Townie #19

Fine Furnishings for Kitchen & Bath

Fine Furnishings for Kitchen & Bath

222 Fletcher Street • Thomasville, Georgia 229.226.1540

222 Fletcher Street • Thomasville, Georgia 229.226.1540

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Issue No.

NOV 7 - 20

At 89, Lefty Kreh is still one of the busiest people you’ll meet. Between now and the Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival, he will be giving casting clinics in the keys, has a magazine column to write, plus hundreds of emails to answer. He’ll be sneaking in some fishing on the side, too, I imagine. Lefty grew up in Maryland near the Chesapeake Bay and began fishing for sustenance to help feed his family. However, he didn’t learn to fly fish until he came back from World War II in 1947. He was 21. Hooked immediately (pun intended), he proceeded to rack up seventy years of fly fishing experience and expertise, which he'll share with Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival goers. Lefty has multiple television and documentary appearances under his belt, and is a celebrated photographer. He is the author of countless articles, columns and books, including what is now fondly referred to as the saltwater fly fishing Bible, Fly Fishing in Salt Water. When I ask why saltwater fly fishing is his drug of choice, he quickly responds, “Nobody ever had a heart attack catching a trout!”

Lefty loves to fish for Bonefish. “You’re moving all the time, whether wading or in a boat. It’s quiet and serene, but you can enjoy it with someone else, too. If you do something wrong, it’s okay. You use light tackle, you don’t have to fight one for half an hour, and it involves doing something quickly and accurately. I’ve caught over 120 [varieties of] fish on the fly rod, and I’d rather catch a bonefish than any other kind.” His favorite place to fish for Bonefish is in Las Roques, a small group of rocky islands off the coast of northeastern Venezuela. Despite the difficulty in accessing this special fishing hole, Lefty assures me that it’s worth the effort. “It’s a bit hostile down there right now. The government is about as friendly as an alarm clock. But big fish are coming in from deep water and there are very few people there fishing for them.”

As a new fly fisher(wo)man myself, I ask Lefty what his best piece of advice for me would be. “Learn to cast! If you can’t shoot, you can’t hunt.” He clarifies his advice further: “In freshwater fishing you can get away with a poor cast, but in salt water, everything is getting eaten by something bigger, so each fish is ready to disappear at a moment’s notice. You may have five to eight seconds to make an accurate cast before the fish is gone. Learning to cast properly is your most important tool in fly fishing.”

After more fish tales and advice, Lefty really starts to roll.

He tells me about his kryptonite, the Golden Dorado.

Lefty made several trips into the Amazon to fish for the Dorado, but inclement weather and other circumstances got between him and the elusive fish. “It’s the only fish I ever wanted to catch and couldn’t.” Lefty advises me that only three flies are truly necessary when saltwater fly fishing: a well-done poppin’ bug, a well-designed clouser minnow, and a Lefty’s deceiver (his own design, naturally). These three would enable one to fish inshore, offshore, and catch most of the fish one would be after most of the time. The clouser was designed by his good friend Bob Clouser, who lives 45 minutes north of Lefty and is a good fishing buddy. “It’s great for redfish, by the way,” Lefty adds.

And speaking of fishing buddies, Lefty names his son Larry, and Tom Brokaw as his two very best fishing partners. “Tom is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.” They first met when Brokaw interviewed Lefty for his book, The Greatest Generation, and the two formed an immediate bond. A true hero even without his fishing credits, Lefty was in the Battle of the Bulge, fought in the trenches throughout the war and was there for the liberation of several concentration camps. Lefty eventually became godfather to Brokaw’s son.

Bringing up politics and war starts Lefty down another path. He is less than thrilled with politicians in general.

“You can quote me on this! My personal opinion of most but not all politicians is that they're like bananas. When they first get into office, they’re green. Then they’re yellow, then they turn rotten!” This leads into a lively story that involves Fidel Castro and Ernest Hemingway.

About two weeks after the Cuban revolution, Castro hired Joe Brooks, the most famous fly fisherman and outdoor writer of that time, to bring along Lefty to fish all over Cuba and come back to the States to write about it.

The trip included the 14th Annual Hemingway Marlin Tournament. “Hemingway was there,” Lefty says. But Lefty spent the first three days observing Castro himself fishing. “I thought he was a very nice guy. I really liked him. I’ve been there seven or eight times over the years, and everyone there is just so nice.” Lefty spent the next couple of days on Hemingway’s boat, which conjures up images of seaside cocktails and fellow writers trading stories and fish tales. However, Lefty said he was far more interested in Hemingway’s first mate, who Hemingway himself declared the best bill fisherman he knew. Lefty stuck to him like a fly in a fish’s mouth and gleaned all the information he could.

Eventually, Lefty and Ernest (Lefty and Hemingway were on a first name basis) got to discussing hunting, more fishing, and their third common love: writing. Lefty knew Hemingway had “sold a lot of books,” so he asked him: “Ernest, how do you tell good writing?” Hemingway paused for a moment before responding with what Lefty describes as the best answer he has ever heard. “It can’t be edited.”

Lefty not only writes, but he speaks and hosts clinics for fly fisherman all over the world. He will be speaking at the Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival right here in Thomasville and swears by this philosophy: “Never display your knowledge, you only share it.” Ever humble and eager to teach, Lefty shares his knowledge with humor and quick wit. He will be sharing his fish tales and fly casting demonstrations, along with tips for outdoor photography with point-and-shoot cameras, iPhones and iPads with PWAF attendees. However, Lefty did have a couple points of advice for our Townie readers to improve their outdoor photography: 1) when taking of pictures of people, say “Talk to me,” instead of “Cheese.” You’ll get genuine smiles, reactions, and near candid images with true personalities shining through; 2) use an inexpensive polarized filter placed in front of your camera lens (even iPhones!) to eliminate glare and make colors brighter and truer. Both are excellent tips for beginner or avid photographers!

Lefty Kreh will be a part of the "Wildlife Conversations" series at the Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival on November 22nd at the TCA Auditorium. You can get your tickets ($15 for adults, $5 for children) at www.pwaf.org. Don’t miss it!

- Natalie K.

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NOV 7 - 20

Whispers.

CHUMS Darlene Blackman

Darlene is a huge bundle of energy, full of creative ideas, and she’s always busy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her sit still. At the Center for the Arts, she promotes local artists and pushes them to create through several different avenues like the Artist Collective and in FLAUNT, the Ville’s premier public art event.

In case you hadn't heard...Blackberry Patch has made it onto Oprah's list of Favorite Things...

We've got plenty in stock at the Townie Store!

How long have you been in Thomasville? I moved here permanently in 1992. I spent my childhood visiting my grandparents here every weekend, so Thomasville has always felt like home.

Favorite saying: My dad says it, “Three nickels are better than a dime… (that leaves everybody happy).”

Pale Moon is moving downtown for the holidays, and Onward Reserve is coming to Broad Street!

Tell us about your family. I have one son, Cole. He’s a Freshman in college studying Gaming Development at Wiregrass on a full scholarship. Awesome kid! And then there is Snowbell, my cat. She turned 17 on Halloween.

Favorite College football team. Gators, of course. I received my Masters Degree in Architecture from the University of Florida.

What is your townie routine? I love Grassroots, sitting on the porch at 209, and always popping in to see Cadence at Fuzzy Goat.

Favorite downtown establishment? Grassroots. Spencer and Ed are great supporters of so many people.

Psst...wanna write for the Townie? We're on the lookout for Townies with writing chops who love the 'Ville... send a writing sample to editor@ yourtownie.com.

What are you currently working on creatively? Renovating a rental house.

What do you collect? Andy Warhol Interview magazines and I have a hidden stash of mid-century dishes: Fire King, Fiesta, Lu Ray and more.

- Clay B.

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What's New at PWAF WORD ON THE STREET Brightly colored paintings of turkeys, labs, fish, deer and quail deck Broad and Jackson Streets’ lampposts, signaling the start of one of Thomasville’s most cherished events: the 19th Annual Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival, put on by the Thomasville Center for the Arts.

HEADLINER Eldridge Hardie, from Denver, Colorado, is this year’s featured artist. A leader in the sporting arts field, Hardie is an avid bird hunter and fly fisherman himself.

He marries his pursuit with his ability to make sporting moments come to life by painting.

WILDLIFE CONVERSATIONS Fly fishing master Bernard “Lefty” Kreh will speak twice and give casting demonstrations throughout the weekend; he is an angler who loves to teach fishing enthusiasts the art of casting.

James Prosek, an artist, writer, and naturalist famous for his book Trout: An Illustrated History, will also host two lectures.

WOMEN IN WILDLIFE PAINTING WORKSHOP Prestigious wildlife painters Peggy Everett, Amy Poor, and Lyn St. Clair will teach a painting workshop at Studio 209 on Remington Avenue from 10a – 1p on Friday, November 21st. The workshop costs $75, including materials.

MEET THE MASTER COOKING CLASS Sea Island’s Master French Chef Jonathan Jerusalmy will demonstrate how to cook local game and harvest at Sweet Grass Dairy’s Cheese Shop.

Friday, November 21st at 11a. $50.

t h a n k s

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OPENING NIGHT PREVIEW PARTY A celebration of the works of all exhibiting artists. Patrons will enjoy early access to art, dinner, an open bar and lively music while shopping the show at Thomasville Center for the Arts.

Friday, November 21st from 5:30 – 7p. $125. Cocktail attire.

WILDLIFE FLORA CLASS Ed Blissard, landscape and living arrangement designer of Tallahassee’s Purple Martin Outpost will teach how to make arrangements out of the season’s natural elements at Studio 209. Saturday, November 22nd at 10a & 1p. $50.

BIRD DOG BASH An open-air affair with live music by Tobacco Road Band, southern fare by Capers, signature drinks by Bird Dog Bottle Company and a Woodford Reserve Bourbon & Cigar bar by J’s Wine & Spirits. Pebble Hill Plantation. Saturday, November 22nd at 7p. $75.

Casual attire – boots encouraged!

THE FESTIVAL ITSELF Festival doors open Saturday at 10a and Sunday at 11a. The event promises to be a great day for all ages. Highlights include birds of prey flight shows, a snakes alive show with Steve Scruggs and access to all art for purchase. Adult single-day tickets are $15 and $5 for children 5-12; weekend tickets are $20.

For more information or to purchase tickets, head to pwaf. org.

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"Hello, sweetheart!"

An Interview with Lefty Kreh Beginning my interview with Bernard “Lefty” Kreh, despite his fly fishing celebrity status, begins like a conversation with an old friend. Immediately warm and friendly, Lefty jumps right in and tells me about all the redfish he caught on a recent trip to Louisiana: “God was good to us. Some of the most pleasant days I’ve had.”

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If You Charette, They Will Come: Thomasville's Creative District 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 Denise Purvis Kelly Samek Clay Byars Contributing Writers Chaise Bishop Clay Byars Wade Chapman Benjamin Gardner Natalie Kirbo Sarah Manwaring Jennifer Westfield Contributing Artists Laura Floyd Benjamin Gardner David Longstreet Copy Editor Abrie Soileau Graphic Design + Website Maintenance Katie Reeves

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They were gathered at 223 W. Jackson in Cadence Kidwell’s new yarn shop, Fuzzy Goat, and I was late. “Charette” is a lingua franca term in urban zoning popularized by the famous planning and design school Beaux-Arts, and is defined as a meeting of interested parties and stakeholders in a project where they get together, kibbutz, compromise, and maybe draw up some maps. The 'Ville's charrette has already been done: in March 2014 one hunded and twenty citizens showed to hear what was really afoot and to provide their own input; since then a Vision Plan has been completed, and an association of players has begun to move—and I was late—not just to interview them—but in many ways to the whole party.

Sometimes being late is in everyone’s best interest because they'd started without me, so rather than a straight interview, I sat down and listened to their conversation, content to ask questions organically in the quiet moments. Present were Brian Herrmann, Planner II, Thomasville Office of Planning and Zoning; Michele Arwood, Executive Director of Thomasville Center for the Arts; Lee Webb, Executive Director of Thomasville Landmarks; Haile McCollum, Owner and Proprietor of Fontaine Maury: Branding & Design; Ben Young, Owner and Proprietor of Sturdy Brothers, a new FLAUNTgenerated, startup business on West Jackson specializing in wax canvas product; and our aforementioned hostess, Cadence Kidwell.

What my eyes spied was probably not too far from the workings of some beautiful friendships insofar as the City of Thomasville is concerned. The Creative District is a part of the greater Urban Redevelopment Area Plan and revitalization currently ongoing on the south side of Thomasville, i.e. an opportunity zone with tax incentives and rife for proposals, already ripe with free thinking, and in the process of inviting new entrepreneurs. Expectations are that Generation Xers (born 1965-1983) and the Millenials (born 1984-2002) will predominate the vanguard and comprise much of the future vitality of the Creative District. Thus, happening before me and without any reservation, was one of likely many hashing out sessions, which included Baby Boomers like myself, too. And contrary to the old maxim, here, it was refreshing and delightful to watch this sausage being made. Cadence’s knit shop had become a thinktank.

Out back between Fuzzy Goat and Studio 209, which fronts on Remington, lies the Trail Head of the Multi-Purpose Trail that will be inter-connecting Thomasville’s City parks with downtown and numerous neighborhoods. There may be an amphitheater (or stage) there, perhaps concessions—various ideas for venues are moving from eye to eye and between these assembled ears. There is an abundance of available infill property in the “bottom” downhill to the railroad or across toward the library from Jackson, along Stevens. The railroad, Broad, and W. Jackson all provide the Creative District wonderful bones, border motifs and themes. Trinity Church sits central, as if an anchor, and is integral to the neighborhood as was the FLAUNT installation in September to the novation I see going on now. FLAUNT was, I think, the spark of this wake up, get down and get busy. There is that rarity of rarities in urban zones here: buildable lots. Progressive ideas like green roofs, rain-guards, pervious pavement, and actually treating storm water, mixed with shout-outs to a fiscally restrained City Government that has made possible even considering risking one’s venture capital in this area, have mixed to form something that ten years ago would have been unthinkable.

Were I more intelligent, I might have taken my cue from Herrmann, not interrupted at all to interject my own questions, just let the participants brainstorm, and when they needed me, let them invite me into the discussion. Much the quiet, patient, and observing referee, Thomasville’s Planner II holds his cards close and plays them shrewdly. Listening to Michele Arwood, it became evident that she is utterly dedicated to all things Creative District. Equally impressive was the cooperative openness of Landmarks' Webb, who conveyed no inordinate or cost prohibitive concerns in the meeting; the strictures and requirements of preservation are not necessarily costly impediments to business or development where this venture is concerned, it seems.

My impression is that the Creative District will be a lot of work, but the sleeves have been rolled up. I think I was privy to a nucleus of the loose association of players referred to earlier, a nucleus that may soon, or soon enough, grow into a more formal consortium. These are smart people with good intentions, business savvy and shrewdness. I may have been late to that meeting, but I would be among the first to get out of their way, and let the Creative District grow.

- Benjamin G.

Printed by the Bainbridge Post Searchlight Got a tip for the Townie? Shoot us an email: editor@yourtownie.com

You'll 'Lovett' at TOSAC with Love On Mars Playwright Jeff Lovett returns to the TOSAC storefront theater at 117 S. Broad Street doing double-duty as director presenting "Love On Mars." This is the third time Lovett has directed one of his own comedies, and he is clearly comfortable doing so. “This is not Chekov,” Lovett advises. His style, both of writing and directing is more natural and realistic. The good news is you will laugh, and the play, though campy, is not a punchline-to-punchline situation comedy. There is a plot whereby relationships develop, mature, die, and are then resurrected. There is the story of a hypothetical mission to the fourth planet and of dedication and sacrifice. The bad news is that NASA is not really slated for any Mars missions until 2025.

From this quantum of information sprang Lovett's inspiration: NASA frankly advised any and all applicants for the 2025 mission that they should not expect to return, but, as per Lovett, “Amazingly, more than 1,000 people applied for the Mars mission in just the first week… willing to leave their spouses, families and friends and never see them again.” The unromantic among us might presume these applicants were just grasping at a face-saving way to escape their creditors, but when, like Lovett, you have written four novels, and numerous short stories, in addition to plays, your mind skews more creatively and seizes the germ.

TOSAC veteran Tim Green plays Dirk McCoy, an astronaut looking forward to the dream of a guy’s mission to Mars, complete with interplanetary cable TV, and mass-quantities of beer and carbs. The comedy ensues as his and NASA’s plans do not come off, yet in the true spirit of space exploration adaptability, initiative, and humanity prevail, if at times grudgingly, and at other times without any viable alternatives. In Act I we are inside of the rocket in the present, then Scene 2 six months later; Scene 3 they arrive on Mars. This is a two act play, and time is linear. Samantha Daniels, recently of Tosac’s "Picnic," plays Sarah Gardner the replacement for McCoy’s partner who is injured just prior to liftoff. And, the storyteller gravitas of Marshall Singletary resonates to us all as the ever-present albeit disembodied voice of Mission Control.

We may have been reminded—as the bard John Magee penned, that the cost of our daring endeavors “[to slip] the surly bonds of [this] earth” are gravely tolled in lives of pilots and astronauts and their families—when on Halloween Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShip II crashed in the Mojave killing one and seriously injuring another.

Even though we are the dust of this world we gaze curiously, even longingly toward others; even though we cannot “know His ways” we are compelled to understand God. We among all creatures know of our own eventual fate, yet we strive for the betterment, not merely of ourselves, but of our kind here with us now as well as our future kind.

Optimistic even in the face of death we do more than persevere, we thrive, we dream, and we laugh. Come and enjoy that we have been blessed indomitable.

For further information and tickets call the TOSAC box office 229-226-0863 or visit www.tosac.com - Benjamin G.

Beauty Broad

Trill - Urban; Meaning Truly + Real

sweeten up...your skin!

It’s almost that time of year again, folks! The season of the never-ending potluck is upon us. I, if you recall from my anti-Thanksgiving rant last year, am not a fan of Thanksgiving. In fact, I am not a huge fan of the potluck dinner in general.

plate and nothing to stop them from choking on a dry piece of turkey thus requiring the Heimlick Maneuver and a spewing up of dry turkey and everything else they had crammed down their gullet while making their plate.

There’s always at least one person whose food you don’t really want to eat. I am sure, that in most circles, that person (and their food) is me (and mine). For one thing, I have a lot of animals. A lot of animals equals a lot of animal hair. Plus you always run that chance that I haven’t washed my hands after petting, playing with or grooming the aforementioned animals.

If it sounds like that story comes from personal experience, it is because that happened to me. As I watched That Person alternating between shoving food in their mouth and making their plate, I became increasingly nauseated. The pinnacle of my disgust was when someone had to step forward and help That Person cough it all up on the last quarter of the food line. Yes, the portion of the table that held the stuff I brought, the cups, drinks and dessert. I didn’t eat a single bite the rest of that day.

I also have a limited diet, so there’s no chance that you’re getting any sort of a Ritz cracker/Velveeta Cheese casserole from me. You’re getting kale. And maybe bacon. And definitely a vat of water to choke down your kale and bacon, but you’re not getting any broccoli casserole—not the rice kind or the cracker variety. Just keep on moving, nothing to see here.

More often than not in a potluck, you have at least one person who will pick up fried chicken from the nearest chain restaurant on the way to the potluck. Nothing spells loving like a bucket o’ extra crispy fried viddles from the Colonel. Well, except something that you actually took time to make yourself. You know that person that gets the bucket o’ chicken always is the one that gets the tin of dainty rolls from the bread aisle.

Come on! At least slop together some Jiffy cornbread.

There are some people—you know who I am talking about—whose food you don’t want to eat because they’re not great housekeepers or are just generally unkempt. I am not going to get into specifics here, but we’ve all done it. “Hey, who brought the food in the green casserole dish?” Then you get the reply and casually bypass the dish. Been there, done that.

You’re probably thinking that I don’t know how sanitary the food is at a restaurant, but there are laws that govern those environments, health inspectors and at least a tiny plaque hanging in the bathroom to remind you to wash your hands. I’ll take my chances with any restaurant before I will eat something that the person with the green dish brought. Are those bugs or pepper flakes? You may never know.

I think I was mostly okay with a potluck environment until that incident, but now I am completely ruined.

I’m scared of dirty hands, animal hair (although I am sure I eat about 12 pounds of it a year) and someone potentially hacking up on the food. Just imagine all the nearly invisible particles that I didn’t see fly all over the place. Soylent Green!

Generally I have an active imagination, and I know people that are much more adventurous eaters than me. There are no boundaries for many people on what types of meat they will eat, but I have plenty of boundaries. I have a relative that likes to barbeque goat. I know that it is a delicacy to some and tasty to others, but I can’t even imagine choking it down. If it’s not chicken or pork, I am not going to eat it in an unknown environment. I can’t even eat ground meat because someone might try to sneak venison in on me.

That’s right folks, I am un-American: I don’t like to eat deer.

Aside from the occasional square of dark chocolate, we all know that too much sugar is damaging to our bodies.

Not only does sugar excess expand our waistlines (even more so than fat), but it wreaks havoc on our skin.

Sugar attaches to proteins in our bloodstream to create new harmful molecules. The protein in our body most at risk? Collagen. This is what keeps our skin's elasticity in top shape and what is most vulnerable when we consume sugar and high fructose corn syrup on a daily basis. It speeds up the aging process, causing premature wrinkling, sagging and dullness. Not good.

But on a positive note (yes, there is one!), sugar is actually beneficial when applied topically because it is a natural source of glycolic acid. Who knew? Glycolic acid (or Alpha Hydroxy Acid) is the ingredient in many professional peels. Sugar actually helps break down the dead skin cells to encourage new cell turnover to reveal soft and glowing skin!

option. Sugar in the Raw is much too abrasive for the face and better used for the body.

Cleanse and Exfoliate: There are a few options for this step, so have fun experimenting with what feels best to you. Start with a dab of your cleanser or cleansing oil (like coconut oil) in your palm, then add a dime sized amount of sugar right on top. The sugar will dissolve quickly which is just fine, but if you want to add the benefit of a "scrub" use quickly before it melts. Spend a little time cleansing using a circular motion until the sugar has had time to absorb. Rinse and moisturize.

This is great for your lips too!

Moisturize: Sugar is actually very moisturizing! It's a humectant so it draws moisture from the air into the skin. This will be perfect to add to your routine as winter approaches and your skin is exposed to the harsher, cold air. The same method applies, but add the sugar to your moisturizer or nighttime oil and don't rinse.

The following are simple, yet effective at home sugar treatments you can use to add moisture, brightness and suppleness to your skin.

Body Scrub: While in bath on wet skin, you can use the sugar directly on the body without adding it to soap or oil. The result is smooth hands, legs and feet!

Picking the Sugar: Regular old sugar packets work great!

The important thing is that it is fine and not too harsh for the skin. Coconut sugar is very fine and is a perfect

Here's to making your holiday season as sweet as can be!

- Sarah E.

There are just too many factors that play into this whole potluck concept. I don’t know if someone has used flour or cornstarch in their broth, or if they have chopped up Thumper or Bambi. I just can’t handle it.

That’s why if you see me at family gatherings or some other form of potluck, I am generally only eating baked ham and/or some form of greens. I was born to be wild.

Happy [early] Thanksgiving, Townies! Gobble, gobble!

- Denise P.

Artist: Sarah Gelabert Lowe on Facebook @ Sarah Gelabert Lowe Art Poet: Benjamin Gardner

townie crossword ACROSS

The Holiday shopping season is upon us. Soon the twinkle lights will be strung down Broad Street, and shoppers will hit stores in search of the perfect presents, stocking stuffers, and tokens of affection. Thomasville is a magical place all year round, but especially during the holidays. Strolling downtown at night will put even the crabbiest Christmas curmudgeon in a playful mood.

Over the past few years, downtown shopping has expanded to off-Broad locations, especially up and down Jackson Street, to the delight of townies and tourists.

FLAUNT 2014: Pop it Up! did a delightful job of introducing our community to the commercial potential of a revitalized Jackson Street corridor. A few of the popup shops even took up permanent residence downtown.

We are delighted to report that Cobalt 211 will remain open, to act as a blank canvas for unique collaborations to heighten your shopping experience on West Jackson.

Joanne Hardy Thomas has brought together a wonderful group of entrepreneurs.

Joining Joanne’s Neal Yard Remedies consultations, is Sherri Weiske’s The Pale Moon Boutique, Angela Henry’s Bella Maison Interiors, Natalie Braswell Floral Design, and the occasional wellness consultation with Lindsey Pyle’s Elle Holistic Wellness, LLC. Cobalt 211 is where design, well-being, and art will blend and we can't wait to see the outcome.

Cobalt will open its doors on November 14th (Downtown’s First Friday) from 5:00—8:00p. Stop by and enjoy refreshments with the delightful women who will be occupying the space for the season.

- Sarah M.

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NOV 7 - 20

Trill in the Ville

Generally the pot luck environment is a little on the dirty side. For one thing, there’s no sneeze guard, no shame to stop someone from eating as they're making their

Cobalt 211 is Sticking Around

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Answers on our website @ www.YourTownie.com

Page No.

1 Turn in the air 5 Pair 8 Syrian bishop 12 Pa 13 Elegant 15 Belt up 16 Prayer ending 17 Suggested 18 What ears travel on 19 Evil guys (2 wds.)

21 Meal 23 Seeped out 25 Snooze 26 Neally dressed 29 Boundary 31 Body form 35 Copy illegally 37 Soda 39 Gets older 40 Card game 41 Sell everything 44 Picnic pest 45 Phonograph record 47 MGM's Lion 48 Kine

50 Daub 52 Flightless bird 54 Frozen pizza brand 55 Bench 57 One shoulder resident 59 Ready-made structure 62 House cat 65 Pare 66 Powdered chocolate 68 College (abbr.)

70 Berate 71 Hawker's accomplice 72 Chip 73 Gas burner 74 Really cool 75 Smell DOWN

1 Food and drug administration (abbr.)

2 Baby sheep 3 Notion 4 Saturn's 4th farthest satellite 5 Ted ______

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6 Tail movement 7 Terminated 8 Sayings by Christ not found in the Gospels 9 Life histories 10 Anagram of Bart that fits 11 Adorn 13 Canal name 14 Eve's garden 20 Applesauce brand 22 Old-fashioned Dads 24 Graduation certificate 26 Sharp spades 27 Something very small 28 Risen 30 Cow sound 32 Twice 33 She played Laverne 34 Painter Richard 36 Conger 38 Bar 42 Downwind 43 Indian tribe emblem 46 Binary star in Auriga 49 A candle scent found at Relish

51 Arbiter 53 Countless 56 Western Athletic Conferences 58 End 59 Fuel 60 Tack 61 Danish physicist 63 Harmful rain 64 Mexican sandwich 65 Before (prefix) 67 Central Intelligence Agency 69 Danish krone (abbr.)

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Q & A with Atlanta Calligrapher Anne Elser I spoke with Anne on a Thursday afternoon as she was dropping off her son at karate practice. She has her hands full, balancing teaching, artwork, calligraphy jobs, family and friends. She received her BFA in painting from the Cleveland Institute of Art and studied graphic design at the Atlanta Portfolio Center where she discovered her love of calligraphy. Anne finds all kinds of excuses to create letter forms, is a champion of the artform and is always learning new techniques from a worldwide community of calligraphers.

Do you have a favorite font? When I use typography, I use classic, really old typefaces so that they balance the contemporary aspects of the hand lettering that I do. One of the ones that I use often is the Futura family.

How did you get started in calligraphy? In 2000, I took a six week evening course in calligraphy, after focusing on graphic design at the Portfolio School.

Gradually I began incorporating calligraphy into my design work and the classes that I taught.

Explain the process of incorporating painting into calligraphy. I begin with a sketch. I do so much calligraphy it’s hard not to incorporate the letterform with the painting. The expression for both comes from the same place.

Some of your work looks very full of energy, free flowing and chaotic. How do you balance legibility with artistic integrity? Gestural calligraphy is less about the legibility and more about the gesture, the movement and the feeling, like abstract expressionism.

Being able to read the word is less important than having a crisp rendering of emotion. Sometimes legibility is important but not always.

What does the balance between work and truly creative, self-indulgent work look like? Its like a four burner stove. There is more expressive work that keeps me happy, the bread and butter and then the projects that I blog about to help generate interest.

Creative people get interrupted from time to time and even procrastinate. How do you refocus?

Actually I am the exact polar opposite. I get too focused and sucked down a hole. So when I get interrupted, I take it as a sign from the universe to take a break.

Sometimes I have to turn off the phone, close an application and focus.

The Boston Mini Marathon: Down Home Hospitality

I follow closely are Heather Held and Jake Weidmann.

We have a very active community and share our work.

We're all contemporary calligraphers How does calligraphy grow? There are no art schools that teach calligraphy. Through a huge wordwide community, connections are made with the help of Facebook and guilds. We teach and learn from one another.

What types of tools do you use? Pen, a pen holder and nibs, pads used for smearing pastels, water color and gouache, pencils, paint brushes and markers.

Are your parents creative people? My mother is a portrait painter and my dad is great with numbers and funny, but he doesn't draw at all.

Where does your inspiration come from? Music, the work of the calligraphy community and when people are going through something. I made a handkerchief for a friend that was going through cancer, so I wanted to make something for them so that their time in the hospital was less dark; I made them a handkerchief and it made them laugh. It was painted beautifully on this vintage handkerchief. It made the biggest difference.

The lettering is emotional and expresses what's going on around me. Life is very inspiring.

Do you have a favorite color? Yes: red, the red family. Very honest, warm and powerful.

Your work is very detailed. Do you ever get tired?

Yes, I am trying to learn to listen to my body and take a break. Having a dream job means I’m constantly redefining what is fulfilling.

How do you recharge? Time with friends and time alone. Taking a nap; not working but playing.

On December 6th and 7th, Thomasville Center For The Arts is hosting Anne Elser, who will be teach an introduction to Copperplate calligraphy course. The cost for the two-day session is $145 for members and $155 for non-members. She will introduce students to the basics of the letter form and its appropriate uses.

Anne’s work can be found on the web at www.new. anneelser.com.

- Clay B.

Who are your creative influences? Barbara Calzolari, an Italian calligrapher from Bologna, Italy. I think her work is the best in the world. I follow her pretty closely and I bring her to Atlanta to do workshops. Others that

Greater Red Hills Awareness Initiative Program Friends of Lost Creek Forest is sponsoring a Greater Red Hills Awareness Initiative (GRHAI) program on Saturday, November 8th at the forest where they will hold two programs and a picnic starting at 10:00a.

700 acres here in Thomas County, with mature trees that are 400-500 years old. The understory plants in such a woodland are as diverse as those in a tropical rainforest!”

“Lost Creek Forest at the airport is an old growth hardwood slope forest, with a forest canopy of magnificent oaks, hickories, beech, magnolias, spruce pine, and other large trees protecting healthy mid-story trees, shrubs, and groundcover and a host of wildlife.

The largest population of the endangered Florida milkvine in Georgia is at the forest,” says Beth Grant, President of Friends of Lost Creek Forest.

According to the Friends of Lost Creek Forest website, the mission of Friends of Lost Creek Forest, Inc. is to support, promote, and further the protection and resource conservation of the public land known as Lost Creek Forest in Thomas County, Georgia; scientific and historical study of its natural and cultural resources; and public environmental education and stewardship.

The program will involve a history tour with UF-Leon County Extension Agent Will Sheftall or a geocaching course set up by enthusiast Richard Barnes where participants will be provided with a GPS unit at 10:00a.

Both programs will be followed by a forest picnic at 12:30p. The GRHAI will provide ice water, lemonade and desserts, but participants should bring a camp chair, sack lunch or snack.

“In the northern section of the Red Hills, Thomas County is blessed to have notable old growth forests (meaning they have not sustained significant disturbance or cutting, and have developed naturally for hundreds or even thousands of years),” says Grant. “We have two stands of old growth longleaf pine savannas on private lands in our county. Once covering 90 million acres of the Southeast Coastal Plain, there are now only a few thousand acres of old growth remaining. We have over

“I hope the GRHAI will help our citizens realize what a really special part of the world we live in environmentally, historically, and culturally - and that we will develop a sense of belonging and pride of place in our Red Hills,” says Grant.

There are other events being offered in November including a Primitive Skills Event on Sunday, November 16th at 2:00p and Beth’s 2nd Annual Birthday Hike on Thursday, November 20th at 5:00p.

To sign up for events offered through Friends of Lost Creek Forest, sign up at their Eventbrite site, www. lostcreekforest.eventbrite.com. For more information about the Friends of Lost Creek Forest, please visit their website at http://friendsoflostcreekforest.org.

- Denise P.

The fog was barely lifting on a chilly Saturday morning late in October when the first group of runners left the starting line at the annual Boston Mini Marathon. The sun was just popping up over the pecan trees and the air was cool and brisk on my bare arms.

My girlfriend and I got to Boston early to participate with about three hundred runners, various vendors, musicians, artists and hundreds of dedicated festivalgoers and town folks in the fall festivities at the Boston Mini Marathon Festival.

We decided to enter the 5K walk, which started fifteen minutes behind the marathoners. The walk took about 45 minutes. Afterwards we walked in and out of shops, I snapped photos of the racers and stuff around town and then we headed to see Tina and Bill at the Mainstreet Cafe for breakfast eggs, sausage, grits and coffee.

The Boston Mini Marathon has been around for thirty five years. Centered around a half marathon it includes a Barbecue contest, parade, relay race, one mile fun run, 5K walk, music in the park, a trail ride on Sunday and lots of festival food. I love festival food, the smells and treats that you can’t find all the time - Things like made-on-the-spot corn dogs, fried pork skins, funnel cakes, candy apples and mystery meat on a stick.

When the aroma of fest-food hits the olfactory receptors, a signal is sent to the brain alerting the rest of the body that you have arrived at an authentic festival. Much like the smell of a fresh cut conifer in December makes it smell and feel like Christmas or how the salty air relaxes the soul when you get to the beach.

I used to work for Ann and Mike McCrickard at Marketing Communications, in Downtown Boston.

I spoke with Ann on a Thursday night at a Business After Hours that the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce hosted as a kick off to the weekend festival. There were people laughing and talking, and piano playing on the street set a relaxing, happy atmosphere. Businesses were open and people were walking up and down Main street with beverages of all sorts and nibbles in hand. Ann moved to Boston

Loud music starts at about six in the morning: this may upset most people that early, however, Ann says it signals to her that “the town is waking up preparing for the festival. I know that something special is going on and people are happy and in a festive mood.” While speaking to Ann a horse and rider came trotting down the street. People were very relaxed in Boston’s rural farming community, one dependant on agriculture and hunting. The people around town were happy to see visitors eating in the restaurants and buying from the local shops like The Smile Factory, The Accidental Gallery and The Mailman's Daughter.

My girlfriend and I sat down in the park to relax, hear the race winners being announced and listen to jazz music by the Thomas University Jazz Band. I got up in search of fresh fried pork rinds when the race director called my name… Seems I came in second place in my age group in the walk. What a trip. I love the Boston Mini Marathon Festival: it’s small, happy and relaxing.

It reminds me of simpler times.

The Half Marathon is an officially sanctioned race overseen by the Run And See Georgia sanctioning group. Boston is just ten minutes east of Thomasville and about thirty minutes west of Valdosta. Boston really creates a buzz to promote the event. Be sure to visit Boston, stop in at Lutibells or the Mainstreet Cafe to have a bite and make plans to be a part of the Boston Mini Marathon next year, during the last week of October.

I have never been to Mayberry but Boston must be what it’s like.

- Clay B.

If you have curb-side pick-up, the City of Thomasville Solid Waste Department provides waste collection five days a week for approximately 19,000 households.

Thomas County residents may choose to drop off their waste at one of eight collections sites around the county, which is available to over 44,000 residents. All the waste is delivered to the Thomas County landfill located at 88 Landfill Road.

Our landfill deals with approximately 100,000 tons of waste every year. That’s a lot of waste! The current landfill has been a destination for Thomas County’s refuse since 1975. In 1998, this site became a Subtitle D lined landfill.

Our landfill is engineered to minimize runoff and treat leachate (garbage juice) to help protect our groundwater.

By separating out waste, residents can help our community save money. Removing recyclable items from the waste stream reduces the amount of materials that have to be landfilled. By keeping household waste separate from construction and demolitions waste (C&D), the community can also save money. Household waste has to go on the lined landfill to prevent contamination of our groundwater. Because C&D does not rot, it can be buried without the liner, with is much less expensive. Both separating and recycling will help increase the life span of our landfill.

The Thomas County Board of Commissioners along with our Thomas County Public Works plan to staff our local collections sites as time and finances are available.

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It only takes one afternoon stroll through downtown to understand that Thomasville was built with years of southern charm and rich history. Its streets have seen everything from Indians and Spanish conquistadors to railroads and resorts. It has experienced both wartime and peacetime first hand. The city has seen industrial gurus and plantation owners. It was even frequented by our 34th president.

Fast-forward to modern day and Thomasville still portrays the southern essence that it has embodied for decades. You can still experience the small Victorian town and imagine what it would have been like through times past. You can still visit the plantations and admire the beautiful landscapes and opulent homes. Stop and take a picture with the big oak, whose branches have quietly watched visitors come and go for years. We live in an incredible place that we should never take for granted.

Our friends at the Thomas County Historical Society understand the idea of preserving Thomasville’s story. Their mission is to share, collect and preserve the historical data, stories, documents and artifacts related to the individuals, families, schools, churches, businesses and other institutions of Thomas County.

The society is currently operating the museum inside of the 1923 Flowers-Roberts House, which contains

NOV 7 - 20

Staffing these sites helps to reduce the cost to taxpayers by pre-sorting waste for the most efficient disposal. By recycling plastic, metals, paper and cardboard, some of the cost of running these centers can be offset with the sale of these items. With friendly, knowledgeable staff at the centers, citizens will learn how to separate household garbage from brown goods (normal household furniture and appliances), yard trimmings, and C&D. Currently, there are three staffed collections sites: 142 Stewart Road at Hwy 84 W, 320 Legion Rd on Hwy 84 E in Boston, and the newest site at on Sunset Road near the landfill. Making sure your trash is secured before transport greatly reduces the chance of your waste becoming litter on our roadsides. Litter pick up in Thomas County costs taxpayers upwards of $75,000 per year. By definition, litter is solid waste that has been mishandled.

Garbage does not go away and we pay a fee on every time we deliver it to the landfill, as well as paying drivers to drive the trucks and buy fuel. It is a sobering reminder that anything we can do to reduce the amount of waste we generate is a valuable effort.

In November, KTCB will host recycling events throughout our community. Education events will be held at our local libraries. Topics will include how to recycle at home, recycling locations, and how to compost at home. There will also be collection events throughout Thomas County.

Join us in our mission to engage individuals to take more responsibility for our community environment. Recycle where available, keep your household waste separate from other trash, and make sure to properly stow your garbage so it doesn’t become litter on our highways.

How will you Keep Thomas County Beautiful? Visit our website at www.ktcb.org for more details.

In the Garden FALL SIDEOFTHEROADIUMS

exhibits and archives that document Thomas County’s past. Visitors can tour the museum along with the houses on the grounds. The tour is only $5 for adults and $1 for children.

In order to continue to preserve and share our county’s history, the society has created some fabulous fundraising opportunities for us to participate in. One of the most exciting events this year is the 22nd Annual Fall Fundraising Dinner. Peggy and Scott Rich and Andrea and Chip Hancock will host this years festivities in their Edward G. Reed designed 1930’s homes. The homes share adjoining yards ensuring an evening with a historic backyard connection. Guests will get delicious cocktails and a lovely dinner while enjoying the crisp fall air. The night will transport you back in time.

If you would like to take part in this unique experience, please contact the Thomas County Historical Society at 229-226-7664 or by email at history@ rose.net. Interested parties are also encouraged to get involved with the Host Committee and sponsorship opportunities. As Townies, we are responsible for maintaining our history for those who came before us and for our own family and friends who will follow in our footsteps - Footsteps that can be found all throughout Thomas County.

- Chaise B.

Meet the Staffer: Denise Purvis Our Lady of Trill in the ‘Ville has been with us for over a year, and as you may know, writes a great many of our feature pieces. You absolutely have to meet her up at Liam’s and listen to her make the most mundane experience seem absolutely hilarious in the way she tells it. She’s one of our most prolific writers, has a Juris Doctorate, and will make you cry your eyes out over something you never thought could be funny.

How did you land in the ‘Ville? I was married to someone who worked in Thomasville, so we bought a house here. The marriage didn't work out, but I stayed anyway.

It Pays to Separate Once a week you take your trash to the curb or your local collection site and that is probably the last time you think about it because after that it goes away. With exceptional services in our community, we often do not think about what happens to our waste.

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Fall Dinner at the Historical Society

with Mike in the early 1990’s from Nashville to be close to family and prepare for retirement. They both helped with the marketing, promoting and advertising of the event in beginning in 1992.

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What are your favorite Thomasville activities?

I don't have a lot of free time, but when I do I like Happy Hour at Liam's on Thursday evenings, the Letter Writing Club at The Bookshelf and writing for this fine paper.

You’re quite the horror film aficionado—what are some of your favorite films? (1) The Ring, (2) Sinister, (3) The Strangers and (4) The Fly. Tell us about your fur children. I don't think you have the time for me to talk about them in this small of space, but I have four pets. I have a 14-year-old orange tabby named Amasha, a nine-year-old Yorkie named Rigby, a six-year-old Maine Coon mix named Persi and the love of my life, a two-year-old mini Dachshund named Nora. I would say I don't play favorites, but it's painfully obvious that Nora is my favorite.

What’s your educational background? I went to undergrad at UGA for Journalism. I took two years off school and then ended up going to law school in Florida. Besides meeting some of my best friends there, law school wasn't the best decision for me.

Tell us about your nutritional limitations and the things in the ‘Ville that you’re still allowed to eat. Basically I eat meat, veggies and cheese. I have completely cut out grains and gluten from my diet, and I feel much better. I limit the amount of sugar that I eat. So essentially, I can dine anywhere with meat and veggies. I eat a lot of salads, but my favorite lunch in town is the Painted Hills Burger with Pimento Cheese and no bun from Liam's.

How did you come up with the idea for your “Trill in the Ville” column? What inspires you every issue to write what you do? Bunny asked me to write a column for the paper last year, and we went back and forth about a column name. I think Trill in the 'Ville was the last one I pitched, and it just stuck. I wait for something to happen to inspire me. Sometimes that means that I have my column written incredibly early and sometimes it means that I barely meet the deadline.

Tell us about the Georgia Press Association award you won back in March. I got 3rd Place in Best Humor Column for our division, but I won't this year. I plan on dethroning the 1st place winner.

What are your hopes for the future? Hahaha! You can't be serious with that question! I hope I graduate high school... get into a good college and meet the love of my life...

Okay, here’s one: Why do you insist on calling Jennifer Westfield’s cat cockeyed when he’s not cockeyed? ...annnnd here it is. I was wondering how you could bring Mr. Kittles into this conversation. He has two lazy eyes. End of story.

- Jennifer W.

If you want or need flowers in the Fall of the year, you do not have to go to the florist or buy them at the grocery store. Take some time to ride around outside town and to enjoy what is available, in such abundance, on the roadside. It is our favorite time of year.

Another bad guy you will see a lot of is a beauty named Crotalaria. It is a lighter yellow than golden rod and blooms with pods that hold its seeds, causing it to be called rattle pod or rattle box in some quarters. Too bad there are now huge plots of it.

Get in the car with your clippers and for fun, a friend, who can also look while you drive, and head for the country. My silly friends who won't take their cars on a dusty road will miss this adventure, but they might not appreciate it anyway.

Years ago, when I knew even less than I know now, I was saying how pretty Crotalaria is. Mrs. Harriet Hawkins, an excellent student of botany, set me straight. She informed me that it is an invasive plant and toxic to cattle. It can cause liver damage in horses and livestock. Enough said! I would not want to harm our four-footed farm friends.

Our New Hope road between the Boston road and Metcalfe, or Springhill road (it's not paved after it goes into Florida), are just two of dozens - maybe hundreds- of county roads to explore.

There is a map at the Chamber of Commerce, and most of the roads have signs, enabling even a novice explorer to know approximately where he or she is.

Warning: the road names sometimes vary according to their location and depending on who is giving you directions. Just let it add to the adventure! The county crews try to keep the roads in relatively good shape, a big job considering the size of Thomas County and the number of rural roads. I don't recommend any dirt road trip too soon after a major rain - it could be a slippery trip in the mud, right into the ditch!

If it is a pretty day in the fall and you suspect you are lost, it shouldn't matter much - as long as you have plenty of gas in the tank! Just enjoy riding leisurely and looking at the scenery 'til you find some turn that will take you home.

This time of year I don't mind if the county crews leave all of our green road shoulders a little high to permit the tiny asters and other sideoftheroadiums to show their stuff. Along the Springhill road the shoulders have been thick with small white flowers. On the edge of the woods, or on fence rows, are stands of Goldenrod, a perennial favorite that takes the blame for fall allergies.

Goldenrod is NOT the culprit. Ragweed is the bad guy. Try to correct people about this misunderstanding. It should not send anybody into fits of sneezing if you put fall wildflowers in the vases on the church altar; in fact, your field flowers might be God's favorite offering.

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The child ever present in me likes Beauty Berry. Those vivid magenta berries, clotted around the stalk and alternating with leaves changing to chartreuse and gold, represent Mother Nature in all her colorful majesty. Watch for Her having an End of the Year party, with all her wild friends dressed up for their flashy finale!

Also look for purple Prairie Blazingstar waving around over a field. Also called Leatris, it is not as common to me, but I may not be looking in the right places. I do like the name - Blazingstar - very hopeful for a field flower.

And my favorite? It hasn't changed since my childhood. The repeated sets of bright yellow Black-eyed Susan and Coreopsis are what I love to see. Even though they don't last too long in the captivity of a vase, a large and artful spray of Black-eyed Susan bespeaks my favorite season in a wonderful way.

- Nancy M.

Farm to Table spaghetti squash & roasted brussel sprouts

Fall and Spring are my favorite seasons. The nights are cool and crisp and evenings are pleasantly spent on the back porch with a glass of wine and bug free. Large varieties of fall vegetables appear in the bins at markets, roadside stands and co-ops beginning in late August. A few years ago my dad introduced me to Cucurbita Pepo Fastigiata, more commonly know as, spaghetti squash. Cooked, it has a bit of a crunch. This vegetable has manifold uses as a great substitute for gluten-filled pasta, combined with other root vegetables like carrots and onions or all alone and naked. It really works well with many ingredients, but simply sauteed is fresh and easy.

and scrape out the seeds. Smear a little oil in the flesh of the squash and place on a cookie sheet face down. Put in the center rack of the oven and cook for 45 minutes.

Remove and let stand for about ten minutes, then with a fork scrape the flesh into a bowl.

Toss together the cooked squash, spices and Braggs.

Saute about 3 minutes with a pad of butter, serve.

Roasted brussels sprouts Prep time about 10 minutes Cooking time 45 minutes to 1 hour

Prep time about 10 minutes Cooking time 45 minutes

Ingredients 1 lb Brussel sprouts washed and trimmed

Ingredients

Coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil

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Paul was faithful to its welfare, as he is with all his pets, and it thrived. Because it is a fall bloomer, ageratum doesn't show up much in the garden until mid-summer. Paul always gets antsy about its whereabouts! "It's here," I assure him. All over the place, I could add, but we are both glad to have the blue drifts out there in the fall, when the summer bloomers are spent.

Farm to Table

1 large spaghetti squash (serves 2 - 3 people)

Fresh Seafood Hand-Cut Aged Steaks Farm Fresh Vegetables

Complimenting the Goldenrod are drifts of blue (some say purple) Ageratum, one of Paul's favorite flowers. Unlike some wildflowers, Ageratum transplants readily, so he found a large healthy clump in some ditch, took his shovel and brought it home. The trick is to get it replanted immediately and keep it watered until winter comes.

1 tsp Hungarian Smoked Paprika 1 tsp Chili Powder 1 tsp Garlic Powder 1 tsp Braggs Amino (Soy substitute) 1 tsp Dill 1 pad of Butter, salted or unsalted Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the squash in half

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1 tbsp Braggs Aminos 1 tsp Hungarian Smoked Paprika 1 tsp Pepper 1 tsp Minced Garlic 1 tsp Coconut oil Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Toss the brussel sprouts, and other ingredients together and set aside to marinate in the the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes. Place the mixture in a black iron skillet or on a cookie sheet making sure it is spread out evenly. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes or until the outer leaves are slightly brown.

- Clay B.

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NOV 7 - 20 VOLUME 3

NOV 7 - 20 VOLUME 3

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Dance Card.

NOVEMBER 7, 8, 15, 16 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 www.tasteofthomasvillefoodtour.com NOVEMBER 8 Old South Day Celebrate the multi-faceted heritage of our region and Ochlocknee's syrup-making past. That's cane syrup of course! Old fashioned country breakfast, arts and crafts, and much more. Breakfast starts at 6a www.ochlocknee.com NOVEMBER 9 "The Suite Life" Thomas County Schools Fine Arts Auditorium, 200 N. Pinetree Blvd., 4p Rose City Symphonic Band presents a concert honoring our veterans. Free www.facebook.com/rosecitysymphonicband NOVEMBER 15 HOTC Family Volunteer Day Various locations around town, 9a - 12:30p Kids, parents, grandparents, family members and friends are invited to make a difference in our community through community service activities.

Call 226-5200 to find out where you are needed

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HOTC Family Day Hands on Thomas County will be having another Family Volunteer Day on November 15, 2014 from 9:30a 12:30p. Angela Kiminas, Executive Director of HOTC, says that this volunteer event day is not just about family in the traditional sense but can include a person’s work or church families or just a group of friends.

If a person is interested in volunteering but does not have a group to join, they may still participate in the event and will be paired with another group. “Volunteering has a social aspect to it. It’s a great opportunity to go out and meet new people,” says Kiminas.

In order to sign up as a volunteer, interested parties need to register online (http://www.handsonthomascounty. org/event/family-volunteer-day/) and pick which agency they or their group is interested in assisting.

HOTC partners with local non-profits and community agencies to recruit volunteers to promote and fulfill their missions and special projects. Project sites for HOTC Family Volunteer Day include Keep Thomas County Beautiful, Scott Senior Center, Miss Kitty Feline Sanctuary, American Red Cross Mail for Heroes, Second Harvest Food Bank and Second Harvest Manna Drop.

“This is a great way for volunteers to give back to their community,” says Kiminas.

NOVEMBER 15 Thomas County Historical Society Fall Dinner "A Backyard Connection" is this year's theme.

229-226-7664 for info.

Volunteers that did not participate in HOTC Day or have not previously received a t-shirt will get a free HOTC shirt for volunteering. When registering for the event, volunteers will need to indicate that they would like to receive a shirt, and it will be sent to their work site.

NOVEMBER 14,15 Love On Mars TOSAC, 117 South Broad Street, 8p A comedy about two astronauts who are on the first manned mission to Mars. The loneliness of space causes the two to fall in and then out of love as they wait for a rescue mission to return them to Earth. www.tosac.com

HOTC was founded in 2003 in order to help serviceoriented community members connect with local needs and get involved in community matters. HOTC is now in its second decade of service where it connects citizens as volunteers to non-profits, needs and service opportunities in Thomas County.

NOVEMBER 20 Goodwill BBQ Connection Church, 2123 Smith Avenue, 4 - 7p Thomasville Police Department, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office, and Thomas County/Thomasville Narcotics/Vice Division raise money to purchase gifts and clothing for needy children. $7/plate Tickets may be purchased at the Jail Justice Center, 921 Smith Avenue

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Being a bookstore owner has its challenges, but make no mistake: There are perks, too. One such perk is the gift of the advanced reader copy, or the ARC. We receive several of these from publishers each month, and most of them find their way to our free book bin in the shop, a case of so many books, so little time. But every so often, a publisher sends a review copy our way that we absolutely must save for ourselves. Last month, three ARCs made it on top of my nightstand.

Migratory Animals by Mary Helen Specht. I knew I’d have to read this book when I saw the main character’s name was Flannery (Flannery O’Connor, forever and ever, amen), but really, debut novelist Mary Helen Specht wove such a beautiful story, I was hooked from the beginning. Migratory Animals features Flannery, a young scientist returning to her hometown of Austin after years of research in Nigeria; Flannery finds herself torn between the two cultures, between the family of her blood and the family she created for herself in Africa. The book is a story of coming-of-age when you’re a 30-something, of family and friends and how we cope when faced with grief and growing up. I thought this book was well-written and slow turning; I found myself rooting for each character’s development, likeable or not. The book releases in January, and I think it will be perfect reading for a slow winter day. (For fans of The Explanation for Everything by Lauren Grodstein.)

The Bishop’s Wife by Mette Ivie Harrison. Set for release on December 30, The Bishop’s Wife is a suspenseful look at Mormon culture, patriarchy, and secrecy. I picked it out of the ARC pile based on the suspenseful premise: Linda Wallheim, the wife of a Mormon bishop, becomes increasingly troubled by the Mormon church’s secretive structure, especially when one cold winter morning, her neighbor appears on the her doorstep with his 5-year-old daughter, claiming his wife has disappeared. Unfortunately, that premise is more compelling than the book itself; the plot makes for page-turning material, but the writing feels lacking

For more information about HOTC or Family Volunteer Day, please visit www.handsonthomascounty.org or call Angela Kiminas at 229-226-5200. HOTC is located at 312 N. Broad St. - Denise P.

– a sort of Lifetime movie in book form. Check this one out from the library if you’re looking for a mid-winter suspense.

The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant. Here is the ARC I had been waiting for, and it releases in hardback December 9, in plenty of time to snag copies for holiday gift-giving. Diamant is the author of The Red Tent, a book I read years ago and loved, and her new novel, The Boston Girl, is already a favorite of mine for the year. Addie Baum is The Boston Girl, born in 1900 to immigrant parents, and the novel is written in the present, when 85-year-old Addie tells the story of her life to her twenty-two-year-old granddaughter, who has asked her: How did you get to be the woman you are today? The story develops over decades, reminding me a lot of the classic A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I loved this one so much, I immediately mailed it to a friend – the ultimate compliment to any book, I think. Please add this one to your holiday reading list; it’s meant to be read during the winter months with a cup of tea and some time on your hands.

Yes Please by Amy Poehler. I finished September with Lena Dunham’s Not That Kind of Girl, and I finished October with Amy Poehler’s Yes Please. The book is wellwritten and sharp, different, though, from Dunham’s or Mindy Kaling’s or Tina Fey’s books, which I think is worth noting since those titles are often compared to one another (to the detriment of the authors, I think).

Poehler’s book is hefty, both in size and, believe it or not, in substance. Yes Please is coffee table worthy, filled with pictures and paraphernalia from Poehler’s life; she’s also filled the pages with memories and advice.

The stories from her SNL days and her Parks and Recreation family are the most compelling – Seth Meyers and Mike Schur both contribute – but her words of wisdom about life as a working mom (“Remember my motto: ‘Good for her, not for me,’” she writes) made me get out my highlighter in agreement. I know it’s early yet, but I suspect this will be on lots of holiday wish lists this year, and deservedly so. Yes Please is enjoyable, fun, and wise.

See you in the ‘Shop, Annie B.

Quoted in the ‘Ville I decided to do something a little different this month. I asked some of the proprietors of your mostloved local eateries what their favorite dish was at their restaurants. - Denise P. It would have to be my Duck Three Ways. The crispy skin with the confit and the roasted butternut is key! - Matt Hagel, Chef/Owner Chophouse on the Bricks Either the Wesley Special* or the Gingersnap Salmon. -Wesley Brown, General Manager Jonah’s Fish and Grits

NOVEMBER 20 TEF Concert Series Thomasville First Baptist Church, 210 N. Broad St, 7:30p Male vocal ensemble Cantus and actors from Theatre Latte Da perform “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.” $38 general admission / $9 student 229-226-7404

*Note, I did ask the ingredients of the “Wesley Special,” and it sounds delicious. You are going to have to order it and find out!

Right now, it would have to be the scallop dish. I really enjoy the seasonality of this dish. It comes with roasted squash puree, roasted pumpkin seeds and a play on chimichurri which is made with red beets. The different notes of each of the ingredients highlight the complexities of the dish. The roasted squash is rich and has that fall flavor, but the acidity of the crisp chimichurri cuts through the fat of the scallops. It creates total balance in the dish. -Scott Foster, Chef/Co-Owner Liam’s Any of the assertive and runny cheeses. -Rhonda Foster, Co-Owner Liam’s

ERIC MCCOLLUM IS 40! ...and still holding Bulldog Kicking Records!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Right now I am obsessed with the Fall Salad on our menu. I probably eat it at least three times a week. Also, after four years, I still cannot get enough of the pimento cheese. It’s so addicting. -Jessica Little, Co-Owner Sweet Grass Dairy

In Your Best Interest Women of Wildlife Artist Workshop with painters Peggy Everett, Amy Poor, and Lyn St. Clair Friday, November 21 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

FOR TICKETS visit www.pwaf.org

to advertise, contact ads@yourtownie.com.

www.HandsOnThomasCounty.org facebook.com/HandsOnThomasCounty 229.226.5200 OR info@handsonthomascounty.org