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Issue No.
March 4 - 17 VOLUME 5
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Specialty Store for Furry Friends Opens on Jackson Street Bring your dog to work day is everyday at HuggaMugga’s, downtown’s most recent addition to West Jackson Street. Roscoe, a lovable Dorset Bulldog, lounges behind owner Jason Lynn as he explains to me the story behind their unique store name. “When [Annalee, his wife], would come home to greet Roscoe, she would go ‘hug that mug, let me hug that mug’ and that kind of turned into HuggaMugga’s,” Jason says. “That’s kind of our slogan.” As the only dog and cat specialty store in the downtown area, it isn’t a surprise that HuggaMugga’s February 20 opening day was a hit. “It was a great day to open and so we were really pleased with how it went,” says Jason. With the store’s open glass window front and the welcoming environment only really seen in small towns like Thomasville, customers and their pets alike will enjoy shopping for American-made, quality products. The Lynns’ main focus for HuggaMugga’s is keeping the products they sell home-grown and of the best quality possible. “We try and get as much stuff that is made in the U.S. as we can. It’s really hard to do,” Jason explains, “to find something that doesn’t have anything to do with China.” Lynn later goes on to say that 90-95% of their products are from the U.S. and
that’s what they “look for first and foremost.” And for the other 5%, they “try to get them from reputable companies that have been in business for a long time.” The store offers dog food, toys, treats, collars, beds, crates, kennels and tons more. After entering the store, one of the first things a customer can see is the checkout counter’s glass case fi lled with treats. These treats, at least when I was there, came in football, squirrel, fire hydrant and many other shapes. They’re a great gift for your own pets {my dogs devoured them within about five seconds}, are homemade and shipped in from companies in New Jersey and Massachusetts. Since he’s worked a majority of his life managing small businesses, Jason understands that “it’s just a matter of people finding us,” as he puts it, and learning the seasonal trends in Thomasville. As he optimistically tells me about the store, Jason also talks about what store-life on Jackson is like: “Obviously Broad Street is a busy street, but we bought the building and you get a lot more ‘bang for your buck’ here on Jackson than on Broad.” HuggaMugga’s adds to the diversity of stores seen in downtown Thomasville and will surely become a local favorite for dogs, cats and their owners alike. - Catharine F.
Horses Provide a Helping Hand like no Other It has been a rough few months for Sandro. A string of illnesses have left him unable to sleep, exacerbating a lifetime of other concerns. He is easily frustrated and physically tries to hurt himself. Single words or phrases become a litany of repetition from his mouth – like an avalanche tumbling toward some unknown end. Sandro is 11 years old, and he lives his life in what is now known as the autism spectrum.
Instructors at Hands & Hearts for Horses help build physical and cognitive strength for more than 60 riders with special needs and disabilities each week. Success may be as simple as a smile and as poignant as a hug from a rider. Not uncommonly from a parent, it is a resounding expression of gratitude for giving a child a time of relief from the everyday stresses of life.
His mother tells his instructor at Hands & Hearts for Horses that he is “magically” put together when he is riding a horse. Even during periods of sleeplessness, therapeutic riding gives relief, his mother says. “There are a lot of smiles and appropriate conversation, little or no self-injury and the self-confidence and self-esteem he gains during each lesson is noticeable.”
Hands & Hearts for Horses is a nonprofit therapeutic riding center. Nearly half of the riders receive scholarship assistance. The program, along with care of 12 therapy horses, is made possible by contributions from individuals, businesses and foundations.
Susie Shin, program director for Hands & Hearts and Sandro’s instructor, says that he has reached a point during riding lessons where he will talk about situations that are immediately present in the arena and surrounding areas. Instead of frantically repeating over and over something that has been said to him, he will ask volunteers who are walking next to him during the lesson to look at something he has noticed in or around the arena – like the wind in the trees or a particular toy he is using during the lesson. A conversation you or I might take for granted is a triumph for this young rider. “Physically, this rider is very able-bodied and could ride the horse independently, but the confidence and trust was not completely there. The confidence that riding seems to give this child is truly wonderful and amazing,” Shin explains.
The Fourth Annual Hands & Hearts for Horses Hoedown raises funds for the program. It is Friday, March 18 at Sugar Hill Barn at Pebble Hill Plantation. Go to www. handsandheartsforhorses.org or call 229-403-0771 for more information.
GOT SUMMER CAMP?
Tell us all about it for our annual summer camp roundup. Email yourtownie@ gmail.com by March 10 to be included. Please be sure to include the name, location, dates, cost and a brief {1-2 line} description of each of your camps.
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FREE March 4 - 17 VOLUME 5
TEF Brings Mann with ‘The Voice’ to TCA Singer Chris Mann will bring the Golden Age of Broadway and the Great American Songbook to the Thomasville Center for the Arts on Saturday, March 12. Mann, a finalist in the 2012 season of The Voice and the singer who represented Team Christina Aquilera, is on break from the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera which kicked off in Arizona in May 2015. The concert is part of the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation’s six-concert series. Mann released his debut album Roads following his success on the reality TV show. He also starred in the PBS special Chris Mann In Concert: A Mann for All Seasons. Mann has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra and at Christmas in Rockefeller Center. He frequently performs for Ellen DeGeneres, The Tonight Show and has appeared on Glee. Thomasville Entertainment Foundation is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization established in 1937. TEF provides educational outreach programs for student and performing arts scholarships. The world-renowned pianist Emanuel Ax will perform the final concert of the TEF season on April 9 at the Thomasville Center for the Arts.
CHUMS CHUMS Grace Harrell Grace Harrell is a student, maker, actress, aspiring scientist and a townie. You might have seen her in a recent production or around town with a cute handmade tote. Chums come in all shapes and sizes and this one is eight years old! You’ve been in the Brookwood school play for the past two years. What do you like about doing the play? We get to show everybody that kids can do great things. What is your favorite Thomasville tradition? I like going to Victorian Christmas with my family. One time my sister and me went on a giant rocking horse and we had fun. It was really cool. What is your favorite subject? Art and Science. What is the coolest thing you’ve learned in science class? Probably simple machines. We use Legos to build something everyday. We follow instructions and fill out sheets about all the things we did. I like to build stuff like an engineer.
IF YOU PLAN TO GO
What do you enjoy about sewing? It’s fun to make dresses and pillows…things that you can use every day.
WHO
How do you feel when you make something? Really happy. I feel like I have accomplished something really big.
WHEN
What makes good friend? Someone who is kind and sweet and when you are sad, they try to make you feel better. They are always there for you.
The Thomasville Entertainment Foundation presents Singer Chris Mann Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 7:30p
WHERE
Do you have a friend like that? Yes ma’am.
Thomasville Center for the Arts
— Emily M.
TICKETS
$38 for adults; $15 for students. To purchase tickets, call the Thomasville Center for the Arts box office at 229-226-7404. For more information education outreach programs and performing arts scholarships, visit www.TEFconcerts.com - June D.
Don Your Diamonds & Denim to Support the Chamber
The evening of March 5 will be a time to sip champagne, win some sparkly goodies, eat delicious food and support those who support our local economy. The Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce is hosting their biggest and most glamorous fundraiser of the year, Diamonds and Denim. Assistant Director Christina Reneau says that proceeds from this event “go toward programming, education, and support of Chamber members.” The Chamber offers support for local businesses ranging from meeting space to networking opportunities and one-on-one strategy sessions with the chamber staff. The event begins at 5 o’clock and I highly recommend being punctual. A limited number of raffle tickets will be available for purchase in the form of champagne. For $10 you can enjoy a glass of champagne and a chance to win one of 10 bejeweled items in the Bubbles and Bling Raffle. As you sip your champagne-fi lled raffle ticket, peruse the silent auction. I might be biased but you should look out
t h a n k s
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for the Superhero Package. I mean, it’s pretty cool that Thomasville is home to a superhero cape company. If you’ve already got a cape and tickets to your favorite superhero movie then maybe a Downtown Dining Package with gift certificates to all your favorite downtown restaurants will get your blood pumping. Or Maybe some handmade fishing lures and a new tackle box are just what you need. All of these and more are up for grabs in the silent auction. Just as the Bubbles and Bling Raffle closes the buffet line will open. JB Crumbs and Sweet Cakes are catering, so you know the food will be delicious and put you in the right mood for an exciting live auction. Items in the live auction include a Spa and Golf Getaway, an XL Big Green Egg, and more. You have to show up and see! Diamonds and Denim will be held at the Exchange Club Fairgrounds beginning at 5p on March 5. Tickets are $75 per person and are available at the door. - Emily M.
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