Sumter County Living - Spring 2021 by With You In Mind Publications

Hometown Living at its Best S p rin g 2021 SUMTER COUNTY LIVING

TRANSFORMING PAPER

Where Fashion meets Fantasy

THE ART OF WORSHIP

Courtenay Puckett turns Paint and Patterns into PRAISE

healthy living A Nutritious

TNT Explosion!

adventure in style

Ford • Americus, GA COME BY AND SEE US TODAY OR VISIT US ONLINE SUNBELTAMERICUS.COM

1710 HWY 280 EAST | 888.490.2300

Plains HISTORIC INN & ANTIQUE MALL

HOME DECOR • GIFT ITEMS • COLLECTIBLES • ANTIQUES

{ Experience } the Magic SHOP • DINE • STAY

Below the Inn, enjoy shopping for antiques in the Antique Mall featuring display cases and over 25 booths!

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Hometown Living at its Best

Where Fashion Meets Fantasy

CON TENTS /

SPRING ISSUE 2021

Amy Flurry and Nikki Nye transform paper into silhouettes of both fine art and fashion.

The art of worship For local artist, Courtenay Puckett, worship is artmaking: paint, canvas, patterns, and brushstrokes.

Help is on the way! For three generations the Peacock family has served Americus and Sumter County, and even surrounding counties, in autorelated business in one vein or another.

Reach Out and Touch For Pastor Al Robinson of Reach Out and Touch Ministries, he lives with the intention that all may see the light and love of Jesus Christ shine through him.

Three's Company The Shop Girls From a young age, Lisa Fallaw, owner of Three’s Company gift shop, knew that she wanted to help support her local community by owning a retail clothing store. ON T H E C O V E R TNT Nutrition >> DAVID PARKS PHOTOGRAPHY 4 SPRING 2021 / SUMTER COUNTY LIVING

From Planning to Pregnancy & Toddler to Teen – We are here for you.

At Phoebe OBGYN & Phoebe Pediatrics, we are dedicated to providing expert care for the mother-to-be and her children, right here in Sumter County.

Phoebe Obstetrics & Gynecology of Americus Hindiya Mustafa, MD 229-931-7155 Shariah Solomon, CNM Phoebe Pediatrics of Americus Edwin Taylor, MD 229-931-4940

122 Highway 280 West, Building 3, Suite B Americus, Georgia | phoebehealth.com

Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown Living at its Best

C O NT E NTS

Healthy Living is Exploding with TNT! Owned and operated by Dendy and Terrah Cromer, TNT offers a variety of healthy substitutes to the standard diet of burgers, fries and chicken fingers.

Scenes 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.

6 SPRING 2021 / SUMTER COUNTY LIVING

Social Change through a Unified Front Summer Murray, CEO of a local nonprofit called The Social Exchange, sees artistic endeavors as a way to keep citizens engaged in their community as well as provide understanding among differing 84 cultures.

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Southern Comfort Southern food…fried chicken, biscuits, collard greens, pork chops smothered in gravy...not much is better than a southern meal. It carries big flavor, lots of butter and a whole mess of yum!

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A Journey toward healing Inspired by what massage therapy did to improve his wife’s health, Will Monroe decided to go to massage therapy school.

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The Good News Network The Good News Network is the umbrella organization comprised of GNN Radio, which broadcasts via satellite to 22 English speaking affiliates, and Radio Amistad which broadcasts via satellite to six Spanish-speaking affiliates.

a better way to bank

FIRSTATE BANK

ESTABLISHED 1964

Meeting the financial needs of the community, First State Bank has been serving its citizens since 1964

From the Publisher From the Publisher

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g A

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 Caffeine Generated Graphics, LLC C r E At i V E | d E S i G n robinNichols harrison Stacey Stacey nichols mandi spivey o f f i ce M a n age r Nikki Burkhalter

Photo by Leslie Hand Photography

As I sit down to write the publisher’s letter I review in my mind the articles that are in this issue. Many times I look for similarities. It Gearing for that the new summer has come to close dawned onupme oneschool of theyear, biggest similarities is athat a year ago and the back-to-school supply list is being checked off. Oh, the we were all in a time of confusion and questions and it was called seasons of life. Learning to ebb and flow with all that life can bring COVID-19. There were no answers just questions, theories and a can evoke so many emotions in us in various ways. I believe learning lottoof fear. This coming Saturday, be atpeace a baseball embrace the flowing waters allows Iuswill to have and joy tournament in all watching our oldest grandson play here in Georgia. In Texas, 2 of our of the times. We have often people are passion,Our andmiddle learningdaughter grandchildren willsaid be that practicing forour all-stars. about people’s stories is what makes what we do so incredible. We her is planning her wedding. Our youngest daughter is enrolling hear and learn the wisdom, mistakes, lessons and choices that the daughter in school. fascinating people of Sumter County have and we get to share the In the last 12 months most We of the has replaced in-depth background and details. are fear always so been honored to glean with hope, the uncertainty withyou conviction from these pages and hope enjoy it asand muchcourage. as we do. McNeills, on the of preserving AsFamilies, you fill like yourtheglass withare sweet teaforefront and cozy up in your favorite historyread intertwined with modern additives and a good and healthy dosebe easy to chair, these stories about your neighbors it will of old-fashioned work! Also included child music see why hope ishard replacing fear. Pleaseis help thankprodigy, our partners listed David Busman, whose story will give you chills about how he uses on page 128 by continuing to pray for them and supporting their his ability to speak to the world through music. Sharad Patel and his businesses. hard working family show such loyalty and passion to the Sumter

community and truly captivate what a family owned business looks like. 10:10 KJV John Each of these stories, and so many more, walk you from the beginning to the present of the different pages of life that each have The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I experienced; lessons learned along the way and the journey ahead. am Thank comeyou thattothey haveforlife, and in that might have it more all of might our readers sharing ourthey joy and continuing abundantly. to open your arms of friendship. We are so grateful for our clients who continue to make this publication possible and they are listed on page 136. Please thank them and continue to support them. Blessings,

Jay and Patti Martin Sales: (912) 654-3045 Email: jay@wyimpublications.com 8 8

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sumter County living© is published semi-annually by With You in mind Publications. www.withyouinmindpublications.com Sumter CountyStreet• Living© Vidalia, is published 400-C Adams GA 30474 semi-annually by With You in Mind Publications. (912) 403-3004 www.withyouinmindpublications.com All rights reserved. reproduction of this P.O. BoxCopies 55 •or Glennville, GApublication 30427in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. (912) 654-3045 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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Welcoming Dawn Ammons to A Cut Above Salon Team this summer. She will be offering manicures, pedicures, facials, waxing and haircuts too!

A Cut Above SA LON

“We curate a space that feels at once energetically upbeat and like a calming oasis from the hectic pace of our lives.”

Lorie and Laura

The Creative Stylis t Team For Men, Women, and Children

C U T, C O LOR & CO N VERS ATIO N S 110 GA HWY 27 E, AMERICUS, GA 31709 | (229) 924-8849

Art Worship THE

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Story by Rachel Price | Photos by MISTY WARREN OF SWEET MAGNOLIA PHOTOGRAPHY

For local artist, Courtenay Puckett, worship is artmaking: paint, canvas, patterns, and brushstrokes.

Worship presents itself in many forms, from inside our hearts to outward expressions of adoration. For a believer in God, it is His name we worship through song, biblical readings, and fellowship with other believers. We also worship visually. This is nothing new. Visual worship has been around since the beginning; scripture praising His name, books with imagery, stained glass windows, and flowers. We also worship through the arts. Mosaics with biblical scenes were common in the early church and even beautiful illuminated manuscripts all used artwork to aid worship. Nowadays, it’s common to see floral arrangements at the altar, illustrated books and paintings, and even dramatic plays, all working together to bring Him glory through worship. For local artist, Courtenay Puckett, worship is artmaking: paint, canvas, patterns, and brushstrokes. Courtenay comes from a long line of artists. Her grandmother was a fashion designer

Creativity lives inside all of us, because we were made in the image of our Creator, God. Whether it comes out in your cooking, words, fashion, ideas, or gardening, our entire life can be lived in a way to show this creativity, and thus bringing Him glory.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Abstract artwork is one of her favorite types of artwork. She uses mixed media while choosing simplicity and optimism to portray her interpretation of a piece to the viewer. Materials such as acrylic, ink, charcoal, paper, and fabric on canvas leave the viewer with his own interpretation.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Her art is fun, friendly, and at times playful. But at the very core, her art is an expression of worship to the Lord. She tells me, “This is no surprise. After all, an artist paints what he/she knows best, what is inside of themselves, right? I am a Christian. I have a heart for missions, evangelism, discipleship, and I love scripture and want others to know Him.”

in the 20s and had the honor of designing dresses for the movie Gone with the Wind. Her uncle showed in Atlanta Galleries through the 80s and continues to work in clay and wood in his studio. Her mom is a high school art educator in Gwinnett County and both of her sisters are in creative lines of work. “I’ve had the privilege of growing up in an art-loving family and a thriving arts community my entire life,”

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Courtenay explains. When she attended college at the University of Georgia, there came a time when she stood at the crossroad of passion or practicality. The lifedecision question, “what do you want to major in?” led to practicality. She figured a career in business management would be “more stable.” It was not long before she realized this was not where she belonged.

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Courtenay taught art in school for a few years while she lived in Kentucky. With the birth of her first child, Harper, she left the classroom and studio to focus on being a mom. She wanted to spend the most formative years of her child’s life alongside her.

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Her heart was not in it, her heart was in art. She then changed her major to Art Education to combine her self-described “two loves - art and children.” Courtenay taught art in school for a few years while she lived in Kentucky. With the birth of her first child, Harper, she left the classroom and studio to focus on being a mom. She wanted to spend the most formative years of her child’s life alongside her. “Nowadays, the kids are a bit older, Harper (11) and Jon (8), and I’ve found a little more room in our days where I can pick up art materials again, and teach classes online. What a joy to share art with others!” explains Courtenay. Her art is fun, friendly, and at times playful. But at the very core, her art is an expression of worship to the Lord. She tells me, “This is no surprise. After all, an artist paints what he/she knows best, what is inside of themselves, right? I am a Christian. I have a heart for missions, evangelism, discipleship, and I love scripture and want others to know Him. This is my life-long passion, my overarching reason for being on earth. Art is the vehicle that has given me a voice to share these things. All true art speaks to the soul and, as an artist I have to ask the question, ‘what do I want my art to say?’ I want it to speak of Him. I have found I can share about Him more freely and fully through making artwork. There is a connection between the two for me.” Courtenay lives in Americus with her husband, Brian, BCM campus minister at GSW, and two children. Courtenay is the county director of Called to Care, a ministry for Sumter County’s foster care community. She has studied under Christian Artist and Union University Professor, Dr. Halla. She’s had illustrations published in the book Gift of Yuli in 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Art in Art Education with a concentration

When she attended college at the University of Georgia, there came a time when she stood at the crossroad of passion or practicality. The life-decision question, “what do you want to major in?” led to practicality. She figured a career in business management would be “more stable.” It was not long before she realized this was not where she belonged.

Hometown Living At Its Best

in drawing and painting from the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. In 2018 she was chosen as a “Curated American Artist” and in 2019 held her first solo show entitled “Living Waters” at the Huss Foundation in Americus. Abstract artwork is one of her favorite types of artwork. She uses mixed media while choosing simplicity and optimism to portray her interpretation of a piece to the viewer. Materials such as acrylic, ink, charcoal, paper, and fabric on canvas leave the viewer with his own interpretation. Much like her personality, Courtenay’s work is shy, humble, honest, real, and bold. Being a Christian and a missionary at heart, she wants to show others Christ in a way they may have never seen Him. She explores spirituality and relationship with our Creator, using biblical references and imagery as her subject matter. Her

sumter county living

hope is to touch a believer in his journey and to prayerfully spark an interest in a non-believer’s heart through her work. “Creativity lives inside all of us, because we were made in the image of our Creator, God. Whether it comes out in your cooking, words, fashion, ideas, or gardening, our entire life can be lived in a way to show this creativity, and thus bringing Him glory,” she tells me. For a believer in God, there is a knowing that He created the heavens and the earth. We are made by His hands much like a work of art. We are fashioned and formed just so. We are given gifts and talents, alongside an imagination at even the youngest age. We are works of art formed perfectly by a perfect Creator worthy of our expressions of worship. Courtenay chooses art as her form of expression; making faith visible one piece, one brushstroke, at a time.  SCL

1108 FETNER DRIVE • AMERICUS, GA 31709 | (229) 924-4479 | MON - THURS: 8AM - 5PM

serving Sumter county for 100 years.

Homegrown Grown World Renown

Sumter County Chamber of Commerce | 409 Elm Avenue Americus, GA 31709 229.924.2646 | www.sumtercountychamber.com

Providing opportunities and support for the growth and prosperity of local & regional business and industry. Sumter County Chamber of Commerce

For three generations the Peacock family has served Americus and Sumter County, and even surrounding counties, in auto-related business in one vein or another. Story by JUNE B. ANDERSON | Photos by David Parks Photography

sumter county living

HELP

IS ON THE WAY!

Hometown Living At Its Best

sumter county living

How does a man from Americus who spent his kindergarten time at “Miss Greene’s,” was educated 1st3rd grades at New Era, 4th-6th at Brooklyn Heights, 7th-12th at Southland Academy, graduating in 1979 (the first class to attend all twelve grades there) and a member of First United Methodist Church here settle into the towing business? Martin Peacock gives a simple but perfect answer: It’s in his blood. For three generations the Peacock family has served Americus and Sumter County, and even surrounding counties, in auto-related business in one vein or another. It all began with Martin’s grandfather, Roy L. Peacock, who started the original Peacock Garage on July 12, 1928. It operated for a very short time on Cotton Avenue and soon moved onto West Lamar Street at the location of the present-day Rylander Park across from Monroe’s Hot Dogs. Not long after the business began, on March 14, 1929, Martin’s father, Roy, Jr., was born. He grew up and married, and he and Mary Jo adopted two little

Hometown Living At Its Best

infant boys, first Martin and then Ron. The Peacock family has been loyal to Sumter County as the whole family has always called this area home, all the senior Peacocks as well as Martin and his wife, Rhoda, and Ron and his wife, Susie, and many extended family members. In 1948, Roy, Sr., became discouraged that parking meters were being installed in front of his business. This was going to cause quite an inconvenience for his customers who drove directly from the street into his lot, so after 20 years he moved his business into a location that is now 440 U.S. Highway 280 East, not far past Walmart. Martin’s father, Roy, Jr., graduated from school and came into the business as he came of age. Roy, Sr., was a bit of a mechanical whiz. He devised a power wrecker, the likes of which no one had seen before. He also owned two full patents: one for an internal motor washer and the other for Amermac, a tire truing machine. Roy, Jr., served in the military in Germany during the Korean War. When he came home, he started Peacock Auto Parts in the mid1950s.

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Martin attended South Georgia Tech for a year and Georgia Southwestern for three years and chose to leave school because his father needed him in the business. As the third generation in the family business, Martin says he grew up in the garage/wrecker/towing business and that it’s just simply in his blood. However, he was particularly intrigued by the towing branch of the business, and in the 1980s chose to make that his “home.” The flood of 1994 in Sumter County kept them so busy that the decision was made to go completely with the towing side. People needed them and they wanted to be there to help. The towing service is the only non-government entity on the scene of an accident. Fire, law enforcement, etc., are supported by the government. Towing companies are privately owned by individuals. Not everyone can do this kind of work, but aren’t we glad that God has gifted those who do with the kind of ability and desire to help in this way? If they weren’t on the job, the roads would resemble a Mad Max movie! Disabled vehicles would be scattered all over the highways.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Apparently helping is also in Martin’s blood. He is Sumter County Citizen Corps’ Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) coordinator, a group that is instrumental in providing needed and welcome assistance when a disaster strikes our county. They are a network of neighborhood teams that organize to attend to the needs of their own neighborhoods when disaster strikes their areas. One instance was when the tornado hit here on March 1, 2007, and Martin was in the thick of it. Martin is zealous about protecting people on the highways and has been active in the “Slow Down, Move Over” campaign. This organization calls attention to motorists that they should be aware of first responders on the highways who are aiding

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Hometown Living At Its Best

As a youth, Martin was trained for competition in water skiing. He just loves the outdoors and has a sort of motto: “A bad day in the woods is better than a good day in the office.” He’ll get little argument around here. This is South Georgia! Almost everyone loves the outdoors!

others, such as law enforcement officers, tow truck drivers, ambulance drivers, firefighters, or those otherwise stopped in the emergency lane. The object is to remind people that there are many people killed because drivers on the highways fail to move over in the next left lane to avoid hitting them. Chattanooga, Tennessee, is known as the home of wreckers, since the first wrecker was invented there by Ernest Holmes, Sr. Ernest, Sr., was the reason for the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum being located in Chattanooga, which operates the Survivor Fund, and Martin is involved with this entity. If a member family loses a loved one killed while on the job, the family receives $10,000 from the fund. They know that this is a small comfort compared to the fact that a family has lost a loved one, but it also answers the question, “What in the

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world will we do?” until they can get on their feet after the possible loss of income due to the person’s death. With his hectic schedule and community involvement, it hardly seems logical that Martin could have a hobby, but he does love to hunt quail and duck. (Isn’t it ironic that he has a double bird name? Think about it…Martin Peacock.) He has also been a pilot for many years and says that has come in handy in his line of work. Believe it or not, a pilot can be a useful commodity in the towing business. As a youth, Martin was trained for competition in water skiing. He just loves the outdoors and has a sort of motto: “A bad day in the woods is better than a good day in the office.” He’ll get little argument around here. This is South Georgia! Almost everyone loves the outdoors! He loves the action of the towing business so much that for several years Martin volunteered at NASCAR races as he worked with Century Wrecker, the largest manufacturer of wreckers at that time, and gained training and knowledge. Martin was in Daytona at the track when Dale Earnhardt was killed, a traumatic experience for many of them because no one thought he had taken a hit strong enough to cause his death. At Peacock Towing, Inc., Martin is CEO and Ron’s son, Curt, is the vice president and handles the day-to-day operations of the business. Martin says they have all sizes of tow trucks for all sizes of towing needs, “from motorcycles to semis.” He says he even helped with an airplane once, which turned out to be quite a feat, but they got the job done!

Every business has statistics of some sort, and Martin says he hasn’t proven it yet, but he’s been told that Peacock Towing is the oldest towing company in Georgia, and that they are definitely in the top 30 in the nation. These guys are go-getters! You can see them all over and not just in Sumter County. His business card says, “Providing ‘Sudden Service’ since 1928.” My husband and I once had need of this “sudden service.” We were on the interstate in Macon and our vehicle quit. It simply quit. No warning. We called 911, but when help did not arrive, hubby said he was calling Martin! Although it was actually Ron that showed up, we knew Peacock was going to come through. We were so thankful to see Ron comin’ ‘round the bend…it was 104 degrees that day and we had to stay in the car. It was so hot, but it would have been hotter if we had gotten out of the car…there was

no nearby shade. Peacock saved the day! I’m sure there are many who can say that Peacock has done the same for them! The towing service is the only non-government entity on the scene of an accident. Fire, law enforcement, etc., are supported by the government. Towing companies are privately owned by individuals. Not everyone can do this kind of work, but aren’t we glad that God has gifted those who do with the kind of ability and desire to help in this way? If they weren’t on the job, the roads would resemble a Mad Max movie! Disabled vehicles would be scattered all over the highways. Oh, and thank you, Rhoda, for putting up with Martin’s midnight calls for help since 1983! There’s usually a good woman behind a good man!  SCL

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a life changing difference

Story By Alexa Tebben

Unbearable pain is something no one should have to live with. Southwest Georgia Center of Medicine (SWGCM) treats patients with a variety of injuries, nerve damage and general pain to give them back the ease of mobility they once knew. Mother and daughter Priscilla Pappas and Dorothy Sichelstiel received stem cell rich allograft therapy from the medical team at SWGCM with astounding results. Dorothy says of her mother, Priscilla, “Her knee was bothering her to the point where she’d have to sit after about 10 or 20 minutes of walking.” Dorothy was having excruciating shoulder pain as well, and together they underwent this new kind of regenerative medicine. At SWGCM, an allograft, which is a tissue transplant, is collected exclusively from donated umbilical cords of healthy, full-term babies. They draw your own blood, process it and filter out everything except the platelet rich plasma. The PRP is then

injected into the same area as the allograft. This allows even more healing potential than using just one therapy. It creates a healing environment that allows the body to heal itself with virtually no side effects. Dorothy speaks highly of Dr. Codner and his staff. She says, “[He is] very personable and easy to talk to.” Even when she has an appointment with the medical team, Dorothy says, “Dr. Codner always makes sure he sees me.” Priscilla and Dorothy were told to expect improvement in the next six months. “We had it done the week before Thanksgiving and by January I had forgotten about my shoulder,” Dorothy states incredulously. “I have no pain.” Dr. Codner’s patients have many success stories like these. With dedication to the practice and commitment to improving patient’s health and well-being, he makes a life changing difference with each person that enters his care.

Southwest Georgia CENTER OF MEDICINE

229-389-2038 | 915 ELMO STREET | AMERICUS, GA 31709

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Story by ALEXA TEBBEN | Photos courtesy of Paper-Cut-Project

Where

Fashion Meets

Fantasy

It takes a true artistic soul to turn an everyday object into a magnificent piece of art. Sumter County’s very own prodigy, Amy Flurry, and artist, Nikki Nye, transform paper into fantastical silhouettes of both fine art and fashion. “I’m from Americus,” Amy, the daughter of Dr. Ray and Sheila Williams, says proudly. “My mom instilled in me this love of magazines and fashion. Growing up she would always give me her magazines when she was done and put

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them on my bed.” Amy recalls those early memories fondly and acknowledges them as crucial moments that sparked her love affair with fashion. “I was looking at magazines and understood that that was a playground of creativity,” she explains. Wonder and curiosity took hold and Amy journeyed into a career founded on her storytelling, both in words and images. Following high school, Amy left her hometown of Americus to study magazines at the University of Georgia. “I started freelancing and writing for magazines,” she tells me. “I did that and worked as an editor and a freelance writer for a lot of

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national publications for about 20 years.” The communication industry provided exposure and insight into the fashion world she always longed to be a part of. In 2008, Amy met Nikki Nye, an Atlanta based boutique owner. Amy featured Nikki and her boutique in a story and was drawn as much to the store as she was to its owner. The women initially connected on a professional level, but the effects of the 2008 financial crisis drew them closer towards a personal friendship. “We had a lot in common,” Amy says. “When the recession hit and

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The fashion community has not only embraced Paper Cut Project with open arms, but supplies them with endless opportunities to showcase their work. “We didn’t launch this as an art project,” Amy admits. “We did this more on the commercial side but it was always received as fine art.”

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the publication industry took a nosedive, I suddenly didn’t see a future in them anymore. At the same moment, Nikki was forced to close her shop.” Drawn together in this time of uncertainty, Amy and Nikki used their skills and resources to find a way to express themselves artistically. “We got together and decided to create a window display, something fanciful in that extremely difficult moment,” Amy says. Nikki, an art school graduate, had been making small paper art for several years, but

The Paper Cut Project pair are always working on the same pieces at the same time. First, they conceptualize a collection and illustrate the pieces together. Then Amy works on the detailed pieces while Nikki, their lead designer, works on the form.

together they had a vision of breaking into the fashion industry using this unique means of artistry. Turning ordinary sheets of paper into extraordinary works of expression and design, they were confidently determined to work their way into the world’s most elite fashion circles. Naming their new business Paper Cut Project, they landed their first assignment with Jeffrey’s luxury boutique window display at Phipps Plaza in Atlanta. Jeffrey’s commissioned their services for the New York location as well and gave them a one month deadline to complete the project. “We did twenty pieces, ten for Atlanta and ten for the New York store,” Amy recalls. Once the project was complete, they quickly worked to put themselves on the map. “Coming from journalism, I knew that if someone saw the pieces they might ask who did this. I made sure we had the basic website so we were able to be found.” The Jeffrey’s display was such a hit they quickly became the envy of the fashion world. Hermes, a wellknown luxury store founded in Paris, was looking for paper artists and commissioned the ladies of Paper Cut Project for their next collection. “Luxury companies like that look for kind of unknown artists to create these fantastical windows or something for an event,” Amy explains. “Once we did that and we shared images, that’s how people kept finding us. It just blossomed from there.” Almost immediately their work was being commissioned by highly esteemed fashion names all over the world. “We did fashion week in New York in 2011,” Amy says. “We worked with a designer, Jen Hometown Living At Its Best

Amy talks about the uniqueness of their operation and the commitments they made to themselves and to each other from the start. “We have purposefully kept it just the two of us,” Amy says. “We decided that we wanted to keep it slow and controlled and exclusive. Each of [the pieces] are unique…one from the next and they are hand cut by me and Nikki piece by piece.”

Kao. That moment was pretty amazing because we were behind the scenes of a major runway production at Lincoln Center.” Once people became familiar with Amy and Nikki’s work, they couldn’t get enough of it. New clients came forward eager to get their hands on a one-of-a-kind Paper Cut Project. Amy describes those early fashion shows, luxury boutique collections and the demand of work as both stressful and exhilarating experiences. When asked if she could have imagined the sheer success of Paper Cut Project, Amy admits, “I could imagine that somebody would see it and know what to do with it and it would probably come from fashion. But I never would have imagined it would have been Cartier, Kate Spade, Hermes, Valentino… We still get a kick out of it,” she adds chuckling. Amy talks about the uniqueness of their operation and the commitments they made to themselves and to each other from the start. “We have purposefully kept it just the two of us,” Amy says. “We decided that we wanted to keep it slow and controlled and exclusive. Each of [the pieces] are unique…one from the next and they are hand cut by me and Nikki piece by piece.” 42

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When first deciding to go into business together, Amy and Nikki knew they wanted to work in fashion circles without living in prime fashion cities like New York and Paris. “We always needed it to be simple and to figure out a way to work together that didn’t require us to have a dedicated studio.” When they started, Amy lived in Athens, Georgia and Nikki worked in Atlanta. Not sacrificing their locations allowed the women to move freely how they pleased. “It has opened up a world we both wanted to exist in and continue to play in, but we didn’t want to move to,” Amy muses. “We found a way to participate even though we’re not there.” The Paper Cut Project pair are always working on the same pieces at the same time. First, they conceptualize a collection and illustrate the pieces together. Then Amy works on the detailed pieces while Nikki, their lead designer, works on the form. They meet for the finishing touches and installations to complete the project together. “We started it that way because we’re both artists in our own right,” Amy says. “We value that independence and that togetherness on the project.” It is this originality, dedication to the process and respect for each other’s style that makes their technique work. The fashion community has not only embraced Paper Cut Project with open arms, but supplies them with endless opportunities to showcase their work. “We didn’t launch this as an art project,” Amy admits. “We did this more on the commercial side but it was always received as fine art.” And how could it not be? Their beautiful work has been featured in museums, galleries and shows all over the world. From Paris to Portugal, Paper Cut Project has made a name for itself that has swept through both art and fashion communities stretching far and wide. Their mutual love for what they do continues to bond Amy and Nikki with each project they undertake.

Almost immediately their work was being commissioned by highly esteemed fashion names all over the world. “We did fashion week in New York in 2011,” Amy says. “We worked with a designer, Jen Kao. That moment was pretty amazing because we were behind the scenes of a major runway production at Lincoln Center.” Once people became familiar with Amy and Nikki’s work, they couldn’t get enough of it. New clients came forward eager to get their hands on a one-of-a-kind Paper Cut Project.

“We’re very complimentary,” Amy says of her and Nikki. “We have a rhythm of making things and we both are bringing ideas and expression to every project.” Amy encourages people to pursue their passions claiming that fulfillment will follow. “Not everything has to be a wild commercial success,” she tells me. “Even though we have had some of that, we just find joy in doing it. There’s a richness that it has added to our lives.” The story of how Paper Cut Project came to be is a beautiful reminder of life’s greatest surprises. Instead of giving up on their artistic dreams, Amy and Nikki used a momentary setback to surge forward into what would become a beautiful collaboration of their strongest attributes and passions. They are making their mark on the industry by doing what they love, and each project brings its own flavor and expression to the unique form of paper art.  SCL

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Reach Out and Touch

For Pastor Al Robinson of Reach Out and Touch Ministries, he lives with the intention that all may see the light and love of Jesus Christ shine through him.

If you could tell the world one thing, what would it be? For Pastor Al Robinson of Reach Out and Touch Ministries, he lives with the intention that all may see the light and love of Jesus Christ shine through him. Al’s journey began as a teenager when he met Emma, the woman that would become his wife. “I met her when we were around 16 years old,” he tells me. “We got married at 18 years of age. She’s my soulmate,” he adds fondly. Al says he knew almost immediately that he wanted to marry Emma one day. As young adults, they sealed the deal and began their life together. When they were 20 years old, Al and Emma began attending services at United Holiness Church. “We actually got saved through a bible study,” he says. As new Christians, they were energized and excited about what the Lord had planned for their lives. “I started a bible study with some younger kids,” Al recalls of those early years. “It’s like the Lord was speaking to me saying, ‘Reach out and touch these young people. They need some direction.’” Having been saved in a bible study himself, Al values the camaraderie these small groups inspire and longed to provide a space of spiritual growth for

Hometown Living At Its Best

others. “A few years later, I went into ministry and I was ordained Elder in 1988,” Al recalls. Al, Emma, and their four small children stayed with the church for another five years. In the meantime, Al and Emma went through cosmetology school and both became hair dressers. “I had just graduated from cosmetology school and I needed a job,” he says. Al began working at Middle Flint Behavioral Healthcare part-time. He became what is called a house parent for adults with disabilities living in a group home setting. Al speaks about those years with fondness and shares how his faith enhanced his perspective. He was reminded of the scriptures where Jesus called his followers to love the least of

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these, and that is exactly what he did. “When I met those folks,” Al says, “it really gave me an opportunity to show the Lord that I really love Him and I’m going to prove that by making these folks part of my life.” Treating these people as part of their family, Al and his co-workers took them to church, on trips to Florida and included them in normal, daily activities. “We didn’t just go to work, cook their meals, bathe them, feed them, administer their medications and then clock out and leave,” Al says. “We included them and made them a part of our family and made sure we did things to promote a full life.” This created a lasting impact on the people they took care of while allowing them to share the love and light of Jesus through their actions. Al, Emma and their four children eventually left United Holiness Church sometime after the pastor passed away. “We carried on with the bible study we

While Al’s love for each of his children is beyond evident, he speaks proudly of his youngest son, Emmanuel, who has most closely followed in his footsteps. “He’s really involved in the church,” Al says. “He’s one of my ministers in the church. He is also our youth minister. He plays bass guitar, the drums, and he also plays the piano a little bit.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

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already had,” Al says. “One thing led to another, folks started coming and we said if these folks are coming let’s start a mission and meet not just on bible study days but on Sundays.” Al became a full-time preacher of Reach Out and Touch Ministries. “I wasn’t intending to have a church,” Al admits. However, he adds, “There was always a yearning inside of us to reach out to other people.” When Al and Emma were saved, their lives drastically changed for the better. With their church, Reach Out and Touch, they aim to inspire that change in others as they welcome people of all backgrounds to hear the word of the Lord. “It never was important to me to build a big church,” Al reveals. “My ministry was based on ministering to whoever would listen.” He remains dedicated to sharing the word of the Lord with his church, even when it is not easy. “Sometimes our message is not exactly what they want to hear. It may not taste good to the tongue, but it’s going to be good to the system.” He preaches with vigor, longing to see people leave his services as changed individuals renewed in their faith. When asked about his congregation, Al describes a group of godly individuals with ungodly backgrounds that are made brothers and sisters through their mutual faith in the Lord. “It’s a family, and not just a family, but it’s a close-knit family,” he says. The relationships that have been formed through this ministry are enhancing the kingdom of God and bringing glory to the Lord every day. In 2016, they purchased a church building for the first time. As bills added up, Al made personal sacrifices

In 2016, they purchased a church building for the first time. As bills added up, Al made personal sacrifices for the bettering of his ministry. Although previously retired from his work in the group home, he says, “I went back to work at Middle Flint as an instructor in the training centers. I donated my salary of the church back to the church and I went back to work so I could support myself.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

for the bettering of his ministry. Although previously retired from his work in the group home, he says, “I went back to work at Middle Flint as an instructor in the training centers. I donated my salary of the church back to the church and I went back to work so I could support myself.” Working full-time again allowed Al to support his family and his church. While Al finds unmatched fulfillment in preaching the word of God, his mission is not bound inside the walls of his church building. At Middle Flint Behavioral Healthcare, he continues to make a difference in people’s lives. “Every day I get out bed and go there; they treat me like I’m a celebrity,” he says laughing. “It’s so fulfilling to go there every day. They’re wonderful people.” Al’s heart for others is a testament to the Lord’s love for all people. He is 52

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continually energized and works, serves, and preaches that others may see the kindness of the Lord through him. While Al’s love for each of his children is beyond evident, he speaks proudly of his youngest son, Emmanuel, who has most closely followed in his footsteps. “He’s really involved in the church,” Al says. “He’s one of my ministers in the church. He is also our youth minister. He plays bass guitar, the drums, and he also plays the piano a little bit.” Al and Emma have 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The Lord continues to bless their family for their commitment to this ministry, and they feel equally blessed by what it has done in their lives. Al lives to give God the glory for all He has done. He preaches of the Lord’s might,

love and plans for His people straight from the Bible. “My church is not based on religion,” he says decidedly. “We are based on the facts of the everlasting eternal words that Jesus Christ preached.” His dedication to the word of the Lord shines through every sermon, conversation and smile he gives. “I don’t want people to remember the name of Al Robinson,” he says humbly. “I want them to understand who and what the name of Jesus Christ represents. That’s what my life is all about.” It is with dedication and commitment to service that Reach Out and Touch Ministries seeks to impact the community by lavishing the Lord’s love on all people. And each day their actions reflect the unending glory and graciousness of their Lord, Jesus Christ.  SCL

Hometown Living At Its Best

We Love Our Community Just As Much As You Do! That’s why we do our part each and every day to invest in ways that will only make our community better. Whether it’s providing financial solutions, volunteering with local organizations, or simply being a good neighbor, we believe our future is bright and we can make a difference.

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d decorating unlimited 229.924.6669 | 1211 Crawford St. (HWY 49N) Americus | M-F 9-5 | After Hours By Appointment

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229.924.6669 | 1211 Crawford St. (HWY 49N) Americus | M-F 9-5 | After Hours By Appointment

Story by DAVID PENA | Photos by David Parks Photography

From a young age, Lisa Fallaw, owner of Three’s Company gift shop, knew that she wanted to help support her local community by owning a retail clothing store.

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“What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s a question many adults still haven’t answered yet, and most high school students have even less of a clue these days. We have a world of options before us, but many of us struggle with how to best narrow down a career that’s both fulfilling and lucrative. Once we do find a career, it’s often the case that our chosen profession fails to make us feel truly satisfied. This is certainly not something that they teach us in school, which makes our journey even more challenging. Well, that’s certainly not the case for Lisa Fallaw,

Shop Girls THE

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So what’s the secret of Lisa’s success? “It’s not just about selling merchandise for me. I’m a people person; I like to see people happy. When you can help somebody find the perfect gift, it truly makes you feel good about yourself. I feel like I have truly found my calling, and I have made so many friends through my store. You can’t really put a price on something like that.”

And it’s not all about the ladies at Three’s Company Too. “We’ll have men that come in around Valentine’s Day or anniversaries,” says Lisa. “You know, in a small town like Americus, we probably know their wives or girlfriend, or in some cases, their mother. That makes it easier for us to help them find that special gift, and when they call back and show their appreciation, it really makes our day.”

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owner of Three’s Company gift shop in Cordele and its sister store in Americus, Three’s Company Too. Lisa says that as long as she can remember, she knew just what she wanted to do with her life. “At one of my high school class reunions, we watched a tape that one of the fathers filmed when we graduated. He asked each of us what we wanted to do after graduation, and there I was, on camera, saying that one day I’d own my own clothing store!” Born and raised in Vienna, Lisa always seemed to be the goaloriented, enterprising type, even from a very early age. “My

grandfather was born and raised in Americus, and I had always worked retail throughout my high school years. I learned a lot about retail from him. He had a packing house where they packed peaches. He let me run a little restaurant in there and was a huge factor in teaching me how to run a business. He taught me that money is not the most important thing.” Along with her mother, Lisa opened up a small clothing store in Vienna after graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in Home Economics and Journalism. Their little

store was called the Peach Basket and it turned out to be quite a success initially. However, when Lisa’s second son was born premature and had to be placed on a heart monitor, she decided to opt out of the retail business, at least temporarily. “I wanted to be a mama (instead of running a store), so we opted to sell the Peach Basket in 1997 and I became a stay-at-home mom.” After about two years, Lisa felt the urge to get back in the game. “When my youngest son was two, I decided to

Hometown Living At Its Best

open a small booth,” she recalls. “It was actually inside of a small house along with several other businesses. This was way before booths were the trend.” Although her small booth enjoyed some success, Lisa began the process of opening her very own shop. That day came in 2000 when she opted to take the “entrepreneurial plunge,” opening Three’s Company with two other ladies in Cordele. From the outset, their gift shop exuded a timeless charm with a modern appeal. Essentially a “one-stop” destination for the small-town residents, it seemed to be a success from the very start. “I am so grateful for the folks in Cordele who supported us from the beginning,” says Lisa, who became sole owner of the shop in 2007. Both shops specialize in gifts for all occasions and ages. “We sell different styles of jewelry, bath products, clothing, some garden products, and a little bit of everything else, even some gourmet foods,” laughs Lisa, who divides her time between the two locations. “We also offer bridal and baby registries, so we can help just about anyone find the perfect gift.”

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Hometown Living At Its Best

Cordele’s store manager, Lenora Bedsole, who has been with the company for 14 years, says, “We have a quaint, welcoming store that has always been very family friendly. We make sure that our customers are always made to feel happy when they come in. It’s so cozy and they come back to us because they feel good when they shop here.” The overwhelming success of the original store in Cordele paved the way for Lisa’s store in Americus. Thus, it was in 2017 that Lisa decided to expand the brand by opening Three’s Company Too. As Lisa recalls, there was a bit of luck involved in that process. “We were very fortunate that there was another little gift shop in town that was closing at the time, and I had a couple of people urge me to open up a shop here. Since I had family here, it was a pretty easy decision for me. It’s a cute little town, and

Adair and her staff take part in Americus’ First Friday celebrations as well as the Second Saturday sidewalk sale. There’s also an annual Christmas parade that ventures right in front of the store, with the exception of last year’s parade, which was canceled due to the pandemic.

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it’s got the Windsor Hotel here as well.” Two years ago Lisa actually moved her store across from the Windsor, where it now stands. “We’re in the middle of all the action now, so that’s been good for us.” Adair Hoffman, manager at Three’s Company Too, actually worked at the original location before opting to come to Americus. “I came here about a month before we opened, helping to set up the shop. Over the years, I have seen how our level of customer service is just a cut above. That’s because everyone who works here loves their job and truly loves helping our customers. We’re still in the process of building our clientele, but because it’s a small town, we get a chance to hear instant feedback on the job we do, and it’s always positive.” Longtime customer Allene Reeves, who has been a customer since the original store’s inception, says, “Adair and her staff are very friendly and accommodating. If Adair doesn’t have something in stock, she’ll do what she can to get it for you. It’s just

a friendly atmosphere.” Adair and her staff take part in Americus’ First Friday celebrations as well as the Second Saturday sidewalk sale. There’s also an annual Christmas parade that ventures right in front of the store, with the exception of last year’s parade, which was canceled due to the pandemic. “You really feel like you’re truly in the middle of everything that’s happening in Americus,” says Adair. “Making people happy and putting a smile on their face is what we’re all about.” “I’ve been really blessed to have some excellent employees, and it takes all of us to help make both locations a success,” says Lisa proudly. “Lenora and Adair both know everything there is to know about running our shops. We also have a fabulous staff at both locations that help to make our shops a success. They know most everyone in town, so if

Hometown Living At Its Best

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someone is getting married, we make sure to get them registered. If someone is sick, we make sure to send them a card.” Both shops specialize in gifts for all occasions and ages. “We sell different styles of jewelry, bath products, clothing, some garden products, and a little bit of everything else, even some gourmet foods,” laughs Lisa, who divides her time between the two locations. “We also offer bridal and baby registries, so we can help just about anyone find the perfect gift.” And it’s not all about the ladies at Three’s Company Too. “We’ll have men that come in around Valentine’s Day or anniversaries,” says Lisa. “You know, in a small town like Americus, we probably know their wives or girlfriend, or in some cases, their mother. That makes it easier for us to help them find that special gift, and when they call back and show their appreciation, it really makes our day.” So what’s the secret of Lisa’s success? “It’s not just about selling merchandise for me. I’m a people person; I like to see people happy. When you can help somebody find the perfect gift, it truly makes you feel good about yourself. I feel like I have truly found my calling, and I have made so many friends through my store. You can’t really put a price on something like that.”  SCL

Adair Hoffman, manager at Three’s Company Too, actually worked at the original location before opting to come to Americus. “I came here about a month before we opened, helping to set up the shop. Over the years, I have seen how our level of customer service is just a cut above.

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Story by DAVID PENA | Photos by David Parks Photography

Owned and operated by Dendy and Terrah Cromer, TNT offers a variety of healthy substitutes to the standard diet of burgers, fries and chicken fingers.

Healthy Living is

Exploding with TNT!

Undoubtedly, 2020 was most clearly defined by the onset of the coronavirus, arguably the worst pandemic of the last 100 years. The illness has affected nearly every aspect of our lives, from work and school to everyday activities, and even our wardrobe choices. It has also helped to shed some new light on many Americans’ failure to properly manage their personal health and well-being. For example, when calorie-rich snacks are readily within reach at home during quarantines, they can be quite hard to resist, adding to several health risk factors. Seniors have been particularly hard hit by the virus, and when cases began to surge at the end of last year, it became the leading cause of death, even deadlier than cancer and heart disease. There is light at the end of the tunnel, however, as most folks say that this pandemic has been a wake-up call to get healthy. Change is hard, even in the best of times, but the COVID-19 virus has highlighted the importance of improving some modifiable risk factors. Thus, many Americans who have put on unwanted pounds during the pandemic are now avoiding the McDonald’s drive-thru in favor of much healthier substitutes. For residents of Americus, that means taking a trip to TNT Nutrition. Owned and operated by Dendy and Terrah Cromer, TNT offers a variety of healthy

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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substitutes to the standard diet of burgers, fries and chicken fingers. “We sell protein shakes that are lactose gluten free, as well as herbal energy and detox teas, vitamins, supplements, and weight loss powders,” says Terrah. “We also sell probiotics, immune boosters, allergy relief teas, and mental clarity supplements. We offer a little bit of everything to help our customers stay fit and feel better while doing it.” So how did Terrah, a registered nurse, come to co-own her own health food bar? “After having my baby a few years ago, I found that I just needed more energy and needed to lose weight, so I started to use the products (that we now sell) as a healthy meal replacement. I really thought that they tasted good and helped me lose weight, so that was all the proof I needed!” Terrah then decided to get some of her family to get involved with the product, some involuntarily. A year ago her husband Dendy, was diagnosed with cancer, which proved to be a wake-up call for the entire family. “We had many

In light of the pandemic, most Americans are more motivated to improve their health and feel that a healthy diet is now more important than ever. Terrah says, “We have been able to share nutrition knowledge, coach meal plans and see so many lives transformed in our small town in under a year! Our Nutrition Club has been able to help the people who are always ‘on the go’ like I was to stay fit and feel better while doing it.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

family discussions about lowering sugar intake,” she recalls. “That included finding Dendy some healthy, yet fast food to eat while at work at Georgia Power in town. He was reluctant at first to take the products but agreed to.” Somewhat apprehensively, Dendy began drinking protein shakes in place of his regular meals, and before long he had lost ten pounds and lowered his blood pressure as well. “He also had an increase in his energy levels and increased mental focus, so he became a believer then,” explains Terrah. “My parents also benefitted from the products. For example, my mom actually lost 65 pounds and also came off

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her diabetes medication when her A1C went down after taking the products. My dad lost 30 pounds, so they all became firm believers after that!” It was in the fall of 2019 that the Cromers began to think that folks in Americus could really benefit from a Nutrition Club. “This is where my husband and his family grew up,” says Terrah, “and it’s where we spend the majority of our time with friends and church, so we thought, ‘Why not here?’ We really wanted to provide a healthy alternative to meals, but we wanted to make it for our customers instead of having them make it themselves at home.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

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After making some calls to friends to help find a suitable location, the Cromers started construction in the beginning of 2020, ironically right before the pandemic hit. “I found a building on Lamar Street, signed the lease and started construction right away,” recalls Terrah. “We literally had to tear the building apart and start from scratch. Now we have a beautiful custom bar for serving our shakes and teas. We also put in a menu board, along with some additional areas for meal planning and individualized coaching.” Little did the Cromers know then that the timing could not have been better. “Since the pandemic began, people have been looking for healthier alternatives to what they’ve been eating during the quarantines, so this is definitely what Americus needed,” Terrah continues. “Because of the virus, we were also able to construct a curbside pickup window so that our clients wouldn’t have to get out of their car. I didn’t expect to have a drive through but the folks at Herbalife and the health department fortunately allowed us to do it.” Construction on the building was completed in March of 2020, and by May of that year, TNT was ready to open its doors to the public. Terrah says that she didn’t really do any advertising, instead opting to rely on word of mouth. “The needs for Covid prevention and immunity boosters were really being amped up, so on our first day, I had around 30 customers. By the next week, there were anywhere from 75 to 100 customers a day and it just continued to grow from there.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

And grow it did. Terrah’s customers loved the convenience, affordability and taste of TNT’s healthy alternatives to what Americus had to offer. “What I like most about TNT Nutrition is the taste of the shakes and the convenience of having a healthy meal,” says customer Angie Smith. “Their customer service is really awesome because they put the customer first and they’re really passionate about their products. I’ve been drinking their shakes to replace one or two meals

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a day for about a year, and along with some exercising, I’ve lost a total of 35 pounds.” Maggie Hammond, an employee at TNT, says, “I happen to have Hashimoto’s disease, a condition where my immune system attacks the thyroid, so eating healthy and staying fit are very important to me. However, it’s really been a blessing in disguise since I’ve lost 45 pounds after finding out about having the disease.” In light of the pandemic, most Americans are

more motivated to improve their health and feel that a healthy diet is now more important than ever. Terrah says, “We have been able to share nutrition knowledge, coach meal plans and see so many lives transformed in our small town in under a year! Our Nutrition Club has been able to help the people who are always ‘on the go’ like I was to stay fit and feel better while doing it.” Maggie Hammond agrees, adding, “We have clients who come to us for all three meals just about every day. I love the relationships that we have built with our customers; it’s like one really big family at TNT.” Contact TNT Nutrition at Tntnutrition2020@gmail.com for more information about joining their loyalty program or about a preferred membership. SCL

Little did the Cromers know then that the timing could not have been better. “Since the pandemic began, people have been looking for healthier alternatives to what they’ve been eating during the quarantines, so this is definitely what Americus needed,” Terrah continues. “Because of the virus, we were also able to construct a curbside pickup window so that our clients wouldn’t have to get out of their car. I didn’t expect to have a drive through but the folks at Herbalife and the health department fortunately allowed us to do it.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Home of the 39th President of the United States of America and Nobel Peace Prize Winner,

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Scenesof 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.

Photo By | 82 sumter county living

Blanchard Photography

Photo By |

Katie Locke Photography

Photo By |

Blanchard Photography

Blanchard Photography Hometown Living At Its Best

Photo By | Blanchard Photography

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Blanchard Photography

Photo By |

Katie Locke Photography

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Story by DAVID PENA | Photos by David Parks Photography

Summer Murray, CEO of a local nonprofit called The Social Exchange, sees artistic endeavors as a way to keep citizens engaged in their community as well as provide understanding among differing cultures.

Social Change through a

Unified Front Hometown Living At Its Best

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W When most of us see a powerful work of art, it often forges a connection with our inner being that can be an impetus to think about our lives more positively…or at least differently. At its highest level, artistic expression can even give us the power to make life-altering attitudinal changes. Whether it involves painting, theater, music, novels or sculpture, art helps attribute new meaning to one’s own existence, often helping us to shed an old mindset in place of a new one. Summer Murray, CEO of a local nonprofit called The Social Exchange, sees artistic endeavors as a way to keep citizens engaged in their community as well as provide understanding among differing cultures. “In the present social and political climate that we’re in, art can actually be an extremely therapeutic approach to healing the divisiveness that’s in our society,” she says. “In certain ways, it can also help our members of society that are struggling with addiction and mental illness while simultaneously celebrating the beauty and ugliness of all cultures.” Born and raised in Americus, Summer came back home after living for years in Atlanta in order to cope with some personal tragedies. “I had several members of my family pass away, including my father, brother and mother within a six-year period, so I wanted to come back to Americus to deal with their losses.” After seeing a need for social change in her hometown, Summer began to think that it would be a great place to begin the process of healing. “I’ve

In addition to working toward the formation of the city’s art district, The Social Exchange also currently provides education, treatment, and preventive services to those suffering from mental illness or addiction for a minimal fee or at no cost to the individual.

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worked for 10 years in the treatment field and always dreamed of setting up a private counseling practice, so in 2020 I helped start The Social Exchange,” she says. “Our mission is to obtain unity in the community and advocate for social justice while providing healing through the arts and humanities.” The nonprofit originated in early 2020 when Summer and two friends sat around a kitchen table, sharing a New Year’s Day chicken dinner. Elaina Lockhart, CFO of The Social Exchange, joined forces with Summer and Carl Reid in January of 2020 with one common purpose in Elaina Lockhart sees The Social Exchange as having one fundamentally different approach to the problem of addiction. “Tradition drug treatment programs essentially put addicts right back into society immediately after treatment. They may not really have the tools to cope with everyday life at that point and then find themselves constantly in and out of jail or treatment programs. We happen to know most of our clients personally, so through a more individualized type of treatment, we teach them to live a meaningful and purposeful life again after (their treatment) ends.”

sumter county living

Hometown Living At Its Best

The Social Exchange hosted their first art event, “Horrors of Addiction,” back in October of last year to great success. “It was a call to artists from all over the state to paint their idea of what addiction is and what it means to them,” explains Elaina. “We had submissions that dealt with drugs, sex, and anything else a person can be addicted to. It was incredibly moving, and members of the city council, our chief of police and even the mayor came to the event. It’s been great seeing the city’s support for what we’re trying to accomplish.”

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mind: to better their society, one life at a time. “After enjoying a great New Year’s Eve, we sat around my kitchen table with some fried chicken, black-eyed peas and collard greens and decided we were going to do this. We named our movement “The Social Exchange” since we were going to focus on the exchange of culture, ideas, and services.” Carl Reid, III, COO of the group, adds, “We wanted to get everyone of every color involved in our city, and art is one way to do just that,” he says. “However, The Social Exchange is not a political movement; it’s a social one. Our vision involves providing a sense of healing through education and wellness services, like our art program. Hopefully anyone who gains something (from our program) will be able to give it back and pay it forward.” One of the group’s major goals for Americus is that the city has its own designated arts and cultural district overlay. The idea is to inspire a sense of value within disenfranchised individuals through incorporating the arts and humanities within the community. Elaina Lockhart came back to Americus from South Beach, Miami to address systemic inequality within all societal institutions with regards to residency of

Carl Reid, III, COO of the group, adds, “We wanted to get everyone of every color involved in our city, and art is one way to do just that,” he says. “However, The Social Exchange is not a political movement; it’s a social one. Our vision involves providing a sense of healing through education and wellness services, like our art program. Hopefully anyone who gains something (from our program) will be able to give it back and pay it forward.”

her children. “My vision is to create a cultural legacy for my children and opportunities for their generation to thrive. I believe very strongly that art can transform lives, so that’s why we are currently working to develop this within Americus. The district will comprise an entire city block called Finn Street and parts of Jackson Street, where the new train depot is located.” The Social Exchange hosted their first art event, “Horrors of Addiction,” back in October of last year to great success. “It was a call to artists from all over the state to paint their idea of what addiction is and what it means to them,” explains Elaina. “We had submissions that dealt with drugs, sex, and anything else a person can be addicted to. It was incredibly moving, and members of the city council, our chief of police and even the mayor came to the event. It’s been

Hometown Living At Its Best

The nonprofit originated in early 2020 when Summer and two friends sat around a kitchen table, sharing a New Year’s Day chicken dinner. Elaina Lockhart, CFO of The Social Exchange, joined forces with Summer and Carl Reid in January of 2020 with one common purpose in mind: to better their society, one life at a time.

sumter county living

great seeing the city’s support for what we’re trying to accomplish.” The group also partnered with The Living Walls out of Atlanta to create murals on Finn Street to bring awareness to social injustices in society. Several artists from around the state, as well as community participants, worked in the sweltering summer heat for four days to create the murals. “We held the unveiling on July 4, 2020, and it was a beautiful display of community unity and support,” says Summer. In addition to working toward the formation of the city’s art district, The Social Exchange also currently provides education, treatment, and preventive services to those suffering from mental illness or addiction for a minimal fee or at no cost to the individual. “While we work to bring people of all ethnicities together through what we do, we also want to help anyone who suffers from drug addiction or mental illness,” explains Carl. As a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) since 2018, Carl has seen the power of art and its therapeutic effects on the

soul. Carl’s personal experiences with addiction, along with his training, afford him the tools that enable him to help others who are on similar journeys. “I have been in recovery myself since 2013, and this allows me to help others change their own thought processes and ultimately their lifestyle choices. To be able to help others find the hope, courage and strength to change their lives around is a powerful thing. I can share my own personal experiences to successfully support anyone who is in recovery.” Elaina Lockhart sees The Social Exchange as having one fundamentally different approach to the problem of addiction. “Tradition drug treatment programs essentially put addicts right back into society immediately after treatment. They may not really have the tools to cope with everyday life at that point and then find themselves constantly in and out of jail or treatment programs. We happen to know most of our clients personally, so through a more individualized type of treatment, we

teach them to live a meaningful and purposeful life again after (their treatment) ends.” It’s no coincidence that Summer Murray was the drug treatment provider for the Southwest Judicial Circuit here in Georgia for years. “She’s one of the only people I know in this line of work that gets results because she truly cares about her clients,” adds Elaina. In recovery circles, you will often hear that “the opposite of addiction is connection,” and Carl, Summer and Elaina seem to inherently take the concept of unity and connection with others to heart. “A lot of people seem to be blinded by the political rhetoric; The Social Exchange is about coming together and caring about your fellow man,” says Summer, who is also the president of the Americus Tourism board. “There are areas of Americus that have so much history behind them, like the old Furlough School, that are simply wasting away. There’s much more to an art district than temporary displays. It can also be about experiencing different cultures together and raising people’s consciousness so that we can come together as a community again.” You can find out more information about The Social Exchange on Facebook (@ ThesocialexchangeGa) and on their website https:// www.socialexchangega.org/. SCL

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Southern 100

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Comfort

Story by RACHEL PRICE | Photos by Mary Catherine Gaston

Southern food…fried chicken, biscuits, collard greens, pork chops smothered in gravy...not much is better than a southern meal. It carries big flavor, lots of butter and a whole mess of yum!

Southern food…fried chicken, biscuits, collard greens, pork chops smothered in gravy...not much is better than a southern meal. It carries big flavor, lots of butter and a whole mess of yum! Southern food is special to so many because of the people who cook it and the traditions it carries. It is often labeled “comfort food” because it can lower emotional stress as it is associated with our happiest childhood memories. Sacred meals, Sunday after church, boasting Grandma’s knuckles baked into the biscuits,

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Sacred meals, Sunday after church, boasting Grandma’s knuckles baked into the biscuits, passing a bowl of black-eyed peas around the table, going to the dessert table for a slice of pecan pie, and ending with a nap. Southern food brings us warmth and fullness in our hearts as well as our bellies.

passing a bowl of black-eyed peas around the table, going to the dessert table for a slice of pecan pie, and ending with a nap. Southern food brings us warmth and fullness in our hearts as well as our bellies. It wasn’t so much about the food on these Sundays as it was the gathering of loved ones and the care behind the recipes. The Sunday dinner table was a table of peace and laughter; it was comfort. Nancy Gaston of Americus graciously shared her favorite squash casserole recipe

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with me. Her daughter-in-law, Mary Catherine Gaston, declares Nancy is “one of the best cooks on the planet!” I hope that you will take this recipe and consider it for your next Sunday meal. With the pace of our lives and the distractions that consume us, we can lose sight of what is really important. So, grab some chicken and fry it up, toss extra cool whip into the ambrosia, and put a little extra cheese on Nancy’s squash casserole...then take a nap. Nancy’s Squash Casserole 3 lbs. fresh squash or 2 large bags frozen squash 2 T. dehydrated onion or one large fresh onion, diced 1 can cream of chicken soup 8 oz. sour cream 1 c. Sharp cheddar cheese, grated 1 stick melted butter 1 container French’s fried onions

“I like to tweak a recipe until I get it just the way I like it. I began using the squash casserole recipe from an old Southland Academy cookbook many years ago. That recipe called for a layer of boxed stuffing mix on the bottom of the pan, but no cheese. To me, squash casserole has to have cheese! Over the years, I played with the recipe until I arrived at this version. It is simple. A key is to add the fried onions before you cook the casserole so they get slightly toasted and crispy,” explains Nancy.

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Cook fresh, sliced squash in salted water until tender. If using frozen squash, just thaw bags and drain the water. Press as much water out of the squash as possible. Mix together onion, soup, sour cream, 1/2 cup grated cheese and melted butter. Combine mixture with drained squash. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and fried onions. Bake for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees on the middle rack.

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Southern food is comfort food. Southern food is special to so many because of the people who cook it and the traditions it carries. It is often labeled “comfort food” because it can lower emotional stress as it is associated with our happiest childhood memories.

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A JOURNEY TOWARDS

Healing

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Story by ALEXA TEBBEN | Photos by David Parks Photography

Inspired by what massage therapy did to improve his wife’s health, Will Monroe decided to go to massage therapy school.

One turn of events can alter your entire future. For Will and Cherry Monroe, that is exactly what happened. Will had been working in computer networking for 17 years when his wife, Cherry, fell sick and began suffering frequent seizures. Suddenly, her health was at risk and they could not find the reason why. “We had a business in Leesburg,” Will tells me. “Because she was sick and she was the sales force behind the business, sales were going down and the business was failing.” Doctors told the couple they believed stress was causing her body to react this way, but they

were at a loss of what to do. Cherry began massage therapy and acupuncture with amazing results. “These other alternative forms of treatment were making a difference,” Will says. “And I was like I’m going to find a way to help her stay well.” Inspired by what massage therapy did to improve his wife’s health, Will decided to go to massage therapy school. “We were on the verge of bankruptcy, we were about to lose everything,” he explains. “We took our last little bit of savings and invested it in me to do this.” In 2013, he began massage therapy

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school at Moultrie Technical College, now Southern Regional Technical College. Will recalls those two years during school as a trying time. “[Cherry] was sick for the whole time I was going through school,” he remembers. “I think it was a lot to do with the medication, it wouldn’t allow her to function, and it affected her short-term memory.” With Cherry bound sick at home with their five children, Will was determined to do his absolute best at school for the benefit of his family’s future. Despite the challenges at home, his experience at Moultrie Technical College was invaluable. “It’s the best education I’ve ever had,” he says. Having attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and Darton College some 20 years prior, he was nervous returning to the classroom. However, his massage therapy training was an incredible hands-on learning

experience. “It was the one program where, when I came out of the program, I was 100% confident in being able to do my job.” Trained and equipped for this new career, Will graduated from the program in 2015 and began work as a massage therapist in Albany. Every day, Will witnesses the healing power of massage therapy on his clients. “It makes a huge difference in being able to maintain their daily lives,” he says excitedly. Many of his clients have muscle pain and injuries that are made manageable with massage therapy. “I see a wide variety from sciatic type pain, to shoulder and neck pain to headaches. Massage is a very good alternative form to deal with those issues.” Coming from a career in computer networking, there were a few surprises in massage therapy he

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did not anticipate. “I did not expect it to be as physical as it is,” he admits. “I move bodies, I stretch people…it is a very physically taxing job.” However, Will says that watching massage therapy revitalize his clients and improve their mobility and strength is incredibly rewarding. “I’ve seen some drastic changes in people’s wellbeing due to massage,” he says. “I’m convinced now more so than ever of the benefits of massage therapy.” Massage therapy school is an incredibly in-depth study of the human body. “There’s a lot of training,” Will says. “You have to know a lot of information on the anatomy to be effective.” With all that he learned in school, Will is able to confidently work on his clients knowing exactly how each movement is helping them. “I am deeply fascinated by human anatomy, physiology and kinesiology,” he tells me. “And I enjoy trouble shooting peoples aches and pains.” Cherry’s health has improved as well. Although they never got answers as to what was going on, continued massage therapy has largely contributed to her getting better. “She’s doing great now,” Will says. “She doesn’t take any seizure medication. She does the acupuncture and the massage therapy on a regular basis. She’s started a new career and she’s doing well.” Will and Cherry are incredibly grateful for all massage therapy has done for their family. It has given Cherry back her health and daily shows Will all it can do to transform people’s lives. As a big proponent for massage therapy, Will urges those struggling with pain and body injuries to seek this option before taking drastic measures towards healing. “In addition to seeking a physician’s advice, I would try this as an alternative before I dove into something like surgery,” he says. “It’s non-evasive, there’s no long-term commitment to what you do. It’s worth trying to see if it makes a difference before you try a more drastic approach.” Will talks about his clients and the amazing progress they make through

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massage therapy. “I help a lot of athletes with their performance and with their sports injuries,” Will tells me. “I have a lot of people that were not able to walk and were not able to stand up straight or have had a headache for days and that just seems to improve drastically. It’s a big challenge sometimes to find out why they’re hurting. It’s very rewarding.” Will works in both Americus and Leesburg. “I have built quite a clientele and I just want to be available to the people in those two areas that I’ve been servicing for the past six years,” he says. His clients’ loyalty speaks of the high esteem in which they regard his practice. The relaxing atmosphere soothes each client and creates a space of peace and tranquility. Inspired by his desire to help those in pain, Will’s enthusiasm for the relief that massage

Will works in both Americus and Leesburg. “I have built quite a clientele and I just want to be available to the people in those two areas that I’ve been servicing for the past six years,” he says. His clients’ loyalty speaks of the high esteem in which they regard his practice. The relaxing atmosphere soothes each client and creates a space of peace and tranquility.

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therapy provides drives his work every day. “It’s very therapeutic relieving those chronic pain problems,” Will says. His clients know he works for more than a paycheck. His commitment to easing their pain is at the heart of every massage he gives. This new career allows Will to provide his clients the same relief he so desperately craved for his wife, and he sees every massage as an opportunity to bring renewed energy and life to others.  SCL

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The Good News Network is the umbrella organization comprised of GNN Radio, which broadcasts via satellite to 22 English speaking affiliates, and Radio Amistad, which broadcasts to six Spanish speaking affiliates. These affiliates are spread throughout Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Alabama. How It All Began Clarence Barinowski wanted to solve a problem. As a traveling salesman for a family-owned animal feed business, he traveled over 50,000 miles a year. Spending so much time in his car made him wish he could hear some Christian broadcasting. But there was no way to make it happen over such a large territory. The startup cost to build a station was very high and the reach was limited to the coverage area for that station. But God made a way. President Ronald Reagan deregulated the radio airwaves and at the right time, satellite technology made it possible to build a much more inexpensive broadcast facility. So, in 1982, Clarence incorporated the Augusta

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good news THE

NETWORK

The Good News Network is the umbrella organization comprised of GNN Radio, which broadcasts via satellite to 22 Englishspeaking affiliates, and Radio Amistad which broadcasts via satellite to six Spanish-speaking affiliates. Hometown Living At Its Best

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The first station’s call letters were assigned as WLPE since no specific letters had been requested. One day while reading Philippians 4, Clarence was able to put some significance to the letters with the line, “Whatever is Lovely, Pure and Excellent.” The theme was continued with Lovely, Pure, True (WLPT), Good, Pure, Honest (WGPH), Lovely, Pure, Faithful (WLPF), but the pattern dropped at WPWB.

Radio Fellowship Institute and filed for a frequency. In 1984, the permit was granted and soon, a tiny Sunday School room provided by Bethany Chapel, became a radio station. The signal was sent via microwave transmitter to a tower in Sweetwater, South Carolina, from which it was sent out to listeners for the first time in November 1984. WLPE was on air! At this point, Clarence was working full-time for ConAgra Feed Company, and so a lot of volunteer help was needed, especially for technical and engineering issues, as feeding farm animals did not lend a great deal of expertise in the radio industry.

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The learning curve was steep, but the very first FM Christian radio station in the area was finally broadcasting. All the sleepless nights were worth it as the dream was realized and listeners began to write and provide support for the ministry. At night, Clarence and his wife, Sylvia, would hand write receipts for gifts. But this was just the beginning. Growth of the Network As support increased, the vision enlarged. A search for places to put more stations in communities without Christian radio saw applications in Georgia for Jesup (WLPT), Vidalia (WGPH), Byron (WPWB), and Florence (WLPG) in South Carolina. Next, a group of Christians in Morehead City, North Carolina transferred their license to GNN which provided a

powerful signal to the GNN lineup of stations. Growth continued when a large gift allowed GNN to build a station in Barnwell, South Carolina (WHBJ) and Fair Bluff, North Carolina (WGHJ). Most recently, stations were built like WFAL reaching south Atlanta to Macon, and WJTB in Columbia, South Carolina, as well as WJNA in the Clemson/Anderson/Toccoa area. The remainder of areas covered are: in Georgia… WZIQ, Albany; WWGF, Donalsonville; WTHP, Gibson; WPMA, Greensboro; WLPF, Ocilla-Tifton; WNNG, Unadilla; WSJA, York, Alabama and repeaters in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and in Georgia… Douglas, Richmond Hill, and Blakely. Far more than was ever dreamed has been accomplished, which has been a great blessing to many people in these areas. All these stations were added without hiring any Hometown Living At Its Best

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additional people! Satellites make it possible to send a signal from the main studio to all the different stations which then transmit to their respective listening areas, and all within a fraction of a second. The signal bounces from earth to space faster than a ping pong ball in a table tennis match. Spanish Stations An opportunity to purchase WBLR in BatesburgLeesville, South Carolina allowed GNN to reach poultry workers in that area, as a large number of Spanish speaking people live and work there. Soon, more Spanish stations

were added in Georgia…Soperton and Sparta, and repeaters in Lake Oconee, Lumber City, and Higgston. We, at the Good News Network, are grateful for God’s blessings and the many new listeners who have contacted us, and we look forward to continuing with our mission to carry God’s Word over the airwaves. We are thankful that a traveling salesman’s dream to have a local radio station has been fulfilled above and beyond, as God has blessed and multiplied this network which is now able to reach the world through the internet. Who would have ever thought that the lonely backroads of Georgia would reach so far?

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Clarence Barinowski wanted to solve a problem. As a traveling salesman for a familyowned animal feed business, he traveled over 50,000 miles a year. Spending so much time in his car made him wish he could hear some Christian broadcasting. But there was no way to make it happen over such large territory. The startup cost to build a station was very high and the reach was limited to the coverage area for that station.

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Citizens Bank of Americus ………….......... 54, Back Cover

Pro-Tech Security Group, Inc. ……………………..…….. 116

City of Andersonville …………………………........……….. 69

Roberts Jewelers …...........……………………………….. 127

Cooper Lighting Solutions …….……….. Inside Back Cover

Rylander Theatre ………….......…………………………….. 34

David Parks Photography ………....……………………….. 87 Scott’s Jewelry …………………..………………………….. 127 Decorated Unlimited ……………….......………………….. 55

South Georgia Technical College ……...……………….. 117

Firstate Bank ………………………………...............……….. 7 Southland Academy ……………………….……………….. 68 Friends of Jimmy Carter …………………...……………….. 81

Southwest Georgia Center of Medicine …..............….. 35

Gatewood, Skipper, and Rambo, PC ……....………….. 115

Strickland Accounting LLC ………………...…………….. 127

Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center …….….. 126

Sumter County Chamber of Commerce ….....…….. 20-21

Georgia Southwestern State University ……......…….. 115

Sumter County Living ……………………………....…….. 127

GNN Radio ……………………………...............…..…….. 116

Sunbelt Ford of Americus ………………………...……….... 1

Harvey Drilling ……………………………..…………….. 32-33

The Sandbox ………………...........………………...…….. 106

Hooks Simmons Insurance ………………..…………….. 126

Turton Properties …………………………………….…….. 126

Please thank our sponsors for making this publication possible! 128

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