Sumter County Living - Spring 2019 by With You In Mind Publications

spring 2019

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Christmas Time Charles & Kim feel fortunate to be drawn into the history of a home connected by their family.

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Dwight harris allowed God to use him in an important way and now sees the value in that position.

Americus young professional, Raven Payne, is leading the way helping train the next leaders of the community.

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in every issue 133

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You can find great retail shopping, restaurants, and services around each corner. If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t done so lately, take the time to look around and discover all the wonderful things there are to find.

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From the Publisher

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P u b l i s h e r With You In Mind Publications E x e c u t i v e E d i to r s Landon and Mandi Spivey C r eat i v e | D e s i g n Stacey Nichols Mandi Spivey

As the new year is fresh upon us, I have found myself reflecting on “setting the table” for these upcoming months in both business and personal life. This plays out by making sure items are in place to reach goals and identifying areas that leave room for growth and all of the things that seem to be what a brand new annual start is about. However, one of the words that kept ringing in my mind and perhaps pulsing from my heart was something that can so easily be missed or forgotten...that word is gratitude. Sometimes, for myself at least, I can get so busy in the hustle of improvement, that I forget to stop and acknowledge exactly the place we are so fortunate to be or the people we are so blessed with to love. In a recent article I read, written by Joanna Gaines, she expanded on the fact that “gratitude turns what you have into enough.” The trick, she further explained, is practicing a kind of thankfulness that isn’t based on a time or place or circumstance. It became so real to me. Gratitude should not just be something we practice. It should be a lifestyle we live. When we are focused on the present, it naturally lends itself to the future in an organic peaceful way. We can learn so much from these beautiful souls that you will read about in this issue. For some, their gratitude was established out of a hard place. Yet they made the CHOICE to press on and carry the good. From Vietnam Veteran Doug Dinsmore to Charles and Kim Christmas, Dwight Harris and Karen Woodard, they all so graciously share their stories of the paths that led them to where they are today. In the words of Joanna Gaines, “Even in the trials of life, if we have eyes to see them, we can find good things everywhere we look.” We are so GRATEFUL for each one of you who continue to support these advertisers listed on page 136. They are the ones who make this magazine possible for our community to read at no charge. You can always pick up your own personal copy at any of those locations thanks to their generosity. As we slide strong into 2019, we are so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of such an incredible community and for the relationships shared. You are what makes us love what we do.

O f f i ce m a n age r Nikki Burkhalter

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Ma n age r s Laura McCullough

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Shannan Blanchard C ov e r P h oto Raven Payne Photo by David Parks Photography Sa l e s Patti Martin Landon Spivey

Contributing Wri te r s June B. Anderson

Kate DeLoach Rachel Price Sherri Martin

Sumter County Living© is published semi-annually by With You in Mind Publications. www.withyouinmindpublications.com P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 (912) 654-3045 All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice.

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A Cut Above SALON â&#x20AC;&#x153;We curate a space that feels at once energetically upbeat and like a calming oasis from the hectic pace of our lives.â&#x20AC;?

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Photography by David Parks Photography

Charles and Kim Christmas stay as busy as Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elves all year long. The dynamic duo moved from Tampa, Florida, to Americus in 2013 and have treated it like their hometown ever since, working on several fronts to improve infrastructure, education and community pride. Charles and Kim are both from Jacksonville, Florida, where they met in 1994 and married in 2001. Fresh out of high school, Charles joined the U.S. Navy for one tour of duty. He came back and enrolled in the University of Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ROTC program; upon completion with a marketing degree, he went back into the military

Sumter county Living

Home & Family The dynamic duo moved from Tampa, Florida, to Americus in 2013 and have treated it like their hometown ever since, working on several fronts to improve infrastructure, education and community pride. Charles and Kim are both from Jacksonville, Florida, where they met in 1994 and married in 2001.

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history & research Through nothing short of kismet, they bought the house–vacant, no longer an inn–in 2012. Kim’s brother did some research on the 5,000-square-feet Victorian beauty, only to find out it was built by a distant cousin of theirs in 1906. They connected with the granddaughter of the original owners and learned some history about the house and common ancestors. There are purportedly three ghosts who reside there, all of whom died in the house. Charles confirms some mysterious events have occurred.

Sumter county Living

and flew for the Navy for 15 years. When he left the military, he started his own marketing company, which contracted with agrochemical giant Monsanto. This relationship led to a position with the company as District Sales Manager. In 1997, the company moved Charles and Kim to Tampa. It was subsequently bought out by ScottsMiracle-Gro. Charles left ScottsMiracle-Gro after 12 years and taught residential horticulture at The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. (No surprise, he holds a Master Gardener certification, as did both of his parents.) During this time, Kim was working in human resources and as a paralegal. Charles has family in Vienna, Georgia, and Kim has family in Cordele, so the couple vacationed in this area often. It was attending a Peanut Fest in Plains in 2009 that they stayed at the Pathways Inn Bed and Breakfast on Lee Street in Americus.

community minded Their calendars stay full because they each hold numerous volunteer positions in addition to demanding careers. Charles was elected to the Americus City Council last year, a job he describes as very challenging at times. “We [Council members] have a lot of differences of opinion,” Charles says, “but we work through them.” He also served on the Historic Preservation Commission; Kim is president-elect of the Sumter Historic Trust. They both volunteer extensively in other capacities, as well.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Sumter county Living

Kim and Charles made the decision to live in Americus when they bought the house, but it needed extensive renovations, and they had no plans to make the move quickly. “I’m a big-city guy,” says Charles. “So Kim made me come stay here for two weeks over my vacation to see if I could live in a small town. I met with a lot of folks and learned a lot about the community.” Apparently impressed, he was on board with the move.

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Through nothing short of kismet, they bought the house–vacant, no longer an inn–in 2012. Kim’s brother did some research on the 5,000-square-feet Victorian beauty, only to find out it was built by a distant cousin of theirs in 1906. They connected with the granddaughter of the original owners and learned some history about the house and common ancestors. There are purportedly three ghosts who reside there, all of whom died in the house. Charles confirms some mysterious events have occurred. Kim and Charles made the decision to live in Americus when they bought the house, but it needed extensive renovations, and they had no plans to make the move quickly. “I’m a big-city guy,” says Charles. “So Kim made me come stay here for two weeks over my vacation to see if I could live in a small town. I met with a lot of folks and learned a lot about the community.” Apparently impressed, he was on board with the move. Then, Charles was offered a job teaching aviation at South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) – a position Kim’s brother, Sam Singletary, was vacating for a tour in Iraq. Shortly after the couple moved to Americus, Kim received an email from a friend asking her to submit

Hometown Living At Its Best

her resume for the Vice President of Human Resources position at Pharmacentra and Concentra Solutions. “I thought I’d have some time off from working and could concentrate on house renovations,” says Kim. It didn’t work out that way. She got the job and jumped right in with both feet. “Kim is a tremendous leader,” says Charles. “She’s very independent, hardworking and hardnosed. She lays it on the line.” They coordinate calendars and schedules electronically.

Sumter county Living

“Our relationship is like a business,” he jokes. Their calendars stay full because they each hold numerous volunteer positions in addition to demanding careers. Charles was elected to the Americus City Council last year, a job he describes as very challenging at times. “We [Council members] have a lot of differences of opinion,” Charles says, “but we work through them.” He also served on the Historic Preservation Commission; Kim is president-elect of the Sumter Historic Trust. They both volunteer extensively in other capacities, as well. Kim served on the Steering Committee of the Ignite College and Career Academy (CCA), an initiative of One Sumter, in partnership with Americus-Sumter High School, along with South Georgia Technical College and Georgia Southwestern State University. The Academy will be housed on the campus of the new high school, both slated for completion in the 2021 timeframe. Kim notes that the location across the road from SGTC will mean opportunities for shared resources and easy access to post-secondary education for students of the high school and Ignite CCA. “There are complaints that not enough industrial or manufacturing businesses are locating here,” says Kim. “The CCA will graduate students with technical skills and work experience right out of high school, achieved through both dual enrollment and work-based learning programs.” “The [public] schools here aren’t as bad as people think,” Charles says. “It is the perception, though.” Speaking of his work at SGTC, he says, “If you go through the aviation program, you’re going to get a good job and have a long-term career. I like using a quote from Mike Rowe, of Dirty Jobs and SkillsUSA, ‘Don’t follow your passion; but follow your opportunities and turn them into passions.’” In his leadership role in government and economic development, he is helping to look for aviation companies to come to the local airport. “It is underutilized. We can fly large airplanes into here,” Charles says.

“People think we’ve lived here our whole lives. We just enjoy getting out and doing things,” Charles says. “This is our hometown now; we want to see it grow, and to preserve it. This is a cool place to live.” The Christmases have no children, but lots of godchildren. “We’re a recruiting tool for the local schools,” jokes Kim. When their “kids” come to visit, they often stay and go to college in Americus. There is, however, one adopted child: Georgia Grace, a four-year-old Jackapoo (Jack Russell/Poodle mix). The feisty little gal clearly rules the house and her parents. Kim’s brother, Sam, died in a motorcycle accident a few years ago. They feel fortunate to

be near extended family and to be drawn into the history of a home connected to their family. The house they thought was too big and too much of a project was practically handed to them, two perfect-for-them jobs were laid in their laps, and the community has welcomed them and cherished their volunteer contributions. “We always ask ourselves, ‘Why are we here?’” Charles muses. “It could be any number of things.” Kismet. What’s it like to share a name with the most popular holiday on the planet? “People never forget your name, which can be good – or it can be bad,” Charles says. “People love it. They say, ‘I want your name!’ and I say, ‘Sorry, I’m already married.’” Well, Jiminy Christmas!  SCL

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Selling Sumter County 22

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Farmland and timber is, indeed, Mark’s forte, but he enjoys selling residential and commercial properties as well. When a Sumter County resident recently considered putting his 80-acre farm up for sale, he called Southern Land and Realty. “Nobody knows the land market here better than Mark Pace,” the landowner said. Farmland and timber is, indeed, Mark’s forte, but he enjoys selling residential and commercial properties as well. “You really can’t specialize around here,” Mark says, “because of the small size of the market.” He adds, “The most rewarding thing for me

is helping a newly married young couple buy their first house.” The real estate sale Mark is most proud of was putting together the land deal that got Lowe’s to Sumter County. “That was a very complicated deal,” Mark says. He took the initiative to call Lowe’s regarding some land he had listed on Highway 280 East. Home Depot had just opened in Cordele, and Mark guessed, correctly, that Lowe’s may want to beat their competitor

Hometown Living At Its Best

to the draw with the Americus market. As it turned out, Lowe’s became interested in building a store on 280, but not on the property Mark had listed. They wanted a site adjacent to it that was not for sale. The long story short is that Mark made some phone calls and secured for Lowe’s the parcel they wanted. During the 15 or 16-month, $1.8 million deal, the infamous March ’07 tornado blew through Americus, and Mark feared the deal would fall through. It didn’t, and Lowe’s opened its doors in 2008. Mark was born in Americus, but his family moved to Perry when he was 12 years old. He graduated high school in Perry, married young, and moved back to Americus to attend Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) in 1976. The marriage didn’t last, but provided Mark with two children: Keith, a pharmaceutical sales rep in the Destin area, who is married with two daughters; and Christie, a radiology technician who is married and lives in Perry. Mark opened Southern Land and Realty in 1992 in a house on South Lee Street in Americus that belonged to his grandmother. In 2004, he moved the business to its current location at 406

The real estate sale Mark is most proud of was putting together the land deal that got Lowe’s to Sumter County. “That was a very complicated deal,” Mark says. He took the initiative to call Lowe’s regarding some land he had listed on Highway 280 East. Home Depot had just opened in Cordele, and Mark guessed, correctly, that Lowe’s may want to beat their competitor to the draw with the Americus market.

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Lamar Street. In addition to being a licensed broker, Mark is an Accredited Land Consultant, a prestigious credential that requires completion of a rigorous education program, a proven track record in land sales, and a commitment to professional growth. Mark is past president of the Americus Board of Realtors and was selected as the 1993 Realtor of the Year.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Mark opened Southern Land and Realty in 1992 in a house on South Lee Street in Americus that belonged to his grandmother. In 2004, he moved the business to its current location at 406 Lamar Street. In addition to being a licensed broker, Mark is an Accredited Land Consultant, a prestigious credential that requires completion of a rigorous education program, a proven track record in land sales, and a commitment to professional growth.

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also (Solicitor General in Bibb County) and a West Point graduate. He married Grace Greene Pace who lived in Perry. They had another son, Stephen Pace III, who passed away recently. Mark’s mother was from a prominent farming family in Americus. They also owned Wells Dairy located at Hill and Elm Streets. Mark speaks of his maternal grandmother, Hazel Greene: “She was called ‘Green Mama,’ and when you’d go to see her she’d hand you a pan of peas or pecans and tell you to pick them while you visited.” He laughs. “She’s the one who got me interested in real estate. She always told me ‘you have to supply food or shelter.’” She had the

Hometown Living At Its Best

Mark is a 1998 graduate of Leadership Sumter, past chairman of the Americus-Sumter County Land Bank Authority, a past board member of the Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Kiwanis Club of Americus, and past chairman and treasurer of GSW Foundation, where he is still active. He is a member of First United Methodist Church in Americus and a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

food covered, so Mark decided to supply shelter. Mark is a 1998 graduate of Leadership Sumter, past chairman of the Americus-Sumter County Land Bank Authority, a past board member of the Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Kiwanis Club of Americus, and past chairman and treasurer of GSW Foundation, where he is still active. He is a member of First United Methodist Church in Americus and a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Mark has a pilot’s license and is a member of the Americus Flying Club. “It’s a great way to see real estate,” he says of his interest in flying. The club rents a plane, and members pay a fee per hour to fly, as well as monthly dues to the club. “Real estate is my life,” Mark says. His business

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Mark’s roots run deep in Americus. His grandfather, Stephen Pace, Sr., moved from Dawson to Americus in 1917 and opened a law firm. He was a member of the U.S. Congress from 1936 to 1950. He married Grace Ragan Pace, and they had a son, Stephen Pace, Jr. (Mark’s father), and a daughter, Martha Pace Swift. Mark’s father was an attorney also (Solicitor General in Bibb County) and a West Point graduate. He married Grace Greene Pace who lived in Perry. They had another son, Stephen Pace III, who passed away recently. Mark’s mother was from a prominent farming family in Americus. They also owned Wells Dairy located at Hill and Elm Streets.

has included several other agents over the years, but currently has one, Charles Crisp. They are kept company at the office by Louise, Basel and Morris – feral cats Mark’s recent ex-wife, Kay Sassi, fed, trapped and “fixed.” At Mark’s Quail Trail home, she left four more: Dodger, Gretel, Zack and Dunsten. “She doesn’t even offer cat support,” Mark jokes. “I can’t offer much news,” he adds. What – a newly single, professional gentleman in Americus? That is news!  SCL

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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Story by Sherri Martin Photos by David Parks Photography

Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope delayed makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Dwight Harris was a high school basketball star at Americus High in the early ‘80s. He averaged 28 points per game in his high school career, was the only person from Americus to have won the slam dunk contest in the North-South Game (which features the best high school players in the state), and earned a basketball scholarship to Howard College in Texas. During his two years as a starter at Howard, he averaged 29.6 points per game. After Howard, Dwight went on another basketball scholarship to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he played with Gerald Wilkins, the brother of NBA star

The main focus of the boys’ club is the summer basketball league, which started six years ago. The league is organized to give the athletes as much playing time as possible. They begin practicing in May and start playing games at the Staley Middle School gym in June. Four games per night are held Monday through Saturday, complete with uniforms, officials, and Dwight calling their names over the loudspeaker.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Sumter county Living

He takes his position seriously; it is a sacred trust. “I’m not perfect, but I try my best to make sure that I don’t do anything I’m not supposed to do in front of these kids. I make sure they will not get any bad habits from me,” Dwight explains.

Dominique Wilkins. Dwight himself seemed destined to play in the NBA, as he had dreamed of doing as a child growing up in Americus. However, a knee injury put him on the sidelines and changed the course of his life. Although not able to start for the team, he was able to finish his college career. “My initials are ‘D.H.’ – that’s what they called me, the ‘Designated Hitter.’ They used me for the big baskets,” he explains. He was also able to finish his degree in criminal

justice and, although he had offers to play basketball overseas and even played some semipro ball, he knew his hopes of being in the NBA and playing full-time was over. But that does not mean that God did not have a plan to give him a fulfilled life. He just took Dwight on a different route to get there. Dwight moved back to Americus, where he met and married his wife, Victoria, who is now the school superintendent in Quitman County. They had one son, Dwight Harris, Jr., who is following

Hometown Living At Its Best

He began coaching his son’s team, and then other parents started bringing their sons to him for coaching. That was when he heard God speak to him. “It was plain as day. He said, ‘Now do you see why I want you doing this? I want you to start a boys’ club,’” Dwight explains. “I rode around touring Americus. I grew up in Americus, lived here all my life, but I was driving around places I had never been before. I saw boys hanging out, with nothing to do. I heard the voice, ‘This is why I need you to start this boys club.’”

in his father’s footsteps by attending college on a basketball scholarship. Dwight stayed with what he knows best… basketball. He first worked at Staley Middle School as the assistant basketball coach and then moved to Americus High School as the head B-team coach and assistant varsity coach under legendary coach Johnny Southwell. Again, life would take an unexpected turn, one away from basketball, when Dwight realized he was too emotionally involved with the games and athletes he was coaching. During a stressful part of a game, he felt an unbearable sharp pain in his head. “I told the Lord, ‘Let me get out of this game and I will walk away from it,’” he explains. For the next 15 years, he worked at the M&M Mars plant in Ashburn, where he would serve as plant manager. However, he and his family chose to still live in Americus, where his son would go through school and the recreation department playing basketball. This is what would bring Dwight back and help him find a desire fulfilled. While watching his son’s coaches during a rec department season, Dwight knew his experience could be put back to good use. He began coaching his son’s team, and then other parents started bringing their sons to him for coaching. That was when he heard God speak to him. “It was plain as day. He said, ‘Now do you see why I want you doing this? I want you to start a boys’ club,’” Dwight explains. “I rode around touring Americus. I grew up in Americus, lived here all my life, but I was driving around places I had never been before. I saw boys hanging out, with nothing to do. I heard the voice, ‘This is why I need you to start this boys club.’” Dwight struggled with what to name it because he did not want to be presumptuous. Again, he heard that voice, “What is wrong with your name?” By then, he knew this was a calling, and the Dwight Harris Boys’ Club was born in 2009. The club is a non-profit prevention program aimed at teaching life skills, such as determination, perseverance,

Sumter county Living

Hometown Living At Its Best

The club is a non-profit prevention program aimed at teaching life skills, such as determination, perseverance, and motivation. “We teach them how to look people in the eye, give a firm handshake, how to tie ties, be well-groomed, how to polish shoes, how to make your word be your bond, how to treat women, like opening doors or going to the door for your mom. If you make a mistake, own up to it and say, ‘I made a mistake and I was wrong,’” Dwight explains. “We have a certain standard. We want to turn young boys into boys and boys into men.”

and motivation. “We teach them how to look people in the eye, give a firm handshake, how to tie ties, be well-groomed, how to polish shoes, how to make your word be your bond, how to treat women, like opening doors or going to the door for your mom. If you make a mistake, own up to it and say, ‘I made a mistake and I was wrong,’” Dwight explains. “We have a certain standard. We want to turn young boys into boys and boys into men.” The main focus of the boys’ club is the summer basketball league, which started six years ago. The

Sumter county Living

league is organized to give the athletes as much playing time as possible. They begin practicing in May and start playing games at the Staley Middle School gym in June. Four games per night are held Monday through Saturday, complete with uniforms, officials, and Dwight calling their names over the loudspeaker. “Kids love to hear their names called,” he explains. “It’s something positive. These kids look forward to this every year.” The teams are divided by age but not by race, because one of his goals is to bridge the racism

gap. During the year, while he is working at his job as athletic director at the Sumter County Parks and Recreation Department, he goes throughout the community and into the schools to promote its programs. These connections also help to make the basketball league accessible to everyone. “It’s about building relationships,” Dwight explains. “Some of these kids at Southland have never met these boys at Staley. We’re trying to develop lifelong friendships. That’s the only thing that is going to change the world.” By the end of the summer, around 200 boys, ages 7 to 17, will have played in at least 25 official games, and spent many more hours practicing. Each player must play in at least half of every game. “It has increased the level of basketball in the community,” he says. “I can see the progress in the children. We also have documentation that crime goes down during the time we’re having the basketball league.” The league is geared for boys, although Dwight says he tried having teams for girls last year, but it did not work out. “My vision does not include girls. I wasn’t instructed to

By the end of the summer, around 200 boys, ages 7 to 17, will have played in at least 25 official games, and spent many more hours practicing. Each player must play in at least half of every game. “It has increased the level of basketball in the community,” he says. “I can see the progress in the children. We also have documentation that crime goes down during the time we’re having the basketball league.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

help girls,” he says. “I know boys. I want them to be princes, protectors, and providers. They will be somebody’s husband one day.” He takes his position seriously; it is a sacred trust. “I’m not perfect, but I try my best to make sure that I don’t do anything I’m not supposed to do in front of these kids. I make sure they will not get any bad habits from me,” Dwight explains. “I’m not better than anyone else, but I don’t want to fail my community,” he says. “A lot of people can do this, but I’m ordained for it.” Dwight recalls a time when he visited his father, who was suffering from the final stages of cancer. It was a particularly hard time for Dwight, with his father’s illness and the stresses of work and running the boys’ club. During that visit, his father raised his head and told him, “Don’t quit on those boys. God will make a way.” “I thank God for the vision. I’m glad He gave it to me,” Dwight says, then laughingly adds, “I’m scared to do anything else!” At the time his dreams of playing in the NBA were deferred, Dwight could have lost all hope for the future. Instead, he allowed God to use him in a very important way, and he now sees the value in his position. “Making the NBA would have been nice for the money, but not making the NBA has brought me more riches,” he says. Dwight’s desire has been fulfilled in myriad ways, in the faces of the boys he watches running up and down the court every summer.  SCL

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Many business owners incorrectly believe that they have the unfettered right to use the names of their companies and products based on their corporate entity filing with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office and/or their trade name registration in the Superior Court of the local county. Kate Strain, a trademark attorney with Belzer PC, a boutique intellectual property law firm in Savannah that handles all national and international trademark issues for a Fortune 100 company, says she sees this all the time. She says, “I tell fellow attorneys, ‘When you form LLCs and corporations for your clients, the clients often believe erroneously that this grants their company trademark protection for that name. Because we learn in law school to think in terms of the worst-case scenarios, attorneys need to inform their clients that, in the trademark arena, a worst-case scenario would be the loss of their businesses due to having to change the name of the company and/or the inability to stop a competitor from using a similar name.’” Most businesspersons seem to be under-concerned about the names of their companies, Kate says. “There’s a smalltown, everyone-knows-you perception when, in fact, you’re up against every business on the Internet in the United States.” Kate explains further, “I tell fellow attorneys, ‘One of the two ways your client could lose its business or a significant amount of its business due to a trademark issue would be that a competitor with greater rights to the name stops your client’s use of its name. Having to change its name, your client’s customers may not be able to find them, believe they have been bought out, etc., and sales may drop and force closure of the business. Alternatively, your client may be

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Why Your Business Needs Trademark Protection

unable to stop a competitor from using a similar mark and its customers mistakenly purchase goods or services from the competitor believing that they are purchasing from your client, and this seriously and fatally impacts your client’s revenues as well as its reputation.” Think of federal trademark protection as insurance against having to change your business name or being able to challenge efficiently and decisively a competitor who is using the same name. “Should a business with a federal trademark registration have to enforce its rights against a competitor, it is highly likely that the infringing competitor will see the registration number in the cease and desist letter and back down immediately,” adds Kate. Thus, a potential conflict is thwarted from the beginning, saving business owners valuable time and money. Before joining Belzer, PC, Kate worked for Hunter, Maclean, Exley & Dunn, PC, in Savannah. She is a member of the Intellectual Property section of the State Bar of Georgia and is admitted to practice in all three federal districts in Georgia. Kate came by her love of law naturally, as a fifthgeneration lawyer (the previous four attorneys growing up in Americus, Ga). Daughter to Katherine and Carr Dodson, she grew up in Macon and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia’s Honors program. After teaching English for five years at Stratford Academy in Macon, she entered law school. Kate attended Tulane Law School for her first year and then returned to the University of Georgia for her second two years of law school graduating Cum Laude in 2003.

Think of federal trademark protection as insurance against having to change your business name or being able to challenge efficiently and decisively a competitor who is using the same name.

“I didn’t have the patience for teaching,” Kate jokes. During those teaching years, she considered getting an MFA and pursuing a creative writing career. Apparently genetics kicked in and steered her toward a legal career. “That first day of law school, I thought: I am so happy to be here; I should have done this years ago!” Kate lives in Savannah with her husband, Criss, and their two children, Chesley (14) and Charles (10). She loves reading, writing (mostly poetry) and attending plays at the community theater. Kate loves her church, Asbury Memorial Methodist. “It is a wonderful place for creative people,” she says. “Our motto is ‘Where the Joy of God is Expressed Creatively.’ Every October our services focus on a different Broadway play and how it relates to the Bible and Christianity; and the best part is that we sing the songs and watch parts of the play being performed by our very talented congregation as well as local paid actors.” Kate is also involved with the United Way, where she uses her persuasive talents in fundraising. “I like making the community better,” she says. “I used to be on a lot of boards, but it was taking a lot of time. Now I work with the United Way, where I can touch a lot of organizations.”

“That first day of law school, I thought: I am so happy to be here; I should have done this years ago!”

Hometown Living At Its Best

Story by June B. Anderson Photos by David Parks Photography

Honoring our Vietnam Veterans is a priority with the Rotary Club, as testified by one local citizen, Doug Dinsmore.

Sumter county Living

My assignment was to interview a former military man. Knowing that punctuality is a part of that training, I assumed he would arrive early, so I thought I would impress him by being in place 15 minutes before our appointment time and await his arrival. Imagine my surprise when I walked into CafĂŠ Campesino and found him at a table near the front patiently sipping a cup of coffee as he waited for ME! He wore a sport coat with various lapel pins denoting service to different organizations and his speech was courteous and humble as I took my seat and we began to talk. I was immediately impressed.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Doug enlisted in the Army as a U.S. Paratrooper in May, 1964. After Basic Training, Advanced Infantry Training, and Jump School, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He completed Rigger School at Fort Lee, Virginia. In July, 1965, he received orders to join the First Cavalry Division at Fort Benning, Georgia. Even though his were not among the first boots on the ground, the First Cavalry Division was the first division to enter Vietnam.

Doug’s very first story piqued my interest. Being a bit of a genealogy buff and finding it interesting that the spelling of surnames sometimes changes over the years, I was intrigued when Doug told me that he is the first generation to spell his name “Dinsmore,” with an “i” instead of an “e.” I wondered why in the world he changed his name. There have been all sorts of reasons over the decades that people make these changes. For instance, one might discover that their great-greatgreat-uncle was a horse thief. I don’t think I’ve ever known someone who actually took it upon himself to change the spelling of his surname. As it turns out, he didn’t! His explanation was simple.

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The name on his birth certificate is Larry Douglas Dinsmore, with an “i,” but he says that his parents named him Douglas Larry Densmore, with a “e,” the way it’s been spelled for generations. Someone transposed his given and middles names and printed his surname wrong on his birth certificate, and no one ever made the change. However, when he entered the Army, the change became permanent. (I have a couple of uncles who were in WWII and were both known by their middle names until the Army decided that they would go by their first names. Our family still calls them by those middle names. Family doesn’t forget!) So Doug is Doug, and that’s how almost everyone knows him.

Doug was born in Cummings in Forsyth County, Georgia, on February 26, 1945. After his parents divorced in 1956, he moved to Chamblee, near Atlanta, with his mother, brother, and sister. He attended Forsyth County Elementary, Jim Cherry Middle School, and Chamblee High School, where he graduated in 1963. He went on to attend Smith Hughes Night School in the Atlanta area for a business class. Doug showed fortitude early in life, as he was the only boy in the sea of girls taking the class! As mentioned earlier, Doug has two siblings and he is the oldest of the three. His brother, now deceased, was two years younger and his sister is four years younger. She is retired from The Insurance House as an underwriter and lives in Marietta. Doug enjoyed golfing until he became physically unable and he says he really misses it. (I have come to understand over the years, having known a few golfers in my day, that if you love golf, you REALLY love golf and giving it up only happens on a “have-to” basis.) He enjoys meeting for lunch on Thursdays with “The Romeos,” a group of men who are really close friends and simply like to meet for lunch. No agenda…just lunch and an enjoyable time together. Doug has also been an active member of the Masons for 45 years, the American Legion for 33 years, and the VFW for at least 30 years. Doug has an ardent love for his family, which is obvious as he chooses special words to describe them. He says he has been married to “a little girl from Americus named Candy Moore” for 53 years, and they had “three baby girls.” Sadly, their oldest, Kimberly Lynn, born July 3, 1967, and passed away from spina bifida with other complications, on July 30, 1968. She would have celebrated her 50th birthday this year. Their middle daughter, Missy Welch (48), has two sons, Thomas (22) and Tucker (15). Adrian Scarborough (44), is their youngest and she has one son, Garrett (15). Doug relishes spending time with them and says they enjoy frequent family gatherings. The 15-yearold cousins missed being in the same class at school because one has a summer birthday and one has a birthday in the fall. Doug enlisted in the Army as a U.S. Paratrooper in May, 1964. After Basic Training, Advanced Infantry Training, and Jump School, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

He completed Rigger School at Fort Lee, Virginia. In July, 1965, he received orders to join the First Cavalry Division at Fort Benning, Georgia. Even though his were not among the first boots on the ground, the First Cavalry Division was the first division to enter Vietnam. Although they could not plan a wedding because he was on standby to go to Vietnam, Doug and Candy were married in a simple ceremony on August 7, 1965, just 12 days before he left on August 19. He returned home in July, 1966, and finished his tour with the 82nd Airborne Division. In 1967, a short time after he was discharged from the Army, Doug and Candy settled in her hometown

Hometown Living At Its Best

In April, 2018, the Rotary Club gave Doug and 71 other veterans the honor of flying to and touring Washington, D.C. The local Rotary Club had submitted his name to the Roswell Rotary Club, which has sponsored this for the past 10 years as a part of the Honor Air Program.

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of Americus, Georgia. He had several jobs until he landed his job with Goodyear. He was employed there for 19 years until they sold to Brad Ragan Corporation. However, in 2002, Brad Ragan was closed and Doug worked with Larry and Brandon Comer at the Sears store for about a year, then settled in at Sumter Electric and retired from there in 2010 after seven years. The Vietnam Veterans weren’t always received with open arms. Doug got a bit of a shock one time when he was in a public place and a lady standing nearby

realized he was a Vietnam Vet. She said, “Well, most of them are either drunks, drug addicts, or homeless. Which one are you?” Looking at her, he calmly replied, “I’m neither one, ma’am,” and walked away. The subject changes a bit and Doug’s eyes almost gleam when he begins to expound on one of the highlights of his life. You can almost feel his excitement as he begins to tell about that experience. In April, 2018, the Rotary Club gave Doug and 71 other veterans the honor of flying to and touring

Hometown Living At Its Best

Doug has an ardent love for his family, which is obvious as he chooses special words to describe them. He says he has been married to “a little girl from Americus named Candy Moore” for 53 years, and they had “three baby girls.” Sadly, their oldest, Kimberly Lynn, born July 3, 1967, and passed away from spina bifida with other complications, on July 30, 1968. She would have celebrated her 50th birthday this year. Their middle daughter, Missy Welch (48), has two sons, Thomas (22) and Tucker (15). Adrian Scarborough (44), is their youngest and she has one son, Garrett (15).

Washington, D.C. The local Rotary Club had submitted his name to the Roswell Rotary Club, which has sponsored this for the past 10 years as a part of the Honor Air Program. Candy and Doug drove to Roswell and spent the night before the early flight the next morning. The spouses that accompanied the men were given hotel rooms in the Atlanta area to relax in until their husbands returned; Candy enjoyed the day, even getting in a little shopping. Greeting the men at Roswell Park was a fire truck displaying a large flag, and a police escort took them from there to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The men were flown to D.C. amid much pomp and circumstance; there were even flags on the head rests of the airplane seats. Although it was a day trip, the veterans were regaled with a full day of tour experiences and meals. The rainy day didn’t dampen their spirits as they visited different sites in Washington and saw the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery.

Sumter county Living

Because the French President was in town and there would be security issues, some of their events were canceled, but they did get to watch him present a wreath at Arlington. Doug says that all of this was quite interesting, but the part that captured his attention the most and was the most emotional part of the trip for him was when they visited the Vietnam Memorial Wall. His humility shows as Doug expresses how very grateful he is for the opportunity afforded him for this trip…one he will never forget. He felt so blessed that he was chosen and that he was able to help celebrate Rotary’s 10th Honor Air Anniversary and gives many thanks to the Americus Rotary Club, as well as the Roswell Rotary Club and Honor Air for this wonderfully exciting experience. This was special for me to hear, too. Remember my two uncles? Several years ago they were able to take this flight also. I remember hearing about the trip and how much they enjoyed it, so when Doug recounted his experiences, it filled me again with awe at how brave some people are and how fortunate we are, as individuals and as a country, to have people of this caliber standing with us at this point in history. Doug says he has met many wonderful people through the years and considers most of them his friends. Through all his jobs and undertakings, Doug has always felt that he should treat everyone fairly and as he would want to be treated. There’s a Bible verse for that. It’s known as “The Golden Rule.”  SCL Matthew 7:12 – In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (NASB)

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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Sumter county Living

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Hometown Living At Its Best

Beautiful, slightly quiet and reserved, extremely intelligent and talentedâ&#x20AC;ŚHannah Hendricks sits across from me, her purple hair lending itself as proof that there is more to this young woman than meets the eye. Growing up can be awkward. Also, trying to find a place to fit in and figuring out how to navigate one day to the next. Add to this, bullying, and life can quickly become confusing and difficult. Bullied in middle school and early parts of highÂ school for her fashion and quiet demeanor, Hannah turned to friendship and art. Hannah was diagnosed with ADD as a child. The medication she took made her quiet and while she ate, it curbed her appetite slightly. "Kids always wanted to pick on me, spreading rumors that I was anorexic, calling me weird, gross, and worse," she tells me.

Sumter county Living

Hometown Living At Its Best

Sumter county Living

To cope, she turned to her art and relied on her friends’ support. "Art was definitely an outlet. However, I also tried to ignore it. I had my own friend group for support. Both art and friendship helped me get to a point where I decided I was just going to do what I wanted to do. I decided that I was going to be myself because their opinions really didn’t matter. My friends liked my hair and my makeup. Those negative opinions weren’t the final say, they weren’t the only opinions in the world…in the bigger picture, there are plenty of people who like me, for me," she says. She transferred to a new high school, partly due to the bullying and things started to settle for her. She began to think of her future and she could not see a life without art in it. So, she researched programs and decided Georgia Southwestern State University was a perfect fit for her. Sometime shortly after, Hannah began to experience certain health problems. In and out

To cope, she turned to her art and relied on her friends’ support. “Art was definitely an outlet. However, I also tried to ignore it. I had my own friend group for support. Both art and friendship helped me get to a point where I decided I was just going to do what I wanted to do.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

of doctors’ offices with no concrete answers left her feeling humiliated and frustrated. Feeling like she wasn't being heard, she confided in her girlfriends. She soon discovered that she shared more in common with most of them than she realized. "Several of my friends shared similar health stories as me. Most couldn't afford the doctor, had no insurance, and felt like they weren't being heard," explains Hannah. Thus began her research into women's health. Discovering that the U.S. had the worst rate of maternal deaths in the developed world, Hannah was moved to pay tribute to women through the use of her passion…art. "It really struck a chord with me. I couldn't imagine if my mom had died giving birth to me.” That is what started the Mother/Child series Hannah created as part of her Senior Show at Georgia Southwestern State University. 66

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She drew inspiration from political artwork, such as 70’s and 80’s street art. Christian medieval coloring also inspired her work and she focused on social movements and what was currently occurring in political situations. Entering one of her pieces into the Huss Foundations contest, she not only won a $1000 scholarship, but she caught the eye of a gentleman that commissioned her to do a piece as tribute to his late wife.

her to do a piece as tribute to his late wife. Having been in and out of the hospital with her, he related to Hannah’s work on a very personal level. Once Hannah completed the piece, she gave it to him as a gift. She could not make sense of charging him. "It felt good to give him something that was a piece of his wife. It meant a lot because he related to it. He was also very supportive of my work," she says. Hometown Living At Its Best

Offering additional support was her parents. Not only have they always rooted for her dream, Hannah’s mother and father encouraged her to think for herself and to think everything through all the way. Their advice taught her to see that there is always more than one way out of a situation, more than one side to a story, and more than one opinion. Their advice helped her during the difficult years in school being bullied. (Her Aunt Candace was also very supportive by being there for Hannah during her childhood.) Graduating this year, Hannah hopes to further her education by achieving her Masters. Hannah is an extremely impressive young lady; wise beyond her years and very intuitive. While attending her Senior Show on October 29, 2018, I was able to get closer to her work; it is something to behold. Using components other than paint, such as medical pamphlets, pills, sand, and even hair, Hannah takes items one would never consider attractive, groups them together, and makes, not only inspiring pieces, but beautiful pieces. Hannah has spent her young adult life advocating for those being taken advantage of. Through her goal of advanced education, she hopes to spend her life taking care of people by beginning a career in Art Therapy. While growing up can be hard to do, it can mold us into the person(s) we aspire to be. Hannah took bullying, like the pills, pamphlets, and hair, and applied it as a texture to the artwork of her life and made it beautiful.  SCL

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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There’s a saying…“The past is your lesson, the present is your gift, and the future is your motivation.” I’ve never met anyone that personifies this more than Raven Payne. A native of Americus, Raven is founder of Twenty40 Young Professionals Group. This group of young professionals, ages 25-45, network and socialize to continue to increase involvement in community outreach initiatives. Through educational workshops and collaborations with industry and community leaders, they aim to increase the professional and leadership skills of young professionals in the community while helping it thrive. “As a young professional born and raised in Americus and currently building my professional

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trajectory in the community, I found myself yearning for a positive outlet where I could share and discuss my concerns, desires, and interests with other like-minded individuals.” She says, “I wanted a space for us to find ways to use our voices, talents, and influences to be agents of change for our community.” Seeing a need for a change that would help bridge the gap between those currently leading and guiding Americus and those that are transitioning into becoming the next leaders of the community, Twenty40 was founded. Her vision is shared alongside her boyfriend, BroDrick Engram and her brother, Darrell Sabbs, Jr. “I also saw a dire need to bring individuals from different walks of life (race,

Hometown Living At Its Best

Through workshops, education, and events, Twenty40 aims to prevent migration to larger cities by proving young professionals can have it all locally. They not only want our community to know what a young professional looks like in Americus, but they aim to give back of their time and talents to prove their love for this city. Sumter County, being home to Raven, created a desire to give back to the community that lent itself to her family growing up.

Sumter county Living

socioeconomic background, and occupations) together to unite and continue to help improve our community for the future generations,” she explains. How can young professionals contribute to Americus and its growth? How can our community stop dividing itself when we, the citizens, all want the same things? These are a couple of questions that Raven pondered when she realized that her roots were going to remain in Americus after college. “We desire to be with like-minded individuals, to give back, and to bring a thriving downtown life to this city we love. Social media can drive some things, but gathering together and networking produces results,” she tells me. Through workshops, education, and events, Twenty40 aims to prevent migration to larger cities by proving young professionals can have it all locally. They not only want our community to know what a young professional looks like in Americus, but they aim to give back of their time and talents to prove their love for this city. Sumter County, being home to Raven, created a desire to give back to the community that lent itself to her family growing up. The women of Twenty40 have donated to the Methodist Children’s Home, they all have supported families with their holiday meals, and adopted families from DFACS at Christmas. By hosting coat drives, collecting toys, and collecting money, they aid relief to those in need. Raven believes “our greatest gift is to always be a blessing to someone else.” Being raised by her godparents, who stepped in and gave her a loving home, she always thought “When it’s my time, I want to make sure I step up.” She tells me, “Life is about giving back. I love that my Twenty40 leadership team is always on board to give of themselves too.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

Sumter county Living

“There are so many blessings in my life and so many people in this community that always looked out for me. My godparents raised me, but it took a village for me and my siblings.” Giving back to the Methodist Home comes from a personal heart tug. “One of my sisters was once at the Methodist Home and it was put on my heart to give to the young ladies there instead of just donating to a clothing center. At some point in my upbringing, DFACS was there. They are a part of my history,” she says. That is why Raven chooses to help those organizations whenever she can. “Even now, so many people look out for my family. If

Hometown Living At Its Best

How can young professionals contribute to Americus and its growth? How can our community stop dividing itself when we, the citizens, all want the same things? These are a couple of questions that Raven pondered when she realized that her roots were going to remain in Americus after college. “We desire to be with like-minded individuals, to give back, and to bring a thriving downtown life to this city we love. Social media can drive some things, but gathering together and networking produces results,” she tells me.

Sumter county Living

I didn’t live here, I would still give back to this community because it has given so much back to me,” she beams. With the past teaching Raven “to receive a blessing is to be a blessing” and the present gifting new connections and opportunities, she is motivated to build a future here for herself, her siblings, colleagues, and fellow citizens. No matter where you are planted, no one is incapable of being successful. Raven advises, “Be proactive.” Telling me, “We all make mistakes, we all have shortcomings. Regardless of setbacks, you can’t just sit and be pessimistic. If it is ever laid on you, in your dreams or your heart...there are so many resources we have in this community that can assist you and help you to grow. People are our greatest resources. Connect.”  SCL

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Sumter county Living

[ Story by Rachel Price Photos by David Parks Photography]

Karen Woodard has plans for the future to see her grandchildren continue to grow, to travel and to make memories.

When some people think of disabilities, they think of limitations being placed on a person. Then, there are those that see a disability as an opportunity to strive for more. Karen Woodard was only 30 years old when her life changed forever. She went in for a regular health checkup when her doctor noticed what looked like a bruise on her little finger. Not knowing how it happened, the doctor ordered blood tests. The results showed a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA for short).

Hometown Living At Its Best

“Don’t let it rule your life or tell you what you can or can’t do. Don’t let it tell you who you are! You be the winner, the ruler. Keep the faith and press on!”

Doctors told Karen she needed to begin treatment immediately to stop the advancement of the disease. Not feeling any different physically at the time, she waited. Over the course of a year, she began to notice symptoms she'd never experienced before. Beginning treatments with a rheumatologist, Karen's body immediately rejected each drug. After several options failed, she sought out a new specialist. He began testing and trying out new treatments on her not yet available on the market. With each pill, shot, and infusion treatment administered to Karen,

Sumter county Living

she began to sense some relief, but her body continued to work against her and so it was on to the next new drug. Battling swelling, tenderness, sharp excruciating pain, and the inability to walk at times, she went to her appointments for years without any remarkable results. A diagnosis of RA turned into a diagnosis of Severe Crippling RA. This, in turn, led to the deformity of her joints; unnoticeable at first, and eventually so severe that a task, such as turning on a water faucet, proved impossible most days. While

some people would allow this to keep them in the bed, Karen would motivate herself with positive words of affirmation, a prayer, and faith to plant her feet on the floor and tackle the day. Working in the Sumter County School System for 27 years, she faced challenges head on, but not alone. The support and assistance from co-workers and students made every difficult day a little easier. As time progressed, so did the advancement of the disease causing her knees to turn in and her fingers and toes to draw in and up. Under the advice of the specialist, Karen began having surgeries to hopefully avoid a life confined to a wheelchair. She had knuckles on both hands replaced; plastic knuckles in her right hand and rubber knuckles in her left. Because her knees and feet were turning in, she had two total knee replacements. She had three surgeries on her right foot, but none took. Both her right hand and right foot rejected the surgeries. The disease is most prevalent on her right side and no amount of surgery has been able to stop the advancement of the disease on that side.

She encourages others around her daily, not just with words and advice, but through the physical witness of her inner strength. It is very apparent when you look at Karen that she has a disability. At one time, she could not walk without a severe limp and bent over.

Hometown Living At Its Best

"The only way I made it was with God's help and through the prayers of my family, church family, and friends. My husband, James, is a wonderful caregiver. He has always been right there to cook, clean, run errands, and more. My children are always there to make light of everything by joking, playing, and laughing. Even my grandkids never bat an eye at my physical deformities and love me regardless."

Finally, the toes on her left foot were so drawn in that they didn't even touch the ground. The pain was unbearable and wearing shoes was beginning to become impossible. She and her doctor agreed that amputating all toes on her left foot was the only solution; besides causing immense pain, they were useless. Each surgery required several months of recovery. An understanding place of employment and compassionate family and friends helped bring her through the surgeries and recovery times. "The people I worked with were compassionate and caring people. They were always open to helping me; even the children in the school were so loving and kind. They would help me walk, take paperwork

Sumter county Living

down the hall, give me encouraging scripture to help me through the day," she tells me. "The only way I made it was with God's help and through the prayers of my family, church family, and friends. My husband, James, is a wonderful caregiver. He has always been right there to cook, clean, run errands, and more. My children are always there to make light of everything by joking, playing, and laughing. Even my grandkids never bat an eye at my physical deformities and love me regardless." She even boasts of the food, phone calls, cards, and flowers from her mother, siblings, and church family. Through all of this, Karen has had one mission, to be an encourager. "I have always

Hometown Living At Its Best

While it hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been easy and she at times questions her appearance with her still visible deformities and amputations, Karen has never stopped fighting and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t plan to.

prayed and asked God that if it is His will, that I be an encourager. I want to live my life in a way that shows being alive is a gift to be enjoyed, because you only live once," she says. And while it is difficult to look in the mirror most days and see a person you do not recognize, Karen has been exactly what she asked God to be. She encourages others around her daily, not just with words and advice, but through the physical witness of her inner strength. It is very apparent when you look at Karen that she has a disability. At one time, she could not walk without a severe limp and bent over. People would stare, whisper, and some even avoided her because she did not appear "normal". But she has always pressed on, even when many people encouraged her to quit her job and take care of herself. Recalling the work ethic her mother, Joyce, instilled in her, Karen believed that if she were to ever stop, her body would stop for

Sumter county Living

good. She would not allow her body to quit. The only way to keep it active was to be active and to be positive. But she feels that a positive attitude and determination can only take you so far. Faith and prayer are a major component of overcoming any challenge. If anyone outside of her immediate family knows of Karen's struggles, it is her church family. They have been witness to her inability most Sundays to even make it to the back pew for service without assistance. They have seen her when the pain is so unbearable many others would simply stay in bed. But instead of feeling sorry for herself, she would put on that positive encouraging smile and promise them they would one day see her running down the aisle. She had faith that all of the pain and perseverance would pay off. Currently, Karen is in the best condition she has ever been in after almost 35 years of living with this crippling disease and years of additional diagnoses. On top of RA, she developed osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, Sjorgen's disease, and hypothyroidism. Her doctor has her on an infusion treatment that her body at one time responded very well to, until it didn't. But enough time has come and gone and the medication has improved. This treatment, coupled with her surgeries, diet, and detox regime, has her feeling as if her body is finally beginning to heal itself. "You have to take what you are given and live with it trying to do the best you can or it will beat you," she says. "I made up my mind many years ago that RA was not going to define who I am. Sometimes I have to pray my whole way through a single day. While it is not easy to keep going, my husband, children, and grandchildren are my motivation to move forward. You have to persevere." Going back to the promise she made to her church familyâ&#x20AC;Śone Sunday morning in church her 2-year-old grandson got away from her and ran down the aisle. Without even thinking she took off after him. People

Through all of this, Karen has had one mission, to be an encourager. "I have always prayed and asked God that if it is His will, that I be an encourager. I want to live my life in a way that shows being alive is a gift to be enjoyed, because you only live once," she says. And while it is difficult to look in the mirror most days and see a person you do not recognize, Karen has been exactly what she asked God to be.

began coming up to her in awe. Confused, she wondered why until they explained that even though she said she one day would run down the aisle, they never knew if they would actually see it happen. Months later, on a short family vacation, her family got to experience time with their mother they never again thought they would have. She hiked four waterfalls, walked shops, and several flights of stairs. While it hasn't been easy and she at times questions her appearance with her still visible deformities and amputations, Karen has never stopped fighting and doesn't plan to. She has plans for the future to see her grandchildren continue to grow, to travel, and to make memories. "Don't let anything negative define who you are," she encourages. "Don't let it rule your life or tell you what you can or can't do. Don't let it tell you who you are! You be the winner, the ruler. Keep the faith and press on!" ď &#x2022; SCL

Hometown Living At Its Best

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In December 2005, Central Baptist Church relocated from 502 South Lee Street to 190 Upper River Road. We relocated believing that God wanted to do great things amongst us that would have lasting impacts on people locally and globally. We have indeed seen God do some amazing things over these years in our new home, but we have always believed that He wants to do more. So, in May 2016, Central Baptist Church entered into a “FORWARD” Campaign, in which we renewed our commitment to reach the next generation, and to see them “set their hope in God” (Psalm 78:6-7). This renewed passion led us on a journey to sacrificially give to build a new building, known as “The R.O.C.” (The Recreational Outreach Center). This building has been the dream of our church family for many years, and we are now able to see it as a reality. The R.O.C. will help us fulfill our mission. This journey has been about so much more than raising money and building buildings. It has been about our church family believing that God wants to do more in and through us in the many years to come. We have been stretched to trust God more, and to move forward even at times against many odds. I have personally been encouraged by the sacrifices made by so many to see this become a reality. Many might ask our church family, “Why do you do this? Why do you sacrifice so much?” The answer is simple: We believe that the mission of reaching people for Jesus Christ is worth it. To see people “set their hope in God” is worth every sacrifice of our time, talents and treasures. I invite you to join us on this journey, and watch God use you to impact generations to come. To God Be The Glory, Bryan C. Myers

CENTRAL BAPTIST C H U R C H

We invite you to join us for worship every Sunday at 9:30 AM 190 UPPER RIVER ROAD | AMERICUS , GA 31709 | (229) 924-4092 | CBCAMERICUS.ORG

life

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Local photog rap her, Daniel Ridd le, captures the essence of behind his lens view ing bird s in a unique way.

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With well over a thousand rabbits in their Macon County breeding facility, the couple has one of the largest rabbit farms in the state.

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If rabbitsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; feet are good luck charms, Terry and Walter Terhune are two of the luckiest people in Georgia. With well over a thousand rabbits in their Macon County breeding facility, the couple has one of the largest rabbit farms in the state. They sell to pet stores (through a distributor) in the eastern United States. Originally from New York and Michigan, respectively, Terry and Walter met and married in Vermont, and moved to Georgia in the early 2000s. No strangers to breeding themselves, the Terhunes have seven children and 19 grandchildren. Five of their children have moved back north â&#x20AC;&#x201C; except Rachel and a brother. In 2010, Rachel took on 10 or 15 rabbits from a friend who was getting out of the rabbit breeding business. Someone else gave her another 20-plus rabbits, and thus sprouted a breeding farm at her parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; home in Terrell County. Hometown Living At Its Best

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Walter formulates his own feed, with the help of a private nutritionist, to correct for deficiencies. He says the nutritional needs vary for different rabbits – does, bucks, bunnies, pets and breeders. His feed has 20 or more ingredients and he buys 15,000 pounds of feed ingredients every six weeks!

Being a student in Georgia Southwestern State University’s early childhood education program, life got busy for Rachel. Living in Americus, she was having to commute to Dawson to care for the rabbits, so she asked her parents if they wanted to take over the business. They agreed. “Rachel went to college and talked me into a retirement income of a couple hundred bucks a month,” jokes Walter. Remember “Welcome Back, Kotter”? Walter is a slimmer version of Gabe Kotter (Gabriel Kaplan): a studied, humorous “educator,” in his element sharing wisdom he has gleaned over the years. Walter was an apprentice in the cutting tool industry before attending Emmaus Bible College in Illinois for two years. He then worked for himself in construction and spent three years raising and breeding sheep and goats in Vermont. He gained a lot of experience concerning nutrition, diseases and animal husbandry. Regarding the family’s move to Georgia, Walter says, “You can live down here; it’s survival up there.” Terry concurs, saying she will never complain about South Georgia summers. Terry worked as a legal secretary and a customer service rep in Vermont. In October, the Terhunes moved their rabbit breeding business from their home in Terrell County to Macon County. “Our buyer liked our rabbits and wanted us to double production,” Walter says. Their original setup

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Terry gives them all names. “I told my mother to just number them, but she has to name each one of them. Her favorite is Lucy, a six-year-old Netherland Dwarf.” Rachel says they breed for color. There are black, blue, chocolate, chinchilla, tortoise, cream, white, red…you get the idea. The Lionheads have long fur around their heads and shoulders, the dwarfs are, well, smaller, and the lops are the Easter Bunny-looking ones with floppy ears. In short, they are all adorable and insanely soft.

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couldn’t accommodate the expansion. “I did extensive research pricing buildings and trying to figure out the best, most efficient way to set up a new facility,” says Walter. “I talked to extension agents, farmers, real estate offices, insurance agents, all with no luck. And then I stumbled onto a poultry supply house by talking to some guys at the mill where I buy feed. I found that the chicken industry has solved small animal-keeping; they have engineered everything beyond reason.” The Terhunes now have a lease/purchase agreement on two chicken houses. They were fortunate to contact the owner before he stripped the buildings of their temperature controls, fans, coolers, lights and insulation. “The chicken farmer is very interested in what we are doing,” says Walter. “He stops by and is very helpful.”

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The Terhunes employ a couple of school kids, a couple of part-time workers and a young college student studying animal science. “We are always looking for people who like to work,” Walter says. “People think this is simple work; it’s not.” Rachel is helping out more since the operation moved closer to Americus, where she lives.

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Lots of people come from near and far and often want to stay for more than a day. There are plenty of hotels in the area to accommodate Chehaw’s visitors, but for those who want to stay close to the action (or their horses) the park offers 41 RV sites, 14 pull-through sites, 18 tent sites, camper cabins with AC, a clubhouse, laundry area, bathhouse and free Wi-Fi. Horse camping sites are separate.

The Terhunes breed five species of rabbits: Lionhead, Mini Rex, Dutch, Holland Lop and Netherland Dwarf. “The different breeds have different personalities, just like dogs,” says Rachel. “The Holland Lop is the calmest; the Netherland Dwarf is the most high-strung. But they all calm down once they are handled more [as a pet].” Terry gives them all names. “I told my mother to just number them, but she has to name each one of them. Her favorite is Lucy, a six-year-old Netherland Dwarf.” Rachel says they breed for color. There are black, blue, chocolate, chinchilla, tortoise, cream, white, red…you get the idea. The Lionheads have long fur around their heads and shoulders, the dwarfs are, well, smaller, and the lops are the Easter Bunnylooking ones with floppy ears. In short, they are all adorable and insanely soft. The Terhunes keep about 1200 adult rabbits; 150

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to 200 are replacement does for breeding. The baby bunnies are the ones sold to pet stores. Their goal is to sell 300 bunnies a week. The average productive life of a breeder doe is four years. A pet rabbit’s average lifespan is six to eight years. “They make great pets,” Terry says. “They know who you are, they like to be held, and they can even be litterbox trained.” “A rabbit is an inexpensive first pet,” adds Walter. “Children can learn responsibility and discipline caring for a rabbit before they get an expensive dog. But they don’t mix with dogs,” he cautions. Walter says the rabbits are happier in the new facility. How can he tell? “They are calmer here,” he says. “We haven’t lost any for cause. A lot of people lose their pet rabbits because of ignorance, poor nutrition and keeping.” Walter formulates his own feed, with the help of a private nutritionist, to correct for deficiencies. He says the nutritional needs vary for different rabbits – does, bucks, bunnies, pets and breeders. His feed has 20 or more ingredients and he buys 15,000 pounds of feed ingredients every six weeks! Walter goes on to explain that rabbits make good research and testing animals because they have similar digestive tracts as humans. There are no known zoonotic diseases, diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, in rabbits. The Terhunes employ a couple of school kids, a couple of part-time workers and a young college student studying animal science. “We are always looking for people who like to work,” Walter says. “People think this is simple work; it’s not.” Rachel is helping out more since the operation moved closer to Americus, where she lives. “Ideally, some employees will take an interest in the business and want to buy it,” Walter says. “My goal is to retire, again.”  SCL

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of Sumter

Around every corner in our amazing community, there are treasures that lay awaiting discovery. Beauty is indeed all around us and in endless supply. Take a look at a few more reasons

why we love

Sumter County.

Photo by

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David Parks

Photo by

David Parks

Photo by

David Parks

David Parks Hometown Living at Its Best

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Photo by

David Parks

Photo by

David Parks

“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.”

- Dolly Parton Photo by

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Sumter County Living

David Parks

Photo by

David Parks

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Best Kept Secret In Southwest Georgia!

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Fabric & Trim sewing Services Available! | Pam Horne Owner/Designer 223 W Lamar St, Americus, GA 31709 | 229-410-5125 134

Sumter county Living

RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | RESTORATION

S&S

TOTAL FLOOR CARE & RESTORATION 925 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD. AMERICUS GA (229) 942-2444 | SANDSTOTALFLOORCARE.COM

Cavenderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Barber Shop

302 W Lamar St # B, Americus, GA 31709

(229) 924-4030

Guitars

Instruments, Repairs, Lessons 1560 East Forsyth Street | Americus, GA 31709 229-944-8131 | www.tlguitars.com

110 N Jackson St, Americus, GA 31709 (229) 924-5967

116 W LAMAR ST, AMERICUS, GA 31709 (229) 410-5193

Scott’s Jewelry

Residential/Commercial Real Estate • Criminal/DUI Defense • General Civil Litigation • Estate Planning & Administration • Corporate & Small Business • Workers’ Compensation & Personal Injury

416 West Lamar Street Americus, Georgia 31709 (229) 389-2045 www.arnoldhooks.com

Americus House of Flowers

[ f o r m e r ly D i l l’ s F l o r i s t ] 1600 E Forsyth St, Americus, GA 31709 | (229) 924-8171

www.scotts-jewelry.com 210 W Lamar St, Americus, GA | (229) 928-3630 Hometown Living At Its Best

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Index of Advertisers

A Cut Above Salon ……...........................................................……. 9 Johnston Realty Group Inc. …….........................................……. 109 Accelerated Physical Therapy …........................................………. 98 Leesburg Air ................................................................…………. 108 Adams Exterminators ………..................................................…. 106 Logic4Design ..............................................................…………. 130 AfterHours Care of Americus, Inc. ...............................…………. 129 Louis A. Riccardi, DDS, PC .......................................…………. 18-19 Albany Symphony Orchestra ….........................................………. 96 Merle Norman …….............................................................……. 135 Allergy & Asthma Clinics of Georgia, P.C. ………......................…. 85 Middle Flint Behavioral HeathCare …...............................………. 43 Americus Apartment Homes ……............................................... 128 Nutrien ……........................................................................……. 121 Americus Dental ……..........................................................……. 101 Parker’s Heating & Air Conditioning ……..................................… 74 Americus House of Flowers …….........................................……. 135 Perfect Care, Inc .…........................................................………. 120 Arnold & Hooks, LLC ……...................................................……. 135 Phoebe …............................................................................………. 5 Belzer PC ….................................................................………. 46-47 Plains Historic Inn & Antique Mall ……...........................……. 32-33 Better Hometown …………........................................................... 57 Pro-Tech Security Group, Inc. …......................................………. 122 Bison Valley Lodge ……......................................................……. 109 Railway Freight Furniture …...............................................………. 56 Buck Country Wildlife Consulting ................................…………. 123 Roberts Jewelers …….........................................................……. 134 Cavender’s Barber Shop .............................................…………. 134 Rylander Theatre ……...........................................................……. 73 Central Baptist Church ………................................................…. 102 S & S Total Floor Care & Restoration …..........................………. 134 Chandler Morgan Eyeworks ……...........................................……. 58 Scott’s Jewelry ……............................................................……. 135 Citizens Bank of Americus …….........................……. 84, Back Cover Shamrock Jog & Jam ……............................................................ 98 City of Americus ………...........................................................…. 107 Shannan Blanchard …......................................................………. 99 City of Andersonville …....................................................………. 100 Sheppard House .........................................................…………. 134 City of Andersonville Historic Fair …..................................………. 86 South Georgia Technical College ………................................…. 120 Concrete Enterprises LLC ….........................................………. 20-21 Southern Land & Realty ..............................................…………. 131 Decorating Unlimited …...................................................………. 2-3 Southland Academy ......................................................…………. 87 Eaton Cooper Lighting ……...........................……. Inside Back Cover Southwest Georgia Farm Credit ……..................................……. 108 Fast Copy & Blueprint ….................................................………. 129 Strange Farms …...............................................................………. 75 First State Bank ...............................................................…………. 7 Strickland Accounting LLC ………..........................................…. 122 FYI - For Your Interiors Fabric & Trim …............................………. 134 Sumter County Chamber of Commerce …...................………. 30-31 Gatewood, Skipper & Rambo Attorneys at Law ………...........…. 123 Sumter County Living Subscription …….............................……. 132 Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center ……................……. 130 Sumter Retirement Village …………............................................. 70 Georgia Rural Telephone Museum …..............................………. 128 Sunbelt Ford of Americus ..............................................…………. 72 Georgia Southern State University ….......................................…. 97 The Kinnebrew Co ….......................................................………. 131 Georgia Southwestern University ………….................................... 71 The Local Marketplace ……........................................……. 133-135 Gyro City …......................................................................………. 135 The Maze …....................................................................………. 134 Harper’s Animal Clinic ……….................................................…. 131 The Staffing People …….........................................................……. 1 Hart Eye Care ………...............................................................…. 121 TL Guitars ....................................................................…………. 135 Harvey Well Drilling ………..................................................…. 44-45 Turton Properties ………........................................................…. 128 Hooks Simmons Insurance …..........................................………. 131 Westover Outdoor Power Equipment …...........................………. 130 Inscape Design Studio ………...........................…. Inside Front Cover Women’s Health Professionals ….....................................………. 59

Please thank these sponsors for making this publication possible! 136

Sumter County Living

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spring 2019

sumter county

Christmas Time Charles & Kim feel fortunate to be drawn into the history of a home connected by their family.

Courtside

Dwight harris allowed God to use him in an important way and now sees the value in that position.

Americus young professional, Raven Payne, is leading the way helping train the next leaders of the community.

The Beauty of Life

Hannah Hendricks makes not only inspiring pieces, but beautiful pieces.

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