Albany Living Magazine Winter 2019

Win t e r 2020

H o m e t o wn L i v i n g at i t s B e st

FIVE GENERATIONS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT Father and son carry on the legacy of serving and protecting

living

PASSIONATE ABOUT HISTORY

Betty Rehberg keeps vintage Albany alive

Allergy & Asthma Clinics of Georgia

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ALBANY LIVING

Helping people in Southwest Georgia live better & breathe easy.

IN THE PRESENCE

of Greatness

THE SINGFIELD'S LIFE-LONG DREAM TURNED INTO A REALITY WITH THE FLINT

All Your Gifts Under One Tree.

Celebrate

Life With Your

Hometown Bank

Merry Christmas 2101 North Slappey Boulevard Albany, GA www.fsbanks.com | (229) 888-0774

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Dining For Every Occasion

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Albany living

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H o m e t o wn L i v i n g at i t s B e st

CONTENTS /

WINTER ISSUE 2020

Perfect Patchwork

Sewing since his youth, Jimmy Gainey has now found a new passion in quilting.

16

Equipping Women One Piece at a Time Kris Burnfin, owner and founder of Ruby Cactus Boutique (RBC), wants to empower women by giving them outfit choices that are comfortable and make them feel good at good prices.

56

Women Empowering Women Women leading in their craft in a male-dominated field...women covered in sawdust, surrounded by sketches, with a head full of ideas and a heart for Albany and its people.

76

A Call to Healing Jamie Kiep, owner of FHG Landscape Management and Earth + Him CBD Specialties, wants to serve God, his family, and the Albany/Leesburg Community and it shows.

ON T H E C O V E R The Flint >> DAVID PARKS PHOTOGRAPHY 4 WINTER 2020 / ALBANY LIVING

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Albany living H o m e t o wn L i v i n g at i t s B e st

C O NT E NTS

142

122

92

Humble Leader Valiant Overcomer

122

In the Presence of Greatness

178

160

A Heart Volunteering Easterseals Southern Georgia has

Jeanette Henderson always faces

The Singfields took a life-long dream

served thousands of individuals with

life’s situations with a gracious, kind,

and a drive to succeed and turned it

disabilities, they insure everyone has

and giving heart.

into reality with The Flint.

the opportunity to live, learn, work,

142

and play within society.

106

Telling Albany’s Story Online

Five Generations of Law Enforcement

Betty Rehberg has used her passions

Dean Franklin Gore’s family is from

to create an online space for the

a long line of law enforcement that

unique history of Albany.

began with Dean’s great-grandfather and continues with himself and his son.

6 WINTER 2020 / ALBANY LIVING

178

Passing on the Healing to Others After alcohol and addiction led her down a painful path, Faith Woodham has managed to turn her life around and pass on healing to others.

Whether its business, personal or both.... we are Right Here With You.

137 Robert B. Lee Dr | Leesburg, GA | (229) 759-2800 2609 Ledo Rd | Albany, GA | (229) 430-8080 www.colony.bank | Member FDIC

From the Publisher From the Publisher

albany albany P u b l i s h e r With You In Mind Publications P u b l i s h e r With You in mind Publications

All you need is love. But a little in this amazing world ofnow technology advancement, be so easy chocolate andandthen doesn’itt can hurt. to get caught up in the whirlwind around us. We can look around us and Charles M. Schulz buy into the comparison trap of not being enough, not having enough,

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or not doing enough. this headspace can have the power to shift our focus away from what truly matters. At the end of the day, all that really This truly is thearound MOST wonderful theloved. year! I am giddy just thinking matters is those us knowingtime theyofare about hosting our family for Christmas Eve again this year! I have plans to this another summerlive issue packed with full ofgum countless stories of people who add treeiscovered drop garlands just for the sparkle Perhaps love, the greatest of advice i have by dory, choose familypiece and community to ever holdheard closewas andgiven share with this and fun. Already anticipating the upcoming meals together, the roaring fires, courtesty ofcity. the You disney she sang her heartabout out Linda beautiful willmovie find Finding passionNemo and when substance in reading the reading of The NightSeriously, Before Christmas Christmas story of to “Just Keepis Swimming.” she ran intoand obstacle after obstacle center. harris who changing lives of young people atthe thetrue community and birth itshared seemed mission was impossible, keptburley finding to thereuniting the of Jesus!

Also isher the emotional path that yet ledshe maria strengthpets to just keep swimming. family their loved ones. the urick family,Living, JimonI see Cutliff, Yolanda As I beganwith reading through this issue of Albany so much joy as Amadeo, the Cohilas family...the list goes on with these hearts and souls these families have chosen to live life serving others.

TheasSingfield family ithat wasare truly overwhelmed when reading these stories in this issue the making a difference in lives and showing those around them theme was to clear. not quitting giving upand washospitality the message timeat The Flint. The continues serve upand encouragement daily how muchso they care are or loved. and again when so many of these heroic people suffered huge life Gore family is now four generations with a passion to keep our community devastations and made the ChoiCe to not give up. What truly brought me Life isFaith an amazing adventureremind and one can we pass byallsookay quickly. As safe.

Woodham usthat allstories, that to tears was the fact that helps not just one of these butare every single because of they say,experienced the days are long and the years aretoshort. maypain we into all take one that some sort of trauma, chose turn their God’s power and love in our lives. John McCain with Easterseals Southern these lessons heart and gently ourselves that we Are love and give to to others from that place.remind that is what life is all about. so enough, Georgia has had aand passion for others since the age of the 14. energy we hAve enough wehelping feel that peace, we then have many of these pages arewhen filled with our friends and neighbors who turned to turn toaction. ouroffamily andpeople community and pour out love onin those The reality it is that are not looking for the perfection our love into around us that this world is soPeople hungryeverywhere for. decorating or culinary skills. are looking for a safe place relationships matter and is what our hearts are made for. Connection of rest andcontinue peace. A place where wetogether, can give each in other love, As we all this path weacceptance, hope to those around us is to ourwalk purpose. there are always hand rainbowshand, after rain, undivided attention and our trial. time! you know much we LOve one of youtoand treasure growth afterAlbany Winter,how hope after We geteach the opportunity choose what weyourself do with every single day. tototake our friendship.

Please continue show love and to allthis of our Give full permission the time tosupport truly ENJOY beautiful incredible advertisers who so graciously make this magazine available season and savor the moments together! sharing these inspirational through these pages brings me the to you at no charge.

Yourmessages complimentary copies are available at each Pleasejoylisted beand sure and THANK pagetake 192the who make greatest i on am truly honored to sponsors present thislisted issue.on Please business page 184. the timemagazine to go through the names of generous business this possible!

SHOP LOCAL AND BUYowners BIG! on page 192 that give this such a gift at no charge.

We are soand thankful for Wishing youcommunity the best memories made this summer throughout! each one of our readers and each one of these sponsors.

Matthew 1:18-23

We love you Albany and we are so honored to be a part of this incredible

family in the good life city!

View our magazines FREE online at: Merry Christmas with so much love!!

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Equipping Women

One Piece at a Time

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BY E L I Z A B E T H S H E F F I E L D | P H OTO S BY DAV I D PA R K S P H OTO G R A P H Y

O

On the edge of a downtown Albany, Georgia, festival sits

an eight-and-a-half by twenty-eight-foot white cargo trailer, the side door open with steps folded out. Leaned against

Kris Burnfin, owner and founder of Ruby Cactus Boutique (RBC), wants to empower women by Giving them outfit choices that are comfortable and make them feel good at good prices.

it are two pallet-like wooden pieces with Ruby Cactus

Boutique scrawling across and flowers in pots at the bottom.

Though a mobile boutique, owner Kris Burnfin has put much thought into what she wants to communicate to the festival goers who pass by her spot on the sidewalk. She stands on the bottom step greeting those who pass her, welcoming them inside the trailer to look around.

Hometown Living At Its Best

17

“I want to empower women,” says Kris Burnfin, owner and founder of Ruby Cactus Boutique (RBC). “I want to empower women and help local women entrepreneurs. Giving women outfit choices that are comfortable and make them feel good at good prices is empowering because it gives the woman the confidence she needs to push through.”

This is a message Kris learned early on from her grandmother and mother, but also through the experiences that brought the boutique’s unique name into place. Kris’s grandmother and mother are both entrepreneurial women, her grandmother founding and owning Elaine’s Tax Service in Albany for many years and her mother founding 18

albany living magazine

Hometown Living At Its Best

19

She knew that if she felt this way, many other women probably felt this way as

about pop-ups where she could take her

well.

clothes and set up shop to sell. “In that

“I knew from my accounting

time, I went to anywhere I could to sell

background how to sell clothes; I knew

clothes, to anybody who would have

the concept for it for the most part,” she

me,” she says laughing. “I had a UGA

says. With $1200 available on a credit

tent. I had not officially invested in a

card, Kris decided it was time to just “go

branded one or a white one.”

for it. I just dove in.”

With the money she purchased her

20

Kris used her extra time to learn

To Kris, it didn’t matter. What mattered is that she was making

first round of boutique clothing, but as

connections with women, even if they

the items began to come in, she hustled

didn’t buy anything. “I could meet

to get the items sold. Setting up a small

people because even if they didn’t buy

booth in a cousin’s little weight-loss

the clothes, then we were still making a

shop, Kris went in the morning and

connection, and we were still meeting

afternoons after work to sell what

goals to empower women and sell

clothes she could as quick as she could.

clothes at the same time.”

But she knew that wasn’t going to be

At the time, Kris had named her

enough to get where she wanted to be.

budding boutique Two Pearl Buttons

albany living magazine

Kris used her extra time to learn about popups where she could take her clothes and set up shop to sell. “In that time, I went to anywhere I could to sell clothes, to anybody who would have me,” she says laughing. “I had a UGA tent. I had not officially invested in a branded one or a white one.”

and owning an appraisal company in Leesburg.

Watching them push as women owning malepopulated businesses helped her see what she could be by pushing just as hard to follow her dream and help others.

“Seeing them in what they can do and showing how far they can go was encouraging.

My mother was a single mother and went through college twice. My grandmother was the first woman to graduate from Albany Tech with a welding degree. Watching them, I knew I had to strive to be like them,” Kris says of her foundation.

The seed of owning a business planted, Kris trained as an accountant and worked in the profession for 12 years at a familyowned accounting firm. Though this made her happy, it did not completely fulfill what she felt she was supposed to do with her life. She continued to see postings of clothing online that she loved, but she didn’t have the budget between bills and two growing boys.

“I knew to be able to afford those kinds of clothes, I needed to make a lot more money or I needed to start selling clothes,” Kris says.

Hometown Living At Its Best

21

22 albany living magazine

“Seeing them in what they can do and showing how far they can go was encouraging. My mother was a single mother and went through college twice. My grandmother was the first woman to graduate from Albany Tech with a welding degree. Watching them, I knew I had to strive to be like them,” Kris says of her foundation.

because “the number two constantly plays a role in my life,” she says.

Her mother and grandmother as her two most influential people and her two sons, specifically.

However, not long after the October 2016 official founding date, in July of 2017, the Burnfin family suffered an extensive housefire, losing everything, including the brand new inventory sitting on the front porch that had just been delivered, several family pets, and many other items to smoke and fire damage. But as Kris sat on the front porch, wondering what to do next, she looked through the kitchen window.

“The only thing I could still make out in my kitchen was the Ruby Ball Cactuses. My husband’s grandmother, who I am extremely close to, is named Ruby, and my great-grandmother’s name is Ruby,” she explains. “It just clicked. I thought, ‘You poor little thing, how did you live through this fire? How did you get through it?”’ This Ruby Ball Cactus stood the test of fire and smoke when things around it did not. Just like a woman who may feel depressed or overwhelmed but persevered anyway in the way her grandmother and mother had.

“Out of all of this, this little cactus lived,” she says. “How many of us can say that? How many of us can say we got burned really bad and lived through it? I felt in my heart then that I wasn’t going to give up on this dream.”

Kris wasn’t able to immediately replace lost inventory; she couldn’t quickly replace the items in her home, but she knew she would survive, just as the Ruby Cactus had. “I wasn’t going to let the burn break me,” she says.

Hometown Living At Its Best

23

“I want to empower women,” says Kris Burnfin, owner and founder of Ruby Cactus Boutique (RBC). “I want to empower women and help local women entrepreneurs. Giving women outfit choices that are comfortable and make them feel good at good prices is empowering because it gives the woman the confidence she needs to push through.”

With much support from her family, friends, and understanding customers, Kris replaced packages as quickly as possible. But when she was done, she took a small break. “Just during the transition time of rebuilding our home,” she says. But when it was done, she “got back to it just as quickly as possible” with the new name displayed. “It honestly felt like a breath of fresh air,” she says of her return. “It felt like home again.” But now it was time to get down to business.

Breaking her neck going to pop-ups, homes, and festivals, along with whomever else would let her come and sell, Kris realized that moving the inventory from her Tahoe to rack and back not only held the risk of hurting the product, but it was also exhausting. Her solution was to buy a six by twelve cargo trailer.

She painted it, then painted the inside. She put flooring in it to make it nicer. “Then my husband saw me struggling to get racks to stay up in there,” she says. Her husband, Charlie Burnfin, built racks into the trailer, helped put lights in, and “all of a sudden, it was coming together.”

24

albany living magazine

“The only thing I could still make out in my kitchen was the Ruby Ball Cactuses.

My husband’s grandmother, who I am extremely close to, is named Ruby, and my great-grandmother’s name is Ruby,” she explains. “It just clicked. I thought, ‘You poor little thing, how did you live through this fire? How did you get through it?”’ This Ruby Ball Cactus stood the test of fire and smoke, when things around it did not. Just like a woman who may feel depressed or overwhelmed but persevered anyway in the way her grandmother and mother had.

Hometown Living At Its Best

25

Breaking her neck going to pop-ups, homes, and festivals, along with whomever else would let her come and sell, Kris realized that moving the inventory from her Tahoe to rack and back not only held the risk of hurting the product, but it was also exhausting. Her solution was to buy a six by twelve cargo trailer.

With the trailer, Kris was able to go more and spend less time setting up and more time selling. However, within the next three months, she realized that once she had several shoppers in the trailer, it was difficult to comfortably shop. “I realized within a few months that when there were around 15 ladies trying to pack into a six by twelve trailer, and the trailer weighed more than the truck pulling it, that it was time to upgrade.�

Kris went in knowing she needed to go big or go home. She bought an eight-and-a-half by twenty-eight-foot car hauler trailer and remodeled it in much the same way as she had the first. This trailer is the one now parked at festivals, where the author first met Kris face-to-face. This trailer allows Kris to do what she set out to do: sell affordable clothing to women in our local area and surrounding areas and help them choose clothing that is not only a good price, but makes them feel good about themselves.

With the bigger trailer, Kris began not only selling at popups and festivals, but she began doing live cast shows on Facebook, attracting women to sit and sip wine from their homes 26

albany living magazine

Hometown Living At Its Best

27

while watching Kris show the clothing. She did

women who buy from her to know she cares;

more than just hold it up, however. Frequently,

that they are beautiful in their own skins. “I

she put the clothing on to show how the shirt,

have so many women who come in and they

dress, leggings, or pants fit on her own body.

whisper that they’re a 3X,” says Kris. But she

She is open about what size she wears, how

doesn’t want them to be embarrassed for who

it feels, and how it looks. As the Facebook

they are. “I tell them, that’s just what the store

live cast grew in attendance, so did business.

wants you to think.” But she also knows that it

So much so that recently, Kris and her helper,

doesn’t matter the size. “I want women to feel

Randi Barthelemy, held a three and a half hour

good no matter if they are a 3X or a x-small,”

live. Starting it with only an hour in mind,

she says.

women continued to join, watch, participate, and buy until 12:30 am.

Her goal with the live cast is not just to sell

28

As Randi says of Kris, “Someone with Kris’s passion and drive is amazing to empower women. It’s amazing to see that she put

the clothing, but to connect with the women

someone in a 3X item, and they feel just as

she is selling to on a closer level. She wants the

beautiful as someone in a size 6. They love her

albany living magazine

and appreciate her for showing them that they are beautiful in every size.”

“Women get so caught up in thinking they are this size or that size. It’s not about the size. It’s about what is in their hearts and their attitude and how they wear it.

The clothes just help them feel confident, which helps them succeed in what they want to do,” she says.

Kris is now working to expand that message through her business. In October, just three short years after the official founding, two years since the fire, Ruby Cactus Boutique has bloomed once again, opening doors to its first brick and mortar location. Though Kris sees this as a separate entity and a branch of her business, she also hopes that the traditional store front will help women come in and try on the clothes, gaining confidence in what they wear and knowing that it is affordable for our area.

In the corner of the store, however, she has left a space blank. This space is to help women just starting business of their own in the community, just as her cousin let Kris do. “Maybe they aren’t ready for a store front or a cargo trailer,” she says.

“But they might be ready for a little bitty space inside our storefront with us. As women business owners, we can show the world what we can do and help others while we do it.” ALM

Hometown Living At Its Best

29

building relationships through healthcare

After surviving leukemia Dr. Charles Kemp thrives treating his patients conditions, listening to them, and letting them know someone cares

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albany living magazine

C

Camilla native Dr. Charles Kemp joined Albany Internal Medicine (AIM) in 2013. His father was a large-animal veterinarian, and Dr. Kemp says he has always known his most likely career path was medicine. He preferred humans to horses, however, and enrolled in Mercer University School of Medicine after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Wake Forest University. His undergraduate minor was biochemistry and religion.

Between earning his medical degree and beginning his residency in internal medicine, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Dr. Kemp was diagnosed with leukemia. “I came home that summer to dog-sit for my mom, and decided to get a check-up,” Dr. Kemp reveals. “The leukemia showed up in my bloodwork, and it was a ‘can’t wait’ situation; I took a year off before my residency and was treated here (in Albany).”

Dr. Kemp says he knew several physicians at AIM, and visited with them occasionally when he was in town. “I was on this group’s radar while I was in my residency,” he says. He signed a job contract three months before finishing at Wake Forest.

“Interacting with people,” Dr. Kemp says is the best part of his job. “I like treating their conditions, listening to them, and letting them know someone cares.” And the worst part of his job?

“Interacting with people,” he laughs. It’s the flip side of the coin. “And dealing with obstacles such as insurance and third-party payers.” He likes working in a smaller community, such as Albany, because he will see patients over the course of their lifetime. “I’m already seeing the children of my patients,” he says.

Dr. Kemp has a twin sister, Leeann, who lives in Albany with her husband and children.

His mother also lives in Albany (his father is deceased), and he counts spending time with his family as one of his favorite pastimes. He also enjoys reading and working out at the gym. He is an active member of First Baptist Church of Albany.

Dr. Kemp is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a member of American College of Physicians (ACP), American Medical Association (AMA), Georgia Rural Health Association (GRHA), and Medical Association of Georgia (MAG).

ALBANY INTERNAL MEDICINE (AIM) 2402 Osler Court, Albany (229) 438-3300 | www.albanyim.com Hometown Living At Its Best

31

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BY K AT E D E LOAC H P H OTO S BY DAV I D PA R K S P H OTO G R A P H Y

genre. He left ballet in the wings and took ballroom dancing at the Fred Astaire Studio in Albany. Ultimately, he would teach there.

At four-and-a-half years old, Jimmy requested, and his parents bought him, a sewing machine. At 10, he began

Perfect

sketching designs for gowns, and by 13 he was sewing them. He made his mother

Pat c h w o r k

J

Jimmy Gainey has been sewing since a young age, deciding to give quilting a try he has found a new passion.

Jimmy Gainey grew up in Jacksonville,

Florida, until the age of 14 or 15. That’s when his parents sent him to Albany, Georgia, to study dancing with his mother’s cousin, who had danced with the New York City Ballet. However, things didn’t go as planned when Jimmy met a ballroom dancer. Having designed and sewn ball gowns as a young teen, Jimmy felt an immediate affinity for that dance

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gorgeous gowns – a military wife who had many occasions to wear one – and he made friends’ prom gowns. He even made doll clothes. “My niece’s Barbies had a massive clothes collection,” Jimmy says.

His father, Harry Gainey, was stationed at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany when he met Jimmy’s mother, Mildred Powell, an Albany native. They married and ended up living and raising a family of five in Jacksonville; Jimmy is their youngest child.

In 1985, Jimmy graduated from Albany

Hometown Living At Its Best

39

Tech’s Cosmetology program. He says he tended toward the make-up end of the field, and worked at the Estée Lauder counter in Belk in the Albany Mall. He was the first man in the southern region to hold the position of Counter Manager, and he was awarded top sales accolades every one of the six years he was there. He left Belk to manage Illusions Salon, also in Albany.

While at the salon, Jimmy kept up with sewing machines and techniques, and made clothes for a friend, Margaret (Farr) Taylor.

About 13 or 14 years ago, another friend suggested he try his hand at quilting, “Be a man and quilt!” He jokes, “I’ve got a conservative news flash for you…in history, it was always the men who sewed.” Jimmy decided to give quilting a try. Today, he has a cabinet full of hundreds of show ribbons attesting to his talent with textiles.

These are not your grandmother’s quilts, either. They are machine-sewn using high-tech equipment and software programs. Some of Jimmy’s machines cost in the five-digit range and he estimates

In 1985, Jimmy graduated from Albany Tech’s Cosmetology program. He says he tended toward the make-up end of the field, and worked at the Estée Lauder counter in Belk in the Albany Mall. He was the first man in the southern region to hold the position of Counter Manager, and he was awarded top sales accolades every one of the six years he was there. He left Belk to manage Illusions Salon, also in Albany.

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41

that he has between $30k and $40k in software

adds a back and batting and quilts all the

programs. His favorite machines are Bernina,

layers together on his machine. It is then put

Brother and Husqvarna. He typically scans a

in his Jacuzzi tub and he lets it agitate in water

design he has either sketched himself or bought

for up to 10 hours, which washes off any ink

from a designer; it goes to a lightbox where it is

from the design layout process. “Fabric draws

transferred to a digitizing program; then using

up as you work it in different directions,�

various rulers and rotary cutters and die cutting

Jimmy explains. He stretches and blocks

machine, the fabric is cut; from there he may use

the quilt to the designated dimensions. He

a hand-driven machine, a fully automated process

then allows it to air dry and adds binding to

or hand-stitch the pieces. There are numerous

complete the edge. He occasionally quilts tops

embellishment techniques, including needle turn

that other people have sewn and bring to him.

applique, embroidery, adhering beads or jewels,

Jimmy buys quality fabric, usually heavy

just to name a few. Once the top is made, Jimmy

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cotton, from a quilt shop. As a man in a

woman-dominated field, Jimmy says he is constantly amused (or annoyed) at sales clerks in the shops. “They come up to me and ask, ‘Do you quilt?’ I want to answer, ‘No I’m looking for spark plugs.’ Or ‘No, I’m looking to pick up a cougar [a woman who dates younger men].’ Or they ask, ‘Are you waiting for your wife?’” Jimmy is part of a Men Who Quilt group, and he says they share similar stories of being stereotyped.

At the Ashville Quilt Show in 2018, Jimmy took first place in two categories: Mixed Technique with “Down the Rabbit Hole,” and Embellished with “Diamond Compass,” which is embellished with Swarovski crystals. It may take more than a year to complete a quilt at this level (although Jimmy says he is faster than most sewers); and they may sell for between $10k and $100k. When a quilt wins a ribbon, it becomes worth more, Jimmy says. There are usually three or four judges who “blind judge,” meaning they do not see the name of the quilter. “This benefits the quilter

Hometown Living At Its Best 43

in a couple of ways,” Jimmy explains.

“The judges don’t know the gender of the quilter, or if he or she has won in other categories.” Most quilters stick to one genre; whereas, Jimmy works in many genres, as the above ribbons attest to this.

Judges look for what a bystander would consider minutiae: Does the stitching pattern fit with the overall design? Is the binding the same on the front and back?

Are there any tails or knots showing on the thread? And so on. Jimmy says he doesn’t enter many shows these days. “They are too political,” he says, “although AQS [American Quilter’s Society] is better than most.” He adds, “Artists are taking over the quilting world. I love it!” Artist quilts are one of the many categories and include very creative, original designs that often look like paintings.

Jimmy got married in 2013 to Sam Lee, an auditor at Crowe’s Management Company. The couple lives in Leesburg with a close friend, two schnauzers, two

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At four-and-a-half years old, Jimmy requested, and his parents bought him, a sewing machine.

At 10, he began sketching designs for gowns, and by 13 he was sewing them.

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whippets, a cat and an aviary of macaws, cockatoos and an African gray. The garage has been converted into Jimmy’s workshop – where Sam does a bit of quilting, too.

“I would like to encourage our youth to become involved in sewing and/or quilting,” says Jimmy. “The machines that are used today are computer-based smart machines.

They operate very similar to a tablet or a smart phone. Some of them come equipped with wifi, scanning, projection capabilities and apps for the phone that monitor the progress.”

Jimmy says that maybe one day he will try his hand at teaching and sharing the knowledge he has acquired over the years. Let’s hope so! His business is Twisted Stitches, LLC. You may find him on Facebook or email him at jeg030963@yahoo. com. ALM

“I would like to encourage our youth to become involved in sewing and/or quilting,” says Jimmy. “The machines that are used today are computer-based smart machines. They operate very similar to a tablet or a smart phone. Some of them come equipped with wifi, scanning, projection capabilities and apps for the phone that monitor the progress.”

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women

BY RACHEL PRICE | PHOTOS BY DAVID PARKS PHOTOGRAPHY

women

empowering

I

women leading in their craft in a male-dominated field...women covered in sawdust, surrounded by sketches, with a head full of ideas and a heart for Albany and its people.

In 2014, after working separately for years, Kristin Smith and

Jennifer Gordon founded PD & Product. They started out sharing a small working space in a Methodist church in Sasser, Georgia, with no room to even build a queen-sized bed, but they made it work.

Blowing through the back wall and working on commissions of 10foot doors, Jennifer and Kristin learned how to work together and formed a partnership neither expected.

Originally from Indiana, Kristin moved to South Georgia at the

age of 14. She graduated from UGA and has a background in sales and finance. Jennifer relocated to Georgia from California through the Marine Corps. Both attribute their love for woodworking to their fathers. Men who taught them if they wanted something bad enough, they could achieve it. Men that showed them they can succeed in a “man’s world.”

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“There is a lot of talent and character here in Albany. Many people will say it is undiscovered ‘because of crime,’ but I live on a main thoroughfare and have worked obscene hours downtown, 2:30-4:00 am, and I’ve never once been afraid.”

PD & Product is a success because Jennifer and Kristin are two like-minded women not afraid to split responsibility or back away when needed, all while sharing a common goal. Neither had an interest in working with anyone else, male or female, due to the different dynamics that can be created in a work environment. However, they ended up clicking and working well together. They never tear one another down; they encourage one another while utilizing each unique talent and knowledge where the other one lacks.

Both Kristin and Jennifer attribute their success to their clients. “Kristin serves a group of people I would never have met as a Californian,” Jennifer said. “She can attract them and convince them to like me,” she joked. “She helps me open doors I couldn’t open on my own. Plus, she was the first female I came across here who was not afraid to get dirty.” Within a matter of moments after deciding to share a space, both were digging through wood dumpsters together and it has been serendipitous ever since.

In 2018, PD & Product was commissioned by Bandit and the Babe to remodel the front and back counter and a couple of doors. In the end, Kristin and Jennifer remodeled the entire store. From check-out counters to racks, jewelry displays, flower boxes, signage, display tables, and much more, PD & Product put their stamp on virtually every inch of the space within nine weeks.

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In 2019, The Flint Restaurant asked Jennifer if PD & Product would be willing to build four tables for their space. Those four tables turned into interior walls, a barn door, an exterior and interior sign, a wine cabinet, and more.

The ladies work so hard for their clients, not only because it is their passion, but they love Albany. Jennifer told me, “There is a lot of talent and character here in Albany. Many people will say it is undiscovered ‘because of crime,’ but I live on a main thoroughfare and have worked obscene hours downtown, 2:30-4:00 am, and I’ve never once been afraid.”

They consider their talent to be both a curse and a blessing. They see a vision, sketch it, touch it, feel it, and it comes to life. This makes it difficult to hire extra hands to assist because it is such a unique creative process that they collectively understand. “We want to be a small team, do all designs, and do what we can ourselves,” Jennifer shared. “Our clients want one person to answer the phone.

They don’t want to leave a voicemail and they want to text us

Both Kristin and Jennifer attribute their success to their clients. “Kristin serves a group of people I would never have met as a Californian,” Jennifer said.

“She can attract them and convince them to like me,” she joked. “She helps me open doors I couldn’t open on my own. Plus, she was the first female I came across here who was not afraid to get dirty.”

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because they had a great idea. I want them to understand we want that, too.”

Kristin and Jennifer’s talent empowers them to empower others, especially women. If they receive a request for refinished cabinets, they will ask the customer to come in and then teach them how they can refinish it themselves.

They also offer woodworking classes. Women who have never touched a tool before will come in and amaze themselves. They will leave feeling that they’ve had an

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experience. The class becomes more than walking away with a finished product, it becomes walking away with knowledge.

“It is so foreign for me when women think they can’t do something, whatever it is in their past or in their make-up to think ‘I couldn’t do that,’” Kristen shared. “I wonder why on earth would you think you can’t do that? If you don’t want to, now that is a different story, but if you want to, you can, and I will help you. If a man wants to do something, he just does it. For women, if you want something bad enough and you think

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it through, then it is absolutely achievable!” she passionately told me. “And this applies to everything, be it using a saw or getting a PHD.” Woodworking seemed to be an off-limits place to women for years, for whatever reason that is, but Kristin shared, “There is nothing we have come across that I would send to a man to do versus us.”

The women are inspired by their differences in society and as business partners. They never want to replicate something someone else builds. They aspire to inspire their clients to commission pieces they never knew they wanted…to be individual and unique.

“As a society, so many of the things we surround ourselves with are compromises. Often we are forced to settle for what someone else invented to suit the needs they thought we had. I love helping clients bring to life the exact piece they envision,” Kristin states on their PD & Product website.

While still a mainly male-dominated field, the number of women in woodworking is steadily

PD & Product is a success because Jennifer and Kristin are two like-minded women not afraid to split responsibility or back away when needed, all while sharing a common goal. Neither had an interest in working with anyone else, male or female, due to the different dynamics that can be created in a work environment.

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increasing. It’s people like Kristin Smith and Jennifer Gordon that pioneer the way and are breaking down barriers for other women. They formed a relationship, personally and professionally, neither expected nor looked for. Together they took a love for woodworking and created a business that is successful and rapidly growing. Both are excited to see what the future has in store, both are grateful for their client’s trust, and both love this community and its support…but the one thing they won’t need from anyone is help in the hardware store. ALM

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When these diseases are already present in their early stages, new screening tools are making it possible to detect their presence while they are most readily cured or easily controlled.

Since MAA is owned and managed by our physicians, you can be confident that your health and well-being is our number one priority. Our physicians were trained in some of the best medical schools and residency

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We do our best to provide a one-stop medical facility. To minimize the need for you to travel to other sites for treatment and diagnostic evaluations, we provide laboratory testing, x-rays and ultrasound, and cardiac and pulmonary stress testing on our premises. This convenience enhances the value of these procedures by streamlining the process of evaluating results and initiating appropriate action.

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Jamie Kiep, owner of FHG Landscape Management and Earth + Him CBD Specialties, wants to serve God, his family, and the Albany/Leesburg Community and it shows.

healing a call to

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J

BY RACHEL PRICE P H OTO S BY DAV I D PA R K S P H OTO G R A P H Y

Jamie Kiep, owner of FHG Landscape Management and Earth + Him CBD Specialties, wants to serve God, his family, and the Albany/Leesburg Community and it shows. A native of Florida, Jamie moved to Georgia to play soccer in college. During and after his college days, he worked at Publix Supermarket in Albany, where he met his wife, Bethany, and her beautiful daughter, Maddie.

Jamie told me.

Jamie and Bethany married and had a son, Mason. Mason was diagnosed with Autism and Williams Syndrome. At the age of three months and nine months, he underwent open heart surgeries. Due to the surgeries, Jamie felt he needed to leave Publix

“Bethany was a customer at Publix; Maddie is our 11-year-old child. Maddie was three when I met them, and she used to always get out of the shopping cart. She would run up to me and say she wanted a hug and then say, ‘I runned off now,’ and she would take off running around the store.

One day I used this opportunity as a gateway for a pickup line for Bethany. So, I said, ‘If you get back in the cart, I’ll take you to Chuck-E-Cheese.

Therefore, I would have to take Bethany, too,”

and start up a business that allowed him to set his own schedule. “I started my landscaping company, which was a leap of faith in its own, and we were rewarded,” he said.

Mason, now five, continued with a handful of surgeries. He was on a feeding tube for a while and on blood pressure medication. Jamie saw a picture of a small shop, a CBD shop that his cousins opened in Florida. Curious about CBD, he talked to his cousins and begin to research testimonies and trials. “The research was

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amazing…very promising,” he said.

Immediately, Jamie and Bethany began to

lower spine. He knew that in order to sell

pray about opening a CBD store in Albany as

these products successfully, he needed to

a second business. They began a demographic

ensure they worked. As soon as he received

study and spoke with people who took it weekly.

his shipment, he began using a CBD pain

People they spoke with complained there wasn’t

relief cream. He was accustomed to taking

a local store selling full-spectrum CBD. Full-

daily OTC pain killers, which Bethany would

spectrum is important when consuming CBD

complain was “bad for his stomach.” After a

as it gives you all the benefits and nothing is

short period with the cream, Jamie was able

removed. They also had to order online and

to stop consuming pain killers. Now he solely

wait up to a week for delivery, which was an

relies on the pain relief cream and he hasn’t

inconvenience.

suffered from back pain in five months.

“We really felt like the community needed

78

with back pain from two fractures in his

Seeing the benefits within himself and from

this,” Jamie told me. He and his wife made the

new customers that would come in and share

decision to open Earth + Him CBD Specialties

their testimony, he decided to administer a

after prayerful consideration. Jamie suffered

CBD tincture to Mason. He didn’t mention

albany living magazine

“CBD has a misconception. The reason behind this is because it is not federally regulated. Anybody can make it, sell it, and buy it,” Jamie explained.

“You can ship it across the country, you can sell it out of your house. 85% aren’t showing lab results and not showing where the product is coming from.

It is labeled improperly and consumers are buying cheap stuff that says hemp seed oil, which isn’t the same. You may be getting omega 3’s, but you are not getting CBD, turpines, THC, etc., and all that matters in a CBD product.”

this to Bethany because he wanted to see if she noticed any change. “I slowly started to give CBD to him without her knowing. A couple of weeks later, we were eating dinner and he rattled off 10 to 15 words of a nursery rhyme that he watches on TV all the time. We were like holy smokes!!

Bethany mentioned we haven’t done anything different. I told her I’d been giving him the CBD oil,” he said. Not upset at all, Bethany started to try it herself for pain and their younger daughter for headaches. “Since we began using the oil for Mason, his speech and appetite have improved a ton!” Jamie continues. “He will come up and tell us he is hungry, he communicates more, and he no longer needs his blood pressure medication. We have done nothing different, other than integrate more and more CBD oil to his daily regimen.”

The store has reaped a lot of fruit, not just in sales, but in success for the community. “People are relying on us now,” Jamie said. “They are switching their medication out with CBD.” “CBD has a misconception. The reason behind this is because it is not federally regulated.

Anybody can make it, sell it, and buy it,” Jamie explained. “You can ship it across the country, you

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“We really felt like the community needed this,” Jamie told me. He and his wife made the decision to open Earth + Him CBD Specialties after prayerful consideration.

Jamie suffered with back pain from two fractures in his lower spine. He knew that in order to sell these products successfully, he needed to ensure they worked. As soon as he received his shipment, he began using a CBD pain relief cream. He was accustomed to taking daily OTC pain killers, which Bethany would complain was “bad for his stomach.” After a short period with the cream, Jamie was able to stop consuming pain killers. Now he solely relies on the pain relief cream and he hasn’t suffered from back pain in five months.

can sell it out of your house. 85% aren’t showing lab results and not showing where the product is coming from. It is labeled improperly and consumers are buying cheap stuff that says hemp seed oil, which isn’t the same. You may be getting omega 3’s, but you are not getting CBD, turpines, THC, etc., and all that matters in a CBD product.”

This is important to Jamie as he wants the community to know they can trust where their product comes from when they purchase from the shop. Each product can be traced back to view a third-party lab test result.

“People that come in have amazing results. Not one person is saying it doesn’t work. My favorite testimonial is of a woman in her 80’s. Her caretaker brought her in. She was in a wheelchair and her hands were closed and in balls due to arthritis. I sold her the most powerful 300mg CBD muscle and joint pain cream. Weeks later they came back in because she wanted to show me that she could open and close her hands now. She told me, ‘I’ve done nothing different than this!’”

Earth + Him ships to over 30 states and have a delivery service in the Albany/Leesburg area for people that can’t get out. His employee, Victoria

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albany living magazine

Craft, whom Jamie credits as “running this place,” is also passionate about the products, as it has helped both her and her beloved dog with anxiety and pain.

I ask Jamie how he manages owning two businesses and a family. “I take it one day at a time.

I constantly tell myself to put one foot in front of the other, put customer service at the forefront, and everything else will fall into place.”

Jamie is passionate about customer service and serving in all areas of his life. First, he views his landscaping business as more than “just cutting grass.” “It is about serving your customers. Cutting

“My favorite testimonial is of a woman in her 80’s. Her caretaker brought her in.

She was in a wheelchair and her hands were closed and in balls due to arthritis.

I sold her the most powerful 300mg CBD muscle and joint pain cream. Weeks later they came back in because she wanted to show me that she could open and close her hands now. She told me, ‘I’ve done nothing different than this!’”

grass is just a part of that service. It is more about the little things, like taking someone’s garbage can back to the house or doing something a little extra.

It goes farther with people,” he said.

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Also, Jamie sees the CBD store as more than just a sell. “If we were to go out of business and lose all the money we put into it, this would be worth it because of the service we provided. We are already doing well with the landscaping business, so to us this is just a service to the community and it has already been worth it,” he explained.

Moreover, he does it all for his family and shows his appreciation for their role in his life.

“Bethany is a superstar. She has the toughest job of anyone I know. She takes care of our four kids, Maddie, Mason, Mia, and Morgan. I couldn’t do any of this without her.”

Last but not least, he wants to serve God. If you even question that, just take a look at the names of his businesses…FHG Landscape Management, For His Glory; Earth + Him CBD Specialties, Him, being God the Creator of the source for CBD. Things are looking up for Jamie and his family. Mason is improving and business is thriving. Earth + Him CBD Specialties is looking to have a second store in the next couple of months and a couple of stores across the southeast eventually. There is mention of a partnership with a large corporation in town.

The plan is to have their own growth facility, have all products third-party tested, and produce CBD oil locally for the community.

Just another way to service the community through growth. ALM

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albany living magazine

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Humble

Jeanette Henderson always faces life’s situations with A gracious, kind, and giving heart.

Leader,

Valiant Overcomer

A

As I joined Jeanette Henderson at the table outside the hotel where

we both happened to be visiting, a light breeze ruffled though our hair and the Georgia sun warmed our faces. I’m not sure how much warmer Jeanette’s could have been because she always greets a person with the warmest smile. Always.

This is a lady who has seen good times and bad, as everyone does. However, it’s in how a person deals with life’s situations that makes that person memorable, and Jeanette always faces them head on. You might think

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“All glory goes to God for how He works in our lives.”

that would make her a brash and harsh person, but that is far from the truth. She is gracious, kind, and giving and will sit and talk with you until one of you has to move on.

She was born and raised in Blakely, Georgia, in Early County, in 1953, graduating from Early County High School in 1971. Quietly, but proudly, she adds that this was the first integrated class at Early County High. She attended Albany State College (ASC) and graduated with a B.A. in Sociology in 1975, while working at Sears, Roebuck and Co. and also at the college. No grass grows under Jeanette’s feet! Even from an early age she was a busy lady!

A nice young man also attended ASC and graduated along with her in 1975 with the same degree, a B.A. in Sociology. His name is Richard A. Henderson, and he also worked full time while attending ASC. They were a bit taken with each other, and, as love would have it, he and Jeanette married that same year. They had a son the next year whom they named Richard LaRon Henderson. He is married with three children and lives nearby.

After Jeanette graduated from college, she wasted no time in securing a job at Easterseals travelling southwest Georgia accepting donations for underprivileged children. She became close with one child who eventually became the Easterseals poster child, and they kept in touch until his death.

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Later she was employed at Albany Urban League, then at Georgia Finance Authority, which administered the local Section 8 Program.

In 1983 she went to Albany Housing Authority (AHA) as the manager of the Community Services Program.

After about a year she was promoted to Housing Services Director, which later became Deputy Director of Housing Services. Sometime later she was promoted to Chief Asset and Property Manager.

A very unfortunate and unforeseen occurrence put Jeanette in a position she never expected. As the Executive Director of the

After Jeanette graduated from college, she wasted no time in securing a job at Easterseals travelling southwest Georgia accepting donations for underprivileged children. She

AHA retired, a new one was put in place but very soon passed

became close with one child who

away unexpectedly. This shook the AHA and also Jeanette, as

eventually became the Easter

she and co-worker Eric Mosley were asked by the AHA Board of Commissioners to serve as Co-Acting Executive Directors until a

Seals poster child, and they kept in touch until his death.

new Executive Director could be hired. Jeanette, who was planning to retire, graciously if not tentatively accepted the position. This turn of events actually became historic in that it made her not only the first black, but also the first woman to serve as Executive Director at Albany Housing Authority.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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You might wonder why Jeanette was a bit tentative about remaining with the AHA. This is understandable when you realize that she began a fight with cancer during this period of time. She

You might wonder why Jeanette was

could have very easily, and not been blamed by

a bit tentative about remaining with

anyone, turned down this request, but when one

the AHA. This is understandable when

has been in place in an organization as long as she had been, it’s a bit hard to turn your back on them when they need you most. So, planning her

you realize that she began a fight with cancer during this period of time. She could have very easily, and not been blamed by anyone, turned down this

office hours to coincide with her many rounds of

request, but when one has been in

chemotherapy, she stayed the course. And a rough

place in an organization as long as she

course it was. She would take a chemo treatment a day or two before the weekend, feel very low all through the weekend, and regain some strength just in time to go to work on Monday. Then she

had been, it’s a bit hard to turn your back on them when they need you most. So, planning her office hours to coincide with her many rounds of chemotherapy.

would repeat it all. For sixteen rounds. One might have encouraged her to throw in the towel, but that is not Jeanette.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Their son, Richard, and his family moved in with Jeanette and Richard to help care for her until she was better. This was due to the fact that her husband is disabled.

Even so, she said he was still there for her. Her church family was there for her, too, often bringing food to help ease the burden of feeding a house full of people.

The chemo was completed in July, 2018, just in time for the new Executive Director to take the reins at the AHA. She stayed four more months to “share knowledge” with him. A boastful person might say she stayed to train him or to tell him how things are supposed to operate, but Jeanette very humbly said that she “shared knowledge” with him. Her tenure at the AHA was over and in November, 2018, she retired. AHA wanted to start a scholarship fund for residents who choose to further their education after high school and thus improve the family lifestyle. Jeanette was the first donor, and it is called the Jeanette Henderson Scholarship Fund. She was grateful to be able to participate in such a noble endeavor and humbled that they would name it for her.

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albany living magazine

Jeanette states adamantly that she wants all the

grandchild in particular, taking him to ball practice

glory to go to God for bringing her through that

from school then to get supper and then home. In the

storm the way He did. She knows it was all Him.

next year she plans to travel. She and Richard want to

One year later she has been given a lifetime

go to Boston for Richard to see the Celtics’ home and

membership to the Georgia Association of Housing

they want to go to Alaska and Australia. A dream trip

and Redevelopment Authorities after 35 ½ years

for Jeanette would be to go to The Netherlands to see

with the AHA. This will allow her to see old

the tulips in full bloom.

friends and colleagues once a year at their annual

One exciting and memorable trip that she has

convention, and they will be happy to see her

already taken was in February, 2019, when she took a

smiling face.

very special journey to Washington, DC, to her niece’s

Jeanette loves people, traveling, and learning

retirement party. Apparently, the niece was a very

about other nationalities. She likes new recipes,

good choice for her job…she worked for the CIA all

foods from other cultures, reading, church

those years and her family never knew it!

ministries, elderly, and helping the less fortunate.

Jeanette Henderson has seen and done a lot in her

She attends Gaines Avenue Church of Christ where

life and trusts that God is going to take her places and

Joe Godfrey is her Pastor. She works with the

show her sights she has never beheld! She is looking

senior citizens at the church.

forward to that! And the people she meets along the

In retirement, she babysits and interacts with one

way will be better for it! ALM

Hometown Living At Its Best

99

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106 albany living magazine

Telling

Albany’s Story Online

B

Betty Rehberg has used her passions to create an online space for the unique history of albany.

share her historical finds,

request to weed out

about history – especially

and to encourage others to

spammers and unsavory

Albany’s history. She collects

share their noteworthy old

characters.

old photographs, books,

treasures, too. She calls it “a

postcards, and anything she can

community scrapbook.”

Betty Rehberg is passionate

find that documents the city’s

Vintage Albany has nearly

“I love the Albany I never knew,” says the relative youngster.

past. And then she uses modern

10,000 members. Betty

Betty graduated from

technology to create and post

says there is always a long

Albany High School

videos, as well as old photos,

list of people waiting to be

in 1974. She still lives

online to share her discoveries.

approved to join the closed

in the house in North

She created a Facebook group,

group. She personally goes

Albany that she grew

“Vintage Albany, Georgia,” to

through each membership

up in. Newspapers have

BY KATE DELOACH | PHOTOS BY DAVID PARKS PHOTOGRAPHY

Hometown Living At Its Best

107

Betty Rehberg is passionate about history – especially Albany’s history.

She collects old photographs, books, postcards, and anything she can find that documents the city’s past. And then she uses modern technology to create and post videos, as well as old photos, online to share her discoveries. She created a Facebook group, “Vintage Albany, Georgia,” to share her historical finds, and to encourage others to share their noteworthy old treasures, too. She calls it “a community scrapbook.”

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Albany living

38

H o m e t o wn L i v i n g at i t s B e st

CONTENTS /

WINTER ISSUE 2020

Perfect Patchwork

Sewing since his youth, Jimmy Gainey has now found a new passion in quilting.

16

Equipping Women One Piece at a Time Kris Burnfin, owner and founder of Ruby Cactus Boutique (RBC), wants to empower women by giving them outfit choices that are comfortable and make them feel good at good prices.

56

Women Empowering Women Women leading in their craft in a male-dominated field...women covered in sawdust, surrounded by sketches, with a head full of ideas and a heart for Albany and its people.

76

A Call to Healing Jamie Kiep, owner of FHG Landscape Management and Earth + Him CBD Specialties, wants to serve God, his family, and the Albany/Leesburg Community and it shows.

ON T H E C O V E R The Flint >> DAVID PARKS PHOTOGRAPHY 4 WINTER 2020 / ALBANY LIVING

always been an important component in her life. She worked for The

Betty’s mother was from Eatonton,

Albany Herald and The Albany Journal in various capacities, including

Georgia, and Betty created a

running a lucrative paper route. She also worked as a nanny and in a

Vintage Eatonton Facebook group

clerical position for DFCS. She cared for her “very disabled” mother for

to preserve and share that area’s

four years after she had a stroke, making it possible for her mother to

history. Her father was from Grady

stay at home and out of a nursing home. Betty became disabled herself

County, Georgia. Both of her parents

after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013. Several surgeries

are deceased, as is one brother,

ensued, and she now suffers side effects. But that doesn’t derail her

Guy Rehberg. Betty has four other

online activities.

Hometown Living At Its Best

109

“Be Accountable #DriveWise” Gillian also began making presentations to Driver’s Education classes and schools to prevent others from making the devastatingly life-changing decision to drive while intoxicated.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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albany living magazine

Gillian’s mother theorizes that her daughter’s drive to make the world a better place initially stemmed from that horrific November night all those years ago. “Let’s face it, when you have something that impacts you at such a young age, it can’t help but change you. It’s scary enough for an adult, much less an 8-year-old child, and to lose her cousin just devastated us all. I think all of this has made her very community-oriented; she just loves to help people,” says Kimberly.

says Gillian. Hagain, the current Manager of Victim Services for MADD, says, “Gillian has been sharing her story since she was in the eighth grade, and she’s an amazing young lady. She has been part of our teen advisory board and has been an excellent representative for our organization.”

Thus, Gillian began speaking at schools and at quarterly Victim Impact Panels at the Warner

110

Houston County Living

Robins courthouse. These panels consist of victims and survivors whose lives have been dramatically changed by intoxicated drivers. “The goal of the panel is to demonstrate the consequences that an intoxicated driver has on other individuals like myself,” she says. “Many of the people in the audience were ordered by a court to be there, and many had been convicted of a DUI, so it was

Vintage Albany has nearly 10,000 members. Betty says there is always a long list of people waiting to be approved to join the closed group. She personally goes through each membership request to weed out spammers and unsavory characters.

siblings, all but one still live in the area: Robert, Don, Sara and Charles.

Some other Facebook groups that Betty created to build friends and a following around her interests include the following: Vintage Georgia; Your Best Shot (for amateur photographers); Hire Albany (connecting employers with workers); Bald Chix (for women with cancer); In Memory of Albany’s

Historic Broad Avenue Memorial Bridge; as well as others. There are nearly 28,000 members in the group Hire Albany. Betty says she used to be more active in that group, posting application and interview advice, but currently has stepped back a bit. It has taken on a life of its own it seems. She was very active in the unsuccessful attempt to save the old Broad Avenue Bridge from demolition.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Hometown Living At Its Best

111

a treasure-trove of photos and news clippings, such as these: a 1932 ad for 50-cents-a-yard pavement; a 1966 bill from Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital for a birth totaling $126.80; an undated ad for baby shoes at Churchwell’s downtown for $1; a 1948 news announcement regarding a parade for Olympic champion Alice Coachman; and photos of Rockette Records – vinyls made in 1951 at Rockette Recording Company in Albany, Ga. And the group is not short on videos either. Check out one of a young Johnny Carson making a crack about Albany on the Late Night Show in 1971 because the city banned showing the movie “Carnal Knowledge”; several clips of young Ray Charles, Albany’s native son; and several of Martin Luther

“I’m just very interested in genealogy,” Betty says. She visits the Digital Library of Georgia (DLG) website regularly. DLG is an online, public resource of documents related to

“I wish we still had the old trolley cars. I’d like to go back to the Albany I grew up in.

We had one street light in my neighborhood, and that was enough. Crime was low.”

the history of Georgia.

(Check it out at dlg. usg.edu.) “I love researching and photography.” Speaking about the Vintage Albany group, she says, “I’ve learned more from them than they’ve learned from me.” She says she has seen her Vintage Albany group spawn similar Facebook endeavors, including Vintage Macon and Vintage Lee County.

Visit the group’s Facebook page and scroll through

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albany living magazine

King, Jr. Betty put together several videos herself that are compilations of themed photos. An especially interesting one is of photos from three films made in Albany: “Pardners,” in 1929, a

conservation film shown regionally in parts of the South; “The Biscuit Eater,” which had its national premiere in Albany only two months after the devastating February 1940 tornado; and “Goodbye My Lady,” which also had its premiere in Albany, in 1956. Betty says Life magazine did a huge

photo spread of the 1940 premiere of “The Biscuit Eater.”

Betty put together several videos herself

There are numerous images of that 1940’s tornado, too.

that are compilations of themed photos. An

Not everything Betty collects is digital. She scans and posts what she can, but some things, such as yearbooks aren’t conducive to scanning (except a page here and there). Such is a 1911 Albany Chamber of Commerce-endorsed publication

especially interesting one is of photos from three films made in Albany: “Pardners,” in 1929, a conservation film shown regionally in parts of the South; “The Biscuit Eater,” which had its national premiere in Albany only two

titled, “Jesse and Earnest Homes in Dixie Company: Glorious

months after the devastating February 1940

Old Georgia.” The booklet is a sales piece for the South in

tornado; and “Goodbye My Lady,” which

general, Albany/Dougherty County in particular, and more

also had its premiere in Albany, in 1956.

Hometown Living At Its Best

113

“I love the Albany I never knew.�

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albany living magazine

specifically, land for sale by the Homes in Dixie Company. It touts the area’s access by river and rail, relays the price common crops yield, and especially promotes orchard production. Finally, it states: “We are offering you the opportunity to secure a beautiful Southern home, and acquire a competence for life… . Why submit to the rigors of the Northern winters when you may bask in balmy breezes under Southern skies of azure blue, surrounded on every hand by lovely blooming flowers, birds flitting from bough to bough pouring forth their songs in happy contentment. Such is life in ‘Dixie land.’” It neglected to mention the South’s sweltering summer heat and abundance of bugs.

“I miss the old houses that have been demolished,” says Betty. “I wish we still had the old trolley cars. I’d like to go back to the Albany I grew up in. We had one street light in my neighborhood, and that was enough. Crime was low.” A lot of people share Betty’s nostalgia for

“I’m just very interested in genealogy,” Betty says. She visits the Digital Library of Georgia (DLG) website regularly.

DLG is an online, public resource of

the good old days – at least 10,000 of them who asked to join Vintage

documents related to the history of

Albany. Many are inactive, and others post regularly. Check them

Georgia. (Check it out at dlg.usg.edu.)

out at www.facebook.com/groups/vintagealbanygeorgia. And when

“I love researching and photography.”

you are cleaning out those old boxes and chests and run across bits of Albany’s youth … share them with the group! ALM Hometown Living At Its Best

115

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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presence of greatness in the

the Singfields took a life-long dream and a drive to succeed and turned it into reality with The Flint.

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albany living magazine

H

BY R AC H E L P R I C E | P H OTO S BY DAV I D PA R K S P H OTO G R A P H Y

Have you ever been in the presence

of greatness? I don’t mean feeling

as if you are witnessing superiority;

rather leadership, service, and love?

Until I met the Singfields, I am not sure I’ve ever really witnessed it

myself. I didn’t know what to expect when I walked into The Flint. When I walked out, I was moved and

inspired; both which appear to be the norm here.

When Glenn Singfield, Jr. was

4 years old, his mother, Tandra,

walked away from her pan set on the stove. She’d started melting

butter in preparation for the day’s breakfast. Glenn slid a chair over to the stove, cracked an egg, whipped it, and proceeded to cook it. Tandra walked in as Glenn was putting the

Hometown Living At Its Best

123

egg on the plate. “She was like, what are you doing?” Glenn said.

“I told her I was making eggs.” She told him to get away from the stove so he wouldn’t get hurt and cut everything off. She stood there and exclaimed, “You did make the eggs though. How do you know how to make eggs?” Glenn told her, “I was watching you, Mama. So, she started letting me do more. I began by dicing vegetables or scrambling eggs and slowly worked my way,” he told me.

“I tell people, watch your children, they will tell you their story, show you their passion,” Tandra tells me. “I used to work

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on Saturdays and babysitters would come into the house. When I got home food would be cooked. I thought the babysitter cooked it. No, Glenn, Jr. did. He would tell me the babysitter didn’t know how to cook so he made a deal with them that if he cooked, they cleaned. His passion was there, we just didn’t zero in on it until later in life.”

Glenn loved being in the kitchen with his mother, to the chagrin of his father, Glenn Singfield, Sr. “Glenn was supposed to be a worldrenowned offensive tackle. That was my way out of the ghetto,” Glenn, Sr.

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explains. “I used to tape his ankles as a little boy and put him in a position to play football in the house because that is what I was taught, that football was a way out of the ghetto.

Black guys have to play football; it wasn’t even about education.” But Glenn, Jr. had a strong dislike for football. “Glenn wanted to be in the kitchen with his mother, I could have saved a lot of money,” Glenn, Sr. tells me.

“All those helmets and football equipment, I could’ve just bought an easy bake oven and some light bulbs, and we would have been good,” he jokes.

Glenn Jr.’s life changed seven years ago on Thanksgiving Eve. Glenn and his brother, Gerard, were on their way home for the holiday. As they drove into Albany they witnessed an accident involving several vehicles and a pedestrian. As they watched a gurney roll away, they were forever changed.

They spent the next day in prayer with their family. They discussed life and what they wished to accomplish in the next 5-10 years. “We were talking to our dad about the direction of our life. We spoke about investing. My brother was the VP of Charles Schwab at the time, now he is the co-owner of his own investment firm. My Pop asked what we wanted him to invest in,” Glenn shares.

“Since I was 4 years old, I’ve wanted to own a restaurant. When I was 12 years old, I drew

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this exact restaurant out on paper.” Glenn and his family decided they would seriously discuss the investment when they came back together for Christmas. Instead of discussing it in detail on Christmas break, Glenn Sr., handed Glenn, Jr. the keys to what is now Albany Fish Company.

Glenn, Jr.’s dream was coming to life. With the Albany Fish Company he was building a reputation and getting over his fear of cooking for the public. Fast forward three years and Glenn tells me, “The city came to us and explained that they wanted to develop Downtown Albany and we saw the potential. I frequent cities like Thomasville and Savannah that have prominent downtowns and I’ve always wanted that for Albany.”

One day as Glenn was moving, he was going through things to get rid of and he came across the drawing of the dream restaurant he drew when he was that little 12-year-old boy. He knew The Flint was the right move for them to make and decided

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“We were talking to our dad about the direction of our life. We spoke about investing.

My brother was the VP of Charles Schwab at the time, now he is the co-owner of his own investment firm. My Pop asked what we wanted

contractor. He took his son’s drawing and except for a slight difference in how the bar is set up, The Flint is exactly how Glenn, Jr. worked up in his drawing.

him to invest in,” Glenn shares. “Since I was 4

It is safe to say that The Flint is different than

years old, I’ve wanted to own a restaurant.

anything you have or will ever walk into. It isn’t

When I was 12 years old, I drew this exact restaurant out on paper.” Glenn and his family decided they would seriously discuss the investment when they came back together for

just the atmosphere, the greeting, and the food; it is the people.

“We don’t have employees, we have associates,” Glenn, Sr. explains. “When I speak with them, I

Christmas. Instead of discussing it in detail on

ask about their plan for the future. If they tell me

Christmas break, Glenn Sr., handed Glenn, Jr.

they don’t have one I say, ‘Well, you need to find

the keys to what is now Albany Fish Company.

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to join the downtown development. Glenn, Sr. is a

another job because here you have to have a plan.’

albany living magazine Hometown Living At Its Best

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“The city came to us and explained that they wanted to develop Downtown Albany and we saw the potential. I frequent cities like Thomasville and Savannah that have prominent downtowns and I’ve always wanted that for Albany.”

We have a young lady that wants to own a

like Albany...people of all colors, heights,

Private School one day, one that wants to be a

nationalities, ethnicities, all financial

producer, and kids that go back and get their

backgrounds come here…we don’t see

GED. You’ve got to have a vision.”

big or littles. There are no big I’s and little

The vision of The Flint is not monetary

you’s in here. You don’t see anything in

gain, it isn’t being selective, it isn’t

The Flint about race, because that is not

competition. Their greatest vision is people.

important, the region is,” Glenn, Sr. shares.

“You have to improve yourself,” Glenn,

“I don’t want to treat anyone as a stranger.

Sr. continues. “Patrick, our bartender, for

I like to get past the introduction and go

example, is not only a bartender but a

ahead and get to the person, let’s go right

musician and he now plays on Mondays. I tell

to the relationship because life is so short.

him every day to go home and practice. What

We want to treat you with love from the

I am saying to people is ‘you’ve got to pour

moment you walk in.”

into your own life.’ The money may not be

And love is present in everything from

there, but the other rewards we get from these

décor to plate presentation to first taste. The

people is love. Our goal is to pour into people

Flint is 100% Albany. In décor it celebrates

because people poured into us.”

The Flint River, local artists, and local

The love at The Flint is palpable. Being

businesses. Glenn, Jr. graciously surprised

here is an experience. You don’t see

me with smoked wings after our interview.

restaurant anywhere on the building. Sure,

They were delicious. The plate was visually

it is a restaurant by design, but it is more an

appealing and the wings were the best I’ve

environment of hospitality. “When you come

ever eaten, sincerely. I tell him this and

in here, I have to make you feel better than

he replies, “Since I was kid I’ve loved to

you did when you walked through those doors

cook. When I am really in my zone, I am in

so you will want to come back. This is one

my own world. I can have an argument, a

of the few restaurants in Albany that looks

sickness, anything going on, and it all goes

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a chef from an early age

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“I tell people, watch your children, they will tell you their story, show you their passion,” Tandra tells me. “I used to work on Saturdays and babysitters would come into the house. When I got home food would be cooked. I thought the babysitter cooked it. No, Glenn, Jr. did. He would tell me the babysitter didn’t know how to cook so he made a deal with them that if he cooked, they cleaned. His passion was there, we just didn’t zero in on it until later in life.”

away when I cook. And love is behind it. I love to cook a special and peek around the corner and view someone eating it. If they are enjoying it, it makes my day. I was able to make someone’s day better with my food.”

Between six hands, Glenn, Sr.’s, Glenn, Jr.’s and the lovely Tandra’s, 48 jobs have been created in the community between The Flint and Albany Fish Company. I tell the Singfields I am in awe of their character, inspired by their work ethic, and moved by their generosity. Humbly and without missing a beat Glenn, Sr. tells me, “We are simply country people that want to do phenomenal things for the city of Albany.” Well, Mr. Singfield, that is exactly what your family is doing; well done. Bon Appetit, Albany! ALM

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BY K AT E D E LOAC H P H OTO S BY DAV I D PA R K S P H OTO G R A P H Y

FIVE Generations of Law Enforcement

5

Dean Franklin Gore’s family is from a long line of law enforcement that began with Dean’s great-grandfather and continues with himself and his son.

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D Dean Franklin Gore is a fourth-generation

law enforcement officer. He is an investigator

with the Dougherty County District Attorney’s Office. His father and grandfather both

worked as officers for the Albany Police Department (APD), as does his son, Rodney, who is employed in the APD Drug Unit. In that position, Rodney works with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Task Force.

This long line of law enforcement began with Dean’s great-grandfather, who was killed

in the line of duty in 1919. Originally from Dawson, Georgia, the elder Dean F. Gore worked as a police officer in Cordele, for the City of Macon and later for the Central of Georgia Railway Company in Macon. It was this position that got him assigned to work undercover investigating suspected stealing from the railcars as they entered the docks in Savannah. In this capacity, he uncovered an illegal liquor ring that implicated many men, some of high standing in the community.

A brawl at a Savannah wharf left the elder Gore shot above the heart – through his police badge – that would prove to be fatal a day later.

In the meantime, he gave a statement as to the nature of events. He shot and killed two officers with the shipping company, Ocean Steamship Company, who were part of the illegal liquor operation. His statement was printed in the Savannah Press [no date given]: “I looked around and saw Willie Hirt, and he (Willie Hirt) shot me over the heart and I held my hand over my heart and shot Willie Hirt two or three times. I am the man who shot Willie Hirt

“Growing up around law enforcement – seeing pictures, hearing stories – I wanted to be involved, I wanted to help out in the community. My dad and granddad never got to police together, but my son and I do.”

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and Sergeant Campsen. Hirt had his pistol in his hand and staggered over to a steel post and died. I had a 32 special blue-steel pistol. Hirt is the man who shot me…” The twenty-sevenyear-old Gore left behind a family, including a young son, Dean’s grandfather. While at the APD, Dean’s grandfather and father both wore the elder Gore’s badge with a bullet hole through it.

Dean’s father, who retired from the APD in 1988 (and is also named Dean) says, “When I was teaching at the [Police] Academy, I’d take my grandfather’s badge off and pass it around

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Dean Franklin Gore is a fourth-generation law enforcement officer. He is an investigator with the Dougherty County District Attorney’s Office. His father and grandfather both worked as officers for the Albany Police Department (APD), as does his son, Rodney, who is employed in the APD Drug Unit. In that position, Rodney works with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Task Force.

to the students. It was their wake-up call; you never know when it is going to happen to you.” He was sworn in as an officer in 1963 on his twenty-first birthday, shortly after his father died prematurely from a heart attack. “I was an investigator and a motorcycle cop,” he says. “It got to me when I’d work a

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Dean’s father, who retired from the APD in 1988 (and is also named Dean) says, “When I was teaching at the [Police] Academy, I’d take my grandfather’s badge off and pass it around to the students. It was their wake-up call; you never know when it is going to happen to you.”

bad wreck. I’d see kids lying there on the table [deceased] and I’d see my three kids. I’d have flashbacks.” He says, for the most part though, his experience in law enforcement was good.

“We were all one big happy family.”

The younger Dean graduated from Dougherty High School in 1986. He spent some time working for Flowers Baking Company, running a bread route. However, he wanted to follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and work at the APD. There were no positions available there at the time, so Dean applied to the Sheriff’s Department, where, in 1989, he was hired to work in the jail. From there, he moved up, and in 1991 he earned his Police Certification from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) Police Academy.

In 2010, Dean was moved to the District Attorney’s office as an investigator. In that position, he works with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Task Force. As an investigator, Dean handles all State Court

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cases. He finds witnesses, interviews defendants, collects evidence, makes arrests occasionally, and initiates court orders and search warrants.

“Growing up around law enforcement – seeing pictures, hearing stories – I wanted to be involved,” says Dean. “I wanted to help out in the community.” He adds, “My dad and granddad never got to police together, but my son and I do.” Dean and his son are both on the SWAT team.

Even though he is a young man, Dean has been in law enforcement for twenty-eight years and could retire soon. He says he has no plans to. “I’d miss the camaraderie here.

It’s hard to talk to someone who’s not in this profession…You know, there’s a little black box we put things in; sometimes it comes back later.” He relays the example of a gruesome kidnapping case he worked on several years ago. He has worked on an FBI AMMO Task Force and assists with national and international investigations with the FBI. “The ’94 flood was tough for law enforcement,” Dean says. “There were so many displaced people.

There was a lot of law enforcement here from other areas. There was looting; crime was widespread and skyrocketed.” Dean attributes the

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flood with a higher crime rate today. “Before, we had pockets of crime – we knew where the bad guys were.

After the flood, they were dispersed all over the city.”

Dean says he would tell any young person considering law enforcement, “Go for it! It’s a great job; you meet people every day; the pay is okay.” And the community needs good cops.

Dean is married to the former Shelley Harrell of Leesburg. Shelley works as a registered nurse consultant with Ethica. They currently live in Smithville and have three children: Rodney, with APD; Trevor, a senior master technician with TransPower; and Kailynn, a student in the Nursing Program at Albany State University. “Trevor didn’t hear a calling for police work,” says Dean. “And at 26, he makes more than I do!”

Dean says he would tell any young person considering law enforcement, “Go for it! It’s a great job; you meet people every day; the pay is okay.” And the community needs good cops. ALM

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BY R AC H E L P R I C E | P H OTO S BY DAV I D PA R K S P H OTO G R A P H Y

heart

a volunteering

E

Easterseals Southern Georgia Has served thousands of individuals with disabilities, they insure everyone has the opportunity to live, learn, work, and play within society.

Easterseals Southern Georgia was founded in 1957. Having

served thousands of individuals with disabilities, they insure everyone has the opportunity to live, learn, work, and play within society. A federated organization, there is a national office to serve all U.S. Affiliates. Georgia has five: North, Southern, East, West, and Middle. Easterseals Southern Georgia services all of Southern Georgia and parts of Florida.

In 2018 the organization hired its new CEO, John McCain,

who has a background in assisting individuals with disabilities since the age of 14. As a young man, John volunteered for several summers at Camp SMILE in Mobile, Alabama. It was while volunteering that John developed a passion for helping others. “My job as a counselor was to make sure that people were

where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to

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“Prior to my time as a counselor, I had two assumptions that were so horribly wrong.” He continues, “One, is that they must be terribly depressed thinking about all the things they can’t do. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. They had an amazing outlook on life; even better

terribly depressed thinking about all the things they can’t do. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. They had an amazing

than my school peers. They enjoyed life. Second, if

outlook on life; even better than my school

you’re a caregiver, you must be miserable taking care of

peers. They enjoyed life. Second, if you’re a

someone 24/7. You must be wishing to do other things.”

caregiver, you must be miserable taking care of someone 24/7. You must be wishing to do

be there,” John tells me. “I was responsible for older campers. There were arts & crafts,

But when John witnessed the tears on drop-

games, time out in the pool, and on the lake.”

off day and the smiles, hugs, and tears of joy

Prior to this experience, John hadn’t had much

on pick-up day, he realized he was wrong. “A

experience socializing with special needs

fellow counselor was the brother of one of the

individuals. It was the early 80’s and a lot of

campers. I asked him, ‘Why would you spend

segregation was still occurring.

the week with your sister when you’re with

“Prior to my time as a counselor, I had two

162

other things.”

her all the time?’ He said, ‘Man I’ve never

assumptions that were so horribly wrong.”

enjoyed anything more than taking care of

He continues, “One, is that they must be

and helping people.’”

albany living magazine

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John served for three years as a Camp Counselor and later went to college and obtained his B.S. in accounting.

He began his career with a CPA firm where he worked for three years.

Unsatisfied, he changed paths and was a controller for a distribution company for nine years. During this time John unexpectedly lost his father. He spent the next year after his father’s death going through life in a daze. Then he met the company’s Insurance Agent who was responsible for creating the Easterseals affiliate in Mobile.

“He was almost the definition of civic minded,” Johns shares. “I was talking to him about how I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do with my life, and he said, ‘it is really funny you would say this because Easterseals is looking for a CFO.’ I went and spoke to a gentleman at Easterseals because I thought this was something that would bring meaning to my life. I was there for 13 years. I was the CFO and later the Chief Operating Officer.”

“

During my journey into leadership I developed a philosophy in that I believe customer service needs to focus on what CAN I do for you, not what CAN’T I do.

A big part of Easterseals is focusing on what can happen.

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”

While there, John participated in “The Goodwill EDP”, a leadership development program. He obtained certification through their executive development program where he was trained to become a CEO in Goodwill. A job opening in Hagerstown, Maryland presented itself and he served as CEO for 3.5 years.

“I enjoyed my time there, but it was not quite right for me. Goodwill is fantastic as a whole.

However, they are mainly focused on work force development. I missed the live, learn, work, and play that Easterseals offered,” John explains.

He adds, “Beth English, who was the CEO here at Easterseals Southern Georgia from 1992 to 2018 decided to retire. She really built this organization and made it what it is today. Once the position came open, I applied because I thought this was a fantastic group of people doing fantastic services. I got the position and started in October 2018.”

Hometown Living At Its Best 165

At the heart of Easterseals Southern Georgia is a passion for caring and providing; an

the dreams of many. One woman had a dream to

opportunity to do when society says, “it can’t

become a supermodel in New York City. Instead

be done.”

of telling her, “We can’t take you to New York.”

“During my journey into leadership I

Easterseals said, “What can we do for you?”

developed a philosophy in that I believe

They reached out to the community and Blush of

customer service needs to focus on what CAN

Albany helped with doing a photo shoot, dressing

I do for you, not what CAN’T I do. If you think

her for the session.

about anything that is going on now, we are so

There is another dream that came true thanks to

corporatized. Corporations have this big book

the community of Albany. John tells me about a

of rules you must deal with. I love local places

young man named Cody Slusher who had always

because you get taken care of. A big part of

wanted to be a fireman. Kim Colby, a banker with

Easterseals is focusing on what can happen,”

Flint Community Bank and an Easterseals board

John says.

member, told her husband, Jack Colby, about

One way Easterseals “makes it happen” is by inspiring individuals to dream big. The hallway

166

beside their Adult Day Program room displays

albany living magazine

Cody. Jack is the Fire Chief of the Sylvester Fire Department. Cody went to Albany Technical to

In 2018 the organization hired its new CEO, John McCain, who has a background in assisting individuals with disabilities since the age of 14. As a young man, John volunteered for several summers at Camp SMILE in Mobile, Alabama. It was while volunteering that John developed a passion for helping others.

train under Frank Flanigan who also serves on the board at Easterseals. Cody trained and now serves as a firefighter, living his dream since age 4. “These community connects assist in making the dream wall come true,” John says.

Easterseals offers many excellent services insure there is an opportunity for everyone with disabilities or special needs. Residential and Social Services currently has six group homes throughout Southern Georgia. The program supports daily independence to help people reach their full potential through assisted living.

The Adult Day Program that ensures socialization and the chance to experience “valued roles that supports individual choices.”

It operates five days a week. The group meets for outings or indoor activities. When I visited Easterseals, the group was working on updating their vision board from Summer to celebrate

service, is a little different. John tells me,

the beginning of Fall. They were happy to

“Champions for Children is for people that

speak with me about their favorite activities.

do not qualify for Medicaid because they

Thanksgiving, Christmas, parties, and outings

make too much, but not enough to take care

all received loud cheers and “hoorays.”

of their needs.” They recently helped a couple

Family support is a program that offers

that decided to adopt a child from China

resources and access to goods and services to

that needed several life-saving surgeries.

individuals ages three and up who live at home

Easterseals can provide up to a certain

or in a community-based setting. It meets the

amount to assist with extra expenses and

needs of those diagnosed with a Developmental/

serves about 450 families statewide.

Intellectual Disability/or Autism Spectrum Disorder and is easy to qualify for.

Champions for Children, a Family Support

Respite is for the caregivers of people with special needs. “Caregiving is a 24/7 job,” John shares. “24/7 care in residential Hometown Living At Its Best

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“There used to be this idea that society needed to “fix” those with disabilities/special needs so they can integrate into society,” John said. “Here is what we need to do, we need to fix the society that we are in, so it is more accepting.

homes is always on shift work, you come and you go. However, if you’re taking care of a loved one 24/7 and have other children or needs, or must go out of town for work, you need to be assured someone is there to take care of your loved one. In terms of people with special needs, you can’t just call in anyone, they need to have personalized training and understand the care plan. Respite homes allow for up to a week of overnight stays.”

Finally there is Vocational Services, which may be my personal favorite that Easterseals provides. They aim to make sure everyone has the opportunity to find a job that suits them. They assist them in overcoming challenges to gain meaningful employment. There is an on-site Work Adjustment Center where individuals learn skills and techniques to prepare for and maintain employment in the community.

“There used to be this idea that society needed to “fix” those with disabilities/special needs so they can integrate into society,” John said. “Here is what we need to do, we need to fix the society that we are in, so it is more accepting. There is not a single person out there that absolutely fits into what society asks them to be, truthfully it is different expectations in different groups.”

Easterseals passion for caring is shared by many.

It is a “heart-felt commitment to helping people with disabilities and their families.” It is giving all an opportunity to live, learn, work, and play. This is what Easterseals Southern Georgia, its CEO, staff, volunteers, and donors is all about. ALM Hometown Living At Its Best

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passing on the healing to others

BY J E S S I C A F E L LOW S | P H OTO S BY DAV I D PA R K S P H OTO G R A P H Y

W

After alcohol and addiction led her down a painful path, Faith Woodham has managed to turn her life around and pass on healing to others.

When I was around 7, I decided I would

recovery program that would save my life, as

be brave and go to a church camp by myself.

it had saved hers. I didn’t know anyone there,

I knew some of the kids who were going,

but as one of the older girls all over again,

but when I got there, I became overwhelmed

Faith would take my hand and tell me that all

because they were all older. But one of those

would be okay. She was right. Faith has always

kids, Faith Bryant (now Woodham), would find

had a caring heart, but like me, the disease of

me alone, crying. She would take my hand and

addiction would take over her young adult life,

tell me that everything was going to be okay,

and it would cost her some of the most painful

that I could come and play with her and the other

lessons you’ve ever heard to guide her in the

older girls. When I was alone, she made me feel

direction to get help.

a part of her group. Years later, after alcohol and addiction had led us, separately, down the same

path, she would do the same when I came into a

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Her story begins in Albany, where she was born, then raised in Lee County by a single

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“We began going to Lakeside Baptist and were at the church every time the doors opened. I used to sing with my papa and another deacon; my nickname was Sunshine. Life was normal, and I loved it so much.” mother, Georgia. When Faith was two, her mother got married, and two years later, her sister was born. She says, “Meagan was my real live baby doll. I loved her. But the relationship between my mom and stepfather became tumultuous, so Mom decided it was time for us to go live with my grandparents. That is when we began going to Lakeside Baptist and were at the church every time the doors opened. I used to sing with my papa and another deacon; my nickname was Sunshine. Life was normal, and I loved it so much. Around the Flood of ‘94, we stopped going so much because the church was flooded. My mother got remarried around this time and was working out of town.

I was 12 or 13 years old and on the loose. That’s when it all started going downhill.”

“I went from crowd to crowd never really feeling like I fit in. Either I would wear out my welcome or a group of people would start to bore me, and I would move on. I had good grades in school, though; I was teacher’s pet. In 10th grade, I started skipping school a lot, but I got away without suffering any consequences. I eventually began to get underage drinking charges, but I would only receive slaps on the wrist that included one outpatient stint at a treatment center. Two months before graduation, I was told that I had too many absences to graduate. I decided then that I would just go to college and pass all the people who were still in high school. I got my GED and did just that--but I flunked out within the first semester.” As most addiction stories go, Faith’s path began to get worse as drugs came into play and she began to get DUIs. By the time she was 20 and seven months pregnant with her oldest daughter,

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“I went from crowd to crowd never really feeling like I fit in. Either I would wear out my welcome or a group of people would start to bore me, and I would move on. I had good grades in school, though; I was teacher’s pet.

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As most addiction stories go, Faith’s path began to get worse as drugs came into play and she began to get DUIs. By the time she was 20 and seven months pregnant with her oldest daughter, Ava, she had spent 10 days in jail. This wasn’t enough to stop the insanity, but it was enough for her to decide to move back in with her mother.

Ava, she had spent 10 days in jail. This wasn’t enough to stop the insanity, but it was enough for her to decide to move back in with her mother.

If you know anything about addiction, you know that it is a selfish and self-centered disease that causes one to do anything in her capacity to catch the next buzz. The addict usually cares but she nor anyone around her can control her obsession, nor do anything within her power to lessen it. The disease centers in the mind, and the mind cuts the clearest path toward obtaining what it wants.

Typically, cutting this path involves cutting

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down the people around her as well. The move

found out I was pregnant with Sarah Jak, and

to her mother’s house only made it easier for

the situation had become volatile. I would

Faith to continue a downward spiral because

move home to Mom’s, but I couldn’t drink

she had a babysitter…someone to look after

like I wanted to there, so I would always go

her daughter while she partied. She got jobs at

back. Eventually, DFCS was called because of

local businesses, took advantage of the owners,

our fighting, and our girls were placed in my

flunked out of college after a second attempt,

mother’s home. Chris and I had to go through

and overdosed twice. When Ava was around

counseling and detox at Aspire; I would pass

four, the family decided to have her go and live

tests by the skin of my teeth. I would also go

with her father.

to stay at Mom’s on occasion to see the girls.

Faith continues, “Before this happened, I

One night, I decided to take them to go see

met a guy named Chris, and shortly after Ava

their dad. When I got there, we began to fight. I

was taken, I got pregnant with Emma. Chris

left the situation in a rush, didn’t buckle them,

was responsible and had a respectable job, but

and went through a roadblock; of course, I had

he also liked to do the things I did, so it was

been drinking. My mom had to come get the

perfect. However, not long after Emma was

girls. This didn’t stop the insanity. As a result

born, the fighting began. Four months later, I

of more fighting with Chris, I was told I had to Hometown Living At Its Best

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stay away from him. Eventually, at a DFCS meeting, they decided to take a hair follicle sample, and I knew it was over. My mom wouldn’t answer the phone. I went to her house to see the girls, and she wouldn’t let me in. Chris was in jail. I was homeless.”

Faith’s spiral downward doesn’t end here, however. She and Chris would add a few more tales of debauchery and demoralization before they would endure the devastating impact of a lifetime: six months after their children were finally taken away by DFCS, they would find out that their youngest child, Sarah Jak, was diagnosed with brain cancer.

They were a mess…not only because of the news, but because they had created a mess of their lives with drugs and alcohol. Faith tells me her mother had called saying she was concerned because Sarah was sleeping at daycare in the midst of other children playing all around her. She says, “Two days later, we were told that Sarah was being life-flighted to Atlanta. Out of nowhere, Sarah woke up and her eyes were deviated; she couldn’t talk and couldn’t walk.” Faith’s cousins, Lisa and Scott Bryant, had custody of Sarah at the time, and, as can be imagined, they wanted the best for the child. Up to this point, Faith couldn’t be trusted and she knew that. She recalls, “When I walked into the hospital room, Lisa was sitting on the bed holding Sarah. Instead of letting me sit with her, she held Sarah tighter, but I couldn’t blame her at all.”

I can see Faith’s heart break every time she tells this part of the story, but I have heard it many times, and I know that the difference

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“After a short time, we got called into the room with the doctor. I could hardly look at Sarah because I was so scared. We were told she had Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a pediatric brain cancer which is terminal…a zero percent survival rate. They would offer radiation, she would have a honeymoon phase, it would implode again, and her brain would start shutting parts of her body down. The cognitive part of her brain is fully functioning until death, so she was fully aware of trying to do certain things, but they wouldn’t work. She lost the ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe.

between the woman who walked into that room and the woman who is recounting this horrible tale now, are not the same person. The selfishness and self-centeredness are gone, and her purpose in telling it to me today is solely to help any other woman who might be battling the same demons. I can assure you, through her sharing, she has given hope to countless other struggling women. Faith continues, “After a short time, we got called into the room with the doctor. I could hardly look at Sarah because I was so scared. We were told she had Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a pediatric brain cancer which is terminal…a zero percent survival rate. They would offer radiation, she would have a honeymoon phase, it would implode again, and her brain would start shutting parts of her body down. The cognitive part of her brain is fully functioning until death, so she was fully aware of trying to do certain things, but they wouldn’t work. She lost the ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe. When the girls were taken from me, I was so delusional that I couldn’t understand how God could let this happen to me.

In hindsight, I know that it was the best thing that could’ve happened because Sarah got the best love and care she could’ve gotten, especially since my cousin was a nurse. I didn’t even have a car to get her to appointments, so I am beyond grateful for

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Scott and Lisa and for the way it has

that I cried out to God for help to make

happened. Chris and I weren’t allowed

the substances stop working. I needed

to stay at the hospital at that time, but

help. I didn’t stop doing what I was

everything unfolded exactly as it should

doing, but He made it stop working—

have.”

nothing would numb the pain. I became

“Despite the doctors’ warnings, I

suicidal, a zombie. I called Ava who was

believed with every ounce of my being

12 at this point; it was going to be my

that she was going to be healed, and

last conversation with her. As we talked,

I tried to find the perfect words in the

Ava said she’d started crying at school

Bible to say to make that happen. I had

that day when her favorite teacher told

always believed in God, but I hadn’t

her he was going out of town because

been connected for a long time. Before I

he had to bury his mom. She said she

began praying for favors, I was cursing

couldn’t imagine burying her mom, and

Him. But, when I was in the Bible

I thought, ‘Thanks a lot, God!’ At the

looking for the words to ask for favors,

end of that conversation, however, I

the words began to move me. After

promised I would make it to Albany for

a couple of months, I got tired of the

Christmas,” recalls Faith.

fighting and insanity of the way I was

“I got a ride to Albany. I left Chris

living. I called my mom and I wanted

and everything behind where we had

her to get me some help. She hung up.

moved to Alabama. I made it to see

That’s when I was in such desperation

them for the holidays. I weighed 84

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“At the viewing and memorial service, Chris showed up looking as terrible as I had the previous Christmas. It had been six months since I’d seen or spoken to him. All I could think about was sweet Emma saying goodbye to her sister and seeing her dad in this condition. How heartbreaking. A little later, I found out that he had overdosed two days after Sarah’s service. I knew I had to do whatever I could to try and help him. After some pressure, he finally decided to go to The Anchorage and has been sober since August 30, 2016.

pounds; I couldn’t pick the girls up because I was so weak. Ava wouldn’t even look at me because she was so disgusted. My family was trying to talk me into getting help. I didn’t think I needed it, but I wanted to just step outside of my ‘box’ and see what I could do differently. After getting kicked out of my mother’s house and then my sister’s house one last time, I finally decided to go to detox.” This would be Faith’s last trip to treatment to date. She continues, “When I walked into the door, the weight of the world fell off my shoulders. I was relieved to have a safe place to stay with food. I slept for several days. The guy who took me to detox had given me a novel, The Shack, which I had with me.

My mom brought a Bible and I started sincerely praying to God on a regular basis. Slowly but surely, I was up walking the halls, singing, smiling and rearranging the furniture in the sitting room. People were looking at me like, ‘Why in the world is she so happy to be here?’ but I was. I believe God started working on the obsession to use then, when I was away from everything.”

Faith continues, “The first time I had been to detox, a girl named Emily had been there with a 12-Step group who came in to help people inside the center. I waited on her this time, but she didn’t come. But, other women were there and they lived at Private Residence (PR), where Emily had told us she’d gone to live and get help. I talked to them afterward. A day or two later, Ms. Peggy, Program Hometown Living At Its Best

187

Director of PR, was coming to pick me up.” Faith and I stop at this point to giggle and dance and pretend we aren’t crying tears of gratitude… we are both products of this crone’s deliberate tutelage, so we both know the magnitude of Peggy’s presence.

To the women to whom she’s given direction, a restored life, she means so much. I am aware that this is the turning point of her story. Faith continues, “When we were waiting on papers to leave, I turned and said to Ms. Peggy, ‘I am never drinking again!’ She said, ‘Eeckhrrggt! You are not drinking today!’” Faith and I share a laugh again, thinking of Peggy, her raised eyebrow and that crooked finger, always pointing and bossing, but always with the love of God behind it.

Faith says, “She took me to PR, and I was scared to death. On the way from detox to PR, the city looked like a completely different place to me. I was shell-shocked because I had secluded and isolated myself for so long. Seeing the world clean was like opening my eyes for the first time. I made it to PR, living with so many other women was a shift, but I began to grow comfortable. I started going to all the 12-Step meetings available and to read and work the steps. I went on

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long bike rides, prayed, meditated, and found some peace amidst the ‘funks’ that would come and go. Sometimes I was overwhelmed by Sarah’s suffering and being apart from her and my other daughters, but being at PR with Mrs. Peggy, I would be nudged back onto track. She and the ladies at PR and the people in the program cradled me during that period, reminding me that acceptance and surrender are vital to my recovery and a life of serenity.

There were times I felt so guilty for being happy. I knew I had joy inside, but I didn’t believe I should be allowed to feel it because of the state my daughter was in…but that’s just how powerful God is. I got to the point where I wanted to shout from the rooftops and paint every billboard declaring God’s power and love; to tell everyone what He is capable of doing if you just let Him. I was reminded that God’s grace and mercy were enough for me to find happiness.”

“I eventually got the call that I could go see Sarah on Sunday, June 26, 2016.

I can see Faith’s heart break every time she tells

She had been unresponsive since the

this part of the story, but I have heard it many

night before. I went and held her and talked to her, and I prayed for God to end her suffering. I knew without a

times, and I know that the difference between the woman who walked into that room and the woman who is recounting this horrible tale now, are not the same person. The selfishness and self-

doubt that she would be in Heaven…

centeredness are gone, and her purpose in telling

happy, whole, and praising Jesus. That

it to me today is solely to help any other woman

came to fruition June 27th. The day

who might be battling the same demons.

of her service, I celebrated six months of sobriety. Despite losing much of

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189

gathered my courage and moved out; Chris came shortly after. We joined Sherwood in the spring of 2017 and both continue to work a 12-step program in everyday life. Because of this foundation, our marriage is a beautiful thing. Today, we have God as our source of happiness and strength,” says Faith.

“Ever since Sarah’s diagnosis, I wanted to do something to raise awareness of DIPG. In February of 2019, I was sharing with my mom how I wished I could do something to help other families who are suffering from the effects of this terrible disease. I told her I wanted to raise money for funding and to raise awareness in general. She said, ‘Why don’t you?’ She suggested that I call Wild Side Running and give them my ideas for my own, the family I had gained during those six months showed up. With the help of God and the fellowship that had carried me thus far, I was able to hold my head up with dignity as we said ‘Goodbye, for now’ to Sarah.”

“At the viewing and memorial service, Chris showed up looking as terrible as I had the previous Christmas. It had been six months since I’d seen or spoken to him. All I could think about was sweet Emma saying goodbye to her sister and seeing her dad in this condition. How heartbreaking. A little later, I found out that he had overdosed two days after Sarah’s service. I knew I had to do whatever I could to try and help him. After some pressure, he finally decided to go to The Anchorage and has been sober since August 30, 2016. We began talking again after he was there for a few months.

When I had completed 13 months at PR, I

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creating a walk/run. I called right then, and Chris at Wild Side was so helpful and encouraging. I explained to him that I had never done anything like this, so he gave me some flyers to use as guides for information regarding sponsorship and registration. Before I could start on those, I had to come up with a name for the event. After praying and reaching out to friends and family, I came up with ‘The Red Lipstick Run’ with the hashtag #kissingdipggoodbye,” explains Faith.

“Through a lot of prayer and even some tears, things started falling into place. I cried because I doubted myself. I was overwhelmed with fear.

I would have thoughts like, ‘Who do you think you are? You aren’t capable of this; it’s too much.

People know who you were--they are not going to want to support this if it has anything to do with you. They won’t trust you. You are a joke.’ Some of that may have been true. However, I had faith that

God would see me through it, so I just kept

research. Needless to say, God showed up and

moving through the self-doubt and fear. After all,

showed out despite my relentless fears. My faith

I was doing this for the children and their families

definitely grew through this experience and I am

who have suffered, are suffering, and will suffer in

looking forward to next year’s run, which will

the future,” says Faith.

be held in Albany on May 16, 2020.”

“As I continued to walk, God began placing

Faith told me when I was a little girl that I

people in my path who were encouraging me

was going to be okay. She was right. Today, I

and supporting me, whether it was in prayer or

am okay, and so is she. Today, she is my “sister

guidance or generous donations. I eventually went

in sobriety” who dedicates her life to helping

to The Trophy Company to discuss medals. At

others. Whether it is through a 12-Step program

this time, there were only 18 people registered.

of recovery or in raising funds and awareness

He suggested that I wait a little longer to see how

for DIPG, she always has her hand out. But,

many I would need, but that he would donate them.

today, it is to give, and making it the primary

I was a little embarrassed but very grateful. One

purpose of her life to pass on the healing to

month prior to the event, there were 30 people

others that she has received for herself.

registered to run the 1 mile, 5k, or 8k. I put it all

We are told in recovery that the only way to

in God’s hands. I decided if it wasn’t successful,

keep what we have gained is to give it away.

I would not do it again. The day of the run, there

Faith’s loyalty to the program, her peers, her

were a total of 122 registrants. With the help of

family, her God, and herself for the past four years,

the community and God, we raised right at $8000

is a testimony to so many that life after death can

that went to The Chad Tough Foundation for DIPG

be an undeniably amazing journey.  ALM

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Index of Advertisers

Adams Exterminators ………………......................…………….. 74 Air Pro Heating and Cooling ……………….............................. 73 Albany Air Conditioning & Heating …………..................…….. 69 Albany Area Primary Health Care ……………………............. 156 Albany Body Works ………………..........................………….. 137 Albany General Tire ………………….......................………….. 157 Albany Internal Medicine ….......................……………….. 30-31 Albany Living Subscription ………………………………...……. 116 Albany Mall ….......................….....................……………….. 172 Albany Symphony Orchestra …………..................……….. 36-37 Albany Urology Clinic ……………………........................……….. 5 Allergy & Asthma Clinics of Georgia ....................... Back Cover Allergy & Asthma Clinics of Georgia ................................... 102 Art Sign Company, Inc. ……………….......................………….. 91 ASP - America’s Swimming Pool Co. …………………........... 173 Austin’s Firegrill ……………..............................……………….. 89 Bison Valley Lodge ……...........................…………………….. 159 Colony Bank .......................................……..…………………….. 7 Concrete Enterprises LLC …………….....................………….. 2-3 Custom Interiors …..........................………...………………….. 49 D & D Kitchen Center ……………….......................…...….. 12-13 Dental Partners of Southwest Georgia …………….……..….. 138 DJ’s II Car Wash & Quick Lube ………….............…………….. 140 Doublegate Country Club ………………...................…….….. 119 Dougherty County Board of Commissioners …...…....…….. 158 Dougherty Glass Company …...........................…………….. 177 Dunn’s Business Services ………………..................………….. 48 Duren Paint & Body Shop ……............................…………….. 85 Elegance Nails …….........................……………….....……….. 177 Elements Coffee Co. ………...............…………………......….. 154 Farmers Insurance-The Aldridge Agency………...........…….. 177 First State Bank of Albany …...............……... Inside Front Cover Fleming & Riles Insurance …............………........…………….. 84 Flint Community Bank ………………..............……............. 10-11 Flint Equipment Ag & Turf Division ……......................…….. 136 Georgia Community Bank ………………………..................... 138 Griffin Lumber & Hardware ……………………...........……….. 175 Harvey Drilling ………………..........................……..…..….. 32-33 Heather Cox Photography …………………................……….. 155 Hickory Grove Storage ……...........................……...………….. 52 Hinman Pool Supply ….....................………………………….. 170 HopeCity United ….…….........................……………....……….. 86 Hutchins Clenney Rumsey Huckaby, P.C. ..…………….…….. 156 Ivey’s ...................................…………………...................….. 159 Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Home ……….........………………..….. 176 Knight’s Apparel ……………........................………………..... 153 Lawson Chiropractic ………...............………………......…….. 141 Lee Power Equipment ……………...............………………...... 121 Lifestyle Sandbox …………......................……….........……….. 54

Live Naturally Vitamins and Supplements …..............……...176 Logic4Design ……..........................…………............……….. 117 Longleaf Dental …………............................………………….. 172 LRA Constructors, Inc. ……….............…..........……….…….. 140 M. Hill Interiors ………………................................................. 55 Medical Associates of Albany ………...............……………….. 68 Mike’s Country Store …………........................……………….. 171 Millie Mac Photography ………………….....................……….. 90 Moore Clarke DuVall Rodgers Attorneys at Law ……........... 157 Mossy Pond Retrievers …………………….................……….. 105 Oakland Plantation ……............................…………………….. 75 Oxford Construction Company …………….....……....……….. 118 Paul Anderson Youth Home …………………..............……….. 174 Pellicano Construction …….......………….............…….…….. 171 Philema Animal Hospital ……………..................….....…….. 154 Phoebe ………………............................................….....…….. 72 Potter Motor Company ….......…………….….. Inside Back Cover Prince Automotive Group ...........................………………….. 176 Pro 1 Collision ……......................................………………….. 85 Radium Springs Memorial Dedication ……..............………. 158 Railway Freight Furniture …..………………….............……….. 174 Rainey Used Cars, Inc ................................………………….. 101 Renasant Bank …......................................………………….. 170 Rental Depot …...................................……………………….. 155 Royal Collection ......................………….....………………….. 139 SafeAire Heating & Cooling ……............….........…………….. 88 Sellers …...................................................…………………….. 71 Shae Foy Photography …………………........................…….. 103 SL Sausage Company ……….........................……………….. 141 Smallcakes …..................................………………………….. 153 Southern Tractor & Outdoors ………..............…………….. 34-35 Southfitters ………………....................................…………….. 53 Southland Children’s Dentistry ……….........…..…………….. 104 Southwest Georgia Pediatrics ............………….........……….. 87 Southwest Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, LLC ................….. 9 Stewbos …………….........................................……………….. 70 Sunbelt Ford Lincoln ….......................……………………….. 120 The Bread House & Granery ....................…………...……. 14-15 The Cookie Shoppe .......................…………………………….. 177 The Flint ....................…………......................………………….. 51 The Flower Basket ……………...............................………….. 176 Thomas K. Hall CPA ....................……………………..……….. 139 Turner’s Fine Furniture ……......................……………………….. 1 WALB News ....................…………..............………………….. 100 Westover Animal Hospital ......................…………………….. 137 Wild Side Running …………........................………………….. 175 Women’s Health Professionals ………..........………………….. 50 Wynfield Plantation …...................…………........…………….. 83 Yancey Rents .......................................……………………….. 173

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IN THE PRESENCE

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THE SINGFIELD'S LIFE-LONG DREAM TURNED INTO A REALITY WITH THE FLINT