THOM 7 | Fall / Winter 2016

Letter From
the Editor
“So, what’s your story?” It’s a guy this time.
He chuckles. He’s really nervous. And rightfully
so — a total stranger just plopped down across
the table from him, baiting him with her Southern
drawl.
She presses him. “No. Really!” What happens next
defies all probability for me. He actually starts to
form words.
There was a time when I dreaded dinner with this
particular friend because, well, you know, she just
shouldn’t do things like that. But, over time, I grew
curious. Envious, really. Their faces were always
intense with emotion, but she’d return to our table
to share captivating stories of crazy coincidences,
young lovers or tragedies of lives gone wrong. It was
always an interrupt to the expected and led to deep
and meaningful conversations between us.
Now that we are cities apart, I miss being a part
of the powerful connections she creates with total
strangers. And, sidebar, she is one of the most
fascinating people I know, mostly because of the
stories she carries with her.
One of my favorite story collectors, Ira Glass, says,
“Great stories happen to those who can tell them.” I
think that’s the reason we are so passionate about
the work we do through THOM. Every new story we
hear shapes us and adds a new layer of meaning
to our lives. As we continue to uncover the hidden,
creative life of Thomasville, we’re committed to
sharing stories to add meaning to the life of our
community.
way with life and words. Ann and Sid are practically
walking stories, as their fashion is woven into every
fiber of their life together.
Your thoughts about the impact you are having
on the children in your life will become far more
significant when you get to know Katie Chastain.
Christopher Coes? He’s the guy I want to spend
hours with, listening to his tales about great
communities.
As we move through 2016, we’re continuing to
celebrate Thomasville Center for the Arts’ 30th
anniversary. A highlight is the design of a new
strategic plan with a bold vision for the next decade.
To bring this vision to life, we’re crafting the story of
how we started, how we narrowly escaped disaster,
our triumph through reinvention and what we see
for the future of our city. Keep your eye out for it!
The partners who support THOM make our story
even richer. The people behind these businesses and
organizations are true partners – friends – working
with us to create a compelling, visual story of our
life in Thomasville. Powering our efforts together
is our presenting partner, Archbold Medical Center.
They are committed to strengthening the people
who live here and our story intersects with a shared
vision to connect people to one another.
So, what’s your story? We hope a part of our story is
part of yours. Come share your tale with us and be a
part of all that’s happening at the Center of it all in
Thomasville!
It’s been a bit of a “pinch me, I’m dreaming”
experience to get up close to the creatives in this
issue. Chuck Reece, our favorite bitter Southerner, is
a force to be reckoned with – determined to throw
dishonorable Southern traditions out the window by
sharing stories about the duality of the South. Julia
Reed, well, she has a simply fabulous, often amusing
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