goat

@ 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature @ 1 teaspoon vanilla

Boiled White Frosting @ 1 1/2 cups sugar @ 1/3 cup water @ 2 egg whites @ 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar @ Pinch salt @ 1 teaspoon vanilla Combine the sugar, water, egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt in the top portion of a double boiler {or a glass or metal mixing bowl large enough to place over a saucepan with an inch or so of water without the bowl touching the water}. Before setting the container over boiling water, beat the mixture with an electric mixer set at low speed for 30 seconds. Place the mixture over the water, and, beating at high speed, cook the frosting for about seven minutes or until stiff and glossy. Remove from the heat, add vanilla, and beat an additional minute or two to combine. Spread promptly over the cake as the frosting will develop a merengue-like crust with time.

—Kelly S.

Paint a coffee mug & loop a cuddly scarf!

Saturday, January 23rd, 1-5pm Photography by Clay Byars

Photography by Clay Byars

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December 18 – January 14

December 18 – January 14

VOLUME 4

VOLUME 4

FIND US ONLINE AT YOURTOWNIE.COM We’ve made it to the end of another year, and you know what that means: time for self-reflection, New Year’s resolutions, and my list of the best books of 2015. I read 80 books this year, some fiction, some nonfiction, some memoir; my list for this column features only those books published in 2015. {You’ll see a few honorable mentions toward the very bottom of the list – these books were some of my favorites for the year, but they were published before 2015, and thus disqualified from my overall “best of” list.} I’d love to know what your own standouts for the year were; make sure to stop by the shop and tell me your favorites!

And now, in no particular order, my favorite books of 2015: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I tackled the 700-page A Little Life back in April, but the beauty and pain from its pages have stuck with me all year long. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that portrays abuse and neglect so vividly, that allows its readers to feel and grow right alongside its main characters. My disclaimer I used this spring remains: A Little Life isn’t for everyone, but if you can stomach it, the book has the power to do what only the best books can: to open your eyes to the struggles of people who are different from you, yet who are somehow also beautifully the same.

Everybody Rise by Stephanie Clifford. First-time novelist Stephanie Clifford writes for the New York Times, so perhaps it’s her journalistic writing style that drew me to Everybody Rise in the first place.

No doubt the book also appealed to me in part because the protagonist is a college graduate coming to terms with life in high society New York – I’m a sucker for 20-something coming-of-age stories – but really, Everybody Rise was a page-turner right when I needed one the most. The novel got me out of a major reading rut this summer; I remember being so glued to the page that the ARC wound up following me into the kitchen as I prepped dinner for a couple of evenings. I just couldn’t put it down.

As Clifford’s main character became less and less likeable, I still found myself enmeshed in her story, unable to leave her as I found her. I loved this book.

Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin. If you know me well, you know I’m exceedingly interested in personal growth; I love books about spirituality and time management, about organization and leadership. Better Than Before is one of those books I wound up reading aloud to friends and family – a joy to them, I’m sure. Gretchen Rubin manages to write about habits and habit building without boring or patronizing the reader. She’s engaging and funny, self-deprecating and vulnerable in all the right ways. Better Than Before has the power to be a life-changer; I even started wearing a Fitbit. {Flossing is still a struggle.} Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. It may not have been the most well-written book of the year, but Go Set a Watchman served as a striking reminder of Harper Lee’s talent; it showcased the transformation of a young writer and the power of an impeccable editor. When it released after much fanfare this summer, I curled up in my grandfather’s blue recliner and read it straight through, no breaks. I read it with much trepidation, but my fears were unfounded. The book is, above all else, a father-daughter story, a brilliant look at what happens when our heroes become human. {Spoiler alert: That’s not a bad thing.} Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal. Book clubs, rejoice! Here’s a book for your 2016 lists. Kitchens of the Great Midwest is unlikely anything else I read this year; it’s a book for foodies, sure, but even those of us who mostly just pop microwave popcorn will find joy in the pages of this debut novel. I’m hesitant to go into too much detail about plot; I read the book as an ARC, and I think that worked to my advantage. Kitchens of the Great Midwest was a pleasant surprise because of my own initial ignorance. If you must know, though, the book features promising, up-and-coming chef Eva, and the flavors of her native Minnesota seep through every page. Kitchens of the Great Midwest reminded me how much our regions and places of origin shape our lives, even when we move far away. Read this one as soon as possible.

Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff. Only a few books absolutely blew me away this year, and one was Lauren Groff’s National Book Award Finalist Fates and Furies. Gosh, what an incredible piece of literature! Groff writes about the two sides of one marriage in a way that’s both haunting and gratifying; the reader becomes hooked by the love story of the novel’s first half, the story of Lotto and his beloved Mathilde. By the second half, Groff has turned what could have a run-of-the-mill romance into a masterpiece. The fictional couple’s story is unusual, yet somehow universal, as all the best tales are. This book is deserving of all the hype it has received.

Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy. Even if I hadn’t been compelled to include a young adult novel on this list, I still would have included Julie Murphy’s Dumplin’ – it’s a YA book with crossover appeal, so sure: Snag a copy for your daughter this Christmas, but prepare to read it yourself first. High school junior Willowdean Dickson {“Dumplin’” to her beauty queen mama} has always been confident in the skin she’s in, but that changes as her relationships also change and grow. Dumplin’ has the power to change our views on body image and size, but honestly? It’s just a great story about a girl who loves Dolly Parton. I’m planning to mail my copy out to friends for a long-distance book club selection this winter.

Ghettoside by Jill Leovy. Some of the best books take us out of our comfort zones, and Jill Leovy’s Ghettoside certainly did that for me. A Los Angeles Times journalist, Leovy tackles an all-too-common American murder: a “ghettoside” killing, one young black man violently taking the life of another.

Leovy follows the detectives who take the particular case, who strive for justice even when the victims are long forgotten. Literary journalism is one of my favorite forms of storytelling, and Ghettoside is a must-read, particularly now, at this stage of our nation’s history.

Tribal: College Football and the Secret Heart of America by Diane Roberts. Hilarious but insightful, Tribal reminds us what can happen when sports become our religion, when the love of an institution can blind us to the truth. Florida State University professor Diane Roberts acknowledges her own biases {she’s a die-hard football fan} while tackling the issues that begin to plague her enjoyment of the sport. Although her tongue is often firmly in cheek, Roberts has also done her research, and the book offers both a history of the sport and a social commentary on where fans can go from here.

Bug in a Vacuum by Melanie Watt. I don’t know why we all aren’t talking about Bug in a Vacuum.

It’s my only children’s book on this year’s list; although I suppose I could have done a list made up entirely of my favorite children’s titles. Instead, I’ll just tell you that the wonderfully illustrated Bug in a Vacuum is gloriously silly and yet somehow poignant, too. As Watt chronicles the emotions of a bug trapped in a household vacuum, she also chronicles the five stages of grief. I can’t wait to read this story for a children’s story time, but I also believe it deserves a place in a school counselor’s library.

Bug in a Vacuum was my favorite children’s book of 2015.

Issue No.

22

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townie crossword ACROSS

1 Ewe homonym 6 Nat King Cole roasts these on an open fire 7 Ubiquitous Christmas family gathering sight 9 Child who gets left Home Alone at Christmas 11 Best kind of will toward men 12 Clause by another spelling 15 A compass points toward where Santa comes from 19 Town in How the Grinch Stole Christmas 20 Elvis's color of Christmas "without you" 21 What cars become in Christmas parades 23 Kind of needle 24 Before Clara and Anita and Clause 25 One kind of Christmas cookie 26 One of eight {or nine} 27 Head angel in The Santa Clause 28 Christmas pest?

29 We're on it: naughty or nice 32 Buddy's uniform {top} color in Elf 34 Fur that Earthe Kitt asks Santa Baby to slip under the tree 36 What some stockings were hung with 37 "Oh Come All Ye"... who?

39 One of three Christmas ghosts 40 "Down through the chimney" with what old saint 41 These be "ringling"

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2 Bing's Christmas dream 3 A hairy Santa staple 4 Tree topper

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5 Nice shape for ice cream and Christmas trees 8 Reindeer feet 10 Sports activity showcased in A Charlie Brown Christmas 13 A Chipmunk 14 Branch ender 16 They ring when it's Christmastime in the city

17 Overlooked as a Christmas movie, this film about John McClane takes place in the Nakatomi Building 18 Actor who played Valentine in a Christmas movie about trading places 22 How sleighs ride through the sow 25 More shapely than rain and nicer than ice

30 Bottom dwellers 31 Kind of Navidad for Jose Feliciano 33 Santa's belly shakes like a bowl full of this 35 Tiny toy maker 38 "There's No Place" like it for the holdays

Dance Card December 18-December 31 Christmas In Lights Drive-Thru Display

Flowers Corporate Headquarters, 1919 Flowers Drive.

6-10p, free. As a gift to the community and its visitors, Flowers Foods invites all to their annual Christmas In Lights: a holiday display on the grounds of the company's corporate office. Two nativity scenes, a Victorian village, an animated train, Santa posed on an upstairs balcony, and many other scenes will be outlined in thousands of lights and holiday music will be piped throughout the drive-through display.

December 19 Learn How to Knit a Rasta Hat with Susan Johnson

Fuzzy Goat, 223 W. Jackson St.11a-1p, $30pp Have you wanted to make a hat…and to make one super quick? This texture-filled hat will be done in no time {time enough for gift-giving} and leave you wanting to make another! Register by calling 236-4628 or visit www.fuzzygoatyarns.com

December 20 Holly Springs Subdivision Annual Luminary Display

Holly Spring Subdivision, Hwy 202, 6p The residents of Holly Springs will be hosting their annual Luminary Display. Holly Springs is located near the intersection of US 19 North and GA Hwy 202.

January 5 Thomasville Beer Club

Liam’s of Thomasville, 113 East Jackson Street 6:30p, $5 Near Thomasville and interested in beer? Then this is the place to be.

Meet people with the same interest: craft beer, brewing, beer education, and tasting. The Club meets the first Tuesday of each month at Liam’s of Thomasville. Follow them on Facebook:www.facebook.com/ ThomasvilleBeerClub.

January 12 VOOM: Voice of Our Members

Thomas County Chamber of Commerce, 401 South Broad Street, 7:45a VOOM offers Chamber members and guests an opportunity to network, hear the latest business news, meet new members, and enjoy a continental breakfast the 2nd Tuesday of each month. www.thomasvillechamber.com

January 17 Sundays at Four Concert: January Jazz Fest brought to you by Thomas University Thomasville Center for the Arts, 600 E. Washington Street, 4p "Sundays at Four" offers monthly concerts that feature local and regional artists performing a wide range of musical styles. $5 donation requested.

Reception to follow the performance. www.thomasu.edu/actu

December 26

January 21

Letter Writing Club

Newcomers Club

The Bookshelf, 126 South Broad Street 10-11a, free Join Annie + Co in the store for an hour of old-fashioned letter writing each month. The Bookshelf provides stationery, pens, and stamps -- all you need to bring is your address book! Contact Annie Jones at 228-7767 for more information.

Honorable mentions to the following books, which I read and loved in 2015, but which were published prior to this year: Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead, Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng, and Americanah by Chimamanda Ngoze Adichie.

Happy reading! — Annie Butterworth Jones Co-Owner + Managing Partner, T ​ he Bookshelf​​

to advertise, contact yourtownie@gmail.com

Thomasville Center for the Arts, 600 E. Washington Street, 9:30a The Newcomers Club meets the 3rd Thursday of each month. New residents and neighbors should come for coffee and doughnuts.

RSVP: 226-0588.