Summer in the Ville

Just in time for summer we have a new wine bar opening – tonite! Or really, this afternoon at 3:30. I’ll pop in around 4, so come see me! Bacchus is located on West Jackson St., the stretch between the train tracks and Lavish. It looks chic + modern, and they’ll have Sparkleberry Cottage baked goods, so they’re off to a good start.

For my Townies with kiddies, summer camps are almost here, and here are my top picks:

Thomasville Center for the Arts - Everything from Strings and Bugs to Road Trips and Ballet

Thomasville YMCA – Wild West Camp, Golf, Tennis, Basketball, Gymnastics and Cheer camp

Sweet Grass Dairy Day Camp – A really wonderful experience with animals, healthy food and the outdoors

Girl Scout Day Camp – for girls K-12, swimming, dancing… and BB guns!! Contact Niki Hoyt – 200-9076

Happy Thursday, friends!

Be Nice to Yer Mama!

Mother’s Day is coming up and there are FIVE great events that you could treat your mama with!

This Friday + Saturday is the Music + Drama Troupe’s Spring Show. Nearly 120 middle + high school students from Southwest Georgia will be performing a mix of Broadway, Top 40, rock, country + classical music. Tickets are available at Thomasville Visitors Center.

Then on Sunday, Pebble Hill Plantation is inviting all mothers to visit for free! They’ll be treated to the docent-led tour of the Main House and a self-guided tour of the grounds. Plus they’ll receive 20% off items in the gift shop.

Also on Sunday, another great freebie is the Sundays at Four concert sponsored by Thomas University’s Arts for the Community and hosted by Trinity Anglican down on Jackson St.  Treat Mama to performances by soprano Christina Lee + alto Barbara Lang, lullaby selections + Donizetti by flutist Lisa Hand with pianist Jim Amend. Pianist/vocalist/dramatist Ben Gunter and organist/pianist Steven Turner from Pelham will also perform a variety of selections.

The last one is Sunday, too – the Birdsong Mother’s Day Walk. Enjoy nesting birds, wildflowers + the lush green of spring on the trails and then visit the Butterfly Garden and Bird Window.  $4 Friends, $8 nonmembers, children half-price.

It doesn’t take a lot of dough to show your Mama how much you care. These events are a great way to spend time with her and show that you’re thinking about her.
{But if you’re giving a gift… my top picks are Earth Lover, At Home, Lavish and The Gift Shop!}

Biking in the Ville

It’s about to get too warm for much of it, but I wanted to do a little post in honor of the wonderfulness that is Biking in Thomasville. When I moved here over five years ago, I rarely saw anyone walking, much less biking. We moved from Athens and I was used to walking places – but when I walked here, I was stopped more than once and asked, “Sugar, did your car break down?” How sweet of total strangers to be so concerned! But it’s even sweeter that biking and walking are becoming more popular.

I cherish my bike trips downtown to pick up my Orchard Pond CSA bag every other week, and I’ve started picking up small grocery items at the Smith Ave. Harvey’s, too. Fellow Townies Karen and Haile also bike around and sometimes we have a bike meet-up for lunch. The Palmers at Moonspin are a great recovery drink

Got that nifty bike bell from Firefly...

In general, I try to stick to the back neighborhood roads, or streets with sidewalks like Clay and Dawson. People are always courteous, and I even saw a lady outside the Y who said “I want to be like you when I grow up!” I’m still not sure about that one, but I think she means taking the extra time to ride my bike rather than drive.

You can get bike-goodies from Chastain’s {bikes, cup holders, mirrors} and Dash {bikes, clothing} and Firefly {bike stickers, baskets}. My ride is rigged-looking with a plastic milk crate strapped to the front. I have a nicer basket, but it won’t fit a grocery sack….

Hope to see you riding around! And if you see me, please wave! But don’t honk… I startle easily

Pssst…. the NEW PATIO is going in over at The Plaza – actually 2 patios!
Plus…. if you’d like to sign up for a summer CSA, I use + love Orchard Pond Organic. Another local option is Pasco Farms here.

The Whole Shebang

With the Landmarks Derby Party rightaroundthecorner I’m pretty excited about two events this week! First, the Kayce Hughes Trunk Show at Firefly – these things are totally my style, and totally Derby-worthy. They’ve got dresses, skirt, shirts and kiddie clothes, too.  Thursday – Saturday.

Pssst….. and Firefly is having a BIG jewelry sale! Starting today and adding stuff throughout the weekend.

And to make sure you’re a good contender for the Ladies Hat Contest – get over to Mode on Friday for the Hat Party. They’ll have drinks and decorations and it sounds like fun! Plus, a portion  of the proceeds supports Landmarks.

I’m hoping to be at the Firefly trunk show bright and early this morning, so come say hello! And I’ll be at Sweet Grass this evening {before writing group at the Bookshelf} – maybe enjoying one of these babies – the new To Go cheese tray!

$15 and you're in and out!

Pssst… Dash is having a sale this weekend, too!

Due South, Dogwood + Derby!

Obviously Due South is tonite – if you see me come say hi! And kudos to Skyline Printing for fabbing up the event with cups, posters, etc.

So I’m pretty sure tonite is going to be pretty dang awesome – but if that’s not enough awesomeness for you, then check out Moultrie’s Dogwood Festival tomorrow. I know, I know – it’s not in T-Vegas so why am I sharing it? Because Drivin + Cryin is big and it would be wrong not to let you know.

And then, my darling friends, there is THE party of the year…. the Landmarks Kentucky Derby Party! Next Saturday, dining + dancing and a mint julep or five {no… just one!} – this is the party everyone looks forward to each year and everyone is talking about for a week after. Ladies, be sure to wear your best or most outrageous hat, because the competition is fierce for the Hat Contest. {I say that as the creator of two previous winners!} Gotta get those tickets – gettem here!

And if the Museum of History is a little more your style, check out their new exhibit Thomasville Collects. It includes a tour and will be open this weekend {starting today} and next weekend for Rose Show.

Psssst… the latest whispers…

Colson Plantation is getting a new name, a new purpose, and from what I’m hearing it’s sounding like the coolest thing to hit Thomasville in a while….. I’ll keep you updated!

I also heard that Liam’s might be doing CREPES for Brunch next Saturday – a savory and a sweet – I sincerely hope so!

And are you into craft beer? Join the Thomasville Beer Club, the first meeting will be at Liam’s on May 1st with news + brews.