Triple Crown Hometowns

SUMMER FUN

2010-03-26T12:55:00.003-05:00

Hey People of Southern Georgia!!!

Finally the nice weather has come to visit. Do you know what this means? SUMMER FUN!

If anyone knows of anything fun to do in the area to kick off SUMMER please let us in on the "summer fun secrets". Maybe its a new restaurant or park, or maybe a festival in the area, what ever it is share the hidden gems of Valdosta!

What are your plans this summer?

Azalea Festival 2010

2010-03-10T11:53:00.003-06:00

Don’t forget to check out the Azalea Festival this weekend!!!

Saturday and Sunday the 13th and 14th

10:00am - 5pm
The Tenth Annual Azalea Festival opens in Drexel Park, 1401 North Patterson Street.
Arts and Crafts Vendors
Great Food
Roaming Entertainers
Native American Village - Dancers, Storytellers, Demonstrations and Activities.
Robinson’s Racing Pigs - back by popular demand!
The Fearless Flores Circus returns to help us celebrate our 10th anniversary!
Huge Plant Sale by Valdosta Technical College
Extreme Euro Bungee - it’s like flying!
Spectacular Bands for your musical entertainment:
Saturday from noon to 4pm - Skannyardle
Sunday from noon to 4pm - Daddy’s Money
Saturday at 2pm. Registration from 9am to1:30pm. $5 entry per category or all 4 for $15. For complete information and contest categories call Angie at 247-3266.

Historical Valdosta Bus Tours
Saturday, March 13 - leaving at 1pm and 3pm from the parking lot behind Barnes Drugs at Brookwood Drive and Patterson. Tickets $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, available from the Azalea Festival Information Booth or at the bus upon departure. Call 245-0513 for complete information.

Kid Zone
features the World Famous Disc-Connected K9's Frisbee Dog Team. New this year!
A Free Special Hands-on Kids Art Project - back by popular demand!
Lots of Inflatable Attractions
Climbing Wall
Pony Rides
Petting Zoo
Carriage Rides
Special Kid Food Booths
Humane Society "Pet Contest"

2010 CENSUS....it's in our hands!!!

2010-03-05T11:15:00.006-06:00

The census is in town, the census is in town!!

Look for your census form mailed to you in the next few weeks.

The 2010 Census questionnaire will be one of the shortest in history and consists of 10 questions, taking about 10 minutes to complete. The key to this endeavor is having every household fill out and mail back a completed census form. Participation is critical, as the results determine how

Congress is apportioned and how more than $300 billion in federal funds are distributed annually to state, local and tribal areas and to make decisions about what community services to provide. Our community is working to achieve a comprehensive accurate count by bringing local knowledge and expertise to the process through the formation of a Complete Count Committee, Co-Chaired by James McGahee (South Georgia Medical Center) and Sam Allen. The Complete Count Committee is the major vehicle for planning and implementing local, targeted efforts to publicize the importance of the 2010 Census and ensure every resident is counted once—only once—and in the right place.

The federal government uses population data to allocate funds in a number of areas:
• Grants to educational agencies (school districts across the nation)
• Head Start programs
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) (food grants)
• Public transportation
• Road rehabilitation and construction
• Programs for the elderly
• Emergency food and shelter
• Empowerment zones and more.

>The data help the private sector as well as state and federal governments determine where jobs and job programs are needed.
>Census data help potential homeowners research property values, median income, and other demographic information about a particular community.
>Corporations use population data for market research to determine locations for commercial enterprises, such as food stores, pharmacies, and other essential services.

Contact astokes@valdostachamber.com and/or www.census.gov/2010Census for more

Want to help your community? DON’T FORGET FILL IT OUT AND SEND IT BACK!!!!

Public Open House for 2035 Transportation Plan

2010-02-19T13:01:00.001-06:00

Public Open House for 2035 Transportation Plan

Last Wednesday, February 17th from 3-5 p.m. at the Southern Georgia Regional Commission, a public open house was held for the 2035 transportation plan. This was an opportunity to visit with local elected officials to ask questions about the transportation projects in your area and how they might impact your organization's mission, your neighborhood, the natural environment, etc.

If you attended this open house what were your thoughts? Concerns? Comments? Complements?
Even if you did not attend what do you think?

Third Thursday in Downtown Hahira

2010-02-17T10:56:00.008-06:00

What will you be doing February 18th from 5-8 p.m.?
If you have nothing planned come to Third Thursday, held in Downtown Hahira. The festivities will begin at 5pm with "Heart-to-Heart Shopping" at participating Downtown shops and restaurants. Throughout the night in these locations, customers who make purchases will each be entered into drawings for prizes. There will also be free drawings for prizes at the Caboose with no purchases necessary.

Other family-friendly activities include balloon animals at Johnsons' Frames & More, face painting at Hahira Merle Norman, bounce houses provided by SonRise Baptist Church and Bounce Back Party Rentals, hands-on learning crafts, temporary tattoos and dental health information provided by Robinson Family Dentistry, the Sidewalk Chalk Art Gallery on Main Street, and the sale of Girl Scout Cookies by the Girl Scouts of Hahira. At 6:30pm, live entertainment will begin at the Red Caboose and continue until the event ends at 8pm.

The City is welcoming Healing Arts Massage Studio and Church Street Coffee to the Downtown on this night as well with ribbon cuttings at 5pm (Healing Arts) and 5:30pm (Church St. Coffee). The staff of Healing Arts Studio will provide free chair massages throughout the night following the ribbon cutting.

Sew Blessed Fabrics will celebrate a feature in Sew Beautiful Magazine by giving away free copies to the first 25 customers and throwing a party that evening.

Third Thursdays are held every other month in Downtown Hahira. For more information about this and other Hahira events, please contact 229.794.2567 or bht@hahira.ga.us.

Tell us about your experience of Downtown Hahira, leave a comment!

Sesquicentennial events!

2010-02-08T10:54:00.003-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VALDOSTA!!

What do you need for a great birthday? Fun location, A year long celebration, Great food, And of course the people of Valdosta to commemorate with! That is exactly what happened for the kick off January 15th and will continue to be celebrated throughout the year.

Valdosta Mayor John Fretti, spoke to the crowd and got them excited about their heritage of Valdosta. People came out to hear the Mayor speak about the town; some came out to hear local music bands, others just came to see what the excitement is all about. This was an eventful night; people dressed up as if they were from the 1860’s, a Doc Holiday look-a-like contest took place complete with passing out Doc mustaches, and the downtown restaurants served guest a verity of Valdosta dishes such as “swamp water” while local bands played.

If you missed the kick off do not worry, there are plenty more events to attend to this year. Click http://www.valdostacity.com/Index.aspx?page=436 for list of events!

Please leave a comment about YOUR Sesquicentennial experience!!

New Addition to The Langdale Place!

2009-11-17T10:28:00.002-06:00

The Langdale Place senior living facility is in the process of building a new multi-purpose activity center. It is scheduled to open in March of 2010. The Langdale Place is currently home to 104 persons and this new facility will hold events for the residents, and have a comfortable area for them to relax. The new unit is projected to be 1,250 square-feet and will be complete with a kitchen, covered porch area, and much more. The staff and residents are excited for the new addition to open! To read more click here!

Walk & Talk-- Join the Club!

2009-10-22T09:39:00.003-05:00

Looking for a more pleasing way to exercise? On some days it is tough to get up go, but joining the Mall Walkers Club is a great way to get you moving! On the last Tuesday of each month, a group of adults over the age of 54 meet at the Colonial Mall and “Walk and Talk”. Adults 55 years and older are invited to meet at the Chick-Fil-A in the mall and enjoy a free continental breakfast. How can you beat that? Free breakfast and an entertaining way to get some exercise is a sure win for our “Jewels of the South!” There will also be informational speakers to educate the members about the importance of living a healthy life style. Mark your calendars on the last Tuesday of every month and become a part of the Mall Walkers Club at the Colonial Mall in Valdosta.

Get On the Move to End Alzheimer's!

2009-10-15T10:01:00.013-05:00

Many are unaware that Alzheimer’s disease is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Alzheimer’s affects the patient, along with the family members and caregivers. Patients facing this disease often act in a way that can be harmful to themselves and others. Those who know someone with this disease are aware of the emotional and hard times that go along with caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. Isn’t it a scary thought that aging is a main contributor to Alzheimer’s disease? With the baby boomers population aging, it is important for the community to come together to fight this disease. On October 17, 2009 The Alzheimer’s Memory Walk will be held at the Valdosta Middle School to raise awareness and funds to prevent Alzheimer’s. Registration begins at 9 a. m. and the walk will begin at 10 a. m. It is encouraged to come out and walk to support Alzheimer’s patients and those who might one day be affected by this growing disease. For further information call (229)- 888-7676, or email dan.phillips@alz.org
Click here to visit the website

October is All About Pink!

2009-10-13T08:47:00.038-05:00

The Valdosta community wants you to help Paint the Town Pink during the month of October! It is National Breast Cancer Awareness month and the community is encouraging everyone to wear pink and contribute to the breast cancer foundation in some form. You may find pink ribbons tied around trees and light posts throughout the area to raise awareness on breast cancer. The South Georgia Medical Center is generously offering free breast cancer screenings on October 15. Appointments are available from 5 – 7 p. m. For more information on how you can help Paint the Town Pink click here!

A Night at the Theatre

2009-10-08T08:52:00.013-05:00

The Valdosta State University’s theatre department has a wonderful group of staff and students. They produce multiple theatrical performances each semester. If you have yet to attend a performance at VSU then it is something you might want to consider. The tickets are inexpensive for such a professional performance. Information about tickets and show times may be found on the Valdosta State University’s website. Make your reservations and enjoy a night at the theatre, while supporting VSU! Click here to visit the VSU theatre and dance website.

*Coming Soon:

What: Arthur Miller’s classic tragedy “All My Sons” October 8-14
Where: Sawyer Theatre, located on the first floor of VSU's Fine Arts Building.
When: Oct. 8-10 and 12-14 shows begin at 7:30 p. m. or catch the matinee performance at 3 p.m. on Oct. 11

To purchase tickets:

Call the VSU Theater & Dance Box Office at (229) 333-5973
Stop by the box office in the Fine Arts Building at VSU between 2-5 p.m. Mon -Sat.

Free Concerts!

2009-10-06T08:37:00.005-05:00

Don't you just love spending time outside during the fall? Come enjoy the weather while listening to live music! There will be free concerts October 12- 16 on the Lowndes County courthouse lawn. The concerts will begin at 11:30 a. m. and last until 1:30 p. m. Some restaurants will be on site to sell lunches, so bring your appetite! No reservations are needed for this concert, just be ready to sing-a-long and enjoy the afternoon. So, don’t miss out on another inexpensive way to enjoy the fall weather with friends and family!

Oct. 12- 16
11:30 a. m. - 1:30 p. m.
Lowndes Country courthouse lawn

Honey Bee Festival!

2009-09-25T10:03:00.001-05:00

The 28th Annual Hahira Honey Bee Festival is just around the corner. The festival will begin on Monday, September 28 with a kick off breakfast and it will continue throughout the week. On Saturday October 3 the annual parade will begin promptly at noon. It is one of the largest parades in South Georgia! The Lowndes High Georgia Bridgeman Band will be marching in the parade, so come show your support. Click here for a list of events and times. Get excited for some honey bee fun in Hahira, Georgia!

It's First Friday!

2009-09-11T12:48:00.014-05:00

Remembering 9/11... And a special thank you to all of the men and women protecting our country.

It is a new month, so you know what that means… First Friday is tonight! This annual event falls on the first Friday of each month and is a popular festivity in downtown Valdosta. You may find the sidewalks filled with people enjoying the evening, sipping on beverages, enjoying the live music, or dropping in to local shops. This event is a great way to enjoy the beautiful downtown Valdosta and get a glimpse of the night life that fills our community. Grab a friend or come solo and you will be sure to have a pleasant, yet entertaining evening at First Friday in downtown Valdosta. See you there!

Flatlanders Frolic Festival

2009-09-10T10:08:00.001-05:00

The 39th annual Flatlanders Festival was a success once again! What could make Labor Day weekend more enjoyable then spending it with family, friends, and a great community? The Flatlanders Fall Frolic consisted of arts and crafts, plenty of vendors, great food, and much more. The smell of funnel cakes and fresh kettle corn was sure to entice the appetite of many visitors. The festival began with a 5K race and ended with music and dancing in the streets! The wonderful music, featuring the Tim Cochran Band, seemed to be pleasing to all ages. The event was an enjoyable and inexpensive way for families and friends to celebrate the Labor Day weekend. The Southern treats and wonderful turnout was a great way to welcome the Fall weather to South Georgia.