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Issue No.
March 18-31 VOLUME 5
5
Pieces Opens for Business The simplistic name of her store partly came from the nickname Karen Paracca and her friends gave the items in their closets: pieces.
Talbert at Hallmark and at Bath and Body Works as a district representative. She also managed the Gift Box in Thomasville for five years.
But Paracca ultimately felt as if the real meaning of the name came from the idea that God had put the pieces back together in her life when she had prayed wholeheartedly for the direction she needed. Pieces was that direction.
Although pieces is the first store Paracca has owned, she has years of experience of business and management to guide her.
In her designer consignment store, customers can find unique and high end labels. Paracca says that she looks for fine fabrics like silk and unique details, which can be seen in the variety of dresses, shoes and jewelry on display. She personally handpicks selections from her own closet and closets from across the state. Townies looking to consign gently used items for ladies, young ladies and girls can bring them to the store at 216 South Broad Street. Since before its opening, pieces’ Facebook has advertised products from Prada, Coach, Diane von Furstenberg, Topshop, Lilly Pulitzer, Tahari, Michael Kors and more. Originally from northern Alabama, Paracca grew up in Texas. Her experience in the business world began when she was eighteen and managing a Hello Kitty store. Knowing then that at some point in time in her life she would want to own her own store, Paracca also began her fifteen years in retail with that first job. She would later work for Glenn
March 18-31 VOLUME 5
Charlie Ward Jr. to Deliver Keynote Speech at 13th annual mnwbgc Steak & Burger Dinner
Karen P. is your Designer consigner
Highly self-motivated and well-spoken, Paracca explains that around Christmas, she walked out of a job and signed the lease that very evening. “Within four days of making the steps to do this,” she says, “the right building opened up, and the right opportunity, and I never looked back.”
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In light of her recent opening, Paracca says she has encountered a lot of wonderful personalities and encouragement. “I truly don’t think I would have enjoyed putting this together if I had not had those people step in,” she says. “Downtown’s welcoming atmosphere and people have been another way God’s blessed this whole experience.” Besides being warmhearted towards those who have helped her, Paracca is also complementary towards her fellow business owners. She talks about how she tends to get into a lot of trouble in Spence and Lane, how the Plaza is a fantastic place to run across to and grab a meal, and how Grassroots coffee is necessary for her to make it through the day. With her daughter Riley as customer service, her Pomeranian as manager and herself as “the person who just writes the checks,” Paracca further explains that there is always room for improvement. “Sometimes I have to step back and realize that some things are not within my control.” In the end, Paracca relies on her inner drive and spiritual drive to lead her on the right path. Visit Karen Paracca at pieces: 216 South Broad Street, 10a 6p, Tuesday through Saturday. Tell her the Townie sent you! — Catharine F.
On March 31, at Thomas County Central High School, the Marguerite Neel Williams Boys & Girls Club will host its 13th Annual Steak and Burger Dinner. This year's keynote speaker is none other than hometown hero, Heisman Trophy winner, retired NBA point guard and Central alum, Charlie Ward Jr. The evening, which will also feature live and silent auctions, kicks off at 6:30p. The Steak and Burger Dinner is the Club's biggest fundraiser of the year. At each table, Club sponsors are seated with two Club members. Business partners and community supporters dine on hamburgers, while members are treated to steaks. Open to the public, this event is a way for members to convey to Club sponsors the difference that the Boys & Girls Club's Youth Center and Teen Center makes in their lives; it plays host to an average of two-hundred guests per year. “We are so grateful for the community’s support and recognition of the important work we are doing with young people at the Boys & Girls Club," says Art Allen, MNWBGC executive director. "Each year many of our members earn the privilege of enjoying a wonderful evening of entertainment, good food and the pleasure of being seated at tables with our adult guests. They really look forward to this event. Proceeds from the Steak and Burger Dinner help us continue providing after school programs that do so much to impact these children's lives."
CHUMS CHUMS Anne McCudden Anne is the new Executive Director at the Thomas County Historical Society. She has been here only 6 weeks but you have already given her the full Thomasville welcome by being incredibly friendly and helpful. Born in Evanston, Illinois, her passion for archeology and history took her to Florida where she worked at the Boca Raton Children’s Museum, the Women’s History Park in Miami-Dade County, and the Ah-TahThi-Ki Museum. What are you most excited about doing with the Museum of History? I’m still delving into all that the museum has to offer but it has quickly occurred to me that the museum has a ton of support from the local community and that it has been a staple of Thomasville for decades, so I would like to build on that. It’s obvious that my predecessor made great strides during her tenure here at the museum and I would like to continue on that path by looking at the museum’s connection to the community and how we can best interpret all of the collections and property that we have. Why should young people care about Thomasville’s history? To ground themselves and keep a good perspective on what forces have been responsible for their surroundings. A community’s history is reflective of both where they came from as well as where they’re going and it appears that Thomasville is focused on keeping its history front and center so hopefully the next generation will notice that and build on it. What did you want to be when you grew up? An archaeologist, and I was [one] for ten years, but you can only dig outside for so long in South Florida. What is your most interesting museum story? That I can share publicly? I guess getting to meet Prince Albert of Monaco when he visited the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. Favorite history fact? That Florida has one of the oldest archaeological sites in the country {Windover}. Motto you live by? Act with passion and react with compassion.
Table sponsorships start at $600 and may be purchased online at mnw-bgc.org or by calling 229-228-5155.
— Emily M.
— Jennifer W.
What's the best way to celebrate Easter? - Benjamin G Spending time with family, getting to break out the spring suite and the Easter Egg Hunt!
My boys are grown. The only reason I still celebrate Easter is because my family eggs me on. - Allyson
- Chris
To remember the price paid, reflect on the promise made, and be thankful for the blessing. - Sarah
"Empty tomb" rolls for breakfast, Sunday morning church service, preferably featuring a drama, and a family softball game after lunch! I love Easter! - Jana
Setting apart Holy Week to deliberately and diligently focus on the last days of Christ: His being betrayed by His own, judged by sinful men, and then crucified and buried. Seeing that He endured all of this because of MY sin. Rejoicing in the sure and glorious hope that is ours because of His resounding victory over Satan, sin, death, and the grave.
The best way to celebrate Easter is with family remembering the purpose of Resurrection Sunday at church; watching the children recite their speeches, and family dinner afterwards. - Sharon
My fave would be Easter morning sunrise service. - Dan
During Lent, give up something, such as one soft drink or cup-a-coffee each day, and donate that money to charity. Also attend Holy Week services. - Joy
Spending time with family, as many generations as possible, sharing stories and family tales. This, to me, is the best way to celebrate the risen Christ. - David
- Joe
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Taste Thomasville to Help End Alzheimer’s Taste of Thomasville is hosting two Wednesday tours which will help raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association. On March 30 and April 6, Taste of Thomasville will donate all proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association which will go towards Margaret Titus’s Dancing Stars of South Georgia’s $10,000 goal. Taste of Thomasville is also offering $5 off these tours with the promo code ENDALZ. To book your tour, please visit www.tasteofthomasvillefoodtour.com. The tours will visit the usual stops: Jonah’s, Grassroots, Meet the Merchant, Moonspin, George and Louie’s, Sweet Grass Dairy, and Marie’s Kakes {at The Bookshelf}. Debra Smith, owner of Taste of Thomasville, was a participant in Dancing Stars of South Georgia last year, and she said that she had a great time. “This was a good way for me to give back,” said Smith. Margaret Titus is one of three dancers from Thomasville who is participating in the Dancing Starts of South Georgia. Each dancer is responsible for raising $10,000 for the Dancing
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Stars event which will happen on April 30 from 6p-midnight at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. “As a grateful mother of 4, grandmother of two, and executive director of Woodleaf Senior Care, I am motivated to do all I can to end the pain of Alzheimer’s for everyone touched by it,” stated Margaret. “Dancing Stars is an exciting benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter. Reinventing the popular show, Dancing with the Stars, this fundraising event is comprised of approximately 11 local celebrity dancers paired with 11 professional dancers, all raising funds by gaining votes! Then the dancers come together to compete in a one night gala dance competition, and this year a Live Auction during the gala, it’s an event you do not want to miss.” Tickets to the event cost $125 per person and can be purchased online at www.dancingstarofsouthgeorgia.com. — Denise P.
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