Townie #4, 2015

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Issue No.

MARCH 6-19

4

MARCH 6-19

HGTV Making a Big Production in our Little Town Folks often find themselves driving through small towns on the way to something bigger. They pass the storefront windows, stop for pedestrians and wonder what it’s like to live in such a community—an idea that lingers long enough for them to pass through the square and then slip away, without them ever knowing what incredible stories the town’s bricks and mortar hold.

The most interesting occupants of small towns are often those who leave the hustle and bustle behind to settle down in one like Thomasville, Georgia. Whether they’re new to the area or moving back home, their unique stories fuel the preservation of our crossroads and are the true lifeblood of small towns.

When Brian and Rachelle Lazzaro moved from Los Angeles back to Rachelle’s hometown in Pennsylvania, they saw the importance of these untold places unfold as they enjoyed being closer to family while starting one of their own.

Choosing an old home in the downtown area allowed the couple to experience the renovating process first hand. Needless to say, they fell in love with the idea of saving and preserving their new abode— so much so, that they decided to travel the country in their Airstream, helping other families renovate their residences, while capturing the incredible stories of those houses and the people who called them home.

The Lazzaros’ adventures across the U.S. quickly gained online buzz and was picked up by the popular home and garden channel HGTV. They offered the couple a

pilot appropriately titled Saving America (One House at a Time) that would spotlight these communities and the stories they had to tell. After the producers combed through small town America, our own Thomasville landed in the limelight.

A recent casting call summoned homeowners who had their own financing for a home renovation in place and who were able to conduct their renovations from midFebruary to mid-March. Brandon and Ashley Godwin and their home on Monroe Street were the perfect fit for that criteria. Brandon is an architect with a focus on historic preservation, making this experience that much more special to his family.

Saving America is being produced by Tacklebox Films out of Nashville. The crewmembers have expressed their newfound love for Thomasville and have been out experiencing our town while filming the show that will air sometime this summer. We hope people everywhere will tune in and watch as America finds out why Thomasville is such a fabulous small town.

Last Monday morning I spoke with Jodi on the phone from her home; I could hear dogs barking in the background. I asked her question about how she got into freelance writing, what she likes to write about, and some about her educational background. After speaking with her I read through some of her articles in Modern Farmer and Entrepreneur to gain perspective on her talent.

Jodi originally received a degree in Psychology from Trent University in Canada in 1997, then an MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Queens University in Charlotte. She has been freelance writer since 2002 and been published in several magazines including

Digital Photography Weekend CHECKIntensive OUT ALL THE OPENING NIGHT PARTY

OPENING NIGHT PARTY

Dustin is the Chef and Kitchen Manager of Grassroots Coffee in both Thomasville and Valdosta.

He’s best known for being the mastermind of their newer expansive lunch menu. When I spoke with him, he was crafting an Irish Lamb Stew.

What’s your background? I went to college for creative writing, but I worked in a kitchen for fifteen years at a restaurant called Liquid Cafe in Ft. Myers, Florida.

When did you start at Grassroots and what have you changed? I’ve been here about nine months. When I started the lunch menu was small and had premade soups, but I’ve added new salads and sandwiches. We now have house-made pickles and dressings. We’ve even planted a garden. I wanted to elevate the food because the coffee here is so good.

How do you decide what soups or sandwiches you are going to create? I work with local and seasonal ingredients. I plan the soups around the weather. I usually try to make light soups after the holidays when people are full or during the summer when it is hot. I like making hearty soups in the colder weather that stick to your bones.

What’s your favorite part about working at Grassroots? The creative freedom. I have carte blanche freedom to create whatever lunch items I would like here instead of working with someone else’s menu. I also really like all of the people that I work with.

- Denise P.

In 2012 she met Lauren Basford while touring around Georgia collecting material for her agritourism book Farm Fresh Georgia. For the book she interviewed 400 farmers, farm-to-table restaurants, farmers' markets, stands, as well as attended several festivals. “Writing is about always learning something new and following a curiosity,” she says. “I like to write about food and farming." Lauren asked Jodi to come to Thomasville in 2014 for a book signing, where she met Annie Jones, owner of the Bookshelf and Dara Barwick. Dara invited her back to Thomasville to teach a workshop.

I also asked her what advice advice she had for aspiring writers. She said, “If you want to write for magazines, you absolutely must be an avid reader.” She is currently reading Farmageddon: The True Cost of Cheap Meat and She's Not There by Jennifer Finney Boylan.

F r e e

Summer is coming and we're hoping to let rising 8 - 12 graders take over the Townie for two issues...get your kiddos pumped (we'll do it if they sign up)!

We're taking photo submissions...got a cool capture of the 'Ville? Email the Editor!

Got a Whisper? Tell the Townie at editor@ yourtownie.com...or zip us a message on Facebook...

On Saturday March 21st, Birdsong Nature Center is holding their 8th Annual Old Timey Plant Sale. In 2007, June White organized the first plant sale in order to raise funds for the Birdsong Nature Center.

Originally, the sale focused on plants that have thrived in the area for years and are not carried regularly by large nurseries. Over the years the sale has evolved to also focus on trees and wildflowers native to the area in order to support local wildlife.

Have you ever thought about what happens when you go to a large nursery and buy the most on-trend plants for your yard? June explains, “Insects cannot live on plants with which they do not share an evolutionary history.” In other words, plants that are not native to this area offer no sustenance for the insects that live in your yard. In turn, the birds that live off of those insects are negatively affected... you can imagine how far that ripple can travel.

The sale is more than a cause, though. It is also a cultural event. Imagine sitting on your porch with friends on a warm summer evening. Between sips of his summer cocktail your guest takes a deep breath and smiles. He asks you what that wonderful smell is. You get to tell him not only that he smells tuberoses but also that those roses are from the garden of an Americus woman whose granddaughter married a man from Thomasville in the 1930s and brought the roses with her. The “Story Plants” section of the sale offers many plants with interesting histories.

The sale is from 9a - 1p but you are invited to stay and explore Birdsong for free. The sale accepts cash and check only. If you are interested in donating plants from your yard please contact Kathleen Brady at Birdsong (229-377-4408).

t o

r e a d ,

t h a n k s

t o

- Emily M.

t h e s e :

THIRD ANNUAL

.

HOEDOWN

The Plaza

To Benefit Therapeutic Riding Programs Saturday

March 14-15 • 9 am - 5 pm

With Special Guest Dana Hayes King And Gypsy Cotton

www.thomasvillearts.org www.thomasvillearts.org

that might perk you back up...

- Clay B.

March 28, 6:30 PM

FOR INFO JOIN MORE US

sure to be a relic, we heard a little something

Birdsong Celebrates Old-Timey Flora

National Geographic Traveler and AAA Living.

WEST JACKSON An evening withRoss aaSTREET POP with POPofof An evening with Alan POP UP SHOPS HERE UNTIL art, music, food & performance

art, music, food performance Studio&209 THE SEPTEMBER SEPT 5 • 6-8END PM •OF 217/219 WEST JACKSON

Psst…If you were sad thinking that Relish was

Dustin Infinger

- Chaise B.

+ WHET YOUR PALETTE

Whispers.

CHUMS

Learn to Live by Your Pen at the Bookshelf On Saturday March 14th, Jodi Helmer will teach a class on how to write for magazines and make money at it.

She will be covering topics that include how to develop ideas for articles, the best way to get into a publication, working with an editor and how to sell yourself as a writer. In-class exercises will have you on the way to seeing your name in print. The class will be held at the Bookshelf, is $25 and limited to 25 participants.

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217 South Broad St., Thomasville (229) 226-5153

★ Sponsorships Start at $150 ★ ★ Individual Tickets $60 ★

For More Information, Call 229-403-0771

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For more information: Carly Deal - 912.531.3495 fashionventureboutique@gmail.com

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Is Your Smile Ready for Life’s Special Occasions?

Thomas E. Oppenheim DMD • AFAACD 229-226-1631

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

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MARCH 6-19

In Defiance of the Impossible

Our Staff Publisher Thomasville Townie, LLC Editor in Chief Jennifer Westfield Social Media Denise Purvis Administration Sarah Esra Columnists J. David Bray, Jr. Sarah Esra Nancy McCollum Denise Purvis Kelly Samek Contributing Writers Clay Byars Benjamin Gardner Didi Hoffman Sofia Kimbrell Natalie Kirbo Emily McKenna Denise Purvis Callie Sewell Amanda Smith Jennifer Westfield Contributing Artists Laura Floyd Maggie Deaver Graphic Design + Website Maintenance Katie Reeves

Georgia Press Association

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

Scott Rigsby is used to overcoming major obstacles. At age 18, he was thrown from a truck while working a summer job and dragged over 380 feet under a 3-ton trailer. After losing his right leg, Rigsby endured over 26 surgeries in 10 years before finally deciding to “free” himself from being a professional patient and remove his left leg.

Rigsby spent years fighting his personal demons before making the commitment that if God opened a door for him, he would go through it.

On October 13, 2007, after enduring the elements for 16 hours and 43 minutes, NBC Sports featured Scott Rigsby as he became the first double amputee in the world to finish an Ironman distance triathlon with prosthetics at the 140.6-mile Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Scott has been featured in national media as part of the Unbroken film premier on the NBC Today Show, HBO Films' Concert for Valor Veteran’s Day special, and advertisements for Holiday Inn and Brawny, promoting his story of inspiration and non-profit work.

"Though Scott is an athlete, this event isn’t about sport,” says Rose City Tri Club’s Renee Moss. “It’s about how he found his purpose and faith, and how he turned a dark situation into something light. The key is that he couldn't have done it without the unwavering support of a great team of people who really had no reason to believe in him. Scott is an inspiration. He inspired me in my early days of triathlon, and our club is excited to help him share his story with athletes and non-athletes alike.”

Rigsby will be in town to share his truly inspirational story at Victory Fellowship Church on March 12th at 6p.

Our Queen of the Railroad Square Alliance

Our very own contributing artist, Laura Nicole Floyd, whom you may also know from her work with Thomasville Center for the Arts as an education coordinator from 2012-2013, left our fair city to take the mantle as Executive Director of the Cultural Arts Alliance at Railroad Square in Tallahassee, and has since taken that organization to new heights.

After installing a new mission and revamping the organization’s membership, Laura went straight to work resuscitating the group’s dormant cultural events, and in February celebrated the second record-breaking revamp of ArtiGras, a community celebration of culture and the arts. 7,000 people attended the free family festival and parade, and 500 attended the adults-only, night time field concert and masquerade featuring a 4-time Grammy nominated zydeco musician {the Townie was proud to sponsor the festival, and we are excited to work with Laura and others in Tallahassee to facilitate greater cultural exchange among our respective populations!}.

And while this was the sixth year for the event, under Laura’s watch ArtiGras is now the largest event in the art park’s thirty year history, outside of its monthly First Friday Gallery Hops- a staple in Tallahassee for more than 15 years.

While numbers can seem abstract, one fact sums up the size and energy of the event: food truck vendors and the in-park restaurant housed in an authentic train caboose ran out of food, and many tenants had record-breaking sales!

Congrats Laura!

Give. Join. Volunteer. And So Much More.

THOMASVILLE YMCA www.ymca-thomasville.org 229.226.3446

HOTC's Hands On Heroes is an annual volunteer award program to recognize those special members of our community who donate their time, energy and skills to support local non-profits. Nominations are being accepted now through March 17th. Winners are announced in April during HOTC Volunteer Week, and will receive awards and prizes, including a $500 Bobbie Flowers Quiet Leader Scholarship for the student winner. There are so many Townies who put their time and energy into making the 'Ville great; visit handonthomascounty.org and nominate one today!

Don't Miss: Historical Society's spring lecture series The Thomas County Historical Society began its Spring Lecture Series this week with Thomas County History 101 presented by Executive Director Ann Harrison. If you missed that one, don't fret! There's still a great lineup in store... even better: all events are free and open to the public!

On March 10th, Will Watt will share the story of his aunt, professional golfer Mary Lena Faulk, whose career spanned more than three decades and earned her several national championships. Then on the 17th, Laurie Clement and Georgia Nash, great-great-granddaughters of Candace Wheeler will share memories of their illustrious matriarch, who is credited with the creation of interior design as a modern profession. Wheeler, owner of Wintergreen cottage on Junius Street at the turn of the century, was also a renowned textile designer. Much of her work is held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. To conclude the series, on March 24th, Dr. Wendy Harrison will introduce the women of the Thomasville Study Class who met and discussed literary, historical and scientific topics for more than 50 years and who were agents of change in the community. Some of the most prominent women in Thomasville were among the ranks of the Study Class.

Schedule of Presenters: March 10th: The Life of Mary Lena Faulk, Will Watt March 17th: Candace Wheeler: A Family’s Recollections, Laurie Clement & Georgia Nash March 24th: The Study Class: Finding Their Voice, Enacting Change, Dr. Wendy Harrison, Associate Professor of English, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Lectures are free and open to the public. Lectures begin at 7:30p at the Museum of History, 725 N. Dawson Street; www.thomascountyhistory.org; 229-226-7664.

Quoted in the ‘Ville What is or was your favorite part about school? —Sofia K. My favorite part about being in school is working towards my dream job! – Mara M. My favorite part of school is learning something new every day. –Allie J. My favorite part about being in school is learning new things and being with my friends. –Kim P. I love pizza. - Brandon C. My teacher, Ms. Brannan. –Alli B.

Got Summer Camp?

WE’RE MORE THAN A GYM WE’RE A CAUSE

Nominate a Hands On Thomas Townie

We want to hear all about it! Next issue we’ll be featuring our yearly summer camp roundup. E-mail editor@yourtownie.com if you’ve got a summer program, event or camp offering for children of any age.

Art, singing and square dancing—Dossee Do! –Ginny S. My favorite part about being in school was learning new skills, especially in math, science, English and history. –Matea B. My favorite part of being in school is meeting new friends and the good atmosphere.

–London M.

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MARCH 6-19

Trill in the Ville Trill - Urban; Meaning Truly + Real

I started a new job two months ago. It’s always nervewracking to start anything new regardless of how old or how experienced you are. I knew that it would involve a little travel, but I didn’t exactly realize that it would be a whole month aof travel. I’ve seen the good, the bad, the ugly and the downright disgusting sides of traveling. In the past month, I have been to 10 different states and all the way to the West. I decided that with all of my new found jet-setting that I would compile a list of the good and the bad that I have encountered along the way.

Good 1. Salt Lake City—Easily the best place that I have encountered in my travels. I love it so much that I keep threatening to move there. SLC is a lot like Thomasville, but bigger. The people are nice, it’s beautiful, the air is crisp and it’s easy to navigate.

2. Food in Birmingham—Birmingham is becoming a new food mecca. I didn’t mind slapping on my eating britches and dining at not one, but two delicious restaurants. I thought I might burst after eating entree number one at Chez Fonfon, but I decided that I should just take it easy and eat only an appetizer and dessert at Hot and Hot Fish Club. There are so many places to choose from.

3. Downtown Seattle—I have to admit, it’s pretty cool. I almost didn’t want to board the plane from Utah to come to Washington, but duty called. I wasn’t disappointed. There are a million things to do, all within walking distance which is good because I have an anxiety attack every time that I have to drive in Seattle.

4. Driving in Albuquerque—It’s easy to get around in Albuquerque—even for me, and I consider myself a nervous driver. I didn’t even have to bear white knuckles once to get around there. Let’s not forget the gorgeous landscape that you get to stare at while you're driving.

5. The Local Three in Atlanta—It’s good. Almost too good. It’s one of those places where you just keep ordering and eating until you feel like you’re going to split in half. I have to suggest the Mushroom Bacon Steak Tartare if it’s available again in the future. I ate it with a spoon like a savage.

Bad 1. Hairy Bar of Soap in Birmingham—Yes. There was a bar of soap covered in hair in the shower of my hotel.

At first I thought there was a complimentary Chia Pet included with each night’s stay, but then I realized it was just a used bar of soap that wasn’t removed from the room.

2. Wet/Used Towels in Tuscaloosa—It seems like staying at hotels in Alabama is a gamble. I can’t decide what’s worse, hairy soap or wet towels. I guess they’re both fairly disgusting.

3. Driving in Seattle—What a nightmare. I am a nervous wreck in the car anyway, especially when it’s a rental that I’m not comfortable with, but combine that with rolling hills and angry drivers and I am completely shot out. I thought everyone out here would be more mellow, but maybe that doesn’t apply to driving.

4. Airports in General—People in airports have no spatial awareness. They like to lay on you, snore in your face, smell weird, knock you in the head with that carryon that you know they’re just going to have to cram into the overhead bin and lean back on your legs. It’s a waiting game at the airport, and it’s not fun.

Thirsty? Go ahead and dip into your savings to buy that $3.99 water and $17.49 Kind bar.

All of this traveling has made me realize one thing: I miss Thomasville. I miss my bed, my pets, my boyfriend and my friends. There truly is no place like home.

- Denise P.

Come Share Story Time with a Dog and his Soldier Two Bronze Stars, one Purple Heart, and a Combat Action Badge were the decorations that former Capt. Luis Carlos Montalván received following his military service in Al-Waleed, Iraq near the Syrian border. Depression, paranoia, alienation, and hypervigilance were some of the symptoms that ended his Army career after being ambushed and suffering traumatic brain injury in 2003, and which threatened to derail his reintegration back into American society. Then, a remarkable “Tuesday” changed everything. This “Tuesday” had been trained especially for individuals with disabilities.

This Tuesday had been placed with Montalván to help him live civilian life more successfully and effectively. This Tuesday is a golden retriever and a Godsend to this wounded veteran.

There is a book, Until Tuesday that is a recommended read for any returning soldier who is reintegrating. More, it is an animal-and-man story of bonding, partnership and renewal for everyone. And, it has a happy ending, one that will be visiting—live—and in person to the Thomas County Public Library in Thomasville at 201 N. Madison Street on Monday, March 23rd at 1p. Tuesday Tucks Me In is the new children’s book of this story and will be the Children’s Story Time presentation at TCPLS of the “Loyal Bond between a Soldier and his Service Dog,” featuring Capt. Montalván and Tuesday together, sharing their witness of love and evident, cross-species brotherhood as two kindred souls united henceforth in this life.

Theirs is a story of hope, partnership, recovery and change for the better. Tuesday was trained by Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD) and purposefully placed with Capt. Montalván by Puppies behind Bars: two dedicated groups working well in tandem. Theirs is a dog story, the kind we all love, as both the Captain and his Tuesday have found their ways home.

Monday, March 23rd at 1p: Children’s Story Time. Thomas County Public Library 201 N. Madison Street, 229-2255252 www.tcpls.org - Benjamin G.

Youth arts month is back!

Youth Arts Month in March is a national celebration of art and art education, and all month long, TCA will host art-based, family-friendly events that are free and open to the public.

“We look forward to YAM every year – we love being able to share these experiences with our community,” says Mary Oglesby, TCA’s Youth Program Director. “Every week, we offer something new that appeals to a range of artists across all ages…from a teen jamming session to a family juggling workshop.”

TCA kicked off YAM with the unveiling of the Youth Arts Show at 116 Broad Street, featuring local high school artists’ work in conjunction with visual artist Maggie William’s youthful installation. Local experts juried the pieces and on March 3rd, overall winner Emily Corbitt from Thomas County Central High received a $1,000 scholarship. A High School Literary Showcase was also held at TCA’s main building featuring soloists, duets, trios and dramatic performances. The Youth Arts Show exhibition will run until Saturday, April 4th, and every Saturday, local schools will host a public art demo and workshop in the space.

On March 10th, TCA’s Hananel Mavity and the youth education team will host a Teen Art Jam at Bloch Music.

Teens can perform or hang out, supporting each other as they participate in jam sessions, monologues, poetry and more. The evening gives them the opportunity to create and connect with local talent, contributing to Creative Arts District’ collaborative environment.

The following March 21th weekend, TCA will host a family-friendly day with professional juggler, Ron Anglin.

Anglin is a former teacher and Army Aviator and now can juggle balls, clubs and even knives…all while riding a unicycle! Anglin will perform Quite a Character, which shares his story story of how he became a juggler and how it has increased his brain size and reading skills. After the show, he will host an action packed workshop, teaching juggling techniques with scarves, feathers, plates, yo-yos and more.

The final YAM event will be a Youth Free-for-All Lock in hosted by TCA’s Hananel Mavity and the youth education team. Specifically for children ages 7-11, the evening will include fun games, art, pop-up plays and more.

For a full schedule of events and to register for the juggling workshop and Youth Lock-in, visit thomasvillearts.org

- Callie S.

Townie Writer Wins Contest Congratulations to contributing writer Ben Gardner, this year’s recipient of the Creative Writing Student Outstanding Haiku Award from Encircle Publications’ the Aurorean magazine, out of Maine! Ben’s “rooftop picnic theme” was chosen from submissions from around the country and will be featured in the Spring/Summer 2015 issue of the magazine.

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March 6, 13, 14 Taste of Thomasville Food Tour 3 hour, 1.4 mile walking/tasting tour feat.

Thomasville’s culinary best; 10:30a – 1p $40 pp, advanced tickets required Now offering evening tours! visit www. tasteofthomasvillefoodtour.com for info.

Answers on our website @ www.YourTownie.com

DOWN

March 6 First Friday: Swingin’ Medallions 7:00-9:00p, Downtown Thomasville Free to the public. Their diverse repertoire has made them overwhelming favorites for all ages. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the show! Info: Main Street Office, 229-227-7020, visit@thomasville.org March 7 Hand in Hand Fundraiser 8:30a-noon, Country Oaks Golf Course Course will be closed for regular play until approximately noon. Please call the pro-shop or Mike Owens at 229-225-4333 for more details.

2nd Annual Dazzling Divas Prom Dress Drive 10a-12p, Business Exchange Building, 125 North Broad Street. This is a free pre-prom event that includes door prizes, beauty and hair tips, and a collection of gently used gowns, shoes and accessories Contact by phone at 229-699-4558 or email purses_unlockingtreasure@yahoo.com.

Nature Walk and Scavenger Hunt 10:00a, Lost Creek Forest Nature walk and scavenger hunt with Ruth Ann Maxell! Directions and sign-ups can be found at www.lostcreekforest.eventbrite.com.

March 11, 18 Free Lung Cancer Screenings 8:30-11:30a, Lewis Hall Singletary Oncology Center, 919 South Broad Street Screenings are available to individuals ages 5574 who are current smokers or who have quit smoking within the last 15 years. Screenings are by appointment only. Please call 229-584-5454 to schedule your appointment today.

March 12 Business After Hours 5-7 p, Blush Salon and Spa, 1482 East Jackson Street, Join in an evening of networking and professional development at Blush Salon and Spa. Contact visit@ thomasville.org for more information.

March 13-14 Lagunitas Brewing Company Tap Takeover 11a-10p, SGD Cheese Shop The Cheese Shop will be turning over all of their beer taps to one of their favorite California brewers, Lagunitas Brewery for a Tap Takeover weekend!

They'll be bringing some beer swag to raffle off, so go hang out on Friday & Saturday!

March 14 Thomasville Rose Queen Pageant 7:30pm, Municipal Auditorium, 144 East Jackson Street, Thomasville, GA 31799 Thomasville’s Rose Queen Pageant is an event of the Rose Show & Festival. Thomasville’s Rose Queen will reign over all official Rose Festival Activities.

Scholarship prizes awarded for the top contestants.

For information, contact: Thomasville’s Rose Queen Committee, P.O. Box 1540, Thomasville GA 31799, 229-227-7020.

ACROSS 1 Land workers 6 Hit 10 Syrian bishop 14 Rich man Donald 15 Travel around 16 Cliff 17 End of Greek alphabet 18 Prego's competition 19 Dessert 20 Tablet 21 Baseball's Nolan 25 Alter 26 Omega 27 Elect (2 wds.)

30 Without light 34 Livid 35 Airy 36 Day of the week 38 Cake topping 39 Greenwich Time 40 Friendliness between nations

42 Fall behind 43 Country in SE Asia 44 Receiver of a gift 45 Leaf used for pies 48 Provoked 49 Pull 50 Change position 51 Miry 54 Parent groups 55 Lingerie 58 Brand of sandwich cookie 59 Pitcher 61 Thoughts 63 Standard golf courses 64 Religious ceremony 65 Under, poetically 66 Commercial 67 Thick soup 68 Sticky

1 Cease 2 Writer Bombeck 3 Feared 4 Madagascar franc (abbr.)

5 Igniting 6 Husks 7 Lend 8 Back to school mo.

9 Pruddish condition 10 Defer 11 Rascal 12 Cook 13 Old 22 Shekel 24 Writing liquid 26 Was looked at 27 Famous ski resort 28 Award 29 Upper leg 30 Demobilize 31 Branch of learning 32 Stench 33 Scholar 35 Seawood substance 37 Looked 40 Urging 41 Make secure 43 Attorneys 46 Maximum 47 A hit in the head or a type of jazz 48 Airport abbr.

50 Spread 51 Soaks 52 Wind 53 Air (prefix) 54 Peter, for short 55 Boyfriend 56 Order 57 Ashen 60 Intelligence 62 New Jersey's neighbor

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The Smartest Kids in the World by Amanda Ripley.

This non-fiction book is a must-read for educators and parents; I’m neither, and I found The Smartest Kids in the World utterly fascinating. Journalist Amanda Ripley tackles the tough subject of American education by sending American kids to the three countries where students are supposedly smartest: Poland, Finland, and South Korea.

What the students find there – and how it changes them and influences Ripley’s book – is eye-opening, and it has the power to change our own educational models if we so choose. The Smartest Kids in the World could easily be inaccessible, but instead, Ripley keeps the style informative and conversational; the book reads like a welldone documentary.

Bon Appétempt by Amelia Morris. Amelia Morris’s memoir was my pick for the February meeting of my new book club. (Hooray for bravely starting new things!) I’m a huge fan of food memoirs and food writing – The Sweet Life in Paris, Bread and Wine, Delancey – but Morris’s book fell a little flat for me. I’ll blame my less-than-stellar review on the fact that I had never read her blog of the same name.

Fans of her blog will surely love her book, but the rest of us may feel a little lost. Bon Appétempt covers Morris’s growing-up years with a rather wicked stepmother, then delves into her time as a blogger devoted to attempting magazine-style recipes with not-always-magazine-worthy results. Parts of the books are funny and sweet; Morris is best when she’s writing about her husband and their relationship, and a book devoted entirely to that subject might have been better received (by me, anyway).

In Every Way by Nic Brown. I loved Nic Brown’s novel In Every Way, both because of his rich characters and his colorful depictions of North and South Carolina.

The book follows 19-year-old Maria, unexpectedly pregnant with a mother dying of cancer. It’s not exactly a happy beginning, and although the book takes a turn for the better when Maria and her mother move to the sleepy, coastal town of Beaufort, conflict quickly ensues; I wondered if Maria would ever get a happy ending. In Every Way is a well-written page-turner, a quiet book with a heart for redemption.

Unbecoming by Rebecca Scherm. This book might have been my favorite of the month. Unbecoming combines Bonnie and Clyde with The Art Forger; it’s an ambitious debut novel filled with suspense, mystery, and a little bit of romance. Author Rebecca Scherm navigates a variety of worlds: small town Garland, Tennessee; the bustling New York City art scene; and the tiny confines of a Parisian apartment. Every day, Grace quietly repairs antiques and re-sets gems, but in Paris, she calls herself Julie, and she spends her free time anxiously trolling the Internet, checking her hometown newspaper for details of a heist gone bad. You’re going to want to read this one.

Funny Girl by Nick Hornby. I am a Nick Hornby fan; not everyone is, and that’s okay. But if you like Nick Hornby and his quirky British comedies of characters, you’ll enjoy his latest novel, Funny Girl. I actually think it’s one of his smartest books; the novel is less concerned with romance and features a more interesting criticism of television and television writing. If you’re a fan of TV or pop culture, you’ll find Funny Girl to be especially eyeopening. Set in 1960s London – but crossing a period of several years and, ultimately, decades – the book “stars” aspiring comedic actress Sophie Straw (the “funny girl” of the book’s title) and her journey to the top, but it’s the ensemble cast who really make the story something special. This was another favorite for February.

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March 19 Whet Your Palette 6:30-8:30 p, Studio 209, Remington Avenue, Thomasville, GA. Bring your friends, your favorite beverage, and prepare for a memorable night out!

Reservations are a must, as seats are limited. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes before class starts for set-up. $25/per class includes supplies.

February is my favorite of all the months, and it’s not because of Valentine’s Day or President’s Day or the cold, gloomy weather or the hope of spring. It’s because of my birthday, which I happily and obnoxiously celebrate all month long. And since I take my birthday so seriously, I spent the entirety of February reading books I wanted to read, not books I felt obligated to read because of the store. Last month, all of the books I read were easy for me, smack-dab in the middle of my comfort zone. I’m okay with this, though the rest of the year I’ll be attempting to stick to my reading resolutions: diverse authors and more non-fiction titles.

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How to Be a Heroine by Samantha Ellis. Classics readers – particularly female classics readers – will enjoy Samantha Ellis’s thoughtful look back at the heroines who shaped her childhood. She revisits all the ladies I’ve loved (and some I haven’t): Anne Shirley, Jo March, Elizabeth Bennet, Scarlett O’Hara. And although her book is a little bit of a love letter to those characters, it’s always a fine piece of literary criticism. Her feminist worldview offers a much-needed perspective on the women of classic literature; some hold up to the scrutiny; others, not so much. I didn’t always agree with Ellis, but her book made me think, and it was funny and clever, a perfect testament to the heroines she loves.

See you in the shop, Annie