Thanksgiving in Thomasville Georgia: Let’s Get a Little Down to Earth


Last night, we came across a news broadcast about a family of five living in a one-room apartment after losing their house and I remembered a little girl I’d seen in the story. The little girl had holes in her coat, a ragged hat, torn up shoes and a teddy bear missing an eye that she clutched as she smiled up at her worried mother – who had a “Please help” sign in her hands. Throughout the day, that little girl’s smile stuck with me.

All of this comes down to one thing…

It’s coming up on Thanksgiving, people are searching turkey recipes, decorations are being pulled out… and the current problems in the world make it hard to find something to be grateful for. However, they’re there if you only look.

If you have a home and you’re trying to sell it, it’s understandable that you might be upset if it’s not moving. As hard as it may be, however, remember that at least you have a home to sell.

If you’re looking for a home to buy and you can’t afford the fancy one you wanted but you can afford a slightly smaller one, remember – at least you can afford something.

If you’re upset that your job isn’t paying enough, you’re working long hours or not enough, remember the millions that no longer have a job.

Whatever your problem that may be weighing you down when Thanksgiving rolls around, remember that it truly could be worse. It is worse, for so many people.

We’ll even start the list: We’re grateful for all of our clients. We’re grateful that we have Thomasville condos and homes to show and potential buyers that want to see them. For our readers, our friends, our family and our own homes... Happy Thanksgiving, and may you always have something to be grateful for!

Actions Speak Louder Than Words by Randy Young

The following column appeared in the November 23, 2010 edition of the Thomasville Times Enterprise written by Randy Young.  We post it here because it speaks directly to the type of community that we live in here in Thomasville and Thomas County.

For the second time in as many months, Thomasville has welcomed home one of her fallen sons and heroes.

Shannon Chihuahua, a member of Thomas County Central’s class of 2004 and an Army medic, arrived home Sunday after falling in the line of duty during an ambush in Afghanistan.

His escorted route from Tallahassee to Thomasville was greeted at our city limits by as many people — perhaps even more by some accounts — than had done so just when Blake McClendon came home under similar circumstances.

I only point that out because this past week I have quietly seethed about unpublished comments sent to this newspaper from a predictably anonymous coward who had the gall to question whether or not Thomasville and Thomas County would respond as favorably to Shannon’s homecoming since, according to this coward, his Hispanic “name” would not be equally embraced by this community.

Since I know the guilty party won’t be brave enough to admit it, I’ll gladly do it for him/her: you were wrong. You obviously don’t know our home very well. The thousands of people who lined the road with their flags and families Sunday proved that much when they spoke far louder with their actions than your myopic words ever could.

Mr. or Mrs. Coward, the people you were trying to cast judgment on were much bigger than you in your sad view of life apparently imagined they could be. Actually, that you would even suggest as much in such a circumstance is, for lack of a better way of putting it, pathetic.  Period.

See, unlike you, the good people in this place my family has called home for 185 years recognize a real hero when they see one, and see them as only that — a hero. Unlike you, they don’t see something as insignificant as skin color or ethnicity as a consideration for anything in regard to their feelings.

As in Blake’s case, I saw faces of every color at Shannon’s homecoming — faces united in one common cause: to pay respect to a homegrown soldier who deserved that and so much more.

In times of need, the people of this county do much more take verbal pock shots while veiled in anonymity. When it is time to step up, when it really matters, almost unfailingly this place simply does and does so visibly, proudly, up front and center. When all the plans for the public salutes to Shannon were being formulated, never, not once, did anyone question whether or not they’d be there when they needed to be.

Nope, they would be there because they needed to be, they had to be — for Shannon, for his family…and, in reality, for themselves.

Shannon Chihuahua obviously understood that mere words are cheap. Talking the talk means nothing if you aren’t willing to walk the walk. He learned to talk the talk of a soldier, and being a soldier became his path of life. When the chips were down, he walked that same walk, laying down his own life while trying to save a fellow soldier who had been wounded in that ambush.

If that doesn’t define “hero” I don’t know what does.

If by some chance someone wanted to question where the intestinal fortitude he found to make that, the ultimate sacrifice for his compatriots and country might have come from, I would tell them to take a look around right here in the place he called home. Young people normally reflect the experiences of their upbringing, and based on what I know of Thomasville and Thomas County, I know that bravery, the courage under fire, was originated and forged here.

So, on Thanksgiving Day when you are filling your plate with food and, hopefully, offering your thanks to God for the multitude of blessings you have in your life, take a moment to reflect on the lessons we’ve learned here recently — some of them difficult. That freedom is anything but free. That good people are just good people, and they come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. That the only way we’ll be able to stop judging others by their color or anything else is to simply stop judging, period.

And, that in the end, a hero is defined by their willingness to walk the walk, and not just talk the talk. I think we’d all be a little better off if we would emulate that philosophy in our own daily walk of life.

Be thankful, Thomasville and Thomas County, for soldiers and heroes like Blake McClendon and Shannon Chihuahua, who learned that lesson growing up here.

And while you are saying that prayer of thanks, remember the families of our fallen heroes during this holiday season, and pray this proud community doesn’t have to go through this again.

With that said, however, know that if we do, those of us who know that actions always speak louder than words will be there, for as many times as we must.

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Thomasville Georgia Welcomes Home Another Fallen Hero

Thomasville residents turned out on Sunday afternoon by the thousands with flags in hand to welcome home the fallen solider who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Army Specialist Shannon Chihuahua was a medic, and died on November 12th in Afghanistan while helping another soldier.

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403 Remington Avenue Unit #4 Thomasville Georgia

This squeaky clean 2 bedroom condo is perfectly situated in the downtown area. Just right for a single person or a couple who would enjoy being walking distance from the YMCA, Cultural Center, Municipal Auditorium, and the charming downtown. Restaurants, coffee shops, and great shopping boutiques are 2 blocks away. Churches, banks, and other services are also just a block or two from this safe and comfortable retreat.

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Plantation Arts Wildlife Festival in Thomasville Georgia This Weekend!

Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival at Thomasville Cultural Center This Weekend!  Bring out your wild side at the Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival featuring scores of America’s premier wildlife artists. Browse through galleries filled with paintings, sculptures, photographs, jewelry plus much more! Artists are on hand to exhibit as well as talk about their handiwork and art pieces are offered for purchase. Enjoy nature and wildlife exhibits as well as demonstrations for the whole family! Phone (229) 226-0588 for more details and information on this festival.

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Holiday Candle Safety in Your Thomasville Georgia Condo


More festive candles are used in your Thomasville Georgia condo during the holidays than at any other time of year, so it’s important to review the safety rules. Here are few tips to keep your condo safe:

Candle Placement Preparation
It may sound silly, but you need to prepare before you light that candle. First figure out where you want to place the candle in your Thomasville Georgia condo.
• Find a heat resistant surface.
• Make sure there aren’t any books, papers, curtains, or bedding nearby.
• Watch out for flammable holiday decorations.
• Keep the candle away from windows and vents, and check for signs of a draft.
• Place the candle where children and pets can’t reach and where it isn’t likely to be bumped into.

Getting Ready to Light the Candle
• Before burning the candle, review the manufacturer’s instructions. Most recommend that the wick be trimmed to ¼ inch before lighting.
• Make sure to use only approved candle holders. Using an unapproved glass holder could cause it to burst and send glass everywhere.
• Place candles at least three inches apart so the additional heat doesn't cause them to melt improperly.

Burning the Candle
Now that the candle is lit, make sure to never leave it unattended.
• Watch the candle to see if it smokes or flickers a lot. This could be a sign that the candle isn't burning properly.
• Leave about two inches of wax when you extinguish the candle. Most manufacturers recommend that you don't burn the candle all the way down.

Putting the Candle Out Safely
The safest way to put out a candle is with a candle snuffer.
• Don’t use your fingers or blow out the candle; the flame may travel and cause a fire.
• Never use water to put out a candle; the wax may splatter and burn you.
• Wait until the wax is cooled before you move the candle.

Candles are a beautiful way to decorate for the holidays in your Thomasville Georgia condo. By following these simple safety suggestions, you can help to ensure that your holidays are happy and safe.

If you’d like to be in a new condo before the next holiday rolls around, First Thomasville Realty can help. Call us at 229-226-6515 or email us at info@FTRealty.com for more information.

Veterans of the USA - The Goads

Get Your Fireplace Ready In Your Thomasville GA Home


Winter is almost here and few things are as comforting as the smell of wood burning in the fireplace of you Thomasville GA home. Before you light the first fire of the year, there are a few things you need to do. Here is the short list for fireplace safety:

Clean Out the Chimney
Everyone wants to get out of the cold weather, including birds and squirrels. Have a chimney cap installed at the top of the chimney to keep out small animals looking for shelter. The cap will also keep debris from clogging the chimney.

Have a professional clean out any creosote residue. Creosote is the build up of carbon from burning wood. It is flammable and needs to be removed every year.

Creosote is hazardous to your health. It can cause respiratory problems, so don’t try to clean it out on your own. Some home improvement stores sell a creosote removal log that you burn in your fireplace, it may clean your fireplace incompletely, so it’s best to go with a professional chimney cleaning company.

Prepare the Surrounding Area
Before you light the fireplace in your Thomasville GA home, make sure that the area around it is clear of clutter. You’ll want to make sure there is at least two to three feet of cleared space around the fireplace.

Invest in a fireplace screen so that nothing is accidentally knocked into the fireplace. It will also help to prevent burning embers from flying out.

Each time you get ready use the fireplace, clean out the ashes from the previous fire.

Light the Fire
First, open the fireplace damper so the proper airflow can occur. Then, start with paper or kindling placed on top of the fireplace grate. Use seasoned firewood cut to the right length for your fireplace. A couple of logs will be enough; you don’t want to add too many or the fire will suffocate.

Following these fireplace safety instructions can help you enjoy this winter season without worry. So, feel free to light that fireplace and soon the aroma of burning wood will fill your Thomasville GA home.

How To Add Value To Your Thomasville Georgia Real Estate


You may be wondering how to get the best price for your Thomasville Georgia real estate. Good preparation and a little hard work is the key to getting the most money when selling your home. Here are a few tried and true improvements you should make before you list your home:

• Revamp the exterior of your Thomasville Georgia real estate. Pretend that you're a potential buyer and take a critical look at the outside of your home. Could it use a new coat of paint? Perhaps the current paint scheme makes it look out-dated and old-fashioned. Painting and adding new light fixtures and railings can immediately improve your home's value.

• Look to the landscaping. Trim any trees or bushes that obscure the view of your home from the curb. Highlight the best view of your home, making sure the lawn is mowed and any flowerbeds are neat and tidy.

• Update the home’s interior. A light neutral paint color will make your home look bigger and more inviting to a buyer. Remove unnecessary furniture to help open up the rooms. Take down any personal photos you have up. You want the buyer to be able to picture themselves living there.

• De-clutter and organize. Clear off every flat surface in your home. Sort through all of your belongings. Pack away what you don’t use often; consider it pre-moving. Neatly stack and arrange your storage items, buyers prefer clean and orderly homes. You’ll want to remember to include the kitchen and bathrooms in the process. An entire house can be dismissed because of cluttered, out-dated kitchens and bathrooms.

• Do some light remodeling. The number one place that you’ll recoup your investment is the kitchen, followed closely by the bathroom. New kitchen cabinets, fixtures, and appliances can improve the value of your home quickly. In the bathroom, new tiling and fixtures can add a completely new dimension.

You can quickly improve the value of your Thomasville Georgia real estate by using these suggestions.

If you like these tips on improving the value of your home, subscribe to the First Thomasville Realty blog. Each week, you'll automatically receive new tips like these in your email inbox. And, it doesn't cost a thing.

Mule Day in Calvary Georgia

Only about 200 people call Calvary home, but on the first Saturday of November, every year, Calvary's population grows to 60,000 to 90,000 (not counting mules). The reason for this - Calvary Lions Club annual Mule Day Festival. Proceeds of which go to Lions International Sight programs and local charities. Enjoy a big parade with mules, horses and antique tractors; contests, and all day entertainment. Over 450 arts & crafts exhibitions, concessions, cane grinding, and syrup making make Mule Day a time to remember.

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Old South Day 2010

Ochlocknee Georgia will soon be celebrating Old South Day on November 13th, 2010.

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