Townie 2014 #12 by The Townie

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Thomasville’s Only

Issue No.

JULY 18 -JULY 31

FLAUNT 2014: Pop it Up! Talking 'Bout Jackson Street Thomasville Center for the Arts and the City of Thomasville Office of Main Street & Tourism, in partnership with Hurst Boiler Company invite us all to FLAUNT 2014. This year’s installation, coming on the cusp of autumn (September 5 – 27) celebrates life and times in the historic “Bottom” district and promises to be a revealing spectacle of art as well as an expressive pageant of community. There will be pop-up shops, pop-up cafes, and pop-up vendors of wide variety along the Jackson Street corridor. Pop-up performers will also be appearing to entertain throughout September. In some cases, shop owners are already making plans to make Jackson Street their home and become integral participants in the ‘Ville’s bustling center of commerce. To help FLAUNT bring us even more, this year, adults and three-person teams from TCA’s Young Artist Collective will each be creating 12’ x 15’ drop-cloth murals; facadeto-facade down Jackson Street, the murals will hang to reveal a pastiche of historic Thomasville. Photographs from the latter 19th to-mid 20th centuries will be provided to muralists by the Thomas County Historical Society and the Jack Hadley Black History Museum to serve as the initial germ of artistic ideation. Throughout September, all historic photographs will be on display for the public in the Entry and Parrish Halls of Trinity Anglican Church: 325 West Jackson. Each FLAUNT mural hanging on Jackson Street, thus, has its own singular, photographic analog in Thomasville history from which it has been derived. Muralists are all working from a common baseline of pigmentation limits: black, white, and grey. Darlene Blackman, TCA’s Adult Experiences Director, has thoughtfully incorporated the “pop-up” theme into this public art exhibition and contest as well. In each mural will be one splash of painted vitality, one locus of life—one visible and vibrant moment of panache will ”pop-up” as a

distinct oasis of color in every mural—but mind you—just one. Whence comes inspiration? Always an intriguing question: from the spark’s moment, through the creative process, on to the end result—art!—i.e. our culture and ourselves revealed. FLAUNT 2014 allows us a rare opportunity to track this question from wellspring to final mounting, and then the freedom to experience it and infer what we may. Best of show in the mural competition will receive $1,000 plus a spread in Thom magazine; runner-up gets $500. A parallel competition will run for those in the Youth Artist’s Collective with the same monetary motivators. If it appears to you that FLAUNT is growing, we agree— 2014’s affair is one impressive endeavor. As a main sponsor, Hurst Boiler is our hero, and Lowe’s of Thomasville will provide supplies and materials through their “My Heroes” program, which supports philanthropic building and rehabbing work every year throughout our community. Senior Life comes in this year as public art partner for the first of what is hoped to be many years to come. Forty additional sponsors throughout Thomasville have jumped on board for the ride. We ourselves can begin to picture a mural of how blessed we are to be citizens of the ‘Ville, for there is a wide gamut of backing in the greater Thomasville business community, not just for FLAUNT, but for art. An over-arching end goal of FLAUNT is to help better define and determine the Creative District in downtown Thomasville. Chris Quick at Senior Life sums it well: “We are excited to see the murals that will be revealed to reflect the history of our West Jackson Street corridor. As a business located in this neighborhood, we support the project and are excited to see the other surprises FLAUNT has in store for us this year.” So, come one, and come all, come and flaunt your own flair if you prefer, but most of all, just enjoy and maybe even be enthralled. —Benjamin G.

Thomasville’s Only

FREE JULY 18 -JULY 31

Whispers.

CHUMS Megan Young

Psst…The Rescue Mission is breaking concrete at their new Madison Street location. Young strong volunteers welcome now! Call 229-227-9246…

What made you decide to open a coffee company? Spencer had been in the coffee industry for years and I briefly worked for a local coffee shop the first year we were married. We both love the cafe atmosphere that creates a "second home" for people, the customer service where we get to meet awesome people, plus the actual coffee. When a family friend called us in 2009 and said he'd back us if we'd partner with him to create an awesome coffee shop for Thomasville, we said heck yes!

Junior Service League is nearly out of its final printing of its Good Food, Good Company cookbook… pick one up at Kevin's or through a JSL member soon!

Megan has lived in Thomasville since she was three. She and her husband Spencer met in college, where they lived the first year they were married before moving to T-ville to open Grassroots Coffee.

Describe your perfectly made coffee drink. I'm a simple gal when it comes to coffee. Black, straight up. My favorite way to brew is still in an old fashioned French press. We have a stainless steel Bodum press at our house and every morning I boil the water, grind the coffee, wait four minutes and Voila! Perfection in a cup. What do you do to wind down? Well, when you have a two year old, winding down doesn't happen until after he's in bed. Luckily, Ford is an angel at bedtime, so most nights by 8pm Spencer and I can finally take a deep breath. Favorite thing? Whiskey on the rocks and a good TV show. What's your favorite not-too-distant out of town getaway? Tallahassee, actually. We love trying new local restaurants (Sage, Miccosukee Root Cellar, The Grain) and if we are feeling super fancy and the grandparents are feeling generous, we will spend the night at Hotel Duval right in downtown. The rooftop bar overlooking Tallahassee feels very glamorous and the renovated rooms feel pretty swanky!

- Denise P.

The Townie Store has Tervis tumblers on the cheap to make room for more fabulous wares… go on in and stock up! Chinquapin Plantation is opening its rarely seen doors for the 4th Annual Dîner à lá Troupe in September...stay tuned for more info in our next issue... Got a Whisper? Tell the Townie at editor@ yourtownie.com...or zip us a message on Facebook...

Quoted in the ‘Ville How do you beat the summer heat? -Denise P. Swimming at the Y! -Haley S. I recently went to Colorado to beat this Thomasville heat, but more recently I've been downing ice water like it's going out of style! -Hillery R. The swimming pool, but my dog prefers the creek behind the house. -Griff B.

Bikes Needed for FLAUNT

Still wondering what to do with your old bicycle? Thomasville Center for the Arts has a solution for you. TCA is looking for 30 old bikes to repurpose for FLAUNT 2014: Pop It Up!, the public art event set for September. The bikes will receive fresh coats of bright yellow paint to be transformed into city bikes and mobile art. The unique pieces will be presented to FLAUNT sponsors and placed back into Thomasville’s creative district. TCA asks that you drop off your adult and youth bicycles at 209 West Remington Avenue as soon as possible. For more information contact Darlene Blackman at dblackman@thomasvillearts.org. Stay tuned for more exciting FLAUNT details! —Chaise B.

F r e e

t o

r e a d ,

I drink a Hell or High Watermelon by 21st Amendment or Jack’s Cider while hanging out with my puppy Adelaide. -Deanna Q. Typically, I set up a portable fan on my deck, get my kindle and a drink with a lot of ice. And if that fails, I go inside to some air conditioning! -Lindsey D. The best way to beat the heat is to wear sandals on your feet. -Brandon R. Eat ice cream sandwiches, drink lots of beers, dunk the baby's feet in the pool, or stay indoors! -Ariel L. We have been visiting YoBurst and Hawaii Snow much more often since the temperatures have hit the 90s. I honestly don't mind the heat. You'll find me on any given day in summer with my windows down and sunroof open baking in the sun when I make my rare trips to town. I even visit the tanning bed in the summer! However, I refuse to exercise outside so you will find me inside on the treadmill rather than outside walking the dog as many laps as I can make her do. Anytime spent outside is usually after the sun has hit below the treeline to avoid heatstroke. -Terri P.

t h a n k s

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t h e s e :

THE THE

CENTER

Get COME Real! Poetry and Prose TOGETHER!

LETTERPRESS INTENSIVE Summer Camp Beatles Summer Camp • June 16-20

possibilities JulyExplore 21 - 25the • 9AM - 2PMof • pressure Ages 8-15 Song, dance, and poetry fuse printing on the Vandercook letterpress. Explore the words of timeless Theatre, Visual Arts with visual artand andInventive fashion to June • Building 209 poets and21-22 playwrights in specialty MORE classes in MORE disciplines create a colorful celebration. workshops covering acting, 209 W. Remington Ave. offered than ever before! writing, and creative collaboration.

The Plaza Steaks, Seafood & Southern Cuisine 217 South Broad St., Thomasville (229) 226-5153

JOIN USINFORMATION FOR MORE REGISTER FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.thomasvillearts.org www.thomasvillearts.org www.thomasvillearts.org

WWW.THOMASVILLEPLAZA.COM

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(229) 226-1631 · www.SignatureSmiles.com

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JULY 18 -JULY 31

TEF Rolls Out its 2014-2015 Concert Series!

Catch a Wave at Grassroots' Newest Exhibit Our Staff

On Thursday, July 16th, Grassroots Coffee hosted a gallery opening for another two-man show, and the Center for the Arts’ Artist Collective’s latest themed gallery, interpretations on the theme “Wave.”

Publisher Thomasville Townie, LLC

For the two man show, photographer Ryan Zimmerman has teamed up with South Georgia Ballet to bring his affinity for dance movements, dramatic lighting, and the elements to pull out all the stops in a series of photographs of ballet dancers shot over the last few months. Get to Grassroots to see a dramatic presentation of bodies in motion shot so creatively you’ll wonder how Zimmerman pulled it off.

Editor in Chief Jennifer Westfield Social Media Betsy Jones Administration Sarah Esra Columnists J. David Bray, Jr. Clay Byars Sarah Esra Matt Hagel David Longstreet Denise Purvis Kelly Samek J.K. Slaughter Abrie Soileau Contributing Writers Chaise Bishop Wade Chapman Benjamin Gardner Christopher Jones Natalie Kirbo Jennifer Westfield Contributing Artists Laura Floyd Benjamin Gardner David Longstreet Copy Editor Abrie Soileau Graphic Design + Website Maintenance Katie Reeves

Georgia Press Association

Award Winning

The Thomasville Townie publishes the first and third Friday of every month. To advertise, suggest article ideas or contact staff members, please email editor@yourtownie.com. Printed by the Bainbridge Post Searchlight

In conjunction, members of the Artist Collective will have works following the theme “Wave,” each a creative interpretation of the word, but as always with the sky as the limit. No two pieces of art are alike, and Artist Collective members produce work in every imaginable medium. All works at Grassroots are for sale through the Center for the Arts. To browse an online gallery of the “Wave” exhibit and purchase art via the web, visit www.collective. thomasvillearts.org. This exhibition runs through mid-October but get there soon to snag your preferred piece of local, original art! -Jennifer W.

Our music loving Townies will be happy to know that fantastic performances are on the way! The Thomasville Entertainment Foundation, in cooperation with the Center for the Arts, is pleased to announce the 2014-2015 Concert Series. During the upcoming season of shows, you can experience an array of talent from acclaimed pianists to world-renowned orchestras and ensembles. The talent is set to include the likes of lauded pianists Peter Nero and Warren Jones along with award winning quartets. No matter your musical preference, the Entertainment Foundation has scheduled a bit of something for everyone to enjoy including brass, strings, and vocals. These diverse performances will be broken up into two different series, each including three unique shows. You may purchase single show tickets or choose to buy them by the series. Each show will begin at 7:30pm with all but one being held in the 500-seat TCA auditorium. The series schedules are as follows: Series A Thursday, October 14th, 2014 “Music of Love and Life” brought to you by Warren Jones and company, including a soprano, French horn and violin from the Metropolitan Opera and Emerson Quartet. Location: Thomasville Center for the Arts, Main Auditorium, 600 East Jackson Street

The Stylish House

Thursday, January 22nd, 2015 The award winning Dover Quartet brings you a performance inspired by enthusiasm and charming passion from a talented group of young performers.

the upkeep of a stylish house

Style, as defined by Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, is ‘a way of behaving or of doing things’. Sadly, too often people make the mistake of assuming style means having the trendiest clothes, an exotic car or fancy and expensive furniture or accessories. None of these will remain stylish for long, however, if they are not well maintained. Coco Chanel once said “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.” This can also be true of a home. Regardless of how it is furnished, painted or otherwise put together, if a home is not clean and well maintained, guests will remember its ‘shabbiness’ before anything else. And, might be catty enough to mention it at a cocktail party! A home could be very plain and furnished inexpensively but efficiently with ill-chosen colors. However, if it is clean and well maintained it will give off a more inviting air to both family and guests. Keeping a home shipshape and Bristol fashion is certainly not the only ingredient in having an inviting home, however. Graciousness is an element of style that never goes out of vogue and must never be forgotten. On the other hand, a home can be in the most attractive neighborhood and furnished with beautiful ornaments. But, if these beautiful things are covered in dust, the walks and porches unswept and cluttered, the baths smelling of mildew, guest are sure to make a polite albeit hasty retreat. Unfortunately, there is no ‘one size fits all’ plan for satisfactorily running a household today. It is best to find a schedule that fits the needs of the home and those who dwell within its walls. And then, stick with it. Schedules are dependent upon such factors as the size of the house, the number of family members and their ages, the amount of entertaining done and the time available to the house manager. Whether the schedule is daily, weekly, monthly or seasonally, it is helpful to break the job into small, workable tasks rather than to plan “today I’m going to clean my house”. What does that even mean? A simple suggestion I have found to be effective is to give one room one hour every day. It does not have to be a specific time. In the morning before work or after getting the kids or partner started on their day or in the evenings between supper and bedtime. If it is a family home, assign specific tasks or responsibilities to family members based on their age and ability. If the work that goes into the maintenance of a home is planned and sorted, then the running of the house will be more efficient and less daunting. Having a well-run home not only makes you, your family and guests feel better but will make entertaining for work or socially a delight. A maintained, organized and clean home is generally a happy one. Remember, happiness never goes out of style.

-Davey B.

Location: TCA Tuesday, April 14th, 2015 Enjoy a unique combination from world-renowned Australian Chamber Orchestra and Swedish clarinetist Martin Fröst. Location: TCA Series B Thursday, November 20th, 2014 “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914” by Cantus and Theater Latté Da will wow you with a true WWI story performed by an all male vocal ensemble just in time to kick start your Christmas spirit. Location: First Baptist Church of Thomasville, 210 North Broad Street Saturday, February 14th, 2015 What better way to spend your Valentine’s Day than attending “Note From the Balcony: Romeo and Juliet in Music”? The Boston Brass and Enso String Quartet will make it a night you won’t forget. Location: TCA Thursday, March 5th, 2015 Piano legend and Grammy award winner Peter Nero will be performing “ Music of George Gershwin”. Location: TCA You may order tickets for all six fantastic shows by purchasing the ‘Series C’ package. For more concert information or ticket purchases, please visit www.tefconcerts.com or call the box office at 229-226-7404. Single-event tickets are $38 for the general public and $15 for students. Season tickets purchased before September 15th are $90 for either series and $170 for Series C (all six shows). After September 15th, they will be $114 one series or $228 for Series C. Tickets would make for the perfect gift for a friend of loved one. This season offers the chance to enjoy a lovely night of entertainment with family and friends. For over 77 years, TEF and its volunteers have been hard at work providing the Thomasville area with spectacular performances to delight music connoisseurs and inspire cultural awareness in our city. They also contribute to the youth and young adults in the community through educational outreach programs, discounted prices on student tickets, and scholarship funds for exceptional performing arts students. Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of this year’s concert series brought to you by this great organization! -Chaise B.

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JULY 18 -JULY 31

On Good Works Unbeknownst The Vashti Center When you sit down to eat in a restaurant, or as a guest in someone’s home, do you grab at all the food you can, eating as much as you can before someone can try to stop you, then, stashing the rest turn yourself around in circles looking for the best way of escape? Unlikely, so for a moment try to imagine, if you’re able, what kind of life in the 21st century would lead to such feral behavior in a child. For the staff at the Vashti Center, this behavior is familiar and observed all too often in newcomers to their facility. And, to their credit these nurturing souls do not react as scolds. Here, and usually fairly soon after the initial confusion of not getting hammered yet again, the kids begin to settle and, provided with further consistency, even to socialize again. After one gets to be 110 years old, you’d think people would know you like the back of their hands, yet what exactly the faith-based, nonprofit Vashti Center does every day is a local mystery to too many. And that’s because at the Vashti Center, they do what they do extraordinarily well. Vashti is a mission of the United Methodist Women, National. The Center provides room, board, and watchful oversight (RBWO) for children and adolescents, ages 6-18, ministering to their needs socially, behaviorally, academically, and spiritually (24/7/365). Those under their charge, and care, are referrals from the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and the Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFACS). If those in the employ of Vashti did not do their work well, we would know it. For we would hear more, a lot more, we would hear it by police reports and via the daily news. No such negative press exists, however, because Vashti is a loving, structured environment designed for care and for intervention. For some kids it’s the first time in their young lives they can breathe easy, just be kids, and do so without fear. Designed to break the cycles of cruelty and dysfunction that plague some families, the Vashti incarnation in Thomasville is a residential, community, mental health facility, but there’s a greater Vashti too operating throughout the region, with satellite, off-campus services serving Brooks, Colquitt, Decatur, Grady, and Mitchell counties. The damage inflicted upon these children is full range: mental, physical, and yes, sexual. Thus, treatment regimens are focused, intensive, ongoing, and while they are at Vashti, immersive, coming from all angles—positive—a kind of life provided that we take for granted, and yet somehow, a life hitherto unknown to these youngsters. A $69,000 grant just received last month from the St. Mary’s United Methodist Church Foundation will help Vashti Center upgrade living quarters on its campus at two abutting cottages, Carruth and Chambers, housing over twenty boys, with upgrades including painting, carpeting, walls, windows, furniture, and bathrooms. Naturally, improving anyone’s living environment helps, but more so particularly for these “consumers,” as according to Residential Program Director, Arlisha Wildgoose, “Our youth are very rough on their living areas. When they first arrive, they are often very stressed, and it’s not unusual for them to release their stress on the surroundings, resulting in broken furniture and scarred walls.”

Like a Champ, TOSAC Tackles the Challenges of "Alice" (Jr.) What a difference—one doorway—or maybe passing through a looking glass can make. From the grays of wet sidewalk, clouded sky, and drizzling rain my wife and I were suddenly bedazzled and transported by the laughter of children into music, dancing, the delights of theatre, and colorful imagination. We were privileged to be attending the preview of “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” at TOSAC’s downtown storefront theater at 117 South Broad Street.

from Thomas and Grady Counties and from the gamut of levels: elementary, middle, as well as high school.

With a cast of dozens and dozens, electricity was all around. Sixty ambitious actors and actresses cavorted across the stage. Subdivided as Cast “A” and Cast “B,” there are, for instance, no less than six Alice’s: two small, two medium, and two large (recall that diet alters her dimensions). And, indeed, we do recall because this play is a true rendition of the Disney extended-animation cartoon we remember from our own callow days, complete with the Very Merry Un-birthday Scene, as well as noteworthy costume and stage characterizations: an enigmatic Cheshire Cat trio, anything but phlegmatic Mad Hatter complete with big hair, the ever-hasty Hare, one emerald Caterpillar transformed, and need I say—more, more, more.

Local artist Sarah Lowe’s has graced us with backdrops that help to suspend our doubt, placing us believably in that “land beyond, [where] the eye cannot see.” And, while Alice believes that the “rules are so limiting” by sticking to them, Director Orr, her Assistant Director, Kimsey Hodge, and Stage Manager, Liz Owens enliven an already eager cast by providing them with a creative space astonishingly free and uncluttered, wherein “flowers have very extra special powers” and whereupon, not only the children, but we too in the audience may play, if only vicariously, along the venerable paths that takes us to and through Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland.

Pat Orr, she of some fifty years in the theater, has directed a vibrant gem, as perhaps only she can, on the deceptively small TOSAC proscenium. Because there is so much going on, feeding our eyes and our ears, we do not notice any diminutive scale, that is, until Ms. Orr’s staging fills hardwood with the region’s children, coming primarily

Over and over, repeatedly this theme of family and togetherness, and of having, maybe, the best job in the world rang true as voiced to me in candid, unsolicited comments from Vashti personnel and staff while I was visiting. For, here at the Vashti Center, it’s the kids who are the emphasis, the purpose, the focus, the calling, and the bottom line. So much so, I dare say, anyone who might work here only for a paycheck will probably not find either contentment or satisfaction. After my visit I felt energized. As I drove home, I found myself looking around for those cracks the Vashti kids have fallen through. And, all I wanted to do was fill them.

- Benjamin G.

Farm to Table grilled snapper and roasted red peppers

Every time I think of seafood I think of my grandfather and his obsession with lobster; he couldn’t get enough of the sea bug, or red snapper, which to me is like the Ferrari of fish. Waxing nostalgic, my mom’s dad was a huge character in my life, perhaps an influence for my love of seafood. He took me fishing every day when we visited in the summer. We spent a lot of time at the lake, catching fireflies or watching the Braves games. If we weren't eating fish we ate steak. The flavor of this fish is crazy good, so I trekked to my local fishmonger to purchase some snapper.

olive oil, garlic, balsamic vinegar and basil in a separate bowl. Drizzle over the peppers and place back on the grill for about 15 minutes.

Roasted Red Peppers

one tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Prep Time ten minutes • Cook Time one hour

one tablespoon lime juice

The Vashti Center for Children and Families needs and accepts donations from the public: www.vashti.org - Benjamin G.

Come see TOSAC’s production of “Alice, Jr.” and believe. For there is an answer to that question no one asks of TOSAC, What have you done for Thomasville, lo, these last thirty-five years? And the answer just keeps coming season after season, production upon production, like a champion defending the crown, as steady as the stage.

Farm to Table

On my tour of the cottages, however, I was not dumbstruck by any damages done or any pervasive dilapidation, but rather, by how much care the Vashti staff has taken to maintain what furnishings they’ve clearly had for a long, long time and keep it all remaining viable. “Some of their stories are very saddening, but we do have success stories,” says Development Director Susan O’Neal. “Despite some of the circumstances we must deal with regarding the children in our care, this is one of the most inspiring places I’ve ever worked, and I think it’s because with children there is always hope. We try to help them latch on to hope while they’re here and empower them to not let their circumstances derail their potential.”

The kids are clearly delighted as they pace through Lennie Flower’s apt choreography, and their delight conveys to our theatre experience: the action apace and lively, the lines delivered crisply, the young voices clear and audible, their comic timing surprisingly and rewardingly spot-on.

Grilled Snapper Prep time 25 minutes • Grill time 10 minutes Ingredients four five-to-six ounce red snapper fillets - sourced from Scales and Tales, used to be Hatchers now on Jackson street in the Jackson Square

one tablespoon black pepper Ingredients

one tablespoon smoked Hungarian paprika

Four Large Red Bell Peppers - Lewis Produce

one tablespoon ginger

2 tablespoons of minced garlic

one tablespoon cilantro

2 tablespoons of chopped basil - my yard

In a large casserole dish place the snapper fillets skin side down. Combine the lime juice, black pepper, Hungarian paprika, ginger, cilantro and olive oil in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Smear this on the fleshy side of the fish and set aside in the fridge to marinate for 15 to 20 minutes. Place fish on a high heat grill skin side down for 10 minutes or until the flesh starts to lighten; flip and let cook for another 5 minutes.

1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar Place peppers on the grill for 30 - 45 minutes or until the skin has charred and blistered, you will need to turn them a time or two to prevent burning. Remove and place in a casserole dish. The peppers will continue to cook. Set aside for five to ten minutes. Remove the charred and blistered skin, seeds, and stems from the peppers. At this point you may find yourself rinsing some of the char from the flesh of the pepper, but don't rinse too much as you will rinse off some of the peppers’ flavor. Combine Poetry: Benjamin Gardner Photo Credit : Janice Hines

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Enjoy folks, this reminds me of lazy evenings at the lake with my grandparents: Fresh fish and wonderful people.

-Clay B.

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JULY 18 -JULY 31

Stories from the Road

Confessions of a Flats Fishing Addict

don't leave the keys in the ignition

Moon: don’t hate me, you weren’t open yet) for coffee around 5 a.m. and we jumped in his Land Cruiser for the trip. I looked forlornly out of the back window at Hwy 19 South (read: road to HWY 98 and the Gulf) disappearing as we headed even further inland to landlocked reaches of Thomas and Brooks County, where many fear to go without four wheel drive. And to make matters worse, as I am a little of out date on current freshwater tactics: Dr. H had to teach me a new bass fishing technique (Wacky Worms with O-rings no less… O-rings are what caused the last Shuttle disaster right?).

I am powerless against the call of flats and coastal river fishing. Popping corks, 150-horsepower outboard motors, oyster beds, tide and weather apps and busted props are all part of a current fascination I knew little about growing up in landlocked Roberta, Georgia.

I grew up fishing private ponds and lakes, but now that I’m an old salt, how can I go back? No crowded boat ramps, no sticky SPF 50 to keep from baking in the sun, no dead engines waiting for Sea Tow to arrive, less than a hundred dollars spent on gas, no flat trailer tires… Gee, who can have fun on a tranquil pond at sunrise with a slight drizzle to keep temperatures down?

Now, because of living a scant 60+ miles from the boat launches at the St. Marks and Aucilla Rivers, I think of ways to justify ditching even a small part of the work day for time on the flats. Granted, the sheer uniqueness of the virtually unspoiled shoreline of the Forgotten Coast is part of the appeal, but enjoying it without a fishing rod seems unfathomable. I always see bird watchers, hikers and recreational kayakers enjoying the scenery and feel sorry for them – they don’t even have thousands of dollars of tackle, boats, trailers, or anything with them!

My dad was friends with a lot of the guys he worked with. Maybe it’s that with salesmen, you have a sort of brotherhood of likeminded individuals who happen to be good at making people like them, and so a lot of them end up liking each other. One of Dad’s co-workers and friends, a deliveryman for Mr. Winston, was Richie, your typical goodhearted egghead: loyal and friendly, but lacking in common sense. “Richie was a good guy, but I don’t think he always thought things through,” Dad said. “Like the time he picked up the hitchhiker.” I’m not sure what kinds of rules and regulations today’s salesman must abide by, but in Dad’s day the boys in sales owned the road. Or at least they drove like they did, doing whatever, whenever, however. They sold the product, and delivered the product— that was the most important thing—but in the inbetween times they had adventures. Some of them were rebels, some rebels without a clue.

Of course Dr H. turned out to be a great fishing guide on a great local water resource. We caught dozens of fish on top-water action early, then I eventually switched to the new Wacky Worm technique. Ten minutes into my newly acquired skill, I hooked into a great fish. An O-ring rolled onto the worm middle of the plastic worm via a neat little gadget allows you to center a weedless circle hook between O-ring and worm while allowing unimpeded action of the worm when twitched (See accompanying photo at www.yourtownie.com).

“Richie headed out of here one morning,” Dad said, “on a route that took him through Dixie, Boston, Cherry Lake, Madison, Greenville, Monticello, Perry—all down through there.”

…Dr H., however, told me to “slow my roll” as we weren’t going flats fishing. What?!! What kind of sacrilege were we embarking on? My bay boat (break-out-anotherthousand cliché, right guys?) hasn’t been in the repair shop quite enough this year.

Ok, so our first Townie coastal fishing article was about a nice bass caught in a local, private lake. We’ll do better next time! Thanks to Gone Fishing for providing a great local shop for addicts like me to get their fix – fresh or saltwater! Thanks Dr. H – I will probably be the first to try the Wacky Worm method for trout and redfish on the Aucilla!

“So as he’s leaving Thomasville on 84, headed towards Boston,” Dad continued, “Richie sees a hitchhiker.”

I met Dr. H at the local Waffle House (Ben at Savannah

- Wade C.

Imagine my excitement when a fellow ‘Villian, (we’ll call him Dr. H) called recently about going fishing at daylight a couple of Mondays ago. My mind started working….. grease bearing on boat trailer, re-spool a couple of reels, get cooler full of the day’s food and drinks, gas up the truck and boat (expensive non-ethanol of course!)…. whew! With just a few hours of work I could get ready for the water.

Beauty Broad sunny side ups and downs

The Sun: We all need sunshine! A little every day is healing and gives us our Vitamin D. It also offers the bonuses of enhanced mood and a better quality of sleep. A good 20 minutes a day will do. However, like everything in life there has to be a balance. Why we need sunscreen: The sun has two types of rays. UVA rays are the culprits causing premature aging. This includes wrinkles, brown spots, loss of elasticity, and dull lackluster skin. UVB rays burn our skin. Too much sun leaves our skin vulnerable to an increased risk of skin cancer, which can have very serious and life threatening consequences. This over exposure actually causes the skin cells to change and become damaged so they don't behave normally. We need to protect our largest organ, our skin! How it works: SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. An SPF rating tells you how long you can be in the sun before your skin begins to burn. 2 types of sunscreen: Mineral/Physical and Chemical/Synthetic Mineral sunscreen creates a physical barrier from the sun, which reflects the harmful rays. It will contain either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Because these can leave a white cast, they often have a slight but universally flattering tint added. The benefit is that it can be used as

a primer or even as your foundation. A great one to try is Clinique's City Block SPF 25 (This is what I use every day). Although the tint provides little coverage, it will even out your skin tone and look very natural. Chemical or Synthetic sunscreen absorbs and changes the rays into something harmless. You will see ingredients like octinoxate, oxybenzone and avobenzone. These can sometimes offer more coverage than the physical barriers, but they can also cause some irritation to the skin due to the various combinations of chemicals. The Bottom Line: On a normal day going from home to work, an application of SPF 15 or greater in the form of sunscreen or makeup should be enough protection. Going to the beach? Playing outdoor sports….sweating!? You will need to re-apply at least every hour! Options: No, No, No! Tanning beds are not a healthy option! There are many well formulated self-tanners now that will give you a natural glow. Give these a try and see what you think. Or you can embrace your natural skin tone! Either way, you will have smooth, healthy and protected skin!

How Richie found his way to all those towns and back is something of a mystery. After all, this is the same guy who, in another story, once took an order of cheese to Fort Rucker, Alabama, and drove halfway across Mississippi before deciding he’d missed his sign.

The hitchhiker was wearing a military uniform and Richie wanted to stop, but company policy said you didn’t pick up hitchhikers, and Mr. Winston had been on everyone’s case lately to start following policy. It was the slow, eventual end of an era. Richie went on to Boston and stopped at two stores, dropping off product. Then it was on to the next town. But as he was leaving Boston, turning back onto 84 (which was still just two lanes back then), there stood Richie’s hitchhiker again. He couldn’t not stop. He had to help a military man who had defended his country and just needed a ride. The hitchiker—young, wearing an air force uniform, and also barefooted—thanked Richie for the ride. “Where you headed?” Richie asked. “I’m trying to get up to my wife and kid in Atlanta,” the airman said. “Atlanta? Well, I’m headed to Perry.” “Perry?” the airman asked. “You know what? I got an uncle in Perry. Hadn’t seen each other in years. I bet he’d love to see me.” You’d think Richie might be suspicious. A man is trying to get to his wife and kid in Atlanta, and just like that, he decides to visit his uncle in Perry instead. But Richie just smiled and told the boy to hop in. And off they went, headed towards Quitman. Along the way, the airman, being informed that there was only one seat, sat atop the engine box. For no obvious reason, he kept pulling up and down on the manual choke. This upset Richie, but he kept his mouth shut. Maybe he was scared to give orders to a military man.

In Quitman, Richie pulled into a local grocery store and hopped out. The airman got out, too, and followed Richie inside. While Richie stocked the shelves, the airman stood at the water fountain, taking what appeared to be medicine. The store manager called Mr. Winston. “Listen, I don’t mind your regular guy,” the manager said, “but this new guy ain’t gonna cut it.” “What new guy?” Mr. Winston asked. “Military man. Airforce. Guy wasn’t even wearing any shoes! And at the water fountain taking some kind of pills.” Mr. Winston asked to speak to Richie, but as luck would have it, Richie and the airman were gone already, headed first to Cherry Lake, Madison next, and then to Perry. In Madison, Richie stopped again. This time the airman said he’d stay in the van. Richie took his order inside and stocked the shelves, not even bothering to take the keys out of the ignition. When he came back outside, the van and the airman were gone. Richie walked down to the sheriff’s office, where a deputy put out a bulletin on the stolen van and let him call Mr. Winston. “When Mr. Winston pulled up,” Dad said, “Richie was hiding behind a bush. And I don’t know if this is true, but what I heard was Mr. Winston stuck his arm out and motioned with his finger for Richie to ‘come here.’ And Richie kind of reluctantly slunk out from behind that bush. ‘For God in heaven’s sake, Richie, why would you pick up a hitchhiker?’ That was one of Mr. Winston’s favorite things to say—‘for God in heaven’s sake.’” The van was found the next day in Warner Robbins. The police called to let Mr. Winston know that the hitchhiker had checked into the hospital. The van had been found abandoned aside the road. All of the product was gone. The hitchhiker had sold it all. He’d even sold the hand truck, and Richie’s jacket! Apparently he’d tried to sell the van, too, but no one would buy it without the title. I’ll be honest: I’m not entirely sure why this story of Dad’s resonates with me. I’ve heard it a hundred times and it’s still one of my favorites. Maybe because it’s funny. Maybe because it’s such a perfect illustration of why you should consider all of your options and be very considerate of your actions. There are lots of great people along the road, sure, but not everyone is your friend. It’s good to help people when you can, but just remember, some of them will take advantage of you if they get the chance. What if it’s you who needs the lift one day, someone might ask. You know what, that’s a good point. I might need a ride one day, and I sure hope someone will be nice enough to give me a lift. I guess we each have to decide for ourselves who we’re going to pick up, who we’ll trust in the car with us. And while I can’t tell you who to trust and who not to trust, I feel comfortable saying, be leery of the barefooted military man. If you do decide to give him a ride, though, then for God in Heaven’s sake, don’t leave the keys in the ignition! Be smart, Townies. And be careful out there.

- David L.

Got a tip for the Townie? Shoot us an email: editor@yourtownie.com

- Sarah E.

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JULY 18 -JULY 31

Let's Make At Home's New Owners Feel at Home When you’re driving down Broad Street in Thomasville, you can’t help but notice the beautiful, three-story blue building that ‘Villians have come to recognize as At Home. As of June 2, this Thomasville staple is under new ownership.

“At Home has always had very loyal customers.” He says. “They come here because they love the store, so we are going to try to stay consistent with the products and lines downstairs. Certain things will never change here.”

Tim and Sarah Daniel decided that they wanted to take over ownership of the store late last year and contacted Sarah’s brother, Rob Kona, to see if he and his wife Sylvia would be interested in running the store. This was not an easy decision, according to Rob, because he and Sylvia had lived in Venice, Florida for over 20 years prior to Tim and Sarah’s request.

That is not to say that there will not be any changes for At Home. Sarah and Sylvia will bring their own style and flavor into stocking the store. Rob said that this is challenging at times because they are always mindful of what people in Thomasville like.

Previously Sarah was a customer of At Home and said that she always felt comfortable in the store, and it had a unique atmosphere. She became interested in acquiring the store once she realized it was available. She and Tim only wanted to take the plunge if Rob and Sylvia would be on board with running the store. Rob said that he and Sylvia came up to Thomasville to look at the store and town, and after three months of deliberation, they both decided that they wanted to come here. “The best thing about Thomasville is the people. The people here are all genuinely nice and continue to offer help if we need it,” says Rob. Rob says that previously At Home was always run as a family business. As Tim, Sarah, Rob, and Sylvia take over ownership, they will continue that tradition-although with a different family. They all previously worked in the medical field and have taken this leap into retail together. Sarah, Rob, and Sylvia are all very involved with the store and Tim is more of a “silent partner,” maintaining his regular job. “When we worked in radiology, dealing with people was different,” says Rob. “Patients came to us when they were sick or afraid which made it a totally different atmosphere. They didn’t want to be there. [Working at At Home] is a different story. They’re here because they want to be here.”

One of the biggest changes for the store is that the second level will now house dance clothes and footwear. Sarah’s daughter is very involved with ballet and Sarah recognized the need for dancewear in Thomasville. Originally the second floor was mostly used for storage, but now it will have dancewear as well as its own dressing room, sitting area and additional cash register.

Farm to Table summer peach tart

Although peaches were brought to the colonies as early as the 1500’s, it was only with the innovations of Macon farmer Samuel Rumph--which included cultivation of the Elberta variety and design of a refrigerated railcar—that they could be produced and marketed in volume enough for Georgia to win its reputation as the Peach State.

Farm to Table

From now until the year's first frost you'll find them in abundance at produce stands across the region. Almonds are a natural complement to stone fruits (peaches and almonds, along with plums and cherries, are all members of the genus Prunus, in fact) and in this recipe their flavor is a subtle supporting player in both crust and custard. Chilled, this tart makes for a perfect seasonal dessert and is equally good as a brunch offering.

“The store has existed for seven years the way it is now,” Rob says. “It started with furniture and end tables but has evolved into what it is today.”

Summer Peach Tart

When Rob was asked what customers could look forward to in the store, he said that Sarah was excited about picking up new nutcrackers for Christmas. Previously nutcracker sales around Christmas were a staple for At Home.

1 cup all-purpose flour

“We’ve listened to what people have said they wanted,” he says. “When they tell us, ‘Please don’t change,’ we listen. We are keeping the store consistent with what the previous owners created.”

2 tablespoons Dreaming Cow plain yogurt--Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Shop

At Home, located at 110 South Broad Street will soon be changing its hours to accommodate the new Dance At Home line of dancewear. As of August 1st, the store hours will be 10a to 6p. Look them up on Facebook: “At Home in Thomasville” for updates about Dance At Home including its own separate page. As always, the jewelry line is available in store as well as online at http://jgabrieldesigns.com. For more information, contact the store at (229) 227-0501.

Filling:

Rob indicates that they are going to try to keep the spirit of the store the same. All of the downstairs portion of the store will remain mostly untouched.

1 teaspoon almond extract

Crust:

3/4 cup almond meal 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature

3 large egg yolks 3/4 cup Dreaming Cow plain yogurt--Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Shop 3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 6 medium Georgia peaches--Lewis Produce

Glaze: 1/4 cup peach preserves or jelly, warmed (make it extra special by using Blackberry Patch Peach Pepper Jelly, available at the Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Shop) Preheat the oven the 375°F. To make the crust, place the flour, almond meal, butter, and yogurt in food processor and pulse until combined. When the dough has formed a ball, remove from the food processor and, using lightly floured hands, pat into the bottom and about half an inch up the sides of an ungreased 9-inch tart pan, preferably with a removable bottom. (If you do not have such a pan, you can use a 9-inch springform pan or pie plate.) Bake for about 15 minutes, until the crust is set but not browned. Set aside while preparing the filling. Lower the oven temperature to 350°F. Combine all of the filling ingredients except the peaches in a bowl and beat until smooth. Peel the peaches and slice into thick wedges. Arrange the peach slices in overlapping circles on top of the crust until it is completely covered. Pour the filling mixture over the peaches. Bake for about 1 hour, until the custard sets and the tart is golden brown around the edge. (Cover with aluminum foil during baking if the crust begins to get too dark.) Place the tart pan on a wire rack to cool. When cool, remove the sidewall of the pan. Glaze using a pastry brush to spread the warm jelly over the top of the tart. The tart is then ready for serving or it can be chilled first for a refreshing summer treat. —Kelly S.

-Denise P.

The 'Ville Honors a Fallen Hero SPC Shannon “Doc” Chihuahua was a combat medic, and on the battlefield his duty was to tend to his wounded comrades on-scene, under direct fire, and on the double. Chihuahua did his job as though it was his calling, and because he did it well, i.e. when the scene was hot and the incoming fire live, he successfully saved the lives of many of his men. Regrettably, his life was taken in the Watapur Valley, Kunar Province of Afghanistan by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launched from Taliban insurgents during Operation Bulldog Bite. For his commitment, dedication, and bravery SPC Chihuahua was awarded the Silver Star, posthumously. During his four years active service in the 101st Airborne, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, this hero from Thomasville received four other medals as well, including the Purple Heart. Shannon Chihuahua is survived by his wife Kristen, and their two daughters Sophia and Annabelle. In a Stars and Stripes article 12 June 2014 by Josh Smith, Sgt. Kevin Garrison is quoted regarding the fatal battle: It was… “’[t]he heart of Taliban Country. There was nobody up there that wasn’t Taliban.’” Kunar is considered a terrorist stronghold and abuts Pakistan. Reportedly, rebels freely flow along this border and across the rough, mountainous terrain with their contraband, their instruments of death, and their extremist Islam. At about 10:30 a.m. on the fateful morning of 12 November 2010 Chihuahua and his unit were caught, cut off to the east by a steep drop-off, when they came under enemy fire by AK-47s, RPGs, and machine guns from at least three or four directions. Also, nicknamed “Chewy” by his comrades, SPC. Chihuahua did not hesitate. He raced across a field of scree and rubble to the sides of his

men as they went down. The enemy, from their protected firing positions behind boulders aimed at the field medic, finding their mark, even as “Doc” Chihuahua was hustling to save another man. There is solace for his widow, knowing that she married a noble man, for as Kristen says: “[Shannon] always placed his men's needs above his own safety. I would tell him over and over to please be careful over there and he would tell me ‘I will if I can but if my guys need me I gotta be right there.’ He took that very seriously.” Thus, following Shannon’s death, his own heroic ethos helped his widow to become driven, to not merely mourn her loss, but to honor his legacy. “Every single one of his men came home to their families, that was Shannon's goal and he succeeded. We all choose to remember the way Shannon lived and lit up our lives with his smile. The SPC. Shannon Chihuahua Memorial fund is set up in his honor.” Now we come to a stunning pledge, that this small, local fund will not exclusively be an independent operator. Kristen wants to be more and to do more. The nexus here is remarkable, for the Shannon Chihuahua Memorial Fund has a founding mission to cooperate and coordinate with other fallen hero funds, and charities run to benefit veterans’ families who have lost their fathers and husbands. This year the fundraising efforts of the Chihuahua Fund are dedicated to an organization founded as the legacy of a fallen member of Navy Seal Team 6, Naval Special Warfare Operator Chief Aaron Vaughn. Established in 2012 on behalf of Vaughn, who like Shannon Chihuahua, was also killed in action in Afghanistan, Operation 300 is a 501c3 registered, non-profit organization functioning for the surviving children (and spouses) of our fallen soldiers.

Operation 300 organizes adventure camps and experiences around themes of hope, healing, family, and fun, touting a 1:1 adult mentor to child ratio. Activities include archery, horseback riding, fishing, sailing, surfing, as well as instruction on the proper/safe use of firearms. The costs associated for children to attend and their mothers too, are covered. Tara Baldwin, SOC Vaughn’s sister offers these words: “We are beyond humbled that the Chihuahua family would choose to support the mission of Operation 300 this year… It is precisely for families like the Chihuahuas that Operation 300 exists. We are honored to partner with them and hope to meet them in the near future.” Folks, this is good stuff and a great cause. Here’s to that someday, then, when as a nation of many we can motto together as one voice, No Soldier’s Children or Widow Left Behind. I contacted the office of U.S. Representative Austin Scott in Washington, DC for comment about integrity, bravery and commitment, these qualities discovered in an honorable, war hero and his widow. It seems fitting to end with our congressman’s words: “As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and representative of two Air Force Bases in Georgia, our nation’s veterans and military families are of utmost importance to the communities I represent. I applaud Kristen’s efforts and the work of similar charitable organizations who provide military families with much needed support. “ The SPC Shannon Chihuahua Memorial Fund can be found on Facebook, and visit operation 300 at www.operation300.com.

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-Benjamin G.

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Dance Card. July 16 Ryan Zimmerman Photography And South Georgia Ballet gallery opening Featuring TCA’s Artist Collective “Wave” exhibit At Grassroots Coffee through October 118 South Broad Street Browse and purchase works at www.collective.thomasvillearts.org July 17 Author CJ Hauser reading and novel signing FSU grad presents selections from “The From-Aways” The Bookshelf, 7p – 8:30p 126 South Broad Street Free and open to the public July 18 – 20 TOSAC presents Alice in Wonderland, Jr. Final weekend of Lewis Carroll’s beloved story Friday: 8p, Saturday: 2p & 8p, Sunday: 2p Tickets at the door, or at www.tosac.com July 18 Charlie Ward, Jr. & his Heisman Trophy Return to Thomas County Public Library Open Q & A with ’93 Heisman winner, 1:30p 201 North Madison Street Free and open to the public

Chamber Chatter bids, boots & bowties