thomasville
April 5 - April 18
THEtownie
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VOLUME 2 ISSUE No.6
WHISPERS
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$ "
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Tville’s own country star, Steven Clawson, is heading
YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!
home for a very special event - the Hands and Hearts
• I’m hearing reports of a home brew tasting at the Due South VIP room…
for Horses Hoedown on April 13th! Steven wowed the
the
nation as a finalist on CMT’s Next Superstar, and he
local
• It’s confirmed—a new magazine for the Ville this fall…
buzz
• I hear there will be macarons at Liam’s Auvergne dinner April 16...
will no doubt bring the awesome to this intimate, limited-seating event. Hands and Hearts delivers much needed equine therapy to nearly 100 students
• The best cuban sammie in town is at Hawaii Snow, only occasionally offered...
per
• I hear there are a mess of Texas treasures at Relics...
hippotherapy in transformative ways—increased muscle tone, flexibility, core
• Earthlover may start carrying fair trade teas…
strength and social interaction. Most of the children served by H+H receive
week.
Special
needs
children
benefit
from
scholarships in order to participate. By just having a great nite out with friends, you can make a difference in the lives of many local children! Dinner will be
Come Join Us For A Townie Toast!
served {a Southern menu, of course!}, and there will be a Best Boots contest. So
thursday, april 11th @ mimi’s from 5 to 7 pm
grab your partner, doe-si-doe, and get over the the H+H Hoedown!
Let’s Dress for the Derby!
For more info: www.handsandheartsforhorses.com.
For the scoop on Due South, check out our Due South Edition! Available around town and at the Center for the Arts.
Hats, scarves + jewelry make the perfect trifecta for the Landmarks Kentucky Derby party on May 4th.
Social Media
SCOOP: TASTE OF THOMASVILLE WALKING TOUR I must admit, I was skeptical. I know, I know—not my usual state of mind, but I really did wonder if our budding food culture was big enough for tours. Townies, I am happy to report that it is! Owner Debra Smith contacted me about attending her test-run on a recent Saturday morning. I met the group of 7 others in the courtyard behind the Visitor’s Center, on Jackson. It was a bit chilly that morning, so when we strolled into Jonah’s and were met with steaming hot shrimp and grits, it was heavenly. They’d added lightly sauteed fresh veggies to the bowl, and it came with one of their signature hushpuppies. The portion sizes throughout the tour were good—almost too big, but they certainly never felt skimpy. From there, we went to Grassroots for a freshly brewed cup of coffee and a lesson on roasting from Dustin. He helped us identify tasting notes in the flavor, and showed us green and roasted beans - a few people even tasted one of the green beans! We then walked to WPAX and learned more about the station’s history, and continued over to George + Louie’s. We were treated to Greek salads, fried green tomatoes and deviled crab - love that deviled crab! It sounds like we should be busting at the seams by now, but with the walking, and the portion sizes, we were still comfortable. Afterwards, we walked to Moonspin for a slice of pizza topped with Bradley’s hot sausage and breadsticks. The weather had warmed up a bit and we sat outside, enjoying the day and having a great time chatting. I think one of the best things about tours like this is meeting new people who have similar interests. Debra and her business partner Debbie attended a course in Chicago for starting a professional food tour business. They’re both friendly and animated, and they help the group get to know each other and talk. From there, we walked to the Big Oak and on to the Methodist Church, hearing more about the history of each. This detour gave us some good walking time between stops. Our next venue was Sweet Grass Dairy, where we sampled their most popular cheeses while Mat talked about the tastes and processes. Lastly, we stopped at Lucy + Leo’s for mini cupcakes - Red Velvet! It really was an enjoyable tour, and though I am a bit of a foodie and would normally like more in-depth food talk, this was a fun day in the Ville. I would attend again, especially if I had friends in town. It’s a perfect way to sample a selection of Thomasville restaurants while getting some light history and a little walking in the mix. The tour lasted about three hours and covered a little over a mile. Tickets are $40 and you can find Taste of Thomasville Walking Tours online at http://www.tasteofthomasvillefoodtour.com and on Facebook. If history is more your thing, try Wiregrass Walks at www.wiregrasswalks.blogspot.com. They offer a rich and entertaining history tour for $10 per person. Both companies will have tours available during Rose Show!
FROM THE BOOKSHELF & GALLERY The best in literary and visual arts combine at The Bookshelf and Gallery this Friday night (4/5) from 6:30-8:00 PM. Georgia Author of the Year award winner Raymond Atkins will be signing copies of his new novel Camp Redemption and Thomas University Studio Arts program will open their exhibit, Accretions, in our upstairs Gallery. These great events are both free and open to the public, with books available for purchase. Come enjoy First Friday with us, Thomasville-style! COME AND SIT A SPELL AT 126 SOUTH BROAD STREET.
Townie Chums
Ephraim Rotter You probably know him from the Thomas County Museum of History, where he’s ever ready to help + entertain. Well, maybe he’s only entertaining to me. People of Thomasville, I give you Ephraim Rotter. {Insert applause} Why in the world have you flown this far South? It seemed like the thing to do. Six years has gone quick. Tell us a little known fact about Tville: Is this a family publication? Cuz I’ve heard things from people that know things. Did you know three families had pet chimpanzees in Thomasville during the 1960s? Tell us a little known fact about you: I made an appearance on The Today Show when I was twelve. I can eat an unlimited amount of Chewy Sprees. Sweet or salty? Ooof. How can I decide? I mean, if I had to pick, I guess sweet. Always had a sweet toof. Top hat or derby? I mean, top hat, of course. OF COURSE. Nothing wrong with derbies, I’ll rock a derby if the occasion calls for it. Never a porkpie or a fedora. Maybe a fez, but Ive never had the opportunity. Just a classic top hat, preferably beaver fur and previously owned.
for Artists
Facebook. Twitter. Youtube. Social media can feel really awkward as a marketing tool for a lot of people. Many of us may use social media for our businesses, but we don’t know how to measure its effectiveness. There is a RIGHT way to use these tools, and we have the RIGHT person to teach you how! The Thomasville Center for the Arts brings to you Bruce Floyd, University of Florida’s top social media specialist, on April 13th at 10 am at Studio 209. With over 15 years of experience working with and managing web technology at the top level, Bruce will help you navigate these platforms with ease. Visit http://www.thomasvillearts.org/adult_classes/ professional-artist-series/ for more information on this and other upcoming classes. —Laura F.
Boston Tour of Homes + Quilt Show • April 13th The Boston Tour of Historic Places + Quilt Show is planned for April 13, 11 am – 4 pm. The ten landmark buildings open for this tour include four homes, a loft apartment, two churches, the 1875 Old Town Hall with jail cells, and the Boston Carnegie Library. These landmarks and others validate Boston’s place on the National Register of Historic Places. Docents will be on hand at each stop to answer questions and give brief histories. The quilt display will be located at the Primitive Baptist Church and will feature new + antique quilts. Quilters will be answering questions and describing the fine work that goes into quilt making. Many of these same quilters are responsible for the beautiful quilt block pole banners hanging on Boston’s Main Street. Made from ripstop nylon, the quilt blocks gleam in the sunshine like stained glass. The tour and quilt show is organized and coordinated by Boston’s Historic Preservation Committee in conjunction with Thomasville Landmarks and with the support of generous sponsors. Proceeds will be used to begin stabilization and restoration of the 1875 Town Hall Building. Tickets are $20.00 in advance or $25.00 on the day of the event. Tickets are available at several locations in Thomasville, Boston businesses or by calling: 229-498-8090. All ten sites are historic gems not be missed; downtown restaurants will be open and all the shops will also be open for you to explore. —Ann M.
WE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES!
new larger location! Cast iron is relatively rare as a building material in Downtown Thomasville, but it can be found in several places on Broad Street.The facades of Jerger Jewelry, Relish & Dash, the Billiard Academy all have cast iron columns. The most impressive column is inside Trolly’s, holding up the corner of the old Mitchell House Hotel. {Look for it behind the bricks.} Several places on West Jackson Street do also. How many can you find? Landmarks promotes the architecture of Thomasville and Thomas County. To find out more, visit www.ThomasvilleLandmarks.org.
SAVE THE DATE FOR
April 19 and 20th Presented by Thomasville National Bank
Chubb Associates, Ltd.
Choose a Realtor, Get a Team
SINCE 1981
304 Gordon Avenue
www.chubbrealty.com
friday night
2018 East Pinetree Blvd. Thomasville, Georgia 229-228-6702 www.AshleyFurnitureHomeStore.com
There are many benefits of hospice care. Along with the pain and symptom management provided to the patient, Hospice of Southwest Georgia provides education and emotional support for the caregiver to help them better understand the end of life process. The number one focus of our hospice program is to give the patient and family an opportunity to enjoy the best quality of life in their final days. Hospice is about living not dying.
Grammy Award winning Steep Canyon Rangers with Shannon Whitworth. General admission tickets: $25 advance or $30 at the door. VIP party tickets are $125. saturday Ralph Roddenbery, Mama's Love and Big Bill Morganfield, food trucks and the Maker's Market from 10am to 5:30 PM. Admission is FREE. For more information visit thomasvillearts.org
Call 1-800-290-6567 for more information about Hospice of Southwest Georgia.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ADVERTISING IN THE TOWNIE, CONTACT: yourtownie@gmail.com
thomasville
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ISSUE PAGE
No.6 TWO
April 5 -April 18
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The Thomas County Museum of History and Thomasville Landmarks are pleased to announce their joint publication of a book featuring Thomasville and Thomas County’s architecture and history. The book will contain many full-color exterior and interior photographs of some of the area’s finest and historic buildings with an expected publication in early spring 2014. On Sunday, April 14 at 3:00 pm, there will be a reception at the Thomas County Museum of History to share more information about this exciting project. The book’s photographers, Van Jones Martin and James R. Lockhart will discuss and show some of the photos to be included in the book. In addition, author William R. Mitchell, Jr. {who also wrote the 1980 book Landmarks: The Architecture of Thomasville and Thomas County, Georgia} will talk about the early years of historic preservation in Thomasville and share his memories of Pansy Poe, Marguerite Williams and others involved in saving our historic and architectural treasures. This free event is open to the public, and it is an opportunity to learn details about the book, make advanced purchases of the book, as well as to become an underwriter for the publication. Refreshments will be served. For more information please contact either Thomasville Landmarks {www.thomasvillelandmarks.org} or The Thomas County Museum of History {www.thomascountyhistory.org.} We look forward to seeing you there. —Thomasville Landmarks Book Committee
Birds chirping. Tortoises burrowing. Butterflies swarming. Sometimes the perfect remedy for rediscovering your inner peace is to go hang out with Mother Nature! And after talking with Kathleen Brady from Birdsong Nature Center, I have found the perfect place for my own date. When I asked her what people love most about Birdsong, she told me it was the peace and quiet. And if you do not mind sharing your relaxing time, there are 12 miles of nature trails for family friendly hiking. Another thing Birdsong offers is the ability to witness to butterflies, birds, and other wildlife in a beautiful natural setting. They have an old farmhouse that features a magnificent Bird Window. Over 165 different bird species make Birdsong their home, and the Bird Window allows you to easily enjoy bird watching year-round! But do not forget about the Listening Place: a screened pavillion over Bay Swamp, where currently you can watch a nesting rookery of Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons and Anhingas. Kathleen also talks about their beautiful Butterfly Garden, full of blooms and butterflies from May until October. Give them a call and mark your calendars for April 27th, as their next workshop, hosted by Ph.D. Lora Smith, will be on the gopher tortoise. Birdsong Nature Center can be reached at (229) 377-4408 and they are open Wednesday thru Saturday, from 9 am until 5 pm, Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm. Birdsong also offers guided tours upon request.www.birdsongnaturecenter.org/ —Jon
Q+A with Matt Delarber of Bacchus Wine Bar
STOP STEALIN’ MY PEACE...
TT: Matt, you’re a contractor by trade, why did you and Jennifer decide to start Bacchus? I think we can all agree it’s like stepping into the big city—was that part of the original idea? MD: MD: I developed the business plan for Bacchus 15 years ago when I lived in Jacksonville, Florida and had it in a box since then. It seemed like every other weekend my wife, Jennifer, and her friends were going to Tallahassee for a “Girls Night Out” since there was not much choice in Thomasville. I saw a need and after we purchased and renovated the three properties on Jackson Street, the timing felt right to finally move forward. Jennifer loves to decorate and prefers modern style. She designed and purchased everything for Bacchus. Every weekend we have someone come in for the first time with the same response, “I don't feel like I’m in Thomasville.” And I always get a kick out of hearing women talking about how great their bathroom is. TT: Since opening, you’ve brought all sorts of event to The Ville - what are some of your favorites? MD: Bacchus has been like a blank canvas from a business standpoint and we have been able to try many new things. Our live music on Fridays has been a great success. We have had some great acts come through and are really looking forward to Due South. Partnering with Siam Bistro for Thursday Sushi Nights has gone over extremely well. The dance classes offered by Michael Pozo have also been a lot of fun. As I often tell people, there is no instruction manual for this type of business. You just have to be willing to try new things. TT: As a wine bar, what are some of the ways you try to help people enjoy and learn about wine? Do you see your menu changing at any point, to include more or different wines? MD: Educating people about wine can be a great way to expose them to new choices. We had our first wine tasting last month and will begin having them every 6 weeks or so. I think a lot of people are intimidated when presented with a wine list so they find something they like and stick with it. You should have fun exploring new tastes and don't hesitate to ask for a sample if you are unsure. We are in the process of making changes to our wine selection. I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but be on the lookout for some fun additions in the next month. We also have quite a few customers that come to Bacchus after dinner and enjoy a night cap and a smoke on the back porch so we added a great selection of cigars to the menu recently. TT: Sushi nite really seems to have taken off - I know we Townies are loving it! You’ve got a great hang-out space in the back - do you plan on partnering with any other vendors for seasonal offerings? MD: Yes, Thursdays Sushi Night has been great. The menu is online each week and instructions for pre ordering are easy. Our back porch is a huge hit. The comfortable seating and big screen tvs can’t be found anywhere else. We have big plans for college football next fall with tailgate parties and other events. TT: Lastly - I’ve heard a whisper that you're working with the Center for the Arts on Due South - any details you can spill? MD: We have partnered with The Artist Collective, Thomasville Center for the Arts, for the unveiling of their spring theme “Fresh” in our event space on Saturday, April 20th from 5:30-7:30 pm, during Due South. The work of two Collective artists will be chosen to be on two wine labels for Habersham Winery in North Georgia. Both wines will be available at Bacchus.
TELL THE TOWNIE! Pollen casting a pall over your previously NOT yellow vehicle? Or have the birds left you some Spring graffiti? The Townie asks: “Alright Townies - what are your recs for car washing/detailing? My truck is looking less than sparkly.” Lacey H: That place on Jackson just north of the Presbyterian Church always does a great job for me! Leslie B: Razor Sharp Detailing! They come to your home or business. Colleen D: That is a good place. For full detail like wash & hand wax--Jackson Street Car Detailing. Going towards Tallahassee, it's on the right before the 45mph speed limit sign. Thomasville Townie: Really? Gimme deets, Leslie! Molly Q: Razor Sharp Detailing really is the best in town!
Jana M: William Johnson - you can get his info from the ladies at the Bookshelf. He is so awesome! Ursula P: Razorsharp! $25 for my SUV and they come to you! Thomasville Townie: I think we have a winner! Does Razorsharp have a number, or do you just call them with your mind? Heehee Hollie R: We use Earl Scruggs with Signature Details 229200-4097. He comes to you, brings all supplies and even brought a buffer last time!
Delisa B: Razor sharp. 977 0335. Best deal. Great great job. N they come to u!! Gene Z: Willie Robinson has had his detail shop off Jackson St., on the cul de sac behind the old Thomasville Glass store for 20 years. Wallyann D: Razor sharp does a wonderful job Cassie H: RAZOR SHARP RAZOR SHARP They are the only people that have ever and will ever clean my vehicle! Melissa T: Lee Edwards does a GREAT job!!!
RELISH & DASH Relish the sunshine! Dash here for sunblock! come see us on broad street!
a confident smile What could YOU do with... A Confident Smile?
Today, is your glass half full or is it sadly half empty?
303 W Hansell St, Thomasville, GA 31792 (229) 227-1447 www.aconfidentsmile.com
A people free to choose will always choose peace. —Ronald Reagan
No one who lived here before warned me, I had to learn the hard way. Suddenly, my blissful slumber was shattered by the overly efficient crossing guard at the corner with his perky, chirpy, hideous little silver whistle. “Oh, he has that whistle for safety!” Or… he has it to make me {and my neighbors} miserable every morning at precisely 7:00. The nerve of him...he’s stealin’ my peace! Headed to the airport, making great time. Round the curve and there it is...the lumbering Grand Marquis containing the elderly lady with the death grip on the wheel in the left lane. And she’s keeping pace with the van in the right lane. As much as I admire her “speed limit enforcer” do-gooder attitude, she needs to scoot. Move it! I’ve got two airline connections to make...she’s stealin’ my peace! Wheeling my buggy through the local grocery, with my party food ingredients all stacked up. Got to get home and chill the champagne! I’ve got twenty thirsty girlfriends making a bee-line for my porch in half an hour and I quickly eye each lane for the most expedient check-out. Just as I whip the buggy in on two wheels, I see the cashier eye me with a smirk and chirp, “I’m closed!” Really? Two nano-seconds before, your light was ON like a beacon in the night. My internal back-up bell clicks on and I wheel outta there. She’s stealin’ my peace! Rush hour in Thomasville is really an oxymoron. There is never a rush. Especially if you are wearing the conductor’s hat on the train cruising through Thomasville at a snail’s pace when people are trying to get home from work. Mr. Conductor, why do you wait until this popular drive time to sashay through town on our busiest route? And then slip it in reverse for good measure? You’re stealin’ my peace! Sunday afternoon and I am settling in with a good book. Been waiting all week to kick back for some “me” time, and then it begins...the thump-boom-thump-thump of music blaring from the boarding house down the street. Guess what? I don’t want to hear about “how to get my freak on.” I am about to have a freak OUT and come down there with a shotgun…you’re stealin’ my peace! Is it me? Or is there so much anger, discord and disagreement swirling around me today? Are people just selfish and callous to the impact that they make on others? Hot button topics abound… marriage, morality, race, politics. You just don’t want to watch the “news” anymore. If you do, you will get that sinking feeling...“they’ve stolen my peace.” It is hard enough to make a living, make friends and make dinner without being taken out at the knees with bad news that steals a little of you, bit by bit. Kindness Is A Lot of Things by Edith Eckblad is a book I had as a child. One of the little kind gestures illustrated was: “kindness is leaving an apple on a low branch where a small friend can reach it.” Another was: “kindness is sharing your candy and letting someone else have the biggest piece.” Such easy things to do; things that make a seemingly small impact on others every day. Acts of kindness. So today I propose this—try kindness and spread good news as often as you can. Follow the Golden Rule and place yourself squarely in someone else’s shoes. Are you stealing someone’s peace? How can you make someone else’s day better? Would it hurt you to smile at the person you pass in the grocery? Would you be truly burdened if you allowed that car to merge into traffic in front of you? Hang up the cell phone in the grocery check out line and make a new friend. Spread joy, spread love, spread peace. I like to think that if I spread more peace, others will, too. And one day, no one will be stealing mine. —Leslie
the first day of spring
is one thing,
and the first SPRING day is another.
The difference between them
as a month.
is sometimes as great
—Henry Van Dyke
AFTER THE RAINS...OUT COME THE SKEETERS! CALL US!
CALL US TODAY TO COME OUT AND SPRAY RIGHT AWAY!
226-PEST
FAST, FRIENDLY, AFFORDABLE, PROFESSIONAL
DANCE
card
HAVE AN EVENT YOU WANT LISTED ON OUR DANCE CARD? CONTACT: yourtownie@gmail.com
APRIL 4
APRIL 6
APRIL 13
APRIL 13
APRIL 16
APRIL 25-27
Enlightening Bites Pebble Hill Home Movies; UGA Film Archivists Public Library, 12-1 PM
Poetic Storm Spoken Word, Live Jazz Band, Open Mic The Bookshelf, 7 PM, $10
Bluegrass, The Special Consensus Municipal Auditorium, 7:30 PM, $10
Hands & Hearts For Horses Hoedown featuring Steven Clawson! More info and tickets: www.handsandheartsforhorses.com
Archbold Auxiliary Tea, 200 Myrtle Dr.
92nd Annual Thomasville Rose Show & Festival For a complete schedule of events, visit www.downtownthomasville.com
APRIL 5
Whet Your Palette Paint the gorgeous, lush bouquets of May, Studio 209, 6:30-8:30 PM, $25
APRIL 14
Sundays At Four Concert Thomasville Singers, Center for the Arts, 4 PM, free {donations accepted}
Taste of France “AUVERGNE” April 16, Tuesday, @ 6:30 PM 3-course dinner with beverages. $45 pp ++ Reservations required.
APRIL 16
APRIL 19-20
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Municipal Auditorium, 8 PM $35 or $15/students
Due South Festival www.thomasvillearts.org/events/ due-south/
First Friday in Downtown Tville! 5-9 PM
APRIL 11
APRIL 13
Low Cost Rabies Shot Clinic 1 pet $13; 2 pets $12 each; 3 or more pets $11 each
Fairgrounds, 8 AM -12 PM Also in each Thomas County town
APRIL 5
APRIL 12
APRIL 13
Ray Atkins Book Signing + ACCRETIONS art opening The Bookshelf 6:30-8 PM
Illustration Fridays Live model or still life, BYO paper + pencil GRC, 5:30-7:30 PM, Free *Townie Attending*
An Evening of Poetry and Song featuring Andre’ Hadley Marria 7:00 PM, Center for the Arts, $10 229-221-7230
{Corner of Myrtle & E. Washington St.}
3-6 PM, donations accepted APRIL 16
APRIL 27
Dogwood Musical Festival Moultrie, Georgia featuring The Marshall Tucker Band dogwoodmusicfestival.com MAY 4
Thomasville Landmarks Derby Party at Pebble Hill Plantation
Tville's Parking Problem I regularly hear people complain about the parking. I used to do it myself, until my friend, Haile, enlightened me. “There’s no parking problem,” she said, “we just think there is.” And she’s right! Thomasville spoils us in so many ways—no traffic, no lines, it’s safe for kids to play outside and ride their bikes, safe to walk downtown at nite. And we can usually find a space directly in front of our favorite stores. If we can’t—and I am guilty of this—we huff and puff and go home. I noticed when I was in Athens for football season last year, that I regularly parked up to four blocks away from the downtown stores I wanted to visit. In Atlanta, you may park quite a ways from a museum or restaurant. And, to put it in small town perspective, in Highlands, you’ll park at one end of town and walk to the other, visiting shops along the way. We are so very lucky not to have parking meters to fret over and deter customers. And how wonderful that I can so often park mere feet from a store I wish to call upon. {Or, in the case of one Relish patron, you could park in the front window! No one was hurt.} But when Downtown is hoppin’ and you’re shoppin’, let’s all be glad we've got such a stellar Downtown to visit, rather than throwing a tantrum that “someone’s in my spot!” Our stores are worthy of us walking a block or—gasp! —two. And, as those businesses down in The Points {ForeveRetro, Apollo Records, Kaleidoscope and Gordon Avenue Market} will tell you - there’s puh-lenty of room down there, and they’d love to see you before you walk up to the rest of Broad!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ADVERTISING IN THE TOWNIE, CONTACT: yourtownie@gmail.com